[SCENE: The east wing of the palace – midday. Dust particles float in the sunlight beaming through tall, arched windows. Cassian and Caelia are walking side by side through a dim corridor.]

Cassian (gesturing toward a large crack along the ceiling):
“There. You see the tension lines around that beam?”

Caelia (nodding while looking at the palace schematic):
“That’s not from age. That’s from overloading. Too much weight from above pressing unevenly over time.”

[Cassian pulls over a small ladder. Caelia climbs it to inspect a warped joint near the ceiling. She taps gently against the wood and listens to the sound.]

Caelia (thinking aloud):
“Hollow here… It’s already started to rot from the inside. If another storm hits, this wing might collapse.”

Cassian:
“We’ll have to brace it… but the usual reinforcements would involve tearing out this entire wall.”

Caelia (frowning):
“Which means months of reconstruction. That’s not an option. The royal archives are just above this floor, right?”

Cassian (surprised):
“Just how fluent are you in schematics?”

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE
In my last life, I read floorplans for 12 hours straight just to give a five-minute presentation. That obsession finally came in handy…

CAELIA: 

“Yeah, I studied them.” 

[Caelia goes down the small ladder but accidentally trips so she is falling backwards.]

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE

Fuck! I’m falling!

[Caelia closes her eyes to brace for impact but then she gets caught by Cassian. They both share a brief moment of looking at each other’s face.]

CASSIAN:

“Are you okay?”

[Caelia, embarrassed, immediately distances herself from him]

CAELIA (blushing):

“Y-yeah, I’m fine. Thank you.” 

[After quickly regrouping herself, Caelia quickly sketches something on her sketchbook, resting on a barrel — a diagram of a slanted internal frame system with load redistribution angles.]

Caelia:
“What if we install staggered tension columns beneath the weak joint, embedded into the side walls like ribs? The force would disperse across a wider area.”

Cassian (studying her drawing):
“…That might actually work. It’s unconventional, but it could still work. We are going to need materials so we should start on this tomorrow.” 

[Cassian looks at Caelia who is smiling while looking at her diagram.] 

Cassian (softly):
“How did you get into engineering, Lady Ardent?” 

[A pause. Caelia looks at him, then glances away.]

CAELIA (half-hiding the truth):
“When I was younger, I was bored one day and I just wanted something—anything—to read and I picked up a book on arithmetic. 

It made sense to me. Numbers were… stable. Predictable. Then I stumbled across a passage on using math to build bridges. And I was hooked.

After that, I started reading anything I could get my hands on—architecture, pulleys, irrigation systems, heat conduction.”

[Cassian listens intently as she talks. There’s a faint admiration in his eyes.]

CAELIA (lowering her voice):
“I know I’m not the most brilliant person. There are people smarter, faster. I just… I like finding new ways to solve problems. Especially when the usual ones don’t work.
And I wanted to prove, even just to myself, that someone like me could do more than just smile and look pretty.”

CAELIA - INNER THOUGHTS:

[Scene from Norma’s past flicker. Norma tells her parents that she wants to be an engineer with an arithmetic book in her arms. Her parents ended up opposing her going into engineering as it’s a man’s job.]

I told the truth. No one thought I could even have the capability to be an engineer. 

I’m not even sure why I felt the need to even open up to someone I just met yesterday. Maybe it’s because..

[Scene of Norma being alone at her computer desk followed by a scene of Norma being alone in her room.]

I’ve always been alone and had no one to talk to.

CAELIA:

“Sorry, I really didn’t mean to get too sensiti-“

Cassian (cuts off): 

“Since when were you this negative about yourself?”

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

Huh? What did he say?

CASSIAN (laughing):

“Aren’t you notorious for being the most self-centered woman in the kingdom?”

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

Ugh. That’s right. Caelia is originally the most self-centered girl in the kingdom. But.. I am not her. I will never be her. 

CAELIA (angry):

“Even if that’s the case, can’t I just decide one day that I wanted to be better? What’s so wrong about that? Again, my bad for being sensiti-“

CASSIAN:
“ - Lady Ardent, whoever you want to be, you can definitely be it and at whatever time you want. You really shouldn’t put yourself down. We haven’t interacted much, but I can already tell- You are brilliant.”

[Caelia’s eyes widened slightly. And then she looks up to Cassian.]

