-"Can I have a moment of your time my lord?"

It's meister Greenwhich creaky voice who's trying to get your attention. You are sitting on a stone bench in the middle of the royal gardens. This is your favourite spot right under a cherry blossom tree. Leaning back and looking up at the pink blossoms always had a calming effect on you and was the perfect relaxation betweem play time and tutouring.

-"Of course meister Greenwhich. What do you have on your mind?"

Meister Greenwhich is your tutor. He is an boring old man with a long crooked nose and fuzzy browns. But he is a good tutor, you'd give him that.

-"I just spoke to your father the King. I told him about how good you have been doing your studies lately and suggested that maybe a reward would be fitting. We talked for a moment and we thought maybe you would be interested in visiting the carnival this weekend."

-"What exactly is a carnival meister Greenwhich?" You ask in curiosity. You see, one who have never been outside the castle wouldn't know about a commoners way of enjoying himself.

-"Ah, yes. You see a carnival always begin with a great parade of actors and artists. They do tricks, magics and bring exotic animals with them to show. After they marched their parade they take place in the great plaza and put up a lot of tents which have games and treats for sale. And for the big finale they host a large show for everyone to see in an enormous tent almost as high as the castle wall."

-"Wow that sounds amazing* meister Greenwhich. But I already have artists and actors and magicians at my court already and the royal chef can make me anything I want. If I want to play games I got my brothers and my toys here to play with. Why would I leave the castle when I have everything of that here?"

-"There is a special feeling to a carnival you can't get anywhere else. Besides have you never been curious how it looks like on the other side of that gray old wall?"

You can't say you haven't thought about it. Living inside these castle walls kinda feels like being a fish in a bowl sometimes. But you always stopped thinking about it when you remembered how good life is here.

-"I think about it princess. Come visit me at my room when you have decided if you would like to go or not. Have a pleasent day and don't forget your homework."

You take a stroll around the gardens cobbled path in the gardens, giving the reward some thought.

What should I do?

***

Welcome new player! Now is the time to make yourself a choice. Simply pick one of the options below and see what happens next. Some heads up though:
Options marked with an X is a option rendered unavailable for some reason.
There are extra options available because of skills or personality. Every options affects the story somehow and you might not be able to go back so choose carefully.

***

*Mood changed: Intrigued

***

A) This sounds like it could be so much fun!

B) I don't know, maybe I should talk to father about this?

C) It's better if I stay at home, I heard so many times it is dangerous outside.

B) I don't know, maybe I should talk to father about this?

Sakura never went outside before. Daddy is wise and powerful king. His advice is always good. At the very least, he can assign a proper escort of knights if she goes to frolic among the inferior commoners at their pathetic carnival.

You decide that maybe it's best that you ask for advice on this one. With determination you walk down the halls to reach your fathers work room. Once there you knock politely on his door and step in. Your father the King sits by his desk as you expected. He doesn't take any notice of his guest, he just keeps his focus on the number of papers in front of him.

-"Father? Are you busy right now or could you spare a minute for me?" Even though you are family like anyone else it's important to remain mannered as a royal.

-"Oh sorry there Sakura! I didn't hear you coming. What's on your mind?"

-"I heard you and Meister Greenwhich discussed about giving me a reward for my hard studies. What are your thoughts on the matter? Do you think it's a good idea for me to leave the castle and rejoice in a commoners idle pleasure?"

Your father chuckles a bit and walks up to you.

-"Sweet daughter of mine. You truly are a real crown princess. You ask for advice when something seems alien and don't let excitement drive you to rushed decisions. As your father I tell you this: I definitely think you should go!"

You get caught by surprise. This wasn't really the answer you expected.

-"What gives? There is nothing out there I don't have here. Right?"

Once again he gives a heartily chuckle.

-"Well, there is a lot of things we don't have here at the castle. But the reason I want you to go is that you get to explore something new, discover something different. If you are afraid of fun you can see it as training to become a queen."

-"How would visiting this carnival thingy help me become a good queen?"

-"No matter if you want it or not you will have to meet commoners and you will have to deal with them. They are your subjects and you should know who they are and how they work. So both the King and your father recommends that you attend to the carnival. Of course no one forces you, if you feel exposed you don't have to worry. I'll send the royal guard with you."

