Swan Lake: 1-13 Their Past

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The wedding is drawing near, and Audwin visits me every night. Tonight, he tells me a story...

Info

• Style:
• Required: Blooming Dance, Audwin Goodwill Lv. 5
• Recommended: Floral Interlude, Blooming Dance, Shades of Melody, Budding Wisteria, Wisteria Capriccio, Wishful Sonata
• Perfect Score: ~6,675
• Rewards: 3,000 , 3 Reader's Coupons, Blueprint: Beautiful Afternoon, 1 Gift Material, 1 Crafting Material

Dialogue Choices

Note: Changing choices when replaying will cost 5

Audwin: He is the sole winner in this game of life, don't you agree?

• Remain silent
  • No change
• Chat with him
  • Audwin's Goodwill will rise

Transcript

Roslin: Signy, it's almost time for dinner. Why don't you take a break?

You: Ms. Roslin, I'm not tired yet. I must complete these official duties by today.

Roslin: Oh my, you're acting more like a Crown Princess with each passing day.

You: Really? That's what Uncle Arthur told me as well. Seems like I'm getting the hang of it.

Roslin: I must be difficult for you, Signy.

You: I don't find it difficult, Ms. Roslin. In fact, it only serves to remind me how remarkable my father was. But now, he's...

(Father collapsed from an asthma attack last night. The entire castle has been in a massive state of panic since then. The physician has stated that Father must focus on his rehabilitation, or his condition may get even worse. Father has never looked so frail before. He looks as though he may leave me at any moment...)

Roslin: Don't be afraid, child. His Majesty will be fine. He won't leave us just yet. We...we'll look after His Majesty.

You: Ms. Roslin, I'm thinking...All of this wouldn't have happened if I hadn't been so playful in the past. And Father wouldn't have fallen sick....

Roslin: This isn't your fault, Signy. You've done well, and His Majesty has always been proud of you. Everyone knows that you've been learning how to handle state affairs from the Chief Minister. You've won our approval, my future Queen.

You: Thank you, Ms. Roslin, for taking care of my Father and me.

Roslin: Signy, there's no need to be so formal around me.

You: I understand. We'll always be close to one another. Oh yes, Ms. Roslin. Were you trying to tell me something earlier?

Roslin:...Yes. Signy, your wedding gown has arrived.

You: Oh...I don't even want to look at it.

(I'll never acknowledge the wedding, yet I have no choice but to go through with it. The banquet hall, wedding gown, guests of honor...Anything and everything related to the wedding frustrate me so.)

Roslin: I know how you feel, Signy. I'm sorry for letting you sacrifice yourself.

You: It's fine, Ms Roslin. I'm mentally prepared.

(I must protect my country, and all that I hold dear, at any cost.)

Audwin: Oh my darling bride-to-be, you're finally back. I'm tired of waiting

You: You really don't have to, I'd prefer not to waste my time with you.

Audwin: I know our wedding is important, but you don't have to tire yourself out for it.

You: I'm indeed tired. Since you've already seen me, you should leave now.

(Audwin has been visiting my room every evening to bother me with disturbing and intrusive comments. I can't drive this man away, I don't wish to plunge the castle into chaos again. All I can do is ignore him.)

Audwin: Don't be so cold to me, Signy. We're about to be wedded, and you can't escape my grasp. So--

(Suddenly, he leans close to my ear, I can almost feel his icy lips. Instinctively, I try to shrink backwards, but find myself frozen in place.)

Aldous: Signy isn't your wife yet. Please show her some respect! Don't you dare take liberties with Signy, even if she's agreed to marry you!

Audwin: Ha, look at our ''dignified'', useless prince. He does have an attitude, doesn't he? I believe I've warned you about intruding on us. Are you itching for another curse?

You: Audwin!

Audwin: Ha, are you jealous of me, Aldous? Just admit it already, you're nothing compared to me. Threatening me with that ''princely'' title of yours? How laughable.

Aldous: I'm no longer a prince, but I'm still Signy's friend. I'm no longer a prince, but I'm still Signy's friend. I'm not afraid of you or your dumb curses. If you insist on hurting Signy, I swear I'll take you down with me.

Audwin: What do you mean? You think you can defy me?

Aldous: You should know the real reason why Signy agreed to marry you

Audwin: I don't care how, she will be my wife soon enough. Don't you worry, I wouldn't dream of hurting my precious bride, as long as-- You stay out of my sight.

Aldous: I'll leave now. You'd better keep your promise.

(Aldous leaves the room, but I know he'll stand guard outside. He'll always protect me, I know.)

Audwin: Finally got rid of the bother, no one will disturb us now. Signy, shall I tell you a story.

You: May I refuse?

Audwin: Of course you can't

You: But I'm not interested! You and your magic, pets, curses, I don't want to hear about any of them! I'm a regular being; a normal, average girl! I don't need to know all this!

Audwin: You don't like those? It's okay, I'll tell you some other stories.

(This again. He doesn't care if I throw a tantrum or ask politely, he simply continues to act and speak as he likes. He doesn't care if I hate it or not, and never gets angry at me. Is he trying to manipulate me, or is he just seeking companionship?)

