You have been framed for a crime you did not commit and furthermore, executed. How do you seek revenge on those who wronged you? Sure, coming back as a ghost is one thing but spirits can’t interfere or interact with living mortals. So well, you possess somebody as a medium and hatch your revenge plot! It might sound like an easy feat in Eris No Seihai but in a fantasy world with no internet connections, I guess one has to do detective work the old fashion way. Put on your thinking caps, because there’s going to be so many parties involved and other plots tied in together that it will probably be faster to solve the equation and mysteries of the universe first before unveiling the whole truth in this convoluted murder mystery case. Just kidding! But oh well, if such murder mysteries are easy to solve, I would have become a detective myself. Heh…
Episode 1
A beautiful woman is being executed at a city hall. She curses them all but the crowd chants death to her. She locks eyes with a young Constance Grail before she gets decapitated. Quite the horror for a 6 year old girl having front seats in watching this, you know. Now Constance is 16 years old and at a party hosted by Viscount Dominic Hamsworth. It seems her father has fallen into debt and the only way out was for her to be engaged to Neil Bronson. Looks quite the gentleman. However her friend, Mylene Reese told her that he is seen having an affair with Pamela Francis. Then Constance saw them together and they even kissed. Might be a deliberate part from Pamela as she knew Constance was there and put on that show. Now Constance is feeling sad about it but she notices a familiar beautiful woman having trouble getting into the party. She invites her in and that’s all it takes?
Constance then notices the hairpin of Brenda (Pamela’s aide) falling out. The latter has her hold onto it while she goes to get something. But soon, Pamela comes down to accuse Constance for stealing Brenda’s hairpin. Constance denies and tries to get Brenda to speak the truth but the fearful girl remains silent. While Neil is sceptical that there is no solid proof, Pamela claims the crowd is her witness. Constance then calls out to Wayne Hastings, one of the guests who witnessed Brenda giving her the hairpin, to tell the truth but this guy too remains silent. Praying for help, that is when that beautiful woman agrees to help her in exchange for something. With that, she possesses Constance’s body and now Constance is speaking differently and with full confidence.
So while we hear Pamela’s jealousy thoughts on Constance especially getting engaged to Neil, thus she used Brenda to crush her, Constance now accuses Pamela as the real thief. I mean, who is the one trying to flirt with an engaged man? But this still doesn’t absolve Constance’s crime. Searching through her memories, Constance calls out Wayne again as well as many other guests who witnessed what truly happened but chose to remain silent. She sternly asks Wayne again about what others would think of him if he stayed silent for his own sake. Wayne now reveals the truth that Constance didn’t steal anything. Those other guests too support his statement. Now Pamela claims Brenda lied to her. Oh girl, see you’ve frightened her to tears already. Hamsworth comes to see what the commotion is so Constance wants him to annul their engagement or she will have the world know he hosted parties in which couples engage in scandalous activities.
With that, Hamsworth agrees to her proposal as Constance blesses the new illicit pair. Now all the women turn against Pamela as she is made to dance with Neil forever until their feet bleed. Constance wakes up back home thinking it was all a dream. Nope. That beautiful woman, Scarlett Castiel is still around. Though she was dead 10 years ago? Indeed. Now she is a ghost. You see, Scarlett was called the most wicked woman as she was accused of trying to poison her love rival, Cecilia. But the crown prince, Enrique unmasked her plot at this very same ball venue to end their engagement. She was then executed. While Scarlett has no recollection of her execution, she is still infuriated that pair humiliated her. Before she knew it, she was outside the ball and Constance was the first person to ever notice her. Of course Scarlett isn’t doing this for free. Constance must pay her dues and live her life to ensure Scarlett gets her revenge.
Episode 2
Scarlett wants Constance’s help to find all the culprits and send them to hell. The problem is, because Scarlett was set up, she doesn’t know who they are. The first is to investigate Lily Orlamnude who was Scarlett’s friend. Constance disguises herself as a new maid to enter an orphanage Lily once worked. You see, Lily devoted herself to do charity but 2 years ago, she poisoned herself at her family’s chapel. The reasons remained unknown. As Lily was the only one who visited Scarlett in prison, Lily showed her true colours. Lily said she couldn’t help her further because she valued her own life. Plus, if someone managed to outsmart Scarlett, it meant that person was even more capable than her.
Constance visits the chapel as Scarlett looks around for clues. Knowing Lily’s habits, it seems there is a secret envelope hidden behind the painting. Constance takes it in time before Randolph Ulster enters. He is Lily’s widower and Scarlett’s enemy. Randolph is a sharp guy as he tries to ask Constance trick questions. Thanks to Scarlett’s sharpness, Constance gets by. But Randolph knows something is amiss because the painting is moved. Back at the orphanage, the kids start to say “Kiriki kirikuku” to her. Uhm, what? The kids reveal that before Lily died, she told them to say this spell to strangers looking into her. This ‘spell’ allows them to spot bad guys as they will react to it. This has Constance believe Lily is murdered. Back home and opening the letter, it contains a key and a message saying “Destroy the Holy Grail of Eris”. Scarlett enlightens that Eris is the goddess of discord and strife in Faris mythology. A legend from the neighbouring land, Adelbide. Also, that was Scarlett’s nickname when she headed out to sample the night life.
Next day, Kate Lorraine talks to Constance about her engagement annulment all over the papers. Pamela went back to her family’s estate while people have started to boycott Bronson’s products. Constance remembers Neil did come to apologize to her the other morning. Unsure whether he was sincere about his apology, she thought the people of his company didn’t do anything wrong. Kate thinks Constance has moved on as she spots an invitation for another ball by Baroness Emilia Godwin. She hopes Constance will find her true love. Of course Constance is only attending this ball as part of her investigations. As Scarlett puts it, Emilia is one who loves to talk about the misfortune of others.
At the ball, Emilia doesn’t seem impressed with Constance until Scarlett possesses her and starts talking her usual way, spooking Emilia as she runs off. Worse, Randolph is also here and he spots Constance. Uhm, wrong person? Sorry, you can’t play dumb games with this guy. He wants to know her goal and what she has taken from the chapel. Not even Scarlett wants to deal with this guy! But with Constance freezing up, Scarlett has no choice but to take the reins again. Randolph wants her to prove herself at the orphanage to confirm her identity and will apologize if he is mistaken. This drama is abruptly halted when Margot Tudor wounds Teresa Jennings and for having an affair with her husband, Kevin. End of party. Constance then goes to talk to Emilia about Scarlett’s death but she only hints some invitation in Earl John Doe’s hat at the old Montrose residence.