Do I really want to go?

***

A). I'll go! This is going to be fun!

B). I rather stay. If I want entertainment I have it right here at the castle.

A). I'll go (with royal guard)! This is going to be fun!

-"I think I'll go father. Afterall it can't be that bad right?"

-"Of course it won't be my little princess. Now go tell meister Greenwhich while I'll make some preperations for your depature."

-"Yes father."

You step out and head for your tutors office. You walk through the many corridors leading through the castle. The maids curtsy you "My princess." as you pass them and the guards straight their backs as you pass. It was embarassing for a while when you were younger but you grew to get used to it. It served a great reminder that you are a person of great importance. When you finnaly reach your tutors office you repeat your earlier procedure and step in. You find Meister Greenwhich sitting in his bed reading a big book.
When he notice you he puts down the book and gets out of bed.

-"Sakura good to see you again. I believe you have brought me a desicion."

-"I have meister Greenwhich. I'd be very happy to visit the carnival."

-"Wonderful! We leave high noon tommorow. Make sure you bring a good mood and make yourself presentable for the people. I've cancelled any lessons for this evening for you to prepare. Now if you excuse me I need to get back to this very important book."

-"Thank you for your time meister." You turn around and walk out of his office, heading for your room. You must admit that this whole ordeal is pretty exciting.* When you get inside you begin to excavate your wardrobe for what to wear.

What should I wear really? I never really been outside. What do they wear? Maybe I should go with something simple so I fit in. But I am the princess. It might be better if I show them how great of a princess I am?

***

*Mood changed: Excited

***

A) I go with something simple. They people might get jealous if they see me in too good looking clothes.

B). I take my favourite clothes. I show them just how good my taste in clothes is!

C) Nothing here won't cut it. I need a new attaire, so epic no one can deny my superiority!

***

A/N: It have been some time since my last post. The main reason is life but I also needed to write down the many branches this story have. From this point the time between posts will be much shorter!

C) Nothing here won't cut it. I need a new attaire, so epic no one can deny my superiority!

-"Maid!" You shout, hoping someone would hear you. It only took a couple of seconds before a maid came inside. She was dressed in the usual black and white maid dresses.

-"Yes my princess?" She asked as she curt you.

-"Send a request to the royal tailor. I need a spectacular attire for tomorrows festival."

-"Yes my princess." She curt you again and leaved you at peace.

[It's on a very short notice. But I really need something good for this occasion.*[/I]

The next day you wake up early to get to the mornings lessons. Today was reserved for making sure you are prepared for the festival. You go through logistics, you learn about tradition and the royals part of the ordeal.**

-"Oh did your father mention yesterday you are going to hold a speech at the end of the ceremony? Your father usually holds one at the end of the ceremony but since you are attending you are supposed to do it now. It's a great boost for your publicity."

A speech? I'm not prepared for this what am I going to do?***

Before you get the chance to answer you get interrupted by someone stepping in.

-"My princess the royal tailor is up in your room waiting for you to try your new dress." It's one of the castle guards who came in.

-"Well I guess we covered most of the things. You go up and put on that dress. Meet me at the courtyard in an hour and we make our way to the festival." Your tutor urge you away and you obey.

When you step inside your are met with sleep deprived eyes from a slender man with a thin moustache.

-"Oh my princess! Good that you could come this quickly. I wasn't very sure about your measurements so the dress might be a bit big on you, but try it on and I can make some changes quickly if needed." There is a mannequin with your dress on in the middle of your room. It's a red dress going slightly below your knees. Its arms are wide and a little transparent giving it a pinkish colour. The shoulders are a little puffy and a golden ribbon goes from the left shoulder across the dress. The part below the waist is slightly widen too and have a beautifully golden lining on it. When you try it on it actually fit you perfectly.

***

*selfishness +1

**Royal +1

***Mood changed: Nervous

***

A) I simply love this dress! Thank you so much!

B) I guess it's ok, I am going to be around commoners so it will do.

C) Really? Was this all you could come up with? I can't wear this to any festival!

A) I simply love this dress! Thank you so much!