Ophelia: First Light of Dawn/Memory

Sunlight shines through the stained glass windows, lighting up the old court storeroom for the first time in a while.
Tiny particles of dust drift in the air as though they've just been woken from a deep dream.
Mary
What's this, Your Majesty?
Narration
Mary asks.
To her, the heavy, arabesque wooden chests, dusty mirrors, and carefully framed art were all new and exciting.
Mary is a human child, and the age of all the objects here exceeds any human's lifespan.
Mary
Is this it, Your Majesty?
Narration
Mary waves me over, whispering.
I follow her voice to the harp lying quietly in the corner under a delicate velvet sheet, of which Mary is lifting a corner.
Ophelia
I really found it...
Narration
The beautiful harp is exactly like I remember it.
Mary helps me move it outside, getting dust all over her dress.
The dust is so thick...so much time has passed.
Gently, I caress the harp strings.
Its voice has subdued, but as its sound lingers, I hear that familiar, faraway tone.
Ophelia
Please ask someone to move this out of storage and into my quarters.
Mary
Your Majesty, why don't you order the craftsmen to make a new harp instead of using this old one?
Ophelia
It's no ordinary harp. The Pigeon Art Festival is around the corner. I want it to make its comeback at the ceremony.
[Player]
The Pigeon Art Festival?
[Player]
The Pigeon Art Festival? What's that?
Ophelia
It used to be our Kingdom's special festival, but somehow, these days, people have lost interest in it.
Narration
Mary still seems confused, but nods, and drapes the velvet cover over the harp once more.
Mary
Wait, "comeback"? Has it appeared at the ceremony before?
Ophelia
Yes.
Narration
Back when the Art Festival was still an important event, this harp brought a miracle to the palace for everyone to see.
On that day, a musician played a sweet melody, and a beautiful bird from Pigeon Forest flew into the capital.
Its feathers were like an ethereal rainbow.
Following the music, it landed on the spire of the Church of Glory.
The crowds were buzzing. No one had ever seen this kind of bird.
It resembled a pigeon... yet its feathers were so beautiful.
The bird swooped down from the roof, bringing with it a beam of rainbow light.
That was when everyone noticed a four-leaf clover in its beak.
The priest said it was a holy pigeon, a mythic creature that only belonged in the legends.
It appeared the day the Kingdom was founded, following music and bringing a rainbow.
It left behind a four-leaf clover.
The priest raised the holy goblet in his hands and led the crowds in thanking the gods.
The priest said, it must have been a messenger of the gods, sent to commend the Kingdom's dedication to the arts.
Amidst the crowds' sincere gratitude, the holy pigeon circled endlessly in the skies.
Perhaps, if this harp is played again, the holy pigeon will appear once more and instill faith in the hearts of our people.
Perhaps at that time, the whole kingdom will be left breathless.
[end transcript]

