Hubert & Hanneman B

Hubert
I must thank you for lending your expertise to the aid of Her Majesty, Hanneman.

Hanneman
Your gratitude is wasted on me, Hubert. I choose this situation entirely because it benefits me.

Hanneman
I could carry out my research anywhere, of course, but that is, as they say, beside the point.

Hubert
Is that so?

Hanneman
Hubert. There's something I want to tell you. Will you hear me out?

Hubert
Depends what it is.

Hanneman
It concerns your father.

Hubert
Then, no. Absolutely not.

Hanneman
Oh, by all means, cover your ears and run out of the room. I'll still speak the words, for I feel that I must.

Hanneman
Your father, the Marquis of Vestra—well rather, the former Marquis of Vestra—was a selfless man.

Hanneman
He was practical and never sought power for the sake of power. In that respect, you and he are rather alike.

Hanneman
Do you think such a man would so easily betray his emperor, even if led astray by the prime minister?

Hubert
Clearly, yes. That's exactly what he did.

Hubert
He played a large part in the assault on the palace. Personally spearheaded the emperor's capture.

Hubert
The thought of those treacherous arms reaching out for Her Majesty... It is truly upsetting.

Hanneman
Agreed. Facts are facts.

Hanneman
The palace walls are stuffed with countless truths, all of them concealed by the stones and mortar of fact.

Hanneman
I hoped you would have the capacity to see the unfettered truth.

Hanneman
But I fear that where your father is concerned, your eyes may see only what you wish them to see.

Hubert
I'll take that under advisement.

Hanneman
Feel free to ignore me. I know full well I have my own blind spots. It's just...

Hanneman
I believe your father had something he was trying to protect.

Hanneman
Bearing a stain on his honor, being purged by his own son... All in the name of protection.

Hanneman
I speak from knowledge, as someone who failed to protect something I held dear.

Hubert
Let's say you're right. Suppose he did it to protect something he cared about.

Hubert
Doesn't matter. Doesn't change his actions or my judgment of them.

Hubert
My father was a traitor to House Hresvelg and he deserved what he got.

Hubert
That was me protecting something I care about.

Hanneman
Ah, I can see the right of that. You have chosen your own path, Hubert.

Hanneman
Continue protecting what you wish to protect, and I shall support you from the bottom of my heart.