Hi everyone! I'm back with a new story for the continuation for my fan-made DP story! I won't tell you what story I picked for the main chapters (though you might know what it is if you've read my second preview). The bonus game is already chosen. Both of these stories were decided before the official release of the Thief and the Tinderbox. This time, the parable story will be told in a different perceptive. Remember, parable stories will be in italics. The Detective's thoughts won't be italics. Enjoy!


Maiden's Silence and the Cursed Swans

Prologue:

In the Kingdom of Swans, there is a woman dressed in dark clothing. It has been less than a year since she reigned as Princess, at least nine months. A strong mind she has, yet her heart has the curiosity of a child's. The reigning Swan Princess was visiting the Swan Archives, wanting to know more of an ancient legend.

This legend involves two mysteries. First, the strange disappearance of the eleven legendary Swan Guards. They were brothers, experience fighters, who mysterious vanished for over 600 years! The second mystery tells of a maiden with powers over plant life. She would always appeared in the Spring season with a warm glow.

While searching for answers, there was a diary with a lock on it. It shaped like a rose and was very old, yet a powerful spell prevents the Swan Princess from opening it.

"I wonder if this contained valuable information that it remains locked..." she questioned.

Little did the woman knew, an evil sorceress has just entered her kingdom. This Queen, skilled in witchcraft, have come from an unknown land, sent by her Master to search for a maiden. An eerie fog started to settle in as this villain made her way to her destination. The citizens of the Swan Kingdom was in great danger for almost all the women have disappeared. Though try as they might, the Swan Guards were easily subdued by the powerful music of the pan flute.

"I've been looking for the missing key. A maiden is all what I need. Once I find her, I can finally enter the famous Fairy Realm. I shall have it all!"

Introduction:

It has been three months since my last mission. Hello everyone, as you probably could remember, my name is Sophia Lindsay. My last mission was during the Winter season when I saved Lumina, the Successor of Winter, from the evil clutches of the Mysterious Figure. You might be wondering, where is she right now? Well, she is outside, reading on the book that her dear friend, Paul, had given her. This is the year of 2024, the Spring season. As for me?

I'm trying to find more about my past. I still don't know where my parents are nor the couple whom I believed them to be my birth parents have gone. I was in my room, trying to open the ornate box that the Moon Goddess gave me. However, the task proved to be difficult than it appeared.

'Why can't I get this blasted thing to open?'

"And why must ornate objects be difficult to deal with?"

I was going to continue my fixation over this box until Scarlett came barging into my room.

"Soph, we-" I cut her off as I turned to face her.

"Didn't anyone ever tells you to knock first?" I sighed, smiling.

"Nope, but this is how I roll." she answered with a smile. "Anyway, we need you to go."

"What?" I questioned. "Why?"

"Your... Your next case is up now!" she quickly answered.

"But-"

"Okay, time to go!" she pulled me to my feet and pushed me out of my room.

"W-Wait!"

Gee, I wonder would could be happening downstairs. Oh, yes. Today is April 3rd, my 38th birthday. What could have possibly be the reason why they don't want me around? After all, Scarlett was terrible at lying or containing her excitement. I didn't even bother telling her that my mission was supposed to start at noon. That's three hours away right now!

"Hey, Soph." I saw Uncle Scott waiting for me at the doorway.

"Hey, Uncle Scott."

He gave me the file, a tape recorder, a new parable book that suppose to tell the story from someone else perceptive, and others things.

"Good luck." he told me.

"Okay, that's nice and all, but BYE!" my friend suddenly exclaimed.

I didn't even get a chance to thank my uncle because Scarlett pushed me out of the door.

"Hey!" I yelled as the door was slammed at my face. Sighing in defeat, I turned to where Lumina was reading.

'Must be nice to relax on this pleasant day.'

"Lumina." I called out to her. "You ready? Our mission will take us to Dire Island."

It was just yesterday that the Swan Princess, Odile, gave me a letter to come back to Dire Island. In her letter mentioned a girl, who's appearance matched Lumina's dreams. If she is what I think she is, then she might be in trouble.

"Yes." the girl answered as she closed her book.

I can tell that she was excited to join on my adventure. It was her request to come along with me despite the dangers we might faced. Her blonde hair was tied in a braided ponytail and she was wearing a more floral dress with sandals. Around her neck is her locket, allowing me to gain the Faerie Sight.

While we head our way to the ship, I turned to the twelve year old.

