Ana's Note: I recorded this Let's Play before I found out that my house will be full of noisy guests over Christmas rather than the quiet peace I'd been expecting. If I have a chance to continue these, it'll probably be in January or later.
So you might remember that we had a poll on Let's Plays and it was generally decided that my recording a Let's Play video of Long Live the Queen wouldn't entirely ruin all the things. I went ahead and recorded my first non-death playthrough (by which I mean I'd won the game once prior to the polling, and I saved off my choices at the end of the game, and then recreated all those choices for this playthrough).
I used LiteCamHD to grab the video and my voice, and I used Freemake Video Converter to merge the video files together (I'd stopped the video a couple of times to use the restroom, feed the cats, etc.). Since I'd had to get these back when I first started the transcript project, it was good to get more use out of them.
I also want to thank Hanako games who responded to my request for copyright permission to use this material (to avoid all those pesky Fair Use considerations) with "open permission for people to make let's plays of our videos and to use the standard youtube monetisation tools if they want". That's a cool policy and just makes me want to play more of their games so that I'll have more Let's Play material.
That's the good news. The bad news is that, since this is the first playthrough and there was a lot to explain and talk about, the run time for this video is a whopping 2 hours. (*hurk*) And Dragon Naturally Speaking continues to be worthless, by which I mean that the dictated transcription of this (even after copious "training" to my voice) is gibberish. I figured I could either spend two days transcribing this in full or put up the video with my apologies for not having the spoons to fully transcribe this.
What I do have, which will help other players and can facilitate discussion, is the full print out of all the game dialogue (without my commentary), which is something the game thoughtfully spits out for you at the end, and which is a very nice technical touch. So I'll add that here -- it won't give you any insight into what I think about the game, but it will be a starting place for conversations on the game contents.
YouTube video below the cut, plus game transcript. I also strongly recommend the LLtQ wiki for any questions / confusion about the characters; I tried to cover everyone as they came up but there might be gaps.
(Fun content! If you watch nothing else, check out the 2:02:00 mark where I start tearing up over the pink angel ending because I am a sucker for happy endings. Yes, I am the most emotional lady in the whole world, lol.)
Week 0
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: We're almost home. Your room is just the way you left it.
Elodie, Crown Princess: ...
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: I know it's hard to leave your school and all your friends, but I've arranged the best possible tutors for every subject.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You'll have to work hard this year to prepare yourself before your fifteenth birthday, but I know you can do it.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You'll learn quickly and you'll make a wonderful queen. It's what your mother would have wanted.
Elodie, Crown Princess: This is not what Mother would have wanted!
Elodie, Crown Princess: She wouldn't have wanted to die and leave me.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: No. She wouldn't. But sometimes bad things happen. We have to pick up and carry on.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: All of Nova depends on us. On you.
Elodie, Crown Princess: *sigh*
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: I will be here to guide you until your coronation, but the decisions you make are ultimately up to you.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Come. Your maids are waiting.
Welcome to Long Live The Queen! If this is your first time playing, you should read this brief introduction to how the game works.
Menu: [Tell me more] [I've played this before]
Player chose: I've played this before
Week 1
(Studied Composure in the morning.)
(Studied Falcons in the afternoon.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: What's all that noise outside? Who's here?
Elodie, Crown Princess: Oh! It's my cousins! And my aunt and uncle.
Lucille, Countess of Nix: Darling. We were so terribly sorry to hear about your mother Fidelia.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Thank you.
Laurent, Duke of Merva: You look well, niece.
Charlotte, Lady Merva: Hi, 'Lodie!
Elodie, Crown Princess: Hi, Lottie. I haven't seen you in ages! Will you be staying long?
Charlotte, Lady Merva: Yup! Mummy said we'd be here all month.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Maybe we'll have some time to talk later.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
Week 2
(Studied Composure in the morning.)
(Studied Court Manners in the afternoon.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: What's that commotion outside? Father? What's going on?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: I have come to pay my respects in honor of your mother.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You have no respect or honor. It's because of you and your powers that my wife is dead!
Elodie, Crown Princess: What?!?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: I am a Lumen, as was she, and like every Lumen I am willing to give my life if necessary to protect our domain.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Your line has been traitors for two hundred years. I won't have you corrupting my daughter.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: That is for the Crown Princess to decide.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Elodie, your mother trusted me, and I have much to teach you.
Menu: [Send her away] [Arrest her] [Let her stay]
Player chose: Let her stay
Elodie, Crown Princess: I want to hear what she has to say.
Elodie, Crown Princess: She stays.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: As you wish.
Charlotte, Lady Merva: I love this room! It's so much bigger than mine back home.
Elodie, Crown Princess: You should visit more often. It's awful that the only time I get to see you is...
Elodie, Crown Princess: ... something like this.
Elodie, Crown Princess: I know your brother and sister are still too young, but why haven't you come to school?
Charlotte, Lady Merva: My mother worries about me. She doesn't think anywhere but home is safe.
Elodie, Crown Princess: I understand. I'm probably not going to be allowed to leave this castle until my birthday.
Elodie, Crown Princess: But at least we can have fun together here!
Week 3
(Studied Novan History in the morning.)
(Studied Foreign Affairs in the afternoon.)
Charlotte, Lady Merva: He loves me, he loves me not...
Elodie, Crown Princess: Lottie, do you have a boyfriend?
Charlotte, Lady Merva: Not really. I just like to play with the flowers.
All of a sudden, the Duchess of Ursul rushes into the garden and points a sword at you!
No, not at you. At your... feet?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Princess! Don't move!
Menu: [Hold still] [Look down]
Player chose: Hold still
You bite your lip and hold perfectly still, resisting the urge to look down.
Julianna swings her sword...
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: There. It's dead.
You look down at your feet and see a snake in the grass!
Charlotte, Lady Merva: Eeeeeek!
Lucille, Countess of Nix: What is going on out here?
Charlotte, Lady Merva: Mummy, there was a snake!
Elodie, Crown Princess: The Duchess of Ursul protected us.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Milk vipers are not native to this area. That snake should never have been here.
Lucille, Countess of Nix: This is unacceptable. I can't have my daughter remaining in such a dangerous place! We are returning home to Merva at once.
Charlotte, Lady Merva: Awww....
You sneak a peek at some of the luckless peasants held in the dungeons - petty thieves and troublemakers, now suffering in the dark. They're obviously bad people, but seeing them so miserable still feels unfair. There must be a better way.
Week 4
(Studied Internal Affairs in the morning.)
(Studied Foreign Intelligence in the afternoon.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: The castle seems quieter with Charlotte and Emry and Zahra and their parents gone.
Elodie, Crown Princess: It's certainly not empty, though. It seems like we get more servants every day.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
Week 5
(Studied Internal Affairs in the morning.)
(Studied Foreign Intelligence in the afternoon.)
One of the maids approaches for your attention.
Alice: My lady, couriers have arrived from the Duke of Sedna.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Sedna, that's in Talasse, the domain to our southeast.)
Alice: They have brought you a letter, and a gift.
Elodie, Crown Princess: 'Condolences on the death of', 'deeply regret', 'best wishes'...
Elodie, Crown Princess: Oh! What a beautiful necklace!
Elodie, Crown Princess: It might not be appropriate for me to wear a man's gift in public, though. People would think it meant something.
Menu: [Wear it] [Don't wear it]
Player chose: Don't wear it
Elodie, Crown Princess: It's important to maintain the proper image.
Sitting in on court sessions is not fun at all, but it pleases your father and it may be important for your future.
Week 6
(Studied Trade in the morning.)
(Studied Production in the afternoon.)
