SCENE: NAOFUMI, CONSTANCE, FILO, RAPHTALIA and MELTY are heading down one of the palace corridors. FILO is leading the group, and NAOFUMI is bringing up the back. MELTY is in the middle, looking around in extreme worry. NAOFUMI motions for them to stop, and looks around the corridor.
NAOFUMI: We are moving too slow. Filo, turn into a bird - these corridors are wide enough. I want to get out of here as fast as possible, before more assassins show up to finish their job.
FILO nods and turns into her bird form with a soft puff. MELTY jumps at the change.
MELTY: How did she do that?
NAOFUMI bows mockingly and motions to FILO’s back.
NAOFUMI: Climb aboard, your highness.
RAPHTALIA climbs onto FILO with practiced ease, then helps MELTY up. CONSTANCE and NAOFUMI follow after her. There isn’t a lot of space left on top of FILO.
NAOFUMI: Hold on tight, your highness, Filo is fast.
MELTY rolls her eyes at NAOFUMI.
MELTY: I have ridden filofials before, I know - whoa!
FILO rapidly accelerates down the corridor. MELTY almost falls off, but RAPHTALIA catches her by the collar, and NAOFUMI pushes on her back until she grabs onto FILO’s neck.
NAOFUMI: Careful, your highness. We don’t want you to break your neck.
MELTY is too focused on holding on to respond, her eyes squeezed shut. CONSTANCE sighs, having long ago acclimated to riding FILO.
CONSTANCE: It’s not “highness”, Naofumi, it’s “royal highness”.
NAOFUMI: What’s the difference?
They have to speak loudly to be heard over the sound of FILO’s claws as she runs down the corridors and alongside walls.
MELTY: Oh, god, I don’t care, just make sure I don’t fall off.
CONSTANCE glances at MELTY.
CONSTANCE: Highness is for dukes. Royal highness is for the royal family. I told you this already - confusing them is insulting.
NAOFUMI: What if I want to insult her?
CONSTANCE: Then do it deliberately, and not by a mistake.
FILO rounds a corner and comes out into a courtyard where NAOFUMI and MOTOYASU had their duel. Full moon shines from the sky. With a powerful beat of her wings, she flies onto the roof, and from there into the city. Soon they stop on top of a roof of one of the houses. NAOFUMI, RAPHTALIA and CONSTANCE slide off FILO. MELTY is still clutching onto her neck and refuses to let go.
NAOFUMI: Are you coming off, your royal highness?
MELTY’s face is buried in FILO’s feathers, so her voice is muffled.
MELTY: No, leave me be. I will sleep here. It’s very fluffy and comfortable, actually.
NAOFUMI sighs.
NAOFUMI: Well, I can add you to the party from there too. Just make sure to accept the party invite - you should feel it in your mind.
MELTY raises her head out of the feathers and turns around.
MELTY: Party? I haven’t agreed to travel with you on adventures.
NAOFUMI: I need to add you to the party to teleport you.
MELTY: Oh!
MELTY spaces out for a bit, and NAOFUMI nods.
NAOFUMI: We’ll head to one of a dozen decent taverns I know across the country - nobody will find you there overnight.
CONSTANCE: Wait. She can’t go to a tavern dressed like that.
CONSTANCE motions to MELTY.
CONSTANCE: Look at her dress. It’s far too expensive - much more so than anything we wear. She would stand out - get us to some road first.
NAOFUMI nods, and they dissolve into light.
----------------------------------------
SCENE: NAOFUMI, FILO, MELTY, RAPHTALIA and CONSTANCE materialize on a deserted stretch of road, surrounded by a forest. MELTY is still clutching FILO’s neck.
CONSTANCE: Can your shield make clothing for her?
NAOFUMI: I think so. Let me try it.
CONSTANCE: Hold on, let me think of the style first.
CONSTANCE and NAOFUMI walk off to discuss how to dress MELTY. FILO cranes her neck back to look at MELTY.
FILO: Are you getting off?
MELTY buries her face in FILO’s feathers.
MELTY: No. You are very fluffy, I like it here.
FILO clacks her beak.
FILO: Alright. I think I’ll go for a run. Just let me stretch my legs…
FILO theatrically leans forwards, drawing her claws through the dirt as if preparing to set off. MELTY yelps and slides off her back immediately. FILO immediately turns back into a person. MELTY turns to FILO with an angry expression. RAPHTALIA snorts seeing the interaction.
MELTY: I may owe you my life, but how could you play tricks on me? I am your sovereign!
FILO scratches her head. RAPHTALIA looks around, picks out a tree, and starts chopping it down with her sword.
