How young is too young to be crowned a King?
When sixteen-year-old Tybalt is burdened by kingship while still a child, he must convince his subjects that he's strong enough to wear the crown or risk the whole town of Nevergolden, demanding his blood...
INT. STAIRWAY OF THE ROYAL PALACE / HALLWAY OF THE THIRD FLOOR - DAY
Isabel runs up some stairs. Then, she sits on the ground of the third-floor hallway. She bursts into tears.
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Althea, who has followed her, sits down on the gray floor. She is next to her cousin.
ALTHEA: What's happening?
ISABEL: It looks obvious. I don't want to get married. Althea, I'm only fifteen, and I did nothing. And my world is so small. It's made up of fifteen fiefs and there's nothing out there.
ALTHEA:I know that. The expectations are high sometimes--
ISABEL: You cannot understand anything. You're almost an ordinary girl. You don't have an earldom title. You have Fred and Honor, who have always allowed you and your sister to do anything you wanted to do. My brother and I can't do the same. We will never be ordinary people. And the subjects expect us to be adults, but, at the same time, they're waiting for a misstep only to see us fall. And maybe you were right to say I wasn't ready for marriage.
ALTHEA: Why don't you tell your mother the truth? That you're not ready for this, rather than keep planning the ball?
ISABEL: I know, I should do it. But the truth is that... Maybe I wanted to be the center of attention for one night. I wanted to be honored... But now I cannot cancel the party. It's the only way that Tybalt has to obtain people's consent, and we all know that he cares about being a king, and deep down, he also cares about his subjects, even though he wouldn't spend money on them. So, I have to help him to be appreciated.
ALTHEA: What will you do, then?
ISABEL: What's done is done, so I have to fake. I'll pretend I want to know all those bachelors, even though I don't really care about it.
ALTHEA(stumped): Alright, but... Are you sure?
ISABEL(trying to wipe her tears): Yes, I am. I think so... However, seriously, do not worry about me. Think about making yourself pretty for Leo.
ALTHEA: How do you know--Isabel laughs.
ISABEL: Please, everyone in Nevergolden knows that you like him!
ALTHEA(with a sad expression on her face): Whatever, Leo is not interested in me. He likes another type of girl... Girls who are prettier than me.
ISABEL(bored): Althea, do not throw yourself down. You are... Well... You are pretty, too. And I am sure he will ask you to dance with him at the ball. Now go and pick a beautiful dress.
ALTHEA: Alright. Will you be fine?!
ISABEL: Yes. I will.
Isabel pretends to smile as Althea descends the steps to come back downstairs. Isabel remains alone and stops smiling.