Selene, Priestess of the Second Circle: Your Royal Highness. I would speak with you.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What is it?
Selene, Priestess of the Second Circle: You have many questions, and the answers are within your grasp. You need only choose to seek them.
Selene, Priestess of the Second Circle: Speak to the Duchess of Ursul. She will guide you on your path.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What is it you wanted to teach me?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: First, I need to know if you have your mother's crystal.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What crystal?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: The source of power for any Lumen is a particular magical crystal. Once you've bonded with it, it becomes a part of you as long as you live.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: The Royal Crystal has been passed down from ruler to ruler for generations. It belongs to you, now - except that the King may be keeping it from you.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Do you have a crystal?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Of course.
She holds out her hands. Light flickers above her bosom, and then, with a shower of sparkles, something takes shape.
You reach out to touch it, and it dissolves away into nothing.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Oh.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: It belongs to me. No one can take it from me until I die.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: You need to find the crystal that belongs to you.
Week 7
(Studied Trade in the morning.)
(Studied Production in the afternoon.)
As you are walking up the stairs, a maid comes running down holding a towering pile of linen.
Before you can react, she barrels into you, sending you and the sheets flying.
Alice: Oh, my lady! I'm so sorry!
Menu: [Apologise] [Punish her]
Player chose: Apologise
Elodie, Crown Princess: No, it was my fault. I should have gotten out of your way.
Alice: ... If you say so, my lady.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
Week 8
(Studied Trade in the morning.)
(Studied Strategy in the afternoon.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: There is a man here to see you. He wishes Crown funding for a project of his.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Remember, the treasury is not unlimited. If you choose to invest, you will have less money to work with later.
Man: Your Royal Highness, I have a plan to print books using metal letters which can be moved and reused.
Man: I need to borrow 875 lassi to assemble the metal and a factory to mold and cast the type.
Man: With this system, we will be able to create new books in a fraction of the time it takes now, and make copies to send all over the world.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Hmm. If it really works, that could be a very important invention.)
Menu: [Invest] [Don't invest]
Player chose: Invest
Elodie, Crown Princess: We would be happy to invest in your venture.
You sneak out of the castle to have a little fun. You enjoy your freedom, but your father won't like it if he finds out.
Week 9
(Studied Foreign Intelligence in the morning.)
(Studied Ciphering in the afternoon.)
Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: Your Highness, my sympathies for your loss. Even after all these years I sometimes forget that my own mother will never be coming back.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Thank you.
Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: However, I must call for your aid. The Ixionite occupation of the county of Imbrium has gone on for too long. Now is the time to push back.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I know there's been some problems with Ixion, but I don't know the details. I guess they're occupying southern Maree.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (We have plenty of troops, so it shouldn't be that hard to drive them out, if we want to make a fight of it.)
Menu: [Try to negotiate] [Prepare for battle]
Player chose: Try to negotiate
Elodie, Crown Princess: There must be a peaceful way to settle this. I will send for diplomats from Ixion and try to come to some arrangement.
Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: Thank you, Your Highness.
Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: If I might say so, you are looking particularly lovely this day. I hope you will think fondly of me.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Is he flirting with me? He's almost as old as my father!)
You sneak out of the castle to have a little fun. You enjoy your freedom, but your father won't like it if he finds out.
Week 10
(Studied Foreign Affairs in the morning.)
(Studied Internal Affairs in the afternoon.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The representative from Ixion is here. Be careful - no one wants to give up prizes that they have won.
Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: You have the full support of my sister and myself, Your Highness.
Brin, Duchess of Hellas, Countess of Dysnomia: Hmph. Let's get this over with.
Diplomat from Ixion: Your Royal Highness, thank you for granting me this audience. I am sure we can come to an amicable agreement.
Diplomat from Ixion: Let bygones be bygones, no? We will forget about your unprovoked attacks on us, and you will transfer the rights to this little province.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (It was the Duchess of Hellas who tried to take over part of Ixion's territory, without the support of my mother the Queen.)
Diplomat from Ixion: We can be good neighbors again, without any lives being lost.
Menu: [Surrender Province] [Offer him money if Ixion withdraws] [Offer to punish the Duchess of Hellas] [Bluff / Intimidate] [Execute him]
Player chose: Offer to punish the Duchess of Hellas
Elodie, Crown Princess: We appreciate that you feel wronged. One of our subjects attempted to instigate a rebellion in your territory.
Elodie, Crown Princess: However, she did not have our approval for these actions. If you withdraw your troops, we will punish her.
Brin, Duchess of Hellas, Countess of Dysnomia: Your Highness!
Elodie, Crown Princess: This is the fair solution. You have no right to invade us because of her actions.
Diplomat from Ixion: What manner of punishment were you considering?
Menu: [Make her a commoner] [Command her to marry an Ixionite] [Execute her]
Player chose: Command her to marry an Ixionite
Elodie, Crown Princess: She will marry an Ixionite lord of your choosing.
Brin, Duchess of Hellas, Countess of Dysnomia: I will not!
Elodie, Crown Princess: You will if I say you will, or I'll take your title away!
Elodie, Crown Princess: Her heirs will be of your blood, in a peaceful union that benefits us both.
Diplomat from Ixion: Very well. We will accept this arrangement.
Once he leaves, you take the Duchess of Hellas aside.
Elodie, Crown Princess: You have to marry someone even if you don't like men. You need an heir quickly.
Elodie, Crown Princess: With a foreign husband, you'll have fewer problems if you divorce him after having a child.
Brin, Duchess of Hellas, Countess of Dysnomia: ... Very well.
A walk in the fresh air helps you forget the burdens on your shoulders.
Week 11
(Studied Herbs in the morning.)
(Studied Battlefield Medicine in the afternoon.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: There are reports that a keythong has been sighted leaving the Old Forest.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What's a keythong?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: A beast with the body of an enormous golden cat, a sharp beak, and spikes on its back.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Eek!
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Several disappearances in southern Caloris are already thought to be the work of this creature.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What do we do? Should we send hunters?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The traditional policy on stray beasts is to hope that they return to the forest and stay there.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Hunters are no match for such creatures. You would only make it angry and waste more lives.
Elodie, Crown Princess: So... we just let it eat people?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Everyone dies in the end.
Elodie, Crown Princess: ...
A walk in the fresh air helps you forget the burdens on your shoulders.
Week 12
(Studied Herbs in the morning.)
(Studied Battlefield Medicine in the afternoon.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: There is a woman here to see you. She wishes Crown funding for a project.
Woman: Thank you for seeing me, Your Royal Highness. I... I come to you on behalf of the people.
Woman: I wish to build a hospital where any citizen afflicted with disease can be brought for treatment.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Hmm. Centralising resources could help people who don't have doctors of their own.)
Menu: [Invest] [Don't invest]
Player chose: Invest
Elodie, Crown Princess: We would be happy to invest in your venture.
You spend the weekend holed up alone in your room with your favorite toys. It's childish, but you feel a bit better.
Week 13
(Studied Court Manners in the morning.)
(Studied Flattery in the afternoon.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You are requested to stand in judgement. A woman has been convicted of attempted murder and requests the mercy of the Crown.
Kevan, Earl of Io: Your Highness! This slattern dares to beg pardon, when she admits that she tried to poison my sister under her own roof!
Elodie, Crown Princess: Which sister?
Kevan, Earl of Io: Corisande, the Duchess of Mead.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Is she all right?
Kevan, Earl of Io: She is unharmed. We caught the culprit in the kitchens before anyone could eat her foul spew.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Well, what do you have to say for yourself?
