INT. OFFICE OF THE KING - DAY

Tybalt, absorbed, is looking out the window.

ISABEL: What if I didn't like Amaury?

Tybalt turns around towards her. In the room, together with Isabel, we can see Rohesia, Althea, and her father, FRED STAFFORD (45). Fred is a little short man with curly dark hair. Unfortunately, he has lost some of it, and a few strands are getting white. He's wearing a long black velvet coat, a white shirt, and black trousers.

TYBALT: Isabel, you don't get it. I don't want to force you to marry Amaury. But at least he's a low-cost suitor. Giving a ball costs too much. You should find some sorceress in the town. They make miracles. A lot of maids found a husband thanks to them. But don't pay them too much.

ROHESIA (exasperated): Great, Tybalt. You're even recommending sorceresses, so your sister will bring home a bandit of Lessgolden, one that gets wasted in the taverns. (more)

As Rohesia is speaking, Tybalt goes towards his desk.

ROHESIA (CONT'D) (talking to Isabel) Besides, who do you think you'll meet at the ball? Some miserable knight?

ISABEL: BOTH OF YOU, STOP IT! First of all, I don't want any sorceress.

ROHESIA: Of course you don't!

ISABEL: Second, I don't even want an economical suitor. 

Tybalt, who is now sitting at his desk, makes a face. 

ISABEL: Third, if I have to find a husband, I will choose him alone. And, at least, the ball idea looks--

TYBALT: The ball idea looks terrible. This town has too many economic problems. People always complain that they don't earn enough with their jobs, and then they come to me asking for donations because they can't afford to eat. I don't want to hear complaints any longer. Do they want my money? They won't have it. From now on, everything will change. Althea, create an edict under my name. Write this... (more)

Althea takes a blank scroll, a feather, and a little pot of ink lying on Tybalt's desk. Then, she starts writing on the scroll.

TYBALT (CONT'D) (talking to Althea): Your Majesty affirms: "No more economical donations!" And do you know why? I've been receiving way too many people who are supposed to be economically independent, dressed in rags, begging for money. You won't believe who has come before asking for money.

ALTHEA: Who has come?

TYBALT: Hervy De La Reue. But, let's see... He's a knight, so he is personally paid by whom? By me! I pay him well, so he can't beg for other money. These people are trying to treat me like a fool. But I'm not a fool. No more help. No more kindness. No more charity. Because my subjects are taking advantage of it.

ISABEL: So I'm not allowed to plan the ball?

TYBALT: Of course you're not, since you don't pay for it.

ISABEL (sad and miserable): But I have already sent the invitations!

Althea looks at the sad face of her cousin and takes courage.

ALTHEA: May I offer an opinion?

TYBALT (bored): If you must...

ALTHEA: What if sir Hervy really needed money?! If--

TYBALT: Yes, yes... Whatever you say... Can you do me a favor, Althea? Don't mention him to me again! He's my stupidest knight!

ALTHEA: Fine. I won't mention Hervy. But, as assistant to the royal advisor, can I give my opinion on the ball?

TYBALT: You're giving your opinion on too many things, in my opinion.

FRED: I will speak, then. If you don't believe in what my daughter Althea is saying.

ALTHEA: Father--

TYBALT (He snorts): All right, uncle, or, in this case, advisor Fred. Bloody protocol. I can't even name the people in the same way as before.

FRED: In any case, I asked several people what they think about your conduct until now. Most of them, who belong to the less affluent classes, are not pleased with having you as a king.

TYBALT: I think that the people of Nevergolden complain a little too much.

FRED: The ball, as you said, is a money pit. But what if it wasn't in honor of Isabel', but in honor of the people of Nevergolden?

ROHESIA: You want that my kids get involved with two rednecks?

FRED: You want Isabel to find a good prospect, don't you? At the ball, Isabel could meet as many gentlemen as she wants. They will be there, too. But the guests of honor will be the people of the less affluent classes. For the first time in a long time, they could feel important. And your approval rating as a king will increase.

TYBALT: I don't care about the approval rating or whatever it's called. I'm not going to throw a party in honor of the fools of Nevergolden. They will come, dressed in rags as usual, to beg for other money. If we keep it like this, they'll become rich, and I'll become poor.

ALTHEA: Well, I understand the point of the donations. But, please, don't punish them.

TYBALT (talking to Fred): Uncle Fred, when I rose to power, I thought the subjects would have been rational, grounded people. Instead, in front of me, there are so many whining individuals expecting money to fall from the sky. Anyway... Here's the deal: I'm going to plan your goddamn ball. I'm inviting all the people from the town. I'm also offering a banquet in their honor, but no more complaints. And the next knight that comes to me asking for money will be sent to Lessgolden. I won't hear any argument. Am I clear?

FRED: Absolutely.

ISABEL: Thank you, brother.

Fred and Isabel leave the office.

ALTHEA: Thank you, Lord Tybalt. Even though--

TYBALT (raising his voice a bit): I don't want to hear excuses for your beloved brothers De La Reue!

ALTHEA (snorts): Fine.

As Althea leaves the office, Berty enters. He's holding a letter with a red and elegant seal on it.

BERTY: Lord, do I disturb you?

TYBALT (snorts): Yes, you do, Berty. What's wrong?

BERTY: There's a letter for you. It's from Christian Ide. I don't know him well, but I always hear many stories about him.

TYBALT: I don't want to hear your chatty comments. Read me the letter, instead.

Berty opens up the envelope and starts reading.

BERTY (speaking with a noble British accent): His Majesty, forgive me for not congratulating you on your coronation. I was busy abroad. I wanted to apologize for my bad manners...

TYBALT: Sure, sure, whatever he says... Berty, Christian Ide... Does he say something interesting in this letter?

BERTY (still speaking with a British accent): I may let you have the tickets for the entire polo season, obviously, for free. And if I arrange some polo games with my friends, some carefully chosen and selected people, you'll be welcome. (Using his normal voice) Can I come too?

TYBALT: No, you can't. How can you think that the nobles of Nevergolden-- (Snorts) Anyway, reply to him that it's fine with me, as long as they allow me to play.

BERTY (a little angry for not being invited, but he tries to hide it): Alright, lord Tybalt.

TYBALT: And tell him that he and his friends are invited to the ball in honor of the people, if they want to.

BERTY: Alright, lord Tybalt. Is there anything else I must do?

TYBALT: No, there isn't. You can go.

Berty gives a little bow.

BERTY: Have a nice day.

Berty leaves the room.

TYBALT (to himself): I'll become the best polo player in Nevergolden.

He smiles, happy and satisfied. After that, he writes something on a scroll placed on his desk.