[ Preoccupied as the girl is, she doesn't give much thought to the flower for the moment. After all, it's more means than end, for her. ]

Whoever it is that doesn't... will be married to someone of our father's choosing.

[ Not so uncommon a fate, for a daughter - but the flaws in that system are clear enough. A loveless marriage, almost surely, for status and money and no other considerations than that. ]

Most likely in a land far away, with someone who lacks ambition. So that there are no - problems with the succession. [ Exhaling a sigh, ] It's hard to say whether we'd ever see home again. I don't want that for her, and she doesn't want it for me, but...

[ Still, the competition exists regardless of their shared wishes. ]