Condemned Woman: It's justice, it is! Them devils killed me brother, and broke me mam's heart.
Condemned Woman: Lied to her, they did, when she went to see why he'd not come back. Said he'd gone for a soldier, when he never would!
Condemned Woman: He weren't the only one neither. I waited ten years for my chance to get my own back. That's justice!
Kevan, Earl of Io: You see? She's completely unrepentant! Hang her and be done with it.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Hmm. This might have something to do with the last Duke of Mead. He was involved in all sorts of scandals.)
Menu: [Put her to work] [Imprison her] [Execute her] [Ask the Earl of Io about her story]
Player chose: Put her to work
Elodie, Crown Princess: This woman failed in her goals. She harmed no one. I do not require her life.
Elodie, Crown Princess: If she is kept far away from your sister's court, she will no longer be a threat.
Kevan, Earl of Io: You're going to forgive her?!?
Elodie, Crown Princess: I'm indenturing her, not pardoning her. She will serve as a heavy laborer in northern Ursul.
Kevan, Earl of Io: She should be made an example of! She should be drawn and quartered in a public square!
Elodie, Crown Princess: I have spoken!
Condemned Woman: Gods bless you, miss!
You spend the weekend holed up alone in your room with your favorite toys. It's childish, but you feel a bit better.
Week 14
(Studied Public Speaking in the morning.)
(Studied Flattery in the afternoon.)
As you are walking one day in the gardens, you hear a strange sound and look up to see an owl flying overhead. A single dry leaf flutters in its talons.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (An owl flying in the open in broad daylight? That's unusual. I wonder if something attacked it?)
You spend the weekend holed up alone in your room with your favorite toys. It's childish, but you feel a bit better.
Week 15
(Studied Public Speaking in the morning.)
You have unlocked a new outfit!
(Studied Court Manners in the afternoon.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Remember that the Festival of the Good Lady is approaching.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: There will be public celebrations for the commoners, followed by a grand gala for the nobility.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: As Queen, you would be expected to lead the procession and take part in the ceremonial planting, possibly give a speech.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: However, since you are not yet crowned, it is not required, and it may not be safe to expose you to the public.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What do you mean, not safe?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Outside of the castle, you are less well protected. If anyone means you harm... Think on it now, decide later.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Word has come from the factory for books that you funded. They have assembled enough equipment to begin printing test pamphlets.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: As their royal sponsor, it is your right to decide the content of the first printing.
Menu: [Poems praising your mother] [Religious doctrine]
Player chose: Religious doctrine
Elodie, Crown Princess: We should take this opportunity to celebrate our devotion to the gods, especially the Good Lady.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The temples will be pleased by your piety.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: There is a letter for you as well.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (It's from Briony! I went to school with her, but she's a couple years older than me. Her mother is the Duchess of Mead.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (She's complaining that her mother still won't let her come home for the holidays.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Apparently her uncle Kevan is absolutely furious about that woman's trial.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (She's bored and looking for an adventure. Well, I don't have any to suggest to her!)
You spend the weekend holed up alone in your room with your favorite toys. It's childish, but you feel a bit better.
(Put on the conversation outfit.)
Week 16
(Studied Public Speaking in the morning.)
(Studied Court Manners in the afternoon.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Today is the procession and planting for the Festival of the Good Lady. Will you be leading the parade?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: If you have any concerns about your safety, please, stay here.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The people will recover from disappointment; if we lose you, there is no recovery.
Menu: [I will lead the parade] [I will parade and make a speech] [I would rather not go]
Player chose: I will parade and make a speech
Elodie, Crown Princess: I'm not afraid. I'm going to be the best parade-leader ever!
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: My little girl.
You prepare your best gown for the occasion, then walk slowly through the town with your attendants. It would not be appropriate for you to wear a sword, but you do walk with a sturdy golden scepter that's taller than you are.
At the end of the route, you help the priestesses turn over the earth for the new tree to be planted.
After the blessings are read, you hold up your hands and call for silence so that you can speak.
Elodie, Crown Princess: My affectionate greetings to you all, and my thanks. For is it the people that make this domain great.
Elodie, Crown Princess: We are here today to celebrate the gifts of the Good Lady, the promise of fertility and new birth.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Winter always comes, but winter is followed by spring. Each of us faces hardships, but we grow back stronger than ever.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Now is the time for new beginnings, and for my beginning as your Queen.
Your words are met with great applause.
The procession regroups to return to the castle.
Sitting in on court sessions is not fun at all, but it pleases your father and it may be important for your future.
Week 17
(Studied Presence in the morning.)
(Studied Presence in the afternoon.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Are you ready for the grand ball?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: All the nobles in the domain are here to see you - to see their queen.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (gulp!)
You finish dressing and descend the stairs to make a grand entrance.
All around, the rich and powerful pause in their activities to gaze upon you, the ruler of them all.
Seeing yourself reflected in so many eyes makes you want to run away and hide.
After a moment, you force yourself to carry on, but you're sure they've all seen you hesitate.
Your father waits for you at the bottom of the stairs and offers you his arm.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The first dance is for us.
He guides you gently around the dance floor, never rushing you. It's fun to dance with your father, but the look in his eyes is so sad.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: After this, you must choose your own partner. There are a number of men who hope to catch your eye.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The Duke of Kigal alone has brought three eligible sons, all near your age.
You look around the room at all your possible partners - which is to say, everyone. No one may begin dancing until you do. You can pick whomever you want and you will not be denied.
No doubt every noble family with eligible sons has dreams of a royal wedding. Your choice will raise some hopes and dash others. Feuds could be born here.
The Duke of Kigal has not yet named any of his sons as his official heir, but his second son, Linley, was always kind to you at school. If you wished to show favor to Kigal, Linley would be your choice.
The Duchy of Elath is currently held in regency for its young lord Adair, who is only twelve and a head shorter than you are. Elath is a rich territory, and at least little Adair wouldn't try to take any liberties.
Dancing with Banion, the Duke of Maree, could be quite awkward if you did not actually wish to marry him. He has been waiting years for a powerful heiress to accept his suit.
Not all nobles are created equal. You could choose someone charming and unimportant, like the Earl of Mima, a territory too minor for anyone to consider it a threat. However, the major families might eat him alive afterwards.
If you wished to distract attention from your marital prospects, you could choose someone clearly ineligible. One of your uncles, or an older family man like the Earl of Ishtar, or even a woman, though that would be mildly scandalous.
Menu: [Linley of Kigal] [Adair, Young Lord of Elath] [Banion, Duke of Maree] [Chaine, Earl of Mima] [Armand, Duke of Mazomba] [Erwin, Earl of Ishtar] [Examine the women]
Player chose: Examine the women
As a Queen, few would dare comment about your choice of companions, but until you have provided an heir to the throne, there is great pressure on you to make an appropriate match. That doesn't mean you have to give in.
It might be entertaining to see the reaction of Julianna, Duchess of Ursul, if you asked her to dance with you. Would she be flustered, for once?
After you pressured Brin, the Duchess of Hellas, into marrying an Ixionite, it might be something of a peace offering to dance with her now.
You know that she prefers women, and she knows that you know. Dancing with her might set up expectations.
The most important woman present, after yourself, is Arisse, Duchess of Lillah. She is married, elderly, a mother and grandmother many times over, but might be flattered by the acknowledgement of her status.
Or, if you truly wanted to set the court on its ear, you could demand your first dance with a mere servant. A maid - like Alice. The assembled nobles would be outraged.
