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The Princess Who Would Be Liberator
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I probably never would have guessed that she was a princess. I mean, sure, she was dressed pretty fancy for someone wandering around in the sewers, but I'd encountered some pretty weird things that night already, so she didn't seem that out of the ordinary.
I guess that's a good thing though. I mean, a Princess who knows what the life of an exile is like and who has lived and dealt with the same sort of stuff as everyone else in the Kingdom is more likely to be a good ruler, right? Yeah. I think so. She's proven herself, so far at least.
And she's pretty cool. I mean, the last thing I'd expect of a princess is for her to be able to pull out a sword and shield and start kicking butt. It was probably the most amazing thing ever getting to see her take down wyrms and all those sort of things.
She seemed kind of moody some of the time, but I guess that's pretty normal. She's been through a lot. I've lost plenty, but I think she's lost more. Her father, husband, and kingdom all at once. That's gotta be rough. She's really proven to be strong, too. She doesn't just blurt things out, and she knows what has to be done.
I think she gets annoyed with me, though. She's gotten fed up when I speak out of turn, but hey, what do you expect? Just look at the way I was raised compared to her. But I guess I deserve it, but only some of the time. In any case, I really do hope that we're friends now.
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Ahh, the Princess. Where to begin? I suppose the best place would be the beginning, if you are feeling logical. Which I am.
I tend to want to avoid any sort of trouble, and this girl running around in the sewers slaying imperials was no exception. It was intriguing, I must say, but nevertheless, we already had one street rat on our hands and some priceless magicite, or so we thought. That seemed enough for the time.
I am, however, glad we met. I wouldn't have known it from her at the time, but our dear Princess is deeper than she appeared. I, like the thief, was surprised to learn that the sewer mouse was indeed a royal one, which shows she knows to keep her secrets.
I was worried about her for a while. I feared that she would take after the old man and his stones and become drunk on her power. I was worried that she would run after the Occuria doing their bidding like some sort of common dog rather than the Princess she was. I made a point to give her a good talking-to- she needed to understand the severity of what she was seeking. It didn't work right away, unfortunately. She still went trapsing off with thoughts of revenge and power in her head. Wanting to use the nethicite to avenge her dear husband, I think. But in the end, something changed her, and she discarded the stones. I can't say there was not a huge burden lifted from my heart at that moment.
All in all, I think she's changed the most of anyone in our little group. She was quite the impossible Princess when we first met up. Arrogant, rude, and even tried to steal my ship. I think life among the common folk has loosened her up quite a bit. She's much softer, and doesn't scold the churl quite as often as she used to. She's much more compassionate as well. I seem to remember her being quite worried about me when I decided to take charge of the situation in the Bahamut. She needn't have, but it's the thought that counts.
I guess I should return her ring.
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I always kind of felt distant from her. I mean, she's a Princess, I'm a street girl who dances for spare change. She's not just any princess, either, she's our Princess. With Larsa, at least he was the heir or something like that in a foreign country I'm not to fond of. So it was easier to be casual with him. It was probably age, too. Larsa was younger than us, but the Princess is older. It's only two years, but it feels like a world. She's also way more mature than the two of us. I guess it comes with being royalty.
I've still admired her from a distance. She's so beautiful. I would give anything to look like her. She's so skilled in magicks, too. I've seen her cast these spells that are just amazing. And at the same time, she's super skilled with weapons, too. Especially swords. I would expect it of a prince, not a princess. Not that she's masculine or anything, just out of the ordinary. Well, at least for royalty. They're not that ordinary at all, really.
It was definitely interesting to travel with her. She's the first girl close to my age I've spent lots of time with. It wasn't what I expected, to say the least. I'm glad I've met her. I know she'll make a good queen.
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I did not know what to make of a child who runs in the sewers battling her enemies. I, like my partner, was wary of approaching her and taking her under our wings. I prefer to avoid trouble when I can.
However, like so many other things, she came into our lives and I was swept away on her quest. At times, I felt like we were in the pursuit of knowledge, and others, of war. In the end, I would like to think it was peace.
She was far to young to be a Princess, but I realize now that she is wise beyond her years. She has more experience than most any other her age in the affairs empires and kingdoms.
She has grown as well. She has become softer and compassionate and I do not doubt her heart. I pray we will meet again, although neither as runaways in the sewers or prisoners aboard an airship. Perhaps we could meet as friends.
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She is the one piece of hope I have left.
I have failed so many, and here she offers me a second chance. Through her I defend Queen and Kingdom both. My debts have been paid through service, and not through revenge. I am grateful to her in ways that cannot be described.
She was quite justified at being angry at me. The implausibility of my return would have aroused suspicion in anyone, especially the child of the King I let die. The burden that lifted from my heart when she forgave me could never be expressed properly in mere words. Still I feel that service of another thousand years is due to her.
I remember meeting her. I had just entered Dalmasca and joined the Order. She was ten years old and small for her age. She already carried herself like a princess.
I remember the pain her eyes when Rasler died. I would have given anything to be of any sort of comfort to her then, but I felt that my presence would be the most disruptive. After all, I was the one who returned with his body. That was the first time I feared she would never forgive me. But she did. She gave me no grief, and thanked me genuinely for bringing him back to her. She did not hold me in contempt or wish that I had died instead. She did not have me sent away, nor did she scoff at me when I knelt to beg her forgiveness.
Now she is grown, in wisdom and in years. She is more than ready to be Queen, of this I am sure. In our travels, she has learned more than any books might have taught her. She knows the trials of her people and what exists in the world around her. She has seen Nabudis, the sandsea, Arcahdia, and Bhujerba alike. She has traveled to lands of legend and of Mist. She has spoken with the Gariff and Viera, as well as Hume, Seeq, and Bangaa. She is a true child of the Dynast King. I do not believe that Dalmasca has seen one like her more than an age.
I know the people will be glad to have her. The Heroine of Ivalice, their Princess Ashe. All I wish for now is a way to fulfill duty to brother and duty to country at once.