TITLE: THE QUEEN’S ROSES AND THE KNIGHT’S REPAIR
CHARACTERS:
- LIZZIE HEARTS: The future Queen of Hearts. Demanding, loud, but secretly caring.
- CHASE REDFORD: The Red Knight. Devoted, humble, and fiercely protective.
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## [SCENE START]
INT. CASTLE CAFETERIA - PRIVATE ALCOVE - DAY
LIZZIE HEARTS sits at a lavishly decorated table, furiously painting white roses red. She missed a spot on a leaf and groans in deep frustration.
LIZZIE
(Yelling)
Off with their stems! Who bred these dreadful, uncooperative flowers?!
CHASE REDFORD steps into the alcove. He carries a tray with a single, perfectly brewed cup of Earl Grey tea. He approaches with a respectful bow, his armor clinking softly.
CHASE
Your Future Majesty. I took the liberty of requesting a brief intermission from your royal schedule.
Lizzie slams her paintbrush down. She looks up, ready to shout, but stops the moment she sees Chase. Her sharp posture softens just a fraction.
LIZZIE
Chase. I do not have time for an intermission. The Ever After High croquet tournament is tomorrow, and the decorations are an absolute nightmare!
Chase steps closer. He places the tea down precisely to her right, matching her royal protocol perfectly.
CHASE
A true queen cannot rule on an empty stomach, or with elevated stress levels. Please, Princess. Just two minutes.
Lizzie huffs, crossing her arms. She looks at the tea, then up at Chase's earnest blue eyes. She sighs, picking up the cup. She takes a sip, and her shoulders visibly drop.
LIZZIE
(Muttering)
It is... acceptable. Exactly the right temperature.
CHASE
(Smiling warmly)
I memorized your preferred brewing time, Princess. Three minutes and forty seconds. Not a second more.
Lizzie peeks at him over the rim of her cup. A faint blush creeps onto her cheeks, matching the red cards on her collar. She sets the cup down and looks at his armor, noticing a small scuff on his shoulder plate.
LIZZIE
Your armor is scratched, Sir Chase. A knight of the Red Court should always look immaculate. Come here.
Chase immediately steps forward and kneels beside her chair. His height now brings him eye-level with her.
Lizzie pulls a silk handkerchief from her sleeve. She begins gently buffing out the smudge on his shoulder. Chase watches her face, completely mesmerized by her focus.
CHASE
(Softly)
It occurred during training, Princess. I will be more careful.
LIZZIE
(Without looking up, her voice softening)
You must be. The Red Knight is the shield of the kingdom. If... if something happens to you, the throne loses its greatest defense.
She finishes wiping the armor but doesn't pull her hand back immediately. Her hand rests lightly on his shoulder plate. She finally looks into his eyes, her usual demanding persona completely gone.
LIZZIE (CONT'D)
And I would lose my most trusted friend.
Chase places his gauntleted hand over hers, holding it gently against his armor. He bows his head slightly.
CHASE
My blade and my loyalty belong to you, Lizzie. Always. I won't let anything happen to me. Or to you.
Lizzie blinks rapidly, suddenly flustered by how close he is and how fast her heart is beating. She quickly pulls her hand back, picking up her paintbrush to hide her red cheeks.
LIZZIE
(Clearing her throat loudly)
Good! See that you don't! Now... sit down and help me finish these roses. That is a royal command!
Chase smiles, his eyes full of affection. He takes the seat beside her, picks up a spare brush, and dips it into the red paint.
CHASE
As you wish, my Queen.
