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[ 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.

Maybe I'll tell you more on another day.

[He straightens himself, that placid smile still adorning his face, even though it's clear that he's intending to leave Susato with her possibly troubling thoughts. Hans knows that she'll be fine though, she's pretty strong. He can say that with relative certainty.

I'm sure I burdened you enough for today. I don't wish to trouble you more than I already have, Lady Susato.

......

[ He really is...charming. As much as she tries to remind herself that he is faking it, she thinks back on the time he took her around the lake. The time she became a guest at his house.

She knows where this guy lives, and the reverse is true, too.

...She will most certainly see him again. ]

Will you give my regards to Sitron for me?

[An unreadable look passes by Hans, if just for a second, before he nods and turns just slightly, intending to leave her be for now. He's done what he set out to do and somehow, he wasn't punched. He'll count that as a win.

But just as he's about to walk away, the prince decides to elaborate just a little more, throwing one last comment at her.]

I certainly will. Sitron misses you, as he misses anyone that is so kind to him.

[ Susato watches him as he takes his leave, and does nothing to stop him. Her hand grips the air in a fist, and she lets out a sigh, almost like she had been holding in breath. She also decides to give one last comment as his frame gets smaller with distance. ]

...I miss him, too.

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