(We cut over to the stage. Emma, Daphne, the Abbies, and the Angellettes sit on Valerie's bed and around her "room," a segment of the castle set with a vanity and a huge canopy bed and wardrobe. Valerie has her arms around Daphne, who still sniffles.)
Valerie: It'll be all right, dear. I'll make it right. I'll talk to Peter myself.
Emma: We'll find you a better suitor. Someone who has never aided a criminal.
Maxine: Lady Emily, what makes you so certain David and Michael are criminals?
Emma: Maxina, you saw the evidence for yourself! It all points to them!
Daphne: I don't care! I want David back!
Valerie: (She hugs Daphne to her and strokes her hair) There, there. Poor girl. (She smiles) You know, Maid Daphne, I believe you. I have no doubt there has been a serious miscarriage of justice here. I know Lord Michael, and he would never harm my husband or the other advisors.
Emma: But the evidence...
Valerie: ...Is circumstantial. Anyone could have planted it. Did you find the bodies of Lady Lorrena and Lord Andrew?
Emma: No, but...
Valerie: I rest my case.
Jenny: There has to be something we can do! (She puts her arm around Daphne's other side)
*Daphne sniffs.*
(There's a knock on the door. Bobby of the Jolly Green Giants, dressed as a knight, pokes his head in.)
Bobby: Your Majesty, I was asked to give a message to Maid Daphne of the Queen's Guards.
Valerie: Here she is. (Pats Daphne's shoulder)
Daphne: What...what is it?
Bobby: It's a message from a friend. You're to meet him...them at the usual spot in the Rose gardens on the edge of Belgravia Castle. (He hands her a note)
Emma: I don't like this. I want to go with you.
Valerie: (Looks at the note) No, the note says come alone. I don't think she'd be in any danger in the castle.
Daphne: *nods* I want to go.
Maxine: Maybe it's a suitor, one of those handsome young nobles from the Belgrave Court!
Kimberly: Or a dashing knight!
Valerie: (Smiles) Whomever it may be, go to them, dear girl.
Daphne: I plan to.
(As Daphne heads out, Lauren heads in. Emma immediately narrows her eyes at her. Valerie frowns.)
Valerie: Hello, Lady Lauren. What brings you here?
Lauren: I wish to speak with you privately, my Queen.
Emma: What you have to say to her, you can say to us as well. We're her bodyguards.
Lauren: I'm afraid I can't say it in front of all of you.
Valerie: Emily, it will be all right. Take the other guards to practice grounds to work on your skills.
Emma: Your Majesty, I don't trust her.
Valerie: I will be fine, Emily. You worry so.
Emma: (Sighs and bows) Yes, Your Majesty. Come along, ladies. (They leave....but Emma, Kimberly, and Maxine remain behind the "door," peering in just enough so they can see and not be seen)
Valerie: (Stands and turns to Lauren) Yes, Lady Lauren? What is it?
Lauren: I wish to speak with you about Peter.
Valerie: As do I. (Sighs) He's been acting so strange lately, ever since he came back from the war. I don't know how he could have banished Michael this morning without closely examining the evidence.
Lauren: Has he talked to you at all about the war?
Valerie: Only a little. I know we defeated Gilbralda, but we lost so many men in doing so, including Peter's father, and that horrible Gilbralda witch.. (shudders) I'm glad she was sealed in that glass ball by Lady Barria.
(Valerie rubs her stomach and sighs again.)
Lauren: Are you feeling alright, my Queen?
Valerie: (Smiles slightly) It is just my child. He’s making sure his mother knows he's there.
Lauren: Just checking. Is there anything I can do for you?
Valerie: Please, tell me. Why does Peter spend so much time with you and your husband?
Lauren: *shrugs* He enjoys our company and has asked our opinions on certain things. I believe he's feeling rather uneasy after the war.
Valerie: But I saw George rubbing Peter's head, as if he were hexing him!
Lauren: George studied how to calm one's nerves by touching certain areas, such as the forehead. He was merely trying to help our King feel more at ease and sure of himself.
Valerie: It seems to me like he's controlling him. I know Peter and Michael. Michael wouldn't have harmed Andrew and Lorrena! He's Peter's head advisor and closest friend!
Lauren: I'm afraid I am unsure of what's happened between them.
Valerie: Peter's not an unreasonable man. He usually examines the evidence much more closely than that. And the boy had nothing to do with it! Why did he send him, too? Poor Maid Daphne is heartbroken!
Lauren: *nods* It is quite unfortunate.
Valerie: And Peter's been so tired lately. All he seems to do is eat and rest.
Lauren: Perhaps he isn't feeling well.
Valerie: But our alchemist has found nothing wrong with him!
Lauren: Maybe both of you just need some rest.
Valerie: I'm not tired. I'm worried for him. (Sighs) And our child.
Lauren: I know, but rest can help relieve worry. Why don't you lie back?
