Marius "Crown of Glory"/Rewards

Story Summary

Kiki and the MC discuss a recent viral post about Semper Augustus tulips; an eccentric rich family in Stellis, the Leicesters, claims to have bulbs of the otherwise-extinct tulips, which are extremely difficult to grow. The family is known to be highly reclusive, only selecting six people to receive invitations to their tulip garden and have a chance to win their guide to growing the prized flowers. Marius happens by, asking to join them after overhearing their conversation about the garden, but Kiki is called away. Marius mentions that his family also has some Semper Augustus bulbs, but that no one in his family had been able to grow them successfully. His earnest wish to see the flowers someday lingers in the MC's mind.

That weekend, the MC happens to be in the area of the Leicester mansion, Eiderson Garden. She asks to be allowed in to learn about the tulips but is refused without an invitation. Marius arrives as she's about to leave and presents an invitation. The butler still tries to refuse the MC, but Marius uses his mother's name to ask for a favor, and the two are allowed in thanks to the bond between Marius' late mother and Ms. Leicester. As they enter, they pass by a captivating painting of a goddess crowning an emperor, and Marius comments that the goddess looks like the MC. A group of people asks whether Marius is also here to compete for the guide to growing Semper Augustus tulips.

The rest of the guests introduce themselves and discover that everyone who won an invitation was born on June 21st. Mr. Leicester arrives and begins the event by asking the guests why they want to learn to grow the Semper Augustus; Marius begins by saying he found the flower enchanting in a painting and also discovered a legend that if two people successfully grow the flower together, they'll be blessed by Aphrodite. The other guests give their reasons, ranging from preservation to monetary gain. Mr. Leicester announces that the group will play a game together, and the winner will receive their life's work, "A Guide to Growing Semper Augustus." He explains the game as the "King Game," a card game based around naming one contestant the King and having that person order specific tasks to be done by the other players. He also insists the players dress in his family's traditional costumes and asks that the MC, since she can't participate, wear the costume of the family's patron goddess and act as a witness.

Everyone changes in their costumes, with Marius selecting a military-style royal uniform. Thanks to the strict time limit imposed on the tasks, within three rounds of the King Game, the contest is down to Marius and one other player. Marius is selected as King and gives the other player a task only he has successfully completed: a block-building challenge. The other player loses, and Marius wins after completing his own mental math challenge. Mr. Leicester then asks Marius to pass a final test: to draw the correct sword from two identical-looking sheathed swords, one of which is the "Sword of Killing" and the other is the "Sword of Power." With no clue which is the correct one, it's a game of chance, but Marius draws the correct sword after encouragement from the MC. Mr. Leicester congratulates Marius and asks him and the MC to reenact their family's legendary coronation ceremony.

The other guests are escorted out, and Marius and the MC are brought through the family garden to meet Mrs. Leicester. The MC snags her costume on one of the plants, and as Marius helps her free, he comments that he would like her to be his queen. When meeting Mrs. Leicester, Marius asks about the apparent birthday requirement for invitation winners, and the couple explains that it was in honor of their only child, who died at birth, with Mr. Leicester adding that his wife feels guilty for it. Marius responds that he used to feel the same way -- guilt for his mother's death after he was born -- but that he's stopped believing that and that Mrs. Leicester's child wouldn't want to cause her such turmoil. Marius receives the guidebook, and the two are invited to stay for dinner.

After dinner, Marius explains his reason for seeking out the book: his mother, who prepared birthday gifts for him before her death, gifted him Semper Augustus bulbs this year. As he grows melancholy and wishes his mother were still alive, the MC resolves to grow the tulips with him so they can gift his mother the flowers next year. Marius says he'll also tell his mother he found someone who means a lot to him and asks her to come to the von Hagen estate to plant them the next day. Marius stays up all night reading the guide and preparing the bulbs in the special, secret way the Leicesters wrote in their book. The MC arrives, and the two plant the bulbs on a back hill of the estate.

Illustrations

DignifiedMarius holds the mighty sword in his hand as he walks slowly towards you on the red carpet. Every step he takes is powerful and in perfect harmony with the rhythm of the music playing in the background.

Flower of HopeHe put in your palm not only the seeds of the Semper Augustus, but also love and hope.

Video Call

Video Call		Marius: Crown of Glory (After Story 6)

Video Call script

Marius: Why did you have lunch so late? A lot of work today?

Marius: Good... I am on a business trip, and I saw the statue of Aphrodite at the station just now. It suddenly reminded me of you.

Marius: Well, it was truly mind-blowing. The sculptor recreated her elegant body shape with excellency.

Marius: Yes, the missing arms actually presented a unique form of beauty. The body structure and its dynamic variation fully manifested humans' inner vitality and wisdom.

Marius: I always view her as the highest standard of classical arts, always so noble, elegant, solemn and great.

Marius: You have the same feeling? Does that mean our souls resonate with each other?

Marius: Ha... you don't have to answer. I already see the answer on your face.

Marius: I've never learned how to carve formally. Just bits and pieces from classical arts class.

Marius: I've tried carving before, but I was so inexperienced that the finished product turned out very different from my expectation.

Marius: I am not trying to be humble. However, if you volunteer to model for me, my carving skill shall improve greatly for sure.

Marius: Ha... No kidding, I'm serious.

Marius: Can't wait for it. I've just decided to give you a thank-you present for volunteering.

Marius: It's a picture of the statue of Aphrodite. Although it doesn't show every detail of the statue in depth, it's still a pretty good souvenir.

Marius: Miss, you're too formal. There's no need for that between us.

Marius: Okay. See you later. Bye.

Story Locations

Themis Law Firm
Pantry

Stellis Central Business District
Cafeteria

Eiderson Gardens
Edison Court

Eiderson Gardens
Lobby

Eiderson Gardens
Study

Eiderson Gardens
Reception Room

Eiderson Gardens
Back Garden

Eiderson Gardens

Misc

The von Hagen Estate

The von Hagen Estate
Mountains in the Back

Story Characters

Marius von Hagen

Marius von Hagen

Kiki Bennet

Kiki Bennet

Mr. Leicester

Mrs. Leicester

Lorelei Irving

Adam Glass

Phoebe Fulton

Kenton Hyland

Ron Hyland

Butler

Story References

The Marius "Crown of Glory" story contains brief mentions or references of events that took place in the following:

• Menagerie of Lights Event story