logforhanako

Week 0Joslyn, 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 beforeWeek 1(Studied Trade in the morning.)(Studied Accounting 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.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 2(Studied Production in the morning.)(Studied Production 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 stayElodie, 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.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 3(Studied Trade in the morning.)(Studied Production 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 want to hold still, but you don't have the composure to hold your position without peeking. You look down where her sword is pointing. There's a snake in the grass! You can't help it - you squeak and jump back. The snake tenses and prepares to strike.Charlotte, Lady Merva: No! Your cousin pushes you aside, and the snake's fangs sink into her leg.Elodie, Crown Princess: Lottie! Too late, Julianna swings her sword and cuts off the snake's head.Lucille, Countess of Nix: What is going on out here?Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Your daughter's been bitten by a milk viper. They're poisonous. Get an herbalist, right away!Lucille, Countess of Nix: I will treat my daughter. I certainly can't trust anyone here to keep her safe!Elodie, Crown Princess: I'm sorry...Charlotte, Lady Merva: I don't feel good.Lucille, Countess of Nix: We will be returning home to Merva immediately.Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Your aunt has a point. Milk vipers are not native to this area. That snake should never have been here.Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Someone may have tried to kill you.Elodie, Crown Princess: Will Charlotte be okay?Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: I don't know.Elodie, Crown Princess: How do I find my Lumen crystal?Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Your father probably knows what happened to it.Elodie, Crown Princess: What if he destroyed it?Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: They can't be destroyed. He could throw it away, but then someone else might find it. No, he'll keep it safe.Elodie, Crown Princess: But if it's mine, it wouldn't matter if someone else found it.Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: It's attuned to you, but you haven't bonded with it yet. If it found a compatible host, someone who was like you in some way, it could bond to them.Week 4(Studied Accounting in the morning.)(Studied Trade 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.Elodie, Crown Princess: I was so worried about Charlotte, after that snake bit her...Elodie, Crown Princess: But her mother said she's okay, so I guess it turned out all right.Elodie, Crown Princess: Maybe she has a guardian angel! Sitting in on court sessions is not fun at all, but it pleases your father and it may be important for your future.Week 5(Studied Accounting in the morning.) You have unlocked a new outfit! (Studied Court Manners 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: Wear itElodie, Crown Princess: I don't care what anyone thinks, I'm the princess and I want my jewelry. Sitting in on court sessions is not fun at all, but it pleases your father and it may be important for your future.(Put on the economics outfit.)Week 6(Studied Accounting in the morning.)(Studied Accounting in the afternoon.) 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: Call the guardsElodie, Crown Princess: Guards! However, by the time the response is organised and directed to the area beyond the palace, there's no sign of any intruder. You wonder if you were only imagining it.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.Week 7(Studied Novan History in the morning.)(Studied Novan History 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: ApologiseElodie, Crown Princess: No, it was my fault. I should have gotten out of your way.Alice: ... If you say so, my lady. You overwhelm the guards with facts and figures, explaining that you need treasury access to adjust the royal budget, which may affect their pay packets as well as the taxes assessed on their friends and family. They stand aside. 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 8(Studied Novan History in the morning.)(Studied Foreign Affairs 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: InvestElodie, Crown Princess: We would be happy to invest in your venture.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 itElodie, 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 9(Studied Internal Affairs in the morning.)(Studied Foreign Affairs 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: (His sister, the Duchess of Hellas, started trouble in Ixion four years ago, so they invaded his territory as payback.)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: Your Highness, if I may ask... That necklace you're wearing. Where did it come from?Elodie, Crown Princess: It was a gift from the Duke of Sedna.Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: Then, you have made arrangements with him?Elodie, Crown Princess: (I think he's asking if I'm engaged to the Duke!)Menu: [I'm considering it] [I just like jewelry] Player chose: I'm considering itElodie, Crown Princess: No arrangements yet, but I look upon him fondly.Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: I see. Your happiness is my utmost concern, Your Highness.Elodie, Crown Princess: Thank 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 10(Studied Sense Magic in the morning.)(Studied Foreign 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.Elodie, Crown Princess: (Hellas and Maree are neighboring duchies. Together, the siblings Brin and Banion govern most of Southern Nova.)