An Endless Rondo

Campaign: The Princess's Party

Chapter 9 / 5-5

An Endless Rondo

Previous Quest

Gran Criminale

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Clave Loy'elune

Summary

Chelle's behavior was all an act—her "weapon" had, in fact, been deployed by the Empire, so she used the prince and his allies to rid herself of it. In exchange for having tricked the party, the princess offers continued cooperation—though her face remains as inscrutable as ever.

Dialogue

No! The Gran Criminale! My secret weapon! It's... It was quite the foe, Sister. But there's no way something without a heart or soul could ever defeat us! Now say your prayers, lady, because you're next! No! No no no no noooooo! A highborn lady like myself should never lose to the likes of plebeians like you! This is SO very annoying! ...... I will not forget this! When next we meet, I will tear your PIECES into pieces! Enough, Chelle. This act grows stale. Goodness. Found out already? Wait, an ACT?! What the devil is that supposed to mean?! The old Chelle would have ranted and raved and exposed her emotions as you just did. But the new Chelle? I think not. Ah, I suppose I did overly chew the scenery there. But that's what the howls of the defeated sound like, no? Surely it cooled your ire somewhat? What in the world are you talking about? It was intended as a reward. Did you not say that you hoped to "send my smug face packing"? How the heck do you know about that?! And what do you mean, "reward"? It would seem the princess had us in the palm of her hand all along. Somebody better start making sense, or I'm going to get REALLY angry! Eee hee! The weapon you just destroyed, dear Flamewyrm, was in fact not MY weapon at all. The Dyrenell Empire deployed it here to disrupt our materium mining operations. WHAT?! Yes, I was a bit careless about security, which allowed them to drop it here. It has been QUITE the little annoyance. So you tricked us into attacking it in your stead?! Chelle, you should have just ASKED us for help. Why in the world did you go to all this trickery and trouble?! But if I ASKED you to do it, Brother, I would be in your debt. Yer in our damn debt NOW! You found the device on your own. You attacked the device on your own. I owe you nothing. Grrr! While I do so appreciate such cunning and guile, I'm not too fond of it coming at my own expense. However should we handle that? Well, that IS frightening. You must know it was never my intention to anger one of the legendary six Greatwyrms. How about this? I'll give you some of the abundant mana I now have thanks to our supply of materium. Hm. I agree to your generous offer. Perhaps I'll use it to erect a Light Dracolith at the Halidom. Did this lady just BRIBE a Greatwyrm?! You do realize that you stand in the presence of ANOTHER Greatwyrm, yes? How do you intend to bribe ME? Oh, don't worry—I have a reward for you that I think you will enjoy. I am not Jupiter! I will not be bought for a few shiny baubles and some mana! My reward for you...is that I shall fully acknowledge AND support your relationship with my brother. From this moment hence, his elder sister officially recognizes your relationship! Wait, WHAT?! Here now! That is rather bold of you! Y-yes, Mym will NEVER be taken in by such an obvious, ham-fisted effort! Che... Wuh.... You... I... Er? OH, MY DEAR SISTER-IN-LAW! I AM SO VERY HAPPY! Yes, I thought you might be. She's sure got the two'a them figured out. That information network of hers is a frightening thing indeed. Yes, my little cats are very good listeners. I trust you'll find them very useful moving forward. Then you'll still cooperate in our fight against the Empire? Of COURSE I will support you, my brother. Didn't I tell you that one of my standing does not break her promises? Now then, with the Empire's meddlesome weapon cleanly dispatched, let us return to the palace for an evening of revels! Bwaaa ha ha ha! Now we're talkin'! Food always tastes best when someone else is footin' the bill! *chomp* *horf* *snort* C-can't turk now... Eatimg... Honestly, you two! Pace yourselves unless you want to end up... Hmm? What now? And now, ladies and gentlemen, it is time for the grand finale of our party to begin! While I am ever-so-loath to part ways, I fear we are nearly at that hour. But first... Leif? May I have this dance? Such is my duty as a knight, Princess. Well, that could not have possibly been any more unenthusiastic. Do you truly dislike the idea of dancing with me so? Forgive me. ...Princess, pray permit me a few moments of bliss as we dance. Eee hee hee! Yes, that's more like it. ...... If there is something you wish to say, please just let us be done with it. You led me about like a hound on a leash, Princess. I find myself confused as to how, exactly, I should react to this. I'm both angered by your deception, and joyous at seeing how you've grown. My feelings are...jumbled. Eee hee hee! Hearing you say that is the greatest reward of all! Huh? I have long carried a feeling inside me. A feeling that I find very hard to put into the form of words. For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to make you feel the same—and now it seems that my heart's deepest wish has finally been granted. Princess Chelle... Ah, but we are not done here! I want you to think more about what that feeling is. Really THINK. I want to be scorched in your memory until the very idea of me is never far from your thoughts. THAT, dear Leif, is my true desire. Then you ought know that your desire was fulfilled long ago, Chelle. It...was? I am a loyal knight of Alberia, and a member of the Royal Guard. My life is the protection of the royal line; that is everything to me. As such, you have not left my thoughts for a moment. Oh, Leif. You truly don't understand. But very well! I suppose nothing's worth doing if it isn't something of a challenge. But mark my words—you WILL come around to my way of seeing things. I will win out, I promise you. Brother? May I have the last dance? While I'm rather sad we can no longer play horsey together, I would still be honored if you would twirl me about the floor. It would be my pleasure. Our party is just beginning, Euden. Huh? But this is the last song. While the curtain may be drawn on this party, new ones will continue to be held. It is a party of war—with this entire continent as its venue! Princess and prince, dragon and demon alike will all be swept up in the revels. ...... A party whose invitation one cannot deny, and one from which they may not retire. One where any who tire of dancing are defeated and leave the stage. That is the dance we step to now. I don't want that kind of fight. Heh. Here in court, my dear brother, sentiment is not something to be communicated with mere words. Only those who dance with passion all night can possibly bring freedom to all. If you cannot continue this dance—if you cannot continue to WIN—then you will accomplish nothing. You will BE nothing. Be it protecting your people or leading a most beloved princess by the hand, you will fail. So then, my brother, are you resolved to continue the dance? If that is truly the fate of royalty, then I will not allow myself to be defeated. If it means I get to save everyone, then I will never stop this dance! Oh, I DO like that look in your eyes! Come then, brother—let us dance. Let us surrender to its flow. We shall dance this endless rondo, but who will be standing in the center of the hall when the music ends? To be whole... To be complete... I shall return whole... I shall return complete!

Dyrenell Empire

Heh heh... It would seem that we have found the limit of the Auspex. The time grows near—the time where all I have lost shall be drawn into the light. The time in which the vile blood shall fall to despair... And the time where I will be WHOLE! Heh heh... AAAAH HA HA HA HA!