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βIt's time to break the umbilical cord. I don't need you anymore.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#4ca2b8 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #8b4cb8γ
|| Rolling Girl || Hatsune Miku ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#4ca2b8 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #8b4cb8γ
|| Rolling Girl || Hatsune Miku ||
Shiro was in pieces, sad little pieces of a girl whose happiness kept getting hurt over and over again. Her whole life felt like a train of sadness and misery, following her every step. Even at birth, Shiro - not that she was named that that early on - was doomed to a sad, parent-less existence. Abandoned at the incinerator to be killed, afflicted with the Sanitary Illness, and no matter what they did, without the parents, they'd never be able to figure out exactly why such a thing even happened. They could theorize, but a solution wouldn't come without any more evidence. And after that she was a lab rat, and then taken in by Narina herself to be a servant, a lady-in-waiting. After that, it was only a steady rise of cruelty and misery. Torture, bullying, torment, pain, punishments, training...
And even now, even if she was free from it, there was no real escape from the train of sadness. Shiro had to watch her loved ones being hurt, over and over again, while she was protected from ever bearing pain herself. It wasn't just Wren. How much had the girl cried when her ice queen was taken as Semyon Malachite's wife and plaything? How much did Shiro suffer, all alone, wishing her lover was safe, that her lover with beside her? And a little more recently, when Nee was made into a dog to crawl on the streets, Shiro needed to be sedated. All of these cruelties, Shiro didn't deserve to see her loved ones like this. And it wasn't even over yet - if she ever found out Kora's state, everything would only get worse.
After Narcia gave Shiro a definition of good girls and bad girls, the girl let out in a low whisper, what she truly truly desired. Shiro's deepest wish, her heartfelt cry. She wanted everyone to be happy. The girl seemed to be trying to work through it, to apply the two definitions to herself and her life to try and figure out what she was. Nee decided to stay quiet and let Shiro puzzle it through with her own strength - that would be more effective than just telling her over and over again without giving proof. This way, Shiro would internalize it and truly believe it without need of external reinforcement. And finally Shiro said it, but she wasn't sure. She said she was a good girl. Narcia didn't say anything, but she gave Shiro a warm smile, a nod of affirmation, and Shiro repeated it, with more confidence and certainty. It was working.
"That's right. You're a good girl. You were always a good girl, and you'll always be a good girl." She took Shiro's hand and tapped the ring with the locket, a symbol of two promises aligning to build a happy future together. A promise of happier days to come, a promise of forever being with one another, a promise to overcome any tragedies that spun their way. "As long as we have these, everything will work out. I believe it." She would do her best to believe it, for Shiro's sake. The pup needed this affirmation, and Narcia knew she was going to have to atone for what she did to the lamb - or perhaps wolf was a more accurate descriptor.
Of course, Nee was very perceptive of her surroundings. So she noticed Corren giving a mild sedative to Shiro, and she quickly pocketed the syringes while Shiro said her farewells to Wren. "I'll be better before you know it!" Wren said in a chipper, optimistic tone, and you could tell the servant truly believed it with all her heart. Nee felt something choke in her throat. She knew, of course, she was going to have to enlist Corren's help if she wanted to wake Kora up - assuming there was enough left in her brain to even wake her up in the first place.
The Red Moon Conference. Narcia felt a little better with Shiro at her side, and it helped her keep her mind on point as she discussed what needed to be said. Una was incompetent, though. It was frustrating. Did the girl not realize how much of a crisis this was? Did she not understand how much of a threat Narina was to the continent's peace? The girl was idiotically underestimating everything, and this foolishness was going to put everything in danger! It was like she had no idea that she was the cornerstone to their entire strategy! And all Una could do was meekly say yes to what everyone else was saying! Riana and Cumin were offering advice, and Una couldn't even try to defend herself, she didn't even have the strength to say that she was doing her best.
Cress was defending Una, of course, it was just like Cress to side with the weak, the downtrodden. It was one of her best qualities. Still, there was a time and place for everything, and this wasn't one of them. "We don't have time to baby a fledgling princess, sister." Nee said, feeling exasperated. "I'm not trying to be mean. I'm being realistic. She needs to understand the gravity of the situation." Still, Nee softened her expression, sighing a little. "Princess Una. Don't misunderstand. I know very well that you shoulder a heavy burden." Even though her voice was cold, the meaning behind it was not. "That's why the four of us are here, so we can help you, and we can bear it together until you're strong enough to do it yourself." Would the Silver Princess understand, or would she shy again in fear again?