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 HellasElodie, 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 IxioniteElodie, 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.Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: Remember that my sister is not the only unmarried noblewoman in Nova.Elodie, Crown Princess: (People will expect me to find a husband too.) You spend the weekend holed up alone in your room with your favorite toys. It's childish, but you feel a bit better.Week 11(Studied Court Manners in the morning.)(Studied Flattery 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: ...Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Also, there is a letter for you.Elodie, Crown Princess: (Talarist, the Duke of Sedna, will be arriving next week for an official visit.) You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.Week 12(Studied Court Manners in the morning.)(Studied Court Manners in the afternoon.)Talarist, Duke of Sedna: Ah, Your Highness. What a pleasure it is to meet you in person at last. Your description did not do you justice.Elodie, Crown Princess: *giggle*Elodie, Crown Princess: (I don't know how to deal with handsome older men paying me compliments!)Talarist, Duke of Sedna: I was so pleased to hear that you had accepted my humble offering. A jewel for a jewel - but you are the more precious.Talarist, Duke of Sedna: I hope that this is only the beginning of a mutually beneficial relationship. A union between us would bring stability to both our peoples.Elodie, Crown Princess: (He really does want to marry me!)Menu: [Accept his offer] [Politely decline] Player chose: Politely declineElodie, Crown Princess: (I need to let him down gently.)Elodie, Crown Princess: Your Grace, I hold you in the highest respect, but I regret that my impulsive enthusiasm may have misled you.Elodie, Crown Princess: Such a decision should not be made in haste. I would, of course, look kindly on your suit in the future.Talarist, Duke of Sedna: I am in complete agreement, Your Highness. There is no need to rush. A solid union requires strong foundations.Talarist, Duke of Sedna: I wish only to meet you, to get to know you, and then to see you again.Talarist, Duke of Sedna: Perhaps you could show me around your castle?Elodie, Crown Princess: Certainly. You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.Week 13(Studied Public Speaking 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: (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: Imprison herElodie, Crown Princess: You have tried to murder a noble of my domain, and I have no reason to believe you wouldn't do it again.Elodie, Crown Princess: You will be imprisoned for the rest of your life.Condemned Woman: Ye'll not have me! All of a sudden, she breaks loose from her guards and rushes at you! In your Court dress, you are unarmed - you grope for a weapon and find only a heavy golden ornament which you hurl in her direction. Your missile flies wide of its mark. Before you have a chance to do anything else, your personal guards step into action, cutting the woman down before she can endanger you. Her lifeless body lies bleeding on your carpet.Elodie, Crown Princess: ... Clean that up. You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.Week 14(Studied Internal Affairs in the morning.)(Studied Internal Affairs 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.) When you return to the castle, your father is waiting for you.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 attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.Week 15(Studied Foreign Intelligence in the morning.)(Studied Foreign Intelligence 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.Elodie, Crown Princess: (A grand ball... There will be dancing.)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] [Pro-Lumen propaganda] [Religious doctrine] Player chose: Pro-Lumen propagandaElodie, Crown Princess: I think the people of Nova don't have enough respect for magic-users. I want to print pamphlets about Lumens.Elodie, Crown Princess: I want to show everyone how magic can do good things.Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: ... As you wish.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 has been acting strangely lately and shouting at shadows.)Elodie, Crown Princess: (She's bored and looking for an adventure. Well, I don't have any to suggest to her!) 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 16(Studied Ciphering in the morning.)(Studied Ciphering in the afternoon.) You have unlocked a new outfit! 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 would rather not goElodie, Crown Princess: No... I guess I'd rather stay here. You watch the procession from your tower window, feeling safe but lonely. Suddenly, you hear someone moving around inside your room. You turn in surprise, but it's only a maid.Alice: My lady? What are you - Should you not be in the procession?Elodie, Crown Princess: (Skipping a major festival... Is everyone wondering about me?)Menu: [Confess your fears] [Yell at her] Player chose: Confess your fearsElodie, Crown Princess: I can't go outside... there might be assassins.Alice: Oh. You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.(Put on the intrigue outfit.)Week 17(Studied Foreign Intelligence in the morning.)(Studied Foreign Intelligence 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: Adair, Young Lord of ElathAdair, Young Lord of Elath: Um, h-hi, Elodie? He looks absolutely terrified at the prospect of having to dance with a girl, but the little lord is too well-bred to refuse you. Still, you'll have to be careful not to step on him. 