I finally conquered Long Live the Queen, a princess training simulator by Hanako Games and Spiky Caterpillar. The game records a log of your choices and the results of each turn. I’ve posted mine below the cut.
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 Internal Affairs in the morning.)
(Studied Foreign Intelligence 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 Lore in the morning.)
(Studied Lore in the afternoon.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: What’s that commotion outside? Father? What’s going on?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: I have come to pay my respects in honor of your mother.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You have no respect or honor. It’s because of you and your powers that my wife is dead!
Elodie, Crown Princess: What?!?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: I am a Lumen, as was she, and like every Lumen I am willing to give my life if necessary to protect our domain.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Your line has been traitors for two hundred years. I won’t have you corrupting my daughter.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: That is for the Crown Princess to decide.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Elodie, your mother trusted me, and I have much to teach you.
Menu: [Send her away] [Arrest her] [Let her stay]
Player chose: Let her stay
Elodie, Crown Princess: I want to hear what she has to say.
Elodie, Crown Princess: She stays.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: As you wish.
You spend the weekend holed up alone in your room with your favorite toys. It’s childish, but you feel a bit better.
Week 3
(Studied Composure in the morning.)
(Studied Composure in the afternoon.)
Charlotte, Lady Merva: He loves me, he loves me not…
Elodie, Crown Princess: Lottie, do you have a boyfriend?
Charlotte, Lady Merva: Not really. I just like to play with the flowers.
All of a sudden, the Duchess of Ursul rushes into the garden and points a sword at you!
No, not at you. At your… feet?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Princess! Don’t move!
Menu: [Hold still] [Look down]
Player chose: Hold still
You bite your lip and hold perfectly still, resisting the urge to look down.
Julianna swings her sword…
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: There. It’s dead.
You look down at your feet and see a snake in the grass!
Charlotte, Lady Merva: Eeeeeek!
Lucille, Countess of Nix: What is going on out here?
Charlotte, Lady Merva: Mummy, there was a snake!
Elodie, Crown Princess: The Duchess of Ursul protected us.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Milk vipers are not native to this area. That snake should never have been here.
Lucille, Countess of Nix: This is unacceptable. I can’t have my daughter remaining in such a dangerous place! We are returning home to Merva at once.
Charlotte, Lady Merva: Awww….
You spend the weekend holed up alone in your room with your favorite toys. It’s childish, but you feel a bit better.
Week 4
(Studied Court Manners in the morning.)
(Studied Court Manners 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 spend the weekend holed up alone in your room with your favorite toys. It’s childish, but you feel a bit better.
Week 5
(Studied Novan History in the morning.)
(Studied Novan History in the afternoon.)
One of the maids approaches for your attention.
Alice: My lady, couriers have arrived from the Duke of Sedna.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Sedna, that’s in Talasse, the domain to our southeast.)
Alice: They have brought you a letter, and a gift.
Elodie, Crown Princess: ‘Condolences on the death of’, ‘deeply regret’, ‘best wishes’…
Elodie, Crown Princess: Oh! What a beautiful necklace!
Elodie, Crown Princess: It might not be appropriate for me to wear a man’s gift in public, though. People would think it meant something.
Menu: [Wear it] [Don’t wear it]
Player chose: Don’t wear it
Elodie, Crown Princess: It’s important to maintain the proper image.
You spend the weekend holed up alone in your room with your favorite toys. It’s childish, but you feel a bit better.
Week 6
(Studied Elegance in the morning.)
(Studied Trade in the afternoon.)
Selene, Priestess of the Second Circle: Your Royal Highness. I would speak with you.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What is it?
Selene, Priestess of the Second Circle: You have many questions, and the answers are within your grasp. You need only choose to seek them.
Selene, Priestess of the Second Circle: Speak to the Duchess of Ursul. She will guide you on your path.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What is it you wanted to teach me?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: First, I need to know if you have your mother’s crystal.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What crystal?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: The source of power for any Lumen is a particular magical crystal. Once you’ve bonded with it, it becomes a part of you as long as you live.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: The Royal Crystal has been passed down from ruler to ruler for generations. It belongs to you, now – except that the King may be keeping it from you.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Do you have a crystal?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Of course.
She holds out her hands. Light flickers above her bosom, and then, with a shower of sparkles, something takes shape.
You reach out to touch it, and it dissolves away into nothing.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Oh.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: It belongs to me. No one can take it from me until I die.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: You need to find the crystal that belongs to you.
Week 7
(Studied Production in the morning.)
