No amount of forgiveness can find mercy
From the magister’s pleas of past heresy
What he has sowed reaped him undone
For the once glorious times are long gone
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Dark central hallways watch the lord magister stumpily head for the throne room. Golden carpet hugs his calloused slippers feet, carefully making sure that he is balanced with every step. Three of the princess walking justly behind him like daggers following and pointing at his nape. Good thing Peacock and Isaac are not with him now. He really cannot lower his guard with how these devils are going to act and abuse their powers.
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Framed portraits of past nobles hang on the central hallway walls. Vases with their favorite flowers wiltingly bow at Rumen’s curiosity. A petal plucked off from each and every one they pass. Giza asked Thean to stop Rumen before all the flowers are bald which the younger does so but the youngest flouts and even threaten to burn her if she gets in the way.
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“Stop being rude in front of our guest you two.” Giza utters with dominance, asking her sisters to stop over and over. But gremlins be gremlins, she ends their little dispute with a hard slap at both. “We are not together for an argument. So, mind your actions and words unless wasting time is your lover”
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“Gosh sis, why would time be our lover!” Rumen yells, “If Time was, I’d ask him to repeat over and over again how that poor maid screamed as I cut her tongue off. Hehe”
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“Your mother,” Ober starts with an eager tongue and the princesses fall silent. “She was born and raised in Handson castle of the eastern cities. That’s also where you three grew up with your grandparents
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“Of so I’ve heard—“ Thean butts in but Ober quickly chime his words,
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“But it was not her decision. The house of Elizabeths appeal to amend to your father that they will raise the princesses just as how they raised their most caring queen. They would treat you all with how simple living is done in close knit communities. How living the muddiest life can enrich your own, especially when you are royalty. They would want you to venture out and see other cities on their struggles, encourage learning by solutions and tend to the elders and children. That is how your mother grew up as a daughter of House Elizabeth, until your father took her in and ordered a mass genocide on the house. That they never saw or took care of their beloved daughter’s daughters. Have you known of that history?” The magister does not dare to look at their faces.
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Smiling, Rumen smiling as she should. Though wishing to say something, her lips hold themselves close. Thean simply sighs with an expression that probably never listened. While Giza’s stoic makeup stares down on Ober’s shoulders, replying modestly for her sisters but still lacking in emotion. “No, we have not lord magister.”
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“It was a kept secret by the Close Circle. And you can guess from that how the Handson and all eastern cities became our enemies in a single day.”
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“Mmm” Giza agreeably open her fan, covering her mouth as she speaks, “Our truth stands on the fact that Handson and the eastern cities are using Potri Frosch to loot our resources without notice. He is a mass robber”
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“What a frame” not meaning to say the frames for the past kings and queens that they pass. With some of the frames missing their portraits or have the person’s head cut off or face sliced. “Potri Frosch is a noble from our land. He was even once nominated for his house to be acting high royal but he refused, causing his sponsors to turn on him and frame him. The noble left Kinguin, and no news of him after that.”
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“Your fact as factless just as your head lord magister!” Rumen finally cannot hold herself and burst into laughter. Her manic echoing throughout the central hallway. “I can’t believe, that you are still as bald as the books describe you!”
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Her level of mockery, is what Ober snickers on as the group finally enters an open space. The central courtyard of the castle, home to Kinguin’s messenger pigeons and national flowers that only grow in the castle. As well as the great moonwell left by the ancient past. Long before Kinguin was a kingdom, the sparkling moonwell that the pure elves left. He drinks from its water first, Rumen saying that she bathes her rats in it which the magister does not hear as he drinks scoopful of it.
“By the way lord magister” Rumen adds, “I am now the Servant Queen, I am the queen of the entire right wing of the castle! And every Mair and Maid are under me. Aren’t I great?”
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The lord magister turns away from his reflection, becoming the magister who nods at the princess and agree that she is indeed great. Before asking the eldest how she is faring. By which Rumen intercedes, hugging Ober’s arm to her chest, clinging and inciting seduction by how bold she says, “See my H sized cups lord magister~ Let’s go to my quarters afterwards and let’s have some fun more than just walking around~”
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Whore, Ober thinks before the eldest responds, saving his tongue.
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“Yes, I’m faring well magister. The central hallways and main tower of the castle are mine with Thean handling all that is left.”
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“Hmph I should be the one introducing myself.” Thean argues but gets immediately shut down by Giza who reminds her of the garlic smell always coming out of her mouth.
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And the two sisters bicker around, emotionlessly, with Ober stuck with the whore and psycho but worse than her. He eventually finds some words to slither his tongue and involves Rumen into their conversation. And she does not waste any space for her sisters to leave her out.
