Ryoma/Subaki C-S

C

Ryoma: Ah, Subaki. Training as usual, I see.

Subaki: Good day, milord. Were you going to use the training grounds? I can leave, if you'd like.

Ryoma: No, I was only passing by. But I've seen you here every day at around this time.

Subaki: Ah, that's what you meant by "as usual." In any case, I have to always be at top form to protect Lady Sakura.

Ryoma: Your dedication to my sister knows no bounds.

Subaki: I am her loyal retainer, Lord Ryoma. It's only natural that I give her every ounce of my effort!

Ryoma: I can see that, Subaki. Your parents would be proud of you.

Subaki: ...

Ryoma: I'll leave you to your training, then.

Subaki: Right... Enjoy your day, Milord.

B

Subaki: I'll just have to train even harder today- Oh. Hello, Milord.

Ryoma: Subaki. My apologies for taking your training spot.

Subaki: It isn't as if I own it, Milord. Feel free to use it.

Ryoma: In that case, why don't you spar with me?

Subaki: Spar with you...?

Ryoma: I think it would help us both in the coming battles. Don't you?

Subaki: I'm afraid I have to decline, my lord.

Ryoma: Why? I thought that you never shy away from an opportunity for improvement.

Subaki: Why would the Prince of Hoshido want to train with me?

Ryoma: I want to see your perfect skill firsthand. I don't think that's unreasonable.

Subaki: ...Perhaps another time, Milord.

Ryoma: Subaki, wait-!
It seems something I said upset him again...

A

Subaki: Lord Ryoma, may I talk to you for a moment?

Ryoma: Oh, Subaki. Of course. Did you need something?

Subaki: I wanted to apologize for the way I acted. It was unbefitting for a servant of the royal family to act that way towards a prince.

Ryoma: It's alright, Subaki. It was something I said, wasn't it?

Subaki: ...

Ryoma: You can tell me. If only so I don't make the same mistake twice.

Subaki: ...You mentioned my parents. And then you wanted to spar with me. It... was unexpected.

Ryoma: Your parents?

Subaki: They raised me to be utterly perfect in every way. They wanted me to serve you, Milord. They were... unhappy, when they discovered you already had retainers.

Ryoma: I see. So Sakura was their second choice?

Subaki: No. I chose to serve Lady Sakura. I am whole-heartedly committed to serving her, with or without my parent's approval.

Ryoma: I'm glad that Sakura has such a good retainer. And such a good friend.

Subaki: You...
Thank you, Milord.

S

Ryoma: Subaki! I finally caught you.

Subaki: Caught me, Milord?

Ryoma: Don't pretend that you haven't been avoiding me. I thought we cleared the air between us?

Subaki: We did.

Ryoma: Then what have I done now?

Subaki: You didn't do anything, Milord... Nothing that you meant to do, anyway.

Ryoma: What do you mean?

Subaki: ...I can't. I'm simply not good enough.

Ryoma: Subaki, that isn't true! There's nothing you aren't good enough for.

Subaki: I'm not good enough to serve you, Milord.

Ryoma: Serve me?

Subaki: Not as a retainer... I want to serve at your side, forever! I wasn't expecting to fall in love with you, Milord. But your kindness knows no bounds. Your understanding, your love for your siblings, and your country... I love you for all of it.

Ryoma: I don't want you to serve me, Subaki.

Subaki: I... understand, Lord Ryoma-

Ryoma: I want you to see us as equals. I don't want you to serve me as a consort, I want you to love me as your husband.

Subaki: What?

Ryoma: The way you give everything your all, the way you always try to show your best side, even your blunders, I find it all so endearing. I want us to stand side by side and lead Hoshido into a new dawn.

Subaki: Milord, no... Ryoma. I would love nothing more, if you'll have me.