Nimben Palace, ~5pm
Richard: Who is this boy, and why have we never met him before?
Elissa: Richard, I’m sure it’s fine. Ana trusts him well enough. It’s just a school dance.
Richard: And school dances can lead to other things!
Elissa: Richard Alexander Louis. Let Annie be a teenager for once. She deserves as much.
Richard: Fine.
Butler: Your Majesties, the Crown Princess's date has just arrived. Shall I send him in?
Richard: Yes. Bring him in.
Butler: Mr. Hisirdoux Caspersen, Your Majesties.
Douxie, nervous: Your Majesties.
Richard: So. You’re the one that is escorting our daughter to the formal?
Douxie: Y… yes sir.
Richard: And what, may I ask, are your intentions with my daughter?
Elissa: Richard, you’re going to scare him.
Richard: ‘Lissa, I-
Elissa: No. We can argue about this later, not now. How are you Mr. Caspersen?
Douxie: Well, ma’am. And yourself?
Elissa: Very well. I’ll go let Anastasia know that you’re here and I’ll be back down in a minute. Richard, do not scare him.
Richard: No promises.
Richard: Now, what are your intentions with my daughter?
Douxie: My intentions, Your Majesty?
Richard: Yes. Your intentions.
Douxie: I can assure you Your Majesty, that I have absolutely no negative intentions with Anastasia. My only intention for tonight is to dance the night away with her.
Richard: Hmm. And you’re an actor, I hear?
Douxie: Yes sir.
Richard: And on Cherry Blossom Street, correct?
Douxie: Yes sir.
Richard: Hmm. Is that not the show where the Princess falls in love with a commoner who manipulates her into marriage?
Douxie: It is sir. I can assure you that I have no intentions of manipulating your daughter in any way, shape or form.
Richard: Should things progress beyond tonight, are you willing to abandon that career?
Douxie: Sir?
Richard: Are you willing to give up everything you’ve ever known to be with her, should she choose to have you?
Douxie: Your Majesty, I-
Elissa: Richard. They’re both young, it’s just a dance. It’s not like they’re getting married tomorrow. Ana will be downstairs in a minute, she’s just finishing up now. If you don’t mind my asking, where is it that you go to school?
Douxie: I graduated from high school about 3 years ago ma’am. I do plan to get my degree in theatre someday.
Elissa: What do you do, if not in school?
Douxie: I act ma’am. Mostly on television, but occasionally in theatre and movies.
Richard: And what do your mother and father think of this?
Douxie: Both of my mothers are very supportive of my career. The three of us are very close. My grandfather has mixed feelings about it, but other than that he’s supportive as one can be.
Richard: Hmmph.
Elissa: Richard…
Richard: I’m just-
Ana: I’m ready! I am interrupting something….?
Elissa: Of course not.
Douxie: You look… breathtaking.
Ana: So do you.
Richard: I expect her home no later than midnight. Is that clear?
Douxie: Yes sir.
Elissa: They do make a lovely couple though.
Richard: ‘Lissa...
