This scene takes place in Queen Kiyome’s and Prince Edmund’s carriage. They are traveling toward Queen
Kiyome’s castle. Princess Christina is in the carriage behind them.
This is it; Christina’s final summer here before you wed.
It is indeed, Mother
And after half a decade you still have been unable to woo her.
Not from lack of effort, Mother. You saw her reaction to a mere compliment from me. It is not an easy task wooing
someone who despises you.
Than I guess you’re going to have to show her how charming and wonderful you are.
Enter Coachmen
We have arrived, Your Highness.
Thank you. Leave us for a moment.
Of course, Your Highness.
Exit Coachmen
What is it now, Mother?
My son, you have just shy of a month to have her fall in love with you. You must understand, there is urgency for this
betrothment to go smoothly. Make me proud, my son.
I will do everything in my power to do so, Mother.
Exit Queen Kiyome and Prince Edmund
The scene takes place in the great room of Queen Kiyome’s castle. Queen Kiyome and Prince Edmund enter,
and, shortly after, does Princess Christina.
Welcome back, Princess.
I am terribly sorry, but there is some very important business I must attend to. Edmund, I assure you will do everything
necessary to ensure that Christina is comfortable.
Of course, Mother.
Remember what I said, Edmund.
Exit Queen Kiyome
A walk about the grounds, my Princess?
I have seen the grounds before, Edmund. I do not wish to walk about and converse with the likes of you.
Then you must be tired, Princess. Come, I will escort you to your room.
My name is not “Princess” and I do not need an escort.
I am sorry, my Princess, if I have offended you. It is only that I am looking forward to having you as my bride, and
having you pay the debt to me our wedding night.
I will not pay you any debt.
Once we wed, my Princess, you will no longer have control over you kingdom, your mind, or your body.
You disgust me.
Yes, my Princess, once your dear old Father dies, I shall control it all, and there will be no use for you anymore.
You could never do such a thing. Too many would suspect foul play.
Come to think of it, Princess, the sooner your Father is gone, the sooner I can get rid of you.
If you had my father killed now, Edmund, I would become queen, disregard the betrothment, and you would gain nothing.
Who said anything about killing your Father before our wedding, Princess? No, Princess, I wouldn’t kill your Father. It is
not your father I hate; it is you.
Why marry someone you hate?
To spite you, Princess.
On my life, Edmund, I shall not marry you!
Exit Princess Christina
Enter Queen Kiyome
Edmund, what is going on? What is all this shouting about?
I was merely telling Christina how glad I was to be marrying her when she yelled something about not marrying me and left.
And this was unprovoked?
Of course, Mother. I said nothing- to my knowledge- to offend her.
I should send her back to her father for being so rude.
Mother, such harshness does not suit you. She is probably just nervous about our wedding.
She is so cruel to you. She lacks all qualities suiting a proper lady.
Please, Mother, forgive her once more for her rudeness and cruelty.
Of course, Edmund.
I do love her, Mother.
I know this.
I shall go attempt to mend things with Christina.
Alright, my son.
Exit Prince Edmund
Why must my son love her? If he had but any other feeling for her I might have a chance at love myself. William, why must
ye pledge eternal mourning? I love thee with my whole heart, but alas you shall never return my love. Your eternal mourning
is my eternal torture. If not for your daughter then you would have but no choice than remarriage. If she was not here, then
would you love me with the passion with which I love you? Christina must be gone for my love to be fulfilled. William will
love me once his daughter is gone, but was that not the same thought I had for his wife?
Prince Edmund has arrived at Princess Christina’s bed chamber. The scene begins inside Princess Christina’s bed
chamber, where she is standing at the far window looking down on the grounds. There is a soft knock at her door.
Come in.
Enter Prince Edmund
I do believe I offered to accompany you on a walk around the grounds, Princess. Why did you refuse if you where to just
come up here and stare down at the grounds, longing for a walk along them?
If I had wished to do that I would have taken your very generous offer.
I see that your manners befit you as usual. May I inquire to what it is you were doing there at the window, Princess?
If you must know, I was merely thinking of –
That is an abomination. Women are not to think. They exist for the sole purpose of labour and male pleasure.
How is it you are capable of such a prehistoric mind set?
Man was meant to rule. Kings are given the divine right to rule. No others may claim it.
Are not queens given the divine right by God? The very same of which you speak of?
No. The only right they are given is not to eat the soil of a man’s backside. Now come, Princess; it’s time for supper.
Do you really think that after such grotesque descriptions that I would have any sort of appetite?
If you do not dine with my mother and me, my mother will be angry.
I do not care if I anger Queen Kiyome. If I do not wish to eat, that is my choice.
You may wish to reconsider that statement, Princess. My mother angers easily, you know. I do not believe you want to be in
any worse position than you already are, for we both know she would rather not have you around. You will come down now.
May I please have a moment to collect myself?
Of course, my dear Princess. Would you like me to wait outside?
Oh, no. Please, go down. I shall meet you there.
Very well, my Princess.
Exit Prince Edmund
Dear Lord, please, I am in need of your good will. I do not know if I can survive this trial. I am in need of your help.
This scene takes place two days before Princess Christina’s eighteenth birthday and wedding to Prince Edmund. Princess
Christina is preparing to return home. The scene begins with Queen Kiyome and Prince Edmund standing at the bottom
of the stairs leading up to the entrance of Queen Kiyome’s castle.
Has there been any progress between you and Christina, Edmund?
I would like to think so, Mother. If I’m not mistaken, she is growing fonder of me by each setting sun.
It pleases me to hear of your happiness, dear.
Yes, I am glad that Christina has finally come around to me.
Enter Princess Christina
Princess, we were just speaking of you.
I do hope it was in a flattering manner.
Princess, I could never speak ill of you, I hope you know that.
Are you certain that you do not wish to ride in the carriage while returning home Christina? The road is quite dangerous, and
there appears to be a storm coming.
I am certain, Queen Kiyome. I shall make it home before the storm hits, and I fancy a ride.
You must promise to be careful, my Princess. It would e a shame to lose my bride before I have her.
Of course I will be careful, Edmund. I am just as anxious as you are. I must be off now.
I shall see you in a short while.
I shall see you in white the next time we meet.
Indeed, you will. Until then, farewell.
Exit Princess Christina
Come, Edmund, tea.
Exit Queen Kiyome and Prince Edmund
This scene takes place on a small path in the forest. Princess Christina and her company of riders come to a fork in the
road, when Princess Christina, who is in the lead, stops.
What is wrong, Your Highness.
This is where I must leave you.
We are supposed to accompany you home, Your Highness.
I have changed the plans. You will take this letter to my father and you will not tell him I departed from Queen Kiyome’s castle.
You know not where I am. If you betray this order, may the wrath of God find you.
Where are you going, Your Highness?
That is not of your concern. Do as I order.
Exit Riders on path on right
Exit Princess Christina on path on left