Prologue (Love and Legends)

???: "Headed home, ?"

My best friend, Sophie, walks with me as I leave the office.

Sophie: "I bet you wish you'd brought an umbrella."

MC: "It's not too far to the bus stop."

Sophie: "Hey, before you go..."

Sophie: "I wanna see 'The Princess in the Mask' tomorrow."

Sophie: "Wanna come with me?"

MC: "Fantasy isn't really my thing, but if you want to..."

Sophie: "Don't be like that -- it'll be fun!"

MC: "Okay, okay."

She leaves, and I head for the bus stop.

(And the moment I do, it starts to rain. Wonderful.)

As I break into a run, light flashes all around me, heat and electricity sparkling down my spine.

(Was I just struck by lightning?!)

A cacophony of unnatural noises and swirling colors overwhelm me.

For a second, I feel like I'm floating. Then...

The background changes to a medeival village.

Suddenly, I can see again. But...

(Where am I?? This definitely isn't Chicago.)

(Did I wander into a Renaissance Faire?)

People are dressed like stereotypical peasants.

...And they're edging away from me, eyes suspicious.

(Not much of a warm welcome.)

???: "Clear a path! You there, stay where you are!"

I hear a shout from behind me and turn to see who's there.

There's a man on horseback, his armor glinting in the sunlight and cape fluttering in the breeze. I feel a surge of relief.

We see August.

(Finally, someone who looks like he can help!)

MC: "Excuse me, could you--?"

???: "Be quiet."

His tone is blunt.

(Guess I was wrong about the helping part.)

From atop his horse, the knight looks me over with unfriendly eyes.

(He's definitely trying to intimidate me.)

(I think he likes me even less than those peasants do... but he's not afraid of me.)

???: "By my authority as a knight of this domain, I am placing you under arrest."

???: "Cooperate, and you will not be harmed."

A. What? Why?!

B. Are you threatening me?

C. Why should I listen to you?

---

A. What? Why?!

(What the hell is happening... I can't keep up at all.)

I blurt out the first words that come to mind.

MC: "What? Why?!"

???: "I do not need to--!"

Another voice interrupts him.

???: "Why not let me handle this?"

Next we see Iseul, extending a hand.

Another man steps forward, giving the knight a fond pat on his leg as he passes.

He picks a flower growing between the cobblestone, bringing it to his face.

(No, not a man... an ELF?!)

(No way. I just got struck by lightning. I'm probably unconscious, being rushed to the hospital.)

The elf clears his throat.

???: "What my esteemed colleague August is TRYING to say--"

August: "Iseul, there is no need for you to--!"

The elf keeps talking, pretending not to hear as he smoothes back his beautiful hair.

Iseul: "--you have two choices."

He extends one hand toward me, smiling.

Iseul: "You can come with us of your own free will -- in which case you will be calmly escorted to the castle--"

August drops down out of his saddle, cutting Iseul off.

August: "--or you can resist, and we will take you to the castle with force."

His eyes are fierce, daring me to question him.

(But I won't back down!)

MC: "I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what's going on!"

August: "...very well, then."

Instead of answering me, he scoops me into his arms!

MC: "What are you--?!"

August: "There is no time for diplomacy."

Iseul: "Nor the inclination, apparently."

August dumps me on his horse's saddle.

(He barely had to make an effort at all... he has some serious muscle.)

August: "All right, Wyndsor, she is all yours."

The horse glances back at me, eyes narrowing.

(Even the HORSE is trying to intimidate me?)

MC: "You could be a little more polite, you know."

August: "Be grateful that I did not clap you in irons."

(Um, no thanks...)

Iseul: "I still think I should have handled it."

August: "That is because you always believe that you can do better."

Iseul: "No, I KNOW I can do better."

August: "Hmph."

(They clearly don't get along...)

I hang tightly onto the saddle as August leads Wyndsor through the streets.

There's no way I'll be able to make a break for it...

When we round the corner, all thoughts of escape are driven out of my mind.

MC: "Is that...?"

Iseul: "The castle? Yes. Congratulations on your keen powers of observation."

He makes a show of applauding.

(This guy's really starting to get on my nerves.)

(He's lucky he's so pretty...)

