Dinner Time

"Ugh, I'm exhausted," Alice groans as she flops back onto her bed. The sun was sinking beneath the horizon, coloring the whole sky orange. Today was merely the first day on her journey, and already she was seriously feeling the ache. Her feet and ankles were sore, her back was knackered, and she just wanted to close her eyes and rest. Unfortunately, there was still dinner to worry about. Luckily, ever since her father fell ill, there hasn't been much family dinners happening. With Jamis out of the kingdom still and Blake no doubt fucking around somewhere, she and Del felt no need to dine together, so Kathy always just brought her a meal upstairs inside her room, where the two of them dined together in peace. {if Kuro Steal = True}On her desk, Alice notices her favorite quill was gone. How peculiar... Unless... It seems the assassin really was as good as he claims to be, because not a single guard mentioned seeing anyone today. {endif}

"But you did good work today," Katherine says, placing the food down on her table. The chef was immaculate as always, and Alice had no complaints as she wolfs down the meal, putting on a savage display that would probably stun her many suitors. "Got plenty done, so take a well deserved break, Alice."

"Yeah, hectic day today. I'm gathering my allies, accumulating gold, and trying to beat the clock, {if Cassian Check 1 = true}and I heard from Blake that my father's not doing great. He's fighting, but the end is in sight,.{endif}Alice says, taking a sip of her soup. "Between the army, the church, and the merchants, I need to prioritize which faction I can get under my control, and quickly.{if Orb = true} I've also picked up this orb thing today, not sure what it does just yet, but I'm gonna try to look into it tomorrow.{endif}"

{if Assassin = True}"How about the assassin?" Kathy asks curiously. "Did you manage to find him?"

"Yeah, and I've got him going through a test right now, so we'll know soon enough if he's real," Alice replies. {if Kuro Steal = True}"Though, judging from my missing quill... I've got a good feeling."{endif}{endif}

The sun sets beyond the horizon, and the castle is draped in moonlight. The curtains fall on the first day of the princess' journey, but there's much more to come. She glances out the window, seeing the city beneath her, and envisioning herself as the ruler of it all. Sometimes, despite her ambitions, it was difficult for Alice to imagine. Right now, she has only two subordinates, and the thought of running an entire kingdom is more than a little daunting. But even so, she knows she must succeed.

{if Maps = True}{if Alice and Kathy Travels = True}"Oh, and don't forget we'll need to be prepared for tomorrow," Alice replies. "Tomorrow, we're are going bandit hunting."

"...Bandit hunting," Katherine repeats, her arm frozen in the air, halfway between the plate and her mouth. "Care to elaborate?"

"We help the southern garrison hunt down the bandits, recruit some loyalists or some bandits who can be controlled, and we parade home in success," Alice answers smugly. "Don't worry, Finley's coming too, so we won't be in danger."

"If you say so," Katherine shrugs. "You know I won't question you when it comes to those sorts of decisions.

"Hehe, I appreciate that my friend," Alice replies. "This is why you're the best."

{elseif Bandits = True}"Oh, and don't forget we'll need to be prepared for tomorrow," Alice replies. "Tomorrow, we're are going bandit hunting."

"...Bandit hunting," Katherine repeats, her arm frozen in the air, halfway between the plate and her mouth. "Care to elaborate?"

"We help the southern garrison hunt down the bandits, recruit some loyalists or some bandits who can be controlled, and we parade home in success," Alice answers smugly. "Don't worry, we're going with the merchants and their hired swords, so we won't be in danger."

"If you say so," Katherine shrugs. "You know I won't question you when it comes to those sorts of decisions.

"Hehe, I appreciate that my friend," Alice replies. "This is why you're the best."

{elseif Merchant's Shop = True}"Oh yeah, I've got access to the merchants' stash now, so hopefully there'll be some stuff that can turn the tides," Alice says.

"Oh, so the rumors were true? I thought you weren't sure," Kathy asks curiously. "How did you find out about it?"

"I didn't, it was just a bluff," Alice admits. "But I knew it was true as soon as it left my mouth, judging from the reaction I got."

"Smart girl, now that's good thinking," Kathy replies with a grin. "I expect nothing less from you."

"Hehe, I appreciate that my friend," Alice replies. "This is why you're the best." {endif}{endif}

{if General Kurtis Rep = 80}"And what of our friend, the general?" Katherine continues. "Have you managed to earn his trust?"

"All that and more, with my words and my mouth," Alice replies with a grin. "You should've seen his face when he came!"

"Oh? Someone had fun I see," Katherine teases, and Alice blushes in response. "Where'd my chaste maiden go? Seems my little Alice is growing up now."

"Well, I guess I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it..." Alice murmurs. "Besides, it's good practice, isn't it?"

"Oh, so you intend to do this again," Katherine teases. "You belong in the history books with the other seductresses!{endif}

{if General Kurtis Rep = 65}"And what of our friend, the general?" Katherine continues. "Have you managed to earn his trust?"

"Yep, I've gotten him to give me some gold so that I can sway some of Del's people onto Jamis' side," Alice says confidently. "Obviously...

"...You're not going to do that," Katherine finishes. "Smart, playing both sides like that."{endif}

"Alright, that's enough talk. My head's gonna explode," Alice complains after finishing her meal, watching as Kathy took away the empty dishes with a dexterous hand. "I think I'm gonna head to bed."

"Good, you'll need the rest," Katherine replies. "Good night Alice, and sweet dreams."

With that, the maid leaves the room, closing the door. With a click, Alice locks it behind her. Stripping out of her clothes, the princess blows out the candles before sliding beneath the covers of her bed. Summer was coming, and it was getting warmer, it seems. Soon, the sun will be out longer, and the nights shorter. There were many things on her mind, and soon, she slips into an uneasy sleep...

Another doozy of a connecting chapter. Unfortunately, I couldn't involve every variable because it'll break the text, so I added mentions for the biggest events. As always, if you see something wrong, just let me know and I'll try to fix it ASAP.