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 yourselfbefore 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.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 thedecisions 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 briefintroduction to how the game works.Menu: [Tell me more] [I've played this before]Player chose: I've played this before

Week 1

(Studied Novan History 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 youis...Elodie, Crown Princess: ... something like this.

Elodie, Crown Princess: I know your brother and sister are still too young, but why haven't youcome to school?Charlotte, Lady Merva: My mother worries about me. She doesn't think anywhere but home issafe.Elodie, Crown Princess: I understand. I'm probably not going to be allowed to leave this castleuntil 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 andyour 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 givemy life if necessary to protect our domain.Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Your line has been traitors for two hundred years. I won'thave 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 do you know about Lumens?Charlotte, Lady Merva: Why?Elodie, Crown Princess: Dad was really angry at the Duchess of Ursul.Charlotte, Lady Merva: Mummy says people are scared of Lumens because they're jealous.There used to be lots of them in Nova, but there aren't anymore.Elodie, Crown Princess: Why not?Charlotte, Lady Merva: I don't know. Maybe someone burned them.

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 stillYou 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 havebeen here.Lucille, Countess of Nix: This is unacceptable. I can't have my daughter remaining in such adangerous place! We are returning home to Merva at once.Charlotte, Lady Merva: Awww....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 forgenerations. 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 4

(Studied Foreign Affairs in the morning.)(Studied Court Manners in the afternoon.)Elodie, Crown Princess: The castle seems quieter with Charlotte and Emry and Zahra and theirparents gone.Elodie, Crown Princess: It's certainly not empty, though. It seems like we get more servantsevery day.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 someoneelse 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 acompatible host, someone who was like you in some way, it could bond to them.

Week 5

(Studied Elegance in the morning.)(Studied Elegance in the afternoon.)One of the maids approaches for your attention.Alice: My lady, couriers have arrived from the Duke of Sedna.Elodie, Crown Princess: (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 itElodie, Crown Princess: It's important to maintain the proper image.Sitting in on court sessions is not fun at all, but it pleases your father and it may be important foryour future.

Week 6

(Studied Foreign Intelligence in the morning.)(Studied Strategy 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 veryclose 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 noticesomething 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 thatto happen to you.Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Once you're crowned Queen, I can't stop you from doinganything you want, but for now you are still a child.

Week 7

(Studied Trade 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: My father says I can't have the crystal until I'm Queen, so we'll just haveto 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 aLumen 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. Youare 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 wayElodie, Crown Princess: All right. I will try to get into the treasury.

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 Crownfunding for a project of his.Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Remember, the treasury is not unlimited. If you chooseto 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 movedand 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.Sitting in on court sessions is not fun at all, but it pleases your father and it may be important foryour future.

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. Evenafter 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 Ixioniteoccupation 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 yearsago, so they invaded his territory as payback.)Elodie, Crown Princess: (We have plenty of troops, so it shouldn't be that hard to drive them out,if we want to make a fight of it.)Menu: [Try to negotiate] [Prepare for battle]Player chose: Try to negotiateElodie, Crown Princess: There must be a peaceful way to settle this. I will send for diplomatsfrom 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 lovelythis day. I hope you will think fondly of me.Elodie, Crown Princess: (Is he flirting with me? He's almost as old as my father!)You spend the weekend holed up alone in your room with your favorite toys. It's childish, but youfeel a bit better.

Week 10

(Studied Novan History in the morning.)(Studied Novan History in the afternoon.)Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The representative from Ixion is here. Be careful ­ no onewants 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 Brinand 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 attackson 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'sterritory, 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 ofHellas] [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 toinstigate a rebellion in your territory.Elodie, Crown Princess: However, she did not have our approval for these actions. If youwithdraw 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 heractions.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 unmarriednoblewoman 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 foryour future.