MC: "It's impressive."

August: "'Impressive' is an understatement. This castle has withstood countless attacks, as you are well aware--!"

Iseul: "You only say 'countless' because arithmetic eludes you. Surely I could give a better estimate."

August: "Never mind."

He shoots the elf a dirty look and stops talking, leaving me confused.

("As you are well aware?" What does he mean by that?)

I only catch a glimpse of the inside before they lead me down twisted stairs to...

(A dungeon?!)

Iseul steps forward and opens the door to the cell with mocking politeness.

Iseul: "Please, make yourself comfortable."

A. It doesn't look very comfortable.

B. Do you treat all of your guests like this?

C. You're too kind...

--

C. You're too kind...

I give him my most witheringly sarcastic look.

MC: "You're too kind..."

Iseul: "It is the only fault I have."

He chuckles menacingly.

Iseul: "Of course if you do not want to walk in... August has improved his aim, he could simply toss you in the corner."

August nods and I realize Iseul's not joking.

Tensely, I enter the cell. Iseul locks the door behind me, twirling the key-ring around one finger.

Iseul: "Wait here, and play no tricks. We will be back for you eventually."

August: "Stop wasting time, Iseul. Milord will want to hear our report."

Iseul: "Yes, yes, of course..."

Their voices recede up the stairway, leaving me all alone.

After a few hours stuck in the cell, my situation is starting to sink in.

MC: "No dream would be this boring..."

???: "Thinking aloud?"

I yelp at the unexpected answer.

MC: "Wh-who's there?"

We see Saerys.

A figure emerges from the shadows, as if by magic. He has a sharp, dangerous, almost feral look.

But it's his glowing heterochromatic eyes that are the most striking.

(How long was he standing there? And why didn't I notice him?)

???: "..."

MC: "Who are you? Why are you here?"

Saerys: "My name is Saerys."

Saerys: "As for why I am here... Simple curiosity."

I cross my arms, letting my irritation show.

MC: "Yeah, I'm curious too. Do you people always greet visitors by throwing them in the dungeon?"

Saerys: "August and Iseul would not take someone into custody without good reason."

MC: "So what WAS their reason?"

Saerys says nothing, only staring intently.

Saerys: "..."

MC: "Well? Do you think I'm a threat, or something?"

Saerys: "It is not my place to say. But the Witch Queen's servants take many forms, both fair and foul."

A. So which am I?

B. I'm no one's servant!

C. What do you mean by that?

---

B. I'm no one's servant!

MC: "I'm no one's servant!"

Saerys: "That does little to stay my doubts."

He shakes his head.

Saerys: "No matter. My curiosity is sated... for now."

Saerys turns away from the cell.

MC: "Hey, hold on! You can't just give me a vague answer and then walk away!"

(Apparently, he can.)

With a long sigh, I lean my head against the cool stone wall.)

(If this is a dream, I'd REALLY like to wake up now.)

Unfortunately, I don't.

I'm not sure how much time passes before I'm jarred out of my thoughts by a giggle from the cell door.

???: "Looks like you are having a bad day."

We see Altea.

I see a young woman leaning against the wall outside. She's brightly dressed, lips curving into a cute smile.

(And...)

MC: "Um, are you normally surrounded by lights and butterflies and... flowers?"

???: "Only if I want to be. It makes a great first impression, no?"

MC: "I... guess?"

The girl laughs, tossing her head.

???: "I knew it would."

Altea: "I should introduce myself. I am Altea Bellerose."

Altea: "And you are?"

(I guess there's no harm in telling her.)

MC: " "."

Altea: "Absolutely charmed. Now then..."

She flicks her finger and I hear the lock click. With a casual wave the door swings open too.

Altea: "...How about I take you somewhere?"

MC: "You're letting me out?"

She grins mischievously.

Altea: "I opened the door, did I not?"

Altea: "Come on. We should move quickly."

(She doesn't have to tell me twice.)

MC: "Not that I don't appreciate the help, but... why?"

Altea: "I find you interesting."

Altea: "The way you speak, for instance... it is quite strange."

MC: "There has to be more to it than that."

Altea: "Perhaps I have a soft spot for damsels in distress."