Menu: [Julianna, Duchess of Ursul] [Brin, Duchess of Hellas] [Arisse, Duchess of Lillah] [Alice, the maid]
Player chose: Brin, Duchess of Hellas
You feel deliciously wicked at the expression of shock on her face, but it soon fades into something more ambiguous. Her hand in yours is warm, and too late, you wonder if you're playing with fire.
Dancing with a real partner feels quite different from dancing with your father. You knew him, knew his steps like a part of you. Now every move is a mystery.
Unfortunately, you lose track of which steps you're supposed to do when, and trip over your own feet. Oops!
Between the dances, there is time for the guests to mingle, chat, and sample tiny bites of exquisite food.
You interact comfortably with your peers, leaving a wise word in every ear.
During a lull in the music, Banion, the duke of Maree, taps an elegant fingernail against a wineglass, letting the clear note ring out through the room.
Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: If I might have your attention?
Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: I believe we should offer our compliments to our lovely hostess.
Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: Not only does she protect our borders, but she has begun to address the long-standing problem of a shortage of heirs.
Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: My sister is proud to do her duty. As, of course, are others, such as myself and our lovely new queen.
You can almost hear the chorus of eyebrows being raised.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (He's trying to suggest that he and I have some sort of romantic arrangement.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (If I don't deflect that, everyone will be sure it's true.)
Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: May I have this dance, fair lady?
Menu: [Accept] [Refuse]
Player chose: Accept
Elodie, Crown Princess: Certainly.
He pulls you close, his hand possessive on your waist, as the orchestra swings back into motion.
His head above yours angles down to murmur words that - you hope - no one else can hear.
Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: You realise that you have just admitted to all your guests that you and I are having an affair.
Elodie, Crown Princess: I know.
Menu: [I plan to use you, then drop you] [I plan to marry you.]
Player chose: I plan to use you, then drop you
Elodie, Crown Princess: I'm the Queen. I can have whatever favorites I like, then drop them when they bore me.
Elodie, Crown Princess: And that will hurt your reputation more than it does mine.
Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: Ruthless, aren't you? Without allies, even a queen can reach too far. And you do need a husband.
Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: I only ask you to consider it. We could do much together.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Hmmm.
As the gala continues, you take the opportunity to observe nobles that you rarely see.
There's Gwenelle, for instance - the Young Lady of Sudbury, only months older than you and due to finally inherit control of her duchy soon.
Or Adele, the youngest daughter of the Duchess of Lillah and a fierce sportswoman. She was a few years ahead of you at school and the absolute terror of the ballfields.
No Briony - she had said her parents were leaving her stuck at school this season.
Her parents are here, dancing together - the Duke-Consort clutching his Duchess possessively tight.
Strange that there's no sign of your cousins, though. Shouldn't they be here?
Your aunt and uncle are here, of course. It would be scandalous if they hadn't come, Merva being so close by.
It's nice to be able to enjoy time with friends and family, isn't it?
Sitting in on court sessions is not fun at all, but it pleases your father and it may be important for your future.
Week 18
(Studied Composure in the morning.)
(Studied Presence in the afternoon.)
Your skill in Presence is now 50. You may not increase this skill until your other Royal Demeanor skills are 25 or higher.
Alice: My lady, a bouquet has arrived for you.
The flowers are unusual - long spikes of red, thick with nectar and emitting a strong fragrance, nothing like the delicate blossoms in most vases.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Who sent them?
Alice: The Duchess of Hellas, I believe.
Menu: [Accept them] [Reject them] [Give them to Alice]
Player chose: Accept them
Elodie, Crown Princess: Put them on display. I think they look nice.
You wander downstairs to visit your father and talk about the latest events in the domain.
You're moving with such enthusiasm that you don't realise your father isn't alone until it's too late to avoid him and his... companion.
Sirin, Countess of Miranda and Callisto: You are too kind, Joslyn.
Countess Sirin. Not a member of your circles - she's a bit more than a decade your senior, far too old to have ever been your friend. And yet, not at all old, as noblewomen go.
She has two minor titles, no husband, and your father's arm in her grasp.
How dare she make a move on your father?
Menu: [Shame her with silent scorn] [Insult her with false flattery] [Trip her as she passes]
Player chose: Shame her with silent scorn
You meet her eyes and imagine your mother's disapproving presence behind you.
Her color pales, and she releases her grip on your father's arm, mumbling an apology before hurrying out of the room. You have defeated her.
Once she's gone, you raise an eyebrow at your father.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: This is the path that you have set us on.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What do you mean?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Your acts have made everyone think about preparations for the future. Caloris needs an heir.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: My brother, your uncle Armand, is looking for a wife as well. One of us, at least, must produce more children.
Elodie, Crown Princess: But... Mama...
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Nothing can ever replace your mother.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: But we all have to do things that we don't want to do.
Elodie, Crown Princess: ...
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You should be careful how you deal with people like Sirin. You need the goodwill of your nobles as well as your commoners.
Elodie, Crown Princess: There haven't been any problems so far.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: As Queen, you must be aware of everything around you.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Isn't that what I have agents for?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Yes, but you must give them direction. What is your greatest concern?
Menu: [Noble plots] [Commoner uprisings] [Foreign threats] [Assassins]
Player chose: Noble plots
Elodie, Crown Princess: I need to know what the other nobles are up to, and whether anyone is plotting behind my back.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: As you wish.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
Week 19
(Studied Elegance in the morning.)
(Studied Elegance in the afternoon.)
You have unlocked a new outfit!
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: It is the time of year to decide any necessary adjustments to the royal budget.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The majority of the money we receive is already spoken for, but there is always some room for discretion.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I really don't understand all of these numbers.)
Menu: [Raise taxes] [Keep them the same] [Lower taxes]
Player chose: Keep them the same
Elodie, Crown Princess: I think they're fine as they are.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: As you wish.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Dad, what happened to Mom's Lumen crystal?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: It's in a safe place.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Can I have it?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: No.
Elodie, Crown Princess: But it's mine!
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Meddling with magic killed your mother. I don't want that to happen to you.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Once you're crowned Queen, I can't stop you from doing anything you want, but for now you are still a child.
(Put on the royal_demeanour outfit.)
Week 20
(Studied Ciphering in the morning.)
You have unlocked a new outfit!
(Studied Novan History in the afternoon.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You are requested to stand in judgement. A man has been convicted of the murder-by-strangling of his wife.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: He does not deny the act, but requests a pardon that he might be set free.
Elodie, Crown Princess: If you admit you killed your wife, why do you think I'm going to set you free?
Condemned man: Save me, Your Majesty! Wasn't my fault. Demons made me do it.
Condemned man: Everyone knows the power of magical beasties! They used me, they twisted my fingers into chains...
Condemned man: My wife found me screaming, she tried to shake me, and the chains wrapped around her...
Condemned man: I need the priestesses to bless me and make me clean again!
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Demons that make you attack people? Is that even possible?)
Menu: [Pardon him] [Imprison him] [Execute him]
Player chose: Pardon him
Elodie, Crown Princess: I'm very sorry for your loss. The monsters are responsible, not you. Don't blame yourself.
Elodie, Crown Princess: The priestess of the royal grove will take care of purifying you.
Condemned man: Bless you, Your Majesty!
Elodie, Crown Princess: My father says I can't have the crystal until I'm Queen, so we'll just have to wait.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: There may not be time to wait.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: This world is filled with dangers, and you will need the powers of a Lumen to fight them. You can't begin training until you have bonded with your crystal.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Well, what else am I supposed to do about it?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: The crystal is probably held under guard in the Royal Treasury. You are the princess; you should be able to find a way inside.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Otherwise we might have to take drastic action.
Menu: [I'll wait until I'm older] [I'll try to find a way] [What drastic action?]
