[Scene: Cassian and Caelia bring the evidence with them into the carriage, making their way back to the palace.]

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

I can’t believe it. 

All of the evidence really leads to the story that someone was plotting against this house!

Was it because someone was jealous?

No, there’s no way. Mrs. Poppy is elderly. If someone were to be jealous of her having a luxurious home, then that would be cruel. Besides, it really seems like Mrs. Poppy was loved by everyone. 

Was it because people in this town can’t stand a woman leading something…?

Was someone plotting against me…?

[Caelia gulps.]

CASSIAN (noticing):

“What’s wrong, Caelia?”

CAELIA:

“Nothing, I was just wondering why someone would do something like this.

Trying to come up with some sort of explanation in my head.”

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

I was heavily conflicted on whether this was my fault or not, but now I know it isn’t. I have a huge sense of relief in that sense.

But… It’s crazy how people immediately changed their minds once a new narrative was created.

First, they placed the blame on me - creating this ridiculous story that I plotted the fire - then from the moment I showed the empty handle, they completely sided the opposite way.

Cassian was right, it’s almost as if something bigger is happening here.

CASSIAN: 

“Well, what do you have in mind?”

CAELIA: 

“I’m not sure… I don’t think it was one of the townsfolk specifically targeting Mrs. Poppy because she was loved by all. Maybe someone was trying to send a message about something? Or maybe someone just didn’t like that a woman built the home. But I think you were right that something bigger is happening.”

CASSIAN:

“Wait, say that again?”

CAELIA (confused): 

“Say what?”

CASSIAN (slyly): 

“That I was right.”

CAELIA (disgusted look):

“Absolutely not.” 

CASSIAN (slyly, proud and smiling at himself):

“Sigh! I am always right.”

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

That is true, Cassian. 

Most of the time, you are always right.

About engineering, about life, about… me.

CAELIA:

“Cassian?”

CASSIAN:

“Hm?”

CAELIA (radiant smile that glows with the moonlight hue):

“Thank you.”

[Cassian is reminded that Caelia Ardent is gorgeous and blushes.]

CASSIAN:

“No, thank you.”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[SCENE: Caelia and Cassian arrive at the palace late at night and meet with King Oscar and Queen Valeria. Annalise, as per usual, is eavesdropping outside of the room.]

KING OSCAR:

“What were you guys doing outside of the palace so late?!”

[Caelia and Cassian bow.]

CASSIAN: 

“I’m sorry your highness, but we went into Kingsley to figure out what actually happened.”

[Cassian shows the king and queen the alcohol soaked piece of wood and Caelia shows the alcohol handle.]

CAELIA:

“I’m not sure what happened but I am showing proof that it isn’t me! This handle was outside of the home!” 

[Annalise flinches hearing that her plan got discovered.]

ANNALISE - INNER MONOLOGUE:

I DROPPED THE HANDLE?!

NOW THEY’RE GONNA FIGURE OUT IT’S ME.

QUEEN VALERIA:

“How can we be so sure that you weren’t the one who did that?”

CAELIA:

“Why would we be drinking while I am currently working with kids??? Cassian and I know better than to do that! Besides, Cassian can vouch for me that I was with him all day, everyday.”

[Cassian nods.]

[Queen Valeria is in disbelief.]

QUEEN VALERIA: 

“Why would someone do this though?”

CAELIA (confident):

“That… I am unsure of. 

I’ve come up with so many explanations in my head but none of them made sense. 

I’m not sure if it was a drunk who was doing something stupid or if this was on purpose. 

But, Mrs. Poppy is safe and no one is hurt so at least we can celebrate that.

While Mrs. Poppy is still at the hospital, I plan to rebuild her home because that is her catalyst to continue living her life.” 

QUEEN VALERIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

Everything that she’s saying makes sense…

Is my husband correct… 

Did Caelia Ardent really turn over a new leaf?

[Caelia looks at Queen Valeria with purpose in her eyes.]

QUEEN VALERIA (in defeat):

“Caelia… I… believe you didn’t do this.”

KING OSCAR:

“Caelia Ardent, I also believe you didn’t do this. This evidence is sufficient. I’ll send a decree to Kingsley to stop all the rumors that are happening over there as well as a cash prize for anyone who has any information about this.”

CAELIA (thankful, bowing):

“Thank you King Oscar!”