FILO: What does that mean?
RAPHTALIA glances over her shoulder.
RAPHTALIA: It means she rules this country.
FILO: Oh.
FILO turns back to MELTY.
FILO: And?
MELTY: What do you mean, and?
FILO: What does your country have to do with me? I am not a country.
MELTY opens her mouth in bafflement, closes it, and opens it again.
MELTY: But…you live here. And people who live in the country are a part of it. That means I rule over you.
FILO: Nah, I don’t think you do.
MELTY sighs and rubs her forehead.
MELTY: I am ruling in absentia until my mother returns. I absolutely do rule over you.
FILO crosses her arms.
FILO: No you don’t. I don’t follow anyone’s orders, so nobody rules over me.
In the background, RAPHTALIA manages to cut the tree down, and pushes it alongside the road. It falls down with a crash, and RAPHTALIA begins cutting down branches to clear out an area to sit on.
MELTY: I know you don’t, that’s the whole point! But you should be deferential towards me.
FILO frowns, considering MELTY’s statement, still crossing her arms. RAPHTALIA pauses her work, stabs her sword into the wood, and leans on it.
FILO: Why?
RAPHTALIA: I’d also like to hear this.
MELTY closes her eyes.
MELTY [WHISPERING]: This is such a stupid argument.
MELTY: Because I am a rightful ruler of these lands, and rulers deserve deference? Because I am very powerful and I could ruin your life? Pick your reason, really.
RAPHTALIA sneers.
RAPHTALIA: Nonsense. You said you wanted to work with us against the waves - you wouldn’t sabotage that over a little joke. Besides, what would you even do to Filo? Try to arrest her?
FILO shakes her head.
FILO: No way, I am stronger than her guards.
MELTY crosses her arms.
MELTY: Oh please. Maybe you are stronger than a couple of them, but you can’t fight all of them at once. You would inevitably get tired and captured.
FILO shrugs.
FILO: If it got tough, I would simply run away.
MELTY: And then what? Live in a forest?
FILO: I like forests. There is plenty of food here, and lots of good monsters to fight.
MELTY looks at FILO incredulously. RAPHTALIA snorts.
RAPHTALIA: She absolutely would live in a forest. The only reason she doesn’t walk around naked is that Naofumi convinced her not to.
MELTY raises an eyebrow at RAPHTALIA, clearly not believing her.
RAPHTALIA: As for you deserving deference for simply being a ruler - absolutely not. Why should we bow our heads to the ruler who did nothing for us?
MELTY: That’s not fair. I promised to repeal that demihuman movement law, didn’t I?
RAPHTALIA: That wasn’t for us, that was for the waves. It would simply get in the way of our preparations. If you want to do something for me, then go ahead and abolish slavery.
RAPHTALIA goes back to her woodcutting work, looking away from MELTY. MELTY wrings her hands.
MELTY: Look, I cannot do that. Even if my mother would go along with this, the northern provinces never will. They would sooner rebel - you are asking me to shatter the country in half during the Waves, and I would not stand for that, no matter how just the cause behind it.
RAPHTALIA keeps leveling the tree into a bench without looking back.
RAPHTALIA: And I won’t stand for kissing your ass while you keep my people in chains. I guess we’ll just have to remain unreconciled.
RAPHTALIA finishes her work and turns back to MELTY.
RAPHTALIA: Fredalia seems to think you could help us with the Waves. She knows better, so I trust her. But that is as far as it goes. We will keep you safe for today, and get you back to the capital - but if you expect politeness, or “deference”, then you won’t find it here. And if you want to know the truth - if it was up to me, I would have left you to die to the assassins and left. We would have dealt with the consequences - at worst, we could have left the country. But saving the life of someone who won’t lift a finger to save the lives of my family?
RAPHTALIA spits on the ground.
RAPHTALIA: I’d prefer to drink bile.
MELTY stares at RAPHTALIA.
MELTY: When I heard about it, I didn’t understand why Naofumi would risk a duel for you, but I think I do now.
RAPHTALIA: What?
MELTY: He said something very similar during the debate. It’s like looking into a reflection.
RAPHTALIA crosses her arms and doesn’t answer, sitting down on her log. FILO comes up and joins her. MELTY remains standing. Soon CONSTANCE and NAOFUMI come back, carrying a pile of clothes. NAOFUMI glances curiously at the implied standoff, but says nothing.
NAOFUMI: We made cloaks in the same style for everyone. I think this way we would stand out a bit less.
NAOFUMI goes around handing out clothes. He comes to MELTY last.
