Vyn "Flickering Moonlight"/Rewards

Story Summary

This story takes place in an Alternate Universe (AU) or possible past life. Its events do not affect the main timeline.

In ancient Khaimit, the MC, who is the royal scribe in this era, is at court as the Pharaoh makes an announcement: the Sun God has granted him a vision and demands that he conscript legions to expand the nation's territory by force. Rather than preparing the documents as directed, the MC asks him to reconsider, which goes against her role -- the Oracle's Edict is a command from the gods and should never be questioned. After court concludes, she runs into a worker who is clearly suffering, who tells her that he's working on building a nearby temple under a harsh deadline -- another recent Oracle's Edict. As she questions whether her role is to obey the gods or to mind the people's well-being, the worker suggests she seek advice from the High Priest.

The MC finds the High Priest -- Vyn -- stargazing in a lake amid water lilies on the temple grounds. He takes her back to his palace, where he encourages her to explore the reason for her doubts. The MC explains why she feels that people's thoughts are valuable even when they don't align with the edicts, adding that she could never be untrue to herself. Vyn grows happy, having lost hope he would meet someone with such beliefs, and explains that the Oracle's Edicts are flawed. The MC finds this hard to believe, so Vyn suggests they visit the palace and ask the gods themselves.

Vyn and the MC sneak into the temple, which is off-limits to all but Vyn and the Pharaoh. They find two people there, the Pharaoh and the Vizier, discussing a forged Oracle's Edict -- a stone tablet that has been inscribed with full details about the conscription. The Pharaoh questions their deeds before stating that he'll sacrifice anything to make the kingdom flourish, including the lives of his people. Vyn takes the MC back to his palace, calms her down, and asks for her cooperation to stop the Pharaoh.

Vyn explains his plan: while studying abroad, he learned how to predict eclipses, which are seen by Khaimit's people as a sign of the gods' anger. He will ask the Pharaoh to postpone announcing the conscription edict until the Festival of Renetunet in ten days, when there should be an eclipse. The two of them plan to carefully time their questions such that the eclipse declares the Pharaoh's edict to be false and the MC's to be true. The next day, the Pharaoh agrees to postpone the announcement, and the MC asks to be the one who announces it to prove her loyalty. The Pharaoh demands the MC prostrate herself before him to prove herself, but Vyn intervenes.

Ten days later, as the MC fights her nerves, Vyn gifts her a ribbon of linen and promises to face whatever comes together. At the festival, the MC acts as the gods' oracle, and Vyn asks her whether conscription and expansion is the gods' will. When she says their will is to focus on recovery and not go to war, the Vizier challenges her, produces the forged tablet as the true edict, and accuses the pair of colluding. They stall until the eclipse begins, and Vyn suggests they ask the gods directly. The plan goes exactly as they hoped, with the eclipse arriving when Vyn asks whether the Vizier's edict is true, then passing he asks about the MC's. The Pharaoh panics and calls for the Vizier's arrest, but he questions how Vyn engineered these events, and Vyn replies with advice about how to rule wisely.

After the festival, the MC returns to Vyn and questions why he chose her of all people -- an ordinary person with so little in common with him. He praises her "possibilities" once again, explaining that they encompass all her views and beliefs. When she questions him further, he takes the linen ribbon from her and blindfolds her, insisting that she listen only to his heart and soul. He continues to explain what she means to him and asks her to stay by his side, and as she realizes both his feelings and her own, the MC agrees.

Illustrations

Hidden TruthIn the moment of danger, you have a sudden yearning for the warmth of being in his arms.

The True Oracle's EdictAmidst the whirling sand, he seems not to hear the voices of doubt. By your side, he earnestly asks the gods his question.

After Story

After Story script

Vyn: I see that you are here. The weather is just right. Would you like to take a break with me?

Intimate Interaction

Point 1 (left)

You: The shops in the merchant district seem to be doing better than before...

You: It looks like what you told the Pharaoh before seems to be working, High Priest.

Vyn: Perhaps, but what happens in the future... is yet to be determined.

(if repeated)

You: (It looks like what the High Priest told the Pharaoh before seems to be working.)

Point 2 (Vyn)

You: (The High Priest's monocle... It seems to be in the shape of the Eyes of Horus?)

You: (Legends say that the Eye of Horus is an "all seeing eye" that can discern all things. It's a pretty fitting metaphor for the High Priest.)

You: (That's not important though. What's actually important is...)

You: (The High Priest looks really delectable wearing those monocles...)

(if repeated)

You: (I can feel my heart flutter, seeing the High Priest wearing those monocles...)

Point 3 (right)

You: (I've never seen this plant before... Is it something new from this store?)

You: (For something like this, I wonder if we can buy a few to put in the High Priest's palace...)

You: (There isn't much furniture there and it feels cold and lifeless...)

Vyn: Do you like those plants? If you want, we can bring them back and look after them together.

You: (H-How did he know what I was thinking!?)

(if repeated)

You: (For something like this, I wonder if we can buy a few to put in the High Priest's palace...)

Water lilies...

You: (Is this a... pygmy water-lily?)

You: (The flowers have not yet bloomed...)

Vyn: Are you looking at this pygmy water-lily?

You: Yeah, I was wondering why its buds are tightly closed...

Vyn: It is still bright outside. The flower will not be blooming too soon.

Vyn: But... It is rare for us to be together. Do you want to watch it bloom, just the two of us?

You: Eh!? No, I...

Vyn: Relax, I was just jesting.

You: Was this flower... bought by you, High Priest?

Vyn: Yes. I specially chose it after passing by a florist on the way here.

You: Specially chose it? Why?

Vyn: Because... it reminded me of you when I first laid eyes on it. I thought that it would match you very well.

You: So... Is this flower a gift for me?

Vyn: Yes, I hope you like it.

You: Of course. I like anything that you give me.

Vyn: I am glad that you accept my gift.

You: That being said... it's really rare to see the you around at this time.

You: You're usually busy during this time, aren't you?

Vyn: It used to be that way, but I recently started to hand over some of the regular tasks to my students.

You: You handed them over? Why?

Vyn: Because... I also want to try and take this burden off my shoulders.

Vyn: I've stayed in the High Priest's position for long enough. It is about time for me to live my own life.

You: When did you start to think this way?

Vyn: Probably... after I met you.

Vyn: I used to be alone, so I would not think about things like this. But after meeting you...

Vyn: I actually began to look forward to the days to come.

You: It's the same for me as well.

Vyn: So... hypothetically, if one day I decided to bring you out of this country, will you agree?

You: Of course. I'm willing to go anywhere, as long as it's with you.

Vyn: Hearing those words... I must work even harder to make that reality come sooner.

Story Locations

Khaimit
In the Temple

Khaimit
Ceremony Hall

Khaimit
Central Business District

Khaimit
Temple Surroundings

Khaimit
Vyn's Palace

Khaimit
Outside the Ceremony Hall

Khaimit
Altar

Story Characters

Vyn Richter

Vizier

Pharaoh

Worker

Commoner