(Studied Trade 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: 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 8
(Studied Production in the morning.)
(Studied Trade in the afternoon.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: There is a man here to see you. He wishes Crown funding for a project of his.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Remember, the treasury is not unlimited. If you choose to invest, you will have less money to work with later.
Man: Your Royal Highness, I have a plan to print books using metal letters which can be moved and reused.
Man: I need to borrow 875 lassi to assemble the metal and a factory to mold and cast the type.
Man: With this system, we will be able to create new books in a fraction of the time it takes now, and make copies to send all over the world.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Hmm. If it really works, that could be a very important invention.)
Menu: [Invest] [Don’t invest]
Player chose: Invest
Elodie, Crown Princess: We would be happy to invest in your venture.
Elodie, Crown Princess: My father says I can’t have the crystal until I’m Queen, so we’ll just have to wait.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: There may not be time to wait.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: This world is filled with dangers, and you will need the powers of a Lumen to fight them. You can’t begin training until you have bonded with your crystal.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Well, what else am I supposed to do about it?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: The crystal is probably held under guard in the Royal Treasury. You are the princess; you should be able to find a way inside.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Otherwise we might have to take drastic action.
Menu: [I’ll wait until I’m older] [I’ll try to find a way] [What drastic action?]
Player chose: I’ll try to find a way
Elodie, Crown Princess: All right. I will try to get into the treasury.
Week 9
(Studied Foreign 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: 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!)
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 Novan History in the morning.)
(Studied Novan History in the afternoon.)
Your skill in Novan History is now 50. You may not increase this skill until your other History skills are 25 or higher.
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 Hellas
Elodie, Crown Princess: We appreciate that you feel wronged. One of our subjects attempted to instigate a rebellion in your territory.
Elodie, Crown Princess: However, she did not have our approval for these actions. If you withdraw your troops, we will punish her.
Brin, Duchess of Hellas, Countess of Dysnomia: Your Highness!
Elodie, Crown Princess: This is the fair solution. You have no right to invade us because of her actions.
Diplomat from Ixion: What manner of punishment were you considering?
Menu: [Make her a commoner] [Command her to marry an Ixionite] [Execute her]
Player chose: Command her to marry an Ixionite
Elodie, Crown Princess: She will marry an Ixionite lord of your choosing.
Brin, Duchess of Hellas, Countess of Dysnomia: I will not!
Elodie, Crown Princess: You will if I say you will, or I’ll take your title away!
Elodie, Crown Princess: Her heirs will be of your blood, in a peaceful union that benefits us both.
Diplomat from Ixion: Very well. We will accept this arrangement.
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.)
Sitting in on court sessions is not fun at all, but it pleases your father and it may be important for your future.
Week 11
(Studied Presence in the morning.)
(Studied Presence 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: …
You spend the weekend holed up alone in your room with your favorite toys. It’s childish, but you feel a bit better.
Week 12
(Studied Presence in the morning.)
Your skill in Presence is now 50. You may not increase this skill until your other Royal Demeanor skills are 25 or higher.
(Studied Lore 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.
Sitting in on court sessions is not fun at all, but it pleases your father and it may be important for your future.
Week 13
(Studied Internal Affairs in the morning.)
(Studied Internal Affairs 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: (His other full-sister is the wife of the Duke of Kigal, and his mother is the Duchess of Lillah. Family ties are complicated.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: Is she all right?
Kevan, Earl of Io: She is unharmed. We caught the culprit in the kitchens before anyone could eat her foul spew.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Well, what do you have to say for yourself?
Condemned Woman: It’s justice, it is! Them devils killed me brother, and broke me mam’s heart.
Condemned Woman: Lied to her, they did, when she went to see why he’d not come back. Said he’d gone for a soldier, when he never would!
Condemned Woman: He weren’t the only one neither. I waited ten years for my chance to get my own back. That’s justice!
Kevan, Earl of Io: You see? She’s completely unrepentant! Hang her and be done with it.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Hmm. This might have something to do with the last Duke of Mead. He was involved in all sorts of scandals.)
Menu: [Put her to work] [Imprison her] [Execute her] [Ask the Earl of Io about her story]
Player chose: Put her to work
Elodie, Crown Princess: This woman failed in her goals. She harmed no one. I do not require her life.
Elodie, Crown Princess: If she is kept far away from your sister’s court, she will no longer be a threat.
Kevan, Earl of Io: You’re going to forgive her?!?
Elodie, Crown Princess: I’m indenturing her, not pardoning her. She will serve as a heavy laborer in northern Ursul.
