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author's note: thank you to @crownsofesha, @housekonig, @bridgeportbritt, and @simming-in-the-rain for sharing screenshots and headlines with me to fill out the news!

ETA: Thanks to @sirianasims for catching my typo!

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Transcript under the cut.

The Passionflower // Armorican State Visit - Day 4

JULIÁN | …I’m not going to kiss and tell. I’m a gentleman. GERMÁN | Bullshit. And come on, man. I’m not asking for the play-by-play just…y’know. Are you going to see her again? JULIÁN | Uh...maybe?  JULIÁN | [sighs] I had fun, but... GERMÁN | But? JULIÁN | So how do I measure up? VIVI | To my husband? JULIÁN | [laughs] No, I’m confident I’m a better lover than him. JULIÁN | But am I the best you’ve ever had? Flatter me, beautiful, I'm very sensitive. VIVI | [chuckles] Fine. VIVI | You're the best I've ever had. [chuckles] Best of two. JULIÁN | Wait— JULIÁN | How was I supposed to know she was a virgin? GERMÁN | She’s got a child, doesn't she. JULIÁN | Fine. The nearest thing to a virgin. JULIÁN | [sighs] I feel like a dirty old man. GERMÁN | [laughs] Hey man. If the shoe fits… ROSALIND | He’s really milking it, isn’t he? MARY | Oh come on. It was your idea. You told him to do this. ROSALIND | I told him to propose, not to shove it down everyone’s throats. MARY | I think you’re jealous. ROSALIND | Of course I'm jealous! He stole my ring! MARY | Stole? You gave it to him. ROSALIND |I had to! The engagement would have been obvious as a diversion if he’d gone out and bought a ring from some Uspanian jeweler. ROSALIND | [sighs unhappily] I wanted to see you wearing it. MARY | …maybe it’s for the best. MARY | Don’t get me wrong. It’s a beautiful ring, but. Ah. It’s not really to my taste. ROSALIND | … ROSALIND | Well, we’ll have to pick out something together then, won’t we? [ROSALIND’s phone vibrates.] ROSALIND | Hold on...oh no. Shit. MARY | What is it? MARY | Let me see! ... Oh no. Shit. ROSALIND | I'll speak to my father. We need to change our flight. EMILY | ...this trip has been incredible. Honestly, it still feels a little unreal. VIVI | Yeah? EMILY | Yeah. And...I've been meaning to ask you. How did you adjust? EMILY | I mean, with your background, it must have been a struggle. Like, I'm used to the lifestyle, but no one really knows what to expect, do they? VIVI | [sighs] EMILY | Do you have any advice for me, since we're going to be sisters and all? VIVI | No. EMILY | Uh...no? VIVI | What do you want me to say? EMILY | I just thought that you might— VIVI | Figure it out. I did. VIVI | ...even with my background. EMILY | What? Oh, Vivi, I didn't mean it like that— VIVI | Whatever. It's fine. EMILY | I'm sorry...Please don't be angry with me. I want us to be close. VIVI | I said it's fine. VIVI | [sighs] I can't wait for all this to be over. I want to go home.

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author's note: a post with just my characters? say it ain't so.

Transcript under the cut.

