Heavy is the Crown
is a Long Live the Queen Alternate Universe Fic by longlivethesock.
Elodie loses the vote of no confidence at the gala and is about to be deposed in all but name. Talarist intervenes.
Tropes featured in this fanfic:
- Abhorrent Admirer: Elodie feels death would be preferable to a marriage to Banion.
- Adaptational Badass: In canon, if Elodie loses the vote of no confidence, Talarist can do nothing. Here, he is able to turn the tide completely in her favor.
- Altar the Speed: Elodie decides to have her wedding a lot sooner than planned.
- Ambiguous Situation:
- Elodie isn't sure Talarist knew about Banion's plans, and if he didn't, it leads to the question of why he brought soldiers with him.
- It's not clear if the assassination attempt that targeted Talarist was arranged with Queen Fidelia's knowledge, and it's likewise ambiguous whether Talarist himself believes it wasn't.
- Bittersweet Ending: Elodie remains alive, in power, and married to the kind and charming Talarist rather than the sleazy Banion, but at a bitter cost. Many nobles, including those like Corisande whom other routes of the game have shown to have sympathetic traits, are executed for treason, which will hardly make for a peaceful near future in Nova. In addition, the king of Talasse will also be somewhat displeased by Talarist bringing soldiers to Nova and hastening his wedding to Elodie without permission.
- Crazy-Prepared: Talarist brought a battalion of disguised Talassian soldiers with him just in case. This is an even more extreme case of the trope if he wasn't informed about Banion's plans.
- Death by Adaptation: The majority of Novan nobles are executed. In all the canon routes, while Fabian dies and Arisse can be killed, it happens much later, and nobody except Banion and Lucille in some routes dies during the gala.
- Eating the Eye Candy: Despite all the grimness and goriness in the fic, Elodie still takes the time to gush over Talarist's handsome looks.
- Enlightened Self-Interest: Talarist is supportive and protective of Elodie, and it earns him the title of King-Consort of Nova.
- Marriage of Convenience: Although Elodie finds Talarist very attractive, she hastens her wedding with him because she desperately needs an ally, and she realizes she's taking a risk because she barely knows Talarist.
- So Proud of You: It's implied Talarist is genuinely proud at Elodie finding new strength after the attempted coup.
