*disable_reuse

Obviously, you oblige. You keep a reasonable distance away from the Royal Family as guards flank you on both sides.

*if background = "guard"
    It was a bit weird to be escorted around like this and the stoic, yet bored looks of the guards reminded you of your own when dignitaries came to visit. Oh how things change.
    
    You barely tune back in to catch the Queen give you the run down of everything that you were passing. You've been in these halls loads of times, but never actually got the historical rundown.

“So right now we are walking down a hallway, named after Queen Eliza, the first Queen of Odessa. With big, bright windows and gold decor everywhere, we tend to take a lot of our official pictures in this hallway,” Queen Ramona explains.

King Frederick nods. “When this part is open to the public, it tends to be quite popular for, erm...pictures. Selfie taking. All of that.”

Princess Mozelle chuckles. “It’s where I take all of mine usually. But now we’re going into the Great Hall.”

Two heavily armed guards open the doors for all of you to reveal a large room with polished wooden floors. When you look up, you not only notice two large chandeliers, but what seems to be a second floor as well.

“This is our Great Hall,” Queen Ramona says, waving her ring decorated hand over the entire area. “One of many, but this one tends to be used the most. A lot of the competition will take place here, the judging, other things like that.”

Princess Mozelle twirls around, humming to herself. “Dancing too, obviously. Are you much of a dancer, $!{player_first_name}?"

*fake_choice
    #“Ah, sort of,” I answer with a shrug of my shoulders.
        *set formal %-10
        *set aloof +1
        *set mozelle %+5
    #“I danced when I was younger, but not in a while,” I answer, almost hearing the music in my head again.
        *set polished %+7
        *set charming +1
        *set mozelle %+7
    #“Not at all,” I answer. I’d much rather stand on the sidelines.
        *set friendly %-10
        *set shy +1
        *set mozelle %-5
    #“Depends on how much alcohol I’ve had,” I say jokingly.
        *set bold %+5
        *set formal %-5
        *set polished %-5
        *set mozelle %+5
    #“Yes, I love dancing!” I exclaim with a smile.
        *set polished %+10
        *set formal %+10
        *set charming +1
        *set mozelle %+10

King Frederick walks over to his daughter and places a hand on her shoulder. “Enough of that, Mozelle. Ramona, dear, how about you and Mozelle go see where $!{royal_first_name} is?”

Queen Ramona smiles and takes her daughter by the hand. “Sure dear. See you soon.”

You watch the Queen and Princess exit the hall before turning to the King. Your mind races as you wonder what is about to happen next.

*page_break

“Guards, leave me.”

The King’s guards nod, bowing towards King Frederick, before they turn around and head through the same door the Queen and Princess headed through earlier. Even Ross and Ryr follow after, shrugging their shoulders in your direction. Seems like they didn’t know what was happening either.

“Follow me, $!{player_first_name},” King Frederick says, adjusting the cuff of his shirt. 

“Ah, yes, Your Majesty,” you say, walking a sizable distance behind him, which the King notices.

“You can walk alongside me,” King Frederick says, almost amused. “I won’t tell.”

*if (background = "guard")
    It's almost comical how easily you slip back into your old guard formation. You supposed that civilian life has forced you to follow royal customs more than you usually would, but deep down you'd always be a member of the guard.
    
    You move up to King Frederick's side and place your arms behind your back. You think you see the King smile faintly, but it's gone before you could get a good look at his face.
    
    "We're headed towards my study. Should be a very familiar place for you," he hums and you nod. 
    
    It's where you took your guard oath, though you have no idea why you'd go there now.
    *page_break
    *goto kquestions

Your roommate gave you a crash course in customs and titles to get you through this meeting in the days leading up to your departure from Lox. Surprised at the deviation from Royal customs, you walk along side the King.

He was likely making an exception from customs just for this meeting.

*page_break

*label kquestions
The King leads you into a much smaller room, still with those large bright windows. This room is dark purple with floor to ceiling bookshelves throughout the room. An oak desk sat in front of one of the windows and various other pieces of decor filled other empty spots of the room.  

*if (background = "guard")
    "Familiar, hm?" King Frederick asks you, a slight grin on his face. You nod, taking in the surroundings once again. 
    
    You were also told that if you were ever shown it again, one of two things were about to happen to you. You were either about to be dismissed from the Guard or you were about to be ordered to do something behind somebody else's back. Obviously, neither of these two things were about to happen, so why the hell are you in here?
    
    The King's voice eventually shakes you out of your thoughts. 

“Please, take a seat," King Frederick says once you've had a chance to look around. 