Player chose: I'll try to find a way
Elodie, Crown Princess: All right. I will try to get into the treasury.
(Put on the intrigue outfit.)
Week 21
(Studied Internal Affairs in the morning.)
(Studied Novan History in the afternoon.)
Alice: My lady, there is a letter for you.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Who sent this? It isn't signed...)
It appears to be a poem, describing you in a manner that is entirely inappropriate for a Queen.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I *what*? With a *squid*?)
Menu: [That's hilarious!] [That's terrible!]
Player chose: That's hilarious!
Elodie, Crown Princess: (That's actually pretty funny!)
Just then, an incredibly unlucky breeze swirls between the windows of your tower bedroom, tugging the paper out of your hands and off into the sky.
You stick your head out the window to discover the 'poem' caught and fluttering on the roof nearby. You can almost reach it.
Menu: [Climb out and grab it] [Ignore it]
Player chose: Ignore it
What's the worst that can happen? It blows off and someone reads it and laughs at you? That's better than breaking your neck.
Besides, if you're lucky it will rain and wash the words away.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
Week 22
(Studied Internal Affairs in the morning.)
(Studied Foreign Intelligence in the afternoon.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: I regret to inform you that Fabian, the Earl of Titan and Duke-Regent of Elath, has passed away.
This isn't really a surprise; he was pretty old. The problem is the political implications.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: With the control of Elath in doubt, it falls to the crown to make decisions.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Young Lord Adair will not reach his fifteenth birthday for over two years. He requires a regent.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: His stepmother, Arisse, the Duchess of Lillah, has petitioned that the boy be left in her care.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: This would, however, leave her in personal control of two neighboring duchies, which is generally forbidden.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Not to mention that she's closely related to the Duchess of Mead and the Duke of Kigal!)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (She could control almost the entire eastern half of Nova. People already call her Nova's other queen!)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Duchess Arisse almost certainly killed her second husband after she divorced him.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Her son, the Earl of Io, apparently hates and fears her.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (But without proof, she couldn't be punished.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The boy does have a living grandfather, the Earl of Ishtar. Or you might appoint an unrelated noble to act in his stead.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The Earl of Ishtar has suggested another possibility. You and Adair are both young, not too far apart in age.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: He requests that we accept the boy as your future husband and keep him here at the castle.
Menu: [Leave him with Arisse] [Send him to his grandfather] [Marry him] [Send him to your uncle]
Player chose: Send him to his grandfather
Elodie, Crown Princess: The Earl of Ishtar is the closest blood relation that Adair has. He should be regent.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: As you wish.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: You have not yet reached the crystal. Are you making progress, or is time for another plan?
Elodie, Crown Princess: (That would probably be the 'drastic action' she mentioned earlier.)
Menu: [Leave it to me] [Take drastic action]
Player chose: Leave it to me
Elodie, Crown Princess: Don't worry. I'm working on it.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Very well.
(Put on the royal_demeanour outfit.)
Week 23
(Studied Presence in the morning.)
(Studied Presence in the afternoon.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: There is a woman here to see you. She is a musician and wishes Crown patronage.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Which means money.)
Musician: Your Royal Highness! If you accept me as a member of your court I will immortalise you in word and song.
Musician: I have dabbled in musical styles from many countries, and can entertain your guests and lighten your evenings.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I wonder if she also writes naughty poetry?)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Musicians are often used as secret agents and messengers. They can be useful - and dangerous.)
The musician sings a little ditty to demonstrate her skills with the lute.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (She's actually pretty good.)
Menu: [Accept her as Court Musician] [Reject her]
Player chose: Accept her as Court Musician
Elodie, Crown Princess: Very well, you can remain as part of the court.
Musician: I will do my best for you!
You order the guards to stand aside and walk forward with your head held high. None of them dares to deny you access to your own treasury.
The glitter is dazzling, but some sixth sense draws you towards one little locked box in particular. This is what you need. This is the crystal that will make you a Lumen.
You tuck the box into your pocket. You can show it to your mentor later and get instructions on what to do next.
Week 24
(Studied Court Manners in the morning.)
(Studied Foreign Intelligence in the afternoon.)
You receive a letter from Young Lord Adair.
It's an extremely formal letter for such a little boy, thanking you for your wisdom in allowing him to live with his grandfather (who probably dictated every word he wrote).
You also receive an update from your agents. It would seem that the Duchess of Lillah is not pleased with your actions and is putting out feelers amongst the other nobles for support.
If she means to rebel against you, that is treason. Unfortunately, she's a long way away, in her own power base. Calling her to order may not be easy.
Still, the longer you wait, the more dangerous she may become.
Menu: [Send soldiers to arrest her] [Send assassins to kill her] [Wait for more information]
Player chose: Send assassins to kill her
You give orders for assassins to arrange for a quiet and natural-looking demise. She is not a young woman, and she's just lost her husband... it shouldn't be suspicious.
Elodie, Crown Princess: I got it!
Elodie, Crown Princess: What do I do now?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Pick up the crystal with your bare hands. Press it against your chest, over your heart, and say "Illuminate!"
Menu: [Do it] [Don't do it]
Player chose: Do it
Elodie, Crown Princess: Okay... Here we go... Illuminate!
You feel dizzy, and both larger and lighter than you were before. The crystal has disappeared from view, but you know where it is.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Wow.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: The priestess here is a friend of mine. I will come to your lessons in the faith and train you to use your powers.
Week 25
(Studied Court Manners in the morning.)
You have nothing more to learn about Court Manners.
(Studied Foreign Intelligence in the afternoon.)
You have nothing more to learn about Foreign Intelligence.
Staring up into the sky out your window, you notice a strange flash of light.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (A falling star... Pretty!)
You receive word that the Duchess of Lillah has passed away quietly in her sleep.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (At least, that's what everyone thinks!)
She left her title not to the Earl of Io, but to Kiran, one of her younger sons. He's 19, and rather handsome as you recall. Everything has turned out for the best.
You visit the royal treasury and check your available funds.
You have seven thousand, six hundred and sixty-nine gold lassi and seventy-seven silver tilassi.
Week 26
(Studied Accounting in the morning.)
(Studied Accounting in the afternoon.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: I have unpleasant news to report.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Adair, the Young Lord of Elath, has been assassinated.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: He was shot with a crossbow while playing on the grounds of his grandfather's estate.
Elodie, Crown Princess: How did this happen? Where were the guards?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: This is not the first time such events have happened within the realm of Ishtar.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (The Earl of Ishtar's first wife and oldest daughter also died under mysterious circumstances.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Officially, an accident, but there were rumors it was agents from Talasse.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Then his other daughter married young and died giving birth to Adair.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (With Adair dead, the only family he has left is his second wife and their son Connor, who's fifteen.)
Menu: [Blame the Earl of Ishtar] [Blame Talasse] [Blame no one]
Player chose: Blame Talasse
Elodie, Crown Princess: Talasse is moving against us, aren't they?
Elodie, Crown Princess: We have to protect our border. Send some soldiers west in case Talasse tries to invade.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: A battalion will set out at once.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Then there is the matter of the duchy of Elath.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: By blood, the nearest living heir is Talarist, the Duke of Sedna.... in Talasse.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (A long time ago there were marriages between the leaders of Elath and Sedna. That's his ancestry.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (But the people of Elath did not want a Duke of foreign blood. There were revolts.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (The title of Duke of Elath was passed to a distant relative instead of Talarist's ancestor.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Elath is a major duchy. You cannot afford to lose control of it.
