It's another Let's Play!
Technical details first: I used LiteCamHD to grab the video and my voice, and I used Freemake Video Converter to merge the video files together whenever I had to stop for any reason. And I am still unable to find a way to transcribe these with any degree of accuracy, and I apologize for that; I'm sorry to our deaf and hard-of-hearing members of the community.
Copyright permission next: I thank Hanako games for responding 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 wonderful policy.
Content summary last:
Walkthrough 05 (Naval Battle) is my playthrough where I won the naval battle without using the Kraken-summoning ritual. I also show how to marry Talarist (as a subject + not as a subject), Banion, Linley, Kevan (heartbreak ending + non-lethal marriage ending), Adair (without a pre-engagement), and Anciet. Phew! This playthrough will snag the Victory At Sea, Better Left Unsaid, and No Other Rulers Before Me achievements.
This video will grant the following Steam achievements:
1. Victory At Sea
2. Better Left Unsaid
3. No Other Rulers Before Me
YouTube video below the cut, plus game transcript. I also strongly recommend the LLtQ wiki for any questions about the characters.
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 Reflexes in the morning.)
(Studied Reflexes 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.
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 spend the weekend holed up alone in your room with your favorite toys. It's childish, but you feel a bit better.
________________________________________
Week 2
(Studied Court Manners in the morning.)
(Studied Meditation 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: Arrest her
Elodie, Crown Princess: You are a traitor to the crown and I ought to have you executed.
Elodie, Crown Princess: GUARDS! Arrest her!
Elodie, Crown Princess: Throw her into the castle dungeons and let her rot!
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Well. I suppose she won't be a problem anymore.
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 Meditation in the morning.)
(Studied Divination 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.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Me too.
You gather your skirts and prepare to sit down, when all of a sudden, a hissing noise alerts you to a hidden danger - a snake!
Elodie, Crown Princess: Charlotte, don't move!
With your quick reflexes, you grab a forked stick and manage to flip the snake away from you and your cousin.
Charlotte, Lady Merva: EEEEEK!
Elodie, Crown Princess: Get away, you horrible thing!
You stomp loudly on the ground, and the snake slithers off into the distance.
Lucille, Countess of Nix: What is going on out here?
Charlotte, Lady Merva: Mummy, there was a snake!
Lucille, Countess of Nix: What was a snake doing in the royal gardens? This is completely unacceptable. You could have been killed!
Charlotte, Lady Merva: Elodie scared it off.
Lucille, Countess of Nix: That's not good enough. 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 attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
________________________________________
Week 4
(Studied Composure in the morning.)
(Studied Elegance 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 venture into the depths of the castle dungeons.
The Duchess of Ursul is there, in her cell, sitting perfectly straight on the bench against the wall and looking your direction as if she'd been expecting you.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Caution is wise for one in your position. Hasty judgments can lead to trouble.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Are you ready to listen now?
Menu: [Hear her out] [Taunt her]
Player chose: Hear her out
Elodie, Crown Princess: What do you want to say?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: It is the responsibility of the king or queen of Nova to handle magical energies to protect the domain.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: That is what a Lumen does - what your mother did, and what I do.
Elodie, Crown Princess: My father said it was your fault she died!
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: What he said was that she died by magic. Being a Lumen is never safe. We pay a high price for our powers.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: But without a Lumen queen, this entire domain is at risk.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Release me, and I will teach you what you need to know to keep your responsibilities.
Menu: [Free her] [Refuse]
Player chose: Free her
Elodie, Crown Princess: I don't have any choice, do I?
Elodie, Crown Princess: Fine. I'll have the guards release you.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Come to me in my rooms as soon as you can to begin your training.
________________________________________
Week 5
(Studied Composure in the morning.)
(Studied Elegance 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: We have a Duke of Sedna?
Alice: ... No, my Lady. The duchy of Sedna is in Talasse.
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.
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 6
(Studied Presence in the morning.)
(Studied Presence in the afternoon.)
You have unlocked a new outfit!
As you are walking, you spot a familiar figure in the palace gardens.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (It's the Duchess of Ursul! Maybe I should go and say hello.)
