Lilith: Rhythmic Dance/Memory

## Chapter 1: Shackles

Narration
(Ding Dong)
In the soft music, an elegant figurine in a swan dress dances incessantly on a crystal box. :Melodies from Lake Silvermoon flow through the sleepless royal palace.
It’s like a glass of honey water—one that attempts to mark every last inch of the space as its own territory.
I grew tired of this song a long time ago, but I catch myself humming it when I’m deep in thought alone.
But the voice that fills the hall seems different from what it was before—this one sounds sweeter and more tempting.
The voice is no longer that of a girl singing about her heart of a midsummer night, but of a mermaid in the deep sea trying to attract a prey…
Fidel
Her Majesty’s voice is as beautiful as ever.
Narration
Standing a few steps away from the throne, Fidel listens with admiration on his face.
Lame.
I stop singing, but the music box is still playing its music. I stop the figurine as I turn around to see Fidel. He looks slightly upset.
When the music has come to a complete halt, the well-lighted hall suddenly turns into a vacuum of silence—my own voice the only thing resounding in it.
Lilith
What good would it ever do even if I were the best singer in the world, anyway?
Narration
I push the beautiful figurine with my fingertip—until it falls down on the floor. It rolls off the stairs and only comes to a stop when it’s rolled into Fidel.
Player Selection
▸ Aren’t you happy?
[Player]
What happened? What’s making you so upset?
Lilith
I’m not upset. I’m just worried about a few things.
Narration
Staring at the figurine on the floor in silence, Fidel bends down to pick it up and politely places it back on the crystal box by my hand.
Fidel
The music festival hasn’t been coming alone. Mercury Group’s informers have been on the move, but none of what they do is ever going to faze me…
Lilith
Get the carriage ready for me. We’re going to see Owen.
Fidel
...Uh? Now?
Lilith
Yes, now.
Narration
I look at my music box. The figurine has its back to me and stands with its arms raised in an awkward pose, like a marionette.
It’s probably safe to say that Fidel didn’t know what he was doing when he tried to put the figurine back in place.
Lilith
I did say that Owen needs to be properly rewarded for picking such a thoughtful gift for me, right?
He never did admit to giving me the gift, but I can’t just pretend I didn’t know.
[end transcript]

## Chapter 2: Good News

Narration
I was in the middle of giving Mercury Group a status report when I was told that Queen Lilith had come for a visit.
Person on the Other Side of Phone
She’s meeting you again? What for?
Owen
God knows. I guess she just has nothing better to do, but my hunch is that she’s seeing me about the music festival.
Narration
I hang up my secure phone and put on a modest smile to receive the Queen.
Player Selection
▸ You betrayed Lilith.
[Player]
You are Ninir’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. Why did you choose to betray Lilith?
Owen
Because I want more than just being a Minister of Foreign Affairs, and only Mercury Group can give me what I want.
[Screen fades to white, transitions to the same room, at a later time]

