ACT 1 SCENE 3 - BEHIND THE ROYAL WALLS

Is it done?

Your majesty.

I’m asking, is it done?

(beat) I’m afraid we lost it….again.

And what’s the cause?

We’re not pretty sure. I gave the queen some powder to calm her, but it seems that…..her mind can’t bear this kind of loss anymore.

(raising his voice) Are you suggesting that THAT woman can’t fulfill her destiny?

I’M STUCK WITH THIS WOMAN NOW,

ONLY BECAUSE OF THAT LIFE-LONGING VOW.

WE TREAT EACH OTHER LIKE STRANGERS,

BUT WE TRY NOT TO PUT ROYAL BLOOD IN DANGER.

SO….

I CAN’T BELIEVE IT! I CAN’T BELIEVE IT!

SHE FAILED ME AGAIN.

I’VE GIVEN HER SO MUCH,

ALL THE GOLD, THE CLOTHES, THE FOOD AND THE TITLE.

WHY CAN’T HER JUST DO HER JOB,

SO WE DON’T NEED TO SUFFER ANYMORE?

I can hear her crying during the nights…

I’m pretty sure that must be really painful

Yes. Poor queen…..The king doesn’t even come to see her….

I know…..royal marriage is like that. There’s no love between them, only destiny.

Poor thing. It’s her duty to give birth to the royal heir.

Praise the king….and how many times have they tried already?

I guess…..twenty-ish.

Twenty-ish???

(gestures to shush MAID 2) Shh!......

(beat) Actually….it’s Twenty-two.

(surprisingly whispers) Twenty-two……

(covers her mouth and whispers) Oh……god…..

SO I’M DONE WITH THAT WOMAN,

BECAUSE OF HER I DON’T FEEL LIKE BEING A MAN.

But, your majesty…

I AM A MAN, AND I’M THE KING.

I HAVE ALL THE POWER TO BRING.

(bows) Of course, your majesty.

I WANT TO GET ON WITH MY LIFE,

BUT THIS MATTER IS LARGER THAN LIFE.

SO…..

WE CAN’T BELIEVE IT! WE CAN’T BELIEVE IT!

SHE FAILED US AGAIN.

I’VE GIVEN HER SO MUCH,

The parties.

The medicine.

The jewelry.

The safety.

Yes!

WHY CAN’T HER JUST DO HER JOB,

SO WE DON’T NEED TO SUFFER ANYMORE

WHY CAN’T HER JUST DO HER JOB,

SO WE CAN BOTH GO ON WITH OUR LIVES?

WE CAN’T BELIEVE IT!

WE JUST CAN’T BELIEVE IT!

(beat) I didn’t mean to upset you, my king…..

(impatiently) So what do you suggest?

….My king?

(growls more impatiently) What do you suggest?

My king….. she is your queen. We will figure something out….

Didn’t you say that she can’t fulfill her destiny anymore?

I’m afraid so……her condition is not pleasant…

(beat)

But we can try something else….

(interrupts ISAK) Then stop trying.

(surprises) …….Your majesty?

Tell me a way.

He looks at ISAK, determined.

That woman is useless. She failed me. So I’m demanding you to find me a way to have children.

Yes, your majesty.

ISAK comes to the side of the king and whispers in his ears.

Give me a list. I want it before dinner.

Yes. Your majesty.