Then you notice that seated beside her is a woman in the robes of a priestess. They are very close together, their hands gently touching as they speak.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Looks like she's busy!)
You turn and walk in a different direction, so as not to disturb them. At that moment, you notice something unusual. It looks like someone just left the palace grounds by going over the hedge.
Was that a servant? A thief? Or... an assassin?
Menu: [Climb up to look over the hedge] [Call the guards] [Run and hide]
Player chose: Climb up to look over the hedge
You look around for something to climb, but you're not sure if the nearby trees can support your weight.
You run over to a statue and try to pull yourself up onto the pedestal, but it's too awkward to get your feet in place.
By this time, whoever you saw is probably gone anyway.
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 7
(Studied Presence in the morning.)
(Studied Divination in the afternoon.)
As you are walking up the stairs, a maid comes running down holding a towering pile of linen.
You gracefully step aside and let her pass.
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: What drastic action?
Elodie, Crown Princess: What do you mean by drastic action?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Let's hope it doesn't come to that.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Try to reach the crystal. If you can't, come and talk to me again.
________________________________________
Week 8
(Studied Presence in the morning.)
(Studied Lore 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: (I don't know much about factories or trade. Would that really be worthwhile?)
Elodie, Crown Princess: We are not interested.
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 9
(Studied Lore in the morning.)
You have unlocked a new outfit!
(Studied Lore 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: (I don't know anything about the military. I don't want to fight.)
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!)
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 10
(Studied Lore in the morning.)
(Studied Lore 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.
Diplomat from Ixion: We can be good neighbors again, without any lives being lost.
Menu: [Surrender Province] [Offer him money if Ixion withdraws] [Bluff / Intimidate] [Execute him]
Player chose: Bluff / Intimidate
Elodie, Crown Princess: You are trespassing on our lands. You will withdraw your troops at once. Only then will we have peace.
Menu: [Threaten to attack] [Demonstrate magical powers]
Player chose: Threaten to attack
Elodie, Crown Princess: My soldiers are poised to destroy you. Withdraw now.
Diplomat from Ixion: ... Very well.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Phew!)
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.
(Put on the faith outfit.): (Put on the royal_demeanour outfit.)
________________________________________
Week 11
(Studied Sense Magic in the morning.)
(Studied Resist Magic 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: (The Old Forest - that's the area by Kathre Lake where the capital was, until it was destroyed by monsters.)
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: ...
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
________________________________________
Week 12
(Studied Wield Magic in the morning.)
(Studied Wield Magic 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: (Putting all the sick people together? Wouldn't that make them die even faster?)
Elodie, Crown Princess: We are not interested.
You visit the royal treasury and check your available funds.
You have 9996 gold lassi and 85 silver tilassi.
________________________________________
Week 13
(Studied Sense Magic in the morning.)
(Studied Resist Magic in the afternoon.)
You have unlocked a new outfit!
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: (I don't know what this is all about. Either way, murder is a serious crime, but...)
Menu: [Put her to work] [Imprison her] [Execute her]
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 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 14
(Studied Resist Magic in the morning.)
(Studied Resist Magic 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: (That's funny, I thought owls were nocturnal. I guess I was wrong.)
You visit the royal treasury and check your available funds.
You have 9996 gold lassi and 37 silver tilassi.
(Put on the lumen outfit.)
________________________________________
Week 15
(Studied Sense Magic in the morning.)
(Studied Sense Magic 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: 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!)
Sitting in on court sessions is not fun at all, but it pleases your father and it may be important for your future.
________________________________________
Week 16
(Studied Sense Magic in the morning.)
You have nothing more to learn about Sense Magic.
(Studied Internal Affairs 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 lead the parade
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.
Then the new life is blessed, and all the attendants join in song.
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 Internal Affairs in the morning.)
(Studied Internal Affairs 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.
You let your eyes rest upon each in turn as you have been taught, impressing upon them that you are not a child, but a Queen.
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.
Menu: [Someone about your age] [Someone younger than you] [Someone older than you] [Someone already married] [Someone scandalous]
Player chose: Someone about your age
You approach Linley, the second son of the Duke of Kigal. He's about two years older than you, and he was always nice to you at school.
