No such thing as too many Princes - Let's Play Be My Princess

*posts update spam*

*sits back and waits*

*watches heads implode*



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For what it's worth, I'll have to respectfully disagree with Angie's assessment that Joshua only thinks that what he did was wrong because Amaya didn't like it. He admitted his actions were SELFISH and apologized; he never said anything about it being wrong because Amaya didn't like it. He also recognized that he has to work on becoming a better king, so he's gotten to the point where he can acknowledge that he isn't, in fact, perfect as he is.

At any rate, I can understand why someone wouldn't be able to overlook Josh's behavior in the beginning of the route if it rubbed you the wrong way at the time; once someone has skeeved you out it's pretty hard to become un-skeeved, as it were.

On the bright side, you now know if Joshua is or isn't for you, and if he isn't, you don't have to waste money on his route. Plus, Wilfred is next, and he's a sweetheart, so I don't think anyone won't like him (unless it's just that they might find him a bit boring).

...



Please tell me this is ending soon. So we can get to sweet sweet Wilfred?

^^^We'll be out of Leonardo's dungeon before the end of Chapter 14 (we're in 13 now). After that, it's mostly just denouement.

Thanking Jan edges out accusing him, barely.

Amaya: "Jan... Thank you for saving me just now."


Success! Taste the sweet, sweet guilt.

Jan: "I didn't do anything to save you. I only advised him on what is best for the Kingdom of Nerwan."

No, but we can pretend. At least you didn't just stand there and watch her be violated, so that's something, at least.

Amaya smiles weakly.

Amaya: "I am grateful all the same."

Jan averts his eyes.

guiltguiltguiltguiltguiltguiltguiltguilt

Amaya: "But... Why did you kidnap me?"


Jan's just as bound up in rules as everyone else in these two screwball kingdoms, isn't he?

Amaya: "But don't you serve Prince Joshua?"

Dense protagonist is still dense.

Jan: "Yes, but I do so for the good of Nerwan Kingdom."

Amaya: "For Nerwan...?"

Jan: "Yes. I entered the Dres Van royal household at a young age, but I was always there as a spy."

Amaya: "That can't be true..."

Oh, for the love of...

HE DRUGGED YOU AND TIED YOU UP IN A BASEMENT BECAUSE CREEPY PRINCE LEORAPE-O TOLD HIM TO.



Jan: "So...you may be thinking that I am a traitor, but I always have been."



Amaya: "Are you really okay with that?"



Amaya: "Are you really, truly okay with things being like that?"



Jan: "Yes, of course. That is my mission after all."

Amaya: (Jan...)

Amaya can't tell if he's telling the truth or not. Unfortunately, Leonardo comes back before Amaya can pick at his loyalty a bit more. No change of heart and getting Jan to help her escape, it seems. Pooh.

Leonardo: "He's not in the manor.. And he's not picking up on the cell phone number you gave me."

Jan raises his eyebrows.


You would think that Josh would be OCD enough to HAVE to answer a ringing phone, wouldn't you?

Leonardo: "Yeah... We won't be able to even start negotiations at this rate..."





Leonardo: "Although we could always carry on here... Hmm?

DIE IN A FIRE

He lauughs, and Amaya flinches back from the predatory look in his eyes.

Amaya: "Stay away from me."

Leonardo: "Haha... I never expected him to fall for such a spirited woman."

He laughs again, but then a loud noise echoes on the other side of the door.



Everyone turns to look at the door when it opens with a bang. On the other side is...

Amaya: "Prince Joshua!?"


Deus ex machina.

Josh takes one look at Leonardo gripping Amaya's face and whips the cell phone in his hand at the creep's head. Unfortunately, he dodges, but he does let go of Amaya in the process.

Leonardo: "You are just as violent as ever."



Joshua: "How dare you think you could get away with kidnapping Amaya!?"

*cough* pot -> kettle

Leonardo: "Oh, so you did come here looking for her?"




Choking you to death, hopefully.

Leonardo cries out in pain, and Amaya feels something cold pressed against her throat.

??: "Let him go."

Amaya: (What...?)

She looks down to see Jan holding a knife against her skin.

Amaya: "Jan..."


Well, isn't this just PEACHY.

I HATE YOU I HATE YOU IHATE YOU I HATE YOU I HATE YOU

... *twitch* ....


Excuse me.... I need to murder things....

WTF JAN?! JUST WHAT THE FUCK.

Trying to get through this part of the game as fast as possible, hence the update spam.