NAOFUMI: Here you go, your royal highness. They should fit you perfectly - the shield seems to know the measurements of everyone in the party.
MELTY takes the clothes and meets NAOFUMI’s eyes.
MELTY: Just Melty. You can’t very much keep my presence secret if you keep calling me by my title. Besides, I think we both know that this mock politeness is just a mask for both of us.
NAOFUMI shugs.
NAOFUMI: In that case, call me Naofumi. I prefer it that way, even.
NAOFUMI glances around.
NAOFUMI: If you need help getting changed…
MELTY scoffs.
MELTY: I have lived in Faubrey under a false identity for most of my life. I am not a delicate noble flower - I know how to dress myself.
MELTY goes behind the dense branches of the fallen tree to change. The others quickly put on their cloaks. RAPHTALIA comes close to NAOFUMI and CONSTANCE, and whispers with them.
RAPHTALIA: How long do you want to guard her?
CONSTANCE: At least for today. Tomorrow, we will see how it develops.
RAPHTALIA glances back at where MELTY went behind a tree, and then looks back at CONSTANCE.
RAPHTALIA: Be honest. We all know clearing the Shadows and the palace guards of suspicion will take a lot longer than one day.
CONSTANCE nods.
CONSTANCE: Possibly weeks, depending on how deep the conspiracy goes.
RAPHTALIA: We can’t do anything with her around. We can’t wait for weeks.
NAOFUMI smirks. CONSTANCE shakes her hand in an uncertain gesture.
CONSTANCE: I am not so sure. First of all, while fully clearing the house may take weeks, establishing a reasonably trusted guard should take much less. Together with one of us, they could easily keep her safe during the day. While that is happening, the rest of us could do our actual work. During the night, Naofumi could teleport us all away to sleep - but we can’t do work while we sleep in any case. Overall, guarding her probably only ties up one of us.
RAPHTALIA shakes her head.
RAPHTALIA: She will notice this, and start to ask questions.
CONSTANCE: There isn’t much to notice. We are preparing for the Waves, hunting monsters in the wilderness.
RAPHTALIA: And if she asks to come with us? This is very risky.
CONSTANCE pauses, and nods in ascent.
RAPHTALIA: What if we gave her away to the other heroes?
NAOFUMI winces.
NAOFUMI: I thought about it too, but it just wouldn’t work, I think. Ren would take her in, but he has no special senses or experience with spies - on his own, he couldn’t guard her. And while his party is in the mountains, he can’t teleport and keep her safe through obscurity. Itsuki could work, but I don’t think he would agree to it - he is doing as many suspicious things as we are. Keeping her guarded would tie his hands as much as it would ours. This leaves Motoyasu, who is in a party with Myne, our chief assassination suspect.
RAPHTALIA: That’s not really our problem. If she dies while in Ren’s care, all the worse for Ren.
CONSTANCE purses her lips.
CONSTANCE: I think you are seriously underestimating just how strong our position is here. We are keeping guard around the current ruler of the kingdom, who can’t rely on anyone else to do this. This gives us a massive amount of leverage - comparable to that of the dukes, really.
RAPHTALIA’s mouth twitches.
RAPHTALIA: What does it matter? She refuses to do the one thing we could need of her.
CONSTANCE looks at RAPHTALIA curiously.
CONSTANCE: What of it? Even if she did, the Queen would revert the decision as soon as she comes back. We do not need her to pass policy, we need her to give us funds. And with this position, it would be a lot of funds, trust me.
RAPHTALIA purses her lips.
RAPHTALIA: If you want me to be polite to her…
CONSTANCE rolls her eyes.
CONSTANCE: Please, Raph. I may be old, but my hearing is fine. I heard you speak to her, and if that was a problem, I would have told you as much. No, if anything I want you to be more aggressive.
NAOFUMI and RAPHTALIA raise eyebrows at CONSTANCE. Suddenly, RAPHTALIA frowns.
RAPHTALIA: Wait. You want to do the two-handed saw on her?
CONSTANCE: Indeed.
NAOFUMI: What is that?
CONSTANCE rolls her eyes again.
CONSTANCE: You would already know if you listened to me as much as Raph does. It’s a negotiating tactic.
NAOFUMI purses his lips. RAPHTALIA sniggers at his reaction.
RAPHTALIA: You need two people who are working together, and a mark who needs something out of them. One person - a “foe” - pretends that they want nothing to do with the mark, while the other - a “friend” - pretends that they really want to help the mark, but their hands are tied by their confederate. Then they play a game: friend says they could convince the foe if only the mark would make some concession, and get the mark to agree to it. It almost seems that the deal is done, but then the foe makes up some new problem, and they are back to negotiations. It’s a delicate balancing act, but you could get a lot of concessions this way.