He bows to you with great courtesy and you begin to dance.
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.
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: Her words of wisdom guide us through our difficulties.
Everyone applauds politely.
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.
There's something itching at your senses, something familiar.
Then it hits you. Aunt Lucille is a Lumen!
Menu: [Talk to your aunt] [Let it go]
Player chose: Talk to your aunt
Elodie, Crown Princess: Aunt Lucille, may I speak with you privately?
Lucille, Countess of Nix: Of course, dear.
You withdraw to a small side room.
Elodie, Crown Princess: I can sense your powers. You're a Lumen.
Lucille, Countess of Nix: What?!?
Elodie, Crown Princess: I am, too. That's how I know. Can't you sense that?
Lucille, Countess of Nix: No. No, I can't.
She looks down, shaking her head.
Lucille, Countess of Nix: I... I do have a Lumen crystal. I found it, years ago. It called to me. But I don't know anything about magic.
Lucille, Countess of Nix: I can make the crystal appear and disappear, and I can block out sound with it. That's all.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I don't think that's true at all.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (There are traces of old magic around her, too faint to make sense of, but strong.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: Why keep it hidden? It's not illegal to be a Lumen.
Lucille, Countess of Nix: Magic is dangerous, everyone knows that. People might think I was an evil witch. They wouldn't trust me.
Lucille, Countess of Nix: Look at how much trouble the Duchess of Ursul has. Please, Your Highness, don't tell anyone.
Menu: [Accuse her] [Offer her a court position] [Keep her secret]
Player chose: Accuse her
Elodie, Crown Princess: I don't think you're weak at all. I think there's something else you're hiding.
Lucille, Countess of Nix: Like what?
You open your mouth to answer her, and -
- find yourself unable to speak or move.
Lucille, Countess of Nix: My power isn't like your power, little princess. I control the absence of things. Sound. Light. Life.
Lucille, Countess of Nix: But you dying now would be too suspicious. Instead, you're going to have a very unfortunate accident.
Lucille, Countess of Nix: You will remain alive and helpless until everyone gives up hope of your recovery, and then you will die.
Lucille, Countess of Nix: You will remain alive and helpless until everyone gives up hope of your recovery, and then you will die.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (That's what you think!)
Calling on your core of inner strength, you push your own magical energy into her spell, overloading it.
Lucille, Countess of Nix: What? What are you doing -
There is a loud noise, and the smell of burning.
When you can move again, you find your aunt lying lifeless on the ground, a glimmering purple crystal beside her.
Moments later, your father rushes into the room.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Elodie! What happened?
Elodie, Crown Princess: Aunt Lucille was an evil Lumen. She attacked me.
Elodie, Crown Princess: It's all right. She's gone now.
You feel drained of all energy and can barely keep your eyes open. Leaving your father to clean up the mess, you crawl off to bed.
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.
(Put on the faith outfit.)
________________________________________
Week 18
(Studied Foreign Intelligence in the morning.)
(Studied Logistics in the afternoon.)
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: Don't give me that look, young lady. She's a nice woman, nothing more.
Elodie, Crown Princess: She wants something more!
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: And it's not going to happen any time soon.
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: Foreign threats
Elodie, Crown Princess: I need to know if any foreign powers are moving against me.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: As you wish.
All of a sudden, there is a scream from the hallway.
Rushing outside, you find a young squire lying on the floor. An amorphous black shape, like the imprint of a monstrous hand, surrounds his neck. He is not moving.
Before your eyes, the darkness fades away, leaving only ordinary bruises - and a body.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: What...?
Elodie, Crown Princess: It doesn't feel like a spell... not a Lumen spell, anyway.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Is this like the dark cloud that attacked Nova two hundred years ago?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Let's hope not. The cost would be too high.
Everywhere you look, there are shadows... any one of them might be dangerous.
It will take some time to sleep tonight.
Elodie, Crown Princess: I'm scared...
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: What has happened?
Elodie, Crown Princess: First my aunt turned out to be a Lumen and attacked me, and now this mysterious darkness is killing people...
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Your aunt? Tell me everything.