Episode 3
Scarlett notes that ball is where nobles hide behind a mask to attend. It is a good place for Constance to get some info. But to attend the ball, they need a mask and Scarlett thinks of going to her old residence to get one in hopes it may invoke something at the ball. Constance is up for this task seeing being sincere has not ended her problems. She needs to be wicked if she has to. Under the guise of a maid, Constance sneaks in and is almost found out by Scarlett’s brother. But Scarlett notes they are of different mothers as she explains about the Cornelia of the Starry Crown story. Faris was once a vast empire but when it was falling, it made a strategy to marry royalty from other nations it invaded to rule over them. One of the princes eloped with a certain woman and they had a daughter known as Cornelia. With the rise and fall of other nations, she then escaped to the neutral nation of Soldita. Time passed and it is said that a girl carried that lineage: Alienore who is Scarlett’s mother. So Scarlett is Faris royalty?
After getting the mask, they head to the ball and they go straight to see the hostess, Deborah Darkian. She remembers having someone named Eris but she got decapitated. Soon the place is under siege. Scarlett realizing this whole ball was just a cover for human trafficking. Guards start attacking while guests start running. Constance tries to help an injured guest despite Scarlett’s advice to run because if the guards catch her, they can simply put her to death. A guard is about to kill Constance but it stopped by Randolph for trying to harm an unarmed. Randolph speaks to Constance and this meeting fuels his suspicions that this cannot be a coincidence. But since she is not related to the trafficking, he has no reason to arrest her. When Constance suggests a negotiation, he knows about her debts and suggests an engagement. Without thinking, Constance agrees. Of course this allows Randolph to keep an eye on her and she can cancel this engagement anytime. After all, Randolph doesn’t want to marry and this keeps pesky potentials off his back. Randolph learns of Constance’s goal to clear Scarlett’s name. Suit yourself. But he thinks she is still hiding something. Scarlett is worried because now that Randolph has taken on her debts, there is no reason for her to hang around Constance anymore. But Constance wants to continue helping her as thanks for helping her.
Randolph learns that those captured from the ball have poisoned themselves in their cell. As they have no sun tattoos anywhere on their body, he believes none are related to Daeg Gallus organization. Or at least they were all disposable. Next day, Randolph brings Eris to visit Enrique. And there is of course the perky Cecilia who would love to become Constance’s friend. Despite her happy outlook, at times she looks sad and Constance felt her hands are cold. The guys talk about the Faris emissary and looks like something bad rumoured may be happening. Later Eris asks Scarlett about disliking Cecilia but she notes it is actually the other way round. Rather, Cecilia hates all those who come into her sight. Constance wonders if there is no true love between the couple. To Constance’s shock, King Ernst himself comes to talk to her personally. Scarlett possesses Constance and spews some familiar lines to him, making him worry she does sound a lot like Scarlett. Perhaps he knows her personally?
Episode 4
Constance has been summoned to Deborah’s private investigation party AKA Silent Ladies’ Tea Party. Seeing the need to get more info, she attends. All those attending here swear to secrecy and whatever said in this room, stays here. Deborah starts off by saying she has received a letter from Pamela that absolves Constance of any crimes. That is why Deborah and her ladies will have the honour of judging her. Scarlett takes over Constance to make her usual deductions and threats, causing some of the ladies to be on the defensive. However Deborah’s threats are stronger so they go back to supporting her. Before Deborah can pass down her judgment, this party is crashed by Abigail O’Brian. She comes from one of the 4 great nobles of the kingdom that include Castiel, Richelieus and Darkian. Abigail warns the other ladies to do as she says lest they want to be crushed. With that, Deborah calls off the party.
Later Abigail warns Constance to not be so reckless but if she wants to give her thanks, save it for Randolph for it was he who contacted her to help out his fiancée. As Constance leaves, she is bugged by this nosy reporter, Amelia Hobbes trying to find more about her as she notes that Teresa have killed herself after her failed attempts to kill the man she was having an affair with. Amelia’s colleague, Aldous Clayton warns her of such unwarranted interviews and will be demoted if she continues, prompting Amelia to back down. Aldous hands his card to Constance and he is from Mayflower Company. More woes for Constance as Kimberly Smith approaches her and wants her help to rid their land of inhumane culture. Oh well, looks like Amelia has posted some sort of hogwash article about some foolish lady idolizing Scarlett. As she talks about bigotry and commoners, Kate gives her piece of mind about this matter. Not wanting a scandal, Kimberly backs off. Before Constance can thank her, Kate feels disappointed with her for not even telling her she got engaged to Randolph. Did she lose a good friend?
Constance goes to thank Randolph for Abigail’s help. Then they see a slight commotion as Randolph explains that man is Kendall Levine who is a high ranking diplomat and special envoy from Faris. Scarlett notes that Ulysses Faris, the 9 year old 7th prince has gone missing. Randolph finds it perplexing because if that is the case, why has not Faris said anything about this. To help search for this kid, Constance goes to see Cecilia who is not pleased Randolph is not with her. Scarlett has also done some research that it seems a merchant named Vado from Republic of Soldita came to see Cecilia. She admits to it and he was here only yesterday as he sells her all kinds of merchandise. This leads her to tell the story of when Enrique visited her when she was sick. And then Scarlett barged into the room and her face was filled with rage. That night, one of the water jars was found to contain poison and dropped beside it was an earring belonging to Scarlett. There was a half empty poison bottle discovered at her home. The rest is history. Cecilia laments some of it was her fault because it seems she cannot bear any children so Enrique had to relinquish the throne to his younger brother, Johan who has kids. Scarlett notices the tea Cecilia always drinks. It has some sort of drug that wrecks her insides and poison that terminates any pregnancy. Constance goes to ask several trading companies but none heard of Vado. When the carriage wheels break, Scarlett notices the different driver’s voice. Who the hell is this creepy dude? Constance then says “Kiriki kirikuku”, causing the man to panic. Scarlett’s barrier blocks him out but he takes out his gun and fires at Constance.