Nakawe Palace // Armorica State Visit - Day 1

[fountain burbles] ROSALIND | Dad? ANDRE | Right here. ANDRE | Are they looking for me? ROSALIND | Not yet. But they’re taking pictures soon, and before then, you should dance at least one dance. You can’t sit out. It’s rude. ANDRE | [sighs] Don’t lecture me. I’m an old man, Rosalind. I’m tired. ROSALIND | I’m not— ANDRE | Will you sit with me a minute? I need to speak with you. ROSALIND | Is something wrong? ANDRE | No, no. But I’ve been thinking about you and Mary. ROSALIND | You’re not going to revoke your consent— ANDRE | No. I support the marriage, but I’m wondering whether you’ve thought about what it will mean for her to become your consort. ROSALIND | Of course I have— ANDRE | Rosalind. Let me speak. ROSALIND | [silent] [rare] ANDRE | We’ve talked so many times about duty and responsibility but...I don’t know if I’ve ever been fully honest with you. ANDRE | [sighs] The sovereign has to make difficult choices every day. Once you become Queen, there will be times when you have no good options. You'll be forced to make decisions that hurt people. And most of the time, it will be the people closest to you who will be made to bear that burden. ROSALIND | Dad, I love Mary. I would never hurt her. ANDRE | What if you have to? What if you had to choose between your duty as her wife and your duty as Queen of the Armoricans? ROSALIND | I…I don’t see how that would ever come up. Marriage would give her an official role in the system, and it would mean that she’d always be there to support me— ANDRE | That’s the problem. The consort supports the sovereign, but it's not a reciprocal relationship. It doesn’t go both ways. It can’t. ROSALIND | Dad, you're making it sound like it's totally impossible for the sovereign to have a happy marriage! ANDRE | It’s not impossible, but... ANDRE | What I’m trying to say is that the sovereign must always serve the best interests of the state, even if it seems cruel or selfish. As Queen, you will have to make impossible choices, and no one will ever really understand. ROSALIND | ...Mary understands. ANDRE | If she does, she’ll be the first. ROSALIND | …are you saying Mom doesn’t understand? ANDRE | [sighs] I love your mother. Don’t ever think I didn’t. ROSALIND | ...Dad? What are you talking about? FREDERICK | [offscreen] Uh....hey. FREDERICK | They're getting ready for pictures. Everyone's waiting. ANDRE | Come on, Roz. We can't keep them waiting, it's rude. FREDERICK | What were you two talking about? ROSALIND | ANDRE | [tiredly] Please, you two. Save it for the flight home.

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author's note: Once again, the lovely build is courtesy of @nexility-sims, who also loaned me her lovely sims and permitted me to write dialogue where they tell my sims how perfect and hot they are!

Transcript under the cut.

Nakawe Palace // Amorican State Visit - Day 1

LEONOR | How was your conversation with Mother Beatriz? ANDRE | It was...good. I think. ANDRE | She gave me a lot to think about. LEONOR | What did you discuss? ANDRE | Leonor, there's something I need to tell you. After dinner. LEONOR | Oh? LEONOR | A surprise? How unlike you. ANDRE | [sad laugh] These days, I'm full of surprises.

JULIÁN | ...you're with the Armoricans, then? THEO | I am. Theodosia—Theo—Adams, with the Royal Foundation. JULIÁN | Julián Reyes. It's a pleasure to meet you, Theo. JULIÁN | You know...I'm so glad they seated me at your table. THEO | [playing along] Oh? And why is that? JULIÁN | Well, I was looking around the room and I was starting to worry that I wouldn't have the chance to speak with the loveliest woman here tonight. THEO | [amused] Have you tried that line on every woman you've talked to tonight? JULIÁN | Eh. About a third. THEO | Yeah? And how is it working out for you? JULIÁN | It only has to work once...

FREDERICK | ...what a fucking creep. EMILY | Who? FREDERICK | That guy. Julián. FREDERICK | He's been hitting on every woman with a pulse. EMILY | He was at lunch...isn't he one of Queen Beatriz's grandsons? FREDERICK | [scoffs] Not one of her favorites. FREDERICK | ...not that I'd know what Her Majesty thinks, since I've never met her. EMILY | Queen Beatriz is busy running her country, Frederick. You expect too much. FREDERICK | She made time for Rosalind. EMILY | Yes, she made time to speak with your father's heir. FREDERICK | Right, right...we mustn't forget our place! Who cares who planned the entire state visit, it doesn't matter. EMILY | I'm sure Her Highness is grateful for all the work you've done. FREDERICK | Yeah, I'm sure her office will send my office a fruit basket once we're home. EMILY | And I'm sure it'll be a lovely fruit basket. FREDERICK | [sighs] You always look on the bright side, Em. EMILY | What would you do without me?

Beatriz had ascended to the Uspanian throne in 1949 and spent years fighting to keep it. Modern-day Uspana was the product of her will, defined by her singular vision. She had ruled for 68 years, dwarfing his 15-year reign. He had expected her to tell him to quit complaining, square his shoulders, and do his duty, but the old woman surprised him.