Week 11

(Studied Presence in the morning.)(Studied Accounting in the afternoon.)Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: There are reports that a keythong has been sightedleaving 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, asharp beak, and spikes on its back.Elodie, Crown Princess: Eek!Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Several disappearances in southern Caloris are alreadythought 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 theyreturn to the forest and stay there.Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Hunters are no match for such creatures. You wouldonly make it angry and waste more lives.Elodie, Crown Princess: So... we just let it eat people?Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Everyone dies in the end.Elodie, Crown Princess: ...You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.

Week 12

(Studied Presence in the morning.)(Studied Accounting in the afternoon.)You have unlocked a new outfit!Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: There is a woman here to see you. She wishes Crownfunding for a project.Woman: Thank you for seeing me, Your Royal Highness. I... I come to you on behalf of thepeople.Woman: I wish to build a hospital where any citizen afflicted with disease can be brought fortreatment.Elodie, Crown Princess: (Putting all the sick people together? Wouldn't that make them die evenfaster?)Elodie, Crown Princess: We are not interested.You try to talk your way past the treasury guards, but despite eyelash­fluttering, foot­stomping,and outright threats, they won't budge. Hmph!(Put on the economics outfit.)

Week 13

(Studied Presence in the morning.)(Studied Accounting in the afternoon.)Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You are requested to stand in judgement. A woman hasbeen 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 shetried 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 full­sister is the wife of the Duke of Kigal, and his mother isthe 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 couldeat 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. Saidhe'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 getmy 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 seriouscrime, 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 tobelieve 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 goldenornament 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 thewoman down before she can endanger you. Her lifeless body lies bleeding on your carpet.Elodie, Crown Princess: ... Clean that up.You try to explain to the guards that you need to visit the treasury in order to get an accuratereport on the domain's finances. They waver slightly, but in the end, they stand by your father'scommands.

Week 14

(Studied Presence in the morning.)(Studied Accounting in the afternoon.)As you are walking one day in the gardens, you hear a strange sound and look up to see an owlflying overhead. A single dry leaf flutters in its talons.Elodie, Crown Princess: (That's funny, I thought owls were nocturnal. I guess I was wrong.)You overwhelm the guards with facts and figures, explaining that you need treasury access toadjust the royal budget, which may affect their pay packets as well as the taxes assessed ontheir 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 onwhat to do next.(Put on the boarding_school outfit.)

Week 15

(Studied Reflexes in the morning.)(Studied Reflexes in the afternoon.)Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Remember that the Festival of the Good Lady isapproaching.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 theprocession 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 notrequired, 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. Ifanyone means you harm... Think on it now, decide later.Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Word has come from the factory for books that youfunded. 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 thecontent of the first printing.Menu: [Poems praising your mother] [Religious doctrine]Player chose: Poems praising your motherElodie, Crown Princess: What I want them to print is a memorial for my mother. How beautifulshe was, and strong, and noble, and wise...Elodie, Crown Princess: I don't want anyone to forget her.Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: That... that's very thoughtful of you.For a moment, he blinks repeatedly and does not speak.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 yearsolder 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 theholidays.)Elodie, Crown Princess: (Apparently her uncle Kevan has been acting strangely lately andshouting at shadows.)Elodie, Crown Princess: (She's bored and looking for an adventure. Well, I don't have any tosuggest to her!)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 yourchest, 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 disappearedfrom 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 inthe faith and train you to use your powers.

Week 16

(Studied Reflexes in the morning.)You may now play Sports on the weekends.(Studied Reflexes in the afternoon.)Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Today is the procession and planting for the Festival ofthe Good Lady. Will you be leading the parade?Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: If you have any concerns about your safety, please, stayhere.Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The people will recover from disappointment; if we loseyou, 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 paradeElodie, Crown Princess: I'm not afraid. I'm going to be the best parade­leader 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 yourattendants. It would not be appropriate for you to wear a sword, but you do walk with a sturdygolden scepter that's taller than you are.At the end of the route, you help the priestesses turn over the earth for the new tree to beplanted.Then the new life is blessed, and all the attendants join in song.The procession regroups to return to the castle.You take to the court for a few games of tennis. Feel the thrill of competition!

