Before coming here, Gawain had never truly, fully understood the "Princess Ophelia" who had held fast at the heart of the wasteland for seven hundred years.
Although he had dealt with Veronica often, Veronica was merely a "vessel" Ophelia had briefly used during those long seven centuries. He had also learned about the history of the Defiance Plan, but a piece of history could not represent the entirety of the individual known as "Ophelia." What had Ophelia experienced over those seven centuries? What had she done to survive? What had her original personality been like? What was her true form?
Gawain knew none of it. No one did.
Yet Griffina's story suddenly made Gawain realize that this "former dynasty princess," who had always seemed mechanical, as though she were forever detached from the world, clear-minded, and calm... had actually lived a unique and extraordinary "life" of her own. Perhaps beneath her mask, she too had joys and sorrows, as well as embarrassing memories she could not speak of to others.
"I've actually always been curious," Amber suddenly said. "Veronica... the identity you're using outside right now—what exactly does she mean to you? I mean... Veronica's family and friends, the Moen Bloodline she carries, her place in interpersonal and social relationships—are those things to you..."
Amber gestured with her hands, seemingly unsure how to accurately phrase her question. But Ophelia clearly understood what she meant. After a brief silence, a voice came from the elevator's speaker system. "Veronica is me—from the very beginning until this 'vessel' perishes, that has always been the only answer. There was never an 'original' or 'true' Veronica. From the moment a baby girl named Veronica let out her first cry in Silver Castle, I was already within her hazy, chaotic mind.
"So the answer is actually