Story: Coming soon...
Dialogue[]
- (Upon their arrival at the palace, the herald sent by Ace guides Nikki and Momo to the entrance of the meeting hall.)
- (The doors of the meeting hall are shut. The herald exchanges a few words with the guard at the doors, then returns to Nikki and apologizes to her.)
- Herald: My apologies, Queen Elle is having a discussion. Please wait for a moment.
- Nikki: That's fine. Thank you for leading us here.
- (Inside the meeting hall, Elle has taken the main seat in the center, listening to Sherry's report on the latest public opinion in City Oren.)
- Elle: What else?
- Sherry: That's it for now... I believe all of this is the result of Derrick's string-pulling. But he's too cunning, it'll be a while before we can get the goods on him.
- Elle: Derrick is power-hungry, yet he's always been prudent with his every step. His power has been deeply rooted in City Oren for years. The deeper we dig, the more resistance we'll face.
- (Elle furrows her brow and taps the table with the nib of her pen. Ace knows this is a sign that Elle is annoyed.)
- Ace: Sister...
- Elle: This cannot wait. He wants to undermine my authority with civilians' opinions. Too bad, I will not let him.
- Ace: Hold on, you can't be thinking about... No, you must not do that. Think twice.
- Elle: Those people are our only lead now, and their punishment is well deserved. They have only their own stupidity and misjudgment to blame.
- (Elle's words are like ice on a towering snow mountain, cold and indisputable.)
- (What breaks the severe atmosphere is an even calmer voice.)
- Sherry: Your Majesty, my thought is much like Princess Ace's. This is not a matter to be rushed.
- (Elle's shocked glare travels across the long table, carrying her anger, to reach Sherry.)
- Sherry: This incident continues to escalate among the public. Executing the prisoners may provoke civilians further.
- Ace: Exactly. If the panic among civilians grows into terror, and if it's used to certain people's advantage, it will become a knife that rips the country apart.
- Elle: Derrick is like a venomous snake, but instead of instant death by his fatal fangs, he's better at slowly strangling his prey. Our chance of victory dwindles with each day we wait.
- Elle: Ace, in the face of power, your mercy is like golden fleece on a blade's edge—completely useless.
- Ace: Can you be so sure that wielding the blade will get you what you want, then?
- (Ace speaks with such firm resolution that even Elle is shaken. She can't recall a time her younger sister has disagreed with her with this degree of vigor and determination.)
- Ace: Sister... I...
- Elle: Enough. You should leave.
- (In the manner of observing a formality, Sherry bows properly to Elle's determined back, then drags Ace, who remains still in the same place, away.)
- (Ace exits the meeting hall with a grim look on her face.)
- (Sherry follows her closely, the same gloom overlaying her porcelain face.)
- Nikki: Ace, Sherry, are you alright?
- (Ace turns her face away sadly, letting out a heavy sigh.)
- Ace: My sister wants to execute several of the prisoners to get words out of the others. I'm worried she's walking into Derrick's trap. No matter what, I must stop her.
- Momo: Take it easy, Ace. We've already found out how to help the Queen regain her memories!
- Ace: Have you really?
- Nikki: Yes, I think the answer lies within the Thorny Tree Chest.
- Ace: My sister has placed that chest deep in the palace. I know where it is, follow me.
- Nikki: Hmm.
- Sherry: Then I'll stay here. If the Queen takes any action, I'll try my best to distract her.