She knew most certainly what Daishoga had been through that day. In fact, she had seen her father go through similar things several weeks before the attack the Emperor had launched on her village. Reltica had been pressuring her father to accept special forces since they were confident that Daishoga was planning on making a move after negotiations over dividing Vaandom had ended on a bad note. But her father had refused, saying he was no Reltican puppet and wished not to see his kingdom divided nor given away to some other, bigger power. It had been a truly remarkable and admirable attitude, but it hadn’t stopped the Empire from attacking and from winning the battle. All in all, it was a great reminder that wars were not won with good or noble intentions. Nonetheless, Sajedene listened to his description of the day and it hardly surprised her that it had been a difficult one.<br/><br/>“Yes, it is impossible, your Highness.” She admitted and nodded slowly. “Unless the people have chosen the ruler as their rightful ruler and through him exercise their power. But that, of course, seems absurd in a time like this.” Sajedene forced a small smile, realizing how naïve the idea was to have the people rule themselves. Reltica was somewhat already doing this, but their high ranking politicians were still more like tyrants than noble leaders and representatives of the people. She disliked politics. Or, to be more specific, she disliked the way politics were at that current time. There was little consideration for the people. How did either Reltica or the Empire think they could realistically rule over a former kingdom, Vaandom, without seeing the birth of rebellions and protests? The people were not happy back in her home and they would make their unhappiness known sooner or later. “You look tired, your Highness.” She said, changing the subject finally as she realized he probably wasn’t in the mood for politics. “Is there anything I could do to make you feel better?”<br/><br/>She realized that although the conflict was hurting countless families and individuals, it was weighing quite a bit on Daishoga’s shoulders as well. Perhaps now if ever would be a good moment to remind him that he could end all of this if he wanted, that the only thing Reltica feared more than not getting Vaandom, and hence winning, was Daishoga himself. The opportunity was right there and she could have used it to try and change his mind, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. She had come all this way, been to Hell and back or so it felt, and yet she refused to finish what she had started in the first place. Has she already forgotten the suffering of her people and the fate of her lover as well as her father? Sajedene sighed quietly, realizing suddenly that she really didn’t understand what she was doing there. Sure, she had been captured, but if she couldn’t even bring herself to speak of politics with him then all of her sacrifices had been for nothing.<br/><br/>Thankfully, the subject moved to her gift. Well, she did care for the Emperor but she wasn’t sure to what extent her feelings could go. He was incredibly kind to her, something which still surprised her. Sajedene smiled widely when he put the necklace on in front of her. When he bowed his head, she felt a bit ashamed at the absurdity of the situation. The Emperor was bowing his head to a servant girl! Oh well, she’d forgive him that, because she was far from a servant girl. “I should be the one to thank you, your Highness. You’ve shown kindness to a stranger like me who by no means is entitled to it.” She looked down when he reached out to touch her cheek and kept smiling while he asked to know why she had decided to give him, of all people, a gift. He made it seem like he was undeserving of such treatment, but she couldn’t disagree more with him. “My prisoner?” She repeated and looked up to his eyes once more. “Your Highness, do you recall what you said to me when I was worried about being a proper servant to you? You told me I was failing miserably, but that you were happy with that failure. I could say the same about you.”<br/><br/>She observed him for a moment before continuing. “Besides, kindness is the best of weapons. Do you not agree, your Highness? I’m certain that you can predict the words and actions of your enemies easily, yet I would dare say I have created some confusion in your mind, your Highness.” Sajedene laughed slightly. “But that goes for me as well. You have confused me, profoundly. Perhaps neither of us really expected this type of situation, your Highness. We didn’t expect to be kind to each other.”