#theroyalpretender

[thesecrimsonstrings-if]

As a long-time member of the IF community, thank you for giving us a love triangle which isn't genderlocked. Call me messy but I adore LT and I've probably played the one for TWC a hundred times. Other than that, whenever I see even a mention of a LT, it's always between two men or masculine characters and the PC

"Oh you want a love triangle? Have two men willing to fight over you. What about the women? Don't worry about them, they are too 'mature' to be getting into these kind of feuds." What is that even supposed to mean? Give me feminine folks who are pining over me, give me my daily sapphic dose without the male love interests being the only ones who simultaneously fall for the PC. Why do so many authors always flesh out male characters to make them interesting and appealing and the female characters are written on candy wrappers?

Hearing about Celia and Zoya was such a breath of fresh air because when you mentioned the love triangle, I was sure that it will be a random tall, dark and handsome guy. Not only did you give us two incredibly interesting characters, you also made the twins separate out with particular aspects of their own. I know we're going to break her heart in this book but Zoya has my lesbian heart going giddy and I'm ready to give her all the love in the spinoff

Sorry about the long rant, I just read over a blog with a LT happening between male characters and I just had to vent it out. Please ignore if it's too much

akhfksjfjs okay ouch, do you hate men that much? 😭 alright, jokes aside, this is a lot to unpack. but i gotta say that i actually agree with you, dear bonnie. i don't particularly have a problem when love triangles only involve male LIs but those are the characters that often get very popular in the fandom tho. thankfully, that wasn't the case with TCS since célia is surprisingly popular, probably second to tachibana, and i'm so grateful for that.

majority of the fandom is made up of straight or queer women with a preference for men so it's no surprise that male love interests are actually very popular. it's not something that the author can be blamed for tbh, it just be like that sometimes. however, i do get that it gets really boring and bland when the primary focus is only on men and their character development while female characters get paid with toilet paper from aliexpress.

i'm so happy that zoya is bringing you so much joy 😭 the reception to her and zion's character unveiling as been great and i really did not expect people to simp for the senarath twins so much when they aren't even two of the ROs in this book. while the love triangle arc is more like a one-sided affair on their part, i'm glad to contribute to your messy side because honestly, i love the drama too 😌

here are some book recs with female love interests who are on-par with the male ones (if there are any) which will give some relief to your wlw heart, provided you haven't heard of them yet. i'm not adding games with unbalanced ratio of m:f characters since i don't want to piss you off even more 💀

honour among theives // @leoneliterary

the exile // @exilethegame

a tale of crowns // @ataleofcrowns

wolfwater // @carrs-universe-if

ripper's plague // @ripperplague

a life supreme // @lifesupreme-if

sinners and saints // @sinnersandsaints-linwrites

fell star // @fell-star-if

myrk mire // @catt-nuevenor

from the ashes we rise // @fromtheashesweriseif

requiem // @requiem-if

the royal pretender // @theroyalpretender-if

#asks #i'm lowkey scared of you bonnie 😭 #y'all don't come for my neck #i feel like i'm being held at gunpoint for some reason #although you are allowed to vent here about IFs #these crimson strings #bonnie nonnie #other ifs #other if authors

[theroyalpretender-if]

how would the ROs react to getting home super late and being greeted by a very sleepy mc hugging them and saying "I missed you"?

K is exhausted themselves, so it doesn’t register for them at first just how late it is. They fall into your embrace before the realization hits them. “What on earth are you doing awake?!”

F grins impishly as you rub at your eyes. “There really was no need to have stayed up MC, I could’ve woken you up myself…”

L doesn’t say a word as you embrace them. Instead, they take you by the hand and lead you to bed, wrapping their arms around you as they hold you against them and whisper into the nape of your neck. “I missed you too.”

E’s brows furrow when they see your face before bringing you to bed and kissing your eyes closed. “Please don’t wait for me MC. That’s my duty.”

#theroyalpretender #asks #prompts #all ros #ask list

[theroyalpretender-if]

Me reading the asks: L is mean and unbearable I already hate him😡🔪 This is one I want to romance 🤡

the duality of players T^T

#theroyalpretender #asks

[theroyalpretender-if]

Preparing myself to create an MC who is completely against taking the throne but any time someone says she can't make it she reacts like "OH I CAN'T? WATCH ME BITCH"

i can’t wait to hear about your MC in action LOL

i think you’ll like the stubborn/sarcastic dialogue choices very much ^_^

thanks for the ask!