Menu: [Name a Novan heir] [Name Talarist the heir] [Delay]
Player chose: Name a Novan heir
Elodie, Crown Princess: As Queen, I have the right to pass the lands of an extinct bloodline to a new ruler.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Like my mother did with Uncle Laurent and Merva.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Talarist is only distantly related, and he's foreign. He doesn't count.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Who should inherit the duchy of Elath, then?
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Hmm. There are a few noble families with a lot of children, too many to inherit all the existing titles.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Arisse, the old Duchess of Lillah, had six children, and most of them have titles.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (The oldest are Kevan, the Earl of Io, Corisande, the Duchess of Mead, and Charmion, the Duchess-Consort of Kigal.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Then there's three more around my age: Kiran, the new Duke of Lillah, his brother Thaddeus and his sister Adele.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (That leaves three others who are all a few years older than me.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (The Duke and Duchess of Kigal have seven children, three around my age and four younger.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (And they're all Arisse's grandchildren through their mother. So either way, it would be her line.)
Menu: [A child of the Duke of Kigal] [A sibling of the Duke of Lillah] [An administrator from Elath] [A random commoner!]
Player chose: An administrator from Elath
Elodie, Crown Princess: Someone must have been managing the old estates in Elath all these years.
Elodie, Crown Princess: There must be plenty of ministers and administrators and servants of the old family.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Find someone responsible who already knows Elath and has been working for its benefit.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Then I can ennoble them as a reward.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Very well.
You visit the royal treasury and check your available funds.
You have seven thousand, six hundred and sixty-nine gold lassi and sixty-five silver tilassi.
Week 27
(Studied Accounting in the morning.)
(Studied Production in the afternoon.)
You have unlocked a new outfit!
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: I have more unpleasant news.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Soldiers belonging to the Duke of Sedna have attempted to cross the border into Elath, but were chased off by your patrols.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Good thing I put soldiers there earlier!
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The crisis is averted for now, but relations with Talasse are likely to be strained in the future.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You also have some letters.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Another letter from Briony. Why does she keep writing me? We were never even friends.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (She says she's bored and lonely and she's looking forward to seeing me at Gwenelle's birthday party.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (That's right! Gwenelle is about to turn fifteen! She'll be Duchess of Sudbury for real now.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (This other letter must be my invitation to her birthday celebration next week.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Gwenelle and I were friends at school, and this will be a big event, but it's also a long way to travel.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (A lot of things can happen on the road.)
Menu: [Go to Sudbury for Gwenelle's party] [Send your regrets]
Player chose: Send your regrets
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I'd better stay here.)
You sneak a peek at some of the luckless peasants held in the dungeons - petty thieves and troublemakers, now suffering in the dark. They're obviously bad people, but seeing them so miserable still feels unfair. There must be a better way.
Week 28
(Studied Public Speaking in the morning.)
(Studied Public Speaking in the afternoon.)
You have nothing more to learn about Public Speaking.
Elodie, Crown Princess: *sigh*
Elodie, Crown Princess: (All of my friends are at Gwenelle's party and I don't get to go.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I sent her a note with my regrets and a gift, and she accepted, so at least she's not upset.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (We can get together sometime after my coronation when things are less hectic.)
A walk in the fresh air helps you forget the burdens on your shoulders.
Week 29
(Studied Voice in the morning.)
(Studied Voice in the afternoon.)
Alice: The new Duke of Lillah has sent you a gift.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What's this?
It's a cushion, finely embroidered with the design of a running horse. It's well done, and clearly required hours and hours of needlework, but it's also fairly useless.
Or is it? You did, after all, have his mother killed. Does he know? Is this cushion meant to send some sort of message? Or is it somehow trapped? Is it a poisoned pillow?
You place it across the room from you, far away from your bed, so you can keep an eye on it. Tomorrow you'll have it quietly destroyed, but for tonight, you won't be sleeping well.
Sitting in on court sessions is not fun at all, but it pleases your father and it may be important for your future.
Week 30
(Studied Instrument in the morning.)
(Studied Voice in the afternoon.)
Alice: The Duchess of Mead is here to see you, my lady.
Corisande, Duchess of Mead: Hello, Elodie. I'm sorry to trouble you, but - have you seen Briony?
Elodie, Crown Princess: No, not since I left school.
She shakes her head.
Corisande, Duchess of Mead: She's gone missing. She's not at school where she should be. I know she was unhappy, but I never expected...
Elodie, Crown Princess: She wrote me a letter saying that she was bored and looking for adventure, but that's all I know.
Corisande, Duchess of Mead: Oh, dear.
Corisande, Duchess of Mead: I hope she hasn't done anything too foolish. My poor little lamb... I have to go look for her.
You pay your respects to your mother's tomb, and wonder if the same fate is waiting for you.
Week 31
(Studied Decoration in the morning.)
(Studied Instrument in the afternoon.)
As you are walking through the great hall, a freak gust of wind suddenly blows out all the candles in the room.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (How strange. There must be an open window somewhere.)
You pay your respects to your mother's tomb, and wonder if the same fate is waiting for you.
Week 32
(Studied Decoration in the morning.)
You have unlocked a new outfit!
(Studied Voice in the afternoon.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: Things have been so unsettled lately... Everyone's on edge. We need something cheerful.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You could hold a tournament.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What a good idea!
Elodie, Crown Princess: Knights, jousting, musicians... all sorts of competitions. Everyone loves a contest.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: What will you offer as prizes to the winners?
Menu: [Status and praise] [Employment] [Gold]
Player chose: Employment
Elodie, Crown Princess: The winners will have the option of taking up royal appointments.
Elodie, Crown Princess: It's a recruitment drive!
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Very well. I will draft the announcements.
You leave him to his work.
As you move through the hall, your eye falls upon a vase of flowers. Pretty, but apparently not getting enough water. The leaves on one blossom have shriveled.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Someone on hall duty is being lazy. Those flowers should be replaced.)
You continue up the stairs to your room, where a maid is waiting for you.
Alice: My lady, a gift has arrived from Kigal.
Elodie, Crown Princess: From the Duke?
Alice: No, my lady. A merchant house, I believe. It was sent with a shipment down the Cavalla River.
You tear open the brightly colored paper, to find:
Elodie, Crown Princess: Chocolates!
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Chocolate producers in Kigal usually ship goods down the Napo River through Ursul, not straight to the capital.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (This merchant house probably specialises in something else and only traded for the chocolate.)
There is a little card with the box - 'With Our Compliments, The House of Kraellat'.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (That's oddly high-handed for some tiny trader I've never heard of.)
Menu: [Eat candy now] [Save it for later]
Player chose: Save it for later
Elodie, Crown Princess: I don't feel like candy right now. Maybe later.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
(Put on the art outfit.)
Week 33
(Studied Voice in the morning.)
(Studied Voice in the afternoon.)
This is the week of the general tournament. Nobles and commoners alike have turned out to compete against each other.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The people will be pleased if you participate in their games. However, it would expose you to danger.
What event do you wish to take part in?
Menu: [Mounted Parade] [Jousting] [Fencing] [Archery] [Music] [Falconry] [None]
Player chose: None
Elodie, Crown Princess: I guess I'll just watch from my tower.
The tournament goes on without you.
After the tournament, a minor tragedy is revealed.
One of the stewards apparently had an incredible sweet tooth and dared to steal a piece of your recently-received chocolates. He had a sweet tooth... the chocolates were poisoned.
When you ask questions, it turns out that the merchant house which supposedly sent you this present never existed.
Someone has tried to kill you... but you don't know who.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
Week 34
(Studied Composure in the morning.)
(Studied Voice in the afternoon.)
