INT. THE PALACE OF COSA GRAVELL, THE QUEEN’S ROOM - EARLY MORNING
QUEEN AUDREY lies in bed.
The doctor’s visit almost drained her.
It’s been a long time since her last time breathing the fresh air outside.
She’s frustrated and devastated.
The maid, LENA, comes into the room
and pours the hot water into the tub.
She looks at the queen, worried.
LENA
My queen, it’s time for a bath.
QUEEN AUDREY
(painful shaking) I don’t want to….
LENA
My queen, you need to.
(beat)
The doctor strongly recommended you do so.
He said it’s good for relaxation.
QUEEN AUDREY
(painfully yells) I DON’T NEED TO REST!!!!!!!!
I NEED AN HEIR!!!!!!
All the maids in the room lower their heads,
trying to avoid eye contacts.
LENA walks toward queen AUDREY slowly.
LENA
(tries to smile warmly) Of course you will, your highness.
You WILL recover and GET PREGNANT.
And this time, NO ONE CAN EVER STOP YOU.
QUEEN AUDREY
(breaks down with voice breaks) I CAN’T, LENA. I JUST CAN’T!!!!!
AUDREY begins to cry.
LENA lands her hand on her,
trying to comfort her.
LENA
OF COURSE YOU CAN, your highness.
(determined) I WILL HELP YOU.
(beats, looks at all the maids in the room) WE’RE ALL ON YOUR SIDE.
The maids get what she meant,
and all kneel to the ground.
THE MAIDS
(try to be calm and sound determined) WE WILL ALL ON YOUR SIDE, your highness!
WE ARE ALL WITH YOU TO THE END DATE!!!
The queen stops crying.
She raises her head and sees all the maids kneeling on the ground.
She turns to look at LENA and forces a smile.
QUEEN AUDREY
Thank you, LENA.
I don’t know what to do without you.
LENA
(bows) It’s my honor to serve you, my queen.
QUEEN AUDREY
(beats) Was the king here?
LENA
He was.
(beats) but he left after he got the news.
QUEEN AUDREY
Oh.
(beats, raises her left arm toward LENA) Help me walk to the tub.
LENA
Yes, your highness.
As LENA helps QUEEN AUDREY up,
the camera turns to the right side of the stage,
where the king’s study is.
INT. THE PALACE OF COSA GRAVELL, THE KING’S STUDY - CLOSE TO NOON
KING VICTOR is reading report letters.
The servant ADRIAN knocks and comes in.
ADRIAN
My king, Lady ELEANOR is outside.
KING VICTOR
What for?
ADRIAN
She said she has important matters to discuss.
(beats) Should I ask her to wait, my king?
KING VICTOR
(beats) No need. Let her in.
ELEANOR comes into the study.
KING VICTOR raises his head
and puts down the letters.
ELEANOR
(bows) My king.
KING VICTOR
What a big surprise.
What brings you here, my lady?
ELEANOR
(with her head low still) Like I said, I have something important to discuss, my king.
(beats) …..I heard the queen lost her child AGAIN.
KING VICTOR
(sighs) …..Yes. That’s tragic.
(beats) And what’s the IMPORTANT THING you want to discuss with me?
ELEANOR
My king, I know having an heir has been your first priority.
People are waiting, your country needs an heir.
KING VICTOR
And what do you suggest?
ELEANOR
I know nothing about magic….
(beats) but I do have a suggestion….
KING VICTOR
Which is?
ELENOR
……I’m healthy, my king.
(beats) I’m nothing like the queen.
KING VICTOR is surprised.
He raises his right brow and
finally decides to look at ELEANOR closely.
SHE IS GORGEOUS INDEED.
KING VICTOR
(scoffs) That’s your BRILLIANT SUGGESTION?
ELEANOR
I’m a LOYAL SERVANT to this country, my king.
(raises her head to face the king)
I’m well-prepared and ready to serve you, my king.
KING VICTOR
And what about the queen?
ELEANOR
We all know the queen can’t produce any heir anymore.