You explain the encounter with the Countess of Nix at the gala, how she tried to ensorcel you and you drove back her magic wth your own, killing her in the process.
Then you describe the living shadow which strangled a squire and vanished before your eyes.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: A creeping shade.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: ... I'll take care of it. Don't worry. No one else will die.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Wait!
Elodie, Crown Princess: I know there are stories that magic attracts dangerous things. And I know the lore isn't always true...
Elodie, Crown Princess: ... the lore says all the other Lumen crystals were destroyed, and that's obviously not true...
Elodie, Crown Princess: But I need to know. Did my magic cause that squire's death?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Not your magic, Your Highness. The interaction of your power and your aunt's.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: A death-struggle between Lumens, an uncontrolled backlash... that level of magic casts a beacon.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: That is how unnatural beasts gain a foothold.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Why didn't you tell me?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: You did not need to know. You might have held back, out of fear. I need you ready to act.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: It is your responsibility to study and become a queen. It is my responsibility to deal with things like this.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Go. Do what you do. I will do what I do.
She leaves you alone, wondering if you are truly to blame for that squire's death.
________________________________________
Week 19
(Studied Wield Magic in the morning.)
(Studied Wield Magic in the afternoon.)
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.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
________________________________________
Week 20
(Studied Flattery in the morning.)
(Studied Flattery 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? This man is a Lumen! Where did he get a crystal?)
Menu: [Question him about crystal] [Pardon him] [Imprison him] [Execute him]
Player chose: Question him about crystal
Elodie, Crown Princess: It was a demon's magic that killed your wife? Not your own magic?
Condemned Man: ... So you know what I am.
He throws out his hands, and his fingertips elongate into floating strings of gold.
Condemned Man: DIE!
Golden chains slash at you like whips.
With so much warning, of course, it is easy for you to resist. His attack bounces harmlessly off your shields, the chains flying back in the direction from which they came... where they find an easier target.
Before your eyes, the renegade Lumen is choked to death by his own powers.
After a moment, an orange crystal materialises next to his body.
Elodie, Crown Princess: I guess I'll have to take that for safe keeping.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Pssst! I need to talk to you!
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: What is it?
Elodie, Crown Princess: That priestess, Selene... She's a Lumen! I can sense it!
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: I know.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What do you mean, you know? If you knew that, why didn't you tell me?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: You didn't need to know.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Your job is managing the domain. Some of us have other duties. Our missions have been passed down for centuries, little princess.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Where did she get a crystal? All the Lumens in the domain were supposed to have been wiped out two hundred years ago!
Elodie, Crown Princess: Except for your ancestor.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: We are here to train you. You don't need to know any more than that.
Menu: [Order her to explain] [Let it go]
Player chose: Order her to explain
Elodie, Crown Princess: Your duty is to me and to Nova. Renegade Lumens pose a threat to the entire domain.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Have you forgotten Aunt Lucille already?
Elodie, Crown Princess: If there is a secret cabal of magic-users, I need to know about it.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: There is no cabal. Selene and yourself and I are the only Lumens that I know.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Two hundred years ago, my ancestor accepted public disgrace so that one trained Lumen would survive when all others perished.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: We have borne that shame ever since, to preserve the training and lore, for the future of Nova.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Do not tell me of my duty, Princess. I am sworn not to queens, but to Nova. Queens die. The magic must not.
________________________________________
Week 21
(Studied Flattery in the morning.)
(Studied Flattery 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.
Elodie, Crown Princess: If you attack an enemy Lumen, and you win, and they leave behind a crystal...
Elodie, Crown Princess: Is it possible to combine that crystal with mine to make it stronger?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Each Lumen can hold only one crystal.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: The only way to combine their magic is if a living wielder chooses to join its power to another.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Oh.
Elodie, Crown Princess: So I should destroy other crystals, to stop anyone from using them against me.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: That is the traditional policy - but it is a lie. Lumen crystals cannot be destroyed.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Rulers claim otherwise to discourage thieves from seeking dangerous treasures.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What am I supposed to do with a crystal, then?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Guard it, or hide it, or give it into other hands to wield.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: But if the last holder of the crystal was an enemy, the resonance of the crystal will work against you.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: It will be attuned to a personality as foolish or violent or scheming as the Lumen you defeated.