Week 17

(Studied Divination in the morning.)(Studied Divination 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 seetheir 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 area 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 maybegin dancing until you do. You can pick whomever you want and you will not be denied.Menu: [Someone about your age] [Someone younger than you] [Someone older than you][Someone already married] [Someone scandalous]Player chose: Someone about your ageYou approach Linley, the second son of the Duke of Kigal. He's about two years older than you,and he was always nice to you at school.He bows to you with great courtesy and you begin to dance.Dancing with a real partner feels quite different from dancing with your father. You knew him,knew his steps like a part of you. Now every move is a mystery.Unfortunately, you lose track of which steps you're supposed to do when, and trip over your ownfeet. Oops!Between the dances, there is time for the guests to mingle, chat, and sample tiny bites ofexquisite food.During a lull in the music, Banion, the duke of Maree, taps an elegant fingernail against awineglass, 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 ourlovely hostess.Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: Not only does she protect our borders, but she hasbegun to address the long­standing problem of a shortage of heirs.Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: My sister is proud to do her duty. As, of course, areothers, such as myself and our lovely new queen.You can almost hear the chorus of eyebrows being raised.Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: May I have this dance, fair lady?Menu: [Accept] [Refuse]Player chose: AcceptElodie, Crown Princess: Certainly.He pulls you close, his hand possessive on your waist, as the orchestra swings back intomotion.His head above yours angles down to murmur words that ­ you hope ­ no one else can hear.Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: You realise that you have just admitted to all yourguests that you and I are having an affair.Elodie, Crown Princess: What?Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: If you don't marry me now, your virtue will be stained.Elodie, Crown Princess: That's not fair!Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: Little in life is fair, Your Highness. Was it fair to forcemy sister to marry her enemy?Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: I need heirs and so do you. I am the highest­ranking

eligible man in the domain.Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: You clearly could not wed your own father or uncle,Young Elath is still a child, and the Duke of Kigal is happily married.Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: I am the only match worthy of you.Elodie, Crown Princess: You have a point.Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: You are, of course, too young to marry until after yourcoronation. You will need time to prepare.Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: Don't be sad. I want what's best for both of us andour domain.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 dueto finally inherit control of her duchy soon.Or Adele, the youngest daughter of the Duchess of Lillah and a fierce sportswoman. She was afew 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 Duke­Consort clutching his Duchess possessivelytight.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 beingso close by.It's nice to be able to enjoy time with friends and family, isn't it?You spend the weekend holed up alone in your room with your favorite toys. It's childish, but youfeel a bit better.

Week 18

(Studied Dance in the morning.)(Studied Flexibility in the afternoon.)Alice: The Duke of Maree has sent you a gift.Elodie, Crown Princess: An engagement present?You open the box to reveal a little glass figure of a dancing girl, her hands held above her head.Menu: [Put it away] [Display it] [Smash it] [Give it to Alice]Player chose: Put it awayYou place the dancer back into its box and hand it to your maid.Elodie, Crown Princess: Put it away somewhere safe.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 lateto 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, fartoo old to have ever been your friend. And yet, not at all old, as noblewomen go.She has two minor titles, no husband, and your father's arm in her grasp.How dare she make a move on your father?

Menu: [Shame her with silent scorn] [Insult her with false flattery] [Trip her as she passes]Player chose: Shame her with silent scornYou meet her eyes and imagine your mother's disapproving presence behind you.She notices your stare, but only smiles at you ever­so­sweetly.Sirin, Countess of Miranda and Callisto: Darling Elodie. I hope you have been well.Elodie, Crown Princess: ... Fine.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 preparationsfor the future. Caloris needs an heir.Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: My brother, your uncle Armand, is looking for a wife aswell. 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 likeSirin. 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: (I am paying attention to what's around me!)Sitting in on court sessions is not fun at all, but it pleases your father and it may be important foryour future.

Week 19

(Studied Composure in the morning.)(Studied World History in the afternoon.)Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: It is the time of year to decide any necessaryadjustments to the royal budget.Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The majority of the money we receive is already spokenfor, 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 twenty gold lassi and ninety­one silver tilassiavailable for special projects.If you lower taxes, you will lose some of that money because it will go to pay your existing costs;if you raise taxes, you should have more.Menu: [Raise taxes] [Keep them the same] [Lower taxes]Player chose: Keep them the sameElodie, Crown Princess: I think they're fine as they are.