"By the way, Lumina, can't you just summoned your portal to get to Dire Island?"

She tried to opened one, but couldn't.

"Um..." she nervously laughed.

"Strange, I thought that when Lumi returned your memories and abilities, you'd be able to opened one." I remarked.

"Looks like I still can't get the gist of it. Either that or Lumi summons it better than I can." she admitted.

I sighed with a smile on my face, "That's fine. Once we reach Dire Island, we'll travel on horse."

"If you always fall from all the noble steeds in the past, why do you still get on one?" Lumina asked.

"Apparently, because of the trend of me falling every time is funny to all the friends and family back at home, I have to ride one on every mission." I answered, half sarcastically.

"Oh, but don't you get tired from it? Falling every time?"

"No... Personally, I don't mind. I just wished they didn't run away from me all the time." I joked. "Which is strange because it's normally when I'm doing my job that they are being jerks. Leaving me in a predicament while they ride off into the sunset."

Lumina giggled, "You have a strange sense of humor, Sophia."

"But that is what I'm good at... As well as getting praised for." I answered.


An hour and a half later in Dire Island.

We were still early, but hey, there is never a rule saying that we're too early for a case. Because Lumina was too young to ride on the horse, she decided to use her powers to create a trail of ice. In other words, she was ice-skating her way. Despite she isn't an official Ruler of Winter yet, I'm amaze that it only took her a few weeks to master her given powers.

Taking out the recorder and my case file, I was about to press the button when Lumina asked her question.

"Sophia, how is it possible for you to ride your noble steed without falling off already? You have two items in your hands and you're not evening holding the reins."

"Practice from previous missions." I answered as I pressed the button. The voice began briefing:

Detective, you have receive a letter from the Swan Princess to return to Dire Island for another problem has present itself. Several maidens have gone missing and some of the Swan Guards reported that they saw a suspicious-looking woman whenever the fog rolls in. A curse have fallen on a victim, but it isn't like any of the curses you have encountered in all of your mission in the past before. You will meet up with Odile at the entrance and help the Swan Princess restore order to the Swan Kingdom. Be careful, Detective, and since you'll be taking Lumina with you, we advised you to keep her from harm's way. Good luck in your investigation, Detective. And on a side note, we hope you'll make it back early to celebrate your birthday.

All of a sudden, the fog came rolling in. Something must have been in the mist, because the horse was startled so badly that I got knocked off the saddle. Luckily, Lumina created a pile of snow to soften my landing before heading over to calmed the horse down.

"Thanks, Lumina." I got up on my feet.

"No, problem." she smiled before looking at the fog. Her tone became serious as she stares at the fog, "Detective, you'll need the Faerie Sight to see the magic hidden on this island. Even though you've seen magic before, you rarely encounter a land that is hidden deeply within our world."

"How can I do that? So far, I'm seeing things like you do, but judging from my startled steed, the Faerie Glamor is much stronger here, am I right?"

"Correct." she replied before looking around her shoulders. "See that tree over there? Try matching the rune symbols." she advised. "A little sunlight might lighten up this fog."

Looking at the small tree she was pointing to on the left, I went over to see small rune symbols. Matching the pair, the tree lit up like a lantern. It was strange, but hey, it did the trick. The fog was lifted in no time. Not only that, but the Faerie Sight has just gotten stronger.

"Let's go." I replied before getting back on my horse.


It took only half of an hour to finally reached the Dire Tree. After dismounting on my steed, I went over to the door.

I sighed, "As usual. It's locked, it's always locked."

I turned to see sparkles underneath some large leaves. Pushing the plants aside, I find little pieces to form a key. Before I left the area, I found the first parable. Instantly, it went to my parable book the moment I touch it. Using the key, a puzzle revealed itself before I got the chance to open the lock. It was a sliding game where I have to slide the key from one side to the other. It took only a few minutes for the lock to finally open.

When I opened the door, I saw Odile waiting for us. With her is a little girl, around the age of seven. She has shoulder-length golden-reddish blonde hair in curls, fair skin, and blue eyes. She wears a spring flower pin in her hair and a sunset colored dress. Her small feet are wearing white shoes.

"Thank goodness you're here, Detective." Odile expressed her relief.

"Well, it would have been a bit easier if the door wasn't locked."

"Sorry about that, but with suspicious people coming into the kingdom, there has to be precautions." she explained.

"That's fine. Odile, this is Lumina. She is a friend from my previous mission." I introduce the two.