#theroyalpretender #asks

[theroyalpretender-if]

Hey when I read about the ros I got the impression that E already has a crush on mc, maybe I'm just imagining things since I like this kind of ro 🙃

this might be a little spoilery, but i’ve been working non-stop on writing E for a while now T^T so here’s a little something:

it wouldn’t be a leap in logic to say that E does love MC; but it’s up to the player to whether or not this love is romantic or platonic. i wouldn’t say they’re so much crushing on you as they are devoted to you… take that as you will (hehehehe)

thanks for the ask!

#theroyalpretender #asks

[theroyalpretender-if]

Already in love with E!!

shout out to all my E enjoyers! i am definitely not slightly biased towards them at all… not at all. ;•_•

#theroyalpretender #asks #thank you anon!

[theroyalpretender-if]

Hello, can you tell me, please, are you planning to release a demo this year or next? Maybe you can approximately suppose in what month? No pressure, just curiosity, thank you!

i am planning on releasing a demo this year, probably within the nest 6 months or so! i’ll try to keep you all engaged as i can in the meantime.

thanks for the ask!

#theroyalpretender #asks

[theroyalpretender-if]

author’s note 05

hi everyone! long time no see ;^_^

school is wrapping up this month and exams are (almost) over, so hopefully you will be seeing a lot more of me soon! this project hasn’t been abandoned, just put on pause for a little while i get my life together. i’m also thinking about migrating this blog to a different account, and i’ll try to keep you all as updated as i can. i miss writing so much, so rest assured i’m super motivated and excited to keep working!

#theroyalpretender #interactive fiction #from me to you <3 #wip

[theroyalpretender-if]

I don't know what it will be like when the demo comes out, but after reading asks, L immediately discouraged me. If L gonna treat MC like shit, my MC won't be chasing them 🤷

But I'm not asking you to change them. All the other ROs are loveable enough <3 so there can be one asshole...

I just wish MC had the opportunity to defend themselves instead of crying or something, when L starts being mean to them.

thanks for the feeback anon! as i’ve said before, MC will have the opportunity to defend themselves and correct L’s behavior towards them in the demo. since asks tend to be short, they give a very shallow understanding of characters, hence why L’s singular personality trait so far seems to be rude/cruel.

#theroyalpretender #asks #L

[theroyalpretender-if]

Oh shit regarding that last L ask don't apologize! Ik their character is supposed to be that way and it simply caught me off guard a bit at how much their good at, well, being a dick

It's not a flaw in writing persay, a bold choice in ro but one that can be pulled off very well, I'm just stating my thoughts on it

It's your story and I'm not about to tell you ur characters r 'wrong' because because r flawed, no matter how deeply those flaws go

OMG i'm sorry for misinterpreting your comment (T^T) tone can be super hard to interpret over writing. there's no hard feelings, pinkie swear!

#asks #theroyalpretender #thank you anon!

[theroyalpretender-if]

how do the ROs feel about monogamy, either/or sexual or romantic?

All the ROs prefer both sexual and romantic monogamy, although some (E in particular) might be a tad more open to polyamorous relationships than others.

I won't be writing any polyamorous romances into the novel, mostly because I don't think I'm equipped write them + I want the routes that I have planned already to be as in-depth as possible. Still, you are free to headcanon such relationships if you like!

thanks for the ask!

#asks #ask list #prompts #theroyalpretender #all ROs

[theroyalpretender-if]

It's all fun and games until L makes MC cry/ or hurts them to the point of nearly blowing their chances out of the waterrrrrrrrr

Like Jesus though I've seen some cold characters but this one is on the line of being a complete asshole holy shit, granted don't know a lot about em and I'm not saying they have to polite or even nice but like shit, I'm intrigued that this character is a RO though, so that'll probably go into.... interesting places

thanks for the feedback anon. L's character will continue to develop throughout the story and as their relationship with MC progresses, they will become a lot less irritable. i'm sorry if their character is a bit too extreme for the moment; if enough people prefer it, i can tweak them a little.

sorry :(

#asks #L #theroyalpretender

[theroyalpretender-if]

author’s note 04

hi everyone! it’s been almost a week since my last activity, so a huge sorry for that. exams are coming up so i may not be as active until then, but rest assured i am still working diligently on this project! this community has grown so much, and i’m super happy to see it-- i’ve been thinking about getting a discord started, but i’m not quite sure how discord works, much less how to create/moderate my own server ;-; still, thanks for your asks, comments, and feedback!

#interactive fiction #wip #theroyalpretender #from me to you <3

[theroyalpretender-if]

The Royal Pretender is a low-fantasy interactive fiction game filled with high-stakes political intrigue.

You are a servant in Highreave Castle, heart of the Mercilonian Kingdom. When peace talks between Mercilon and the neighboring Kingdom of Bourgeaux are halted in wake of the King's assassination, you unwittingly find yourself in the midst of a thrilling power struggle. How will you handle your rise to power; and who with?

