conversations.from: human
conversations.value:  "You’ll scare the girls.” She was calm, a stark contrast to my frenzied state. I hated that calmness, but I didn’t want to scare the children either. I spoke in as collected a tone as I could muster. “I’m sorry, but you should have refused him on the spot! There’s no reason to accept such a request!”
conversations.prefix: Rae:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value:  “You’re right. As a citizen, I have no reason to accept.”
conversations.prefix: Claire:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value:  “So you understand?” I was relieved. She could overcome her pride after all. “Then there’s no need to wait a week, let’s just—”
conversations.prefix: Rae:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value:  “But if I were to refuse, what do you think would happen?” Claire cut me off. I was stunned for a moment but gathered myself and thought about it.
conversations.prefix: Claire:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value:  “Won’t they just send someone else to go?”
conversations.prefix: Rae:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value:  “Indeed. They’ll find someone else who’d satisfy the conditions.”
conversations.prefix: Claire:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value:  “And what’s wrong with that?” I couldn’t understand what Claire was getting at, not one bit—and yet my heart drummed hard, warning me I wouldn’t like the outcome awaiting ahead.
conversations.prefix: Rae:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value:  “The empire is a dangerous place to be.”
conversations.prefix: Claire:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value:  “Of course it is! That’s why—”
conversations.prefix: Rae:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value:  “If I were to refuse, someone else would be sent into danger in my stead.” Claire looked me square in the eyes as she spoke. Had she not changed? Had she not grown accustomed to civilian life since the revolution? Had she not wished to continue this ordinary yet happy life together with May, Aleah, and I? No—she hadn’t changed. At her core, she was the same person she’d been before the revolution. She was still proud and honest, and she never allowed others to suffer in her place—just like the virtuous nobles of the past. And, once again, that same Claire would sacrifice herself for someone else’s sake. “Miss Claire, you’re not a noble anymore… You can think about your own happiness now.”
conversations.prefix: Claire:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value:  “That’s not it, Rae. I made this decision with my own happiness in mind.” Claire beckoned me to sit as she sat down herself. I was still unnerved but obeyed—partially to try to calm my nerves. “Nothing makes me happier than knowing you and my daughters are happy and well.”
conversations.prefix: Claire:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value:  “It’s the same for us. Your happiness is our happiness.”
conversations.prefix: Rae:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value:  “Thank you, Rae. But this happiness can only last as long as we have peace.” Claire spoke softly, as if soothing a child throwing a tantrum. “The kingdom is still unstable; it’s only been a year since the revolution. Matt is right. We have no other choice.”
conversations.prefix: Claire:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value:  “But that doesn’t mean you have to be the one to sacrifice yourself!” I raised my voice.
conversations.prefix: Rae:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value:  “Don’t misunderstand. I’m not sacrificing myself. I’m going so I can secure peace for the kingdom with my own two hands.” The girl making this bold declaration was unmistakably the same girl I had loved for all this time. “If I were to refuse Matt’s request,” Claire continued, “I would be entrusting our future to a stranger—and I will not stand for that.”
conversations.prefix: Claire:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value:  “Miss Claire…” This was Claire.
conversations.prefix: Rae: