Dialogue[]
Opening:[]
- (As Ace and Nikki scurry back to the meeting hall, they arrive to see Sherry sending the herald into the hall.)
- Nikki: Hold on, Sherry.
- Momo: Hey, Sherry! How can you let him in?
- (But Sherry turns a deaf ear to them, until Nikki and Ace dash in front of her.)
- Ace: What on earth is happening, Sherry?
- Sherry: I think you have succeeded. Just now, Queen Elle almost ordered to execute the instigators. I was about to intervene, but she suddenly calmed down and called back the herald.
- Ace: Could it be that my sister's memories have...
- (Overjoyed, Ace grabs Sherry's hands, to which Sherry nods in confirmation. Sunlight falls upon her hair, gliding down like the first drop of melting snow.)
- Sherry: The Queen has decided to suspend the punishment of the prisoners until she comes up with a better solution.
- (Ace darts toward Elle, exhilarated, while Nikki tails her. Elle is handing a freshly written document to the herald, instructing him on how to respond to the nobles' queries.)
- (The next moment, Elle's gaze falls onto Ace, her eyes full of the calm and warmth familiar to Ace. For an instant, all thoughts have left Ace, leaving her dazed.)
- Elle: Ace, Nikki, perfect timing. About Derrick, I have rethought how to handle him.
- Momo: (Whispers) Queen Elle seems a little different indeed.
- Nikki: (Whispers) Shush.
- Elle: No matter what, the civilians' fear of royalty must not worsen, as this will only harm the Pigeon Kingdom. But we also cannot appease Derrick. We need a more effective tactic.
- Ace: What should we do now, Sister?
- Elle: Take a seat, and we shall discuss this in detail.
- (In the meeting hall, voices raise and lower in turn, the clock's pendulum swings rhythmically. Some things seem to have changed imperceptibly, every misplaced pointer righted.)
- (After a lengthy discussion, Nikki leaves following Sherry, while Ace remains, pondering.)
- Elle: What's on your mind, Ace? You seem troubled. Do you see any weaknesses in our plan?
- (Hearing Elle's serious question, Ace shakes her head immediately.)
- Ace: No, the plan is impeccable. I'm only worried about...
- Elle: About?
- Ace: I'm worried that...
- (The brave knight suddenly stutters, hesitant to admit she's worried her sister might become cold and cruel again, like the way she was when her memories were lost.)
- (Elle blinks and considers briefly. She stands up, and on her usually commanding face, a tender smile appears.)
- (Elle takes a step closer, then another, observing Ace's evasive eyes. She finds that the anxious look on her little sister's face has not changed since she was a child.)
- (A long-lost hug.)
- Elle: You've been doing a good job all this time, Ace.
- Ace: Sister...
- (Ace sucks in a deep breath, unable to hold back her tears after all. She finally lets go of the lingering worries in her heart and leans into her sister, tightening the embrace.)
- Ace: I'm so glad.
- (At last, this is neither an illusion nor a hazy memory in a dream.)
- (This time, it's a warm hug, a genuine hug.)
- (Outside the palace gate, a patrol marches by in synchronized footsteps.)
- Sherry: Following the Queen's plan, we'll first release the villagers from the dungeon. Nikki, change into the Royal Guard's livery, so the villagers will know we're sent by Queen Elle.
- Nikki: Okay!
Conclusion:[]
There is no concluding dialogue.