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The group walk again with the magister looking over his shoulder towards the great misty landscape beyond the city walls. A tower in the foggy marsh where he just had been. He bows, subtly, keeping himself paced before Rumen started pushing him and asking him to hurry. Ten minutes later and the princesses sit on their themed thrones that crowns on top of another headless statue. Rumen sits on a dark laced throne with golden and ruby ornaments that curves on the furniture. Thean sits with the throne that looks like a penguin holding a bowl of fruits. While the eldest sits on a grand pyramid that exceeds over thrice her height, Gold, rubies, emerald, and all luxurious metals comprise its base.
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This room…just like the one at the entrance, is a worship room that Ober wholly remembers. And for the princesses to have their throne on their beheaded heads–Ober clenches his fist. Eyes dark and hollow as if will cut off their heads as soon as they sit. But he does not. He simply kneels before the princesses, and grit his teeth. “Magister Ober, in service…princesses”
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“Good!” Rumen yells out, followed by Thean who uninterestedly applauds and Giza simply looks down on him like how a noble steps on a sack of potatoes
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“The princesses of Kinguin, acting regents in the king's absence, grant you audience, Ober Vanderhawk. Speak your business with brevity.” Giza utters without a saliva to rest, trying to embody herself as a queen for all in the room. All, such as the knights, praise in awe of how she speaks her words. But only Ober see everything about these princesses as shadowy monsters.
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“Indeed, Your Highnesses. Regarding the May Festival, I have secured the Silver and Gold Concord's blessing for my proposed handling. As we all know, May signifies Kinguin's bountiful heart. Thousands flock to witness our vibrant displays and acquire our cherished crafts. Under my vision, all princesses of Kinguin will grace the podium, leading the people on stage. Imagine the impact! Your participation will not only be demonstrably influential, but also historically significant. It will undoubtedly enhance your prospects in courting neighboring kingdoms, for whispers of your talents will surely reach the ears of invited kings and queens. Consider it... a most fortuitous confluence of tradition and opportunity.”
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Gasp Rumen, “Would you have invited Adam, lord magister!?”
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“... I have yet to, your highness. But I wish for the princesses themselves to be the one inviting their friendly princes and princesses of other kingdoms. Of course, you may extend greetings and invites on Fa’Yore, and Djahatis.”
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“Invitations. Cyndoryll only, or for all of Hemrea? Magister, a clear answer is required” Asks Thean, standing up with brows raised
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“Only in Cyndoryll I have, but…princesses, you do not seem to be informed. I’ve made sure to note a letter to you all before my coming. Sent last week.”
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Did he really? Giza looks like she trusts the lord magister well in handling works which she turns her evil emotionless stares to her sisters. Her own fingers biting the under nails.
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“Don’t look at me” Thean shrugs
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While Rumen stutters “A--AIN’T ME AT ALL!”
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Her sisters always add to the trouble with their arguments, and now this. “It would have probably come to me if it weren’t for my compartments.” She sits comfortably on her jeweled throne, sighing out the stress. “Or maybe that deadwood sabotaged your messenger.”
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“Princess Sol?” Ober mentions and noticing Thean subtly adding two berries into her mouth instead of one. “I have yet to converse with her”
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“Good and better not. I doubt she has any understanding about what it means to be a princess or knowing what this festival means to us.”
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“But she is still your sister princess,”
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“No.” Giza utters, chest breathing with every following words low yet intimidatingly pressuring down on the lord magister’s shoulders. “House Sanguiris does not belong to Kinguin. They are renegades, came to our soils and feed on us. Disallowing our progress in any meaningful ways.”
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“…Does that mean you are putting off construction of taller residential structures because of Sol?” Thean responds, harsh with glinted eyes,
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“That—is a waste of resource”
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“My idea is perfect!” Thean argues, “having to stack families in residence units can save us so much space and land. And you always stop it mid-construction, destroying the precious materials and paying off my workers twice their pay just so you can stop me.”
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“I will not tolerate this from you Thean. You only manage the leftern hallways not attend to the rights of the center.”
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“Tsk”
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“What of the location and themes?” Giza turns back to the lord magister, “Have you made preparation?”
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Indeed, he has…Ober has and he carefully lets his words flow, “I have proactively made a list of what I need to accomplish princess and finish my preparations two weeks prior the celebration. But I recommend beginning as early as possible to save time and foresee to additional plans in case circumstances are unfavorable. “Then the magister adds, “I would also request the Advisers, merchant and Guild leaders, and House Nobles, to convene with me if they are present.”
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“mmm” Giza nods with a rumbling voice, “rightfully so however, their…distractions are a matter of some concern. The brothel holds no appeal for one such as myself, and Advisers who flit about like restless butterflies are hardly conducive to productive discourse.…one of them is on their way back from the Djahatian archipelago.”
