Saturday afternoon ...

KARANTHIR:

Hello Phae, I'm back. Has he been asleep for the duration of my absence?

PHAE:

No, I read him three chapters of his book. Then Syrrah came

in and gave him that tea. He only drifted off a little while ago.

KARANTHIR:

Oh yes, that tea. He’ll sleep the next two hours.

PHAE:

Karanthir, I want to thank you for letting me sit with him.

KARANTHIR:

Zyfan would want you here. You’re welcome to stay, if you’d like.

PHAE:

Thank you. I think I will. He’s very special, isn't he?

KARANTHIR:

Extraordinarily so. He’s changed my life completely - for the better.

PHAE:

Anyone can see that he's very much in love with you. You know,

when I first found out about you, the consort to the prince, I thought 

I could easily win him away from you.

KARANTHIR:
Is that so?

PHAE:

I suppose I shouldn't have told you that. You must think me naïve.

KARANTHIR:

On the contary, I admire confident people. So, are you going to test 

your theory and attempt to steal my prince from me?

PHAE:

No. I can see that without you, he would be very unhappy. 

And that’s the last thing I want for him.

KARANTHIR:

Then we have that in common.

PHAE:

If I may speak plainly?

KARANTHIR:

I prefer it.

PHAE:

And you will not interrupt me, but will wait to speak 

until I am finished to speak again?

KARANTHIR:

Why Miss Phae, aren't we feeling assertive today? Honestly,

I won’t utter a sound. I’m curious to see where this leading. Besides 

I welcome the distraction. My thoughts, as of late, are quite dark.

PHAE:

We know Zyfan will be the next One, and  he needs a wife and heir.

I have been preparing for that role all my life. I want to help him lead our people forward while taking care of him, and helping him in anyway I can.

PHAE: 

… Although he's older than me, he's so like a child, in some ways. I hope to keep that part of him alive. It’s charming. There are those on the Counsel who shall oppose him and make things difficult. I believe I can 

manage them so he won't have to ...

PHAE:

I want to be his wife, and I want us to have a strong, happy union. I think he will honor and respect me, and my position. But I know you are the 

one who will always have his heart.

PHAE:

I want you to know I will never come between you and him. If he chooses me to be his wife – I would give my blessing to keep you in our lives forever.

PHAE:

I want us to work together to keep him happy. Do you think

you can do this with me, Karanthir?

KARANTHIR:

Is it my turn to speak now?

PHAE:

It is.

KARANTHIR:

Let me start with - I truly want to believe you but, may I be frank?

PHAE:

Yes please.

KARANTHIR:

Forgive my cynical nature, but I wonder if you're only saying what you 

think I want to hear – so I will use my influence on the prince,

 to choose you for his bride.

KARANTHIR:

… If that's the case, let me assure you that I will not persuade 

him one way or another. It’s completely his decision to make.

KARANTHIR:

… On the other hand, if I find you are sincere in all that you've just told me, and he does freely choose you,I can promise you this 

- you'll have no stronger ally than me.