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βEven now, the smiling savior is a faΓ§ade.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#949495 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #B2AC8Eγ
|| Keshin || Asami Imai ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#949495 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #B2AC8Eγ
|| Keshin || Asami Imai ||
Una felt wretched. She just wanted to cry. Queen Narcia was a chessmaster, a brilliant and unparalleled strategist. She was calculated and incredibly confident in everything she did. Princess Nui was passionate and strong, even with her recovering body, her fire burned brighter than anyone else's did. Princess Cumin, she watched her family die and became a symbol of Etruria's inner strength, and was resolute ever since. And Queen Riana, older than the others, and just as cunning as Narcia, if not moreso. And Una had nothing like that. She was completely insignificant. The only reason she had the throne was because of her blood. She didn't do anything to deserve the position.
Princess Nui was defending her, telling them not to talk to her like that and the Silver Princess wanted to cry. She should've been able to defend herself, to fight back and prove that she was on the same level as everyone else, but instead, all she could do was rely on Nui to save her and talk on her behalf, flames burning bright and true. Then Narcia spoke in response, saying that it wasn't her intention. She spoke evenly but every word was infused with ice and it made Una shiver. She was afraid, intimidated by all these people who were clearly superior to her.
Queen Narcia said that they were here to help her. With that, Queen Riana nodded, showing her hidden motherly side once again. "I'm sorry if I came on too strong, Una." She said, and seemed like she really did regret how she said what she said. "I was just trying to give you my advice, but I wasn't thinking about how you'd take it. Can you forgive me?" Una shuffled but she nodded meekly, and she knew Nee was annoyed at how timid she was being. Cumin spoke next, face not changing expression, that slight yet silky smile still up in full force. Una didn't know what to make of the Etrurian Princess. She was nice... and apparently she wasn't ever allowed to lie, right?
"I'm new too, Una." Cumin said with a friendly wink. "I've only ruled for a few months, you know. The Tartarians came and killed my parents. If I let fear control me, I wouldn't have been able to order people to take my brother, Kail, and run away. I wouldn't have been able to go into hiding and plan a resistance from inside." Cumin's words were kind but the meaning behind them was clear. "It's hard, but you can't let yourself be controlled by your feelings. You need to be able to think clearly, okay?" Was this Cumin's attempt to reach out, or was she being mean again? Una didn't know. "Nee here is quite new as well. She's nearing the end of her first year."
Una felt even more crushed by this. They were all - other than Riana - new to the throne, and yet they were already so much stronger than she was. Una felt fear just thinking about Narina, she didn't know how to think clearly and rationally, no matter what. The topic left her, though, onto Nui, who was explaining what she had been doing, what she was planning. As Nui spoke, Narcia nodded, as if she was evaluating the plan. "That would help on your end, definitely." Nee said at last, but she still didn't look wholly convinced. "But if we want Narina to believe that lie, wouldn't I be forced to go to war to save you, sis?"
The sisters really were close, weren't they? Una felt a little lonely. She wished she had someone like her brother who would protect her and look after her just like Nee always did for Nui. The twin sisters of Ashia Palace were definitely bound together by intense familial love and trust, and Una wished, she wished she could have had the same with Semyon. He once was a kind and loving brother, but that vanished and became something else entirely, all because he was manipulated by Jezebeth - by Narina Seraphim. "W-war is scary, though! War is bad!" Una exclaimed suddenly, wanting to talk, to say something, so she could feel like she was contributing.
Narcia shook her head. "No, I won't be declaring war. But..." Cumin spoke up then, with a little tilt of the head. She had a plan. "I have an idea. We can go along with Nui's suggestion, and as a reason for Narcia not going to war, Una, you should say that the Ashian's well being will only last as long as war is not declared by anyone." How did they do this, Una wondered. How could these people make plans like this so quickly, how were they able to figure out their next moves like this? The Silver Princess felt lost, she had no idea how to even make a plan to begin with.
Queen Riana was next, then, adding onto the already established plan. "Your people seem to value strength and authority, Una. It's a part of your culture." Una knew this, of course. She knew all about how Tartarians viewed might as right, and always wanted to be strong in order to protect their loved ones and their own interests. It was ingrained into their history and their mentality. Only a coward chooses peace. "So you need to show that your will is stronger than Jezebeth's. Your first step should be to depose of Astor, to show that your faction is stronger than hers. That's how to earn respect." Una nodded, wishing she was brave enough to do something like this. "I-I'll do my best. I won't fail you all." Una then eyed Nui in particular, giving her silent thanks for the help. Narcia then adjourned the Red Moon Conference, and Una returned to her office, leaving the hologram server behind.
It was late now, and she needed to sleep. Thyella was there, dutiful as always, with a wink and a smile. "It's okay. Just do your best, Una." The two were of similar size - both short and tiny - so Thyella would be her body double. She already had the wig that matched Una's long hair. "Thank you for the help." Thyella slept in her bed and pretended to be her at nights while the real Una had to disconnect from the helmet every night to avoid brain damage. It was time to return to the everlasting darkness of a coma. "Good night, Princess." Thyella said, and it was the last thing she heard before the coma claimed her.