KING OSCAR:

“Caelia, Cassian, go back to Kingsley to rebuild Mrs. Poppy’s home and build the playground.”

CAELIA, CASSIAN:

“Yes!”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Scene: Annalise, ears pressed up against the door, hearing everything.]

ANNALISE - INNER MONOLOGUE:

SERIOUSLY? AFTER ALL THAT TROUBLE I WENT THROUGH?! 

IT DIDN'T WORK?!

No matter though, the guy I met at that bar was too drunk out of his mind. He probably forgot we even met.

[Footsteps of Caelia and Cassian get closer to the door. Hearing this, Annalise frantically leaves the scene.]

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Caelia and Cassian walk slowly towards the stable to get back to Kingsley.]

CAELIA: 

“I’m glad that’s over with, I’m so tired but I want to get back to Kingsley to rebuild Mrs. Poppy’s home and the playground!”

CASSIAN:

“You can wait out in the front, I can call the carriage over so you don’t have to walk all the way over there.”

CAELIA:

“Are you sure? We can just go together.”

CASSIAN (smiling):

“You were very strong today. Both out in Kingsley and as well as in front of the King and Queen. Staying strong is very tiring. The least I can do is this.”

[Cassian then rushes forward towards the stable.]

CASSIAN:

“Wait out for me at the front!”

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

“You were very strong today… Staying strong is very tiring.”

Yeah. It was very tiring. 

[Flashback: Cassian covering Caelia from the tomatoes, Cassian by her side in front of the King and Queen.]

But… at least I had you to help me through it.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Scene: Caelia is walking towards the front as Cassian instructed. She then stumbles across a girl with golden hair and an innocent face.]

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

No way. Is that Annalise? 

Gold hair, blue eyes, absolutely beautiful. There’s no mistaking it.

This is the first time I’ve encountered her so far, I’ve been doing well avoiding her.

I better not get involved, I really don’t want to hurt her.

[Annalise notices Caelia and smiles. Caelia ignores, walking past her.]

ANNALISE - INNER MONOLOGUE:

What the hell? Is she ignoring me?!

ANNALISE (brightly smiling):

“Lady Caelia! Long time no see!”

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

Fuck! Just say hi and quickly walk away.

CAELIA (brisk):

“Hello, Lady Annalise, if you will excuse me, I have to go.” 

[Caelia then immediately walks faster away.]

ANNALISE:

“I hear you’ve been doing good work in Kingsley. I didn’t know you had an interest in those kinds of things!”

[Caelia doesn’t respond and continues walking.]

ANNALISE (continues, with slight facade in her voice):

“You know, I think it’s completely okay for you to be interested in manly things! It’s okay to be different and I applaud you for that, Lady Caelia! While you’re doing great things out in the kingdom, I’ve just been here, gardening and sewing like most women. You really are out here changing the genre! Good for you!”

[Caelia stops in place, still ignoring Annalise, noticing the hint fakeness of what Annalise is saying.]

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

For some reason… Even with her bright face and innocence, I can’t get myself to believe that she’s actually praising me… It almost feels like… she’s mocking me?!

There’s no way, in the original story, Annalise was always known for being very kind and open.

I’m sure she doesn’t mean any harm. But still, I can’t get myself involved.

[Caelia ignores and continues to walk, and Annalise gets visibly ticked off]

ANNALISE (continues, fake smile):

“I don’t think you created the fire, it must’ve been an accident!”

[Caelia looks over at Annalise, who is displaying a bright smile facing Caelia as Caelia is walking toward the front.]

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

For some reason… I feel very uneasy.

[Caelia looks at the palm of her hand.]

I got reborn into this world with my knowledge only being what was presented in that novel. 

But ever since being reborn, I’ve met so many people that were not part of the original novel. 

And obviously, I am completely different from the original Caelia. That alone doesn’t limit that other characters in this novel are different as well.

It just gives me more reason not to get involved.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[SCENE: Caelia is waiting at the front of the palace when the carriage rolls over. The carriage stops in front of Caelia and Cassian comes out.]

CASSIAN (holding his hand out to help Caelia into the carriage):

“I’ve arrived, Caelia. Let’s go back to Kingsley!”

CAELIA (blushes and smiles, holding Cassian’s hand):

“Yeah! Let’s go!”

[Scene: They then ride the carriage off in the middle of the night back to Kingsley.]

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[End of Chapter 7 Part 2]