The curtain rises.
(Beneath a palace dome traced with liquid gold, sunlight filtered through stained glass casts dappled patterns upon the marble floor.)
(Eden, draped in a royal robe embroidered with golden roses, reclines on a velvet-draped throne. Her wine-red hair cascades like a waterfall, the ends adorned with tiny, shimmering crystals that tremble with each breath.)
(Vya, wearing a petite pearl crown with a pink bow nestled in her snowy curls, clutches a leather-bound, gold-embossed picture book, reading aloud in a milky, childish voice—)
Vya: "Once upon a time, in a mysterious land kissed by the morning mist, there was a kingdom woven from song. Its people, whether bakers in coarse linen or nobles in silver crowns, loved art as dearly as their own lives…"
(She closes the book, her little patent leather shoes tapping a crisp rhythm on the floor as she runs to the throne and looks up, the lace trim of her skirt brushing against Eden's hanging sleeve.)
Vya: "Sister Eden! Look, why are the last few pages of the book empty? It's as if moonlight wiped them clean."
(Eden straightens on her throne, the crushed diamonds on her gown refracting flowing light. She reaches out and runs her fingers over the blank pages.)
Eden: "Perhaps a lazy poet grew weary of writing."
The gold leaf pasted at the corner of her eye glints as she smiles softly,
"After all, even sunlight takes a nap in the afternoon."
Vya: "Then let's finish it together, okay? Just like adding new patterns to a butterfly's wings!"
She tugs at Eden's sleeve, her crown tilting towards her ear.
(Eden bends to scoop her up. The train of the royal robe unfurls across the floor like a blooming wine-red rose.)
(Vya's little boots brush against the hem.)
Eden: "What does my little princess wish to write? Shall we have nightingales nest inside crystal chandeliers, or make the baker's oven sing lullabies?"
Vya: "I want to write that King Sister Eden sings every day! Your voice is as sweet as honey, as clear as a spring!"
(Eden's smile fades slightly. Her lashes lower, veiling a fleeting trace of melancholy in her eyes. Her gaze drifts to a newly restored mural in the corner of the palace, its paint still glossy and wet…)
Eden: "Perhaps… we should write a more grounded tale. Like the night a palace candle accidentally toppled onto the velvet curtains, and flames, like mischievous children, scampered down the corridors…"
Vya: "But everyone would surely work together to put it out!"
(Eden is amused by her answer, lightly tapping the tip of Vya's nose. Vya giggles, the pearls on her crown swaying with fragmented light.)
Eden: "According to you, even disaster turns sweet."
Suddenly, she murmurs a narration, her voice like the low hum of a cello—
'Yet at this moment, no one knows that King Eden saw dancing black notes within those flames. They hid within the ashes, slipping into her throat with the wind, stealing her courage to sing.'
'In this art-steeped kingdom, her song was once the sun. It could melt ripples upon a frozen lake in deep winter, could make soldiers on the battlefield lay down their swords. People sowed, reaped, and fell in love to the sound of her voice; even the clock tower's chimes adjusted their rhythm to her melodies.'
Vya: So when will you sing again, Sister?
(Eden takes Vya's small hand and presses it against her own warm cheek.)
Eden: "Let me rest for a few days, alright? Just as violin strings need to loosen their tension now and then."
She pauses, her fingers brushing the bow in Vya's curls. "Let me ask you this, if one day my little princess were to wear a true crown, what would you do?"
(Vya tilts her head, tapping her chin with a tiny finger.)
Vya: "I'd make sure the bakers' ovens are always warm, that every child in the orphanage has a soft blanket, that all quarreling people make up when they hear my song… In short, I'd make sure everyone's heart feels like it's holding a piece of candy!"
(Eden smiles, holding her tighter. Outside the hall, the warrior Sakura leans against a pillar, hand resting on the hilt of her sword, yet a tender curve graces her lips.)
(Some time later, Su, clad in deep blue minister's attire, approaches across the carpet. He stops before the throne and bows.)
Su: "Your Majesty, the people have sent representatives. They say that without hearing your song for three days, even the wheat in the fields grows slower."
(Eden sets Vya down on the throne, adjusting her crooked crown. The train of her robe sweeps the floor, leaving a faint scent in its wake.)
Eden: "Tell them I am well. They need not worry."
She turns to look out the window.
Su: "But they say without your song, even the stars seem dim." He lifts his head, his tone pleading. "They do not come to rush you. They merely wish to see your smiling face, like parched earth yearns for rain."
(Eden is silent for a moment.)
Eden: "Let them in."
(Sakura takes a step forward, her armor emitting a soft clink.)
Sakura: "If Your Majesty is unwilling, this subordinate will go and send them away."
Eden: "It's fine."
She turns, her smile returning to her face. "Their sentiments are like spring's tender shoots. How could one bear to trample them?"
(Suddenly, Vya hops down from the throne, runs to Eden, and wraps her arms around her waist.)
Vya: "If Sister doesn't want to sing, let's tell them a story instead! The story about the flames turning into butterflies and flying away, okay?"
(Eden looks down at her. The light in her eyes flickers like a candle being lit, growing brighter bit by bit.)
