first petal.

[readitinabook]

[ video ]

[A young woman appears in the mirror, as per the usual. She's new, but doesn't look particularly bewildered or frightened. Instead, she looks determined, if a little nervous.]This is a message...from Princess Estellise Sidos Heurassein to the Queen of Hearts. I would like to o-open diplomatic talks between the Empire and the Gardens! I

Comments

[video]

[quarkleader]

Good luck trying to negotiate with the Queen of this place, Estelle. Believe me, there's a good chance that you'll need it.

[Still, Maria's interested in seeing how things go for this girl, given that she's asking to go home so directly...]

[video]

[readitinabook]

She isn't responding...did I do something wrong?

[video]

[quarkleader]

No, she's the one who never bothers to answer our questions - not the important ones, anyway. The only time she's spoken with us so far is when she or one of what I'm assuming to be her subordinates makes an announcement - and none of those have been terribly informative.

[video]

[readitinabook]

"Duties of queens vary greatly depending on the nature of the kingdom or queendom. In a kingdom, a queen may be expected only to provide an heir, or she may be required to tend to all matters of business while the king is away. In a queendom, a queen must handle foreign affairs and military campaigns while assigning domestic tasks to lesser officials."

She must be a very busy queen.

[sheroic]

Wait, so you're not a princess? [ Disappointed! ]

[readitinabook]

It's not...!

I shouldn't have mentioned it, really. This isn't about me being a princess.

[sheroic]

But if you're a princess, I can save you! I'd save you anyway, but wouldn't it be cooler if you were a princess?

1/2

[readitinabook]

It's true I am still a princess...

You can save me?

[border_phantasm]

I don't think she wants diplomacy, child.

[readitinabook]

But it's the duty of any ruler to listen to her people.

[border_phantasm]

She's hardly a ruler. More a captor.

[readitinabook]

I can't get captured right now! There's things I need to find out!

[gun_cata]

A princess? We had someone looking for princesses not too long ago...

[readitinabook]

Yes, but...it doesn't matter right now.

[gun_cata]

I don't think the Queen cares about that sorta thing, no.

[readitinabook]

Shouldn't she? If she's a queen, then her own daughters would be princesses. So...

[It's taking her a moment, but she gets there.]

I wouldn't think she'd want any threats to succession around.

[knight_king]

...An interesting strategy. I want to say I doubt it will succeed, but to be honest I can't know that.

[readitinabook]

You want to...?

[knight_king]

Ah, no, that's not what I meant. It is merely my first inclination.

[readitinabook]

Um...you're probably right. I haven't heard from her yet.