"I spoke as a child; foolish, brash, and callow. I spoke as a young man; foolhardy, assured, and resentful. I speak now as an old man; His past laid before him, the images of past wrong put before me as a test of life, and pained for all those I have touched. I grew to understand that mine enemies were always those who oppose me, but as the spring's and winter's of life leave me a hollow cast of whom I once was, I now see that mine enemies were those who seeked to use me as a weapon for their own gains. I pray that the gods are able to see past my foolishness, but know that such wishes are to never be.
Leonardo nearly jumped out of his skin when she spoke. He had just gotten himself to, relatively, relax. He was not even sure if he had heard her correctly as his mind was still trying to connect just what had happen. Malinha had spoken, and of all the things she could have said; he never expected that. He had half expected it to remain silent, and if she did spoke, he assumed it would be barbed words or, perhaps, she would damn him for killing her father. Not to hear her recite a powerful quote with a voice tinged with emotion and conviction.
When she turned to face him; he met her eyes despite the feeling that she was peering into his soul. She did not hate him? The Red Prince? Deep down, he felt it was a lie. Even should he desire to believe it, which he did, life wasn't like that. Belief that their current standings and relation could change, but could it really? He still killed her father that would never change. How could she look at him and say that? Say that she didn't want him to die? How? Was it to ensure that the peace between their nations went well? Was it to make him lower his guard?
"You." Leonardo started before his voice faltered, "You are a better person than I." Which according to many people in the assembly behind them was not too hard to be. "If we were in each others shoes. I would do everything in my power to destroy you and take away everything you love." Not that he hadn't probably already done that.
"I wish such things could happen that you and I would not be enemies." Leonardo said turning his head to face the crowd, "And I do not know why you say this. Not after all that has happen, will happen, or may happen, but.."
"Thank you." He whispered. He wanted to point out that he noticed that she had not called him the Red Prince, but chose not to. Sadly, should the peace talks fail; Leonardo would still continue in his war efforts, and there was a good chance he would meet her on the battlefield, and he would have to kill her, or she would slay him because it was their duty.