Valerie: (Sighs) If it'll help... (She lies back)
Lauren: I am not as knowledgeable as George as far as relaxation methods, but I think I can help at least somewhat.
Valerie: Well, all right...
(Valerie lays back as Lauren moves to her.)
*Lauren begins to "massage" Valerie's head, smirking.*
Valerie: (Her eyes widen) What... (they slowly begin to close) What's...this...so...strange...
Lauren: *continues to rub* Shhh...
Valerie: No! (Struggles mildly) This is what...you're doing...to...Peter...
Emma: Stop! (She bursts into the room, followed by Maxine and Kimberly) Leave our queen alone!
Kimberly: (Grabs Lauren's hands) I doubt our queen enjoys you touching her like that.
(Emma and Maxine wedge themselves between Lauren and the bed as Kimberly helps Valerie sit up.)
Lauren: I'm merely trying to help our Queen relax!
Emma: I believe it is more than that. This is what your husband did to the king!
Maxine: She looked dazed and confused!
Emma: We'll let you go, Lady Lauren. (Narrows her eyes) But we will keep an eye on you. I knew I distrusted you.
Maxine: We saw you rub her head and confuse her. It's a matter of proving it to others.
Lauren: You know not what you saw.
Emma: That's what you think. (Growls) I don't ever want to see you touching our queen again. Ever. Do you understand me? Or we WILL go to the King.
Valerie: She...she relaxed me...it was strange...I felt light...confused...
Lauren: *smirks* Fine. I'll see you ladies later.
Maxine: (Mutters) Not too soon, I hope.
Emma: (She and Maxine join Kimberly) All you all right, my queen?
Valerie: I am now. (Shakes her head) That must be what they're doing to Peter. I felt so light-headed and confused. I didn't know what was what, or where I was, or anything!
Emma: She was hexing you.
Maxine: I bet they're hexing Peter, too!
Kimberly: We just have to prove it!
(The set for Valerie's room slide off-stage and the lights move to the other side of the Castle Set, which slides out to reveal Micky's labs. Peter lays on a heavy plush couch. Earthenware jars of potions and powders lay on tables around a large Crystal Ball. Lauren enters as Micky adds several liquids together.)
Lauren: Damn! Those blasted bodyguards interrupted me before I could place Queen Valeria under my control!
Peter: (Murmurs loud enough for the audience to hear) Valeria...no....
Micky: *frowns over his liquids* We may have to do something with them.
Lauren: How? They're rarely apart, and almost always with the Queen. Two of them guard her and the King at night, and she keeps two or more of them with her during the day.
Micky: *smirks* You can seriously ask me HOW?
Lauren: And they don't respond to luring.
Peter: No...Michael...don't hurt him!
Micky: No, but they'll respond to potions.
Lauren: How do you plan on drugging all of them?
Micky: They all have to eat and drink sooner or later.
Lauren: Gonna turn them all into something?
Micky: Not just yet. I'd just like them out of the way, even briefly.
Lauren: How are you coming with His Majesty?
Micky: He's coming along quite nicely. He’s not completely under yet.
Lauren: I wish there was a way to get his talisman without anyone noticing it's gone. Our lady needs energy.
Micky: I've been working on that. What we need is an exact duplicate.
Peter: Valeria...Michael...no...my men...no...
Lauren: (Rubs Peter's head) Calm yourself, Your Majesty. You're with us now. You're safe.
Peter: Yes...no...not safe...
Micky: *sighs* He keeps doing this, which is why I haven't gotten him fully under yet.
Lauren: He's still upset over the way the war went. We lost so many men. I think he blames himself for that vast loss of life...and so does the queen. He never liked fighting in the first place. He wouldn't have gone if his father hadn't.
Micky: And he lost his father on top of it.
Lauren: Calm down, Peter. Just calm yourself. Everything will be much easier if you do what we say.
Peter: Yes...I'll do what you say...easier...
Lauren: You have so many burdens. Leave some of them to us.
Peter: Yes...so heavy...so tired...
Lauren: (His eyes barely open; they're dark and clouded) I think he's ready now, George.
Micky: Excellent. *He gathers a flask and goes over to Peter and Lauren.* This should be it.
Lauren: (Stage whisper into Peter's ear) Sit up and open your mouth wide, Peter. We're going to give you a nice drink.
Peter: Yes, Milady. (He does what he's told, sitting up and opening his mouth)
*Micky tips the flask, letting the liquid pour into Peter's mouth.*
(Peter coughs so hard, Lauren pounds him on the back.)
Lauren: Are you all right?
Peter: Yes. (He closes his eyes...and when he opens them again, they're totally clouded and empty) Milady. Master. I await your commands.
Micky: Yes! *laughs evilly* Perfect!
Lauren: He's completely under our control now. (To Peter) You are our slave. You will do what we tell you to do.
Peter: I will do what you tell me to do.
Lauren: (Smirks) What shall we do with him now that he's ours again?