"It's great to meet you, Princess Odile." Lumina was being way too formal, not that I can blame her. She was once royalty after all. Therefore, I'm guessing it was a family custom to be formal with other royals.

"There's no need for formality, just call me Odile." the Swan Princess insisted.

"And who are you?" I gently asked the little girl.

However, the girl didn't talk and she was hiding behind Odile even more.

"Hey there, there's no need to be shy." Odile told the little girl before turning to face me. "I think this girl is related to the Spring season. Unfortunately, she has the Curse of Silence. I don't even know her name. All I do know was that she came running to the Swan Kingdom and starts clinging onto me."

I felt a tug and saw that it was Lumina. She whispered into my ear, "Sophia, we should get out of here. It feels unsafe."

I nodded before explaining to Odile.

"You're right. We should get going. Take her with you and meet me in the Swan Palace. I have to go check on the Swan Guards for any news about the suspicious figure."

The child was very hesitant even though Odile was gently pushing her towards me. A timid girl, that she is. Luckily, Lumina made my job easier by holding the girl's hand. I did noticed that she was looking at the girl with recognition. The six year old became cooperative and after holding Lumina's hand, she started following us. The Swan Princess then left in the hurry.

'She is as loyal to the guards as she was with Flora.'

When we got to the lake, however, the boat was missing the oars. Looking back at the girls, I thought I saw the younger child was eying something. Following her gaze, I saw that she was looking at a bunch of strange plants with needles on them.

'What could those plants mean to her?' I wondered.

Going to the plants, I didn't realize how sharp the nettles were. Fortunately, I'm wearing gloves. Pushing some of them aside, I found one of the oars.

"Well, one down, one more to go."

"Sophia." I heard my name being called.

Lumina was at the edge of the lake, pointing at something. I went back to the lake to look at what she was pointing at. It was the other oar! Someone must have knocked it over the water. However, near the lake was a fishing pole. How convenient. Unfortunately, it was missing the rod. I did saw a white feather and picked it up. Searching around for the rod, I noticed that a swan puzzle piece was left on the ground. Next, I went up to a tree stump, where I found a book.

'Hm... Looks like someone left it here.'

Opening the book, I found a page that was missing the swan piece. I put the piece in as the puzzle began. It was one of those interact with objects to know the story puzzle. And I became elated when I found out what the story was. The Wild Swans! That's one of my favorite childhood stories! A narrator began reading the tale.

There was once a maiden named Eloise. A girl, who harbors a blessing and a curse. The power of Spring was linked to her, making the girl one of the new Ruler of the Seasons.

Well, that is the first twist in the story. I had to click five objects that relates to nature. The plants, most of them were flowers, included were roses, forget-me-nots, tulips, sunflowers, and nettles. I did notice, however, that Eloise looked a lot like the girl with Lumina. How are these two connected?

One day, Eloise was cursed with the inability to speak while on the mission to cure her eleven brothers. To lifted their never-ending curse, the maiden must sew eleven shirts made out of special plants.

I had to find all the nettles in order for the story to continue.

Unfortunately, because she was away from home, the girl needed to seek refuge. She took shelter from a kingdom of a different country.

The page showed of Eloise looking lost. So, I had to create a path for her to reach the castle.

Sadly, however, the Queen of that kingdom was cruel and cold-hearted. The kingdom that Eloise had stumbled into hated magic and was highly devoted to the deities of the world. Most of the people had shun the girl, all except for one. The Prince of this cruel place, was in love with the lovely young woman.

Oh no, I HATE the Queen! The one from the Six Swans. It seemed that this story is intertwine with The Wild Swans, which made sense. Seeing that the two have similar plot lines. I continued in collecting some items that seemed to be for some type of celebration...

Secretly, they wed and it was a few months later that they were given a child. However, when the Queen found out, she was furious. The Queen accused of the maiden's actions were a source of witchcraft and that she had put a love spell on her son. Not wanting the Prince to be associated with Eloise, the Queen sentence the poor girl to death for crimes that she didn't commit.

That doesn't seem good. Heck, of course it isn't! I'm interacting with a story that includes locking an innocent in a cell!

Later, the next day...

"Crap!" I whispered in frustration.

The Queen ordered the maiden to be burn on the stake. A fate befitting for a witch, she claimed.

Great! Now I'm building what's going to be a bonfire! When it was done, the maiden was tied to the cross before being burned.