Episode 5
However that gunshot came from Aldous. Constance is saved and taken to a high class brothel that is run by Abigail. Aldous works for her as a bodyguard. Aldous explained that the driver (whom he shot dead) is a dealer selling nasty drugs. However it is unsure what he wanted with Constance. Randolph comes to pick up Constance. Kyle Hughes (Randolph’s colleague) reports that the driver had that tattoo. Constance informs she also saw that tattoo at the ball, that injured guest she tried to help during the raid. As Constance also confirms the strange smell on her, Randolph reveals it is Jackal’s Paradise AKA Jane for short. A very potent hallucinogen drug. The syndicate spreading them is Daeg Gallus and looks like they’ve got their hands in almost any crimes like murder and trafficking as long as the price is right. Randolph and his police force has been trying to track down these people for years. Later Kate goes to see Constance after hearing something happened to her. As Constance doesn’t want to put Kate in harm’s way, she says nothing and thus making Kate sad again as she leaves.
Later in the day, Constance sees a shady guy dropping a note at the gates. To her horror, it contains Kate’s hair and a note for her to come to a lake or else. Also, she can’t tell others. We see Salvador has just kidnapped Ulysses and bringing back to his place. That shady guy is also working under him and interrogates Kate for Lily’s keys. Kate has a gist what is happening and will not spill the beans. Salvador doesn’t approve of this method and will not clean up after his mess. Salvador asks Kate if she hates Constance but surprising she has nothing but gratefulness for her. Flashback shows 11 years ago when Kate attended a ball that Pamela was attending, the stuck up b*tch taunted Kate for smelling like a commoner. She and her goons laughed as Pamela even reined in Constance to confirm of her stinky smell. But being the honest girl, Constance said no and this humiliated Pamela. Constance and Kate became best friends after that.
As Randolph checks on Constance and knows something is wrong. Constance cannot say as she cannot further put Kate’s life in danger. Scarlett mentions the name Norman Holden as Randolph goes to investigate this name. As Constance goes to meet with the perpetrators, she is shocked that Kate doesn’t hate her. Kate is let go but that means the men are going to kill her! Dead girls tell no tales! Constance accuses them for lying but they blame her for falling for it. She pleads she’ll talk and do anything for Kate’s life but the guy notes Kate was prepared for the worst. A gunshot is heard as Constance falls into despair. However it is Randolph and his team as they are here to arrest these men. Later Randolph explains about his investigation on Norman and he died 13 years ago. His final words were pleading to God to save him. Hence it was a secret message passed on by Scarlett to Randolph for Constance’s situation. As Constance is about to go visit Kate, she is approached by Amelia who claims Cecilia has the blood of a prostitute. Her investigations showed the family register being tampered.
Viscount Luze had a daughter but she died due to a disease. But Luze had another daughter from a mistress and had once given her away to the orphanage. Because of her red eyes, it was enough proof she was her daughter. While Cecilia is reported to have snuck out to visit people of the slums, what if she is rendezvousing with an old lover from the orphanage? Then there is Teresa’s case and a drug might be involved. Thus Amelia needs Constance’s help to get close to Cecilia. Does she have a choice? Constance goes to see Kate and tells her everything. Cecilia enters the cell and that shady guy thinks she is here to free him. However she kills him. Later Salvador sees her as she talks to him about that abortion drug. He thinks she should just bear a child like the family wants but she notes it will be hard to get things done. Salvador also passes a message to her that he has a message from HQ: Resume the search for the Holy Grail of Eris.
Episode 6
Constance goes to see Abigail so that she could set up a meeting with Aisha Huxley who was seen at Emilia’s ball. When Constance meets Lucia who is Abigail’s niece, she is surprised that Lucia can see Scarlett. Abigail explains she is born with special eyes but Lucia isn’t the only one as Abigail hints that Hamsworth may also have that ability. On the way back, Scarlett explains to Constance about Aisha. Basically she was obsessed and wanted to be like her. She dresses and tries to act like her. One day when Aisha told Scarlett about this wish of hers, Scarlett told her off this world doesn’t need 2 Scarletts. Randolph goes to see Adolphus Castiel to ask about the Holy Grail of Eris but Adolphus is unsure what that is. Constance tries to connect all the events that have happened. It all started with Cecilia’s attempted poisoning 10 years ago. When Scarlett paid a visit hours earlier, her earring was found at her place. Which was strange because she had her unique earrings on at that time. Later the police told her that somewhat swapped a piece out with a fake and accused her of swapping it because she anticipated the police’s investigation.
She is still unsure who swapped it but Scarlett is stumped since Cecilia is the one who would benefit most from her death. She thought she orchestrated the whole thing but recently she still doesn’t look satisfied. After 10 years, she doesn’t hate Enrique nor does she seem attached to wealth or power. She is unsure what Cecilia wants and believes whatever is happening now, Cecilia has a hand in it. Also noting that Vado and Salvador’s name sound similar and could be the same person, if so then it is safe to assume Cecilia is involved with Daeg Gallus. In fact, it is possible that Daeg Gallus has had a hand in everything that has happened. Later Randolph shows one of the holy books of Saint Anastasia received from the goddesses. It might hold a clue to something. Randolph has also finished investigating Scarlett’s earrings and the so called fake was made from another type of shell. As this design doesn’t circulate often, a familiar name who bought it popped up: The Spencers own several workshops dealing with precious metals and it is Aisha’s maiden name.
Meanwhile Aisha can’t believe Constance used Abigail’s connection to force her to invite her over. Constance somewhat reminds her of Scarlett but Aisha refuses to accept it and believes Scarlett is her only goddess. When they meet, Constance first ask about the smell. She believes it is Jackal’s Paradise. Aisha starts to panic but plays dumb that she is just wearing a rare perfume. That is when Scarlett takes over Constance and starts acting like herself, confusing Aisha. Scarlett warns her about trying to fool her more than once and to consider whom she is speaking to. This has Aisha very sure that this is Scarlett. No mistakes about it. Flashback shows Aisha noted Scarlett and Enrique’s love was just basic. As though they were comfortable with each other as siblings. She idolized them. Until Cecilia came into the picture. Aisha felt compelled to do something about it. Then she learnt from Sharon about Cecilia having a weak constitution and hatched this poisoning plan in hopes she would return to her family estate. She also faked the earring. But she didn’t count on Scarlett arriving to see Cecilia hours earlier.
