dramadramaduck | [video] // black heart inertia

That's correct, basically. He is the one who chose me, not the reverse.

As for what happened, events have simply begun to lead me to doubt the fight I was summoned for will end in anything but betrayal at his hands.

So what are your options?

Assuming what I've seen is true and not mere fabrication?

My choice is to either turn my back on him and leave this world completely or die at his hands.

This is where it gets complicated. I have my own opinions, but I understand that our cultures and ways of thinking could be drastically different.

I personally find a person living for another person not of their choosing to be problematic, but I understand that it is a reality you must face every day.

Let's look at both of these options? What would the negative consequences be of each of these outcomes?

I have no issue with being called to a Master rather than choosing one myself. I chose to swear loyalty to the one who summoned me, and I accept that my existence is to fight for him.

Very well, let me see. In one outcome, I would again die due to betrayal at the hands of my lord. That is not something I seek to repeat. In the other, I violate all that I stand for by breaking my word and turning away from the loyalty sworn to my Master.

While I find cowardice far worse than death, I remain undecided as to which of these is truly preferable. What I should say is 'I would rather die than betray him', but events have me wondering if...if he's truly worth dying for, even as my Master.

Is it possible for you to be summoned by another, while serving a master already?

The contract between Servant and Master can be broken and a Servant contracted to another, but that usually requires the death of the original Master or the willing forfeit of his right to command a Servant.

Hmn. Doesn't sound all that different from the shogunate.

And the likeliness of your Master forfeiting..?

Kayneth-dono will not forfeit. I can at least say I know him well enough to be sure of that.

So it sounds like you have a decision to make. Is your biggest dilemma the idea that you would be "betraying" your ethic code?

...essentially, yes. Someone on the community once suggested that should I have no choice, I should abandon this world rather than let things come to such a conclusion. Though in my heart I feel as if that would be preferable to death, it would not be the right thing to do.

I can not turn my back on my Master; when I say I would die for him, I do not mean 'unless something better comes along'.

Having to choose between what is right and what is convenient for me should not even be a dilemma in any sense of the word. The answer is obvious, and yet I hesitate.

You hesitate because there is more to an oath than simply the logic of it.

To die for someone is only noble if your heart is in it. Otherwise it's just a waste.

I...I know that. But I can't abandon him. I can't turn my back on my lord and run a second time.

You've run before?

[Nasuti shakes her head. It doesn't matter.]

It takes more courage to look past your pride and do the right thing. A vile Master does not make self-sacrifice right.

Forgive me, it's a long story with difficult circumstances.

He's not...he's not a terrible person. [So you think.] He just does not understand the heart of a knight. I can not fault him for being born into an era where honor seems to count for far less than it once did.

Why would you die at his betrayal, then? A misunderstanding?

...It's difficult to explain, but something like that. In short, I have reason to believe he thinks I plan to steal his fiancee. And he would most likely not trust my word to the contrary.

...are you trying to steal his fiancee?

No--! I have absolutely no desire to do anything of the sort!

All I want in this world is to be a loyal knight and Servant. To me, nothing else matters.

Sorry. I had to ask. [Well, she didn't, but it's general best practice to gather all the information available.]

Is it possible that should you not be the one killed, the fiancee would be?

Kayneth-dono would not dare to hurt Sola-sama. And there is no harm I would allow her to come to as long as it is in my power to protect her.

....[Nasuti lowers her eyes, silently brainstorming.]

What about...is there any way you could convince him you have no interest in Sola-san beyond your duty to protect..?

Perhaps with a decoy of some sort?

I've been thinking of some way I could convince him of that, but I can come up with nothing. I do not even believe my Master realizes I am aware of his suspicions, so I can hardly confront him about it. It wouldn't be my place to do so anyway.

I am almost certain he does not trust my word. Yet my word alone is all I have.

What if you had...another woman? [She says the next part quickly.] Or a man, even--that would dash any suspicions, wouldn't it?

[Agh, Nasuti. Are you really suggesting such a thing? You watch too many rom-com movies.]

Wh-what are you implying, exactly? [Not that the implication seemed earth-shattering--sure he'd been married, but medieval times were a touch less awkward about the whole guys doing Things.]

[Sometimes.]

No, never mind that. I haven't the time for anything like that, whether to dispel suspicions or not. I do not speak lightly when I say my entire existence is meant to fight for my Master; I am here to take part in a hidden and secret war, and vanish from this world upon its conclusion.

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