ACT 1 SCENE 2 - THE ROYAL VISIT

(bows) My king.

MAJA and JAVIER bow after him.

You’ve done well, Gatekeeper.

(still bowing, facing ground) It’s my honor to serve you. I wish you good health and glory…

(interrupts) How's the training going with your son. JAVIER, is it?

That’s correct, your highness.

(hesitates and smiles awkwardly) JAVIER’s training is still in progress, your highness. Maybe he’s not ready…

(interrupts again) Nonsense! It’s gonna be his 16th birthday next month. HE IS READY.

King VICTOR stands up.

Face up and let me look at you, son.

JAVIER raises his head.

Good. Healthy, strong and ready. You’re turning 16 next month, so you’ll need to start getting into your position, which is to become the next Gatekeeper.

(gestures to the maids in the back of the hall)

And being a Gatekeeper working for me. I reward you with a qualified wife.

This is CHARLOTTE. She will be the love of your life.

My lady.

Now that the marriage is settled. You should stay for the feast tonight to celebrate.

That will be an honor, your highness.

(nods, satisfied) That will be all.

(hugs JAVIER) I’m so glad that you come. I was worried that you would be too busy preparing for the feast.

(kisses VIOLET’s forehead) It’s ok, I’m here. You know I will never leave you behind.

(lays head on JAVIER’s shoulder) How was the visit?

It was fine I guess. You know, it’s a ROYAL VISIT.

I know, but I don’t think this is just a normal visit like the old ones...

(beat)

(raises head and looks at JAVIER) ….It’s not, right?

You heard everything, didn’t you?

I was in CHARLOTTE’s room doing chores, but yes I heard rumors…

(beat)

Are you really gonna marry her? Next month?

VIOLET, you know I don’t have a choice…

(beat, looking painful)

It’s a tradition that….I have no intention to follow.

That’s why they’re holding a feast tonight...to announce your marriage...

(interrupts her, grabbing her arms) VIOLET, please, listen to me. I know you must think that I’m a jerk and will just abandon you and give up on our relationship. But the truth is, I don’t really know CHARLOTTE! I don’t love her, and I love you.

I know….

I kept wishing that this day would never come. But it happened, VIOLET. And you know your king. He never allows exceptions.

(beat, sighs)

I know this is ridiculous. This whole thing is ridiculous. I want to be with you and I don’t want to…..marry a woman that I don’t know and love and spend the rest of my life with…

(grabs VIOLET’s hand)

I love you, and I want to be with you. Only you, no one else.

(hesitates) I love you too, JAVIER. But like you said. King VICTOR never allows exceptions, and he will never let you marry me. I’m just a maid, and you will become the next Gatekeeper, like your father. You have your duties and destiny….and a glorious life which I take no part within.

(upset) VIOLET…..

Don’t worry. I will fix this.

(surprised) …..How?

I will tell the king myself tonight, at the feast.

(terrified) JAVIER, NO! You can’t do this! You know the king. He will KILL you!

He won’t. I’m the next Gatekeeper.

That’s not that simple…..

JAVIER, love. I know that you want to marry me. But you know the temper of the king. He never allows exceptions. Remember last time, with…..with lord PIETRO?

That’s correct. It doesn’t matter if you want to marry CHARLOTTE or not. If you won’t do it, he will just find someone who WILL.

(beat)

You need to do this, JAVIER. For you and your family’s sake.

(voice breaks) …..I’m sorry.

(puts her hands on JAVIER’s back) Don’t be.

(refuses to look at JAVIER) Well,......congratulations on your engagement.

….Thank you.

I will see you at the feast.

(beat)

(bows awkwardly) My lord.

VIOLET heads into the palace.

(facing front, smiles politely) How’re you holding up?

(brings back from his own thoughts, smiles awkwardly) I’m fine.

(beat) Thanks for asking.

(still doesn’t look at him) Compose yourself. Don’t let them see through you.

I don’t want to force you, but it’s time for the toast.

Attention, everyone.

(beat)

I would like to introduce you all to my beautiful fiancee, CHARLOTTE.

(beat)

Will you accept my vow to you, my lady, the love of my life?

I accept your vow, my lord.

I will accept you as the love of my life. I will fulfill my duty as a faithful wife and bring royalty and glory to the kingdom.

HAIL KING VICTOR!

(raise their wine cups) HAIL KING VICTOR!

Long day, huh?

Yeah.

(beat)

Sorry I didn’t see you coming.

(smiles warmly) It’s totally fine.

(beat) I want to thank you for helping me out tonight.

What do you mean by that?

Come on. You know what I mean. None of us want to do this.

(beat)

I don’t want to do this, and neither do you.

Maybe you’re right, my lady.

(beat)

But it’s the king’s order.

You don’t need to pretend that you’re not hurt. JAVIER.

I know how you feel, and I feel the same thing. So, I’m here to talk, to make friends with you.

(beat)

Anyway, I just want to thank you. That’s all.

There’s no need to thank me, my lady.

It’s my duty to bring glory to the kingdom, to the king.

(interrupts JAVIER) It’s CHARLOTTE.

(beat) I’m sorry?

My name.

(beat) You can call me CHARLOTTE.

My lady…..

(beat) CHARLOTTE.

(beat)

I will fulfill my vow to you, no matter whether I have feelings for you or not. So don’t worry. I always keep my words.

Don’t make a vow that you’re not going to keep. JAVIER.

(beat)

But I respect that, and I thank you for that.

She turns and leaves.

JAVIER.

Yes, my lady.

(beat)

I mean, CHARLOTTE.

I just want to let you know that…

(beat)

I will always be on your side no matter what.

(beat)

I WANT YOU TO BELIEVE ME.