[ I left... and I can't afford to look back. There is something that resonates there, but Jeanne knows their circumstances are very different. What made them both leave their homes are very different, but still, she can understand.
Sometimes, you must look and walk forward and only that. ]
[Yona looks down at her hands, her expression serious.]
When I was growing up, I didn't know anything about what was happening outside the palace walls. My father kept me protected from everything, and... he turned a blind eye to many of the problems within the kingdom for the sake of not going to war with our neighbors. Our people suffered for it.
Now that you know more, you don't agree with his policies.
[ It's an observation more than a question, but it is still partly a question, and the lilt to her voice denotes that. ]
We all must start somewhere, but I am glad you are moving forward to do what you feel is right. Although... I must say, ending a human trafficking ring is a little more than small.
I love my father. He... wanted a peaceful country. He refused to send our troops to war, and tried to put limitations on weapons. But that turned into other countries taking our territory, and us not doing anything about it. It turned into the only people who had weapons being people who were already willing to break the law.
[...]
I just... it's hard to reconcile the kind person that I knew as my father with... a king who turned a blind eye to his people's suffering. I can't imagine ever doing that.
[ Jeanne reaches out for Yona's hands, holding them if she lets her. ]
You don't have to agree with what he did to still love him. Peace comes at a price, and what kind of peace it is depends on what you're willing to pay.
[ Peace of mind, peace of a country, peace of heart. ]
Some cannot bear the thought of violence, and some cannot accept that in order to save some lives, you may have to take them. I do not blame you.
In truth, I agree with you. I have never been able to turn away from the suffering of others or from cries of lament.
[ Jeanne's smile is warm, and that warmth seeps into her tone as she squeezes Yona's hands gently. ]
That is a good path to walk. To acknowledge and know what you didn't see before and to walk forward with that in mind on order to do what you can— it makes you a wonderful person, Yona. You truly are stronger for it.
But... I would hesitate to call your father a horrible person. I do not think he was a good king, but I don't think he's a horrible person, if you loved him and he loved you.
It is difficult to be able to ease everyone's suffering, so all we can do is try bit by bit where we can. I won't excuse what your father did. [ Or more accurately, what he didn't do. ] He decided there were other things that were more important than his country.
Than your country.
[ It's not something Jeanne can imagine doing herself either, as a person or in any position of power. She is and has never been in any place to be someone royal, but she's met her fair share of kings. ]
But at least you are trying where he did not. Even if you have set aside your status to do so.
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dawnblushed) wrote2020-09-24 11:25 pm
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Sometimes, you must look and walk forward and only that. ]
What is it you're trying to do?
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[Yona looks down at her hands, her expression serious.]
When I was growing up, I didn't know anything about what was happening outside the palace walls. My father kept me protected from everything, and... he turned a blind eye to many of the problems within the kingdom for the sake of not going to war with our neighbors. Our people suffered for it.
...in some small way, I want to make up for it.
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[ It's an observation more than a question, but it is still partly a question, and the lilt to her voice denotes that. ]
We all must start somewhere, but I am glad you are moving forward to do what you feel is right. Although... I must say, ending a human trafficking ring is a little more than small.
[ Jeanne sounds just a tiny bit amused. ]
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I love my father. He... wanted a peaceful country. He refused to send our troops to war, and tried to put limitations on weapons. But that turned into other countries taking our territory, and us not doing anything about it. It turned into the only people who had weapons being people who were already willing to break the law.
[...]
I just... it's hard to reconcile the kind person that I knew as my father with... a king who turned a blind eye to his people's suffering. I can't imagine ever doing that.
[Well. Obviously, given the memory Jeanne saw.]
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You don't have to agree with what he did to still love him. Peace comes at a price, and what kind of peace it is depends on what you're willing to pay.
[ Peace of mind, peace of a country, peace of heart. ]
Some cannot bear the thought of violence, and some cannot accept that in order to save some lives, you may have to take them. I do not blame you.
In truth, I agree with you. I have never been able to turn away from the suffering of others or from cries of lament.
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...I can't even begin to imagine being able to. I catch myself thinking, what sort of horrible person could...?
But then I remember that the father I loved did exactly that.
[...]
I can't change the fact that he didn't help our people, but I can at least help right wrongs wherever I see them. I can do that much.
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That is a good path to walk. To acknowledge and know what you didn't see before and to walk forward with that in mind on order to do what you can— it makes you a wonderful person, Yona. You truly are stronger for it.
But... I would hesitate to call your father a horrible person. I do not think he was a good king, but I don't think he's a horrible person, if you loved him and he loved you.
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[And then she remembers her own dad did that.]
He just wanted the kingdom to be... peaceful. But, it turned out that what he did resulted in the opposite.
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Than your country.
[ It's not something Jeanne can imagine doing herself either, as a person or in any position of power. She is and has never been in any place to be someone royal, but she's met her fair share of kings. ]
But at least you are trying where he did not. Even if you have set aside your status to do so.
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[That's true, at least.]
I just hope... if he knew, he would be proud of what I've done.
[he'd probably just be appalled, but eh, whatever.]
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[ Jeanne sounds so very certain about that. ]
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[It does her heart good to hear that, honestly.]