Edelgard & Manuela B

Edelgard
Professor Manuela? May I come in?

Edelgard
Uh... This room! What...what happened here?!

Manuela
Oh, nothing out of the ordinary. Why? Is something the matter?

Edelgard
No, I just— Can I help you tidy up? Actually, I have to know. How did you make such a mess in the first place?

Manuela
Please don't ask for the details. Suffice to say my room always looks like this after I've been dumped.

Edelgard
Oh, right. Well, let's see what we can do about it.

Manuela
Your help was unexpected, but appreciated, Edelgard. Now, what can I do for you?

Edelgard
I heard that you haven't been acting like yourself, so I came to see if you're doing all right.

Edelgard
But the moment I saw you, I could tell you were troubled, so it seemed pointless to ask.

Manuela
I suppose it was rather obvious, wasn't it? Perhaps I should stop being quite so dramatic...

Manuela
All the same, dear, I'd like to repay you for helping me out. Name your prize.

Edelgard
I don't need a reward, but...if you wouldn't mind answering my question, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Manuela
Of course. What is it?

Edelgard
I once asked you why you chose to retire.

Edelgard
You said that the goddess supports you emotionally, but it's up to you to take care of the rest.

Edelgard
I have to admit that I don't quite understand what you meant by that... Can you please explain?

Manuela
Did I say that? Hm, I suppose so...

Manuela
From joining the Mittelfrank Opera Company to becoming a diva of the grand stage...

Manuela
I went through so much to achieve what I did. Looking back, I don't know how I made it.

Edelgard
What happened during that time?

Manuela
A lot.

Manuela
My divinely gifted voice only got me to the edge of the stage.

Manuela
From there, I had to work hard to defeat my rivals.

Manuela
I did all of this by myself, through sheer force of will. All so I could stand center-stage.

Edelgard
Ah, I see I was wrong about something.

Edelgard
I thought that being a devout believer implied a certain weakness of spirit. An inability to survive on your own.

Edelgard
But you've proven me wrong, Professor Manuela.