[Their eyes meet. Caelia feels warmth rise in her chest — a strange sensation she hasn’t allowed herself to feel in a long time.]

CAELIA (softly):

(Bump)
“Just call me Caelia.”

[The atmosphere lingers for a moment, tender and quiet.]

“How did you get into engineering, Cassian?” 

CASSIAN (proudly):

“For the money.”

[Caelia makes a weird, confused face.]

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

Honestly, I get it but I didn’t expect that from him…

CASSIAN (continues):

“Growing up, my family was poor and as a kid, I loved math just like you. 

My dream was to become a professional mathematician but my family didn’t have enough money for me to continue school. 

So I ended up as an engineer to make some money. Still, even though it’s not what I wanted, I find it very rewarding.”

[Caelia looks at Cassian in admiration.]

CAELIA (smiling):

“It’s amazing that you adapted and made it work for yourself even though it wasn’t what you wanted in life. And now look at you! The King and Queen specifically asked you to fix the palace!” 

[Cassian’s heart skips a beat looking at Caelia smiling.]

CASSIAN (diverting topic):

“Oh yeah by the way, how do you know so much about engineering? Don’t nobles stay home all the time?”

CAELIA - INNER THOUGHTS:

[Raging] Why does this guy ask me so many questions as if he is suspicious of me??

I mean, rightfully so. 

A noble who all of a sudden became an expert in engineering is very suspicious… 

But why can’t he just accept things the way they are and move on?

CAELIA (half-lie): 

“I taught myself a lot of things. I tend to work better alone, and with all the resources our library has, I practiced a lot.”

CASSIAN (smiling):

“Well, I am looking forward to working with you.”

CAELIA (surprised):

“Likewise.” 

[SCENE: A hallway above, behind a column. Annalise watches them quietly, clutching her skirts.]

ANNALISE - INNER MONOLOGUE:
What… is happening? Caelia is acting so weird!

If she is not tormenting me, I cannot play my damsel in distress act for the king and queen!

[SCENE CHANGE: BLACK PANELS WITH STORYBOOK DETAILING]

NARRATOR:

In The Radiant Rose of Everhart, in order to choose the next spouse of a royal candidate, the prince chooses prospects to live in his palace for an allotted amount of time. 

Then, at the grand ball, the king and queen choose their son’s wife, the next empress. 

This arrangement is to ensure that the king and queen approve of the next empress while the prince still gets to marry a candidate of whom he wants. 

Prince Theo, in love with Annalise, chose Annalise and Caelia as prospects. 

This was on purpose as he knew Caelia was a wicked witch that his parents would never approve of, forcing them to choose Annalise which was his ultimate goal. 

Annalise was unaware of his plans.

Whenever Caelia tormented Annalise, she would always cry to the Queen to get on the Queen’s good side. 

But no torment means no crying to the Queen.

No torment means that there is a chance for Caelia to redeem herself and win the hearts of the royal circle.

Because at the end of the day, little antics to a commoner wouldn’t make the commoner win the position by a landslide-

At the end of the day, she is still a commoner who wasn’t allowed to be royal.

[BACK TO THE PRESENT. ANNALISE’S EXPRESSION TWISTS.] 

ANNALISE - INNER MONOLOGUE:
This wasn’t the plan. She was supposed to be the villain…
Not someone worth praising.
Not someone he might… choose.

[Annalise turns, face hardening. She then smirks as she gets a new plan and makes her way to the king’s office.]

[SCENE: The Grand Hallway – Morning. Velvet curtains sway gently as Caelia and Cassian walk side by side toward the king’s office. The clack of Caelia’s heels echoes in the silence.]

CAELIA - INNER THOUGHTS:
Why were we both summoned? Is it because of the beam repairs?
Or… did someone report me?

[Scene: The King’s Office – A regal room lined with maps of the empire. The king sits with his usual imposing air. The queen watches quietly, her expression unreadable.]

KING OSCAR:
“Cassian. Your work has been noticed. The palace has never looked more secure. I commend you — at this rate, we’ll be restored before winter.”

CASSIAN (bowing):
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

[Caelia blinks. The room feels heavier. The king raises a brow. He turns his sharp gaze toward Caelia.]