You wait for King Frederick to sit down behind his desk before you do so. Silence envelopes the two of you so to break it, you ask, “Is there any reason why we’re alone, Your Majesty?”

King Frederick remains silent for a few moments longer before stares into your eyes. You instinctively take a deep breath, feeling as if he was staring right into your soul.

“Tell me, $!{player_first_name}, do you truly wish to compete in this competition?”

The question catches you off guard and you struggle to answer. King Frederick leans back in his seat a bit, deciding to continue his thoughts.

“I’m aware of how sudden this is. You sign up for a dating website, not believing it to have some ulterior motive, and are suddenly about to be entangled in the Court. It’s not for the faint of heart, trust me.”

He stands up now, lacing his fingers behind his back. “I truly wish for my child to find happiness through this competition. I wish not to waste your time, ${royal_his_her_their} time, nor our resources if you’d rather not compete.”

The King turns to you, peering into your eyes once again. “So, $!{player_first_name} $!{player_last_name}, would you like to compete in The Odessa Dating Games? You are the most compatible for my child, and I’ll do anything to keep you here, but if you wish to leave, I’ll allow you to do so.”

You ponder how much your life has changed since finding out that you might be competing in this competition. Are you truly ready to join the Court? What do you tell King Frederick?

*label compchoice
*fake_choice
    #I tell him that I was born ready to compete.
        *set morale %+10
        *set bold %+5
        *set royalloyalty %+5
        King Frederick nods, smiling wider than you’ve ever seen from him before. 

        “Born ready. That’s what I like to hear. Good.”

        He steps away from the desk and glances at the smartwatch on his wrist. "Now that that's all settled, it’s time for you to meet the last part of our family.”
        *page_break
        *goto_scene chp2_heirmeeting


    #I tell him that though I’m nervous to compete, I’ll do it.
        *set morale %+10
        *set bold %-10
        *set royalloyalty %+5
        King Frederick nods, seeming much more relaxed now that you’ve agreed to compete.

        “Thank you,” he says. “This means more than you’ll ever know. I’m sure you’ve been told this since you found out the news, but you really have nothing to be nervous about. Keep your head straight and think smart, you’ll be fine.”

        King Frederick smooths out his pants with his hands, before heading back towards the door. 

        “Now, to meet the last person in the family: my eldest child.”
        *page_break
        *goto_scene chp2_heirmeeting

    #I tell him that I’ll compete and I'm excited to meet (and potentially hook up) with everybody. I don't say the hook up part, though.
        *set morale %+10
        *set charisma %+10
        *set friendly %+10
        *set bold %+10
        *set formal %-10
        *set flirty +1
        King Frederick nods, satisfied with your answer. “They come from all over. Nobody knows their compatibility scores yet besides you, but imagine that once they do learn, you’ll be a very popular contestant.”

        He glances at his smartwatch on his wrist. “Ah, Ramona and Mozelle have found my eldest child. You ready, $!{player_first_name}?”
        
        You nod and follow after the King.
        *page_break
        *goto_scene chp2_heirmeeting

    #I tell him that I’ll compete and leave it at that.
        *set polished %+10
        *set friendly %-10
        *set formal %+10
        *set aloof +1
        “Short and to the point. I can appreciate that,” King Frederick replies.

        When the King moves from behind his desk, it causes you to stand up and follow after him. 

        “My wife and daughter should have found my eldest child by now. Let’s go find the group, shall we?”
        *page_break
        *goto_scene chp2_heirmeeting

    #I tell him I’ll compete, but only if he offers me something to make it worth my while.
        *set cunning %+10
        *set bold %+5
        *set snarky %+5
        *set kingsbargain "yes"
        *goto_scene chp2_kingsbargain
    #I ask if it even matters what I tell him.
        *set odessenters %+3
        *set bold %+7
        *set snarky %+5
        "Do I even have a choice?" You ask, which makes the King's eyebrows raise. 
        
        "Excuse me?"
        
        "I mean, you're the King. Does it even matter what I want? You can make me do whatever you want. I don't have a choice," you continue, arms crossed. 
        
        King Frederick is silent for a moment, fingers resting against the desk in front of him.
        
        "You always have a choice, $!{player_first_name}. Just choose wisely. Many don't get the chance to choose when I'm involved," he finally says, which sounds a lot like a threat.
        
        "I see."
        *page_break
        *goto compchoice
        
        
    #I tell him that I’m not competing, no matter what he wants. 
        *set odessenters %+5
        Are you sure you don’t want to compete?
        *fake_choice
            #Very sure.
                *goto_scene chp2_earlyend
            #Well, on second thought..
                *goto compchoice