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author's note: this entire scene was basically at the request of @nexility-sims, who of course ended up being absolutely correct about how necessary it was for the plot and such.

Transcript under the cut.

Offices of Queen Beatriz of Uspana // Armorican State Visit - Day 1

BEATRIZ | I meant what I said at lunch. I was looking forward to meeting your wife. ANDRE | If you’re planning to interrogate me about my marriage— BEATRIZ | That’s between you and your wife. And my granddaughter, I suppose. [laughs at his expense] ANDRE | [frowns at her] BEATRIZ | No, no…this is meant to be a work meeting. Shall we begin? My advisors want me to talk about [whatever topics] ANDRE | [sighs] I’m supposed to steer the conversation toward renewable energy. BEATRIZ | Your heart’s not in it, then? ANDRE | …not really. BEATRIZ | That doesn’t surprise me. Leonor says you want to abdicate. ANDRE | [flustered] I- No. That was only a joke. I was just teasing her. BEATRIZ | Hm. She says you mention it every time you see her. ANDRE | I- BEATRIZ | Do you even want to be King? ANDRE | I don’t— How am I supposed to even respond to that? It’s always been about duty for me. What I want has never entered into it. BEATRIZ | But what is that? I’m curious. You’ve never been known for your passion. ANDRE | …I don’t know. If I did, I wouldn’t have made such a mess of things. BEATRIZ | [prompts him to continue] ANDRE | [considers her and decides that he will be honest/vulnerable] ANDRE | Elise is going to leave me. Over Leonor. BEATRIZ | [pops popcorn] ANDRE | It’s going to be a disaster. Elise is the only reason—the only reason—the Armorican people have tolerated me for as long as they have. When she leaves me, she’s taking the entire country with her. [long pause] I don’t know what I’m going to do. BEATRIZ | You could step down. It seems like that would solve all your problems. ANDRE | I don’t know if I can. Rosalind has all the markings of a great queen, but… she’s my only daughter. Since she was born, I’ve done my best to protect and guide her, but if I step down she’s on her own. BEATRIZ | [studies him for a moment] You’ve found yourself in quite the predicament. ANDRE | And with no one to blame but myself. [sighs] All I want is a clear path forward… BEATRIZ | Sounds like you’ll have to clear it yourself, then w. [laughs at his expense some more]

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Transcript under the cut.

Nakawe International Airport // Armorica State Visit - Day 2

MARY | [via text] Landed, headed to baggage claim ROSALIND | [via text] Can't wait to see you 😍😍 MARY | [via text] Love you! FL with your speech PAPARAZZI 1 | [offscreen] ...is that her? PAPARAZZI 2 | [offscreen] It's her! There she is! PAPARAZZI 1 | Mary! Tell us about your relationship with the Crown Princess! PAPARAZZI 2 | How long have you been dating Rosalind? PAPARAZZI 3 | Where's your husband, Mary! Did you have him killed? MARY | Shit.

Nakawe v. Canaris

[crowd cheering and chanting] [crowd screaming] ANDRE | Quite a match... ANDRE | Vivi, you'll tell me who wins, won't you? VIVI | You're not staying? But the match just started... ANDRE | I have a prior commitment. But you two should enjoy yourselves! JULIAN | Thank you, Sir. JULIAN | So. Are you a soccer fan? VIVI | [sighs] No. Not really... JULIAN | Well...do you want to get out of here? VIVI | ...I think I'd like that.