CONSTANCE nods.
CONSTANCE: It’s as if two loggers are sawing through a thick tree trunk: the saw goes back and forth, never fully reaching either side, and in effect staying in place… but with each move, it cuts deeper into the trunk. Hence the name.
RAPHTALIA smiles.
RAPHTALIA: So in essence, you want me to be even ruder. I can do that.
Soon MELTY comes out, wearing clothes suitable for a filofial rider - leather pants, a woolen coat, and a comfortable pair of boots and gloves. She hands her old dress to NAOFUMI, who carefully folds it and puts it into his backpack.
NAOFUMI: Alright, let’s get to a tavern.
NAOFUMI focuses for a moment, and they dissolve into light again.
----------------------------------------
SCENE: FILO, RAPHTALIA and MELTY are sharing a small room at a tavern. The room is long and narrow, with three beds standing in a row in between the door and the window on opposite sides of the room, with very little space left between them for people to walk. Moonlight is shining through the window.
RAPHTALIA is sleeping soundly near the door. FILO is curled in her bed nest as usual next to the window. MELTY is lying on the middle bed with her eyes open.
Finally MELTY sighs, gets out of bed, and approaches the window to look out of it, rubbing her face. FILO rises her head out of her nest, looking at MELTY. MELTY turns around, and jumps a little when she sees her.
MELTY [WHISPERING]: Oh, Lord. Sorry, did I wake you?
FILO [WHISPERING]: Not really.
MELTY sighs again.
MELTY: I can’t sleep. I just…keep thinking of the assassins. I almost died, and I’ve never even been in a fight before. It was terrifying. Any time I hear a noise, I wonder if more of them are coming.
The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
FILO: If there are more assassins, we would simply kill them.
MELTY: I know, but it doesn’t really help.
FILO grunts, and jumps out of her bed, being carried on currents on wind. MELTY frowns at her.
MELTY: How are you so good at wind magic? You didn’t chant any spell, and your control is amazing. It took me ages to get to that level, and I had the best teachers that money could buy.
FILO shrugs.
FILO: Dunno, I am just this awesome. Cmon, dress up, we are going for a walk.
MELTY: What? What walk?
FILO: It’ll help you sleep if you get tired. Plus, I’ll teach you to fight, it’ll be great and very useful.
MILO looks at FILO for a while, then sighs, and starts getting dressed. Their noise wakes up RAPHTALIA, who sits up in her bed, rubbing her eyes.
RAPHTALIA: What’s going on?
FILO: I am going to help Melty learn to fight.
RAPHTALIA: What? It’s the middle of the night, go to sleep.
MELTY: I can’t sleep. Filo said this would help.
RAPHTALIA flops back on her bed and groans, covering her face with her hands.
MELTY: You could just go back to sleep? We’ll try to be quiet when we come back.
RAPHTALIA opens her arms again and starts crawling out of bed.
RAPHTALIA: No, I’ll go with you.
----------------------------------------
SCENE: Outside, under the moonlight. RAPHTALIA, FILO and MELTY walk out of the tavern and head into a nearby forest. MELTY pauses as they walk.
MELTY: Wait, it’s too dark. I can’t see a thing.
RAPHTALIA turns around, yawning.
RAPHTALIA: Hm? Oh, yeah.
RAPHTALIA snaps her fingers, and a ball of light appears above her head. MELTY squints at her.
MELTY: Are all of you this good at magic?
RAPHTALIA shrugs.
RAPHTALIA: It’s the shield. You level faster if you are in the party, and the magic comes with it.
MELTY: How much faster?
RAPHTALIA shrugs.
RAPHTALIA: A lot? I’ve only been doing magic for, what, a couple months?
MELTY’s mouth gapes open in shock. RAPHTALIA smirks.
RAPHTALIA: Yeah, it’s not the first time that I get this reaction.
MELTY is still looking shocked.
MELTY: No wonder Myne goes with the Spear Hero. I thought it was only for legitimacy, but if the gains are this strong…
RAPHTALIA: Is she a mage too?
MELTY nods unconsciously.
MELTY: She has fire magic affinity, the opposite of mine. Unlike me, she had no real interest in magic, but she is still very talented. I couldn’t guess how good she is now.
MELTY shakes her head to clear it. Their group comes to a forest clearing.
MELTY: So, how do you want to teach me?
FILO: Well, first I gotta know what you can do. What kind of magic can you manage?
MELTY corrects her hair, and smiles proudly.
MELTY: I can do every magic.