Kevan, Earl of Io: She should be made an example of! She should be drawn and quartered in a public square!
Elodie, Crown Princess: I have spoken!
Condemned Woman: Gods bless you, miss!
Sitting in on court sessions is not fun at all, but it pleases your father and it may be important for your future.
Week 14
(Studied Composure in the morning.)
(Studied Elegance in the afternoon.)
You have unlocked a new outfit!
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.)
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 royal_demeanour outfit.): — Sat Jan 25 19:23:24 2014
Week 15
(Studied Elegance in the morning.)
(Studied Elegance in the afternoon.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Remember that the Festival of the Good Lady is approaching.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: There will be public celebrations for the commoners, followed by a grand gala for the nobility.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: As Queen, you would be expected to lead the procession and take part in the ceremonial planting, possibly give a speech.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: However, since you are not yet crowned, it is not required, and it may not be safe to expose you to the public.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What do you mean, not safe?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Outside of the castle, you are less well protected. If anyone means you harm… Think on it now, decide later.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Word has come from the factory for books that you funded. They have assembled enough equipment to begin printing test pamphlets.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: As their royal sponsor, it is your right to decide the content of the first printing.
Menu: [Poems praising your mother] [Religious doctrine]
Player chose: Religious doctrine
Elodie, Crown Princess: We should take this opportunity to celebrate our devotion to the gods, especially the Good Lady.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The temples will be pleased by your piety.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: There is a letter for you as well.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (It’s from Briony! I went to school with her, but she’s a couple years older than me. Her mother is the Duchess of Mead.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (She’s complaining that her mother still won’t let her come home for the holidays.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Apparently her uncle Kevan is absolutely furious about that woman’s trial.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (She’s bored and looking for an adventure. Well, I don’t have any to suggest to her!)
You spend the weekend holed up alone in your room with your favorite toys. It’s childish, but you feel a bit better.
Week 16
(Studied Presence in the morning.)
(Studied Composure 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.
You can tell from the excited murmurs around you that the people are impressed with your queenly appearance.
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.
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 17
(Studied Court Manners in the morning.)
(Studied Court Manners 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.
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: Linley of Kigal
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: 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: Refuse
Elodie, 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: Not the one who bullies me into it.
There are low chuckles around the room, but you’re not sure which one of you they’re laughing at.
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?
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 18
(Studied Sense Magic in the morning.)
(Studied Sense Magic 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.
You take a deep breath.
Menu: [Greet her politely] [Shame her with silent scorn] [Insult her with false flattery] [Trip her as she passes]
Player chose: Shame her with silent scorn
You meet her eyes and imagine your mother’s disapproving presence behind you.
Her color pales, and she releases her grip on your father’s arm, mumbling an apology before hurrying out of the room. You have defeated her.
Once she’s gone, you raise an eyebrow at your father.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: This is the path that you have set us on.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What do you mean?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Your acts have made everyone think about preparations for the future. Caloris needs an heir.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: My brother, your uncle Armand, is looking for a wife as well. One of us, at least, must produce more children.
Elodie, Crown Princess: But… Mama…
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Nothing can ever replace your mother.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: But we all have to do things that we don’t want to do.
Elodie, Crown Princess: …
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You should be careful how you deal with people like Sirin. You need the goodwill of your nobles as well as your commoners.
Elodie, Crown Princess: There haven’t been any problems so far.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: As Queen, you must be aware of everything around you.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Isn’t that what I have agents for?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Yes, but you must give them direction. What is your greatest concern?
Menu: [Noble plots] [Commoner uprisings] [Foreign threats] [Assassins]
Player chose: Assassins
Elodie, 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 training
Elodie, Crown Princess: There are so many things I need to learn, and so little time!
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Be calm and determined and you will succeed. I believe in you.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Thanks, Dad.
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 19
(Studied Sense Magic in the morning.)
(Studied Sense 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 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 20
(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 Resist Magic 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: (I do feel some kind of magic around him. Is it possible that he’s telling the truth?)
Menu: [Pardon him] [Imprison him] [Execute him]
Player chose: Pardon him
Elodie, Crown Princess: I’m very sorry for your loss. The monsters are responsible, not you. Don’t blame yourself.
Elodie, Crown Princess: The priestess of the royal grove will take care of purifying you.
Condemned man: Bless you, Your Majesty!
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 21
(Studied Dogs in the morning.)
(Studied Wield Magic in the afternoon.)