Nakawe Finance Society

ROSALIND | ...the philanthropic spirit is alive and well in the banking industry. ROSALIND | This year alone, major financial firms in both Armorica and Uspana have contributed well over §1 million to charity, in addition to advocating for deregulation to cut back on red tape for account holders. PHOTOGRAPHER 1 | [whispering] Is she for real? PHOTOGRAPHER 2 | [whispering] I can't tell if she believes everything she says or nothing. I dunno which'd be worse... ROSALIND | ...together, we can continue to push for real change and real diversity where it matters most: the boardroom. Thank you. [enthusiastic applause] [applause continues] ROSALIND | Thank you, thank you... [applause starts to taper off] BODYGUARD | [whispering] a situation at the airport... [audience murmurs] [microphone feedback] ROSALIND | Th-thank you. Unfortunately, we will be cutting today's program a little short. Please accept my sincerest apologies. [leaves] AUDIENCE MEMBER | ...but what about the Q&A session? :(

Coverage of the Armorican royal family, week of Nov. 5 - Nov. 11

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author's note: I owe a lot to the many, many people who shared their screenshots with me to fill out these magazine covers! Please go follow @trentonsimblr, @simslafey, @the-lancasters, and @nexility-sims, @empiredesimparte, and @covingtons so you can get the full context for all the goings-on in the sim world!

Nakawe Palace was both larger and grander than Blackwell Palace, all gilt trim and veined marble. Uspanians went rather more for ornamentation than the Armoricans, who still regarded damask wallpaper as the very height of sophistication and who had long preferred to showcase their wealth by pretending that it didn't exist.

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author's note: This post was an absolute monster to put together—12 sims, a couple dozen poses, and multiple rounds of revision with @nexility-sims. I'm ultimately very pleased with how it came together, but from now on, all my sims will exclusively be meeting in pairs in nondescript rooms.

Transcript under the cut!

Nakawe Palace // Armorican State Visit - Day 1

FREDERICK | I am going to pass out. EMILY | You're not going to pass out. Just relax. FREDERICK | How am I supposed to relax? I've got so much riding on this— EMILY | Frederick. You need to chill out. It's a lunch, not a battle. FREDERICK | Okay, it's not a battle. But you gotta admit, it is a minefield... ANDRE | ...y'know, you're the only thing that makes these things tolerable. LEONOR | Poor Andre...how would you ever make it through lunch without me. ANDRE | I wouldn't. I'd waste away. LEONOR | Then I suppose we're both lucky I'm here. [indistinct conversation] VIVI | [sighs] JULIÁN | Excuse me...is this seat taken? VIVI | ...there are name cards by every plate. JULIÁN | Well, then I suppose I'll have to rearrange them, won't I? JULIÁN | Anyway...how are you, Your Highness? VIVI | I'm sorry...have we been introduced? JULIÁN | I've forgotten my manners! Julián Reyes, at your service. ARNAUT | [offscreen] Julián. ARNAUT | [shakes head] JULIÁN | [does his very best "who, me?" routine] ARNAUT | [clears throat] Excuse me! On behalf of Mother Beatriz, I would like to invite our Armorican friends to find their seats so we can share this meal. [indistinct chatter] ANDRE | This is nice! I'm surprised everything is going so well... LEONOR | Were you expecting us to be poor hosts? ANDRE | No, I was expecting at least one of my children to act out. LEONOR | You don't need to worry about them, Andre. They do you credit. INVISIBLE FOOTMAN | Announcing...Her Majesty Queen Beatriz of Uspana! ANDRE | ...she seems to have her sights directly on me. LEONOR | Oh, Mother Beatriz is very eager to speak with you. Didn't I warn you? ANDRE | You did not. LEONOR | [amused] No? Oh dear. ANDRE | You are a cruel woman. LEONOR | Strange, you've never complained before... LEONOR | [whispers] Good luck. ANDRE | [in halting Uspanian] Good afternoon, Your Majesty— BEATRIZ | Please, let's continue in a language we both speak fluently. ANDRE | I have to apologize. I practice, but I've always struggled with languages. BEATRIZ | You tried. I can't fault you for making an effort. BEATRIZ | Anyway...it's really too bad that your wife couldn't join us. I was looking forward to finally meeting her. Pity. ANDRE | Elise keeps a very full diary. She does important work and I would never dream of asking her to set it aside— BEATRIZ | Interesting. We'll discuss this later. ANDRE | What— ANDRE | Where are you— BEATRIZ | I have to circulate. ANDRE | ...why does this always happen to me?

