I want to be a pretty princess - Let's Play the Royal Trap

[Kz3r0]

Defend Callum.

With HUGGIES.

So the tranny is Kaiserin, I miss her.

 

[Hirato]

Defend.

Callum may be a dick, but the maid took our shekels.

No one may do so and live.

 

[Lindblum]

Bump.
Go for the tranny route.

 

[abnaxus]

We will defend Emo-Boy

Of course he wasn't planning to kill us. It wouldn't make any sense. He's outnumbered.

With two-on-one, it would be much too likely for one of us to defeat him or escape.

If Callum wanted to cover his tracks that way, the smart thing to do would have been to leave Oscar in the castle.

Then he could kill Dolores, then kill me, then hide the bodies, and Oscar and Cassidy would never know what happened.

<I pause, realising that everyone is staring at me.>

What?

Sometimes your mind works in strange ways.

I find her logic refreshing.

What were you planning to do with us, then? If Cassidy were Caspian and everything went as you planned?

None of this is what I planned! Ever since that creature put a stick in the wheel...

What wheel?

It's an expression, tau jà.

Oh, forgive me, m'Lord. My years of letters must have slipped my mind again.

There is another question. What would you have done with Caspian? If she had been him.

Done? Whatever he wanted.

I wanted to tell him about everything he'd missed, growing up, and help him find his own life again.

Help him get out of the palace, or prepare him to confront our parents, if he wanted.

It doesn't matter now.

No, it doesn't. We'll go home. We will talk to Mother and Father.

This time they can't brush you aside. I won't let them. I will make them explain what they've done.

So you see, it will be all right.

Only... Could I have some water? And something to eat?

Of course!

You didn't feed her?

What was I supposed to feed her with? I didn't bring your royal kitchen!

What did you eat?

<She laughs at me.>

I weren't hungry. I was going to be rich, if I were light on my feet.

If I made it I could eat anything I wanted. If I didn't – well, it wouldn't matter, would it?

No. It won't.

<Oscar, in the meantime, is still looking at Cassidy.>

What happened to your shoes?

I think they're still in the palace.

If she went through those tunnels without shoes, we need to wash her feet before any scratches turn foul.

I don't mean to be trouble.

You aren't!

Let's get back to the water. There's nothing more to do here.

~END OF CHAPTER 3~

 

[Lindblum]

What!? Thats it!?

 

[Corporate_Jew_Master]

Nah, VNs tend to drag on and on. Bet there's gonna be some shenanigans in the palace.

 

[CaptainAwesome]

The maid must be taken as a slave, so that she may pay off the shekels she stole.

Only, thanks to interest, she never will.

 

[Erebus]

It's clear that things aren't going to be all right, if only because Callum will have to admit that he kidnapped his sister/brother.

The maid must be taken as a slave, so that she may pay off the shekels she stole.

I'm not opposed to having her as our slave, but she didn't actually steal anything from us.

 

[CaptainAwesome]

It's clear that things aren't going to be all right, if only because Callum will have to admit that he kidnapped his sister/brother.

The maid must be taken as a slave, so that she may pay off the shekels she stole.

I'm not opposed to having her as our slave, but she didn't actually steal anything from us.

She threatened to rat us out unless we gave her a bribe, remember?

 

[Erebus]

She threatened to rat us out unless we gave her a bribe, remember?

Actually, I don't. When was that ?

 

[CaptainAwesome]

She threatened to rat us out unless we gave her a bribe, remember?

Actually, I don't. When was that ?

http://www.rpgcodex.net/forums/inde...play-the-royal-trap.81774/page-5#post-2584801

 

[abnaxus]

I looked it up and the game has sixteen chapters...

 

[Erebus]

She threatened to rat us out unless we gave her a bribe, remember?

Actually, I don't. When was that ?

http://www.rpgcodex.net/forums/inde...play-the-royal-trap.81774/page-5#post-2584801

Yeah, but we only bribed her to get access to one of the lords' rooms. As far as we can tell, she wouldn't have asked for money if we hadn't asked for her help.

