ACT 1 SCENE 2 - THE ROYAL VISIT

EXT.  OUTSIDE THE COSSA GRAVELL PALACE - EARLY MORNING

It’s the royal visit day. The NOWAK’s, in cloaks, arrive at the palace and are waiting to be summoned.

MAJA seems really nervous. She looks at ENZO and tries to hold his hand but he pulls back.

JAVIER stands next to MAJA, seems to be absent-minded.

Finally, the gate opens and they are summoned.

They follow the CAPTAIN of the Frenzo army and walk into the palace.

INT.  MAIN HALL - LATER

The NOWAK’s arrive at the main hall. King VICTOR and queen AUDREY are sitting on the thrones.

ENZO

(bows) My king.

MAJA and JAVIER bow after him.

KING VICTOR

You’ve done well, Gatekeeper.

ENZO

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

KING VICTOR

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

JAVIER

That’s correct, your highness.

ENZO

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

KING VICTOR

(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.

KING VICTOR

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.

A girl, leading by the maids, walks to the NOWAK’s and faces them. She’s pale and beautiful, with red straight hair and big brown eyes.

KING VICTOR

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

JAVIER bows to CHARLOTTE and she nods.

JAVIER

My lady.

KING VICTOR

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

ENZO

That will be an honor, your highness.

KING VICTOR

(nods, satisfied) That will be all.

The NOWAK’s leave the main hall and head outside.

EXT.  ROYAL GARDEN - AFTERNOON

VIOLET is waiting under the Willow tree by the lake. She looks nervous and keeps looking around to make sure no one sees her.

JAVIER enters the royal garden, sees VIOLET and runs to her.

VIOLET sees JAVIER, smiles with excitement.

VIOLET

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

JAVIER

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

Holding hands, they sit down by the lake.

VIOLET

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

JAVIER

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

VIOLET

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?

JAVIER looks at her, looking upset suddenly.

JAVIER

You heard everything, didn’t you?

VIOLET

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

(beat)

Are you really gonna marry her? Next month?

JAVIER

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

(beat, looking painful)

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

VIOLET

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

JAVIER

(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.

VIOLET

I know….

JAVIER

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.

VIOLET looks at him, doesn’t say a word but her face says it all.

VIOLET

(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.

JAVIER

(upset) VIOLET…..

He looks at her, determined.

Don’t worry. I will fix this.

VIOLET

(surprised) …..How?

JAVIER

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

VIOLET

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

JAVIER

He won’t. I’m the next Gatekeeper.

VIOLET

That’s not that simple…..

Suddenly, she lowers her voice.

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?

JAVIER’s face turns dark, looking upset.

JAVIER

Yes……….. King VICTOR imprisons him just because he doesn’t want to marry MARTHA.

VIOLET

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.

With tears lingering in both of his eyes. JAVIER hugs VIOLET tight so she can’t see him crying.

JAVIER

(voice breaks) …..I’m sorry.

VIOLET

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

The bell rings from the palace. It’s time for the feast.

JAVIER and VIOLET hug for another while, then pull apart.

VIOLET

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

JAVIER

….Thank you.

VIOLET

I will see you at the feast.

(beat)

(bows awkwardly) My lord.

VIOLET heads into the palace.

JAVIER sighs, hesitates for a while, then recomposes himself and heads back to the palace after her.

INT.   ROYAL FEAST - EVENING

The band is playing, and everybody enjoys the delicious food and good wines.

King VICTOR and queen AUDREY seem really pleased, even though they never talk to each other.

CHARLOTTE joins the NOWAK’s and sits besides JAVIER.

She looks calm and it’s hard to read her expression.

People keep coming forward to express their blessings.

CHARLOTTE smiles politely and JAVIER locks his gaze on VIOLET, who stands at the other corner with other maids, waiting to serve the tables if needed.

CHARLOTTE

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

JAVIER

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

(beat) Thanks for asking.

CHARLOTTE

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

She looks around the main hall.

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

JAVIER hesitates for a moment, clears his throat, then stands up, recomposes himself and forces a smile.

He clicks the side of the wine glass to draw the attention from everybody.

JAVIER

Attention, everyone.

(beat)

Thank you all for coming to this absolutely fabulous feast. Thanks to the king.

He raises the wine cup and gestures to king VICTOR. The king smiles and nods.

Then he turns back and faces the people in the hall.

JAVIER

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

Everybody claps.

CHARLOTTE stands up, smiles widely and bows.

JAVIER forces a smile on his face and tries not to look at VIOLET, who is standing on the other side of the corner, watching all of this happening.

He turns to CHARLOTTE.

JAVIER

CHARLOTTE, the love of my life. I'm making my vow to you now. From now on, I will love you, cherish you everyday and for the rest of my life. I love you, and we will live happily ever after.

(beat)

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

CHARLOTTE looks at him and smiles.

In fact this is the first time JAVIER ever has the chance to look at her closely. She has straight red hair. Her eyes are light brown and she wears emerald earrings and a necklace. Even with the pale skin her eyes send out a melancholy breath, She looks absolutely lovely and graceful.

CHARLOTTE

I accept your vow, my lord.

She turns to the front.

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.

JAVIER takes her hand. She smiles, and they face the hall together.

JAVIER and CHARLOTTE

HAIL KING VICTOR!

PEOPLE IN THE HALL

(raise their wine cups) HAIL KING VICTOR!

INT.   ROYAL FEAST - MIDNIGHT

The feast is over. The guests are leaving. JAVIER is standing next to the window.

He feels relieved because he finally can have some private time to himself.

CHARLOTTE sees him and comes to his side.

CHARLOTTE

Long day, huh?

JAVIER looks like he was living in his own world until she wakes him.

He turns to her, looks surprised for a moment, then tries to recompose himself and smailes awkwardly.

JAVIER

Yeah.

(beat)

Sorry I didn’t see you coming.

CHARLOTTE

(smiles warmly) It’s totally fine.

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

JAVIER

What do you mean by that?

CHARLOTTE

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.

JAVIER looks at her, tries to think of anything to say.

JAVIER

Maybe you’re right, my lady.

(beat)

But it’s the king’s order.

He tries to sound normal and neglected, but CHARLOTTE seems to see through him.

CHARLOTTE

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

She puts her hand on his, looking sincere.

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.

JAVIER doesn’t know if he should believe her. She looks sincere and nice, but he knows that he can’t believe in anyone in the palace.

JAVIER

There’s no need to thank me, my lady.

He bows to her.

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

CHARLOTTE

(interrupts JAVIER) It’s CHARLOTTE.

JAVIER

(beat) I’m sorry?

CHARLOTTE

My name.

(beat) You can call me CHARLOTTE.

JAVIER hesitates, but he sees the plea inside her eyes. She seems to really need that.

JAVIER

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.

CHARLOTTE gives him a forced smile.

CHARLOTTE

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 looks at her and doesn't know what to say.

Suddenly she stops. She doesn’t turn to him but she calls him.

CHARLOTTE

JAVIER.

JAVIER

Yes, my lady.

(beat)

I mean, CHARLOTTE.

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.

JAVIER is surprised but he doesn’t respond.

CHARLOTTE leaves.