### Chapter 2: That Year, That Feast

Narration
I remember it was my first time attending an Art Festival as an adult.
It was also my first time attending an import award ceremony with my father.
It was getting dark. In the banquet hall, the guests clinked glasses and discussed the performance of the day.
All the finest artists of the kingdom were in that palace banquet hall.
Of course, so were all the influential politicians.
I knew the second my father and I appeared, all eyes would be on us.
The palace corridor seemed especially long that day.
The moonlight shone through arched windows to cast perfectly arched shadows on the ground and walls.
Holding up the skirt of my dress, I walked and walked and walked down the never-ending corridor.
Finally, the doors to the banquet hall opened, and the bright, shining clamor enveloped us both.
Two lines of guards made a path for us, and I walked in behind my father, copying his every move.
Halfway through the banquet, the Duke sent a maid with a message.
Handmaiden
Your Highness will be bestowing awards upon the musicians at the ceremony later.
Ophelia
Why? That wasn't on the agenda.
Maid
The Duke believes it's time Your Highness attends certain ceremonies on His Majesty's behalf.
Don't worry, Your Highness will get used to it in no time. This will be your first step.
Ophelia
But I haven't made any preparations...
Narration
The maid slipped a note into my hand.
On it was the speech I'd be giving later.
The hall quieted as the host announced the start of the award ceremony.
I went over my lines one last time.
Dress hem in my hands, I walked up the stage, feeling a bit out of breath.
Perhaps Mary had tied my clothing too tight.
Or perhaps I was just nervous because it was my first time.
Ophelia
Thank you, gods, for giving the Pigeon Kingdom's people skills to create such moving art.
Thank you, gods, may Glory always be with us.
Narration
As I finished the opening speech, a melodious tune began to play.
Under the eyes of the crowd and the holy Glory that shines on the Kingdom, I held the olive crown out to the musician.
Ophelia
Esteemed musician, I am proud of you.
May the gods bless you.
May the Glory of Pigeon Kingdom always shine bright.
Narration
I saw my father nod in satisfaction offstage, and the crowd burst into applause.
The musician bowed deeply, his harp seeming especially holy under the chandelier light.
Is that musician the harp's owner?
[Player]
Is that musician the owner of the harp?
Narration
Yes. And it was his performance that summoned all the pigeons.
A bard once added lyrics to the most lighthearted section of his symphony.
That became the children's song "Good Morning, Clover."
Even today, it's still well-known in the Kingdom.
The musician told me that Pigeon Kingdom was the most perfect creation of the gods, just like the four-leaf clover.
I would've talked to him more, but the Duke had sent a maid to remind me that I should see him now that the ceremony was over.
Ophelia
Right now?
Narration
I wish to speak more to this musician; his opinions on beauty and art are very interesting-
Maid
Your Highness, you are the princess of Pigeon. You have more important affairs to attend to.
Narration
I had to obey the Duke's orders and bid the musician farewell.
The banquet was a bustling success.
But I no longer remembered who I spoke to or what was being said.
It's already been too long.
Many years have passed.
Pigeon Kingdom is more prosperous than ever, but our Art Festival has lost its grandeur.
[end transcript]

### Chapter 3: Snapped String

Narration
The wind of Pigeon Forest carries the fresh fragrance of the trees.
I see a shape like fluttering wings and open the window.
But it's not the holy dove, just children in the plaza, flying kites.
The light of the setting sun slants across the harp, silhouetting it in warm, intoxicating gold.
After some cleaning, the harp has been restored to its original state.
At the center of a clover on its surface is a tiny gem.
Mary has moved the harp to my quarters for me.
It sits in front of the French windows, basking in the Pigeon Kingdom sunshine.
At the Art festival this year, the voice of this harp will once again grace the Church of Glory.
I gently pluck at the strings, and that light, joyful song starts to flow forth from my fingertips.
Is it "Good Morning, Clover"?
[Player]
The light, joyful song... You mean Good Morning, Clover?
Ophelia
Yes, that one...
Narration
It's too bad... I don't remember the whole movement, just that one small part.
As I play on, the air seems to sway with the ripples of the music.
As the strings vibrate, all the beautiful things in the world come alive in this melody as it spills over into the blue sky.
"The holy dove carries a four-leaf clover, a miracle in the kingdom's skies..."
The sky remains empty.
No holy dove appears, not a single miracle happens.
But the song's beauty continues.
"Glory shines upon the kingdom's lands, all things beautiful will never..."
It's time for afternoon tea.
Mary carries a tray into the room silently, afraid to ruin the atmosphere.
But something unexpected happens- With a sound like a lamenting cry, the music halts.
A string has snapped, probably due to years of disuse.
Mary carefully makes her way around the broken string and places the tray next to me.
Mary
Your tea, Your Majesty.
Narration
Mary usually leaves without a word after setting down the tray, but she seems to have something to say today.
Ophelia
What is it?
Narration
She seems a bit torn.
Ophelia
No need to hold back in front of me.
Mary
The Duke says...concerning playing the harp on the ceremony... It's a matter for future discussion.
Narration
So it's just a euphemism for rejection.
Ophelia
What did he say?
Mary
He thinks, since the harp can summon holy doves, if someone plays it in the church at a ceremony, it will be controversial.
Ophelia
...
Mary
Your Majesty?
Ophelia
...It's fine. You can leave.
Narration
I end up not saying anything. perhaps he's right.
If the dove doesn't appear, the people might believe that the kingdom's Glory has faded.
If a dove does appear, the people will be reminded of the Pigeon Kingdom Art Festival's loss of and prestige from then to now.
Perhaps the string snapping is a sign from the gods, telling me to give up.
But... I glance at the harp.
The clover motif is like a tiny sapling, so full of hope, with so much potential for growth.
All things live, prosper and die.
Perhaps, like a little sprout, the arts in the kingdom will grow and shine once more.
And if the song of the harp attracts a holy dove, perhaps hope will also grow.
[end transcript]