Owen
So how do you like this vanilla tea, Your Highness?
I thought of you right awat when I had my first taste of it, and I have some ready for you at the next cabinet meeting.
Lilith
It tastes nice and sweet. I now see why people regard you so highly for your diplomacy.
That reminds me that I still have a lot to learn myself when it comes to dealing with people.
Narration
In the sweet floral aromatic haze that fills the roon, Lilith is wearing a satisfied smile.
It’s not unlike that of a young girl who feels satisfied with a sip of tea she happens to enjoy.
Owen
Your Highness, how can I be of service to you at this hour of the day?
Lilith
Well, I actually came to discuss my visit to Valentine.
Narration
With a smile on her face, Lilith puts down her tea cup and raises her head slightly.
Lilith
We all had differing opinions at the cabinet meeting the other day, and I didn’t really have the luxury of time to hear you out.
I came here today because I’d like to know why you disapprove of my visit to Valentine.
Narration
Lilith’s voice sounds gentle and soft and lends a genuinely sincere touch to her request—something I often see her do.
Her smile is captivating and dangerously inviting… except it isn’t going to work on me now.
I disapproved of her visit to Pigeon for a thousand reasons, but none of it would be told to her. I let out a sigh with a worried expression.
Owen
I completely appreciate your intention, Your Highness, and I admire you for your efforts just as much.
However, Pigeon remains a subject of worry to us.
Pigeon has been extremely conservative in terms of their foreign policy and has not been on the friendliest terms with Ninir.
I honestly would not consider now the best timing for us to restore ties with them, given their less-than-clear stance in all aspects.
Your personal visit to a foreign nation is considered diplomacy of the highest order, and a music festival simply doesn’t warrant a visit of such nature.
A formal visit will be planned for you in the near future.
And we will also need to take into account the civil unrest that has been plaguing Pigeon all these years and act with sound judgement.
At any rate, as Ninir’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, I consider it my duty to disapprove of your visit to Valentine.
Narration
Be it from a formal or diplomatic standpoint, or whether I’m simply expressing my concern as Ninir’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, my excuse is perfect.
With a frown on her face, Lilith seems to be carefully thinking about what I just said.
Lilith
But Queen Ophelia is trying her best to bring about the music festival. Just what else do we need to make it a formal occasion?
And concerning the civil unrest you just mentioned…
Narration
Then, knocks on the door stop Lilith from talking. A split second’s frustration betrays her otherwise gentle charade.
Lilith
Got some late night affairs to attend to, Minister Owen?
Narration
Sensing the sarcasm in what she said, i smile.
Owen
These are only my duty. The music festival has its fair share of issues that need to be resolved.
I’m only doing my part to lessen your burden, Your Highness. Now, if you will excuse me.
Narration
Lilith stands up from the sofa and shakes my hand—like an elegant swam spreading its wings.
Lilith
I shall leave you to attend to your business, then. I’m counting on you to make the music festival a memorable one.
Narration
On her way out, Queen Lilith passes by a staffer.
Lilith spares not even a second of attention on him and steps right through the door as he steps aside politely for her to pass.
I return to my sofa and pour myself a cup of it as I gesture for the staffer to speak.
Owen
Yes?
Staffer
Sir, we have just received an official letter from Pigeon, and I’ve brought it here for it to go through you first, as per your request.
Narration
In preparation for the music festival, both Ninir and Pigeon have seen an increase in mail exchange.
Pigeon’s official letters always come with all sorts of stamps. I open the letter and skip straight to the main body of the letter’s content.
Owen
...
Has the authenticity of this official letter been verified?
Narration
After reading the letter several times, I look over at the staffer. He seems polite, and nothing seems out of the ordinary about him.
Staffer
Yes, upon careful verification, I believe the official letter has indeed been sent out from Pigeon.
Owen
Hahahaha! Let’s just see what Lilith is going to say about the music festival now that Pigeon is calling it quits!
Narration
I gesture for the staffer to leave. I only retire to bed feeling satisfied after reading the official letter a few more times.
[end transcript]

## Chapter 3: Trade Off

Colleague
Vanor, we have another official letter from Pigeon.
Narration
Rubbing my temple, I fix the official letter—or a recipe for disaster, to be exact—sitting on my table with a frightened stare.
Colleague
And just exactly why do we need to be caught up in this little drama between the Queen and Minister Owen?
Narration
He starts his routine complaint session as he gets ready to leave.
Colleague
Minister Owen wants “everything to go through him first”. The Queen wants “to personally receive all updates about the music festival”. This is driving me nuts.
The tricky thing about official letters sent from foreign countries is that they only come in one copy. Who are we supposed to show the letter to first?
Just when I thought this dead-end job couldn’t get any worse. Well, I guess I’ll leave it to you, then.
I need to go now to celebrate my daughter’s birthday!
Narration
... Yeah, saw that coming. I wave my hand as I see him walking out of the office, and then look back down at the bomb of a letter.
I’ve seen a few dozen official letters coming from Pigeon ever since Ninir and Pigeon decided to go ahead with the music festival.
I’ve grown so familiar with their official stamps that I can just look at an official stamp and tell which specific institution in Pigeon sent the letter to us.
This letter doesn’t seem different from those from before.
I pick up the letter and examine the stamp on it a few times under the office’s lights.
Vanor
...
But I guess I’ll just bring it to Minister Owen. Not a good idea to disobey your superior.
[Screen fades to black, transitions to outside Minister Owen’s residence at night]

Narration
The Queen’s carriage is parked quietly beside Minister Owen’s well-lit residence.
Right when I’ve set foot inside Minister Owen’s residence, I see Queen Lilith coming my way.
[Screen fades to white, transitions to a classical monochrome parlor]