It is now confirmed that Aisha is the one who poisoned the water as she seeks for forgiveness. However Scarlett is not amused. Not only she did not confess the crime, poison or not, she knew she was innocent. She died because of her crime. Aisha accuses her that she will do the same thing if she was in her shoes. On the contrary, Scarlett would rather die than do anything so disgraceful. She blames Aisha that everything she did was for her own selfish purpose. Aisha realizes she knew it was coming but pretended not to see. She tries to kill herself but Constance quickly stops her. Dying will not undo what she did to Scarlett. She must live and atone. A few days later, Aisha contacted Mayflower to confess. Constance tells all to Randolph and this means Aisha had dealings with Daeg Gallus. Later Scarlett is mad at Constance for letting Aisha live. She should have let her die. Constance refuses to let Aisha make Scarlett as an excuse to die. Besides, they may lose more clues if Aisha dies. Remember, they have solved nothing and come nowhere close to completing her revenge. Constance promises to spend the rest of her life ensuring her revenge.
Episode 7
Amelia is seen making a shady deal with Rufus May who is collaborating with Deborah. When Aldous goes to see Aisha to record her confession, he is too late as she has been poisoned. In her last breath, she claims the main who just poisoned her and left is Salvador of Daeg Gallus. She tells him to investigate her cousin, Sharon. Aldous assures Scarlett will forgive her before Aisha dies. When the servants come in, they think Aldous killed her so he has to flee. Returning to the brothel, Audrey is not happy he came back with a murderer tag although he claims he has been framed. To make matters worse, Sharon has also died on the same day. Listed as suicide but you can bet it is murder. Think things can’t get any worse? Randolph then enters to relay bad news that Abigail has been arrested on suspicions of Aisha’s murder. How is she related? Well, she wrote that invitation to her and is accused to be the mastermind. Constance starts to feel guilty this is all her fault. But they are not going to resign to their fate so they work hard to solve this.
Randolph soon comes back that there is a strong case that Abigail will not be charged due to lack of evidence. Thus they have planted a judge on their side to try the case, Kalvin Campbell. Knowing he is a womanizer, they make plans to hold a ball to blackmail him. With the ball in full swing, it is part of the plan to let Campbell feel ostracized because no women would want to approach him. He gets mad to think even girls like Miriam would go with losers like Hamsworth. Finally Rebecca approaches him. She talks about her establishment owner being arrested and fears being thrown out in the streets. Knowing she is talking about Abigail, Campbell offers his services to clear her but Rebecca claims Hamsworth already offered her that. He panics and will double that offer. That is when he reveals about his illicit funds which has been laundered as donations in the citizen’s group. That group is Violet Association whom Kimberly is a part of. Constance talks to her and it seems she is unaware of the illegally obtained money. Now that Kimberly is aware, she is going to do something about it. They don’t want to see the Darkians rise to power after weakening them. She gives Constance a hint about the colour of violet. Constance narrates how its reddish hues represent the royal family as it matches their eyes.
Soon, Abigail is tried and the verdict is not guilty due to lack of evidence. This leads to the capture of the man who actually poisoned Aisha but he killed himself that day in his cell. Amelia was the one who leaked the info that led to Aisha’s murder. She stumbles into Cecilia as the former claims she has some scandal but no publishers would hear her out. She needs a scandal that no one can deny for her comeback. Cecilia laughs at it until Amelia calls her Cici, her original name at the orphanage. All orphans except her and that boy survived the fire. They were accounted her. Cecilia threatens that Cici is dead and if Amelia knows what is good for her, she should disappear from this kingdom by sundown. Abigail may be freed but she warns everything has gone so smoothly so there are things that they do not know. Constance is met with San who is looking for Grand Merillian. Her aide, Eularia tells her to use the map but she refuses and gives it to San before walking off. When Constance shows Randolph Lily’s key, he notes this is not an actual key but a decoration made in its shape. There is this inscription on it that says P10E3. Constance suddenly understands what it is and may have figured it all out.
Episode 8
The inscription refers to a page in a book and on the map, its coordinates. This leads them to a book sitting in the museum. This is where Lily has written all the truths. Time for a flashback from Lily’s point of view. Lily met Scarlett at a ball when she was 5. She thought Scarlett was rude but the latter pointed out she was the one being rude first because she harboured ill will. After all, Lily was a bad loser. A few years later, they were chosen to become shy Enrique’s playmates. They became closer and Enrique slowly opened up himself. Then Enrique and Scarlett became engaged. Looked like a happy ending until Cecilia showed up. Scarlett was then accused of her crime and Lily confronted Enrique about it. He too believed Scarlett would never attempted such a thing but the king had already made his decision to publically execute Scarlett. This stumped Lily because why would the king have a hand in Scarlett’s execution? And why was Scarlett’s father doing nothing?
When Lily visited Scarlett in prison, the latter refused to yield and promised to show everyone by being the last one standing. After Scarlett was executed, Lily devoted herself to aiding the poor. One day she saw a disguised Cecilia meeting up with shady people. She eavesdropped their conversation and it seemed the Holy Grail of Eris could be a codename for Faris’ invasion plot on Adelbide. They already had all the explosives and weapons prepared and cannot afford another failure after waiting this long. From then on, Lily secretly gathered more info about this and learnt about Daeg Gallus and Jackal’s Paradise. Knowing Daeg Gallus is also on to her, she told the orphans that secret spell. Because when war comes, she wanted them to run. To further safeguard the children’s future, she took a final gamble. She went to see Enrique and knew he did not marry Cecilia out of love. Nothing of him has changed. To buy him time, she then went to see Cecilia and mentioned the Holy Grail of Eris to her. She suggested she rethink her plans. Cecilia then started making and leaving clues around to this truth, believing someone in the future will take this up and pursue it. As she still cannot fathom why Scarlett died smiling, as a bad loser, she will not lose out so Lily poisoned herself.
Amelia soon confronts Constance and gives her all the details she dug up on Cecilia. She has to go now or she’ll be dead meat if Cecilia finds out she is still around. Constance shows this to Abigail and some highlights include Cecilia’s mom being a prostitute, Kevin found and developed a crippling drug addiction and was placed in St Nicholas Hospital run by Cecilia’s charity. It is believed she was testing Jackal’s Paradise there and Campbell used to oversee that hospital and he is also linked to Simon who is Deborah’s husband. With this getting so confusing, I can’t blame Scarlett for getting frustrated because with so many parties involved, who is she going to exact her revenge on! Don’t tell me she wants to kill everybody?!
