Scenario:Constance - A Very Lost Queen

A Very Lost Queen

Recently, Constance's days at Sharom Island's castle are lively yet steady thanks to her duties as ruler and the kitten she has taken in. But after it escapes one day, the pursuit leads her to mistakenly board an airship bound for parts unknown.

---

"Sharom—a treacherous domain overflowing with fearsome monsters."

"Towering over the island is the castle of a dreaded ruler said to terrorize all who visit..."

Claudia: That's how it was described in the travel brochure for the sightseeing ship we finally managed to attract.

Dorothy: Ugh, that's terrible for our image! They're making it sound like a horror attraction!

Claudia: Brand strategy will have to be addressed later.

Claudia: At the very least, I hope people come to know that this is a peaceful island...

Constance: Aww, you're too cute for words, kitty! Come over here! Mrow!

Kitten: Meow.

Constance: Hm? What is it? Do you want to play? Meow, meow!

The Two: ...

Dorothy: That wouldn't take long if we could show them this.

Claudia: I agree.

In truth, the monster capital Sharom is a peaceful nation ruled by Queen Constance where gentle monsters reside.

On a past Halloween, she took in a kitten entrusted to her by Wilnas of the Six Dragons.

Ever since then, with help from the maids, she has diligently cared for it whenever her duties allow.

Salria: Queen Constance, I brought the kitty's food!

Constance: Why, thank you so much, Salria!

A relative of Ezecrain, Salria began working on Sharom Island as a maid-in-training after the amethyst incident.

Dorothy: Salria, you're really starting to look the part of a maid now!

Salria: R-really? Compared to you two, I still have a long way to go...

Claudia: On the contrary—your composure while serving just now showed great promise.

Claudia: And in time, you shall grow into a full-fledged maid worthy of that uniform. Hee-hee, I very much look forward to it.

Salria: A full-fledged maid... I'll do my best to become one as soon as possible!

Constance: I know I keep saying this, but please don't overdo it, Salria.

Salria: This is nothing at all! I do this because I want to!

Salria: And it makes me happy when those I serve are pleased.

The Two: I understand.
I know the feeling!

Constance: (Somehow, Salria seems to be on a slightly different wavelength than Dorothy and Claudia...)

Claudia: By the by, Queen Constance, caring for the cat is all well and good, but please spare some concern for your own health.

Claudia: You've been staying in more lately, which means a lack of exercise.

Constance: Huh? What do you mean by—

Dorothy: Specifically, we're seeing a bit too much softness around your waist!

Constance: Hyaaah!

Constance: Hwaah... P-please don't pinch me!

Dorothy: Mmm, this simply won't do. A most unacceptable tummy!

Dorothy: You're a bespectacled crybaby queen with squishy traits—talk about spoiled for fun quirks!

Claudia: We'll need to devise a dieting plan to replace your runaway habits.

Constance: Hngh... How cruel... This is too much...

Salria: Queen Constance... Do you really run away that often?

Dorothy: Oh yes, absolutely! She's spent more time running away from the castle than she has inside of it!

Constance: I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry!

Claudia: Jokes aside, our queen's increased presence in the castle as of late is most reassuring.

Claudia: I doubt the cat alone is the reason. Has something else changed for you?

Constance: Well, um...

Constance shifts shyly, then straightens her posture.

Constance: After the amethyst incident and speaking with Lady Heles on Alster Island, I've been giving my own situation some thought...

Constance: The monsters of this nation are kind and gentle, but for them to live peacefully, they still need a place to belong.

Constance: Like it or not, I am the queen until the next ruler is chosen... so I felt I had to do better. For everyone's sake...

The Three: ...

Constance: Um... why does it feel like the mood just changed? Did I say something strange again?

Dorothy: No, no! We were just so moved by how much you've grown that we froze!

Claudia: Queen Constance speaking like a true ruler... Is this... a dream?

Constance: I-is it really such a big deal?

Salria: How admirable, Queen Constance!

Dorothy: Uooogh! My desire to serve is overflowing!

Dorothy: I feel like I could even tackle the mountain of paperwork we've been putting off!

Salria: You mean in the archives? I'll help too!

Claudia: No, Salria. You are still a normal girl, and not quite a proper maid...

Claudia: That workload would be... prematurely lethal.

Dorothy: Leave that to us! Please take care of Queen Constance in the meanwhile instead!

Fired up with maidly spirit, the two rush off like the wind, leaving Salria staring after them with shining eyes.

Salria: A-amazing!

Salria: I'll go make fresh tea! Since they entrusted this to me, I'll brew it as best as I can!

Constance: Haha... This castle has grown quite lively.

Kitten: Myow.

Constance: Oh? You want to sit by the window? In the mood for sunbathing?

Kitten: Meow!

Constance: Oh my—slipping out through the window gap? How nimble!

Constance: ...

Constance: Ah!

Now on the other side of the window, the kitten sprints away—

Constance: Oh, n-no... W-w-w-w...

Constance: Waaaait!

Kitten: Merow!

Constance: Wait!

Constance: Hrgh... Wait for me!

Monster 1: Gyaos. (Oh, it's the queen.)

Monster 2: Kyee! (Screaming as dramatically as ever, I see.)

Monster 3: Ki-ki... (No attendants? That way leads to the docks.)

Constance: Pant... Wheeze... I finally caught you...

After chasing it for some time, Constance finally corners the kitten in a dead end.

Constance: You're not hurt... Thank goodness. Come on, let's go back to the castle.

Constance: Wait a second... Are we in...

Constance: The cargo hold of an airship?

Broadcast: Attention, please.

Constance: Eep!

A cheerful bell rings as a broadcast echoes through the speaking tube.

Broadcast: Thank you for choosing Bluebird Sightseeing today.

Broadcast: Did you enjoy today's tour, "Shocks and Thrills! Close Encounters of the Monstrous Kind," featuring the sights of monster capital Sharom?

Constance: Wh-what kind of a tour name is that? Our monsters aren't scary at all!

Broadcast: The vessel will be departing shortly. Please be aware that we will experience some minor turbulence.

Constance: W-wait, seriously? It's already moving!

Broadcast: Have a pleasant journey!

Constance: Aiiieee!

The airship carrying Constance disappears into the distance.