(Transcript under the cut - Click Pics for HQ Version!)
Inggar Palace, Langdale (3:56pm)
Maria: Sadie! Sadie!
Sadie: Yes, your highness?
Maria: Have you seen my daddy?
Sadie: The Crown Prince is in his majesty’s office, my lady. Do you want me to send you there?
Maria: It’s okay! I can go there myself. Thank you!
Maria: Dadd—
Leon (from the room): I won’t allow you to do this to her. She’s just a child!
Maximus: She will be Astor’s future Queen and she barely knows how to conduct herself publicly. Do you know how embarrassing it is for our family after what she did at the last engagement?
Leon: She was scared. How can you expect a seven-year-old child to speak in public perfectly with no script?
Maximus: I had my first public speaking when I was younger than her. If I can do it, she can too. She needs proper training and St. Magnus can train her to be a proper Princess.
Leon: No, father. They ruined my childhood and I won’t allow them to do the same to my children. Over my dead body!
*door creaks opens*
Maria: *gasps*
Leon: Mari? What are you doing here?
Maria: Daddy…
Leon: Why are you crying? Did you get hurt?
Maria: *sniffles* Grandfather hates me.
Leon: What? Who told you that?
Maria: I heard everything. He wants to send me away because I stuttered when I had my speech on Children’s day.
Leon: Oh honey…I won’t let him do that to you. I swear. You’re not going anywhere.
Maria: But grandfather said—
Leon: I promise you, bug. I won’t let your grandfather send you away. You’ll stay here with me and your brother.
Maria: And mommy too?
Leon: Yes. With mommy too.
Maria: Pinky promise?
Leon: Pinky Promise. Now, don’t cry. Okay?
Maria: *sniffles* Okay!
Leon: You wanna get ice cream? Or do you want to eat cake?
Maria: No cake. We’re gonna have cake at Alex’s birthday this weekend and mama said too much cake is gonna make my teeth rot.
Leon: Oh? Did she say that?
Maria: Mhm. So, no cake for today! I want ice cream please~
Leon: *laughs* Of course.
Leon: Also, why do you keep calling your brother “Alex”? You know he doesn’t like it when you call him that.
Maria: Mommy told me to call him that. Isn’t that his name?
Leon: I mean, it is. But…
Maria: Daddy? Is something wrong?
Leon: It’s nothing. I’ll talk to your mother later.
Maria: I didn't fly, or take the train. I chose to drive
Isabella: That's a long drive Mari
Maria: I needed the time alone... to think
Isabella: ...How are you feeling?
Maria: Always the worrier
Isabella: Mari...
Maria: What do you want me to say Bella? That I'm fine? My life is in shambles. I can't even face my children because I'm afraid to see the disappointment on their faces
Isabella: They won't be disappointed
Maria: They will, and you know it
Maria: I'm almost there...
Isabella: How long will you stay?
Maria: As long as I need to
Isabella: ...Do you want me to say anything to the kids?
Maria: ...No
Maria: But...
Isabella: Yes?
Maria: ...Simon...
Isabella: He's been asking after you. I didn't tell him anything like you asked but he's not doing well. He's devastated, angry...
Maria: Good
Isabella: You don't mean that, Mari
Maria: ...I've just arrived. I'll call you later
Isabella: Okay. Take care and say hi to Philip and Ana for me
Anastasia: How long did she say she was staying again?
Philip: Ana, be nice
Anastasia: I'm always nice, just not to women who used to go after mu husband
Philip: That happened before we were married, and I only had eyes for you even then. Besides, I thought you liked Maria?
Anastasia: ...What gave you that idea?
Philip: Ouah! La princesse pointe le bout de son nez, enfin!
Maria: Ouah! Ton français s'est amélioré Philip!
Philip: Bien sûr, après 20ans!
Maria: Hello Philip, it's lovely to see you again
Philip: And you Maria
Maria: Hello again Ana
Anastasia: Yes, hello.
Philip: So how was the drive down?
Maria: Therapeutic, to say the least. I needed something like that
Philip: I'm glad to hear it
Maria: How are you both? And the children? I know with everything going on...
Philip: That is a conversation for another time. Come, let us show you around
Queen Francesca: ...I'm sorry to hear about what happened Maria. I think it's a good idea that you've decided to leave Saliceau for a while. Take this time to recover
Maria: ...
Queen Francesca: But I cannot overlook your deception. Your marriage to Simon was built on lies even you didn't know about. You faked your husband's death and tricked the entire country. And not to mention abandoned your duties and responsibilities to the royal family and put yourself and your husband first.
