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[ ...No. No, he failed to kill the queen, but the death of the Princess would still be on his hands. Yet the curse was undone, and they both lived... Susato looks rather outwardly conflicted, not at all helped by his blasé attitude. There are many things she could say here. About power, about corruption, about greed, about justice.

In the end, however, only one word comes out, spoken in a small voice laced with disbelief. ]

...Why?

[He wonders if his answer really matters, would she forgive him if his reason was more 'understanding?' Maybe? He can't predict that. However, he doesn't intend to lie now of all times.]

I'm a prince, raised to be a king since I was young, but everyone knew that I wouldn't ever get that chance normally. So, I thought I'd make my own path to succession, even if it wasn't my own kingdom.

[It's as simple as that, without getting too much into the details. Hans tits his head at her, almost as if he's gauging her reaction, but it's mostly for show.]

Or did you want to hear a different answer, Susato? To make you feel less betrayed by my comments?

[ Is there even an answer that would make her feel less betrayed? Is there an answer that makes this okay? If there is, she can't think of one. All she can do is quietly shake her head. It seems he is just like the nobles back in Great Britain. Been a while since she'd been forced to think about them. ]

I would rather hear that you regret what you did. That you've changed.

...But I don't expect you to insult me by saying so now.

Oh, but I've changed for the better--

[Hans cuts himself short, however, his placid smile disappearing before this charade goes any further. He won't insult her by doing that and it's not worth that effort.]

...Would you believe me if I said I've tried feeling regret for what happened? But the most I can manifest is regretting that I didn't succeed. [Hans doesn't look especially proud by that admission, a small exhale leaving him as he draws his eyes elsewhere.]

Or sometimes I think about how I could've chosen a different goal. Living life here, where it's been mundane, hasn't been terrible.

[ Susato stares at him before he cuts himself short, as if daring him to finish that sentence. He doesn't; and once that smile disappears, she gets the sense that he is being honest with her for the first time. Even if she no longer sees him the same way... she wonders if her father would judge her for taking comfort in that. ]

You would not be the first to change their goals because of this place. Perhaps... that's a line of thinking you should follow.

[ There is a pause as Susato allows those words to hang in the air... ]

What would you have chosen?

[On one hand, Susato hasn't gotten too upset with him. Oh, she's definitely not pleased, but her reaction could've been far worse. Guess he'll keep going then, it's not often he can speak so honestly.]

Who knows? Maybe I would've taken a ship to a faraway country, living a life entirely separate from what my family wanted of me.

[Maybe it'd be a 'screw you' to them, but it's just as likely that they wouldn't care. Be relieved, even. Why give them that satisfaction?]

But maybe I'd regret it within a few days, and that I really should've tried again to find a kingdom to take over. Except with far less mistakes on my end.

[ What his family expected... She can almost feel the weight behind those words. It doesn't sound like he's changed though, no. He says he has tried feeling regret for what he did, but who knows if this attempt was even genuine. Meanwhile, someone like Kazuma has to stew in guilt.

It isn't fair. ]

Did you ever face justice?

[........]

Are you wondering if I was executed for my crimes, Lady Susato?

[Hans nearly stares straight at her, waiting and wanting to see her reaction to this possible piece of information. Many would probably think he'd deserve it, but he wants to know what she thinks.]

[ ...The dead can't dream, though somehow, she wouldn't put it past the tapir. His expectant stare makes her falter just a bit, but she answers with an even voice. Her shoulders lift slightly like she wants to shrug, but she doesn't quite make it.

Yes? ]

Well... I can't claim to know your laws, but they can't have looked too kindly upon your actions either. Even if things did work out amiably.

[That's a boring answer, one that doesn't feel like a complete reaction to his crimes. Hans lets out a small sigh, his eyes closing just briefly, before he gives Susato an encouraging if sharp smile, like he's egging her on to say something in particular.]

I apologize, maybe I should've worded my question slightly different. Do you hope that I was executed?

[ The disappointment oozes out of that sigh of his and crawls right under her skin. With that clarification, the question is suddenly not so deceptively simple. Had she been avoiding that answer, or is that just what he means to imply? ]

Do you want to hear me say 'yes'?

...To show me that I am capable of the same darkness? That those demons also sleep within me?

[Hans makes a show out of slowly blinking, before placing a single hand against his chest, as if surprised by her comments. Okay, maybe he's a little shocked, but he's definitely exaggerating a bit.]

Nothing of that sort. I'd never assume you hold such demons within you. [Unless she wants to confess something now--] I just want to hear your honest opinion.

I...

[ There isn't a part of her that believes he cares about her honest opinion. This should be easy to answer, but still, she hesitates. It is truly against her nature to wish death outright upon someone, least of all someone so deceptively charistmatic. There is still a part of her that hopes he will eventually learn from his failures.

But he asked for honesty. ]

Maybe there is a part of me that thinks your world would be a better place if you were. But those demons will not win, and neither will you.

[Hans lets his hand drop from his chest, only for it to raise up and lightly grip his own chin, as if considering her words. So, it's not a full on 'hope you die,' but somewhere in the middle?? Guess he'll just have to accept this answer for now. The prince lets out a loud sigh, before smiling at her.]