Act Two.
(Sister Aponia, in a plain white robe with lilac cross-stitching at the collar, walks into the hall with measured steps, hands folded before her. The hem of her gown sweeps the floor almost soundlessly.)
Aponia: "May peace be with you, my dear King."
Her voice is clear and serene. "During evening prayers, I too saw those flames, their red glow painting half the sky. I pray you have come to no harm?"
Seated on her throne, the gold thread on Eden's sleeves shimmering, she gives a slight nod, her tone calm. "Thank you, Sister. I bear no wounds. It is merely the fatigue from recent days of labor."
Aponia: "That is good to hear."
She lowers her gaze with a faint smile. "I pray you regain your spirits soon, like the dawn dispelling mist. If I may, I would like to read a passage of scripture for you. Perhaps it may bring some comfort."
Eden shakes her head gently, her fingertips tracing the carved patterns on the throne's armrest. "Thank you for your kindness, Sister. I appreciate the sentiment, but for now, I wish only for quiet. There is no need for scripture."
Aponia: "I have overstepped."
She gives a slight bow, her robe's hem fluttering like butterfly wings as she turns. "I shall take my leave then. May the Lord watch over you."
(The sound of Aponia's departing footsteps fades. The hall doors open again, and Miss Vill-V enters, carrying her 'peculiar machine'.)
(The contraption is made of brass and glass, its gears exposed. A curved metal pipe protrudes from the top, resembling a tin bird with a crooked neck.)
Vill-V: (Removing her craftsman's cap, revealing sweat-dampened bangs, she bows respectfully.) "Good morning, dear King."
As she straightens, the machine's gears give a soft click. "Seeing Your Majesty in good health puts my mind at ease—and makes me all the more certain my new invention can be of service."
Eden smiles, her eyes resting on the machine. "Oh? You mean this rather odd-looking device?"
Vill-V: (Her eyes light up, and she steps forward eagerly to present it.) "Precisely! This is my latest invention. It can perfectly replicate Your Majesty's voice! Every word you speak, every melody you sing, it remembers and can imitate flawlessly!"
She pats the machine's side. "This way, the King need not tire herself singing for the people every day. It can carry your voice to every corner of the kingdom!"
Eden: "It is indeed a clever creation, my dear artisan."
She descends the steps, the gold thread on her skirt seeming to flow as it brushes the stairs. "However, singing each day is no burden to me. When I stand upon the ramparts and raise my voice, I see the baker set down his rolling pin to wave, I see children running with flowers, I see soldiers straighten their backs… My people, perhaps they wish to hear not just a voice, but to see with their own eyes that I am well, do they not?"
Vill-V: (Pauses, then sighs with admiration.) "What a wonderful King you are!"
She nods vigorously. "We pledge our eternal loyalty to you!"
(After Vill-V retreats with her machine, Griseo's family enters, carrying a framed painting. Griseo is in her mother Blanca's arms, while her father Ato holds a painting depicting Eden singing from the city walls.)
(Next, Dystopia enters, holding a wicker basket brimming with flowers she picked herself.)
(Sakura's younger sister, Rin, timidly offers a sachet embroidered with cherry blossoms, whispering, "Sister said this may help Your Majesty sleep well.")
(Eden accepts each offering graciously.)
(Suddenly, the hall doors swing open. Guards Kosma and Hua escort in a plainly dressed young girl.)
Hua: (Stepping forward, she kneels on one knee.) "Your Majesty, we report that this individual attempted to steal your golden goblet. She was apprehended at the entrance to the treasury. How shall she be dealt with?"
Eden: (Her gaze settles on the girl. She slowly descends the steps, the gold thread of her robe casting a long shadow.) "Oh?"
She takes the goblet. The ruby set in it glows with a warm luster in the morning light.
(The girl is pale with fright, stammering.)
Pardo: "I… I'm Pardo! I didn't mean it, I just wanted to see you, Your Majesty, I didn't mean to steal…"
She steals a glance at the goblet, her voice dropping even lower. "It's just… the cup was so beautiful. The red stone looked like the red berries on the hills back home… I just… couldn't help but pick it up to take a closer look…"
Eden: (Watching her near-tears panic, Eden suddenly smiles and offers the goblet to her.) "Pardo, thank you for thinking of me."
Pardo: (Her head snaps up, eyes wide.)
Eden: "Stealing is certainly not a good thing, but few can master their greed; it is an innate instinct. I shall let it pass this time."
Eden: (She presses the goblet into Pardo's hands, her fingertips brushing the girl's knuckles.) "As for this goblet, I give it to you. Since you find it beautiful, it seems fate has brought you together."
Pardo: (Waving her hands frantically, shaking her head like a rattle.) "No, no, no! I know I was wrong! Just letting me off is more than enough!"
Pardo: (Clutching the goblet.) "I… I don't deserve this…"
(Eden does not insist further. She turns to face the people in the hall. Griseo's family, Dystopia, Rin, and the warriors standing in the corners—concern is written on every face.)
Eden: "My people, I thank you for your care."