Although Eloise died on that day, her work wasn't all for nothing. She had secretly passed her powers onto her son and her shirts were being taken back to Dire Island, hidden so only the right person can find them. The Prince was completely heartbroken for not only had he lost his wife to his mother, but the Queen had abandoned her grandson in the forest. She thought that the child cannot survive in the wilderness, but she thought wrong. The eleven swans had arrive to save him. They took care of their nephew, for it was now his job to finish what their sister had started.

Let's hope he did finished the job. Good grief, Hans Christian Andersen's version of The Wild Swans was no where close to a happy ending at all! The book opened to a page with a secret compartment. It was the missing rod I needed. Taking out the pole, I did I little tinkering until the fishing pole was complete.

Looking at the girls, I was relief that they have stayed in one spot. Lumina was bonding with the girl as the young child clapped her hands in delight when she saw Lumina's powers. Going to the lake, I had to fish out the oar. It was difficult and so utterly annoying!

"Ugh, this is why I hate fishing." I muttered quietly. You would think that after years of saving the world and people that I'd get the idea already, but nope! And of all things, it had to be fishing that is prolonging me from completely my mission! It took me at least five times until I FINALLY got the second oar.

Once I got the oars on the boat, Lumina and the girl got in. At least rowing a boat isn't difficult as fishing!


When we got to the Swan Palace Foyer, I wander around a little. The place hasn't changed at all. While looking around, I found another parable hanging on one of the lower branches of the Dire Tree. I wasn't sure when Odile will get back either, so I decided to search for some clue myself until she returns. One thing I did find interesting was a portrait.

'This must have been recently added.' I noted as I took a closer look.

The portrait showed of eleven Swan Guards, all donning in silver armor. The oldest looked around twenty-eight while the youngest brother looked about sixteen. I looked down to see the girl was also looking at the portrait of the Swan Brothers. She had sad eyes, yet her face showed some sort of recognition of these men.

"Do you want a closer look?" I asked.

She nodded as I picked her up so she can look at the picture more. She touched the golden frame as the portrait lit up. Something was hidden behind it! Putting the child down, I searched for any hidden buttons, similar to the one in the Faylinn Palace. There wasn't, but I almost missed some sparkles at the small pond.

I was slightly surprise because normally, I would get a key in return. However, I got a set of keys. Three in fact! The ground shook a little as the wall behind the portrait moved. It looked like I've trigger some sort of activation system. Looking behind the picture of the eleven Swan Brothers, I found a letter.

To lift my uncles of their curses,

I was tasked to finish my mother's job.

She had only managed to finished three

before her untimely death. I wished I

could have completed the task so my family

would have to suffer any longer, but

I feel a strange illness overcoming me.

-P

'It looks like her son wasn't able to finish the job after all. Judging from this letter, it seemed that he has to leave because of his illness. And P? What could P stand for?'

At the end of the letter was a four point star symbol. Hm, I've seen this shape before...

I heard the door opened to see Odile walking in. She looked exhausted for she could barely stand.

"How was it?" I questioned.

"Bad." she answered before almost stumbling. "The Swan Guards are being subdued and more of my people are disappearing. We have to stop this from continuing any further!"

"Odile, is there anyway for us to see who is behind all of this?" Lumina asked.

"There is, but first, I need the key to the secret library." the Swan Princess replied.

"Lucky for us, I found three of them." I showed her the keys. "But I need to know where the door is."

"Oh, that wouldn't be a problem." after regaining her composure, Odile went to a certain wall and brushing some of the moss off.

There was a keyhole underneath all that stuff? Going over to the door, I tried all three keys. First, I tried the golden one. Hm, that doesn't seem right. The silver one was next. Well, there is only one left. I tried the bronze key and it was the right one. A click and the door was unlocked. Pocketing the silver and gold keys, I pushed the door opened to see a fairly large library.

"Wow, this library is much bigger than the one back home." Lumina remarked.

"Now what?" I turned to Odile.

"There is a Memory Pool up ahead. We can get information from there." the Swan Princess answered.

The four of us went to the pool. The surface of the water was reflecting the sunlight, making the pool looked more illuminating against the dark area. With the library in the dark, it looked almost like it was nighttime. The third parable was at the edge of the pool. Remembering my first trip to this island, I know what to do to get the info we needed. Taking out the white feather, I placed it on the surface of the water. The moment the feather glide in the water, the image of the room changed, replace with the images the pool was showing us.