Randolph talks to his superior, Dylan Bellesford in wanting to reopen the case of Scarlett’s execution. However he is more concerned of Faris because with their king in bed of illness, there are talks of succession as well as weapons being prepared. San and Eularia meet Constance who thinks the latter’s surname is related to the holy grail in old Faris language. But she is here to see Randolph and talk about Ulysses’ kidnapping. She reveals all this is staged as Faris will use this excuse to declare war on this country. The kidnapping was done by Daeg Gallus. San reveals herself to be working under the third princess of Faris, Alexandra. She sent them to work with them because they want to stop this war. All as Lily foresaw in her writings. As for why the Holy Grail of Eris failed, it was because Scarlett was executed that delayed their plans. As we already know, her mother is Alienore and a lineal descendent and last ruler of the old Faris empire. As Scarlett shared those same eye colours, the true goal of the Holy Grail of Eris was to install a descendent of the old imperial family. This means Scarlett would have sat on the throne of Adelbide and they would have become a vassal state of Faris. Because Scarlett was executed, that saved Adelbide from that dreaded future. This means Adolphus was the one who ordered Scarlett’s execution. He is a person who would sacrifice his own daughter to save the country. Constance arranges a meeting with Adolphus to confirm this.
Episode 9
Constance believes that Adolphus is the only person who can sneak into the place and leave without a trace. Flashback begins with Ernst telling Adolphus his problem that the Republic of Soldita wanted him to remarry so they could take a descendent of Cornelia off their hands. And that’s when Adolphus stepped in and married Alienore. Not long after, she gave birth to Scarlett. Then, Jackal’s Paradise was starting to go around but Adolphus didn’t think of it as much of a big deal. Until Dylan has been imprisoned for treason and they discover Faris has been pulling the strings behind with Daeg Gallus funding it via the drug. Their goal was to start a war and to install Scarlett as queen. Their invasion will begin after Dylan was executed and the only reason this was fast tracked was because there’s a rat among their ranks. They believe Simon is behind this as he has been on a meteoric rise lately. However with no solid evidence, they cannot do anything.
Because Scarlett was important in this plan, Ernst was torn about using her. But Adolphus suggested executing her to buy them time while they gather evidence. They will find the traitor and have the last laugh. Constance suddenly slaps Adolphus! The pain must have him remember another flashback. Yes, Alienore punching him in the face was her kingdom’s way of lecturing others with harsh words! Constance comes to her senses as she apologizes. Adolphus thinks it is time for him to die and believes he deserves to be punished. That is when Scarlett takes over Constance and starts talking to her father. She assures him she came into this world loved and knows that father loved her. Later Adolphus holding a jar of Scarlett’s ashes, promises to give her a premium casket. Breaking down, he would’ve tried other ways and even given his own life many times over. He regrets never telling her he loved her even once.
Randolph reports to Dylan that Simon is with Daeg Gallus and Cecilia just bought St Nicholas hospital. It is believed Simon was in charge of inspections going through the hospital. Edmond Park who was the hospital’s accountant was found dead, most probably to silence him about the secret books. San talks to Constance about the state of some of Faris’ heirs. Second prince Roderick is avoiding public appearances, Alexandra is being locked in the tower while fourth prince Theophilis is already acting like he is already king and most probably he is the one behind the Holy Grail of Eris.
Mylene then comes to see Constance about the murder Edmond. She heard that Edmond and Campbell were gambling buddies and their favourite gambling den is at Goat’s Hoof. As Constance heads there, she bumps into Kimberly. Using some secret code, Kimberly receives a secret book. Kimberly then tells Constance about the Ulster family who is actually a title for agents to dispose of the royal family’s enemies. Kimberly says she is trained by them and hopes she can take care of Randolph. Once they exit, several baddies won’t let Kimberly go so she hands the book to Constance. So they are after Kimberly and not the book? Kimberly takes out her gun and starts shooting. Scarlett will not let Constance risk her life so she goes to see Randolph who is paying his respect to a recently departed Ulster mentor at his grave. She gives him the book as Randolph is stumped that she is not scared because all those close to him keep dying. He laments he might be death himself. But Constance too has her fair share of misery, including the ghost of a vengeful woman haunting her. Isn’t that scary? Now they’re even.
Episode 10
Deborah is at the convent when a monk eggs her to get her revenge on Constance. Rudolph informs Constance that thanks to the book, Simon has been arrested and Deborah sent to the convent on suspicions in smuggling Jackal’s Paradise. This should cut off Daeg Gallus’ biggest backer. Meeting with Abigail, she tells them that Daeg Gallus collaborators may be controlling a harbour because the kidnapper is said to be a man with unusual skin tone but yet no one has reported seeing him. He must be holding Ulysses where he won’t stand out. Randolph and Constance make their way to the harbour to investigate. Randolph hinting of dissolving their engagement once all this is over as he claims he cannot make his wife happy. This only makes Constance sad. Lucia is out with a servant when the latter is suddenly held hostage at knifepoint by Deborah. Knowing it is her she wants, Lucia offers to go with her.
At the harbour, Randolph and Constance are suddenly under attack. Thanks to Scarlett pointing out where the attackers are, Randolph returns fire. Daeg Gallus may have anticipated their coming. Once the attack is over, Randolph is surprised Constance didn’t escape. How could she leave him to die? She scolds him for making her worry for she doesn’t want to lose him. The feeling is mutual for him. Before Deborah could do something to Lucia, Salvador arrives and hurting children is not his style. He has his men take care of her to make sure she never speaks again. Salvador lets Lucia run home free. San is stumped that Ulysses is still kept alive and not dead. Because Ulysses’ death is all Faris need to start a war they desire so much. She realizes Theophilis isn’t the one pulling the strings but Roderick. Constance and Scarlett are stumped of people finding Deborah in the streets but she is in no condition to talk. Suddenly Pamela shows up. She looks messed up but looks like she has something up her sleeve.
Randolph tells Constance that Ernst is going to Melvina because that’s where the smuggled bombs came from. He is going there to form a trade agreement in exchange for overlooking this. This is when Constance remembers from Lily’s story that she heard Cecilia smuggled bombs from there. Meanwhile Cecilia confronts Enrique about this Melvina pact she is unaware of. He wonders why she is so flustered with this but this is the day he has long been waiting for. It seems Enrique knew everything from the start including why Scarlett was put to death. It is the reason why he married her despite objections from others. Cecilia threatens that he will be in trouble if this gets out but Enrique doesn’t care. He has been guilty for a long time. But careless Enrique gets himself poisoned by Cecilia although not enough to kill him. Cecilia then goes to see Rufus and tells him she didn’t kill Enrique as he has better use alive. Rufus believes it is their time to strike but they have to dispose of nuisances first and sends Jeorg Gaina to do the job.