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 youfeel a bit better.

Week 20

(Studied Elegance in the morning.)You have unlocked a new outfit!(Studied Foreign Affairs in the afternoon.)Your skill in Foreign Affairs is now 50. You may not increase this skill until your other Historyskills are 25 or higher.Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You are requested to stand in judgement. A man hasbeen convicted of the murder­by­strangling of his wife.Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: He does not deny the act, but requests a pardon that hemight be set free.Elodie, Crown Princess: If you admit you killed your wife, why do you think I'm going to set youfree?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 twistedmy fingers into chains...Condemned man: My wife found me screaming, she tried to shake me, and the chains wrappedaround her...Condemned man: I need the priestesses to bless me and make me clean again!Elodie, Crown Princess: (Demons that make you attack people? Is that even possible?)Menu: [Pardon him] [Imprison him] [Execute him]Player chose: Pardon himElodie, 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 likeit if he finds out.(Put on the royal_demeanour outfit.)

Week 21

(Studied Flexibility in the morning.)(Studied Dance in the afternoon.)You have unlocked a new outfit!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 terrible!Elodie, Crown Princess: (Who writes this garbage?!?)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 roofnearby. You can almost reach it.Menu: [Climb out and grab it] [Ignore it]Player chose: Ignore itWhat's the worst that can happen? It blows off and someone reads it and laughs at you? That'sbetter 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 likeit if he finds out.

Week 22

(Studied Archery in the morning.)(Studied Archery in the afternoon.)Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: I regret to inform you that Fabian, the Earl of Titan andDuke­Regent 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 tomake decisions.Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Young Lord Adair will not reach his fifteenth birthday forover two years. He requires a regent.Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: His stepmother, Arisse, the Duchess of Lillah, haspetitioned that the boy be left in her care.Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: This would, however, leave her in personal control of twoneighboring duchies, which is generally forbidden.Elodie, Crown Princess: (Not to mention that she's closely related to the Duchess of Mead andthe Duke of Kigal!)Elodie, Crown Princess: (She could control almost the entire eastern half of Nova. Peoplealready 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.Menu: [Leave him with Arisse] [Send him to his grandfather] [Send him to your uncle]Player chose: Send him to your uncleElodie, Crown Princess: What about your brother Armand? He would be a safe pair of hands towatch over Adair.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.(Put on the agility outfit.)

Week 23

(Studied Reflexes in the morning.)(Studied Archery in the afternoon.)Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: There is a woman here to see you. She is a musicianand 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 immortaliseyou in word and song.Musician: I have dabbled in musical styles from many countries, and can entertain your guestsand lighten your evenings.Elodie, Crown Princess: (Immortalise me in words? I wonder if she wrote that filthy poem?)Elodie, Crown Princess: (Musicians are often used as secret agents and messengers. They canbe 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.Musician: I will do my best for you!You spend the weekend holed up alone in your room with your favorite toys. It's childish, but youfeel a bit better.

Week 24

(Studied Reflexes in the morning.)(Studied Swords in the afternoon.)You receive a letter from Young Lord Adair.So far, he's enjoying himself with your uncle Armand in Mazomba. He says the trees lookdifferent, and there are a lot more frogs. He looks forward to visiting the lookout fort atShepherd's Point.You sneak out of the castle to have a little fun. You enjoy your freedom, but your father won't likeit if he finds out.(Put on the royal_demeanour outfit.)

Week 25

(Studied Wield Magic in the morning.)(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 spend the weekend holed up alone in your room with your favorite toys. It's childish, but youfeel a bit better.

Week 26

(Studied Flattery in the morning.)(Studied Flattery in the afternoon.)Elodie, Crown Princess: What a beautiful day!Elodie, Crown Princess: It's nice to stop and breathe sometimes.You spend the weekend holed up alone in your room with your favorite toys. It's childish, but youfeel a bit better.