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Meaning to say that the princesses will have no part if Ober will want to convene or not. They do not care. And there is nothing else, Ober wants to waste his spit on irresponsible royals. “Thank you, princess. That would be all I have to discuss regarding the May festival.”
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“Good, we have also already prepared your quarters in the left wing at the library. I hope you would reacquaint there and have a good rest.” Thean says, chewing on an apple
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“Thank you, princesses. I am greatly honored but forgive me for I must observe first the people’s hour afterwards.”
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“This late at night?”
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Ober nods, “I wish to see how they fare at the different hours of their day. Would it be alright to survey them?”
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“Ho…you wish to observe them?” Thean continues asking
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“Yes. I have been gone off to the edge of Cyndoryll’s borders for 100 years. I will be needing to re immerse myself with Kinguin’s daily life while also using the chance to ask the craftsmen to build the stalls and stages. As for the venue, I am planning to host it around the Foggy Marsh.”
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“Absurd!” Rumen immediately denies, although her contrary smile says otherwise, “I was expecting it to be in the capital. But why there!? Oh well~ That place is completely barren for all I know and you know what they say. Barren is where treasure is!”
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Giza asks curiously, “Magister, that land lies far beyond our borders. It harbors barbarians, monstrous creatures, and even prisoners – a breeding ground for chaos. The very terrain itself is treacherous. What conceivable purpose could necessitate this festival into such a dismal place?”
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“Why even change the venue when all these years,” Thean says, “our festivals are held within the capital walls.”
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“I understand your concerns princesses and we all wish for the safety of our people. Yes, the distance is a stretch for a simple festival but I have observed and made research, for certain, that the fog around the marsh this coming May will be the lowest and clearest since 500 hundred years ago. Flowers on the muddy grounds would grow and bloom after the passing storm. However, the treat of the lochness is still at large. Which is why I ask of you princesses to take care of it so that we can claim that area once more.”
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“WOAH!” Rumen exclaims, “It was OURS all ALONG?”
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“I didn’t know as well.” Thean mumbles,
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“I’ve heard that the foggy marsh was once known as King’s plains. But because of the lochness, and the terrifying cries every night, it is feared and became what it is today.” Giza states correctly, “Magister, I’d love to suggest an idea of a competition for everyone.”
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“Let us hear it, princess”
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Giza relays her thought as freely as she can with her emotionless and stiff face, “To add value and memory for those who visit the festival, I’d love to recommend the idea of ranks and competition. The princesses will be the one donning activity that require a pass. These activities can be considered as contests for the people as well as a source for generating income that the castle can profit. And, I’m assuming that the people will choose who they think fits the title of Mayfairy best so instead of having the number of tickets spent be the deciding factor, it will be the people’s choice. The amount of tickets will not be just an evidence for income, but also decide the time of how long a princess can appeal to the people in her final speech—“
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“Waaaah! That’s just not fair!” Rumen stands and once again starts an argument of how Giza is more popular than her or Thean.
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“—least amount of time is 30 seconds. I’m sure that is enough to appeal the masses. While the maximum is 5 minutes. And this proposal is alright lord magister.”
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“Well…” Ober ponders first,
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“Well, as long as we are in the marsh! I’d love to consider this idea!” Rumen raises a hand, “It is interesting too, no? And, if we do this, we are the first ever royals to bring back Kinguin’s glory days and earn good money! We can do this”
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“I’d like to reconsider it.” Thean raises hers, “The venue…I'm still not sold with it. But the theme being us princesses the spotlight is alright. It is about time we have our own shine instead of always Giza. And I already have some games I want the people to play with and I’d rather not put them in danger. So, get them out first to assure our safety, and the climate–”
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“Hey, hey Thean!” Rumen yells, “Stop acting like a kid and let’s just do it with the lochness as the backdrop! We might be able to capture it huhu”
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“Rumen, Thean!” Giza scolds, before looking down at the pondering magister, “And Ober Vanderhawk.” She announces, “We, the princesses of Kinguin, will deal with the monster and barbarian threats. In fact, we will treat it to gain favor from the people and gain attraction from other nations. I hope to hear your response before sunbreak in my chamber”
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“HEY! The magister will be in my chamber!” Rumen demands, “I’m already bored with all the knights and Mairs here. They’re just all so ugly! Minus when the knight actually where their helmets!”
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“You can have my answer now princess.” Ober says directly, “Yes, do as you wish as I will be helping each one of you to take the stage and fulfill the Mayfairy’s objective”
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“A good title, a good festival, and an excellent foundation.” Giza could not expect anything else from the magister as she duly closes their meeting and the festival is officially stamped on the princesses’ thoughts.
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