Soon, it is in the news as the public now knows of Ulysses’ kidnap. Pamela tells the press how she witnessed the kidnapping and because of that, Jeorg arrests Constance on grounds of aiding and abetting Ulysses’ abduction. In the interrogation, Constance knows they want her to implicate Randolph too so she shocks all by saying she is part of the abduction and had backers who is no other than Daeg Gallus. Jeorg panics as he stops the interrogation. Constance’s request is to summon Hamsworth. Randolph rushes to see Constance in prison and he’s not happy about it. She needs to sever their ties if they are to act freely. Well, wasn’t it his idea to annul their engagement? Now he’s not happy about it. She hints she wants to marry him in the future. The most he can do now is kiss her on her forehead. Rufus sees the second prince, Johan who is standing in for Ernst, for a decision. Johan is shocked when Rufus shows him his daughter’s brooch but is assured she is not harmed. Yet. Because Faris wants war, Rufus suggests to make an example by publically executing the kidnapper AKA Constance.
Episode 11
Constance is visited by her father who isn’t happy to learn she will be executed. She wants him to disown her to avoid her family bearing the blame but father will not give up because there are ways that they can fight back. Cecilia goes to visit Lucia and Ulysses kept in some cell (uhm… Wasn’t Lucia set free?). Lucia notes that Cecilia is kind to visit them. Even if Cecilia notes she will kill them when ordered, Lucia knows that is the reason she came, to avoid getting such orders. Seeing them both reminds Cecilia of her younger self so she leaves. Kate and Mylene are appalled with articles on Constance’s execution for having a hand in kidnapping Ulysses. They remember public execution was abolished after Scarlett’s execution thanks to public petition from Violet Association. Looks like Kimberly has the same idea to save Constance too. Uhm, can Scarlett haunt somebody else? Because now she is haunting Hamsworth and knows he can see her. She needs his help. Kendall sees Theophilis and tells him the truth of Ulysses’ kidnapping not by Adelbide but Daeg Gallus whom Roderick is part of.
Hamsworth sees Johan for some donations but is shooed away. With Rufus coming in and Hamsworth meeting him for the first time, as they shake hands, they are shocked by static electricity. Later it is learnt that Scarlett was responsible for that shock so as to reveal Rufus’ Daeg Gallus tattoo under his glove. Apparently Hamsworth didn’t feel pain because he is a masochist. Now that they know Rufus is a traitor, Scarlett wants him to uncover his background. Hamsworth is puzzled that he thought she is doing this for revenge. Is she trying to save Constance? Of course prideful Scarlett says it’s for revenge. Constance’s friends seek the public to sign a petition and even her father seeking Neil’s help. Cecilia is angry to receive so many petitions and even some aristocrats have signed. Worse, there is this book written by a foreign author named Adam Hicks. But she knows it is Amelia’s penname. Rufus assures that no matter what anyone says, Constance will still be executed along with Lucia. He then mentions the rumours that Constance could see the dead and that she is working to clear Scarlett’s name. Unsettled Cecilia goes to see Constance just for this but calls her a liar because the dead do not talk. At least that’s how it was for her.
Flashback shows 14 years ago at an orphanage where Cici and Cess lived. One day, a young man named Rufus came here to look for a girl named Cecilia and he believed that was Cess’ real name. After looking at her ruby red eyes, he had a chat with her. Afterwards, Cess told Cici that Rufus wanted him to become the lord’s replacement daughter as she was born sickly and has not much longer to live. Cess will play Cecilia’s part as she adds the lord had a daughter with a whore and her name happened to be Cecilia too. They said they put her in an orphanage when she was born. Cici wondered if he got the wrong girl but whether right or wrong, Cess will take up this offer since the lord will pay a lot of money to the orphanage. Cess soon left but subsequently, Cici ran back to find the orphanage burning down! He was shocked to see Cess inside as she realized she had been had. Luze would never let anyone who knew of his replacement daughter live. As they try to flee, Cess pushed Cici to safety as the building crumbles over her. By morning, Rufus was lamented all his hard work to find a pawn was wasted. But then he spotted Cici and realizes he is actually a girl dressed as a boy. Seeing she has the same red eyes and similar name, Cici soon realized Cess went to Luze to protect her. Rufus suggested revenge and if she did as she was told, they’ll make Luze suffer like hell. Not only that, they will tear down this country with him. Cici accepted and will play the part of Cecilia. Now Cecilia doesn’t want to hear anyone’s voice anymore as Rufus suggests putting Lucia’s execution the same day as Constance’s.
Hamsworth discovers the real Rufus died 10 years ago. The youngest child of a less wealthy noble, he came here when his bad conduct got him disowned. San speaks to Randolph and asks if he would like to see Alexandra ascend the throne. He doesn’t she has any chance of winning but San points out that she has a major backer. Hinting Ernst said he went to Melvina to talk but had no reason to go there. He could’ve always said he’s paying Faris’ king a visit. Only the fact that the captive Alexandra invited him would matter. Word would then spread by itself that Adelbide allied with her. But how can she invite a king while locked up in a tower? Well, the one locked up is a double! That means they’re trying to sway a nation with a bluff. This only proves how much Faris fears Adelbide. Constance is stumped Cecilia left without a word after that. Brenda soon visits her and shows her that everyone is helping to protest her execution, which is tomorrow. Brenda thinks of testifying against Pamela although it is a little too late. But she has been wanting to thank her for saving her back then. Her sincerity saved her. Now Constance feels she can’t give up now that everyone is fighting for her.