"Something is appearing..." Odile notice a figure of a woman was slowly becoming clear.

The image showed a woman of royalty. Her dark hair was in an updo. She was dressed in a regal purple dress and in her hands was a staff. Her inhuman pale skin glowed in the sunlight. The sight of her just made me shudder. Now, there were many people I've encountered who have pale skin, but none of them looked like hers. Snow White's pale complexion was natural and a beautiful color of the snow. Belladonna's looked a bit more like a ghostly color, but still human. This woman, however, she looked like a wandering dead corpse! Something about her seemed out of place.

The woman appeared to be talking someone. And that someone was very familiar. Cloaked in black, the Mysterious Figure was having an important conversation.

"Don't worry, Master, I shall find the maiden."

"Yes, do not fail..."

"I won't." the woman answered with confident. "Renee may have failed to capture the Winter Successor, but I will catch her and Spring."

"Good."

"It shouldn't be a problem. I've dealt with a witch once. I can do it again with this one. I will make the people deemed her as a threat just like before."

"Hold on," the Mysterious Figure stopped. "I sensed someone watching us..."

It looked like he was looking at us, although, I'm not sure if he does see us. And something about that woman seemed awfully familiar, but I can't wrapped my finger around it. The image of them blurred until the pool return to the images of the room.

"I knew it." Lumina suddenly spoke.

"Something wrong?" Odile asked.

"The word 'witch' appeared again." she replied.

"This has happened before?" the Swan Princess turned to me.

"In my last case." I simply answered.

"My other was deemed as a witch." Lumina sadly remembered, thinking about her fay doll, Lumi.

"It seemed that she wants the girl." Odile looked at the unnamed child. "However, I know that she is no harm towards anyone despite the claims says otherwise."

"What should we do? Other then keeping her safe?" I questioned.

"We should find that woman and stop her. She has already caused too much confusion and fear for my people." the Swan Princess explained. "Detective, I'll be keeping the girl safe."

"Fair enough, I can't work on my case and watch over children at the same time. Besides, I think she's grown fond of you."

"Viola." Lumina spoke.

"Sorry?" Odile was a little surprise at the sudden response.

"Her name is Viola. I don't know how I know, I just do." the twelve year old replied.

"It's very fitting though." I comment before looking at the Swan Princess. "Where do you think we should start looking?"

"The last place she was seen was at the Lifeless Land."

"Then that is where we should be." I answered in determination. Taking Lumina with me, I added one more thing, "Be safe you two."

Odile and Viola both nodded their heads before going their path.


Lifeless Land was a very appropriate title because when we got there... There wasn't anything. No greenery at all. Everything was just bare soil. And the area looked abandoned, even dry brown moss has taken over the fallen buildings.

"What had happened here?" Lumina questioned.

Noticing some sort of marker, I read the writing on the lop-sided stone:

This place once hold former Swan Princess, Joelle.

Her father and sister ordered her death after her stubbornness against

marriage. So when she fled, they follow. Destroying everything she loves

before destroying her. The Spring has ended.

That doesn't sound like a happy family. I wonder what had happened. This place had lost life, possibly no chance to regain life at all...

"Lifeless Land, huh... The land of life comes to an end here. Such a depressing name." I remarked.

I picked up the fourth parable before exploring the area. The more I looked around the barren soil, the more I began to wonder if it was because of the current situation- because of the lack of Spring. However, when we reached to the edge of the forest, we ran into the mysterious woman.

"Ah, so you're the one my Master spoke highly of." she spoke to me. I was feeling tensed, making sure she doesn't get close to Lumina. As if she sensed my intentions, she laughed, "Oh! No need to fear though, I won't be going after you... Not just yet. Unlike Renee, I'm not brash... And I see you've brought the Successor of Winter with you. Well, if it isn't my lucky day! I'll get Spring and the soon-to-be Winter!"

"I'm not going with you if that's what you think!" Lumina shouted.

"Oh, feisty aren't we?" the woman sneered.

"Who are you?" I questioned firmly, absolutely ignoring her yawning evil plans.

"I think we should play a game. If you can figure out who I am, you might win something." the woman gave a smirk. I sighed as the regal woman threw a game at my face, metaphorically. "Ready, Detective?"

"Oh it's on."

Did you want to know what game she threw at me? Well, what we're playing is a game of checkers. I have to play three rounds before I win.