RAPHTALIA and FILO raise eyebrows suspiciously. MELTY sighs.
MELTY: Okay, I am being hyperbolic. I couldn’t use most magics in a fight. Mostly, I am a master of water magic, as well as of magic item enhancements.
RAPHTALIA: I thought you couldn’t cast magic for which you didn’t have an affinity?
MELTY shakes her head.
MELTY: It’s a common misconception. No, you can cast more or less anything - but casting magic for which you do not have an affinity is incredibly difficult and taxing on the mana. On top of that, you need specialized incantations for it - the standard short chant form would not work. You won’t be able to do it without the chant either. Practically nobody bothers learning how to do it.
MELTY focuses, and starts a long chant, moving her hands through a series of complex gestures. A drop of sweat rolls off her forehead. Finally, she finishes, and a small candle flame appears at the end of her finger. She smiles proudly at it.
MELTY: The number of water mages in the country who could manage this can probably be counted on one hand.
FILO: Why did you bother to learn it, then?
MELTY dismisses the flame and lowers her hand.
MELTY: To create magic item enhancements, you need to be able to cast the magic they depend on. Most artificers focus on one subfield, but I did not want to limit myself.
FILO: Hm. Alright, that’s kinda cool I guess, but in a fight you are down to those water magic sprouts, yeah?
MELTY nods.
MELTY: Probably, yes.
FILO: Alright. Here is what we are going to do.
FILO shows MELTY how to dodge and roll, then has her try dodging bits of gravel she pitches at her. After a while, they mix things up, and FILO gets RAPHTALIA to chase MELTY around with a stick while MELTY tries hitting FILO with a water sprout. Eventually, she manages to land a hit right in FILO’s face. FILO flips backwards over her legs from the water pressure. MELTY stops running around, breathing heavily with her hands on her knees.
FILO gets up off the ground, completely drenched in water, and MELTY laughs at the sight. FILO squints at her, and turns into a bird for a split second, instantly banishing all water away from her body.
FILO: Alright, I think you are tired enough now. Let’s go back to sleep.
MELTY waves her hand in the air.
MELTY: Sure, just… give me a moment.
MELTY gathers herself together, and they walk back towards the tavern. MELTY is smiling.
MELTY: You know, I didn’t think it would be, but this was very fun. Maybe I should join you when you train for the Waves, like Myne does. I couldn’t let my sister upstage me on magic.
RAPHTALIA: I wouldn’t count on that.
MELTY looks at RAPHTALIA in confusion.
MELTY: Why not? Your party isn’t full. I am a great mage, and I don’t have to get close to the monsters to kill them. I could help you a lot, and you could help me grow my magic - what is not to like?
RAPHTALIA sighs, stops, and turns to MELTY with pursed lips and a steely glare. FILO stops next to them, putting her hands behind her head.
RAPHTALIA: We would never fight along with you. That is not going to happen.
MELTY steps back in the face of RAPHTALIA’s sudden pushback.
MELTY: Why?
RAPHTALIA: Because I don’t trust you? I couldn’t turn my back to you in a fight. You talk with sweet words, but at the end of the day, the only thing you care about is yourself.
MELTY jerks back.
MELTY: What?
RAPHTALIA: I told you already. You are the ruler of this country - every day that you don’t abolish slavery, it’s like you are torturing every demihuman in the country with your own two hands. That includes my family. You don’t give a shit about me, or demihumans in general. How could I trust you with my life?
RAPHTALIA turns back towards the tavern, and finishes talking over her shoulder as she is walking towards the tavern doors.
RAPHTALIA: We are not friends. We will never be friends. We’ll keep you safe as long as you pay us, and not one second longer. Best not get attached.
MELTY glances at FILO in dismay. FILO shrugs.
FILO: If Raph says so, she’s probably right.
MELTY closes her eyes, and breathes in deeply. She opens them and looks up into the sky.
MELTY: You know, I never noticed how beautiful the sky is here in the countryside. In Faubrey, the city was always too bright to see it… You go back to sleep, but I think I’ll stay and look at it for a while.
FILO frowns.
FILO: Nah, can’t do. What if a monster comes by and eats you? Naofumi will pull my head off.
MELTY shrugs, and turns around, walking away from the tavern and towards the edge of the village. She sits down on a bench next to one of the houses, facing away from FILO and RAPHTALIA. RAPHTALIA reaches the tavern door, and leans next to it, having noticed the other two aren’t coming. FILO looks between MELTY and RAPHTALIA, and finally walks over to RAPHTALIA. RAPHTALIA is frowning.
RAPHTALIA: What’s she doing over there?