Alice: My lady, there is a letter for you.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Who sent this? It isn’t signed…)
It appears to be a poem, describing you in a manner that is entirely inappropriate for a Queen.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I *what*? With a *squid*?)
Menu: [That’s hilarious!] [That’s terrible!]
Player chose: That’s hilarious!
Elodie, Crown Princess: (That’s actually pretty funny!)
Just then, an incredibly unlucky breeze swirls between the windows of your tower bedroom, tugging the paper out of your hands and off into the sky.
You stick your head out the window to discover the ‘poem’ caught and fluttering on the roof nearby. You can almost reach it.
Menu: [Climb out and grab it] [Ignore it]
Player chose: Ignore it
What’s the worst that can happen? It blows off and someone reads it and laughs at you? That’s better than breaking your neck.
Besides, if you’re lucky it will rain and wash the words away.
You 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 22
(Studied Dogs in the morning.)
(Studied Wield Magic 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: (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: Marry him
Elodie, Crown Princess: Okay, I’ll marry him!
Elodie, Crown Princess: (At least that way I won’t get stuck with an old man.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You can’t actually marry him until he’s old enough, but he will be brought here to live as your companion.
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 Dogs in the morning.)
(Studied Sense Magic in the afternoon.)
Your skill in Sense Magic is now 50. You may not increase this skill until your other Lumen skills are 25 or higher.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: There is a woman here to see you. She is a musician and wishes Crown patronage.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Which means money.)
Musician: Your Royal Highness! If you accept me as a member of your court I will immortalise you in word and song.
Musician: I have dabbled in musical styles from many countries, and can entertain your guests and lighten your evenings.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I wonder if she also writes naughty poetry?)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Musicians are often used as secret agents and messengers. They can be useful – and dangerous.)
The musician sings a little ditty to demonstrate her skills with the lute.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (She’s actually pretty good.)
Menu: [Accept her as Court Musician] [Reject her]
Player chose: Accept her as Court Musician
Elodie, Crown Princess: Very well, you can remain as part of the court.
Musician: I will do my best for you!
You 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 24
(Studied Dogs in the morning.)
(Studied Resist Magic in the afternoon.)
You have unlocked a new outfit!
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: How is Adair settling in to life at the castle?
Elodie, Crown Princess: I found him in the garden trying to catch frogs.
Elodie, Crown Princess: So I showed him a few tricks.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: I’m sure you’ll work things out.
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 25
(Studied Dogs in the morning.)
Your skill in Dogs is now 50. You may not increase this skill until your other Animal Handling skills are 25 or higher.
(Studied Wield 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 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 26
(Studied Wield Magic in the morning.)
(Studied Wield Magic in the afternoon.)
You have nothing more to learn about Wield Magic.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: I have unpleasant news to report.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Talarist, the Duke of Sedna, has instituted high tariffs and trade restrictions at the Elath border.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Business is disrupted, and there are growing shortages of supplies.
Menu: [Send emergency aid] [Do nothing]
Player chose: Send emergency aid
Elodie, Crown Princess: Then the royal treasury will pay to keep the people fed.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Very well.
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 27
(Studied Archery in the morning.)
(Studied Reflexes 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: Send your regrets
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I’d better stay here.)
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 28
(Studied Swords in the morning.)
(Studied Resist Magic in the afternoon.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: *sigh*
Elodie, Crown Princess: (All of my friends are at Gwenelle’s party and I don’t get to go.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I sent Gwenelle a letter saying that I couldn’t come, but it was her mother the Countess who replied.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I think she’s insulted that I didn’t consider the event important enough to attend.)
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 29
(Studied Sense Magic in the morning.)
(Studied Resist Magic in the afternoon.)
Alice: The Duchess of Lillah has sent you a gift.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What’s this?
It’s a cushion, finely embroidered with the design of a running horse. It’s well done, and clearly required hours and hours of needlework, but it’s also fairly useless.
Elodie, Crown Princess: That’s nice… I guess.
Menu: [Keep it] [Give it to Alice]
Player chose: Keep it
Elodie, Crown Princess: Find a chair or sofa to set it on.
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 30
(Studied Sense Magic in the morning.)
You have nothing more to learn about Sense Magic.
(Studied Resist Magic in the afternoon.)
You have nothing more to learn about Resist Magic.
Alice: The Duchess of Mead is here to see you, my lady.
Corisande, Duchess of Mead: Hello, Elodie. I’m sorry to trouble you, but – have you seen Briony?
Elodie, Crown Princess: No, not since I left school.
She shakes her head.