 

[CaptainAwesome]

Yeah, but we only bribed her to get access to one of the lords' rooms. As far as we can tell, she wouldn't have asked for money if we hadn't asked for her help.

Don't attempt to use reason or logic.

The simple fact of the matter is that shekels passed from us to her.

And that must be rectified.

 

[Black Cat]

I looked it up and the game has sixteen chapters...

Really? I do not remember that many.

I think you are about halfway through by now, or will be soon enough.

 

[abnaxus]

What are those called?

Branching asphodel.

Asphodel. What a pretty name.

<Then she blinks at a glimpse of a fast-moving color overhead.>

That's a peacock butterfly.

Oh. I know every contour of my country from the maps I've studied, but it looks so different to see it for myself...

<And then there is the person who is least enthusiastic about returning.>

Hey. How about you just let me go?

You've got your princess and your gold, and I've got nothing. So it's no harm done, right?

Not a chance.

I've got nothing against you lot. Untie me and I'll get gone. You'll never see me again.

That's why you're staying tied.

Soil's breath! Do you know what they'll do to me? Traitors hang!

Maybe you should have thought of that before turning on your masters.

Didn't do nothing you didn't do first. And them's your own family, too.

You carried off your sister, you plucked your own treasury, you coshed the little prince, you lied to him and her both.

You half choked the lift out of me.

And you call me a criminal?

Come on, Lady Valois. Do you really trust him not to drop us both if he sees his chance?

You have no right to talk about lies after the games you played with me.

What games?

Oh, she didn't tell you?

Nobody tells you anything, do they, Little Prince?

Your girl bribed me to break her into nobles' rooms. Maybe she's a thief, huh?

Let me go, and I'll tell you what she said about you.

...I'm not listening to you.

No one cares to hear anything more from you.

Oh, no?

Funny, that. I thought you wanted to know what was going on in your palace behind your back.

I see things you 'adn't, you or your sister neither. I can tell you all about them.

That Duke and his Lady Sophie, fr'instance. Do you know what they're plotting?

Cousin Sophia? What about her?

She doesn't know anything.

I do, and I can tell you, if you let me go!

Or maybe you'd rather ask your Valois girl. She and Duke Pherod got mighty cozy in his rooms.

What?

The word of a known liar is meaningless.

Ask your own questions, you'll see. I'm not the one telling lies. I've played you fair, I've kept my promises.

And what of your oath to serve?

Oh, that.

Look – do any of you really want to go back to that palace?

You set foot inside and you'll be trapped. They'll never let you see the sun again, Princess.

And you, Prince Criminal, you think they'll forgive you for what you've done?

You've got your freedom and your wits and a good sum of coin. You could start a new life, all together.

Some of use have a concept of honor.

Come on! Do you want to be nothing but what you are, forever? This is your chance!

Come with me, any of you! I'll see you straight.

That is enough!

<With a discarded bit of silk, he gags Dolores, ignoring nipped fingers and frantic squawking.>

We... we probably should start on our way back.

If you've rested enough?

I'll be fine.

You can lean on me if your feet hurt.

I will assist her.

We all will.

...mmmmph.

<...>

<As we near the palace, we catch sight of a figure in the distance.>

<He's wearing the uniform of a soldier of Gwellinor.>

<Of course, they must be sending out search parties by now.>

Hola, guard!

<One missing princess, two princes who should be in the palace under lock and key, and two servants, one of whom is tied up?>

<I suppose we do look a bit suspicious at that.>

Declare yourselves!

Callum and Cassidy of Gwellinor, Oscar of Ocendawyr and his companion, Miss Valois, and our prisoner.

It's all right. They're rescuing me.

Are you injured, my lady?

Just a bit sore-footed.

I don't suppose you have a horse?

I would be happy to assist you, my lady.

<He comes closer and offers her his arm.>

~AKSHUN!~

Die, impostor!

<And everything happens at once.>

<As the guard raises his sword over my head, Prince Callum charges in, catching the guard's arm mid-stroke.>

DIIIIEEEE!!