FILO: Dunno. Said she wanted to look at the sky.
FILO leans on the wall next to RAPHTALIA. In the distance, MELTY is sitting with her head between her hands. Some time passes.
RAPHTALIA: She isn’t looking at the sky much.
FILO: Yeah, kinda weird. Breathing pretty heavily too, from what I can hear. You think she’s sick?
RAPHTALIA glances at FILO, frowning deeper.
RAPHTALIA: Maybe I overdid it. You stay here, I’ll go check up on her.
FILO shrugs. RAPHTALIA slowly heads over to MELTY, her feet quiet on the ground. As she comes closer, she hears MELTY’s ragged breathing. RAPHTALIA puts her hand on MELTY’s shoulder, and MELTY jumps up in shock, turning to RAPHTALIA. MELTY’s face is covered in tears. MELTY relaxes fractionally when she recognises RAPHTALIA.
MELTY: Oh, it’s you.
MELTY tries to turn away, then decides against it.
MELTY: Ah, whatever. I don’t know why I even bothered with the excuse. Not like your opinion of me could get any lower as it is.
RAPHTALIA: You sure are taking this hard.
MELTY: Am I? I haven’t noticed.
MELTY waves RAPHTALIA away.
MELTY: Just…go, sleep. I’ll be back soon.
RAPHTALIA doesn’t move, frowning. MELTY looks up at her.
MELTY: What? Want to twist the knife deeper?
RAPHTALIA: Why do you care what I say? I am just some demihuman. Dozens of them in your palace alone.
MELTY waves her off.
MELTY: Oh it’s not you. It’s everything else.
MELTY sighs, and tries to wipe her face with the edge of her cloak. She doesn’t really succeed.
MELTY: “You are the ruler” you said. What a joke. What kind of ruler would be crying where other people would see them? My mother would be furious if she found out.
MELTY chuckles sadly.
MELTY: You think I wanted this? I would have rather stayed in Faubrey, studying, working on magic enhancements. Did you know nobody really knows how they work? Many books are written about how to make them, but it’s all craftsmanship, the result of centuries of individual tinkers writing down what worked. I had a dream that maybe I could figure out something more fundamental, like the new theories of the natural sciences. That I could be breaking new ground there. Shows what I know of the world, dreaming like that.
RAPHTALIA raises an eyebrow at her.
RAPHTALIA: Is that why you stayed in Faubrey until this year?
MELTY: Yeah, pretty much. I’ve been arguing with Mother over it for years, but now she finally put her foot down. Said she needs me here, and she needs me here now. Even when she comes to Melromarc, I won’t get to go back. I’ll be stuck here, “learning to rule”. All my friends, connections, my work - down the drain. “You have to think about the country, not just yourself,” she said.
RAPHTALIA: Why not refuse, if you don’t want it?
MELTY laughs involuntarily.
MELTY: And what, abdicate? Ha! She’d definitely kill me then. No, I can see the writing on the wall. I don’t really know anyone here - if I piss off Mother, then I would be truly alone.
RAPHTALIA: You could always do such a bad job she has to let you go.
MELTY shakes her head sadly.
MELTY: Not during a crisis. If I do a bad job, then people will die. The worst part is, I know I could rule well - I have been trained for it since birth. I would just have to sacrifice my heart to do it.
MELTY sighs, wipes her face completely with her cloak, and stands up.
MELTY: I don’t know why I am telling you this. It’s not like you’d care about my life - my concerns must seem like petulant whining to you.
RAPHTALIA raises an eyebrow.
RAPHTALIA: Why do you say that?
MELTY: What, am I wrong?
RAPHTALIA: No, you are correct. I am just curious why you think so.
MELTY sighs and heads towards the tavern. RAPHTALIA follows her.
MELTY: Naofumi read me some accounts from this red book of yours. They were…rather graphic.
MELTY shudders. RAPHTALIA hums. They walk in silence for a bit, before MELTY speaks again, turning to RAPHTALIA.
MELTY: You mentioned your family. Where is it?
RAPHTALIA frowns.
RAPHTALIA: Why do you want to know?
MELTY is silent for a bit.
MELTY: I thought about what you and Naofumi said, about me having power. I may not want it, but if the fates force me into this position, then so be it - I might as well use it. I really, really do not think that I can abolish slavery. But maybe I could work around the edges of it. If I knew where to look, I could buy out, or forcefully requisition your family, and free them. I can free the slaves in the palace. I could tinker with the laws about escaped slaves - I am sure there is room to relax them. Maybe that isn’t enough for you, but surely that would be something? You said you couldn’t trust me if I wouldn’t lift a finger - would you trust me then?