The sadistic side of me still loves the reactions, though. Heh.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We flashback to earlier that morning. *sigh*


This would be when Amaya tried to call him from the car as the drug kicked in.

Josh had been half asleep still when it rang and grumbles about who could be calling so early in the day. He looks at the caller display

And then he sits up like a shot and puts the phone to his ear



There's no answer.

Joshua: "What the..."

He tries calling the number back several times, but all he gets is a dial tone.

Joshua: "That's odd..."

He gets up and goes to his intercom.

What? Don't you have an intercom in your bedroom?

Peasant.

Joshua: "Oy, is Jan there? He's gone out? Where's he gone at this hour of the morning? He's gone to take Amaya home...?"

Josh freezes for a moment...



~end flashback~



Jan: "I'm sorry Your Highness, I..."

Josh nods.

Joshua: "I know..."



Amaya: (He knows...what?)

Joshua: "I already knew you were from Nerwan."

The knife withdraws slightly from Amaya's throat.

Jan: "How did you...?"

Joshua: "So there was a part of me that wondered if it was you who leaked the information."



Amaya: (Then why didn't Prince Joshua...say anything about Jan to anyone else...?)

That's a very good question. I guess Josh was more loyal to Jan than Jan was to him.

Joshua: "You said it to me once yourself. It would be wrong to doubt someone without proof. And there was a part of me that didn't want to believe it."



Leonardo: "To think you trusted a spy like Jan so completely... Isn't that just fine, Jan. Everything went as we thought it would."





Leonardo: "Now that everyone is present we can start with our negotiations."

Joshua: "Negotiations?"

Leonardo: "Yes. If you wish to save the girl then we must first come to an agreement."

Leonardo draws out a piece of paper and thrusts it at Josh.

Joshua: "What is this...?"

Josh looks suspiciously at it and starts reading. As his eyes scan down the page, his expression grows more and more grave.



He throws the paper on the ground and Leonardo looks amused.

Leonardo: "Well, if that's the way you feel about it."

He makes his way over to Amaya and wrenches her head up. Josh glares at him.

Leonardo: "I will keep her here while you think it over. I might even be kind and keep her company for the night."



Amaya: (Wha...)

Josh steps forward.



Leonardo: "If you even lay one finger on me...I'll make sure to paint her sweet little neck red. Well... I must say I wouldn't mind seeing that either."

It occurs to me that if Voltage did bad ends like Solmare does, they could have put a doozy of one in here.

Also:


Josh bites down hard on his lip and takes a small breath.

*pterodactyl screeching*
BECAUSE THE ASSHOLE HAS AN INFERIORITY COMPLEX THE SIZE OF THE FREAKING CONTINENT YOU LIVE ON!!!!!!

ANOTHER flashback, the third one for this chapter. I think it's the last one, though

God, I hope it's the last one...

Several years earlier, a small boy is playing by himself when a man comes over to speak to him.



Boy: "It's not dangerous..."

Man: "But you are the most important child in all of Nerwan. We cannot allow anything to happen to you."

Boy: "I am?"

The young boy looks up, beaming, and the man nods.

Man: "Yes. You are the pride of our entire kingdom. You are to be the savior of our people, and destroy the arrogant Dresvanese."

Y'know, this explains soooo much about how Leonardo got the crazy. He's had a Messiah complex drilled into his head since birth.

~end flashback~



Leonardo laughs.

Leonardo: "There is only one emotion Nerwanese feel when they think of Dres Van... Hatred. Isn't that right, Jan?"

Jan nods slightly.

Jan: "Yes, as children growing up in Nerwan, we are taught to seek revenge against Dres Van by our elders."

Joshua: "What have we done to deserve your hatred?"



Leonardo: "You can't see how disgusting it is that you are not even aware of your crimes."

Leonardo lets go of Amaya and keeps ranting at Josh.

Leonardo: "Nerwan is always stuck behind Dres Van in everything. Technological advances, national importance, economy. Industry... Everything!"

Joshua: "And how is that our fault? You stole our technology not so long ago."



Joshua: "So you are trying to get revenge for something you caused?"





He points it at Josh.

Leonardo: "Not at all. This is giving you what you deserve. The Dresvanese have always looked down on us Nerwanese."



Joshua: "I think it's me you have a problem with... Leave Amaya and my people out of it."

Leonardo laughs.



Amaya: (Grovel...?)


Holy shit. He's actually doing it.



