Story Reader / Interlude / Front Sight Focus / Story
The royal guards shackled Sophia and brought her to the royal carriage.
Someone is already waiting in the center of the hall.
...
How reckless.
If only everyone who comes to take my life can be as reckless as you...
...Well, not that that would be a good thing.
...
...
What's up? Your target is standing right here. Aren't you going to say something?
...I don't talk to corpses.
You have at least four electronic shackles on you. Are you sure I'm going to die today?
...
That's okay. I love giving chances to lovely kids.
Aston.
Leader, I suggest you think again. We don't know yet...
Aston. I won't say this a third time.
Roger.
After a series of electronic sounds, Sophia almost immediately feels the shackle on her disappear.
...!
The next instant, she pulls out a pistol from the hidden holster in her frame and points it at Jamilah.
Why?
...I knew you were inexperienced.
I'm asking you, why.
You just gave up the best chance to shoot at me for an answer.
I'm not asking a third time.
...Al...right.
Don't you want to know why there are so many guards today?
...Did you know?
Not entirely. I only knew "someone" was coming today.
But I didn't know it was you.
Do you... Know me?
I do. You are the only survivor of "that accident". The aristocrats' report never mentioned you, but I've been looking for you.
You have no right to mention that "incident"!
Is that how they told you? That I was the culprit who refused to send reinforcements and caused the death of 47 maintenance members and 336 civilians?
What if I tell you another version of the story?
I won't believe in you.
Neither do I think so. Andre told me about your personality in his letter.
...What?
The leader of your maintenance squad, Andre. He was my undercover spy in the commoner carriage—one of the best.
He'd been asking me to find you and take care of you till his last breath.
That's impossible. They were all...!
They were all dead, weren't they?
I hate to remind you of the past... But I hope at least this could make you trust me.
Jamilah reaches out to Sophia. In her hand is a royal badge with burn marks.
...!
I'm sorry. I could only... Reduce his pain. Morphine was the only thing we could use...
...
The last thing he spoke about was you...
Why? Aren't you...
You don't have to believe this, but it wasn't me.
...Keep talking. I'll put the gun down.
...That's all I have to say.
It was that simple. Your hatred just happened to be useful to them.
I have evidence. A statement from the waiter in the noble carriage, as well as voice recordings of the escaped technicians.
I see. What have I done...
It's okay. I don't blame you.
...
I'm a queen with no real power. All I see are illusions. All I can reach is my dressing table.
I can only find you and persuade you one by one, so you can bring me the truth.
I know if I keep doing this, "they" will want me dead sooner or later. Hmm... Maybe there is a different way to put this.
I guess I'm just not a good-looking puppet. Or, perhaps... I want to restore things to how they should be, just like my father did.
One day, my leader. One day they will.
You don't need to say those nice words, Aston. Time waits for no one. Only one side can survive this war.
But right now, we have only one problem to resolve.
Sophia, if you still want to kill me after hearing all that, you can do it now.
Amir!!!
I don't know.
I see...
Aston, please help Sophia settle. She won't be able to go back to Ashlar after tonight.
Why are you doing this?
As the oldest daughter of the royal family, I had no choice. Whether I liked it or not, my only destiny was to accept the scepter to the throne.
I could have become a tyrant, a wise queen, or a puppet I am now. The scepter couldn't be bothered at all.
But at least I want to make one more person have their choice.
So when I do something wrong, maybe they can come and tell me.
...I've said enough for the night. Go with Aston. He'll show you your room.
