The Lies Pile Up
Cleo: We have a serious problem: I don't have enough ingredients for tonight's dinner.
Cleo: Might I ask you to go stock up for us, Euden?
Euden: Er, you want me to carry back enough to feed an entire castle on my own?
Cleo: Everyone else is busy, I'm afraid.
Cleo: Although if you feel it acceptable for all of us to go without dinner tonight, you're welcome to refuse.
Euden: All right, all right. I'll go.
Thaniel: Your Highness? Are you going out?
Euden: Yes. Apparently I need to go buy food for literally everyone.
Thaniel: What?! You have been sent to do shopping like a common peasant?! ALONE?!
Thaniel: Ah! I have the perfect solution!
Thaniel: I've just been out fishing in the lake, you see, and my day was most profitable.
Thaniel: Feast your eyes on THIS catch!
Euden: Oh wow, look at all that fish... This is enough to feed everyone and have leftovers tomorrow!
Euden: You must be a real natural at fishing.
Euden: Did you often fish when you were at sea?
Thaniel: Heavens, no. I cannot stand the sea. I wouldn't dream of fishing there.
Thaniel: I much prefer a leisurely spot of fishing by the side of a lake.
Euden: Huh? Really? It seems strange that someone in the navy hates the sea.
Thaniel: Blast!
Thaniel: ...Well, I suppose the cat is out of the proverbial sack now.
Thaniel: To tell you the truth, I didn't join the navy of my own free will—a fact that caused me to loathe my time there.
Thaniel: My father, a navy man, forced me to join, and I spent my days being put through the mill by older sailors. It was...hell.
Euden: Well, I'm not surprised you hated it. No one enjoys being forced to do something against their will.
Thaniel: Er, aren't you angry with me? I lied to you!
Euden: Of course I'm not angry. I've no right to know every single detail of your life. There's no harm in personal secrets.
Thaniel: (Guh... He really is kind...)
Thaniel: (Yet here I am lying about swearing loyalty to him. Have I no shame...?)
Thaniel: Y-Your Highness! Actually, I... Umm...
Euden: Yes? What is it?
Thaniel: I know I said that I hated being in the navy, but...
Thaniel: But my loyalty to you is genuine! There is NO need to worry on that score!
Euden: Oh, that's what you were going to say? Well, thanks, Thaniel.
Euden: It's a bit embarrassing to have something like that said to your face, but I'm still happy to hear it.
Thaniel: Urk...
Euden: Anyway, we should get back to the castle.
Euden: Everyone must be starving.
Thaniel: Damnation... I did it again...
Thaniel: I got cold feet at the last moment because I was afraid of betraying his kindness...
Thaniel: N-next time, I will definitely tell him the truth! Make no mistake!
Thaniel: Even if he ends up hating me, I can keep this charade up no longer!
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