[ She's silent for a while, though the roiling emotional undercurrent remains. In actuality, she's gripping her shard hard enough to feel pain lance through her body, just to keep herself focused.

If this were anyone else but Gray, she'd respond far more aggressively, if she responded at all. But... for all that she insults the other girl, they're still connected in a way that neither of them asked for. So when she answers, it's with a surprising amount of sincerity, even if it sounds like she's struggling to put her thoughts into "words". ]

I'm going to become an ideal king. Even though my father was perfect, he was still brought down by others in the end. I could have done better. No... I will do better. I'll be a king that everyone wishes for, a king that protects everyone, without having to sacrifice all the things that he did. The future my father sought, but could never achieve — I'll be the one to make it a reality.

... But none of that concerns the likes of you, mouse. Worry about your next breath, your next meal, your next battle, and leave matters of kingship to me.