Well, I'm here to bring you good news, Lady Susato.

I was caught by everyone and sent back home to face punishment. And that punishment? Well, even I don't know! Maybe my father will execute me by his own hand or maybe he just wouldn't even care.

[That last bit is a lie, because his father would definitely care, only if because he soured the reputation of the Southern Isles. Hans doesn't find himself caring all that much, since he was never going to become king there.]

[ The smile is unsettling, his words sarcastic, and she takes no comfort in any of it. He speaks dismissively, but she finds it hard to believe that his father wouldn't care, or that Hans himself wouldn't care. ]

I think you care very deeply about what he might think.

[ Her tone may be accusatory. ]

Is that why kingship mattered so much? Simply because it's what was expected of you?

[If Hans is affected by her accusation, he doesn't show it, even if she's not entirely incorrect. No matter what he says otherwise or how much time's passed, the fact of being the last son and therefore the prince with the least value or weight, will never vanish. It's what's driven him throughout the years, only now thinking of a life that can be far more mundane.

But even then, he's not sure. Maybe it's not even worth considering, since that time may have very well passed for him back home.]

You know, Ferran asked me a similar question while we were in the dream. [Just going to get Ferran involved with this, why not.] I believe that the most simple answer may be 'yes,' in the end. Or I just wanted power for myself, you can choose.

[ Ferran? Ferran was in the dream...?

Faces blur together when she thinks back. Even if he had been, she wouldn't remember now, though she'd like to think that memory wouldn't fade easily. Her brow visibly furrows at the thought, and at his dismissive answer. It's not on her to decide something like that. ]

What did he ask exactly? Did you give him the most simple answer, too?

He asked what being a king would mean to me and I offered the same answer to him as I did to you.

[Well, almost the same answer, similar enough that Hans doesn't think it necessary to bring up what he really said to Ferran. Besides, he doesn't want to repeat everything he said to him, as some bits are somewhat personal to him. There's no need to bother Susato with those things either.

Hans gives his most believable apologetic expression to her, but it's probably obvious that he doesn't mean it at all.]

If it helps, he was as equally disappointed in my answer as you are.

[ She couldn't ever speak for Ferran, but she thinks she understands. By the way he wrote and spoke about him, he seemed to admire the prince a great deal. ]

He thought better of you, I suppose. But he has his own demons, too.

[ Don't they all? But they're not here to talk about those. ]

I hope you enjoy the freedom Songerein has efforded you, in any case. May you find another path that doesn't have to be paved with blood.

[Hans doesn't believe that Ferran views him in the same way as Susato, especially regarding this matter, but he doesn't bother to make his thoughts known. Ferran can think whatever he wants and he isn't going to speak for him, not this time. Hans is more than fine letting the two of them talk things out if it comes to that.]

Do you plan to personally stop me if I decided to stick with my initial path? Are you going to tell everyone what I'm really like?

[Maybe he shouldn't encourage her, but Hans can't help it. When he's not trying to make people comfortable around him, he just likes to push people's buttons.]

[ Ah...

Now it makes sense. The reason he reached out to her to begin with. Everything clicks. Susato looks warily at him and shakes her head, though whether she's saying 'no' or just continually disappointed, it isn't immediately obvious. ]

There is nothing to stop as of yet. I don't wish to spread panic over nothing, not when you've committed no crimes to speak of against the people here.

But know that I will not lie for you. And I won't protect you.

[Of all the people to learn of his 'secret,' Susato is the first to show at least some distaste towards him. He doesn't find himself hurt or anything, honestly, it's relieving in some twisted way. Hans can't fully explain it, so he just continues, raising both his hands lightly as if to reassure her.]

Don't worry, I wouldn't put such pressure on someone as morally upright as you to protect someone like me.

[ Morally uptright isn't the insult (to her) that he thinks it is. Or... maybe she's just taking it that way, given what she's learned about him. She doesn't wish to escalate things unnecessarily, so with the surrendering gesture of his hands, she feels like she can relent. ]

Then, is there anything else that I should know?

...About you, or the Southern Isles you call home?

[Hans tilts his head just slightly upon hearing that question. It's far from the first time he's been asked that, but he presumed that she wouldn't care to learn more about him after everything. He can talk about his life back in the Southern Isles, but he really has nothing much to say about it other than feeling utterly hopeless and hating every moment of it.

Okay, he might have some things to say, but he's not going to get into it. Hans pulls his arms behind his back and leans forward just slightly, smiling all the same.]

What is there to learn? Don't tell me that you're still curious about the prince that tried to murder a queen.

[ ...Gugh. She didn't need the reminder, for it to be spoken so openly. But there's no turning away from it, and now anytime she thinks of him, this will be all she can think about.

What else is there to learn? Probably plenty. Shouldn't she at least try to understand, to try to keep a repeat attempt from happening? Yet her mind goes blank. ]

I know that's not all there is to you. No... I have to believe that it isn't. But if that's all you're willing to share... then I have plenty to think about already.

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