"You didn't win. I just don't have the time to deal with a pest like you." she bragged. She then addressed to Lumina, "I'll come back to pick you up. First, Spring. I'll see you around."

Something about her tone and the way she spoke made me feel a bit weird out. I turned to the girl.

"Lumina, what did she mean? I thought that when a successor is chosen, he or she would be made official and gain immortality when they get older."

A little refresher in case you didn't remember everything from my last case. The Sisters of the Seasons were four fairies from different magical worlds, chosen by four Goddesses to bring the seasons. Despite immortality is promised, one might not know the time of their unexpected end. To make sure that none of the seasons are lost, they picked their successors to be the next generation, the Rulers of Seasons. Most of the time, they are children who inherit their predecessor's powers as a keepsake. Until they reached the right age, they won't be made an official ruler nor can used their powers to the full potential.

"Because Spring is the beginning of Life, it's the most ancient of the seasons. Therefore, the Ruler of Spring would gain that power at any age and be made official the moment they accepted their powers. And unlike all the other successors, the Spring Ruler's powers is passed on to those who are related to them, whenever if they are a direct or distant descendent. Even the current ruler can personally passed their powers if they knew that they were going to die. Normally, their deaths come unexpectedly."

"Like Eloise." I remembered. "The Queen burned her at the stake."

"And like Mother Holle." the girl replied sadly. "Sorry, I shouldn't really bring her up."

"No, no. I understand, you missed her." I insisted. "She was like a mother to you."

Lumina nodded in agreement. After letting out a slow sad sigh, she added, "Each seasons have their own creative ways of choosing and it all started with the original fays who were chosen by the Goddesses."

"Such as..."

"Because Mother Holle choose an individual who is not related to her in blood, I'll have to pick my own successor in a mother-daughter like relationship." she explained. "Of course, if I ever feel like I'm in grave danger that is."

"Right. Anyway, let's find Odile. She and Viola might be next to encounter that woman."

I would have let her continued, but we have to get going. So while we went through the forest, I listened to Lumina's explanation. Hearing her explained made me recall my past conversation with Lumi. The once living fay doll had told me to talk to Lumina if I ever wanted to know more about the seasons. Funny how I have forgotten about that and only remembered it just now.

Anyway, you already know Spring and Winter. The way Summer work is through reincarnation or rebirth. Like a phoenix, the power will be reborn from ashes into a new individual. It's similar to Spring's choosing, so not completely reincarnation. However, what bothers me about this idea was that I met the Lady of Summer. According to Lumi, she is the Summer Fay, one of the Season Sisters. If she was still living, how does Lumina knows of how the passing of the power work? I guess it has to do with finding that same spark in order to transfer the power over Summer.

As for Autumn, the passing of that specific season is currently unknown. Nevertheless, the successors will be immortal by the time they officially become the new rulers themselves. And of course, the only way to get rid of their immortality, they need to passed their powers to the next.

"I know it's weird and complex, but each of the Fay Sisters have their own time to passed their powers just like us. Obviously, Spring had a head start." Lumina remarked.

"That's an understatement." I replied. Who knows what time Eloise was given her powers.

Finding a quick parable, I opened my book to see into the past. Seeing these vision would always halt time around me. So there wasn't any harm in knowing of the past, right?

The Girl and the Eleven Swans, 3/3

The Nettles of the Exotic Stinging Plants, 2/3

?, 0/0

?, 0/0

?, 0/0

The Girl and the Eleven Swans

Many years ago, there was a couple who have eleven young handsome sons. Before my birth, my brothers were Swan Guards, assigned to protect the Swan Lake Princess, Odette. I'm sure that my brothers were full of joy to find out of the news from Father that they were going to have a new member to the family, me. Unfortunately, their joy was cut short when an evil wizard appeared. This wizard, who have gone by the name of Rothbart, wished to have the Swan Lake Princess' hand in marriage- for the tales of her grace and elegance has reached his ears.

My brothers refused and in response for their refusal, the wizard cursed them to forever remain in their swan forms. In return, Odette defeated Rothbart in battle, but was sadden by the loss of her friends. Sadly, because of their curse, the eleven swans disappeared, leaving their parents in sorrow. The only child they have left... Was their unborn daughter, Eloise... Me.

I saw Eloise living somewhat contently in her home on Dire Island. Again, she looked so much like Viola.

As I grew, my parents kept the secret of my brothers. Although I was grateful of them not wanting to shatter my happy days of childhood, I wished they were honest. However, as Fate has it, I eventually learned the truth when I first met my brothers.