Amaya: "Prince Joshua!?"

He smiles softly at her.

I... I... I give up... these... how the hell are we suppposed to choose?! Both are completely valid answers in this situation!!

Exactly. Both are completely valid, so just pick the attitude you'd rather Amaya have. Or flip a coin, that works, too.

Hey, I knew the butlers had a side-story in the Japanese release of this game that hasn't been translated yet, but I just found out that Zain has a full route, like the princes.

Want Zain's route.

Want it now.

*pout*

Is it bad that I was kind of chuckling the whole time while people here were freaking out after the latest updates? (And even before when they thought that the worst part was already over or when they wanted to date Jan? Ha ha ha ha) because I knew exactly how this was gonna play out? :D

YES! I am desperately waiting for Zain's route since I first read about it. Well, I was hoping for a route since the first time I saw him because .. wantwantwant. Every single time he appears in one of the princes routes I just stare longingly at the screen for a while, wishing he was available. *sigh* I hope they do release his route in English and that they release it soon .. because I want him. I want him baaad. ;)

Having a cry for the devil moment in regards to Leonardo. Still want to punch his face to a bloody pulp, though.

Voltage. Water you doing?

On another note, I'm going to side with Joie and Keth on the Joshua debate, though like them, I find that in no way does that forgive his previous behaviour.

Overall, good plot idea, bad romance, terrible execution in light of the intent.

I don't know how you people have the ability to consistently choose the most WTF route in every game first time. It's like a gift. Or a curse. ...It's a girse.

Blessed with suck.

We are blessed with suck.

It's a talent. It has to be a talent.

I'm glad we're doing Wilfred next, I think I need some serious sweetness after all this O.o...I never knew Voltage could make routes so messed up..

Edit: voting B because Josh shouldnt have to kneel to that loser >.>

Messiah complex? LEONARDO IS LIGHT YAGAMI!

Arg as much as I hate breaking the thoughtful silence, Imma votin' B. Because Leo's got a psyco-knife and obviously wants nothing good, so screw submission for safety! Besides Josh is a prince, and needs to think about his own safety and that of his kingdom.

I find it amusing that people voted for this route based on the Joshua crying picture but it's all of us that are suffering now.

Well, we did choose Chezem and Ebi-chan first, so I don't think our curse is that bad or anything.

Flukes. Although I voted for Kiyoto because I wanted to watch people explode with rage. /sadist

What I find amusing about this is that picture isn't even in the damn route!

/shakes fist at Voltage

I bet it's from the sequel; they have better art. (You can really tell that this is one of their older games.)

B, I guess. This is a terrible choice.

We're coming for you Leo, and Jan, you're next!

By the way, I know I should be outraged by this route, but it's gone so ridiculously over-the-top that I don't even care anymore.
I've become numb to its WTFness.

There are no words to describe what I'm feeling right now.

I can't even begin to describe my emotions with this. I thought Voltage didn't go this dark. I mean, I do like this kinda stuff but... it just... was an unexpected turn of event considering this is VOLTAGE.

B, don't do it Joshua. He won't keep his word, anyway.

... *sigh* I'll vote B because Josh shouldn't have bowed to that fucking little piece of shit I'm going to murder the first chance I get

Noooooooo don't point at me like that, Robbie! I had to let Eileen die that last time to see all the endings. I didn't mean anything by it!

Oh, er, B. Someone, please send help.

Is there an option where Josh can fake kneel then pull out a knife and stab Leonardo in his big toe? No? Okay abstaining from voting then because wtsf?!

No, I take it back. Voting B because dogs should never have to kneel to their own shit. appropriate metaphor is appropriate.

B.

Oh B for goodness sake.

Sometimes I think they're doing it on purpose.

I did the same thing. That picture made my poor little heart jump out of my chest when I saw that in the game.

Wait, I mean...um yes, I wasn't afraid at all....and I wasn't at all freaked out by Eileen's enormous face and the 'I'm always watching you' moment.

I'm tough, yeah, I don't get scared at all.....

[actually, the creepy, AAaH! moments are the joy that gets me to play these games :D ]

Okay, we chose to tell Josh that Amaya can't let him do that because of her. (If you choose to tell him you trust him, Josh blushes and then Leonardo kicks him, scoffing about their "make-believe" love and saying he supposes Josh only meant to keep Amaya as a bed warmer anyway. Ruuuuude.)

Anyway...

Amaya: "I can't let you do this just because of me!"

Josh stares at her for a moment.





