INT. ANGELA''S HOUSE - AURORA''S ROOM - NIGHT
(Aurora, lost in thought, is jolted back to reality by the ringing of her phone)
AURORA: hello? Oh, Riley, sure
(Aurora hangs up her phone and opens Zoom on her computer)
AURORA: hey guys, how is it going?
RILEY: I am good
DAPHNE: yeah, me too
AARON: good news, guys, I got in
ANDREW: me too
ALL: (in unison) congratulations guys
RILEY: Aurora, what about you?
AURORA: huh? What is it?
AARON: are you even listening? What''s wrong, Aurora. After our graduation, you haven''t been yourself lately
AURORA: it''s nothing to worry about. I am just stressed out, that''s it
DAPHNE: are you sure?
AURORA: yes, yes
ANDREW: Aurora, did you get in?
AURORA: oh, that... (sighs) no, nothing yet
RILEY: that''s strange
AURORA: come on, Riley, it''s nothing. I applied last, remember?
RILEY: good point
AARON: goodnight guys
ALL: (in unison) goodnight
(The call disconnects, leaving Aurora lost in thought once again)
AURORA: why will they say I am the Empress if I weren''t the Empress. They would have given someone else the title, bit why me? I hope I find the truth
(Aurora switches off the light and goes to bed)
CUT TO:
INT. EMPIRE - DAY
(Walker, Jax and Caleb engage in conversation when Aurora enters, interrupting their discussion)
WALKER: welcome, Empress! We are so happy to see you again
AURORA: good day, sir, was I interrupting?
WALKER: of course not
JAX: sire, we will talk later. Welcome, Empress Aurora!
CALEB: welcome Empress
AURORA: (smiling) thank you
(Jax and Caleb exit, leaving Aurora and Walker alone to have a conversation)
WALKER: how are you doing, Empress? How was your night?
AURORA: it wasn''t fine. I need to know the truth and get this burden out of my shoulder. How am I the Empress of this Empire?
WALKER: Aurora, listen...
(Walker is interrupted by a tall, handsome, dark haired , energetic young man entering the room with a smile)
CLARK: good day sire, how has your day been?
WALKER: great, wonderful. Empress, this is Clark, the guardian of the former Empress. Clark, this is the Empress
CLARK: sorry for my manners, Empress, nice to meet you
AURORA: yeah, same
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CLARK: sire, please permit me to assist my mother in the market today
WALKER: come on, Clark, you don''t have to be formal with me. Of course, you can go
CLARK: thank you, sire. Have a nice day, Empress
(Clark exits, and Aurora turns to Walker)
AURORA: I have tons of questions
WALKER: I am ready to answer it all
AURORA: do you have school here?
WALKER: (chuckles) no, but if you want to study, we can hire you a tutor
AURORA: what about friends?
WALKER: there are a lot of people in this Empire you can make friends with
AURORA: you don''t have cars here, do you?
WALKER: we have horses and camels
AURORA: phones
WALKER: we send letters, darling. We are not poor though
AURORA: it''s like living In two worlds. Modern and ancient
WALKER: this is no ancient; it is what it is. So, the pendant, have you looked inside?
AURORA: inside?
WALKER: yeah, you can open it. It is a gift from your mother so it is special
(Aurora brings out the pendant, opens it, revealing it''s content, and gasps in sheer amusement)
AURORA: whoa!
WALKER: like what you see?
AURORA: NMF, what is that?
WALKER: oh, the Empress is such a sweet soul. She takes family first. That is the first letter of your father''s name, your mother''s name and your name
AURORA: there is no A
(Walker reveals a hidden truth with a solemn tone)
WALKER: that''s because Aurora isn''t your real name. N stands for Noah, the Emperor, M stands for Madelaine, the Empress, and F stands for Flower - you
AURORA: that makes sense. So, you say the Empress addressed me as her Flower
WALKER: mm-hmm
(Jax strides into the room, bearing news. The atmosphere shifts as everyone turns attention towards him)
JAX: sire, the Christophers are here
WALKER: what, why? How come?
JAX: I have no idea
AURORA: is there a problem?
WALKER: a big problem, Empress. Since you refused to take over the throne, the Christophers have come to try their luck. The seat is empty so we can''t do anything about them
AURORA: well, can''t they handle the throne?
