[Albert smiles, then laughs faintly at the reaction.]
I was. And then I became the unofficial head of MI-6, upon discovering some rather nasty secrets about the French Revolution and certain royal involvement. Yes, technically it was blackmail... But I saved lives in doing it, so I have no regrets.
[Even if only Bond's life was directly saved, the many underclass people Albert knows suffered less because of their actions outweighed blackmailing the very Queen. It was never an eye for an eye. It was all machinations and plotting to degrees even Albert often simply left to the genius of the family. He could hold his own in business and war, and he knows people like few can, but William to this day knows systems more intimately. The balance of talents is why the Lord of Crime worked.
Thoughtfully, he strokes Mitsuki's hair again, then smooths a fingertip over his furrowed brow.]
I wonder if I ought to regret other things, however. I think... I accepted very early on that we had to go to extremes to get extreme results. Though dear William and Louis will insist otherwise, our deeds were something I started, and something I saw through with all the gravity and seriousness it deserved. I never took joy in our crusade. To be frank, I thought I would die before we created the revolution that was needed. I'm told, however... [He shifts uncomfortably.] That it is my brother, William, who may have instead died. I remanded myself to the custody and mercy of Her Majesty's guard and was locked up quite soundly for my crimes. So I am told. Nothing is without consequence, and I knew this from the first step I took. I saw the mercy of this world bringing you and I together as a sign that I should continue to use my skills to help others, but in a way that harmed no one, if I could avoid it. A second chance, if you will.
[With a genuine, soft smile, he looks into Mitsuki's eyes.]
The man who did those things isn't the man who now loves you, with all of his heart. My crimes weigh on my conscience, and they torment me, but my heart and soul were saved by you.
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I was. And then I became the unofficial head of MI-6, upon discovering some rather nasty secrets about the French Revolution and certain royal involvement. Yes, technically it was blackmail... But I saved lives in doing it, so I have no regrets.
[Even if only Bond's life was directly saved, the many underclass people Albert knows suffered less because of their actions outweighed blackmailing the very Queen. It was never an eye for an eye. It was all machinations and plotting to degrees even Albert often simply left to the genius of the family. He could hold his own in business and war, and he knows people like few can, but William to this day knows systems more intimately. The balance of talents is why the Lord of Crime worked.
Thoughtfully, he strokes Mitsuki's hair again, then smooths a fingertip over his furrowed brow.]
I wonder if I ought to regret other things, however. I think... I accepted very early on that we had to go to extremes to get extreme results. Though dear William and Louis will insist otherwise, our deeds were something I started, and something I saw through with all the gravity and seriousness it deserved. I never took joy in our crusade. To be frank, I thought I would die before we created the revolution that was needed. I'm told, however... [He shifts uncomfortably.] That it is my brother, William, who may have instead died. I remanded myself to the custody and mercy of Her Majesty's guard and was locked up quite soundly for my crimes. So I am told. Nothing is without consequence, and I knew this from the first step I took. I saw the mercy of this world bringing you and I together as a sign that I should continue to use my skills to help others, but in a way that harmed no one, if I could avoid it. A second chance, if you will.
[With a genuine, soft smile, he looks into Mitsuki's eyes.]
The man who did those things isn't the man who now loves you, with all of his heart. My crimes weigh on my conscience, and they torment me, but my heart and soul were saved by you.