Elodie, Crown Princess: So anyone taking the crystal would probably become a new enemy. That's useless!
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: A weak-willed candidate might be acceptable to the crystal and yet still controllable.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: You could then steer that Lumen away from dangerous paths, making an ally and changing the crystal's resonance.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: It is, however, a dangerous endeavor and one that requires your complete attention.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Not really a project I can work on while I'm so busy studying for my coronation.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Wait. In the past, all the Dukes and Duchesses of Nova were Lumens.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (That means all those crystals must be out there somewhere...)
________________________________________
Week 22
(Studied Climbing in the morning.)
(Studied Climbing 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: (Almost the entire eastern border.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I don't know anything really bad about her, though...)
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.
A walk in the fresh air helps you forget the burdens on your shoulders.
________________________________________
Week 23
(Studied Public Speaking in the morning.)
(Studied Public Speaking 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: Reject her
Elodie, Crown Princess: Thank you, but we are not interested.
A walk in the fresh air helps you forget the burdens on your shoulders.
________________________________________
Week 24
(Studied Court Manners in the morning.)
You have unlocked a new outfit!
(Studied Flattery 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).
A walk in the fresh air helps you forget the burdens on your shoulders.
________________________________________
Week 25
(Studied Strategy in the morning.)
(Studied Logistics in the afternoon.)
Your agents report a buildup of military strength - particularly warships - in Shanjia, the major power across the ocean to the west. If they send out conquering fleets, Nova might be in danger.
However, it takes time to assemble worthy vessels, and you have advance warning. You could make your own preparations to defend your coast.
The downside is, they won't come cheap.
Menu: [Build more warships] [Do nothing]
Player chose: Build more warships
You send orders for the assembly of new ships, and the strengthening of weaponry and cladding on the existing fleet. If trouble comes, you'll be ready for it.
A walk in the fresh air helps you forget the burdens on your shoulders.
________________________________________
Week 26
(Studied Strategy in the morning.)
(Studied Naval Strategy 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: (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 no one]
Player chose: Blame the Earl of Ishtar
Elodie, Crown Princess: Once is an accident. Twice is a coincidence. Three times?
Elodie, Crown Princess: He's either a traitor or incompetent. He's useless as an Earl.
Menu: [Imprison him] [Execute him]
Player chose: Imprison him
Elodie, Crown Princess: Have him arrested until further investigation.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Connor can be Earl of Ishtar.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: As you wish.
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: But he's not even a Novan!
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: One of his ancestors was.
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 Talarist the heir
Elodie, Crown Princess: If Talarist is the rightful heir, then he must be Duke.
Elodie, Crown Princess: But he can't be Duke of both places, so he'll have to give up the title to Sedna and become my subject.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Let Talasse worry about replacing their Duke.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Very well.
You spend the weekend holed up alone in your room with your favorite toys. It's childish, but you feel a bit better.
________________________________________
Week 27
(Studied Naval Strategy in the morning.)
You have unlocked a new outfit!
(Studied Naval Strategy in the afternoon.)
Alice: My lady, there are letters for you.
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: Go to Sudbury for Gwenelle's party
Elodie, Crown Princess: (It'll be good to see my friends!)
You pay your respects to your mother's tomb, and wonder if the same fate is waiting for you.
________________________________________
Week 28
(Studied Running in the morning.)
(Studied Swimming in the afternoon.)
Gwenelle's party is lovely - not nearly as glamourous as your own upcoming birthday will be, of course, but it's still a major event on the noble social calendar. Everyone who is anyone is present.
Except, of course, for the new Duke of Elath. Matters there are too unsettled to be left unattended.
Your uncle, the Duke of Merva, is present, and you realise that you've never spoken to him about his wife's death. You wonder if Charlotte and her siblings are here.
You notice several people quickly looking away and whispering to their companions when they catch sight of you. You wonder what they are talking about.
Arisse, the Duchess of Lillah, is present, but she somehow always manages to avoid talking to you when you draw near.