Episode 12
Hamsworth shows blueprints of the renovated city hall. It was destroyed because a lightning strike caused a fire just before Scarlett was executed. Scarlett couldn’t remember a thing about her execution day and the only thing she remembers was the guards giving her a fruit juice to drink. Must be a sedative to calm her mind. Hamsworth believes that those who consumed that rare fruit told tales of crossing the flow of time. Enrique wakes up with Cecilia by his side. Asking if she will kill him, if she would, he would be dead by now. Enrique remembers the time they slipped out to town in disguise and she caught a kid who pickpocketed Enrique. She even lectured him to live a proud life. He wonders if that was all just an act. Obviously. She was just trying to parrot Cess. After knocking him out, she goes to meet Rufus who reminds her Constance will be executed today so he doesn’t want him dying on them. Constance is taken out from her cell as Hamsworth gives her a fruit juice and hints it is from a certain lady. Cecilia goes to kill the guys watching Lucia and Ulysses. She frees them and tells them where to run. After doing so, the young ones stumble into San and her men outside. Rufus then confronts Cecilia about this. She believes they were bound to lose from the start. Since she won’t tell him where Ulysses went, Rufus has his men fire at her. A dying Cecilia hears to voice of Cess as they go live their happy young lives. Cecilia realizes she was there all along. She should’ve listened harder. After Cecilia dies, Kyle and his men are here to arrest Rufus.
Constance is now on the execution platform as the crowd calls for her head. However, Constance’s friends voice out their protest and let the public read their petition. Even so, they cannot stop Jeorg from executing her as he reads out her charges. Will Constance pray to God to save her? Or Scarlett? Thank goodness Randolph shoots Jeorg’s hand and calls this execution null and void. He presents Ulysses as he vouches Constance has nothing to do with his kidnapping and it was all done by Faris. Jeorg calls his bluff but Kendall arrives to further prove it. With Theophilis putting in his word, it was Ernst’s visit the deciding factor to visit Alexandra. The guilty parties panicked that he already forged an alliance with Adelbide. It is revealed that San is the real Alexandra and her friend stood in for her as the captive princess. Alexandra announces herself as the new heir to the throne and thus a new sovereign. As Randolph frees Constance, Jeorg refuses to let it end this way and unpins a bomb to take everyone out. Well, he only succeeded in killing himself. However the platform is destroyed and Constance’s leg is pinned underneath a rubble. A statue is going to fall on her! Is this worse than the execution? Is God going to save her? No, Scarlett your hero! But at this point, Scarlett is starting to disappear. Her revenge complete? Sad Constance doesn’t want her to leave but goodbye. Despite being a silly girl, Scarlett’s last words are she loves her. Then she disappears.
Scarlett is now back to at her day of execution. Was it all just a dream? But she remembers Constance and what Hamsworth said about the fruit. She can’t let it end this way and needs to make the future a reality. So after cursing everyone, she finally spots the young Constance and tells her she’ll be waiting for her at Grand Merillian. She knows she will find her again. 2 months passed. The Faris succession is settled with Alexandra ascending the throne and her coronation with no incident. Cecilia who lost her life, it was said that she fell to gunfire to let Lucia and Ulysses escape. Rufus sits in prison and more arrests are being made. Pamela’s testimony has been judged false but she keeps escaping the hospital! They should’ve put extra security, WTF???!!! Scarlett’s name is finally cleared as the real story of 10 years has now come to light, bringing relief and tears to Adolphus. But the whole truth cannot be told as this would be used by Daeg Gallus as their plot. Constance’s life is now quieter without Scarlett around. She and Randolph pay her grave a visit. As they attend a ball hosted by Hamsworth, it seems there’s a commotion of some stray dog in the garden. Why the heck did Constance go look for it instead of leaving it to Randolph and his guards? I don’t know, perhaps it is for this plot that psycho Pamela is out to kill her! B*tch still blaming Constance. Who will Constance plead for to save her? Pamela is struck by a lightning but not dead. Oh my. Scarlett is back?! Why is she back? Because she realizes she has not avenged anyone herself yet. That is why she turned back so she can do so properly herself. So yeah, why need Constance then? Why need to tell her to spend the rest of her life ensuring her vengeance? Oh right. Anyhow, Constance is glad to have her back.
Hell Hath No Fury Like A Dead Woman Scorned
Uhm… Has Scarlett’s revenge not been done? All the perpetrators especially Rufus has been caught? Unless you tell me there are more who have had a hand in it and that includes the rest of Daeg Gallus. Considering the light novel source is still ongoing, I bet that more sh*t will hit the fan and that this is just the tip of the iceberg. Yeah, next stop, bringing down the entire Daeg Gallus, their entire network and saving the world from their drug in the name of vengeance! But it makes me wonder if Scarlett haunts Constance to do her revenge because she can’t do it physically, does this mean she cannot do the avenging herself? I mean, what does Scarlett mean about doing the avenging herself? Eventually Constance has to do the physical work, right? So it means Scarlett cannot avenge herself and thus Constance will forever be haunted by her? There’s your flimsy excuse to be around Constance forever and make her happy.
Well, I have to admit that I am pretty confused about the whole story! Long story short, you need to have the right kind of mind who loves these kind of stories where they take you all over the place and despite all the complexity and plots over plots, can still keep up and follow. For me, I’m already totally lost very early on! Sure, I get the gist that the story is about Scarlett trying to get revenge on those who wronged her but at the same time as they uncover the next step in their investigations, they unravel something far bigger and more important. Scarlett’s death was just part of the whole conspiracy thingy. One big elaborate plan for some foreign nation trying to relive the glories of the past by installing some royalty. I think that is the big picture and I may even be wrong about it. But to make all that happen and go down into details, that is where the great confusion begins. At least for me.
I don’t know if I should be relieved about this because as I have read and found out, many comments from viewers who read the original light novel source and then watched this adaptation, they also complained how the adaptation has left out a lot of chapters. This was of course trying to fit everything nicely into a season with only a dozen of episodes. But because of that, many scenes and chapters were skipped and cut out. Thus for those like yours truly who did not even read the light novel, will be left utterly confused with what is going on. Perhaps if they have turned this season into double cours, perhaps I would have understood it a little better. Oh heck, who am I kidding? I think I will be even more confused! Then b*tch about how f*cking long winded the whole story is taking! Yeah, I can actually see that coming from myself! So I don’t know why the producers rushed and crammed everything into a single cour but my guess is that to frustrated confused viewers to go read the light novel if you really want to know everything from top to bottom. Furthermore, the light novel is still ongoing, indication there are still unfinished business, more conspiracies to uncover and more sh*t about the hit the fan. Wow. Didn’t know coming back as a haunting ghost would need to work harder than ever, even way more than when being alive!