### Chapter 4: Glory on the Flower Wand

Narration
In the large meeting hall, the Pigeon Kingdom nobles all confidently, and eloquently advocate for their ideas.
It's a sunny day.
The marble floor shines like a mirror.
From my position on the throne, the light reflecting from the ground hits my eyes, making it hard to see.
Unable to see their expressions, I can't tell what the nobles are thinking.
Duke A
Our kingdom no longer needs miracles; the people don't remember these things anymore.
The Art Festival has become a thing of the past.
Count B
It's not like the Art Festival is that important.
A grand ceremony is not needed, and the harp will only cause controversy.
Baron C
The owner of the harp is long dead, and his family is now obscure.
What will they think if we bring up his memory?
His family might demand acknowledgement, and even rewards.
A lot of factors are involved.
But aren't you the queen?
[Player]: But... aren't you the Queen? Your word should be law, right?

Ophelia
Perhaps it is because I have this position that I cannot just follow my desires.
Maybe try again?
[Player]
How about trying again to convince them?
Ophelia
I have. But they always say that I'm too young and immature to make these decisions.
Narration
A month passes. The harp with the broken string has been fixed and returned to my quarters.
It's as beautiful as before.
The clover is still like a tiny seedling; the gem at its center delicately exquisite.
It's a pity that the people of Pigeon will never get to hear this harp being played.
Mary
Your Majesty, Duke Darrell sent a flower scepter for you to use at the Art Festival ceremony.
Narration
I accept the scepter, this empty badge of office.
And I accept the nobles' power.
Duke Darrell says that our kingdom needs a queen to protect its Glory.
A beautiful, elegant ruler to act as symbol of its splendor.
The people don't need a queen to tell them that we have a seedling of hope, or that the kingdom will be rejuvenated.
All they need to know is that our Glory will not disappear; the kingdom's light is still bright and everlasting.
Mary
Please just use this scepter, Your Majesty.
Narration
Mary says this cautiously.
She doesn't want me to lose heart.
I simply nod.
Then I glance at the scepter.
It's extravagant, ornate, and-
And, at its top, there's a holy dove and a clover carved into it.
The clover... looks just like the one on the harp.
Ophelia
This...
Mary
Your Majesty seemed to really like the clover motif, so when the artisan asked me about Your Majesty's preferences, I...
Narration
Mary seems a bit nervous.
She made the decision without consulting me, after all.
Ophelia
I see. Thank you.
Narration
Mary sighs in relief and carefully puts the scepter away.
I caress the harp strings once again.
The melody of "Good Morning, Clover" fills the room once more.
May the clover bring us hope.
May the arts in the Kingdom prosper once more.
May Pigeon Kingdom regain the light it once had.
If the gods can hear my prayer, may the holy dove grace our skies once again.
The holy dove brings a clover
A miracle in the kingdom's skies
Glory blesses the lands of Pigeon Kingdom