Corisande, Duchess of Mead: She’s gone missing. She’s not at school where she should be. I know she was unhappy, but I never expected…
Elodie, Crown Princess: She wrote me a letter saying that she was bored and looking for adventure, but that’s all I know.
Corisande, Duchess of Mead: Oh, dear.
Corisande, Duchess of Mead: I hope she hasn’t done anything too foolish. My poor little lamb… I have to go look for her.
You 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 31
(Studied Swords in the morning.)
(Studied Swords in the afternoon.)
As you are walking through the great hall, a freak gust of wind suddenly blows out all the candles in the room.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (How strange. There must be an open window somewhere.)
You 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 32
(Studied Swords in the morning.)
(Studied Archery in the afternoon.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: Things have been so unsettled lately… Everyone’s on edge. We need something cheerful.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You could hold a tournament.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What a good idea!
Elodie, Crown Princess: Knights, jousting, musicians… all sorts of competitions. Everyone loves a contest.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: What will you offer as prizes to the winners?
Menu: [Status and praise] [Employment] [Gold]
Player chose: Employment
Elodie, Crown Princess: The winners will have the option of taking up royal appointments.
Elodie, Crown Princess: It’s a recruitment drive!
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Very well. I will draft the announcements.
You leave him to his work.
As you move through the hall, your eye falls upon a vase of flowers. Pretty, but apparently not getting enough water. The leaves on one blossom have shriveled.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Someone on hall duty is being lazy. Those flowers should be replaced.)
You continue up the stairs to your room, where a maid is waiting for you.
Alice: My lady, a gift has arrived from Kigal.
Elodie, Crown Princess: From the Duke?
Alice: No, my lady. A merchant house, I believe. It was sent with a shipment down the Cavalla River.
You tear open the brightly colored paper, to find:
Elodie, Crown Princess: Chocolates!
There is a little card with the box – ‘With Our Compliments, The House of Kraellat’.
All of a sudden, your puppy, who is usually so well behaved, growls at the box of chocolates and lunges at it.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Bad dog! Chocolate isn’t good for you!
Elodie, Crown Princess: Silly thing, making such a fuss.
Menu: [Eat candy now] [Save it for later]
Player chose: Save it for later
Elodie, Crown Princess: I don’t feel like candy right now. Maybe later.
You 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 Polearms in the morning.)
(Studied Archery 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: Archery
You make your way to the archery field.
Neither of your shots comes anywhere near the target, and you are swiftly eliminated. The only comfort is that with so many shooting at once, few can tell how badly you did.
All the winners are announced and displayed to great cheers. As near-Queen, you place flower garlands around their necks.
All of a sudden, a man approaches the winner’s platform.
It’s Kevan, the Earl of Io.
In one hand, he carries an armored gauntlet. In the other, a sword.
Kevan, Earl of Io: My family’s blood is on your hands!
Elodie, Crown Princess: (What is he talking about?)
He casts the metal glove to the ground with a clatter and raises his sword, pointing it at you.
Kevan, Earl of Io: I challenge you, Elodie! A life for a life!
He’s challenging you to a duel?
Doesn’t he know you could burn him to a crisp just by waving your hand?
Menu: [Accept] [Refuse] [Kill him with magic]
Player chose: Kill him with magic
Without a further word, you direct the full force of your magical wrath at the Earl of Io.
There is a horrible scream, and the smell of burning flesh.
Elodie, Crown Princess: I decline.
Kevan’s sword falls to the ground beside his gauntlet. He won’t be needing either anymore.
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 Polearms in the morning.)
You have unlocked a new outfit!
(Studied Swords 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’t
Elodie, Crown Princess: No, it’s too late for that.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You will need to draw up a naval strategy for our ships to carry out.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You could choose to act as admiral and lead the fleet in person, but the danger to you would be very great.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Unless you think your personal skills will make the difference, I would strongly advise against it.
Menu: [Direct the fleet] [Stay in the capital]
Player chose: Stay in the capital
Elodie, Crown Princess: No, there’s too much to do here. I can’t go to sea.
You 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 Swords in the morning.)
(Studied Swords 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 Reflexes in the morning.)
(Studied Swords in the afternoon.)
You have nothing more to learn about Swords.
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.
Togami: Should I lose, then my army will leave your domain in peace and shed no more blood.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What sort of game?
Togami: It is well known that Nova is ruled by Lumens. As it happens, I too possess the powers of a Lumen.
Togami: I propose a formal duel. My powers against yours. The winner takes control of Nova, the loser… dies.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Your game by your rules, for my life? That doesn’t sound fair to me.