There are refreshments and dancers and musicians and polite conversations... and one or two not-so-polite.
Lieke, Countess of Dis: ... will not be shoved aside.
Gwenelle, Duchess of Sudbury: Mother, it's my domain now. I need space for myself. You have your own lands to manage.
Lieke, Countess of Dis: Just because you're of age doesn't mean you know everything, young lady. You need my advice.
Gwenelle, Duchess of Sudbury: This is my home. It has never been yours.
Before you can back away, their gazes fall on you. They wait expectantly for you as near-queen to settle the dispute.
Feelings could be easily hurt on either side here. It's important that everyone involved save face.
Menu: [Side with Gwenelle] [Side with her mother] [Flatter them both]
Player chose: Flatter them both
Elodie, Crown Princess: I'm sure you have a great deal of wisdom to impart.
Elodie, Crown Princess: But isn't that what you've already done? You have to trust in the strength of your own teachings.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Trust in the strength and the intelligence of your daughter.
Neither of them looks entirely happy, but neither of them looks angry with you either.
A bit later, Briony catches up with you.
Briony, Lady Mead: Hello, Elodie. It's so wonderful that you're going to be Queen now.
Briony, Lady Mead: I mean, I am sorry about your mother...
Elodie, Crown Princess: Thanks.
Briony, Lady Mead: ... but think of the opportunities you're going to have! You're so lucky.
That's an odd way of putting it.
Briony, Lady Mead: Anyway, I was wondering, now that you're almost Queen and everything... have they told you all the secrets?
Elodie, Crown Princess: What secrets?
Briony, Lady Mead: Like, how to get into the old palace! I've heard it's packed full of treasure.
Elodie, Crown Princess: You mean the Old Capital by Kathre Lake? The abandoned one?
Briony, Lady Mead: Exactly! They had to leave in a hurry, so they left all kinds of treasure behind.
Briony, Lady Mead: And nobody ever goes there because the forest is supposed to be haunted, so the treasure's probably still there!
Elodie, Crown Princess: (The forest isn't just haunted, it's full of monsters like the keythong!)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (But what if she's right and it is full of ancient treasure?)
Menu: [Offer to help] [Try to talk her out of it] [Tattle to her parents]
Player chose: Try to talk her out of it
Elodie, Crown Princess: That forest is dangerous, Briony! Not because of ghosts. Because of monsters.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Do you know what happens when a monster from the forest gets loose and kills someone?
Elodie, Crown Princess: Nothing! Nobody does anything, because the monsters are too powerful to fight!
Elodie, Crown Princess: So we just let them eat whoever they want, and hope they don't take too many.
Elodie, Crown Princess: If you go there, you'll die, and everyone will say it was your own fault.
Briony, Lady Mead: ... You're scaring me.
Elodie, Crown Princess: That's the point.
Briony, Lady Mead: Okay, okay, maybe I should think a little more about this plan.
Briony, Lady Mead: You're no fun.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (... I hope she was listening.)
At the end, you all share a pleasant meal and prepare to return to your various lands.
Only then do you catch sight of someone you've been looking for.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Charlotte!
Charlotte, Lady Merva: ... Leave me alone.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What?
Charlotte, Lady Merva: Don't talk to me! Stay away from me!
She runs away.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Of course... I killed her mother, didn't I?)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (She'll never forgive me.)
There's nothing you can do about it now.
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 military outfit.): --- Sun Feb 09 13:30:14 2014
________________________________________
Week 29
(Studied Strategy in the morning.)
You may now tour the Barracks on the weekends.
(Studied Naval Strategy in the afternoon.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: I noticed you were looking over some military records the other day.
Elodie, Crown Princess: I was just checking into how many soldiers we had available.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: If you're desperate to recruit more fighters, you could offer pardons to criminals in exchange for service.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Be careful, though. Some of them are dangerous and unreliable. That's why they were imprisoned to begin with.
Menu: [Recruit soldiers from prison] [Don't]
Player chose: Recruit soldiers from prison
Elodie, Crown Princess: All right, let's do that. Criminals probably already know how to fight.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Very well.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
________________________________________
Week 30
(Studied Running in the morning.)
