Camera cuts to a wide shot of the dining room and King Phosphorus sits at the end of the table in a chair resembling a throne.

The large door opens, River entering the room alone. She is shocked to see Prince Haden present, sitting by her father, meaning she'll sit on the opposite side to him and have to stare him down.

She reluctantly does so, however.

King Phosphorus
So, care to explain why you failed to do as I asked yesterday?

River avoids eye contact.

River
...

King Phosphorus
(Commanding)
Refuse to speak? Answer me.

Haden looks at both of them back and forth a couple of times.

Haden
Your majesty, please be easy on her. She was merely unsettled because of my demeanor. Which, I'll admit, was a bit forward.

King Phosphorus looks at Haden.

King Phosphorus
Is that so? Then very well. I'll leave it be. But I must urge you both to make a decision.

River continues sitting in silence, in thought. After a bit, the kitchen staff enter and prepare the food arrangements in front of each person.

King Phosphorus
Shall we eat?

Haden
Of course, your majesty. Thank you for your hospitality.

Eating, River sits in silence, thinking of all that's transpired.

River
(Thoughts)
Why did I say those things... And...

She looks at Haden, who's smile shines brightly as he talks with her father.

River
(Thoughts)
Maybe I was too quick... To judge.

King Phosphorus
My daughter, I won't be angry. But I must ask, why isn't young Stacy here? Last night she came to me and told me of her resignation as your lady-in-waiting.

River snaps to from being distracted.

River
(Surprised)
H-Huh? Oh, Stace...? Yeah... We had a disagreement.

King Phosphorus
Over what...?

River
Over... A guy.

King Phosphorus
A... "Guy?" Don't tell me you two were fighting over a boy again. I had thought you'd grown out of this phase...

River jolts from her seat.

River
I have! It wasn't over who'd be with him! It's just... He had a reputation that scared me and Stace stood up for him. She doesn't understand what a reputation means to people like us! And how associating with someone that has a negative one can affect it.

King Phosphorus sips from his wine glass as River sits back down.

King Phosphorus
I see... And who was this boy?

River
...Elias Homings.

King Phosphorus
Ah, son of Xavier Homings. The usurper. It was good to cut things off with him. People like us, who hold great influence, cannot risk it by associating with people such as that. That boy has a bad reputation.

River
I know. When he told me, I could hear people around the room talking about him... Even positing that I had something to do with the insurrection conspiracy.

King Phosphorus
Fools. So quick to assume. You were correct to end things there. Our reputation as a royal family rides on you maintaining a good social standing. Our bloodline demands it. And like making a winter coat, loose threads must be cut.

More time passes, the three eating in mostly silence, and the staff are called to retrieve the dishes.

King Phosphorus wipes his mouth as a servant grabs his plate.

He stands.

King Phosphorus
If you'll both excuse me, I have other matters to attend to. I want you to spend time with one another. Get to know each other.

He looks at them both intermittently.

King Phosphorus
And that is an order, River. Understood?

River
(Uncomfortable)
Y-Yes, father...

King Phosphorus
Good. I'll leave you to it.

He walks off, leaving the two at the table as he walks through the door.

Haden looks across at River.

Haden
May we talk, Princess? Wherever you wish.

River thinks for a moment before coming to a decision.

River
I... I know a place.

Camera cuts away on her determined face.