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author's note: this scene is so basic and yet it's one of my favorites from the chapter so far? I really love these two together, despite the circumstances...

Transcript under the cut!

Nakawe Palace // Armorican State Visit - Day 2

ANDRE | [offscreen] | Leonor? Where are you? LEONOR | On the balcony. ANDRE | G'morning. Are you working? LEONOR | Yes. ANDRE | Oh...can't you take the morning off? LEONOR | I took the evening off and I came back to 200 unread emails. ANDRE | The entire country would go to pieces without you. LEONOR | I know. [sighs] What do you want for lunch? ANDRE | Uh...I dunno, I just woke up. Why? LEONOR | Today's shipment of oysters arrived spoiled, and now the head chef is in crisis. Do you want chicken or beef? ANDRE | Chicken? LEONOR | Thank you. LEONOR | Now. Last night, you said you had something to tell me. ANDRE | [sighs] You're all business this morning...is any of that coffee for me? LEONOR | Help yourself. But you said we had to talk, so. Talk. ANDRE | I'll admit, part of me hoped you'd forget about it... LEONOR | Not likely. LEONOR | ...although I do appreciate the effort you put into distracting me. ANDRE | Well, if you give me another chance, I'm sure I can do better— LEONOR | Andre. We do not have unlimited time together. Enough stalling. It's not half as charming as you imagine it to be. ANDRE | [sighs] It's about Elise. ANDRE | [offscreen] She's leaving me. LEONOR | ...ah. [beat] Has she said so directly? ANDRE | [sighs] Not in as many words. But the night before I left, she said that our marriage was over if I didn't break things off with you. LEONOR | ... ANDRE | I love her, but...I can't do that. I made a promise to you. And I intend to keep it, whatever it costs me. ANDRE | [sighs] Her exact words were, "I won't tolerate this disrespect any longer." LEONOR | Do you think she intends to follow through this time? ANDRE | I think she got tired of waiting for me to get bored with you. She thinks you're my mid-life crisis. She doesn't understand how it is between us. LEONOR | [softly] And how is it between us? ANDRE | Leo...if I were divorced and I were entirely unencumbered, would there still be something between us? LEONOR | "Entirely unencumbered..." What do you mean, Andre? ANDRE | Your grandmother thinks I should seriously consider abdication. LEONOR | And what do you think? Are you seriously considering it? ANDRE | Elise has been the backbone of my reign. There's no point in beating around the bush. She's always been more popular with the public because she's one of them. If she leaves me and says why, the entire country will be crying out for my head. ANDRE | What would you do in my position? LEONOR | ...I would do whatever gave me the best chance at happiness. ANDRE | [laughs] Not very Armorican of you...where's duty, where's sacrifice? LEONOR | Hmph. You're carried that duty for over 15 years. There's no shame in passing the torch to a qualified successor. ANDRE | It won't be seen that way at home. The press will have a field day. They'll say I betrayed my wife, abandoned my family, and deserted my kingdom. LEONOR | The truth is always more complicated than what's in the press. ANDRE | Please. The only complicated thing about me is you. LEONOR | [laughs] You're such a romantic...you know I love you, don't you? ANDRE | I love you, too. ANDRE | Saints, listen to us...where do we go from here? LEONOR | Well, that depends on you. ANDRE | [sighs] Like every other damn thing. LEONOR | That's the burden of the crown, Your Majesty. ANDRE | Don't you start. [both laugh]

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author's note: as always, the incredible Leonor belongs to the incredible @nexility-sims. If you love her as much as i do, i have WONDERFUL NEWS for you because n. has just starting posting a mini-series about Leonor set in 1990-1992, which you can and should read here. For real, it's fantastic - I've had the privilege of reading a few posts early and it's going to be absolutely incredible. Do yourself a favor and follow her immediately.

Transcript under the cut!