♛ Choose your gender, sexuality, and appearance. ♛ Decide how to approach your duty as heir. ♛ Uncover the mystery surrounding the King's assassination. ♛ Learn about your past... and how it may explain your present. ♛ Antagonize or pacify the Kingdom of Bourgeaux. ♛ Prove the legitimacy of your claim to the Mercilonian throne.

♛ Ser K. Stroude-Arnoult [M/F] | A well-bred and respected knight/noble of Bourgeaux. As a personal advisor and guard to Prince(ss) L. Courtois-Dumonte, they have pledged their undying loyalty to their crown and kingdom. Their virtue and kindness has earned them considerable favor among the peasantry of Bourgeaux, though not at the cost of their notoriety among the nobility.

Kendric/Kendrice Stroude-Arnoult has black skin, brown eyes, and coily black hair. They are tall and have an average-muscular build.

♛ Ser F. Ramazan [M/F] | A roguish and well-known figure throughout the Kingdom of Mercilon. Their rise in rank after fleeing their homeland of Tamaq is legendary, and their fame amongst the peasantry rivals their infamy amongst nobility. As a knight, they are loyal to the crown of Mercilon, so long as they do right by their people.

Faiz/Faiza Ramazan has brown skin, brown eyes, and straight black hair. They are very tall and have a chubby-muscular build.

♛ Prince(ss) L. Courtois-Dumonte [M/F] | Known to be haughty and callous, first-born heir to the throne of Bourgeaux. Their acuity in diplomatic affairs and skill in pacifying those who seek to threaten their ambitions has proved helpful in their mission to secure power; although the nobility may be mistaken as to where their true loyalties lie.

Lionel/Lione Dumonte has has pale skin, blue eyes, and blonde curly hair. They are very tall and have a skinny-muscular build.

♛ E. Leiden [M/F] | Stoic and of few words, a fellow servant at Highreave Castle. You have known them for as long as you can remember, and they are the closest thing to a sibling you have. Their loyalty and concern for you knows no bounds, but is it out of love or duty?

Erik/Erika Leiden has fair skin, blue eyes, and brown wavy hair. They are average height and have a frail build.

DEMO | FORUM | KO-FI | PATREON | MASTERPOST

#interactive fiction #wip #theroyalpretender

[theroyalpretender-if]

❛ it’ll always be you. ❜ For Prince(ss) L. Courtois-Dumonte!

ty for the prompt anon, i hope you enjoy! for those interested in sending in a different prompt, you can find ask lists here.

❛ it’ll always be you. ❜

"What do you want?"

"Just a moment of your time. Is that alright?"

L looks up from their desk and glances at you with icy blue eyes; for a moment you think they might let you stay.

"No. Leave."

Or not.

"I see," you say, clearly embarrassed. "I apologize for intruding."

"Apology accepted. Lock the door on your way out, I'd hate for another stray to wander in."

You bite your lip and nod, backing away from their desk and toward the door. You pull at its handle gently, but the heavy wooden door does not budge. You try again, this time more forcefully. No luck.

"Are you still here?" L asks, exasperated. You venture that they probably think you stupid or suicidal. Possibly both.

"I- the door is stuck," you stammer.

"Good gods," L gripes, running a hand through their curls and rising from their seat. In three long strides they're by your side. Slapping your hand away with a click of their tongue, they pull at the door handle themselves but it doesn't budge. Their brows furrow and they try again. No luck.

"You must be joking," they whisper to themselves and kick the door before turning away from you with a groan. You startle at the kick but they don't seem to care.

"You've lived in this castle longer than I have," they begin, their eyes narrowed. "Surely there's another way out of here? And don't say the window, I'll have you ousted from my wing for proposing it."

You look around the room nervously, and open your mouth to suggest leaving through the servant passages before L interrupts you.

"Why were you here to begin with?"

You turn to face them, your face darkening. "It's not important," you say quickly. They shake their head and scowl at you. "No, you will answer me. Whatever you came for was evidently important enough to trap us here. What was it?"

Their question isn't so much a question as it is a demand, their blue eyes having grown stormy. You look down at your feet and shuffle from side to side. "I wanted to ask if you'd like to go for a walk in the gardens."

"Speak up."

"I wanted to ask if you'd like to go for a walk in the gardens," you repeat, louder this time. Your face is burning now, their baffled expression doing nothing to soothe it.

Their awe quickly turns to annoyance as they pinch the bridge of their nose and close their eyes, refusing to look at you. "It'll always be you, won't it?" they mutter under their breath.

"I beg your pardon?"

"It's not important," they say, returning to their usual irritated self. "Now, I demand that you get us out of here."

#theroyalpretender #prompt response #L