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: RefuseElodie, Crown Princess: You are pushing your luck, Banion. Your use of his untitled name does not intimidate him.Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: Am I?Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: Surely, as Queen, you would act in accordance with your responsibilities, just as you expect of your court.Elodie, Crown Princess: Yes, I will marry, but I will marry the person who is best for me and my domain.Elodie, Crown Princess: So if you want to win my hand, you'd better set about proving your worth. The Duke of Maree smiles wryly and inclines his head to you, acknowledging you the victor of this little verbal sparring match. 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? You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.Week 18(Studied Internal Affairs in the morning.)(Studied Internal Affairs 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: Insult her with false flatteryElodie, Crown Princess: Good afternoon, Countess.Elodie, Crown Princess: My, what large breasts you have. Putting them on display for any particular reason?Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Elodie!Sirin, Countess of Miranda and Callisto: Really, my dear, it's not polite to comment on a lady's attributes like that.Sirin, Countess of Miranda and Callisto: But you are young. You will... grow.Elodie, Crown Princess: Ooo!Sirin, Countess of Miranda and Callisto: Perhaps we'll be seeing more of each other in the future. She gives a little wave and exits. 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: AssassinsElodie, Crown Princess: I can deal with any problems that come up as long as I'm here to deal with them. It's assassins I'm worried about.Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You are your own best defense against assassins. Increasing your skills will help to protect you.Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Beyond that, you can train more soldiers into personal bodyguards to watch over you.Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Or you can institute harsh penalties for treason and make people too frightened to cross you.Menu: [More training] [More guards] [More punishment] Player chose: More guardsElodie, Crown Princess: I need more guards. I have to be safe.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 Internal Affairs in the morning.)(Studied Foreign Intelligence 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. Based on the records and notes of current expenditures, if you maintain the current rate of tax, you will still have nine thousand, one hundred and nineteen gold lassi and eighty-seven silver tilassi available for special projects. You can't imagine any reason that you would need to spend so much. You could afford to lower taxes. Any little trade disruption shouldn't need more than a few hundred lassi to sort out, at least temporarily.Menu: [Raise taxes] [Keep them the same] [Lower taxes] Player chose: Lower taxesElodie, Crown Princess: I think we have enough money... Let's lower the taxes a little.Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: As you wish. You creep through the castle dungeons, catching glimpses here and there of the fate that awaits troublemakers in this kingdom. Even nobles can end up here, sometimes. It's a good reminder to stay on the straight and narrow.Week 20(Studied World History in the morning.)(Studied World History in the afternoon.) You have unlocked a new outfit! 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: Imprison himElodie, Crown Princess: Whether there were demons or not, you still killed a woman - your wife.Elodie, Crown Princess: I won't forgive you for that. You will be imprisoned for the rest of your life. He opens his mouth to argue with you further, but then his shoulders slump.Condemned Man: Yes, Your Majesty. You pay your respects to your mother's tomb, and wonder if the same fate is waiting for you.Week 21(Studied World History in the morning.)(Studied World History in the afternoon.) You receive word that the murderer you condemned to prison has escaped. A large explosion rocked the jail he was in, destroying the walls and setting many dangerous criminals free. It will now fall to the Royal Treasury to repair the damage. You visit the royal treasury and check your available funds. You have five thousand, eight hundred and sixty-nine gold lassi and thirty-one silver tilassi.Week 22(Studied Foreign Affairs in the morning.)(Studied Novan History 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 grandfatherElodie, 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. 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 23(Studied Sense Magic in the morning.)(Studied Sense Magic 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.)Sabine: Your Royal Highness! If you accept me as a member of your court I will immortalise you in word and song.Sabine: I have dabbled in musical styles from many countries, and can entertain your guests and lighten your evenings.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 MusicianElodie, Crown Princess: Very well, you can remain as part of the court.Sabine: I will do my best for you! You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.Week 24(Studied Resist Magic in the morning.)(Studied Resist Magic 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 attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.Week 25(Studied Wield Magic in the morning.)