Joshua: "Don't you worry about it. It's my fault for getting you involved in this mess."

Leonardo frowns as he listens to them.



Leonardo: "And yet he had you completely taken in... I feel sorry for you."

Amaya: "Why do you have to think the worst of people...!?"



Amaya is struck by the sadness in his eyes.

No, Amaya, don't be fooled! He's eeeeevil!

Amaya: (That's the same look I saw in Jan's eyes earlier...)

Amaya: "I am not in a position to be pitying anyone, least of all a prince, but both Your Highness and Jan seem so sad to me."

Jan and Leonardo exchange looks, but their expressions are vague and they say nothing.

Joshua: "That's enough. There is too much history between the people of Dres Van and Nerwan. Nothing you can say will change that."

Jan walks over to Leonardo and speaks quietly in his ear.



Leonardo: "Yes, do that."

Jan leaves the basement and Leonardo's high-pitched laughter echoes around the room.

I'm scared...hold me.

Leonardo: "If this all works out, Nerwan will become a much stronger nation than Dres Van ever could. And at the same time I get to see you in disgrace... Now, get down and grovel like you mean it!"

Just then, a loud sound fills the entire building.

Amaya: "What...?"

Leonardo reacts first.



Joshua: "Is there an intruder, or a fire somewhere?"

As he whispers that, Jan comes flying back into the room.





Leonardo hurries for the exit. (Leaving Amaya still tied up, I might add. Fucking coward.)



Josh quickly unties her.

Her hands free, she looks over to see Jan standing by the exit.


Why are you telling them, Jan? Wouldn't it be better to lead them? Don't tell me you're planning to...

Amaya: "What about you, Jan?"

Joshua: "Let's go home, Jan."





Jan: "I cannot return there."

Joshua: "I don't think you are a traitor... Didn't you just save us right now?"

Amaya: (Oh... Did he set off the alarm...?)

Jan: "Your Highness..."

Wisps of smoke begin to enter the basement.


Jan, don't. I'm mad at you, but that doesn't mean I want you to die! Just Leonardo...



Jan forced us out of the basement, before closing the door behind us.



Prince Joshua's voice echoed all around as white smoke filtered in around us.

The spy planted by the Nerwanese to trap the Lieben family turned out to be Jan...

In spite of that, Prince Joshua was worried about Jan's safety.

Amaya: (Don't tell me Jan plans on killing himself in there...?)

The fire was burning everything in its path, and the flames were soon upon us...




Cliffhanger!

DAMMIT. Almost had wish fulfillment! Die in a fire, all ya'll! Especially with Amaya going hardcore mary sue even worse than normal there! 'Oh the sadness in your eyes!' GAG.

Bloody hell, not another one...

A boy is watching another boy crouched down on the ground.

Boy A: "Are you all right?"

The boy on the ground dries his eyes and looks at the other boy.

Boy B: "Of course I am. What are you doing following me like that?"

The standing boy shrugs his shoulders in apology.

Boy A: "I am sorry."

The air is silent, and the crouching boy's shoulders begin to shake.

He speaks in a small voice.

Boy B: "I never wanted to be a prince..."

Boy A: "Your Highness...?"



Boy A: "But that is not something anyone else can do. It has to be you, Your Highness."

Josh has tear tracks down his cheeks, and his face trembles a little as he hears the other boy's words.

Joshua: "But other children get to live with their mothers and fathers... Why am I the only one who's different?"

The other boy smiles.

Boy A: "That is the same for me, Your Highness. I live here away from my parents so I can serve you. So no matter what, you have me at your side."

The boy who had been crying smiled, feeling comforted in his heart.


I-I'm not crying. I just have a piece of dust in my eye.

*sniff*



~end flashback~



Smoke is gathering at their feet, and Amaya covers her mouth, but Joshua isn't paying any attention as he pounds on the door again and again.

Joshua: "Jan...! Jan!!"

There's no response.

Amaya: "Your Highness, I know how you feel... But if we stay here any longer..."

Josh glances at her before slamming both his fists against the door.



Amaya: "What...?"

Joshua: "When I was taken away from my parents, he was the one who was always at my side..."



His shoulders begin to shake.

Amaya: (But at this rate...)

C. Muster up some self-worth and GTFO.

B.

Knowing our luck having Jan dead will have Joshua completely snap. Do not want.

I vote B. Suicide solves nothing and you're being selfish Jan. Get your ass out here!

B and how many freaking random flashbacks are there?