So here is the other part that also confuses the hell out of me: The sheer amount of characters. It’s like every episode they introduce some form of new character. Perhaps to troll viewers because some may be important while others are just background characters who just play one role or part and that’s it. To think that they show their name across the monitor when they first appeared, makes us think that they are going to be some sort of important character or at least one that is worthy to be noted. Because of that, you bet your ass that my simpleton mind has been greatly overwhelmed by the numerous characters over the course of a dozen of episodes. Sure, with a show like this, trying to uncover plots and conspiracies as we go along, the web gets bigger and bigger, there will be more characters showing up and be involved at every stage. So while some main characters do matter like Constance, Scarlett, Randolph and Cecilia, many just fell to the wayside and just became somewhat minor. At least that was how I looked at the whole thing in this department. Some remain a mystery like Rufus because if the real one died a long time ago, who the f*ck this imposter? And he got himself so easily caught just like that? How anti-climactic.
Therefore I’m not going to b*tch long on this part because I don’t know what else to say as I am still confused writing this sentence. Heh. Anyway, I’m just going to hash out the usual stuff that Constance and Scarlett as predicted are going to start caring for each other and helping each other out because the more they stick together, the more they learn the true meaning of being friendship. Yes, the power of friendship trope again. I mean, Scarlett won’t turn out to be this selfish b*tch blinded by the goal to get revenge on those who framed her and as seen, it is her turn to save Constance from the chopping block. Likewise, Constance started off as being forced to become Scarlett’s vessel to get revenge for her. But she’s doing it willingly and because she wants to. After all, sincerity is the trademark of her family and she is not the kind who will betray that motto of hers.
In the midst, finding some sort of romance with Randolph because yeah, a woman trying to investigate and uncover a huge conspiracy involving nations would make her such a dull person. Having Constance and Randolph care for each other in similar ways show that they do not ultimately lose faith in humanity because despite there are some that are being scumbags, you can generalize them all so. Proof as we see the public petition by Constance’s friends to protest her execution. Constance x Randolph romance is also meant to give these characters some sort of hope in life because of the dangerous circumstances that they have been thrown in. At the end of the day, they look out for each other and find a reason to stay alive because they need to come back to each other. Oh yeah, power of love trope this time.
Cecilia being the main antagonist, I’m sure she had her reasons and once again as her flashback shows, it all boils down to revenge. Yeah, I guess this world doesn’t have the convenience of the internet because otherwise everything would have been solved by the first episode! Just kidding but you get what I mean. Cecilia too being another sad case and her flashback was supposed to make us understand her better and perhaps pity her? I don’t know, I have a feeling that the imposing Scarlett seems undefeatable in this area. At the end of the day, may the best woman win her revenge? Oh forget it, I don’t know what I’m saying anymore.
Art and animation are pretty good to say the least. While the characters are your typical anime type, the whole setting is mostly European and Victorian style dresses as you can see the ladies in typical Victorian style fashion. Yeah, those with big boobs like Scarlett will definitely flaunt their cleavage. Perhaps to distract me from the confusing plot. HAHAHA! Sighs. The colouring and hues are a mixed baggage as some scenes are quite vibrant (thanks to the myriad of colours of the Victorian fashion) while some scenes are dark and gloomy. The background and sceneries are given a bit of detail especially those European style buildings as you can see some with intricate architectural design as well as the interior furniture as well. But if there is something in this department that doesn’t fare well, oh you bet you’re going to expect me to say this for the umpteenth time: The CGI! Although used sparingly and don’t really break the series entirely, it leaves more to be desired. Because in the first episode already, you can see those dead CGI rendered ballroom dancers. Some unimportant background characters are also done in CGI as you can see the smooth movements but once again, doesn’t disrupt the important flow of the series. This anime is done by Ashi Productions who did Ultra Maniac, H2, Macross 7 and more famously the Maohu No Princess Minky Momo series.
Voice acting is also decent but oh boy, the number of characters in this series means a lot of seiyuus are gonna lend their talents here. Yeah, sometimes I prefer to play spot-the-seiyuu-I-recognize game when the plot gets confusing. Unfortunately, no Mamiko Noto cameo to make my day. F*cking hell. Anyway, the (selective) cast are Kana Ichinose as Constance, Sayumi Suzushiro as Scarlett, Youhei Azakami as Randolph, Jun Fukuyama as Hamsworth, Mao Ichimichi as Lily, Maaya Uchida as Cecilia, Natsuki Hanae as Enrique, Ai Kayano as Miriam, Aya Yamane as Amelia, Ayako Kawasumi as Abigail, Chiwa Saitou as Deborah, Hiroki Touchi as Ernst, Fumiya Imai as Johan, Rina Satou as Alienore, Ryunnosuke Watanuki as Dylan, Mitsuki Nakamura as Campbell, Kousuke Toriumi as Adolphus, Yume Miyamoto as Cess, Shouya Chiba as Aldous, Saho Shirasu as Eularia, Saori Oonish as Pamela, Yuuki Shin as Jeorg, Sayuri Hara as Emilia, Sae Hiratsuka as Brenda, Wataru Komada as Kyle, Yuu Kobayashi as Aisha, Issei Futamata as Kendall, Hika Tsukishiro as Kate, Tomokazu Sugita as Rufus, Natsune Inui as Lucia, Wakana Kuramochi as Mylene, Junichi Yanagita as Salvador, Nao Touyama as San/Alexandra, Kimiko Saitou as Kimberly, Takara Inoue as Theophilis and May Tachibana as Ulysses. PHEW!
The opening theme, Happy Ever After by Reina Washio featuring Yu-Ka is a generic J-pop music. A few dramatic tunes and strings but that’s just much about it. Nothing really special to me. The ending theme is Camellia sung by Yukari Tamura who surprisingly has no voice acting role in the series. The song is more of a slow ballad although later on it adds strings to make it loud and dramatic. But it’s good to note that Yukari Tamura still hasn’t lost touch with her trademark squeaky voice that she sings throughout the song.
Overall, it is unfortunate that I find the whole series particularly confusing. As I have pointed out before, you need to have that kind of mind set if you are going to watch, understand and enjoy this kind of genre as you really need to put on your thinking cap. The moment you drift off daydreaming, you might lose an important clue. But as also said, the adaptation did not do justice to the light novel because of the skipped chapters, making the whole thing felt confusing and rushed. So if you want a better grasp of the series, go read the light novel. Otherwise, I will be glad to just leave the series as it is as I do not want a time trip to go back in time to understand this series. Or worse, rewatch this whole thing again! I’ll be damned if I get haunted by a ghost of my future self, telling me to avoid all the crappy and confusing animes that I will be watching in the future!