MELTY turns to RAPHTALIA to hear her response.
RAPHTALIA: And what, your mother won’t kill you for this?
MELTY waves her hand dismissively.
MELTY: She sent me here to get the heroes on our side by whatever means possible. I am just doing what she told me.
RAPHTALIA purses her lips.
RAPHTALIA: You are asking me to accept a small piece of cake as a gesture of good will while I am still being whipped every day at sunset. The first step is to stop the whipping. Anything less than the full abolition of slavery is not enough.
MELTY sighs and rubs her forehead.
MELTY: I am asking you to see that I am doing the best I can within my own limitations.
RAPHTALIA snorts dismissively and heads to the tavern, throwing her response over her shoulder.
RAPHTALIA: My family is to the north, I do not know where exactly. If you do all that you’ve said - and that is a big if - then maybe I would consider it.
MELTY smiles and follows after RAPHTALIA. They come to the tavern doors where bored FILO is waiting.
FILO: You guys done with the sky?
MELTY: Yes Filo, I think we are done with that.
RAPHTALIA hums noncommittally. They head upstairs and into their room, and dress down for sleep. FILO quickly gets into her nest. MELTY glances at her.
MELTY: Hey Filo… Could I make a request?
FILO turns her head to MELTY, not getting up.
FILO: What?
MELTY: Could you … turn into a bird again?
RAPHTALIA glances at MELTY weirdly, but doesn’t comment.
FILO: Why?
MELTY blushes slightly.
MELTY: You were very fluffy. I was wondering if I could use you as a pillow.
FILO frowns at MELTY.
MELTY: …I could show you our collection of combat texts in the castle library?
FILO shrugs and turns into a bird. Her blanket drifts down on her head, and she has to use a wing to remove it. She raises a wind in MELTY’s direction.
FILO: Get in.
MELTY grins and gets under FILO’s wing. She is soon sleeping with a happy smile on her face.
----------------------------------------
SCENE: Morning in the tavern. NAOFUMI, CONSTANCE and RAPHTALIA are eating breakfast in the tavern amid the guests. MELTY and FILO enter the main tavern entrance, their hair wet from a bath, and approach the others. There is not a trace of yesterday’s events on MELTY’s face.
MELTY: I hope everyone slept well?
NAOFUMI: Well enough. I would return the question, but Raphtalia told us some of what happened during the night.
MELTY raises a questioning eyebrow, glancing at RAPHTALIA. RAPHTALIA shrugs unrepentantly.
MELTY: Has she? Good, that means I wouldn’t have to repeat it.
NAOFUMI reaches into his bag and takes out a potion, handing it to MELTY. MELTY gives it a questioning look.
NAOFUMI: An energy potion. You probably will need it today.
MELTY: Ah. Thank you, but I am used to working on little sleep.
MELTY downs the potion, and sits down at the table.
CONSTANCE: Have you considered how you would like to frame our return? Our exit last night was somewhat abrupt, and given what happened at the castle, I worry that there may be questions.
MELTY nods.
MELTY: Yes, I have. Here is my plan - but I welcome your comments, Fredalia. First, I would need a filofial…
----------------------------------------
SCENE: NAOFUMI, RAPHTALIA, CONSTANCE, FILO and MELTY are riding towards the castle in Melromarc. MELTY is riding on her own filofial, while the others are riding on FILO. As they cross a bridge leading to the castle, they see a regiment of at least fifty GUARDS blocking the gates to the castle. GUARDS do not seem to move as MELTY approaches. MELTY stares directly at them, and doesn’t slow down. FILO rides closer to her at NAOFUMI’s urging. NAOFUMI speaks to MELTY without raising his voice.
NAOFUMI: Is this going to be a problem?
MELTY doesn’t look at him, and responds in a similarly lowered voice.
MELTY: Not anymore than what I expected. Fall back and keep out of the way, please.
NAOFUMI: Are you sure?
MELTY: I know what has to be done. Even if I don’t like it, the mask is a familiar one.
CONSTANCE puts a hand on NAOFUMI’s shoulder.
CONSTANCE: She is right. It would be disastrous if she can’t manage her own palace guards; worse still, if she is seen needing help to do so. A fair few of her subjects, right now, will be wavering: she must make it clear that she is the one in charge, and that there can be no question about it.
MELTY throws a thankful glance at CONSTANCE, and urges her filofial forwards. As she rides closer to the wall of GUARDS, she is hailed by a GUARD IN FANCY HELMET, who comes in front of the wall of GUARDS.
GUARD IN FANCY HELMET: Halt!
