_____ SOLA VILLAGE ______
______ MARIA'S HOUSE ______
____ SAMANTHA _____
(Shocked) M-M-Ma'am! …W-What are you doing?! …You…!
______ MARIA ______
Isn't it obvious?! I… am just explaining your mission!
____ SAMANTHA _____
But… ma'am… you killed the guard! Aren't you supposed to be a doctor who helps people?!
______ MARIA ______
Oh! So that's what you think of me! …I'm actually pleased! But unfortunately, that's not who I am. Do you remember what I told you before? No backing out… and you also said you'd keep it a secret, right?
_______ SAMANTHA _____
But ma'am… this…
_______ MARIA ______
So… should I consider that a refusal?! …No other choice now… (sigh) and since you've seen the real me, I'll get rid of you!
_____ SAMANTHA ______
W-Wait! Ma'am! I never said I refused!
_____ MARIA ______
Then! What's the matter?!
______ SAMANTHA _____
Well… actually… I just… wanted to…
_____ MARIA ______
Come on! Speak!
_____ SAMANTHA _____
(Laughs) Alright… I accept this mission. But what guarantees my safety… and my son's? For your information, I still don't trust you!
_____ MARIA ______
Hmm! So you've revealed your true nature! You're not surprised by this, right? …Not bad. As for you, I'll hide all your information and make sure no photos leak… oh! And your child will stay at my house as if he's sick… Will that suffice?
_______ SAMANTHA ______
Hahaha! Your imagination is really something! Didn't I say I don't trust you? I don't need any of your empty promises. Who knows when you might betray me! … (sigh) …But… I guess I haven't made myself clear yet. Okay… I need written contracts, fair and conditional, negotiated by both parties!
_____ MARIA ______
Hmm! How simple! Is that all? Then, Samantha, woman of the law, you've found me at a perfect time! I have some legal documents. We'll create two copies of the contract, and seal them with a blood mark—one for each of us. That's in case of betrayal, of course!
_______ SAMANTHA _____
I think that will be fine for me.
_____ MARIA ______
(Cunning laugh) You're really interesting! Why not form an alliance… not a bad idea, right?
______ SAMANTHA _____
I think it's very bad… forming an alliance with you! But if you want this, it won't be free… you know I have to live too!
_____ MARIA ______
Fine! But I'll also set conditions. As you know, I don't know what will happen… maybe the game will lose its fun after a while! (laughs)
______ SAMANTHA _____
I wonder about that! Anyway, I think the matter is settled, right?
_____ MARIA ______
Right! But there's one thing that puzzles me…
______ SAMANTHA _____
What is it? The rooster? I thought we already discussed the terms!
_____ MARIA ______
No, no… it's just a personal question… but before… you really weren't shocked by the guard's death, were you?
_______ SAMANTHA ______
…Who cares about someone who nearly killed her own son?! Excuse me, but he deserved it!
_______ MARIA ______
Really! But I didn't mean that… Alright… (sigh) I'll be frank! You're used to these kinds of things, right? (laughs) I mean… killing, blood… such things.
______ SAMANTHA _____
Hahaha! Okay… I guess I can't hide it anymore. I'll reintroduce myself properly, Maria… no, Princess "Maria de Magia of Sarta Amber"! I am Samantha de Halfa of Hima Amber!
______ MARIA ______
You!..
_____ SAMANTHA _____
I guess you have many questions… but we're in similar positions! I have no ill intentions, really… I just…
_____ MARIA ______
You… you weren't supposed to be here! …No… I won't allow this… I… I will finish you here and now!
_____ SAMANTHA _____
For heaven's sake! Just listen to me! I harbor no hatred… and in your current state, I doubt you could win. Just surrender!
_______ MARIA ______
Why should I listen to you? You… no, all of you! Yes… all of you… all traitors! (draws dagger)
_____ SAMANTHA ______
Calm down! Really! Just listen to me… I…
________ /Blood splatters/ ______