Canaris // Armorican State Visit - Day 4

[waves crash] [feet scuffing in sand] LEONOR | ...have you thought about what you're going to do, after? ANDRE | A little. ANDRE | I'm going to buy a little farm. LEONOR | A farm? ANDRE | Yeah. In Tartosa. ANDRE | You sound surprised. LEONOR | I guess I just can't picture you on a farm. ANDRE | Why not? I like a little project. LEONOR | I've just never thought of you as a workhorse, that's all. ANDRE | No? That was always Elise's role, I suppose. LEONOR | Your wife is a remarkable woman. ANDRE | [sighs] She always has been. ANDRE | You know, I've started to think that maybe it's all for the best. LEONOR | How so? ANDRE | Her image has always been tied to mine. ANDRE | In the papers, she's always been just a wife, just a mother. Maybe now, they'll let her stand on her own. ANDRE | She'll have a decade—or longer!—in the public eye without me. Plenty of time for her to decide how she wants to be remembered. ANDRE | She's already given so much of her life in service to the Crown. She deserves to build a legacy of her own. I'm glad she'll have that chance. LEONOR | Yes, well...what about us? ANDRE | What about us? LEONOR | When will we see each other again. ANDRE | Soon, darling. LEONOR | But when? We've been waiting for so long. ANDRE | So what's a little longer? LEONOR | Hmph. I'm tired of saying goodbye, Andre. ANDRE | I know, my love. This is the last time. LEONOR | Is that a promise? ANDRE | Yes. Once I settle things at home, we'll be together. ANDRE | I promise.

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Transcript under the cut!

Crown Museum of Art and Culture // Armorican State Visit - Day 3

THEO | ...and of course, this is our pride joy, the portrait of HM the Queen. ARNAUT | First time she's worn those earrings since her wedding, right? LORRAINE | Mhm. And the exhibit guide said the pearls have been in the family for more than 150 years, only ever worn by the Queen or Queen-Consort. LORRAINE | Stunning. I'd wear them every day. ARNAUT | But then no one would ever talk about them! ARNAUT | Better to hold them back, in my opinion. LORRAINE | Well, she has held them back, that's for certain...

MARY | ...everyone's staring at us. MARY | How can you stand being on display all the time? I feel like a zoo animal. ROSALIND | I don't know...it's never bothered me. MARY | Hm. I think you like the attention. ROSALIND | [laughs] And what's wrong with that? ROSALIND | Honestly, though. Would it be better if I were whinging about being in the spotlight? Crying about my duty? I've been preparing for this my entire life. I'm good at what I do, and I won't apologize for being confident. MARY | Of course not...I find it very sexy, you know that? ROSALIND | [laughs] MARY | ... ROSALIND | ...this is nice, isn't it? MARY | What? ROSALIND | Just being here with you. Openly. MARY | It is. ROSALIND | I wonder what the press will say. That I'm flaunting you? MARY | No, that I've got my hooks in deep. ROSALIND | [laughs] It's the other way around, I think. MARY | [pleased] Just the way I like it.

ANDRE | ...it's not like her at all. Rosalind has always been so sensible. LEONOR | Is she being insensible now? I hadn't noticed. ANDRE | [sighs] This whole unseemly business with the ambassador's daughter... ANDRE | All this hubbub in the press...it's unbecoming, isn't it? LEONOR | It's not my place to approve or disapprove— ANDRE | I'm asking for your candid opinion. LEONOR | They're in love and you'd be a fool to oppose the relationship. LEONOR | The 'hubbub' hasn't phased them at all. They're calm, composed, and wholly united. That kind of steady presence is exactly what Rosalind will need by her side in the coming days. ANDRE | They lied to me for three years. LEONOR | The folly of youth. If you intend to step down, you cannot afford to feud with your heir now. ANDRE | [sighs] It'll be a relief when these decisions aren't mine to make any more. ANDRE | [offscreen] I'm getting too old for all of this. Politics is a young man's game...or a young woman's, I suppose. ANDRE | [offscreen] My children are all grown up now, starting families of their own, embarking on new adventures... [water running] ANDRE | [offscreen] ...it's time for them to make their own choices, now. ANDRE | [offscreen] Their own mistakes, too.