MELTY smiles widely and keeps riding.
MELTY: I appreciate you bringing the honor guard to greet me, but it was not necessary. At ease, soldiers.
GUARDS glance uncertainly between MELTY and GUARD IN FANCY HELMET, but do not move. MELTY comes to a stop in front of the GUARD IN FANCY HELMET, frowning.
MELTY: What is the meaning of this? At ease, I said.
GUARD IN FANCY HELMET scowls at MELTY.
GUARD IN FANCY HELMET: Your royal highness, we had reports that the Devil of the Shield possesses a shield that can bewitch minds. Given your sudden departure last night, we cannot be certain you are not under his control. Why have you left the palace with the Devil of the Shield?
MELTY blinks, then urges her filofial forwards, almost trampling GUARD IN FANCY HELMET, who has to jump aside in a hurry. GUARD IN FANCY HELMET puts a hand on his sword, but doesn’t pull it out of the scabbard. MELTY stares at him coldly.
MELTY: Your name and title?
GUARD IN FANCY HELMET: Your royal highness?
MELTY’s gaze reaches subzero temperatures.
MELTY: Are you deaf? I asked for your name and title.
GUARD IN FANCY HELMET: Viscount Erher von Merrath, your royal highness.
MELTY: Hm. I do not believe I have met your father, but I know the family. Long lineage of counts from the south of Melromarc, correct?
VISCOUNT ERHER relaxes fractionally.
VISCOUNT ERHER: Yes, your royal highness.
MELTY: I see. Tell me, viscount, are you God?
VISCOUNT ERHER blinks.
VISCOUNT ERHER: Pardon, your royal highness?
MELTY leans down from her filofial, staring VISCOUNT ERHER down.
MELTY: There are only two in this world who can question my motives: my mother, and God, in that order. You are clearly not my mother. So I ask you again, viscount: are you God?
VISCOUNT ERHER steps back.
VISCOUNT ERHER: No, of course not, your royal highness.
MELTY: Really?
MELTY appears genuinely surprised, and sits up straight on her filofial, looking at the VISCOUNT ERHER in expectation.
MELTY: In that case, could you enlighten me as to who gave you the right to ask me anything whatsoever?
VISCOUNT ERHER steps back again and opens his mouth to respond, but MELTY waves him off.
MELTY: Silence, I do not care. There is no situation which makes it any of your concern when, why and with whom does your ruler choose to leave the city on a short excursion. By all rights I should have your head for making such a treasonous insinuation, but I suppose you managed to retain a small sliver of your sanity. Very well, I will be merciful.
MELTY looks over the GUARDS forming the wall, as if no longer caring about VISCOUNT ERHER. She projects her voice to be heard through the entire courtyard with practiced ease.
MELTY: For this treasonous insult, the von Merrath family is hereby stripped of their title. Their grant of the county is revoked, and all their lands and properties are to be confiscated in favor of the crown. Viscount Erher is further personally stripped of his position and rank, and is to leave Melromarc in two weeks, or face execution.
Quiet gasps spread through the GUARDS. VISCOUNT ERHER’s face goes white. MELTY looks down at him, as if only now noticing he is still around.
MELTY: You do not seem very thankful, viscount. If you are unsatisfied, I would be happy to proceed with the execution immediately.
MELTY calmly stares VISCOUNT ERHER down. Finally, VISCOUNT ERHER prostrates himself on the ground. MELTY looks away, as if already forgetting he exists. She stands up in her stirrups, projecting her voice again.
MELTY: I am Melty Q. Melromarc, first daughter of Mirellia Q. Melromarc, the rightful queen of this land. Is there anyone else who would like to question my name, my blood or my house by claiming I do not control myself?
MELTY stares at each GUARD in the wall individually. Finally, GUARDS start to bow one by one.
MELTY: Good. Let this be the last I hear of this nonsense.
MELTY dismounts and motions for one of the GUARDS to take the reins of her filofial, then heads into the castle, the wall of GUARDS parting around her. NAOFUMI, FILO, RAPHTALIA and CONSTANCE follow after.
----------------------------------------
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
NAOFUMI IWATANI, THE SHIELD HERO. The first socialist. Protagonist. Amateur clothing designer.
PRINCESS MELTY Q. MELROMAC. Unwilling first heir to the throne of Melromarc. Moderate slavery oppositionist.
RAPHTALIA. Second socialist. Radical anti-Meltyist.
CONSTANCE VON MARUKIEVICH / FREDALIA. Secretly demihuman. Aims to rake MELTY for money.
FILO. Autonomous pillow. Combat instructor.