Scenario:Alliah - The Previous King's Room

The Previous King's Room

Alliah and the castle attendants prepare the previous king's room for (Captain), who has been appointed as the new True King. As they sort through the previous king Tau'luk's strangely impersonal possessions, they find a single bottle of herbal liquor from Levin. That night, Alliah tries the liquor for herself as she thinks about her father.

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Alliah: Well then.

After many twists and turns, Alliah's father Tau'luk resigned from his position as True King.

Tossed left and right by the succession of the throne, Alliah had found herself trapped in a perplexing situation—however, things have changed since.

Alliah: Let us begin our preparations to welcome the new king.

Attendant: Very well, Lady Alliah.

Alliah has been preparing as calmly as possible for the arrival of (Captain), who has been appointed as the new king.

Alliah: First, we need to organize the former king's personal belongings. Aside from the books and notes, transfer everything to the storage.

Alliah: After that, prepare new cutlery, clothing, and bedding.

Alliah: Ideally, I want these items to be made in Phantagrande so they will be familiar to (Captain), but if the items are not readily available, arrange for them at a later time.

Alliah: We will be replacing everything before (Captain)'s arrival. Be advised, everyone.

Attendant: Understood, my lady.

At Alliah's words, the attendants begin their work. Alliah herself starts to sort through the former king's possessions.

Alliah: Notebooks and diaries... I suppose we can leave these.

Alliah: Scepter, crown, formal robes... We can leave the crown jewels for now, but the robes will need to be retailored.

Alliah: And then we have... underwear and socks... We're throwing all of these out.

Alliah rummages through every corner of the wardrobes and drawers, combing through the items one by one.

Alliah: ...

Alliah: (This room is uncanny, just like its previous owner. All his belongings are things related to his role as ruler... It's stifling in here.)

Alliah: (I would feel better if I found at least something like a love letter addressed to Mother. Not that I particularly want to see that either.)

Alliah: (I just... don't understand where that man put his emotions. I can't feel anything from this room...)

Alliah: (The warmth of that man as a person is... inexistent.)

Alliah: ...

Alliah: It's almost as if...

Attendant: Lady Alliah? Is something wrong?

Alliah: It's nothing...
For the toiletries, we'll choose suitable things for the new king later.

Attendant: Very well... Hm? Lady Alliah, look.

Alliah: Is that a bottle of... alcohol? Seems rather aged. It says it's an herbal liquor from Levin...

Alliah: I know of Levin's wine, but herbal liquor? I've never heard of anything like that...

Alliah: Why is a valuable—or rather, niche—item from a country we have no diplomatic relations with here?

Attendant: I do not recall the former king partaking in any alcohol during his meals. Could it be something he enjoyed in his personal time?

Alliah: ...

Attendant: What should we do with this bottle, Lady Alliah?

Alliah: I'll keep it for now.

Attendant: Very well, then I will have it brought to your room.

Alliah: Thank you.

That very night...

Alliah: ...

Alliah sits lost in thought, staring at the half-empty bottle of herbal liquor she found earlier in the king's room.

Alliah: What in the skies is this... I don't understand at all.

Alliah: This was the one personal touch in a room otherwise devoid of personality.

She pours a little of the dark brown liquor into a glass, swirling it around before putting it to her lips.

Alliah: Ngh... It's so strong...

A unique fragrance fills her senses, a warm sensation traveling from her mouth to her throat, and finally down to her chest.

Alliah: Did that man drink this all by himself? Did he actually... enjoy his time in this way?

Alliah: He was someone who had everything perfectly under control—even matters concerning his family or himself.

Alliah: The man readily let go of the throne and forced it upon (Captain), who is still of tender age.

Alliah: He even devised a plan knowing I would step in and lend my support. That was the type of person he was—and yet...

Alliah: He would drink something fragrant like this quietly in his own room...

Alliah: ...

Alliah: Look at me, reminiscing while holding onto the possessions of someone no longer here...

Alliah: It's as if I'm going through possessions after a funeral.

A wave of emotions washes over Alliah as an image of her father appears in her mind.

Alliah: Are all of these reservations inside me also part of that man's plan?

Alliah: I just don't know.

Alliah: ...

As the hour grows later and later, Alliah finds herself unable to stop gazing at the dark liquid within her glass.

Her only company, the light from a nearby candlestick, flickers in quiet sympathy.