Audwin: Since you didn't like the crow story, I'll tell you the story of a boy instead. Once upon a time, in a beautiful, ancient kingdom far, far away. There lived a little boy, locked away in a tall tower. He yearned to see the world, but was never allowed to leave his prison. All he could do was to try catching a glimpse of the scenery outside through a tiny air hole. But what purpose would that serve? The tower, which served as his prison, was built on deserted land. What else could there be on a wasteland? Wilted trees and thorny brambles? Wventually, the boy stopped trying to peek outside; the lifeless surroundings weren't any better than the darkness within the tower.

(Audwin's eyes and voice are void of emotion, as if he's talking about an insignificant person. He doesn't come closer to me, but sits beside a window, gazing at the bleak night skies through a tiny crack.)

Audwin: Fortunately, the little boy's fortune took a turn for the better shortly after his seventh birthday. He found his first and only friend in the form of an intimidating wizard who appeared out of nowhere. Can you even imagine that? Through the tiny air hole, the boy learned powerful magic from the wizard. He finally found a sense of purpose in his life. The kingdom eventually collapsed, and the boy was finally allowed to leave the tower. But what stood before him was nothing more than just ruins and rubble. Yet he couldn't care less; he had new ideals to pursue. He refused to waste any time reminiscing about his past. All who stood against him suffered their retributions. He is the sole winner in this game of life, don't you agree?

You: Why was the little boy locked away in the tower?

Audwin: So you're finally interested in my story? You wish to know why he was incarcerated? It was curse. A malicious, cruel curse. He was merely a newborn baby, and couldn't possibly harm a single soul, but his cowardly parents abandoned him without a thought.

You: Abandoning... a newborn? That's too cruel...

Audwin: Signy, do you understand now? Humans are truly pretentious and despicable beings.

You: He must be so lonely.

Audwin: Unfortunately, no. He was powerful beyond belief, and could do whatever he wished.

You: It's not his fault that he was abandoned by his parents. The evil wizard taught him powerful magic, but failed to guide him onto the path of righteousness. If I could, I would gladly be his friend. I'll help him walk out of his past, and teach him how beautiful and lovely our world can be. Magic is more than just a tool of destruction.

Audwin: Such naivete.

(Audwin's story leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It is painfully obvious that the little boy in the story is Audwin himself. But I don't feel like saying it. No one would want to spend their life trapped in darkness. After a moment of awkward silence, Audwin morphs into an owl and flies off into the night sky.)

Roslin: Signy, you don't look good today. Did you not sleep well last night? Don't be too harsh on yourself.

You: I'm fine, Ms. Roslin. It was because...I was told a tragic story last night, and couldn't sleep because of it.

Roslin: Oh, you must monitor your moods. Stop reading such stories. The banquet is about to start. Please get changed quickly. I have to go see to the preparations now; It's going to be a long night.

You: Don't worry, I'll be fine.

Aldous: Oh Signy, you're gorgeous tonight.

You: Thank you.

(My wedding draws ever closer. Out of coutesy, the Chief Minister invites many distinguished princes and nobles to the castle for a banquet dinner.)

Aldous:...The banquet dinner won't be starting anytime soon. We can stay here for a while longer. Shall I tell you a story then?

You: You too?

Aldous: There are others waiting to tell you their stories too?

You: Yes...But I'm genuinely curious about your story.

Aldous: Haha, my story isn't very interesting though. I was just a normal prince before I was cursed. I was even naughtier than you were. I often climbed and hid in trees all night.

You: Haha, I wouldn't have dared to do that. Ms. Roslin would punish me with extra assignments. I'm too afraid of that!

Aldous: My tutor was a dignified and stern lady. She complained to my father on many occasions, but I was never punished for it.

You: But why did you do that?

Aldous: My parents often made up excuses to leave me at home while they went on vacations. I was very upset with them.

You: So you tried to voice your unhappiness by being mischievous?

Aldous: Yes...I wanted to show them how it feels when someone you love dearly disappears. They knew how I felt, and never punished me. It gradually turned into a family game between us. They would scour the entire castle to find out which tree I was hiding in, bring me down, and take me on their trips.

You: Haha, you're so childish!

(Unlike Audwin, who grew up in darkness, Aldous' childhood was basked in radiance.)

You: What a wonderfull life it was...

Aldous: Believe me, Signy. You deseve a beautiful life, like wah I had with my parents.

You:...Yes

Ambrose: My beautiful Princess, I'm reluctant to say this, but I'd like to congratulate you on your marriage.

Herman: Oh, only Heaven knows how i feel now! I truly believed I had a chance at winning your hand in marriage! Still, you have my blessings, Princess Signy.

Honore: Signy, there's still time to reconsider your marriage. Regardless, I'll respect your decision, no matter what it is.

Raymond: Oh, stop bothering her with your meaningless chatter! Princess Signy, our future Queen-- We'll do our utmost to have a magnificent wedding banquet in your honor!

You: Thank you, everyone.

(Everyone seems to be in a mood for celebration. And this is my last night as a maiden Princess. When unknowing guests gave me their sincere well-wishes, it was dreadfully stifling. Right now, I just want to escape from it all.)