Week 27

(Studied Court Manners in the morning.)(Studied Court Manners 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 werenever even friends.)Elodie, Crown Princess: (She says she's bored and lonely and she's looking forward to seeingme at Gwenelle's birthday party.)Elodie, Crown Princess: (That's right! Gwenelle is about to turn fifteen! She'll be Duchess ofSudbury for real now.)Elodie, Crown Princess: (This other letter must be my invitation to her birthday celebration nextweek.)Elodie, Crown Princess: (Gwenelle and I were friends at school, and this will be a big event, butit'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 spend the weekend holed up alone in your room with your favorite toys. It's childish, but youfeel a bit better.

Week 28

(Studied Court Manners in the morning.)(Studied Flattery in the afternoon.)On your journey to Sudbury, your carriage is attacked by bandits!You hear the distinctive sound of incoming arrows just in time to push yourself away from thewindow and avoid being shot.From the screams outside, not all of your guards have been as lucky.

The attackers scatter as soon as your forces show signs of resistance, vanishing into thewoods.The rest of your trip passes without incident, but you can't help jumping at shadows.Gwenelle's party is lovely ­ not nearly as glamourous as your own upcoming birthday will be, ofcourse, but it's still a major event on the noble social calendar. Everyone who is anyone ispresent.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 toyou when you draw near.There are refreshments and dancers and musicians and polite conversations... and one or twonot­so­polite.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 haveyour own lands to manage.Lieke, Countess of Dis: Just because you're of age doesn't mean you know everything, younglady. 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 near­queento settle the dispute.Menu: [Side with Gwenelle] [Side with her mother]Player chose: Side with GwenelleElodie, Crown Princess: You heard her. She's an adult now, and she's in charge here.Gwenelle, Duchess of Sudbury: Thank you!Lieke, Countess of Dis: Is this what your father will face upon your coronation? Cast asidewithout another word?Elodie, Crown Princess: (... He's not going to like hearing that, is he.)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: Old palace?Briony, Lady Mead: The one at Kathre Lake! Where the Kings and Queens of Nova used to live.Elodie, Crown Princess: I don't know anything about it.Briony, Lady Mead: Oh.She bites her lip and frowns at you.Briony, Lady Mead: Well, never mind, then.

She walks away. So much for wanting to talk to you!At the end, you all share a pleasant meal and prepare to return to your various lands.You spend the weekend holed up alone in your room with your favorite toys. It's childish, but youfeel a bit better.

Week 29

(Studied Wield Magic in the morning.)(Studied Wield 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 clearlyrequired hours and hours of needlework, but it's also fairly useless.Elodie, Crown Princess: That's nice... I guess.Elodie, Crown Princess: (Horses have been important in Lillah since even before it was part ofNova. But this isn't a horse. It's just a pillow.)Elodie, Crown Princess: (I don't even like horses.)Menu: [Keep it] [Give it to Alice]Player chose: Keep itElodie, Crown Princess: Find a chair or sofa to set it on.You visit the royal treasury and check your available funds.You have eight thousand, eight hundred and sixty­eight gold lassi and sixty­six silver tilassi.

Week 30

(Studied Public Speaking in the morning.)(Studied Public Speaking in the afternoon.)You have unlocked a new outfit!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: Not since the party last week.She shakes her head.Corisande, Duchess of Mead: She's gone missing. She's not at school where she should be. Iknow she was unhappy, but I never expected...Elodie, Crown Princess: She was asking questions at the party about the old Novan palace, butthen she wandered off.Elodie, Crown Princess: I'm sorry, I really don't know.Corisande, Duchess of Mead: The... Oh, no. Oh, Briony, what have you done?She hurries out of the room without even bothering to say farewell.You pay your respects to your mother's tomb, and wonder if the same fate is waiting for you.(Put on the conversation outfit.)

Week 31

(Studied Running in the morning.)(Studied Running in the afternoon.)As you are walking through the great hall, a freak gust of wind suddenly blows out all the candlesin 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 likeit if he finds out.