Queen Francesca: Yesterday morning I convened a meeting the power-holing Duchies of Saliceau. It took us a while but we were able to reach a majority agreement that the best course of action is to change the order of succession.
Maria: What?
Queen Francesca: From this moment on, Isabella is the heir to the throne
Isabella: Mother, you can't be serious!
Queen Francesca: It was unanimous. The Vitalis were in opposition at first but they were biased because the second, and third-in line to the throne were Vitalis by blood. And given the scale of their involvement in the recent scandal, we were prepared to discredit their vote. Nevertheless, because Enzo Vitali is much more reasonable than the previous Duke, we were able to reach an agreement
Queen Francesca: The new Duke of Vitali agreed under two conditions. The first is that Raphael be formally given the name Vitali and handed over to the Vitalis to raise as the heir
Maria: What? No-
Queen Francesca: Apparently a decision had already been made unbeknownst to both of us. Isn't that right Isabella?
Maria: What gives you the authority to take my son away from me!?
Isabella: I had no choice, it was the only way the late Duke of Vitali would give me information on Liliana.
Queen Francesca: The second condition... was that I formally restore Raphael to the line of succession and give him the title of Prince. I agreed to both conditions, and so the decision was unanimous.
Queen Francesca: We had intended to make the announcement as soon as I am well enough to leave the hospital, but because I have to undergo further treatment, the announcement will be made before my surgery. We have a month to prepare.
Queen Francesca: Isabella, you've done a good job keeping everything under control for the past few years and especially now. Make sure you take the time to talk to your family. I'm more worried about Maxime than Juliette.
Isabella: I-I...
Maria: Have my feelings ever mattered to you?
Queen Francesca: Excuse me?
Maria: Even now, after my whole life has fallen apart, all I get from you is a sympathy pat on the back and as always the attention is back on Bella, the favourite.
Queen Francesca: You forget that you were once my favourite Maria. Everything was fine up until you marrying Ferdinand
Maria: Which you forced me to do!
Queen Francesca: Yes, and unlike everyone else you just couldn't make the best of a situation you were forced into, right?
Isabella: Mother-
Maria: Are you hearing yourself!?
Queen Francesca: What do you think being a member of the royal family is!? Sacrificing your own happiness for crown and country! Maria, all you've ever thought about your entire life has been yourself! You forget that Isabella was arranged to marry Matthew as well!
Isabella: Mother, calm down-
Queen Francesca: You may be going through a lot, but we all are! Even your sister! Her whole life she's been cleaning up after you, compensating for your many shortcomings and not once has she complained! And yet you while at the smallest inconvenience and abandon all duty just to keep yourself happy!
Queen Francesca: So can you now see, Maria Adele Marseille, why no one wants you on that throne?
Miss Kensley’s Rehabilitation Center, Windenburg, Lunaria, and Desert Haven Hospital, Oasis Springs, New Nagara - 13 July
*What follows is shifting between places and settings, because two events happen the same day*
Eric: Are you ready, Reena?
Katrina: I never thought I’d have to do this, but yes... I am.
Eric: I’ll be right beside you, Min Älskling.
Dr. Beverly: Congratulations, Michelle. It’s a little girl.
Maria: Did you hear it, Michelle? A little girl.
Susanna: My daughter... my sweet girl. She’s finally here. Hi, honey.
Shirley: I’m so glad you both were able to reconcile... before it was too late.
Eloise: So are we, Shir.
Katrina: Remember the song we sang as kids, Shir? *starts singing*
Through the stars, our lives began
All according to the watcher's plan...
Eloise: I thank the watcher up above
For my sisters' guidance and their love
Shirley: When I go, please don’t cry
I’ll always watch you...
Katrina, Eloise, and Shirley (together): From the clouds of the sky.
*Shirley’s heart monitor slowly begins to flatline*
Eloise: Shirley? Shirley? *begins to tear up*
Eloise: She’s gone, Reena.
(Time of death: 9:27am)
*Soft fits of crying and tears fill the room*
Shirley: El?
Shirley: Reena?
???: They’re still in the mortal world, Shir.
Shirley: *gasps* Keith!
(Time of Birth: 9:29 am)
6:45pm - 9 hours later
Madhuri: How are you feeling, Michelle?
Susanna: Albeit a little sore from the C-section, a giant wash of joy fills my senses. I’m so happy, right now, Madhuri. When Ekant wakes up, he’ll be excited too, seeing our little girl for the first time.
Benjamin: So what’s her name going to be, Michelle?