[Early morning]
[Southern Kingdom - Queen's Palace]
(At the southern end of the Palace, in the cool early morning air of September, sat the royal couple sharing breakfast on the verandah; the stone Castle stood in distant view from them.)
(The young Crown Prince, beckoned by his father, joined his parents at the table. It would not be for dining with them but to receive yet again, a stern talking to by the King.)
(Shyly he clung to his mother's side while being berated, his little grey eyes gradually filling with tears.)
(Finally dismissed, he took the hand of a female servant and returned indoors. Marie, silent all this time, then uttered)
Marie: My love, he is but a child, of only three years- He had every right to be fearful
Valentin: Of a rainstorm? What harm is there in it?
Marie: Please, Valentin. Scold him no further because of it. It has been many weeks now...let him alone please, for my sake...and besides, your tea is becoming cold
Valentin: And what of you? Are you not eating?
(On her plate, fluffy scrambled eggs. Pushing it around with her fork, she scrunched her nose and shook her head)
Marie: The eggs..smell. I cannot...I've lost my appetite
Valentin: They are perfectly fine. Are you feeling unwell?
Marie: -smile- I am well. I'm...not hungry is all
(She laid down the fork, opting instead to sip on her tea)
(To himself, the King gently smiled as he observed his wife. Hastily his expression changed and he stated)
Valentin: You dote too much on him, Marie. He is not a child, he is the Crown Prince
Marie: You and I are aware of this, but for him, Roman is simply a little boy. Would you let him be please? At least for a little while longer?
Valentin: It is time he became aware of the responsibilities which fall to him from now on.
(In hearing the sternness in his voice, Marie became concerned and placed her teacup down)
Marie: What do you mean by this?
Valentin: He is a reflection of the throne. The Kingship. I cannot afford to have my legacy, the future handed over to someone as him as he is
Marie: Roman is a child. You speak as though he has already failed you somehow.
Valentin: He has. But he shall no longer.
Marie: ....?
Valentin: From the age of only two, I began training in various skills. I would be tied to a horse in order to learn to ride. The same can be done for him.
Marie: The same will certainly not be done.
Valentin: Those who desire to steal the throne from me, undermine me Marie- they need to not only fear me but also the one to come after. If they see my offsprings as weak, what would that say about me? It is what must be done.
YOU ARE READING
BLACK ARROW - ACT 1
FantasíaACT 1 ~ Alexander; a young prince of the Southern Kingdom, the youngest and often compared to his older brothers because of his failings. With the annual hunt close at hand and having come of age to participate, he finds himself having to disprove t...
