Constance & Ferdinand C

Ferdinand
Life is a series of peaks and valleys. Our reunion is, to my mind, the highest of peaks.

Constance
Spoken like one who's never known the lowest of valleys.

Ferdinand
To think, we were once a pair of blooms, flourishing side by side in the upper echelons of Enbarr society.

Ferdinand
Despite our differing aspirations, I think together we could have taken the mantle of leading the Empire.

Constance
Tread carefully, Ferdinand.

Ferdinand
Some part of me clung to hope that you might emerge from the wreckage. I am glad you have.

Constance
...

Ferdinand
I know that was a difficult time for you.

Constance
Oh, so you surmised that the single-most-humiliating event of my life was "difficult," did you?

Constance
It is becoming clear to me that this conversation is a waste of my time.

Ferdinand
Oh! That was rather brusque.

Constance
Well, pardon me if I seem unmannerly in the face of a reminder of all I have lost.

Constance
My family, my home, my friends, my people, everything. I am all that remains.

Ferdinand
I... I...

Ferdinand
I did not intend to offend you, Constance.

Constance
Then what did you intend? How like the "noblest of nobles" to be unaware of the suffering one causes.

Constance
You can't grasp what it is to be a newly minted peasant, can you?

Ferdinand
That is simply not true. I care about you, and I was attempting to offer some words of comfort.

Constance
Enough. I need more than words—more than you have offered to provide.

Constance
Though I am without status now, my spirit is no less noble.

Constance
It will not do for you to condescend to me in my houseless state.

Ferdinand
You have my sincerest apologies. That was a grave misstep.

Ferdinand
I did not mean to come across as condescending. I was merely being careless with my words.

Ferdinand
As you say, I have never experienced loss at such a staggering magnitude.

Ferdinand
I cannot imagine the pain you have endured.

Constance
Indeed, you cannot. I advise against trying.

Constance
The more you harp on it, the more irritated with you I become.

Constance
Never shall a day pass that I don't work toward restoring my house and reclaiming my title.

Constance
You, on the other hand, seem content to remind me that it is lost. Thank you, but I had not forgotten.

Ferdinand
Constance, please!

Constance
I see no trace of the boy who made waves with me at balls and embodied the finest in the nobility.

Constance
This newfound arrogance of yours is a discredit to House Aegir.