WALKER: you say it like the throne is a lollipop for babies. They just want power, fame and riches, nothing else. Don''t you know who a ruler is, or should be?
AURORA: yeah, I have an idea
WALKER: yeah the Christophers are the opposite
(Walker attempts to speak, but his words are drowned out as two girls and a boy, exuding wealth and pride, swagger into the palace, interrupting the scene.)
ALLISON: sir walker, we miss you
WALKER: yes, I miss you too.
(Walker, attempting to maintain composure, addresses the unexpected guests)
WALKER: to what honor do we owe this surprise visit?
CHARLOTTE: we came to stay
JUSTIN: and also campaign
(Amidst the unfolding drama, Walker clarifies the situation)
WALKER: there is no campaigning, because the Emperor explicitly stated in his will that his daughter should take over
ALLISON: but he said if she isn''t ready then we are next in line
CHARLOTTE: true or false uncle Walker?
WALKER: yes, but, this is the Empress. She came here to accept the throne
ALLISON: that''s too late uncle. She was given a week to decide but she exhausted it without accepting the throne
JUSTIN: you are such a darling for that
AURORA: well, hello... I am...
CHARLOTTE: nobody cares who you are darling
ALLISON: uncle, we will make ourselves comfortable. See you later
(As the tension lingers, Allison, Charlotte, and Justin exit, leaving Walker and Aurora in stunned silence)
WALKER: that was not too bad. Jax, get the ministers! I have a plan to rescue the Emperor and Empress
JAX: sure sire
WALKER: also, get Clark if you see him
JAX: I will, sire
(Jax exits)
WALKER: alright, Aurora, you can go home now. Take care of yourself, Empress
AURORA: thank you sir
(Walker hugs Aurora tightly before silently exiting, leaving her alone to contemplate the wright of her choices)
AURORA: I know what the truth is, but I have to be sure
(Aurora exits)
INT. ANGELA''S HOUSE - SITTING ROOM - AFTERNOON
(Angela sits on the couch, engrossed in her meal and the TV. The room is filled with the sounds of her enjoyment. The front door swings open, and Aurora enters, immediately obstructing Angela''s view of the television. Angela glances up, startled by the interruption)
ANGELA: hey, Aurora! You know, I am watching an interesting movie
AURORA: let''s talk about something more interesting
ANGELA: what is it this time?
AURORA: I want a pendant. The one you keep in your room
ANGELA: how do you know I have a pendant in my room? Have you been snooping?
AURORA: no, I saw you holding it the other day
ANGELA: Aurora, get out of the way! Please, I am not ready for your drama
AURORA: just give me the pendant and I''ll get out of the way
ANGELA: the pendant is broken, I''ll get you another one
AURORA: oh, that means you must have seen what is written inside?
ANGELA: I have no idea what you are talking about
AURORA: mom, Riley''s mom gave her a pendant, and when she looked inside, their family''s names were written on it
ANGELA: oh yeah, my name and yours are also written on the pendant but it is broken
AURORA: my name and yours? That means it is AA
ANGELA: yeah, AA. Now get out of the way
AURORA: thanks mom, I love you
(Aurora fixes her gaze on Angela, deliberately trying to grab her attention. She yawns, indicating her weariness)
ANGELA: sleepy?
AURORA: I guess I am so tired. I and my friends walked a long distance today
ANGELA: alright, go take a nap
(Aurora, still pretending to carry an air of tiredness, heads upstairs, leaving Angela to enjoy her TV in solitude)
INT. ANGELA''S ROOM - LATER
(Aurora steathily enters Angela''s room, her eyes scanning the surroundings in search of the pendant. After a moment, she notices a box and investigates, hoping it contains what she is looking for)
AURORA: let''s see what the truth is. NMF or AA?
(Aurora cautiously opens the box, revealing the pendant inside. As she opens the pendant, a gasp of shock escapes her lips, captivated by what she finds within)
AURORA: NMF. Oh my God, mom has been lying to me
(Angela silently enters the room, observing Aurora without her awareness)
AURORA: mom has been lying to me
(Angela, surprised, questions Aurora)
ANGELA: about what?
(Aurora, startled, turns around to face Angela''s furious expression, leaving her in stunned silence)
FADE OUT