(Studied Swimming in the afternoon.)
You have unlocked a new outfit!
Alice: My lady, you have a letter.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (It's from Briony. She wants to know if I've ever heard any rumors about pirate treasure.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Here we go again!)
You are impressed by the discipline of the Novan troops, but the responsibility for their lives weighs heavily on your shoulders.
There are approximately 10 battalions, 2 companies, and 2 platoons under your direct command.
Progress on your new warships reportedly proceeds apace.
________________________________________
Week 31
(Studied Climbing in the morning.)
(Studied Climbing 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.)
Sitting in on court sessions is not fun at all, but it pleases your father and it may be important for your future.
________________________________________
Week 32
(Studied Strategy in the morning.)
(Studied Logistics 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.
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 33
(Studied Strategy in the morning.)
You have nothing more to learn about Strategy.
(Studied Naval Strategy in the afternoon.)
You have nothing more to learn about Naval Strategy.
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: Mounted Parade
You choose to lead the parade mounted on a brilliant white horse.
You don't actually know how to ride, but the horse is well-trained, so all you need to do is sit up straight, look regal, and don't fall off.
All the winners are announced and displayed to great cheers. As near-Queen, you place flower garlands around their necks.
You are impressed by the discipline of the Novan troops, but the responsibility for their lives weighs heavily on your shoulders.
There are approximately 11 battalions and 1 platoon under your direct command.
Your newest ships of the line are undergoing final checkout.
The game will now attempt to save the log and open it in a web browser.
Menu: [Continue] [Cancel]
Player chose: Cancel
________________________________________
Week 34
(Studied Logistics in the morning.)
(Studied Logistics in the afternoon.)
You have nothing more to learn about Logistics.
Alice: My lady, your father wishes to speak with you. He says it's urgent.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Fine, I'm coming.
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: I've been expecting something like that.
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: Recruit soldiers
Elodie, Crown Princess: Fine, we'll do 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: Direct the fleet
Elodie, Crown Princess: The risk is mine to take.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You have your mother's heart.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: There is one more thing. I hesitate to ask, but...
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: An invasion...
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: This is the sort of disaster for which a Lumen's power may be worth the cost.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: If the fleet could be destroyed before they reached our waters, many lives would be saved.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I don't know any magic that could sink a whole fleet!)
Elodie, Crown Princess: I... I'll have to talk to my mentor.
You find the Duchess of Ursul in her guest quarters.
Elodie, Crown Princess: A fleet from Shanjia is attacking us. Is it possible to sink them all with magic?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: It is easy enough to attack one soldier, one ship, as a demonstration. But to obliterate an entire fleet...
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: You would need an immense amount of power spread over a large area, more than any one Lumen could control.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: If you tried to raise that much power yourself, you would die. Not could. Would.
Elodie, Crown Princess: So it's hopeless.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Not necessarily.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: The most dangerous power of Imperial Nova was that of Lumens acting in concert.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: If the need is great and the will is true, one Lumen may choose to give command of her power to another.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Three, perhaps four people working together might have the strength to destroy a fleet.
Elodie, Crown Princess: You, me, and Selene. Will that be enough?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: It might. Are you willing to take the risk? Such power has its price.
Menu: [Yes] [No]
Player chose: No
Elodie, Crown Princess: No. I think I'd rather rely on the soldiers to protect me.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: So be it.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: So be it.
You are impressed by the discipline of the Novan troops, but the responsibility for their lives weighs heavily on your shoulders.
There are approximately 11 battalions, 3 companies, and 1 platoon under your direct command.
Your newest ships of the line are undergoing final checkout.
(Put on the faith outfit.): --- Sun Feb 09 13:40:20 2014
________________________________________
Week 35
(Studied Composure in the morning.)
(Studied Wield Magic in the afternoon.)
You have nothing more to learn about Wield Magic.
Danger on the high seas!
Ships close in on each other, angling into range.
You clamber up the rigging to take a position in the crow's nest, where you can watch the enemy's movements with a spyglass and shout out any necessary changes in plan.
The Shanjians outnumber you slightly, but it could all come down to strategy.