Week 32

(Studied Running in the morning.)(Studied Running in the afternoon.)Elodie, Crown Princess: Things have been so unsettled lately... Everyone's on edge. We needsomething 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 lovesa contest.Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: What will you offer as prizes to the winners?Menu: [Status and praise] [Employment] [Gold]Player chose: Status and praiseElodie, Crown Princess: Being declared to be the best in front of the entire domain should beprize enough for anyone!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 notgetting enough water. The leaves on one blossom have shriveled.Elodie, Crown Princess: (Someone on hall duty is being lazy. Those flowers should bereplaced.)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 CavallaRiver.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 Riverthrough Ursul, not straight to the capital.)Elodie, Crown Princess: (This merchant house probably specialises in something else and onlytraded for the chocolate.)There is a little card with the box ­ 'With Our Compliments, The House of Kraellat'.Menu: [Eat candy now] [Save it for later]

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 likeit if he finds out.(Put on the agility outfit.)

Week 33

(Studied Swords in the morning.)(Studied Swords in the afternoon.)This is the week of the general tournament. Nobles and commoners alike have turned out tocompete against each other.Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The people will be pleased if you participate in theirgames. However, it would expose you to danger.What event do you wish to take part in?Menu: [Mounted Parade] [Jousting] [Fencing] [Archery] [Music] [Falconry] [None]Player chose: Mounted ParadeYou choose to lead the parade mounted on a brilliant white horse.You don't actually know how to ride, but the horse is well­trained, so all you need to do is sit upstraight, look regal, and don't fall off.All the winners are announced and displayed to great cheers. As near­Queen, you place flowergarlands 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: RefuseElodie, Crown Princess: I'm not going to fight you just because you want me to.Unfortunately, it seems he isn't interested in your refusal, and charges at you anyway!You leap out of his path, but he swerves and comes at you again, braying like a mad bull. So youkeep running.Moments later, he staggers and collapses, an assortment of arrows standing out from his bodylike pins through a cushion.It's really not the best of ideas to attempt a murder in front of an entire tournament of trainedwarriors.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

recently­received 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 thispresent never existed.Someone has tried to kill you... but you don't know who.You visit the royal treasury and check your available funds.You have eight thousand, eight hundred and sixty­seven gold lassi and sixty­three silver tilassi.

Week 34

(Studied Sense Magic in the morning.)(Studied Resist 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. Nottradeships ­ this is a warfleet.Elodie, Crown Princess: What?Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Within a week they will be in Novan waters. Within twothey 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 additionalsoldiers, but it may be difficult on short notice.Menu: [Recruit soldiers] [Don't]Player chose: Recruit soldiersElodie, Crown Princess: Fine, we'll do that.Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You will need to draw up a naval strategy for our ships tocarry out.Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You could choose to act as admiral and lead the fleet inperson, but the danger to you would be very great.Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Unless you think your personal skills will make thedifference, 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 spend the weekend holed up alone in your room with your favorite toys. It's childish, but youfeel a bit better.

Week 35

(Studied Sense Magic in the morning.)(Studied Resist Magic in the afternoon.)You have unlocked a new outfit!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 willbegin to progress towards your capital city.Your remaining soldiers will hold them off as long as possible, of course, but the main strength ofyour 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 likeit if he finds out.(Put on the lumen outfit.)