(beats) I heard it from the lord priest.
KING VICTOR
(scoffs) And you want to replace her.
(beats, with questioning tone) Do you want to be QUEEN, ELEANOR?
ELEANOR
I’m the ONE YOU NEED, my king.
(smiles proudly) You won’t regret it, I promise.
KING VICTOR laughs.
An evil plan started to form inside his head.
KING VICTOR
(smiles, satisfied) Well done.
Tonight. My room. Let me see what you’re capable of.
ELEANOR
(smiles happily toward the king) Yes, my king.
ELEANOR leaves the study.
She walks proudly, knowing that
she’s finally got what she desires.
#3 - I’M THE ONE YOU NEED - ELEANOR & QUEEN AUDREY
ELEANOR
FINALLY, I GOT WHAT I WANT.
I’VE COME ALL THIS FAR.
THIS TIME, I CAN’T MAKE ANY MISTAKE.
DON’T WORRY, MY KING.
I WON’T LET YOU REGRET.
YOUR QUEEN IS WEAK AND USELESS.
I’M THE ONE YOU NEED.
(QUEEN AUDREY already finished her bath.
She’s sitting by the window, in her thoughts)
QUEEN AUDREY
Victor, why? Why didn’t you come to see me?
You know I’m always in pain.
How about the vow you made me on our wedding day?....
Have you changed your mind?
FINALLY, I GOT WHAT I DESERVE.
Such a shame, I’VE COME ALL THIS FAR.
THIS TIME, HE FINALLY GIVES UP ON ME.
COME BACK, MY KING.
I CAN DO BETTER THIS TIME.
LET’S TRY THIS ALL OVER AGAIN.
I’M THE ONE YOU NEED.
ELEANOR
I’m younger and prettier.
Most importantly, I’m healthy!
I CAN GIVE YOU AN HEIR!
QUEEN AUDREY
Please, I’m your lawful wife!
I CAN STILL GIVE YOU AN HEIR.
THIS TIME IT WILL WORK. I PROMISE!
ELEANOR & QUEEN AUDREY
PLEASE SAY THAT YOU WANT ME.
I’M THE RIGHT ONE YOU NEED!
WHICH ONE WOULD YOU CHOOSE THIS TIME?
INT. THE PALACE OF COSA GRAVELL, THE QUEEN’S ROOM - CLOSE TO DINNER TIME
QUEEN AUDREY is ready to head out.
She is supposed to have dinner with the KING.
ISSAK knocks on the door,
and the maids let him in.
ISAK
(bows) My queen.
QUEEN AUDREY
(calmly) The Priest.
Is the king ready?
ISAK
The King asked me to come and tell you.
He will have dinner with LADY ELEANOR.
QUEEN AUDREY
(in shock) ELEANOR? My cousin??
ISAK
I believe so, my queen.
The king said he will go straight back to study after dinner.
He suggested you join LADY CHARLOTTE for dinner.
(beats) To congrat her and show your care for her.
Since the wedding is near.
QUEEN AUDREY
(tries to hide the painful tone) ……I understand.
(beats) …Will the king come to my room tonight?
ISAK
The king said he has a lot of important matters to deal with.
He will need some private time to himself tonight.
QUEEN AUDREY
(voice shaking) …... .Crystal clear.
ISAK
Perfect.
(bows) I will leave you to your maids, my queen.
ISAK leaves the room.
LENA is worried.
She looks toward the queen,
who is shaking painfully.
LENA
…Are you alright, my queen?
QUEEN AUDREY
…….NO.
QUEEN’S MAID #1
Should we take you to LADY CHARLOTTE, my queen?
QUEEN AUDREY tries hard to recompose herself.
She reaches for LENA’s hand.
LENA holds her hand.
LENA
What is it, my queen?
QUEEN AUDREY
….It’s ELEANOR.
(voice shakes) …..This CAN’T BE TRUE.
GO TO CHARLOTTE NOW.
ELEANOR IS UP TO SOMETHING!