Togami: The rules of formal dueling have been passed down for centuries and must be upheld.
Togami: It is important that we do this by the ancient codes.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Why should I?
Togami: If you refuse, then the war will continue.
Togami: I’ll sweeten the deal. If you meet me in a formal Lumen challenge, I’ll call off the invasion even if I win.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Really?
Togami: I swear it by the gods. Nova will be free and safe.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Why take that risk? You’re winning the war.
Togami: It’s not your land that I want. It’s your crystal.
Togami: To gain your power, I am willing to wager my own. Shall we begin?
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I 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] [Refuse outright]
Player chose: Accept his terms
Elodie, 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: Magic sword
Motes of shimmering moonlight coalesce into a weapon in your hand.
Your first lunge, he dodges, rolling to the ground. But you recover quickly and strike again. In the confined space of the warded circle, there is nowhere for him to run.
The final strike of your moonblade parts his head from his shoulders.
You have won.
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 Public Speaking in the morning.)
(Studied Flattery in the afternoon.)
Once you defeated the King of Shanjia in a duel, the invasion was meant to be over. In practice, it is not quite so easy to expel a foreign army from your lands, particularly when their leadership is falling apart.
The remaining Shanjian generals seemed surprisingly eager to go home and left without a fuss, but a large number of soldiers have broken ranks and run amok, looting and pillaging their way through Nova just for fun.
A number of royal holdings have been damaged and valuables stolen. Not only do you lose them, but you will have to pay for repairs.
With so many renegades on the loose, Nova seems likely to have severe bandit problems for years to come.
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 Public Speaking in the morning.)
(Studied Flattery in the afternoon.)
You have unlocked a new outfit!
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: A respectable feast
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I’m sure we can afford to give everyone in the city some bread and sausage and a bit of cake.)
You visit the royal treasury and check your available funds.
You have six thousand, nine hundred and fifty-eight gold lassi and thirty-seven silver tilassi.
Week 39
(Studied Public Speaking in the morning.)
(Studied Public Speaking in the afternoon.)
The castle is buzzing with preparations for your upcoming coronation. Ministers press you with details for your favorite colors and flowers and so on.
You 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.
It can’t take place until you are of age, of course, and considering all the preparations (and the need to recover from the coronation) not for much longer than that. Still, it doesn’t stop people from buzzing around full of ideas and suggestions.
Sitting in on court sessions is not fun at all, but it pleases your father and it may be important for your future.
Week 40
(Studied Public Speaking in the morning.)
(Studied Public Speaking in the afternoon.)
You have nothing more to learn about Public Speaking.
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.
Following Elodie’s victory over the Shanjian king, the public opinion of Lumens rose to a height that hadn’t been seen in a hundred years. Young children would dress up and play at being magical kings and queens.
Freed from the need for secrecy, the Duchess Julianna and the Priestess Selene were able to announce their shared magical powers and their love. At Elodie’s prompting, the lovers pledged their devotion to each other in a private ceremony, after which Selene retired from the priesthood to accompany her wife to Ursul.
After the failed invasion, relations with Shanjia remained tense.
First came the recriminations and demands from the Queen of Shanjia, devastated by the death of her husband, which Elodie ignored. Next came the subtler approaches, the quiet gratitude and offers for alliances from ministers who were thrilled to see Togami gone.
Elodie ignored those also, which was just as well, since the next thing to arrive was the preserved head of one of those ‘traitorous’ ministers, sent by the Queen of Shanjia as a warning.
There was no sign of war in the immediate future, but there was not likely to be alliance either.
Years later, when both were adult, Elodie, Queen of Nova, and Adair, Duke of Elath, were married. An entire week of public celebrations was set aside for the wedding, and both bride and groom paraded through the capital on fine white horses from the east.
Their relationship often seemed to be more one of friends and companions than passionate lovers, but they brought stability to Nova.
The invention of the printing press sparked the beginning of a new age of literacy and knowledge. No longer were books the sole preserve of the noble and wealthy; now information and ideas could be easily passed from one place to another. As the birthplace of this invention, Nova was at the center of a storm of change.
As a Lumen, it was Elodie’s responsibility to defend Nova from monstrous threats. She decided that the monsters within the realm were every bit as dangerous as those outside, and thus set herself to the task of conquering the Old Forest.
Each monster would have to be identified and carefully studied in order to defeat it without upsetting the balance. It would take many years to reach the heart of the forest, but Elodie was undaunted.
And thus Queen Elodie’s legacy stretched into the future…