KING OSCAR:
“Caelia Ardent. I hear that you’ve been involved in some of Cassian’s projects.
Why is a noblewoman suddenly playing engineer? This is… unlike you.”

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE;
He’s right. This isn’t like Caelia.
Because I’m not her. 

But it’s not like I can say that. I gotta say something! I can’t just be dormant at this moment!

[Caelia stands taller, though her heart races.]

CAELIA (confident while bowing):
“Your Majesty, I can tell you that I have not been heavily involved in the projects. I was just observing Cassian.”

CASSIAN:

“Your highness, Lady Caelia is being very humble.”

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

HUH? WHAT IS HE DOING? I’M TRYING TO NOT GET IN TROUBLE AND HE’S MAKING IT WORSE!

CASSIAN:

“Lady Ardent’s ideas and intellect is what really brought this palace to life. 

She really takes into account all aspects of design. She is being humble.

KING OSCAR:

“Is this true, Caelia?”

[Caelia, still bowing down, pauses for a second before answering.]

CAELIA:

“If I’ve overstepped, I will cease immediately. I simply… found a new passion in mechanics. But if this is unwelcome, I ask for forgiveness.”

[The king stares at her for a beat—then laughs.]

KING OSCAR (laughing):
“Who has possessed you, Caelia? The Caelia I know would never apologize for what she wants. Not even to me.”

[Caelia stiffens. A realization flickers across her face.]

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:
Like he said.. The original Caelia… She was bold. Reckless. Unafraid.
I’ve always been hiding. Playing small.
But if I stay dormant, won’t I end up like her anyway? It’s kind of like her and I are two sides of the same coin. 

[Caelia lifts her chin.]

CAELIA (content):
“Your Majesty… I’d like to continue working in engineering.
My skillset is useful. And if we truly want this palace in working order before year’s end, then my thought process is needed.”

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

Man, this really feels like I’m trying to defend my position at a job… 

[The queen tilts her head slightly, eyes narrowing. The king studies Caelia, then leans back.]

KING OSCAR:
“Now that… sounds like the Caelia I remember.
Very well. Word has reached us about your pulley system, and the reinforced beams. Your work is impressive even if it’s seen as unladylike.
I’m assigning the both of you — Cassian and Caelia — to expand these efforts beyond the palace. Travel across the kingdom. Use your inventions. Improve our cities and homes. The palace can wait.”

[Caelia blinks in surprise. Cassian nods beside her.]

CASSIAN:
“We accept the responsibility, Your Majesty.”

[Cut to: Just outside the king’s office. Behind a pillar, Annalise presses herself against the cold marble wall, listening.]

ANNALISE - INNER MONOLOGUE:
What?!
I told the king about her recent behavior to shut her down!
Not… reward her with royal projects!

[Scene shifts briefly to the Queen, her gaze still lingering on Caelia.]

ANNALISE (watching Queen Valeria):
Look at her. She hates this.
A woman doing a man’s job? No way Queen Valeria approves of this.
I bet she already thinks Caelia’s unfit to marry Theo. I think I just have to kiss up to her for now to be on her good side. 

[Caelia and Cassian exiting the room. Sunlight pours over them as the heavy doors close behind.]

CAELIA (angry at Cassian):

“Why did you expose me in there!? In a different timeline, I could’ve gotten in big trouble.”

CASSIAN:

“Because… your work needs to be recognized.” 

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

…Huh?

CASSIAN (continues):

“You did everything and you deserve the credit for it. I’m not gonna take what’s yours and call it my own. Your hard work is yours and everyone should know that.”

[Caelia is left speechless.]

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

In my previous life, I was always silenced. Both at home and at work. 

[Flashback: Norma sitting at group meetings while the men were discussing the details of the projects and taking over.]

I was never brilliant but the work I did was always stolen and I would never get praise. 

How does this guy I met a week ago understand everything about me?

CASSIAN (continues, slyly):

“Besides, it would be embarrassing to claim your blueprints when they have doodles of flowers and suns all over the corners.”

CAELIA:

“H-Hey! I do that when I’m deep in thought okay!” 

CASSIAN (laughing):

“Ahaha! Don’t worry about it Caelia, I’m just teasing.”  

CAELIA - INNER THOUGHTS:

Caelia… He called me Caelia for the first time.

(bump)

[End Chapter 3]