(Studied Resist Magic in the afternoon.) Staring up into the sky out your window, you notice a strange flash of light.Elodie, Crown Princess: (A falling star... Pretty!) You spend the weekend holed up alone in your room with your favorite toys. It's childish, but you feel a bit better.Week 26(Studied Public Speaking in the morning.)(Studied Flattery in the afternoon.) You have unlocked a new outfit! 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 no oneElodie, Crown Princess: No matter what we do, things keep going wrong.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: DelayElodie, Crown Princess: I don't want to make any decisions about succession right now.Elodie, Crown Princess: For the moment, put it under the direct control of the crown.Elodie, Crown Princess: I'll sort it out later. You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.(Put on the history outfit.)Week 27(Studied Novan History in the morning.)(Studied Novan History 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 partyElodie, Crown Princess: (It'll be good to see my friends!) You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.Week 28(Studied Novan History in the morning.) You have nothing more to learn about Novan History.(Studied Flattery in the afternoon.) On your journey to Sudbury, your carriage is attacked by bandits! Luckily, your bodyguards are well-prepared for such an event and manage to drive off the attackers. You are inconvenienced and annoyed, but not harmed. 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. Uncle Laurent and your younger cousins are here, but Charlotte and her mother are not. Apparently Charlotte was ill. 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 bothElodie, 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: Offer to helpElodie, Crown Princess: I don't know any secrets about getting into the old palace - yet.Elodie, Crown Princess: But if you come back to the castle with me, we can check the archives.Briony, Lady Mead: Great! I knew you could help.Briony, Lady Mead: I'm supposed to go back to school, but I was already planning to sneak off.Briony, Lady Mead: I'll ditch my escort, sneak ahead, and meet you at the castle!Elodie, Crown Princess: (This could be fun.) At the end, you all share a pleasant meal and prepare to return to your various lands. You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.Week 29(Studied Court Manners in the morning.)(Studied Court Manners in the afternoon.)Elodie, Crown Princess: I found a bunch of maps of the area around Kathre Lake.Briony, Lady Mead: Great!Elodie, Crown Princess: I also found reports on all sorts of really nasty monsters down there.Briony, Lady Mead: That was hundreds of years ago!Elodie, Crown Princess: The palace was abandoned hundreds of years ago. The reports never stopped.Elodie, Crown Princess: I can't find anyone who's gone into the Old Forest and come back.Briony, Lady Mead: Well, if it is full of treasure, would you want to tell anyone how you got in and stole some?Briony, Lady Mead: Look, I know it's dangerous. I'm not stupid. But you and I are educated noblewomen, not peasants.Briony, Lady Mead: I'm good with a sword and a bow. And you - don't you have magic powers now that you're Queen?Elodie, Crown Princess: Well, yes.Briony, Lady Mead: So come with me! It'll be an awesome adventure. Our parents are going to be so impressed.Elodie, Crown Princess: (Is that what this is really about? Briony's parents?)Menu: [Go with Briony] [Send her alone] [Tell her not to go] [Ask about Briony's parents] Player chose: Ask about Briony's parentsElodie, Crown Princess: Briony... What is going on with you and your family?Briony, Lady Mead: Nothing.Briony, Lady Mead: Really, nothing. Ever since Uncle Kevan moved in my parents don't want anything to do with me.Briony, Lady Mead: I'm an adult now, you know!Elodie, Crown Princess: (Technically. She's sixteen.)Briony, Lady Mead: And they still say I have to be at school all the time. I'm the heir, I should be spending time in Mead!Elodie, Crown Princess: When did your uncle move in?Briony, Lady Mead: I don't know, a few years ago. After Gran's divorce.Elodie, Crown Princess: (The Duchess of Lillah divorced her second husband, and then he died.)Elodie, Crown Princess: (He would have been the stepfather of Briony's mother and uncle.)Elodie, Crown Princess: That must have been a stressful time for your family.Briony, Lady Mead: Yeah, I'm sure, but so what? That was years ago! They've had plenty of time to get over it!Briony, Lady Mead: I just want them to pay attention to me. If I find the lost treasures of Nova, they have to notice.Elodie, Crown Princess: You've already run away from school. If they don't notice that, they won't notice anything.Briony, Lady Mead: You mean... it's hopeless???Elodie, Crown Princess: No, I mean, all you need to do is stay here and wait. Getting into more trouble won't make a difference.Briony, Lady Mead: Oh. I guess maybe you're right.Briony, Lady Mead: Thanks, Elodie! You're smarter than I remembered.Elodie, Crown Princess: Argh! You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.(Put on the intrigue outfit.)Week 30(Studied Ciphering in the morning.)(Studied Ciphering in the afternoon.)Alice: The Duchess of Mead is here to see you, my lady.Corisande, Duchess of Mead: Elodie! Where is my daughter?Elodie, Crown Princess: Which daughter?Corisande, Duchess of Mead: You know very well that I only have one.Briony, Lady Mead: Really, mother? Because sometimes I think you don't have one at all!Corisande, Duchess of Mead: Briony! Thank goodness you're all right.Briony, Lady Mead: Oh, now you care? You certainly didn't want to see me before! You haven't let me come home in ages!Corisande, Duchess of Mead: Briony, darling, there are things you don't understand...Briony, Lady Mead: I don't understand because you never tell me anything! The Duchess sighs and embraces her daughter.Corisande, Duchess of Mead: Very well. If that's what it will take. Come home with me, and I will explain everything.Elodie, Crown Princess: (Looks like everything worked out for the best! You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.Week 31(Studied Ciphering in the morning.)