You have nothing more to learn about Voice.
Alice: My lady, your father wishes to speak with you. He says it's urgent.
Elodie, Crown Princess: I'll be there in a minute. There's someone I have to talk to first.
You wait for the maid to leave, then hurry off to rendezvous with your agent.
Agent: Greetings, Your Highness. I trust you are well?
Elodie, Crown Princess: I'm fine. So far.
Agent: I have just returned from the duchy of Kigal.
Agent: We have made a number of discreet inquiries and infiltrated much of the Duke's private correspondence.
Agent: We find no evidence that his family was involved in the attempt on your life.
Elodie, Crown Princess: I suppose that's a relief, but... That means we still don't know who did it.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Aren't you supposed to detect these things before they happen?
Agent: A political coup requires allies, signals, coordination. Assassins work alone. They leave far fewer traces.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Fine.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Get back to work, then. I have other things to do.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I need to speak with my father.)
You find your father standing over a map of the coastline, his face grave.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Ships have been sighted on approach from Shanjia. Not tradeships - this is a warfleet.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Within a week they will be in Novan waters. Within two they could reach the capital.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Then we will fight to defend ourselves.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You can try to use the treasury funds to hire additional soldiers, but it may be difficult on short notice.
Menu: [Recruit soldiers] [Don't]
Player chose: Don't
Elodie, Crown Princess: No, it's too late for that.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You will need to draw up a naval strategy for our ships to carry out.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You could choose to act as admiral and lead the fleet in person, but the danger to you would be very great.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Unless you think your personal skills will make the difference, I would strongly advise against it.
Menu: [Direct the fleet] [Stay in the capital]
Player chose: Stay in the capital
Elodie, Crown Princess: No, there's too much to do here. I can't go to sea.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
Week 35
(Studied Flattery in the morning.)
(Studied Flattery in the afternoon.)
Danger on the high seas!
Ships close in on each other, angling into range.
The Shanjians have half again as many troops as you do. It doesn't look promising.
The eventual outcome...
... is not in your favor.
The Novan ships are sunk or scattered, as the Shanjian forces press towards landfall.
Many good soldiers were lost today, and Nova's troubles have not ended.
Since you have failed to repel the invasion, the Shanjian fleet will soon land and their troops will begin to progress towards your capital city.
Your remaining soldiers will hold them off as long as possible, of course, but the main strength of your military has been exhausted. Nova's future looks bleak.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
Week 36
(Studied Presence in the morning.)
You have nothing more to learn about Presence.
(Studied Flattery in the afternoon.)
You have nothing more to learn about Flattery.
The invasion of Nova is proceeding. Your coastline is under Shanjian control. Soldiers have marched through villages, trampling fields and frightening citizens.
A diplomatic delegation from Shanjia has requested access to the castle to discuss terms - most likely, for your surrender. You lack the strength to hold off their armies, and surrendering now will save many lives. It would seem that you have no choice.
You prepare yourself as best you can to meet with the representatives from Shanjia.
You expected diplomats and a military representative, a general or an admiral. You did not expect the handsome man decked in jewels who now stands before you - a man announced by your servants as Togami, King of Shanjia.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (King-consort, he should be, if even that much. He's a common musician who married his way onto the throne.)
Togami: My dear young lady. How difficult this must be for you. So much responsibility at such a tender age.
You yearn to slap the false sympathy off his oily face, but you force yourself to remain calm.
Togami: War benefits no one, don't you think? Such a terrible waste. Better to settle things in a civilised manner.
Togami: A contest. A game, so to speak, with Nova as the stakes.
Togami: Should I win, then your domain will submit and accept me as Overlord with no further resistance.
Togami: Should I lose, then my army will leave your domain in peace and shed no more blood.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What sort of game?
Togami: It is well known that Nova is ruled by Lumens. As it happens, I too possess the powers of a Lumen.
Togami: I propose a formal duel. My powers against yours. The winner takes control of Nova, the loser... dies.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Your game by your rules, for my life? That doesn't sound fair to me.
Togami: The rules of formal dueling have been passed down for centuries and must be upheld.
Togami: It is important that we do this by the ancient codes.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Why should I?
Togami: If you refuse, then the war will continue.
Togami: I'll sweeten the deal. If you meet me in a formal Lumen challenge, I'll call off the invasion even if I win.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Really?
Togami: I swear it by the gods. Nova will be free and safe.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Why take that risk? You're winning the war.
Togami: It's not your land that I want. It's your crystal.
Togami: To gain your power, I am willing to wager my own. Shall we begin?
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I don't like this... But what choice do I have?)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (He was a musician, once, before he married his way into power. Can I use that?)
Menu: [Accept his terms] [Sing to him] [Refuse outright]
Player chose: Sing to him
Elodie, Crown Princess: Wait! We're civilised people here.
Elodie, Crown Princess: And if I might die... I need to compose myself first.
You have only one chance for this, one hope to touch the heart of the man beneath the monster. You know so little about him, but he is a father who was once a musician. Music may reach him where nothing else can. And so, you begin your favorite song.
You were afraid he would be impatient and order you to stop, but it seems that at least for a moment, he is listening.
Togami: ... Pretty. What is it?
Elodie, Crown Princess: Something my mother used to sing to me.
Elodie, Crown Princess: She was the Queen. She was always so busy, but she loved me.
Elodie, Crown Princess: When she had time to be with me, to hold me, to play and sing... I miss those moments.
Togami: Are you crying? How pathetic.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Don't you sing to your children?
Togami: That is no business of yours.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Isn't it?
Elodie, Crown Princess: If we fight - if I defeat you somehow, then your children will miss those songs.
Togami: Well, then. Perhaps you had better lose.
Elodie, Crown Princess: And what happens then?
Togami: What?
Elodie, Crown Princess: When you've killed me and taken my crystal. What do you do then?
Elodie, Crown Princess: You came from nothing and made yourself a King. But that wasn't enough for you.
Elodie, Crown Princess: So you pushed the boundaries, you conquered territory, you came after Nova.
Elodie, Crown Princess: After me, do you go home to your children?
Elodie, Crown Princess: Or do you go after another crystal, another domain?
Togami: Be quiet. You know nothing of the world.
Elodie, Crown Princess: You have the world! But if you're not happy, what's the point?
From the shocked murmurs on the part of the Shanjian delegation, you can guess that no one has dared to talk to the King like this in a long, long time.
You hold your ground, meeting his eyes with your own, willing him to listen to you.
Elodie, Crown Princess: It doesn't have to be like this. You and I - we could be friends. We could learn from each other.
Elodie, Crown Princess: We could be part of something greater than ourselves. A new peace.
Elodie, Crown Princess: And you can sing to your children.
Togami: I... have not sung in a very long time.
Elodie, Crown Princess: I'll teach you my songs.
You hold out your hands to him, open and empty.
Elodie, Crown Princess: We can do this.... together.
For a long moment, he stands frozen.
Then, at last, he sighs, and places his hands in yours. And, just like that, the war is over.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
Week 37
(Studied Strategy in the morning.)
(Studied Logistics in the afternoon.)
The Shanjians have retreated to their own territory, and the mood throughout Nova is one of cautious optimism.
It is not so easy to replace the lives lost and the damage already done, but it is still a relief to believe that it's all over and nothing worse is coming. Small celebrations are being planned in many towns and villages.
Your popularity is rising. It would seem that everyone loves you.
You visit the royal treasury and check your available funds.
You have seven thousand, six hundred and sixty-six gold lassi and sixty-seven silver tilassi.
Week 38
(Studied Strategy in the morning.)
