[Montage: Sunny morning - Townsfolk have gathered around Mrs. Poppy’s home, listening to Caelia about the plans she has for the new home.

Caelia tells all the townspeople the plans and delegates them. 

Some people are hauling over materials,

Some people are cutting the wood,

Some people are gathering materials for the foundation,

Some people are building essential furniture for the home.

Caelia and Cassian work together on building the backyard garden.]

[Scene: Caelia and Cassian placing stone bricks that will line the perimeter of the garden.]

CAELIA (on the ground placing bricks, sweating):

“Alright! This should be the skeleton of the garden.

We can put flowers here [pointing at a patch of dirt]

Vegetables here [pointing at a different patch of dirt]

And root vegetables here [pointing at yet again, another patch of dirt]!

We still need to get some seeds to start planting!”

[Cassian notices Caelia’s clothes covered in dirt, her slender hands looking roughened from handling stone, and sweat trickling down her face.] 

CASSIAN (also on the ground, sweating):

“-I can go grab some right now! Maybe we can start planting to make the scenery nice.” 

CAELIA:

“That’s a good idea! I can come!”

CASSIAN (standing up):

“No, no, you should stay here with everyone else in case things go wrong. I’ll be right back!”

[Cassian then leaves the home towards the town to buy some seeds.]

————

[Scene: Cassian arrives at the stand in town that offers seeds and potted flowers.]

CASSIAN (to clerk):

“Hi, could I have a pack of various flower seeds?”

CLERK:

“Of course! Do any flowers do?”

CASSIAN:

“Yes, preferably the beautiful ones.”

[While the clerk scavenges through his seed packs, Cassian notices a bunch of lilies in pots.]

CLERK:

“Is this all?”

[Cassian pauses looking at the lilies.]

CASSIAN:

“Could I also buy something else?”

————

[Scene: At the same time, at the palace in Annalise’s room.] 

[Annalise is brushing her hair in front of her vanity.]

ANNALISE - INNER MONOLOGUE:

I shouldn’t meddle with arson anymore. 

Last time was way too close.

Seriously, I can’t believe that plan didn’t work!!!

I gotta think of something else.

[Some time later, Annalise meets with Queen Valeria, having some tea.]

QUEEN VALERIA:

“Annalise, why have you called me here?”

ANNALISE:

“I just wanted to tell you that there’s no way Caelia caused the fire! I know it happened a couple days ago but… I just wanted to let you know that there’s no way Caelia could’ve done it!”

QUEEN VALERIA:

“I know. We don’t think it’s her either. There’s an ongoing investigation trying to find the culprit.”

ANNALISE - INNER MONOLOGUE:

No need for an investigation.

They will never be able to track down that it’s me.

ANNALISE (fake):

“Oh good! I’m happy that there’s a movement to find who actually did this terrible crime!”

QUEEN VALERIA:

“Annalise, I can’t even imagine how you must feel right now. How are you still so kind to someone who did terrible things to you?”

ANNALISE (smiling):

“Queen Valeria, she probably has had a broken past. I forgive her for everything.”

[Queen Valeria goes silent for a second.]

QUEEN VALERIA:

“You’re too kind, Annalise. She indeed has a broken past.”

ANNALISE - INNER MONOLOGUE:

YES! Keep this conversation going! 

ANNALISE (curious):

“What do you mean, if you don’t mind?”

QUEEN VALERIA:

“Don’t tell this to anyone as I’m not quite sure of the details myself but I hear that her family is very broken but that’s all I know. King Oscar used to be close with Duke Lance Ardent which is why King Oscar is pushing for Caelia over you. I don’t find it fair but Theo also chose her as a candidate along with you and I side with you!”

ANNALISE - INNER MONOLOGUE: 

I’m glad to hear that I’m still on her side.

Caelia has a dark past? 

Maybe I could capitalize on that, but I need more information. 

ANNALISE (fake):

“Please, Queen Valeria! Assess Lady Caelia and I fairly! I know Caelia hasn’t and won’t be at the castle for a while… but that’s because she’s doing good things outside the palace! I’m just always here… helping out around the palace.” 

QUEEN VALERIA:

“Caelia may have changed a little bit, but I’m sure this is all an act that will boil over soon. You’re still my choice, you’re too kind.”

ANNALISE (smiling):

“I’m honored, Queen Valeria! By the way, do you have any idea of when Caelia will be back at the palace?”

QUEEN VALERIA:

“She’s fixing Mrs. Poppy’s home currently and then after that, her and Cassian are going to work together on the playground. I think she’ll stay there for however long but we will have to call both her and Cassian back to fix the palace before the ball.”

ANNALISE - INNER MONOLOGUE:

Alright, before the ball she will be back at the palace. It already seems I have the upper hand by being at the palace over Kingsley. 

This new information about her past… I’m gonna have to do my research.

I should stay low with my antics.

ANNALISE (fake):

“I’ll be waiting for her return! It’s a bit lonely here being the only Lady prospect.”

———-

[Scene: Cassian arrives back to Mrs. Poppy’s home with the seeds and potted lily.]

CASSIAN (to townsfolk):

“Where’s Caelia?”

TOWNFOLK:

“Lady Ardent is sleeping right now from being tired! She’s taking a rest at the guest home.”

CASSIAN - INNER MONOLOGUE:

I was gone for maybe 20 minutes…

She must’ve been really tired.

CASSIAN:

“Thank you.”

[Cassian walks over to the guest home where Caelia is.]

[in the background, some townsfolk observe Cassian walk away and start gossiping.]

TOWNSFOLK 1 (sarcasm):

“He’s a really good looking guy. Should I try to get with him after this ordeal?”

TOWNSFOLK 2:

“You’re joking, right?” 

TOWNSFOLK 1:

“Of course I’m joking! He always follows where Lady Ardent is.”

———-

[Scene: Cassian arrives at the guest house, with the potted pot in his arms, and sees Caelia on the rocking chair outside, resting.]

CASSIAN (gently smiling to himself):

“Oh, what am I gonna do with you?”

[He kneels down and places the potted lilies on the ground. Then, he plucks one lily off its stem. He then meets at Caelia’s eye level and tucks the flower behind her left ear.]

[Cassian looks at her peacefully sleeping with a white lily behind her ear and starts blushing.] 

CASSIAN (proudly):

“Ha! I knew it would suit her well.” 

————-

[Scene: A couple hours later, Caelia wakes up on the rocking chair and yawns, stretching her arms.]

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

Man! How long have I slept? I should get back to work before Cassian gets back and finds out I’ve been slacking.

[Caelia then feels a sensation on top of her ears. Usually she tucks her hair behind her ears but this time the sensation felt different. She then picks up the lily that was placed behind her ear.]

A lily? Why was there a lily behind my ear? 

[Caelia then realizes that she must’ve slept longer than planned and deduces in her head who the main culprit of this crime was and her face turns bright red.]

Ah… I’m going crazy.

—————

[End of Chapter 8 - Part 2]