(Studied Ciphering in the afternoon.) You have nothing more to learn about Ciphering. 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 receive a letter from Briony hinting at some of the complicated family drama that has been going on.Elodie, Crown Princess: (Her father keeps alternating between wanting a divorce and being afraid of losing his home.) There's an extra section at the end of the letter written in code.Elodie, Crown Princess: (Her uncle and his stepfather? Her uncle and her mother?)Elodie, Crown Princess: (No wonder she was trying to hide it.)Elodie, Crown Princess: (Well, I hope she'll be happier now.) You visit the royal treasury and check your available funds. You have five thousand, six hundred and seventeen gold lassi and one silver tila.Week 32(Studied Sense Magic in the morning.) Your skill in Sense Magic is now 50. You may not increase this skill until your other Lumen skills are 25 or higher.(Studied Wield Magic in the afternoon.) You have unlocked a new outfit! 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: GoldElodie, Crown Princess: A purse of gold for the champions!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.)Elodie, Crown Princess: (There's something suspicious about this.)Menu: [Eat candy now] [Save it for later] [Test for poison] Player chose: Save it for laterElodie, Crown Princess: I don't feel like candy right now. Maybe later. 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 lumen outfit.)Week 33(Studied Sense Magic in the morning.)(Studied Wield Magic 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: Music You take your place in line for the bardic contest. You aren't trained in any instrument that's appropriate for a setting like this, so you have to sing a capella. Faced with such an audience, your voice fades away to nothing. Not a promising result. All the winners are announced and displayed to great cheers. As near-Queen, you place flower garlands around their necks. 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 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 34(Studied Sense Magic in the morning.)(Studied Wield Magic in the afternoon.)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: 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'tElodie, 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 capitalElodie, Crown Princess: No, there's too much to do here. I can't go to sea. 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 35(Studied Sense Magic in the morning.) You have nothing more to learn about Sense Magic.(Studied Resist Magic 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 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 36(Studied Resist Magic in the morning.)(Studied Resist Magic in the afternoon.) You have nothing more to learn about Resist Magic. 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: (Is he really their King? Why would a king come all the way here?)Elodie, Crown Princess: (And he's a Lumen, too!)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. Menu: [More code] [Done] Player chose: DoneTogami: 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 can sense his power... it's so strong!)Elodie, Crown Princess: (I've learned everything I possibly could, but he's at least as good as I am...)Elodie, Crown Princess: (I don't like this... But what choice do I have?)Menu: [Accept his terms] [Offer marriage alliance] [Refuse outright] Player chose: Accept his termsElodie, Crown Princess: Then... I must. Togami explains the rules of formal dueling to you, including a carefully inscribed circle of wards which will contain the effects of any powers you wield, protecting bystanders from danger. And then it is time to begin. You trade attacks, one spell sensed and countered by another, reserving your strength as much as possible. It might almost be exciting if your life weren't on the line. You need to end this quickly before his experience allows him to come up with a trick you can't defeat. He's used to dealing with magical attacks, but he might not be expecting a physical one. Perhaps if you rushed him, you could take him off guard? Up close, he couldn't use his fancy spells. But what would you do then? You still have to use magic to win, you can't just grab him and bang his head against the floor. Perhaps you could focus your power into the shape of a sword and attack him with that. Or maybe if you could distract him somehow, you could cast a spell that he couldn't block?Menu: [Magic sword] [Dazzle him] Player chose: Dazzle him Drawing on your knowledge of design and your control over light, you surround yourself with strands of rainbow color which flow over and around your image. But that's only the beginning. Once you are in the cover of this prismatic 'shield', you can create a false image of yourself and step invisibly aside. The strain of keeping up the illusion of yourself responding to Togami's attacks is high, you can't keep this up for long. You have to end it now. Stepping up as close behind him as you dare to limit the time and space he has to react, you raise your hand and force out a high-speed disc of solid light. It drives into his neck, killing him instantly. You have won. 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 37(Studied Instrument in the morning.)(Studied Voice in the afternoon.) Once you defeated the King o