princess maker - Taisho Roman Revolution

[idolpro]

[ When you insert the key and open the door, you'll find the room inside looks like the living room of a mansion. There are several doors, but one in particular stands out to you: it is ornately decorated, the very door's wood itself carved beautifully with gold etched in to make luxurious patterns depicting what looks like the sky and the wind blowing through the grasslands. Though the door is closed, you can see through it—as if it's somewhat transparent.

The room is painted baby blue and a gold-plated cradle sits in the room. Inside, a baby cries - high pitched and noisy, though immediately a nurse comes in to rock the child back to sleep. ]

-

[ Slowly, the scene changes, fading in and out with various silent scenes—the baby sits up, trying to climb out of her cradle; a little toddler dressed prettily with expensive clothes beams pleasantly; a tantrum, thrown by the little girl who's distressed; the little girl holding a puppy, pleased as punch; then the wall becomes opaque. ]

[ In the middle of the open doorway, a young girl the age of 10 sits on a chair, smiling at you. a golden retriever is curled up beside her.

This is your little girl. you couldn't help spoiling her, honestly - after all, she's a noble too, and she should like to become a princess as well. She deserves it! But you also know, with how your history's gone, she's going to have to work to get to the top. Still, you have faith in her - she's your girl, after all. ]

Comments

2

[idolpro]

You get a knock on the door while Samira's out in her workshop. She's being offered a sponsorship! If you accept, she'll begin an apprenticeship in the Capital, working for the royal family. It's a prestigious position -- if she's good enough, which she will be, she may even grow to be the kingdom's chief artisan!

But that might cause her to miss out on her chance to become a princess. After all, if she's stuck in an apprenticeship, she can hardly attend the festival.

Notably though, it seems a rather important noble took notice of her behaviour at last month's Plague Bearer party. This is something the messenger subtly mentions, alongside the implication that 'no' isn't really an acceptable answer in this situation. The royals, they tell you, would very much like to keep an eye on your daughter's growth as a craftsman and artist.

What do you do?

DECISION

[idolpro]

Re: DECISION

[sonof]

Samira accepts the apprenticeship, under the condition that she will still attend festivals and spend time with her family as she likes.

Re: DECISION

[idolpro]

The condition of spending time with her family isn't accepted, and the festival condition only tentatively -- it seems that this is effectively the royal family holding her as a hostage, but she accepts the apprenticeship regardless. They won't stop her, after all.

At least, she thinks she's confident of that.

DISCUSSION

[idolpro]

Re: DISCUSSION

[sonof]

Well, I'll be frank. This is quite a bit worse than I was expecting.

Re: DISCUSSION

[rollplayinghouse]

I was expecting it to be pretty bad, but... yeah.

Re: DISCUSSION

[sonof]

We should take the apprenticeship.

Re: DISCUSSION

[rollplayinghouse]

Mm. I don't think we can turn it down. She'd be in too much danger.

Re: DISCUSSION

[sonof]

Better for us to be in the capital to assess the attitudes there, anyway.

Re: DISCUSSION

[rollplayinghouse]

Yes, we should move to the capital along with her to keep an eye on her as much as we can.

Getting close to the royal family could be useful... in one way or another. But she'll need to be careful and patient.

[and we have not been raising a spy]

Re: DISCUSSION

[sonof]

Mm. She knows to be cautious of others, but perhaps too much so, as it is.

Re: DISCUSSION

[artisticliberty]

This is... a conspiracy?!

Re: DISCUSSION

[bluerosestyle]

...W-Was that a threat?

Re: DISCUSSION

[syncintohell]

It very much sounded like one.

Re: DISCUSSION

[bluerosestyle]

. . . I wonder how she'll feel about an apprenticeship. Shouldn't we ask her...?

Re: DISCUSSION

[syncintohell]

If she knows she is threatened, there is a possibility she will refuse out of spite rather than any other personal feelings on the matter. Would you support her if her decision is to martyr herself?

Re: DISCUSSION

[sonof]

No, I wouldn't.

Re: DISCUSSION

[syncintohell]

Somehow you were not the party I expected to object to such behavior.

[ is that a dig ]

Do you approve of telling her the situation she is in?

Re: DISCUSSION

[sonof]

You aren't a ten year old girl.

[ Idk but that was. ]

We can tell her about the apprenticeship, and explain that our position would be given an advantage by being at the capital, but that our movements there are likely to be far more limited.

Re: DISCUSSION

[rollplayinghouse]

No, that's stupid. Even if we tell her, it will have to be to convince her that it's the only choice.

Re: DISCUSSION

[syncintohell]

In other words, if she will approve of it without being told the truth you see no reason as to tell her.

Re: DISCUSSION

[rollplayinghouse]

I didn't say that. But I'm not letting her make a dumb decision and get herself killed. She's a child.

Re: DISCUSSION

[bluerosestyle]

She might not want to be a princess or work for the court anymore after hearing about this... but this is an important decision, and it's her life. Shouldn't she be told?

I've messed up a lot of this, so I really don't... know what's best.

Re: DISCUSSION

[syncintohell]

The issue is are you fine with letting her die for her refusal. Be fully aware of what the consequences may be before making your decision.