Vanor
Good evening, Your Highness.
Narration
I step aside as I greet her, but the Queen passes by me without saying a word—her face absolutely emotionless and her aura cold.
She probably had a quarrel with Minister Owen.
I look up at Minister Owen as I try to guess what just happened. Unlike the Queen, he seems at ease, making it impossible for anyone to guess at his mood.
When the Queen has disappeared at the end of the hallway, Minister Owen waves at me, apparently recalling that I am here.
Minister Owen
Yes?
Vanor
Sir, we have just received an official letter from Pigeon, and I’ve brought it here for it to go through you first, as per your request.
Narration
I hand him the letter with both hands and see him flip it over to the backside. Without using a letter knife, he tears the envelope open unceremoniously.
What it says in the letter seems to have taken him by surprise—he reads it back and forth a few times, and asks me if the official letter is authentic.
Vanor
Yes, upon careful verification, I believe the official letter has indeed been sent out from Pigeon.
Narration
I answer him respectfully, sounding humble and natural.
Minister Owen
Hahahaha! Let’s just see what Lilith is going to say about the music festival now that Pigeon is calling it quits!
Narration
Relishing the moment, Minister Owen gestures for me to leave as he lowers his head again to peruse the letter. He never said a word of thanks.
Vanor
Certainly, Sir.
Narration
For the past few months, I’ve always come straight to Minister Owen’s residence to deliver Pigeon’s letters whenever we’ve received one.
He, however, has never once asked me for my name. He wouldn’t recognize me even if he saw me down the street.
Before I close the parlor’s door, I see him looking at the official letter with such a broad smile on his face as if he’s looking at some sort of gems.
[Screen fades to black, transitions to a purple, iron wrought window (Brilliant Night BG)]

Narration
Right around the corner of the hallway, I see Queen Lilith standing quietly by the French window.
Her depression and unhappiness have disappeared. Her face, shining brighter even than the moon, is to die for.
Lilith
Vanor, well done. He didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary, no?
Vanor
No. I went over the letter several times to ensure it was free of anything suspicions[*sic*].
Narration
The Queen’s smile deepened.
Player Selection
▸ You and Lilith know each other?
[Player]
So you and Lilith know each other? Did she ask you to deliver the letters?
Vanor
It’s my honor to be of service to Queen Lilith.
Narration
My colleague was right about our job being a dead-end job, and I was ready to spend the rest of my life organizing files here.
Which was why I didn’t even hesitate for a single second when Minister Fidel approached me and told me that they needed me for the Queen’s plan.
Lilith
Your loyalty shall be rewarded properly. Pay me a visit at my office after the music festival—you will be informed of the details of your new position then.
Narration
In her sweet voice, the Queen presents me an offer I can not refuse.
[Screen fades to black, transitions to outside Minister Owen’s residence at night]

Narration
When I set foot outside the residence, I turn back to look at the magnificent building one last time.
In no time, I will be able to say goodbye to days like this—days where I am treated like I don’t matter.
[end transcript]

## Chapter 4: Reversal

Narration
It is already midnight, but the music fountain in the garden returns to life once again with a rainbow of color-changing lights and crystal melody.
Grafted from Pigeon, a rare white Camellia blooms for the first time tonight with its dense, layered petals.
The flower’s mild fragrance fills the air in the colorful mist.
I lean against a fence by the garden as I play with the music box in my hand and hum a nursery rhyme.
Fidel
It seems like your plan is working out just fine, Your Highness.
Lilith
Of course, just look at him indulging in the good news. Let’s just leave him as he is for just a few more days.
And the insider you’ve found is a smart one. Well done.
[Screen fades to black, transitions to a starry sky]

Narration
I look up at the sky and see the stars flickering in the night fog against a graphite-colored backdrop, looking as through this moment were their last.
The old fool is now neck-deep in the dream I’ve fabricated for him—a thought that has brightened up my day.
[Screen fades to black, transitions to a long elegant hall in Ninir Palace]

Fidel
It seems like you’re enjoying a happy moment there, Your Highness.
Lilith
Say, how long is it going to take him to find out that those official letters are fake?
I sure hope it won’t take him forever, because I can’t wait to see his face when he does.
Fidel
Owen wasn’t a completely dense man to begin with, but I guess all these years of swimming in flattery have worn him out.
Lilith
It probably never hit him that he would ever lose his people to me.
[Player]
But how did you win over Vanor?
Lilith
I just gave him what he wanted.
I saw him working away in the archive room day after day, knowing that no one would remember his name…
He wanted more, and I was the only one who knew that.
No one can resist what they desire and no one… can resist me.
Narration
When I stop turning the knob on the music box, the figurine in the swan dress starts dancing again tirelessly.
It’s a poorly-made defective item that can’t be expected to last for too long, but I still carry it around with me all the time.
[Player]
And why do you do that?
Lilith
Because I have what it needs to shine—because I alone dictate its fate.
Narration
Another sleepless night at the royal palace. What a wonderful night! Everything is going according to my wish.
But this isn’t enough. It’s far from enough…
Lilith
Love alone isn’t enough. Come and show me every last bit of your loyalty, and follow me through the end of eternity.
[end transcript]