You may now tour the Barracks on the weekends.
(Studied Logistics in the afternoon.)
Time has slipped by you so quickly. Only two weeks remain before your birthday celebration, and your official coronation as Queen. Have you done enough to build a stable Nova?
It is traditional for the palace to provide entertainment and refreshment for the common people when a new monarch is crowned. It is a rare opportunity for the poor of the land to dine like nobles.
The size and scope of any such feast depends on what expense the royal treasury is willing to bear.
Menu: [An extravagant feast] [A respectable feast] [A small feast] [No celebration]
Player chose: An extravagant feast
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Roasted meats, cakes, chocolates, wine, enough for everyone! And I can give out commemorative cups and coins!)
You visit the royal treasury and check your available funds.
You have seven thousand, one hundred and sixty-six gold lassi and thirty-nine silver tilassi.
(Put on the royal_demeanour outfit.)
Week 39
(Studied Composure in the morning.)
(Studied Elegance in the afternoon.)
The castle is buzzing with preparations for your upcoming coronation. Ministers press you with details for your favorite colors and flowers and so on.
You are happy to collaborate with the designers to ensure you are shown off to the best possible effect. You are still so young, after all. Good design will help a lot in making you look like a Queen.
Others are more interested in the subject of your marriage.
Whomever you decide to marry will be elevated to the highest ranks of the nobility, which could mean a major shift in the balance of power. Therefore, everyone is talking about the top candidates, even though you're under no obligation to marry so young.
Talarist, the Duke of Sedna, is one option. Certainly he expressed interest in marrying you earlier. Your union would bring stronger ties to the domain of Talasse and improve the situation along the Elath border.
Then there is Banion, the Duke of Maree, a powerful and eligible noble only about ten years older than you.
Banion's sister Brin, the Duchess of Hellas, has urged you to consider her brother as an option, suggesting that as your sister-in-law she would be able to see you more often.
There's Kiran, the new Duke of Lillah. He's close enough to your age that you remember meeting him at school, where he was already becoming quite handsome. Lillah is a powerful territory, and he has family ties to much of Nova. It would be a good match.
Except, of course, that you are responsible for the death of his mother.
If he ever found that out...
There is Kevan, the Earl of Io. Although he is only an earl, his family connections could make him politically useful.
The outlier is Gwenelle's half-brother Anciet, who's only eight years old but a potential heir to either Hellas or Maree someday if his aunt and uncle don't create heirs of their own.
There are two or three minor earls around the age of twenty who might be passable alternatives, and of course you could decide to ignore noble traditions entirely and marry a commoner... if you were prepared to deal with the uproar.
While you will need to marry eventually, you are still very young. You could put this decision off until later. However, a clear succession contributes to the stability of your domain. Are you leaning towards any option?
Menu: [Talarist] [Banion] [Kiran] [Kevan] [Anciet] [No one]
Player chose: Banion
There's no time to pursue that thought at the moment, but perhaps in the future...
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
Week 40
(Studied Composure in the morning.)
(Studied Elegance in the afternoon.)
At this time last year, you were celebrating your fourteenth birthday. You were in the school gardens, surrounded by your friends. A teacher brought you tea and cakes, while a wealthy merchant's son wove a crown of flowers for your head.
It didn't matter so much that you were a princess then. Your title was something for the future. Many of your peers would be Duchesses or Earls or the like, someday, but not then. You were children.
Your parents could not attend on the actual day, but they did send wonderful gifts, some for you, and some for you to share. And a week later, they came for a visit, and your mother took you with her through the countryside in a splendid carriage.
It was the last time you would ever see her.
You wonder if, wherever she is, she can see you now.
You are fifteen years old, a legal adult. You have worked and studied and suffered and prepared, and now the time has come.
You kneel before the priestess, barely hearing her words as she recites the blessings.
She calls upon the gods to deliver peace, wisdom, and prosperity to you, and through you, to all of Nova. And then she calls upon you, for your oath of rulership.
Priestess of the First Circle: Will you guide and govern and protect your people to the best of your ability, according to law and custom?
Elodie, Crown Princess: I will.
Priestess of the First Circle: Will you to the best of your power uphold the ideals of love, honor, justice, and mercy?
Elodie, Crown Princess: I will.
Priestess of the First Circle: Lords and Ladies assembled: I present to you your undoubted Queen, who has sworn you her loyalty.
Priestess of the First Circle: You who have come to give homage, will you do the same?
One at a time, the head of each duchy approaches your throne and kneels to swear his or her service to you and your heirs.
Priestess of the First Circle: People of Nova, I give you Elodie, daughter of Fidelia, your true sovereign. What say you all?
People: LONG LIVE THE QUEEN! LONG LIVE THE QUEEN! LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!
Elodie, Queen of Nova: (Thank you! I will!)
Once his daughter was secure on her throne, Joslyn returned to his birthplace to focus on his duties as Duke of Caloris.
He was pursued by many women, but showed little interest in remarrying, directing them instead to his brother, the Duke of Mazomba.
The subject of magic and Lumens remained a slightly uncomfortable one for the citizens of Nova. Perfectly fine for the Queen, who had inherited it by divine right, but not something that other people should be aspiring towards. Look at all the terrible things that happened when that power fell into the wrong hands!
As an openly acknowledged Lumen, Julianna, Duchess of Ursul, was met with public suspicion whenever she journeyed outside of her Duchy. At times, that suspicion was accompanied with thrown vegetables.
It did not matter that Elodie supported her fully as a member of the noble court. That only led the commoners to whisper that Julianna was a bad influence on their Queen.
Julianna's perpetually unmarried state was even more worrying to those with wagging tongues. What if that influence rubbed off on the Queen, and left Nova with no heir?
After the halt of the Shanjian invasion, relations across the western sea remained calm and trade flourished. Shanjia's expansionist phase seemed to have come to a halt.
Sometime later, a special trade ship from Shanjia arrived with a tribute for Queen Elodie. There was a beautiful harpsichord inlaid with ivory and pearl and golden roses, as well as two paintings, clearly made by children, depicting a pink-haired angel.
Tensions remained high between Nova and Talasse. After his initial attempt to claim his 'birthright' was driven back, the Duke of Sedna did not attempt to invade again, but he did institute new policies that made life difficult for traders crossing the border. At the same time, there was a marked increase in raiders and sneak-thieves throughout the area.
Officially, there was peace, but clearly someone was up to no good.
Elodie proposed marriage to Banion, the Duke of Maree, and was accepted. His sister Brin, the Duchess of Hellas, stood as Elodie's attendant for their wedding. The three of them formed a close relationship and were often seen together; nobles sometimes joked that the Queen had married them both.
Brin's own marriage to an Ixionite lord was short-lived; as soon as she was delivered of an heir for the duchy, she dissolved the union. At her Queen's command, she maintained cordial relations with her ex-husband, and allowed him time with his son.
The invention of the printing press sparked the beginning of a new age of literacy and knowledge. No longer were books the sole preserve of the noble and wealthy; now information and ideas could be easily passed from one place to another. As the birthplace of this invention, Nova was at the center of a storm of change.
The new hospital funded by Queen Elodie offered medical services to the common people, but more importantly, it allowed doctors and herbalists to come together and share information. Trading knowledge increased skill levels and made better care available to all. Even those specialists who catered directly to the elite were benefited by offering their services long enough to learn.
That information could also be collected in books and sent around the world. Nova might not benefit directly, but thousands of lives would be saved.
The young Elodie had always had a way with words, and that would serve her well. The true battleground of any war is the hearts and minds of the people.
And thus Queen Elodie's legacy stretched into the future...
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