Week 36

(Studied Sense Magic in the morning.)(Studied Resist Magic in the afternoon.)The invasion of Nova is proceeding. Your coastline is under Shanjian control. Soldiers havemarched 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 surrenderingnow 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 notexpect the handsome man decked in jewels who now stands before you ­ a man announced byyour servants as Togami, King of Shanjia.Elodie, Crown Princess: (Is he really their King? Why would a king come all the way here?)Togami: My dear young lady. How difficult this must be for you. So much responsibility at such atender age.Elodie, Crown Princess: Don't pretend to be my friend while you're killing my people!Togami: Temper, temper, Princess. After all, I am here to save your people.Togami: War benefits no one, don't you think? Such a terrible waste. Better to settle things in acivilised 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 furtherresistance.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 powersof a Lumen.Togami: I propose a formal duel. My powers against yours. The winner takes control of Nova, theloser... 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 invasioneven if I win.Elodie, Crown Princess: Really?Togami: I swear it by the gods. Nova will be free and safe.Elodie, Crown Princess: Why take that risk? You're winning the war.Togami: It's not your land that I want. It's your crystal.Togami: To gain your power, I am willing to wager my own. Shall we begin?Elodie, Crown Princess: (I don't like this... But what choice do I have?)Menu: [Accept his terms] [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 wardswhich 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 muchas 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'tdefeat.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 fancyspells. 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 swordMotes 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 theconfined 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 foryour future.(Put on the agility outfit.)

Week 37

(Studied Polearms in the morning.)

(Studied Polearms in the afternoon.)You have unlocked a new outfit!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 leadershipis 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 waythrough 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 foryears to come.You sneak out of the castle to have a little fun. You enjoy your freedom, but your father won't likeit if he finds out.(Put on the weapons outfit.): (Put on the agility outfit.)

Week 38

(Studied Flexibility in the morning.)(Studied Dance in the afternoon.)Time has slipped by you so quickly. Only two weeks remain before your birthday celebration, andyour 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 peoplewhen a new monarch is crowned. It is a rare opportunity for the poor of the land to dine likenobles.The size and scope of any such feast depends on what expense the royal treasury is willing tobear.Menu: [An extravagant feast] [A respectable feast] [A small feast] [No celebration]Player chose: A respectable feastElodie, Crown Princess: (I'm sure we can afford to give everyone in the city some bread andsausage and a bit of cake.)You spend the weekend holed up alone in your room with your favorite toys. It's childish, but youfeel a bit better.(Put on the conversation outfit.)

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 withdetails 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 muchelse 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 theneed to recover from the coronation) not for much longer than that. Still, it doesn't stop peoplefrom buzzing around full of ideas and suggestions.You sneak out of the castle to have a little fun. You enjoy your freedom, but your father won't likeit if he finds out.(Put on the lumen outfit.)

Week 40

(Studied Resist Magic in the morning.)(Studied Wield Magic in the afternoon.)At this time last year, you were celebrating your fourteenth birthday. You were in the schoolgardens, surrounded by your friends. A teacher brought you tea and cakes, while a wealthymerchant'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 werechildren.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 youwith 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 allof 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 ofyour 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 undoubtedQueen, 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 herservice to you and your heirs.Priestess of the First Circle: People of Nova, I give you Elodie, daughter of Fidelia, your truesovereign. 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!)

The following year, Elodie and Banion were married. Attendees said that the ceremony waslovely, but the bride and the groom kept glaring at each other while taking their vows.Once his daughter was secure on her throne, Joslyn returned to his birthplace to focus on hisduties as Duke of Caloris.He soon became engaged to the Countess Sirin.Following Elodie's victory over the Shanjian king, the public opinion of Lumens rose to a heightthat hadn't been seen in a hundred years. Young children would dress up and play at beingmagical kings and queens.Freed from the need for secrecy, the Duchess Julianna and the Priestess Selene were able toannounce their shared magical powers and their love. At Elodie's prompting, the lovers pledgedtheir devotion to each other in a private ceremony, after which Selene retired from the priesthoodto 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 deathof her husband, which Elodie ignored. Next came the subtler approaches, the quiet gratitude andoffers 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 thepreserved 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.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 ideascould be easily passed from one place to another. As the birthplace of this invention, Nova wasat the center of a storm of change.As a Lumen, it was Elodie's responsibility to defend Nova from monstrous threats. She decidedthat the monsters within the realm were every bit as dangerous as those outside, and thus setherself to the task of conquering the Old Forest.Each monster would have to be identified and carefully studied in order to defeat it withoutupsetting the balance. It would take many years to reach the heart of the forest, but Elodie wasundaunted.And thus Queen Elodie's legacy stretched into the future...