<He raises his hand, then slams the side of it down hard into the soldier's throat.>

No!

<This time, it is too late to stop him. A crushed neck cannot be undone.>

What...

No, don't look!

<He pulls Cassidy away, leaving only Callum and myself to view the guard's dying struggles.>

<As breath returns to my aching body, the guardsman loses his forever.>

We... we should have questioned him.

He was an assassin and a fanatic. He made no attempt to hide his target.

He couldn't possibly have expected to get away cleanly. He intended to attack until he was dead.

He was one of your guards.

He was in someone's pay.

Probably Duke Pherod.

...You!

<He directs that shout at Dolores, who lies still bound and gagged on the ground where she fell after knocking Cassidy aside.>

Did you know about this?

Mmmmmio phhfio!

She can't answer you like that.

Fine.

<He hauls Dolores to her feet and unfastens the gag.>

Of course I didn't, you corkhead! How would I?

You reacted.

She did protect me.

She only did that to try and save her own skin.

Sure, and wouldn't you? I don't want to die.

I don't want her to die. I don't want anyone to die.

You remember that, Your Highness. Remember who's a killer and who's not.

I... is that man really dead?

Yes.

I see.

<Waving Oscar and Callum aside, she kneels beside the body and lays one trembling hand upon its chest.>

I'm sorry. May your rest bring you peace.

No matter what they've done, I would not wish for anyone to die.

He would have killed you if he could have.

If his master had equipped him with a rifle or crossbow instead of a sword, we might not have been able to stop him.

Oh! Duke Pherod – he brought a collection of muskets with him. They're stored in his chambers.

So this probably isn't his assassin.

Or else there are more out there.

We should hurry. We can send someone to pick him up later. We need to get you to safety.

I'll do my best.

Wait. One thing.

I wanted to thank you for backing me up.

You mean, for saving your life?

I wasn't out of the fight for good.

But... I'm glad you were there.

<I hold out my hand to him. This time, of my own free will.>

<His fingers wrap around mine, his grip strong and firm.>

I am glad you were there also.

Now let's move.

Royals this way. Servants that way.

What?

Maddie stays with me!

I mean, Miss Valois.

Only one of them is a prisoner.

We have orders, Your Highness. Your parents wish to speak with you urgently in their private chambers.

It would not be appropriate for those not of royal birth to be admitted. Their statements will be taken later.

I suppose...

You won't let that one worm free?

Don't worry. I'll keep an eye on her.

They will be guarded at all times.

<Oscar looks at me, but says nothing.>

<Cassidy draws herself to her full height.>

Very well. Carry on.

Your weapons.

What?

Orders. To avoid 'accidents'.

<Indeed, another guard is already poking and prodding at Dolores to ensure that she's carrying nothing at all dangerous.>

<I, at least, am spared that indignity, but I am made to hand over my daggers.>

<After that, the guards take up positions outside the doors, preventing us from exiting but otherwise leaving us alone.>

<There is nothing for us to do but stare at each other and pace.>

You could at least untie me.

You're a prisoner.

Come on, what am I going to do? Knock you over and take on the entire palace guard by myself?

Just want my hands free, that's all. My fingers hurt.

 

[CaptainAwesome]

Hahahaha no.

If anything, her little stunt in the forest proved she's dangerous even while bound.

Unbinding her would be idiocy.

 

[Kz3r0]

Untie her.

 

[Crooked Bee]

Don't.

Actually, do it. For teh lulz if nothing else.

 

[Hirato]

This chapter is named "Betrayal" so I think we should try and get all the potential allies we can.
Untie her, she can make up for grabbing our sheckles by dying at our side

 

[WhiskeyWolf]

She can manage to escape the castle easily as she knows the layout better then most of the people living in it. But... what may she do for us after we untie her?

Untie.

 

[Kashmir Slippers]

Don't. Not our problem.

 

[Corporate_Jew_Master]

Don't.

Actually, do it. For teh lulz if nothing else.

 

[Erebus]

Untie her. I'm still aiming for her hypothetical romance path.

 

[Lagole Gon]

Untie her.