A. I'm not a damsel in distress!

<p style="text-align:center;">B. I guess I did need saving.

<p style="text-align:center;">C. You don't have to put it like that.

<p style="text-align:center;">---

C. You don't have to put it like that.

MC: "You don't have to put it like that."

Altea: "Even when it is an apt description? Or ESPECIALLY then?"

(She's obviously not going to stop teasing me...)

Altea: "I imagine you have questions."

MC: "Yeah. To start with, why is everyone so suspicious of me?"

Altea: "Living in the shadow of the Witch Queen will do that."

MC: "All of you have mentioned the Witch Queen. Who is she?"

Altea throws back her head and laughs.

Altea: "That is a good one! I did not expect you to be this funny."

MC: "I'm not--!"

???: "Lady Altea! What are you doing?"

Solaire and Ryland appear.

A man and a woman, dressed like a butler and a maid, approach us.

(Does that maid look like Sophie...? This can't be real...)

Altea: "Ah, Solaire. Ryland. Just the people I wanted to see."

Ryland: "What has been taking you so long? Lord Wolfson is waiting."

I look from Altea to the staff, realizing something.

MC: "...You weren't trying to help me escape, were you?"

Altea: "I might have led you to believe that, but--!"

MC: "You tricked me!"

Altea: "I do my best with the talents I have."

(I got my hopes up for nothing...)

Solaire: "Come along, then. Milord is waiting."

Reluctantly, I follow the trio through the castle.

We reach an elegant door. I can hear heated voices arguine on the other side.

August: "How can you think differently, Saerys?!"

Saerys: "As I said, I am not convinced--!"

Iseul: "May I suggest trying to explain instead of repeating yourself?"

August: "You of all people should know that the Witch Queen--!"

???: "Enough."

The fourth voice is unfamiliar: a strong, commanding baritone that instantly silences the others.

???: "August, you go too far."

The knight speaks up, sounding embarrassed.

August: "...Forgive me, Saerys. I spoke thoughtlessly."

Saerys: "Think nothing of it. I know your heart is in the right place."

Ryland opens the door, clearing his throat.

Ryland: "Milord Reiner, our... guest... is here."

We see Reiner.

The main in the center of the room -- Lord Reiner -- faces me, and I shift nervously.

He's the tallest one in the room: broad-shouldered, powerfully built, with a bold scar that instantly draws my eye.

(It's obvious that he's in charge.)

Reiner: "Thank you. Solaire, Ryland, you are dismissed."

The two servants bow in unison and leave.

Reiner: "So."

It's only one syllable, but it contains a multitude of emotions: suspicion, curiosity, anger.

His eyes hold me transfixed until...

<p style="text-align:center;">A. What do you want with me!?

<p style="text-align:center;">B. Are you going to keep staring at me?

<p style="text-align:center;">C. Get on with it.

<p style="text-align:center;">---

A. What do you want with me!?

MC: "What do you want with me?!"

Reiner: "I could ask the same of you. Why are you here?"

(What kind of a question is that?)

MC: "Your people dragged me here and threw me in the dungeon, but nobody has told me ANYTHING!"

Reiner: "You want answers? I doubt you will like what you hear. Still..."

He paces toward the window, hands clasped behind him.

Reiner: "I am the lord of this domain."

Reiner: "Though the title should have fallen to my elder brother, he was slain along with my father..."

Reiner: "I took up the lordship after I avenged them."

Reiner: "With the help of my companions, I defeated one of the greatest foes this land has known."

He turns back to me, and his eyes narrow.

Reiner: "I defeated YOU."

MC: "...What?!"

August: "Hmph. She plays the fool quite well."

Iseul: "The same could be said for you, August."

MC: "You think... I'M the Witch Queen?"

Altea: "You know, the joke is not quite as funny the second time."

MC: "I'm telling the truth!"

Saerys: "..."

Reiner rubs at his scar, sighing.

Reiner: "I have no way of knowing the truth of your claims."

Reiner: "But one thing is for certain: we cannot allow you to roam free."

His eyes meet mine, shrewd and calculating.

Reiner: "Either one of my retainers, or I myself, must watch over you, until we have determined what your fate shall be."

Reiner: "So as a courtesy, I offer you the choice. Who shall it be?"