Your skill in long-range magic makes you as effective as a cannon (and more maneuverable), but there is still only one of you.
Still, your position in the crow's nest allows you to target ships at a distance too great for them to respond effectively.
The eventual outcome...
... is a hard-fought victory.
You have repelled the invasion fleet, driving the survivors back across the sea. You and your sailors are heroes, and Nova is safe once more.
Sitting in on court sessions is not fun at all, but it pleases your father and it may be important for your future.
________________________________________
Week 36
(Studied Elegance in the morning.)
(Studied Resist Magic in the afternoon.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: We have obtained a number of Shanjian prisoners who survived the naval battle.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: A few are from wealthy families and can be ransomed, but most are common sailors and soldiers.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: What do you intend to do with them?
Menu: [Ransom the rich, conscript the poor] [Ransom the rich, execute the poor] [Execute them all]
Player chose: Ransom the rich, conscript the poor
Elodie, Crown Princess: Ransom back the ones whose families will pay.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Offer the soldiers and such their freedom if they are willing to serve in my army instead.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Very 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 37
(Studied Presence in the morning.)
You have nothing more to learn about Presence.
(Studied Resist Magic in the afternoon.)
You have nothing more to learn about Resist Magic.
Now that the issue of the prisoners has been dealt with, an enormous festival is held all over Lampsi island to celebrate your victory over Shanjia.
People are hanging your portrait outside their homes and decorating it with flowers like a shrine.
Everyone loves you.
Sitting in on court sessions is not fun at all, but it pleases your father and it may be important for your future.
________________________________________
Week 38
(Studied Composure in the morning.)
(Studied Elegance 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 attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
(Put on the royal_demeanour outfit.)
________________________________________
Week 39
(Studied Composure in the morning.)
You have nothing more to learn about Composure.
(Studied Elegance in the afternoon.)
You have nothing more to learn about Elegance.
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 really can't see the point of wasting time worrying about decorations when there's so much else to worry about.
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 former Duke of Sedna, now Duke of Elath, is one option. Even though he is now a subject of Nova and not Talasse, he still has family there, and marrying him could give you stronger ties to that domain.
The marriage would be of greater benefit to him, as it would strengthen his hold over his new duchy and help to quiet those worried about being ruled by a 'foreigner'.
But with the desperate need for heirs, combining your futures might make them more fragile rather than stronger.
Then there is Banion, the Duke of Maree, a powerful and eligible noble only about ten years older than you.
There's Linley from Kigal, whom you danced with at the gala. He's only two years older than you and a nice fellow.
He is not the official heir to Kigal - his father has so far refused to name one, waiting to see which of his children is most talented and dedicated to the duchy. But whether he inherits it or not, he will at least have strong ties to that region.
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] [Linley] [Kevan] [Anciet] [No one]
Player chose: Linley
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.)
You have nothing more to learn about Composure.
(Studied Elegance in the afternoon.)
You have nothing more to learn about Elegance.
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.
Over time, Elodie and Charlotte slowly mended their relationship.
Charlotte could never quite accept that either her mother or her beloved cousin had intended to kill the other. Eventually she chose to cast the entire matter as a tragic accident and refused to speak any more about it.
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?
The loss of their fleet was a terrible setback for Shanjia. However, as with a garden weed, if the root is not burned out completely the infestation may return even worse than before. The King of Shanjia had somehow escaped either drowning or capture and returned to his homeland to plot revenge against Nova.
Raising a new army put a strain on the Shanjian royal treasury, which brought internal tensions among the former city-states to the fore. It would be some years before Shanjia could manage to field a conquering horde again.
Elodie proposed marriage to Linley of Kigal and was accepted. Linley was a studious and gentle soul, who treated his Queen like a valuable manuscript, careful never to smudge or tear her. Sometimes that protectiveness frustrated Elodie, but at other times it was good to feel cherished.
Over the years, Linley and Elodie became the parents to four children - not nearly as large as Linley's own family, but certainly enough to go around!
Elodie was her mother's daughter, possessed of a royal grace and solemnity even as a young woman. That quiet power would only deepen over the years.
And thus Queen Elodie's legacy stretched into the future...
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