I learned each of their names. Lucas, Michael, Thomas, Jacob, Matthew, Asher, Gideon, Daniel, Isaac, David, Andrew, and Benjamin.

Hm, all twelve of them seemed to have Biblical names.

"We have been watching you for a very long time, dear Sister." Lucas once told me.

Unfortunately, my life wasn't going very well. The current Swan Princess at that time was very uncaring. Her name was Lilith. From what I know, she was the spoiled younger sister of the former Swan Princess, Joelle.

When I saw Lilith, her attitude mostly gave me the reason not to like her. She has dirty blonde hair and cold blue eyes. Her short hair was divided into two and she was dressed in a more dull armor. She has this snobbish and arrogant feeling.

Joelle, on the other hand, displays this rather calming feeling. Unlike her little sister, this woman has her hair tied in a ponytail with a headband made with white feathers. Because she's a renounced Swan Princess, she was dressed in a more regal attire, wearing white. I did notice her wearing a cross.

It was Joelle who took after Odette when she was banished from the Swan Kingdom. As for the Princess, herself, only an unfortunate event happened that caused her to passed her crown onto her sister. I saw her before she left. I didn't understand why.

"But why must you leave? You're a better ruler than Lilith." my youthful self once asked.

"It can't be help. No one seemed to believe in my innocence." Joelle replied as she packed up.

"I believe you."

She looked at me in surprise with those beautiful green eyes of hers, but that quickly changed when a lovely smile spread on her face, "I know you do. That is why I've decided..."

"Decided on what?"

"That you, Eloise, will be perfect to inherit my gift."

She kneel to me to hold my hands. Suddenly, she glowed a warm springy feeling until that feeling flowed into me.

Oh, so that must mean that Joelle was a Spring Ruler once. But I wonder since Lumina had explained this to me... Who was Eloise to Joelle?

That was the last I saw her before she left to live somewhere else on Dire Island. Now Lilith was doing her job, yet she wasn't doing it out of care or love.

One day, she ordered any young maiden to be banished, claiming that anyone beautiful might be working in the arts of dark magic. I felt that she was doing this because she hated my family, more specifically, me.

I am starting to think that there was a reason for the hatred towards that specific family. Again, I still want to know their relations.

I was forced out of the kingdom with only my brothers for comfort. During the night, they would return into human form while in the morning, they turned back into swans. Not wanting my poor brothers to suffer from their curse any longer, I set out to find a cure. In my dreams, I was visited by the Goddess Flora.

She gave me a way to break the curse on my brothers and insisted that I was the only one who could do it. Why? The reason was because I had a special gift, given to me by Joelle. At first, I didn't understand, until it was just before my death- before being burn at the stake as a witch.

Aw man! We're already at that part?

My gift was transferable to my family. Because I was to die, I couldn't let the only cure die with me. So I passed my gift onto my son- so he may continue with the cure in my stead. I hoped that one day, a distant family member of mine will inherit this special gift... And end my brother's curse once and for all.

I looked at the parable as I was taken back to the present.

"Well, I know now that Viola is a descendent of Eloise. But whatever happened to her son?" I questioned.


After we finished our walk from the forest, we've arrived just in time to see the confrontation between the woman, Odile, and Viola.

"Well, who would have thought that the maiden I was looking for was a little girl!" the woman sneered evilly.

"Well, you're going to have to go through me to get her!" Odile retaliated.

Although the Swan Princess fought her best, she was violently knocked out after hitting her head on a rock. We rushed over, but were too late when Viola was snatched by the woman.

"Hahaha! Time is running out for you, Detective!" she taunts me.

Summoning her magic, she aimed it directly at me. I was sent back from the blast and landed with my head hurting.

"Sophia? Sophia, get up!" Lumina shook me.

I groaned as I quickly got up. By the time I recover, the woman and Viola was gone!

"Darn it." I muttered.


1) Since the DP timeline isn't updated, I predicted (and this is not canon) that SPatDT took place in 2023 in the Summer. TTatT took place in Autumn, and the latest game, Requiem for the Forgotten Shadow is in the transition from Autumn to Winter.

2) My previous fan-made DP story, The Winter Child with the Sight take place in the Winter of 2023.

3) This story take place in the Spring of 2024.

Also, did you catch some hints in this chapter? Fairy Realm, pan flute, tinkering, and whoever is P? Get the hint yet?

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