Her voice resonates through the grand hall, the gold thread on her robe seeming to come alive. "I am unharmed. Before long, all will be as it was."
(The people bow their heads in unison.)
Vya: (Suddenly darting out from the crowd, holding the open book. The pages are now filled with colored pencil drawings of the scenes that just unfolded.) "Sister Eden!"
She runs to Eden's side, her little shoes tapping a cheerful rhythm. "I wrote down everything that just happened! The King loves her people, and the people love their King!"
(As her words fade, a pink light suddenly suffuses the palace dome, like an overturned paint palette. Within the radiance, a pink-haired angel descends slowly. Wings with a mother-of-pearl sheen spread behind her, and the halo above her head resembles molten moonlight.)
The Angel Elysia: (Alighting on the floor, her skirt leaving a trail of shimmering motes.) "What a beautiful kingdom this is♪~"
The Angel Elysia: "All the most wonderful things in people's hearts are shining so brightly!"
Eden: (Giving a slight bow.) "Greetings, lovely angel."
The Angel Elysia: (Walking up to her with a smile, she gently taps Eden's forehead with a fingertip.) "Hello there, beautiful-hearted King."
She blinks. "I've come, naturally, to untie the knot in your thoughts."
Eden: (Pauses, then nods.) "Is that so?"
The Angel Elysia: "Come, listen…"
Her voice suddenly grows very soft, like a whisper close to the ear. "I know it is not the flames you fear. How could the sun fear fire?"
She points outside the hall. "You look upon the people scorched by the flames, and your heart grieves inexplicably~"
The Angel Elysia: "But your worries are unnecessary."
Like a magician, she produces a crystal crown. Its facets refract rainbows. "After all, you and your people are so strong~"
So saying, she gently places the crown upon Eden's head.
Eden: (Raising a hand to touch the crystal crown, she suddenly smiles. This smile is like spring water breaking through ice, coming from the heart.) "So… it seems I worried needlessly…"
The Angel Elysia: "No, it only shows how much you care for your people~"
Eden: (Turning to face the assembly, her voice clear as a song.) "My people, what troubled me was the fragility of men in the face of disaster."
She pauses, her gaze sweeping over every face. "But since I believe in you, and you believe in me, we shall fear nothing."
Vya: (Cheering, she raises the book.) "Yay! Sister Eden, can we start singing now?"
Eden: (Nodding with a smile, she extends a hand towards the angel and the crowd.) "Of course. Everyone, and you, angel… shall we sing together?"
The Angel: (Taking her hand, wings fluttering softly.) "With utmost pleasure."
(As the singing begins, the wind chimes outside the hall join in harmony. All the voices intertwine, weaving together into the kingdom's most beautiful melody.)
The curtain falls.
…
Kevin had just finished his recording duties.
Actually, Elysia had originally written roles for him and Su as well, but he had refused without a second thought.
Break time arrived, and everyone relaxed, starting to pack things away.
Elysia hadn't changed out of her angel costume yet. The wings on her back fluttered gently, their sequins sparkling under the lights.
She walked over to Eden, her face flushed with excitement, her tone brimming with delight:
"Eden, Eden, so? How was it? Did it feel amazing while we were acting? Are you happy?"
Eden was looking down at her performance gown; the gold thread on the royal robe still gleamed brilliantly under the lights.
She lifted her head, a gentle smile on her face. "It was wonderful, truly wonderful. This is absolutely the most precious and memorable birthday I have ever had."
Previous birthdays had been lively and splendid too, but this time, with so many friends acting together and celebrating for her, the feeling was uniquely special.
"That's great then~"
Elysia clapped her hands, her eyes curving into crescents.
"Ah, you can keep this outfit, you know? After all, Eden wearing it is just like a real King! The presence you commanded was incredible, even I couldn't help but want to bow to you."
"Haha, Elysia, you're teasing again."
Eden covered her mouth with a light laugh, amused. "But the clothes are indeed beautiful. Thank you for preparing so much."
"I'm not teasing at all, I mean every word!"
Elysia laughed too, her tone utterly sincere. She turned to look at Vya, who was playing with her little crown nearby, and ruffled her hair.
"By the way, our adorable Vya performed excellently today too!"
Eden nodded in agreement:
"Indeed, Vya was just like a little princess today."
Praised by both older sisters, Vya grew a bit shy, her little face turning pink. She simply buried her face in Eden's embrace, then leaned towards Elysia, nuzzling into the warmth of both hugs.
…
Holding Vya, Elysia suddenly remembered something and said with a hint of regret:
"It's just such a shame we couldn't get Mobius to come~ If she could have played a role too, it would have been so fun. Maybe she could have been a mysterious sorceress or something."
Eden said with a smile:
"But she did send a gift, didn't she?"
Elysia: "Next time, we absolutely must find a way to rope her into acting too! But let's not think about that for now. Let's all go have cake!"
"Mmm, okay."
Eden nodded, reaching out to take Vya's small hand while Elysia grasped her other.
The joy, of course, continued. This was a rare moment of peace…
'The sun is always the sun; she shines.'
'And when surrounded by friends and love, that brilliance becomes all the warmer and more moving.'
…
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