...the turning point came in 1994, when Uspanian tabloid Concordia broke the story of the Crown Prince's affair with Armorican-Uspanian actress and model Anita Garcia. The Armorican public loves a wronged woman, and news of the affair inspired a massive public outpouring of support for the Duchess of Arbor. By the end of 1994, her approval rating had climbed to 73%, the highest ever recorded for any member of the Armorican royal family....Her newfound popularity came not at the expense of her husband, whose status as heir protected him from the worst of the blacklash, but at that of his 23-year-old mistress. Anita was branded as a homewrecker in the popular press and accused of leveraging the affair to promote her own image... (from Mother of Pearl: Inside the Lives of Armorica's Royal Women, Kristina Greene, 2002.)

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Transcript under the cut.

Blackwell Palace // Kingswood Green, Armorica

ANDRE | Lees? ANDRE | Elise? ANDRE | ...where is she? [Andre wanders the palace before finding Elise outside, behind the Palace, on the private beach.] ANDRE | I was looking for you. ELISE | Hm. I was here the whole time. ELISE | Did you have a good time in Uspana? ANDRE | Elise... ELISE | Shh. Don't talk. You'll ruin the moment. ANDRE | ... ANDRE | Lees? ANDRE | Elise? ANDRE | ...where is she? [Andre wanders the palace before finding Elise outside, behind the Palace, on the private beach.] ANDRE | I was looking for you. ELISE | Hm. I was here the whole time. ELISE | Did you have a good time in Uspana? ANDRE | Elise... ELISE | Shh. Don't talk. You'll ruin the moment. ANDRE | ... [waves crashing]

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author's note: Transcript under the cut.

Nakawe Palace // Armorican State Visit - Day 2

FREDERICK | …it's a whole mess. Emily's heartbroken. I don’t know what to do. ANDRE | Well...do you love her? FREDERICK | Of course. ANDRE | Then what’s holding you back? FREDERICK | It's a huge decision, isn't it? FREDERICK | Marriage is…well, it’s forever, at least according to the church. How am I supposed to know if I’m ready for that kind of commitment? ANDRE | And you’re asking me for advice? FREDERICK | Who am I supposed to ask? You’re the only dad I’ve got. ANDRE | I'm not an expert. I've made a lot of mistakes. FREDERICK | I know. ANDRE | But…[sighs] You’re one of the lucky ones, you know? ANDRE | Your sister is my heir, and her marriage is a matter of state. Whoever she marries will ascend to the throne alongside her. They'll be raising the next King or Queen together. And that’s a lot of pressure on a relationship, even one built on a solid foundation of mutual respect. ANDRE | You’ve seen how that worked out for your mother and me. ANDRE | But you…you don’t have that pressure. If you and your wife are blessed with children, they won’t be the heir and the spare, they’ll just be ordinary kids. You don’t even have to stay on as working royals. Unlike your sister, you could walk away, and no one would think any less of you for it. ANDRE | You have a lot more freedom to decide who you’re going to spend the rest of your life with. You have a lot more freedom to decide what the rest of your life looks like. That's a blessing, Freddy. FREDERICK | It doesn't feel like a blessing. It feels like I'm supposed to hurry up and settle down and I don't know if I want that right now. ANDRE | Well…that’s the other side of the coin. No woman worth spending the rest of your life with is going to just sit around and wait for you to make up your mind. If you don't want to marry and she does, the relationship ends. FREDERICK | [sighs] That doesn't make it any easier. I hate the idea of losing her. ANDRE | It's not easy. But you know what? I’m proud of you. FREDERICK | What? ANDRE | I'm proud of you, Freddy. FREDERICK | [offscreen] You've worked so hard and come so far. I could never have pulled off anything like this trip when I was 25. FREDERICK | Thanks, Dad. ANDRE | You’re a man now…you don’t need your old man anymore. FREDERICK | [laughs] I don’t know about that. Like, I said: you’re the only Dad I’ve got. FREDERICK | I’ll always need you, Dad.

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author's note: Transcript under the cut.

Nakawe Palace // Armorican State Visit - Day 2

ANDRE | …and of course, Rosalind is furious. So am I! We wanted people to know about her and Mary, but not like this. LEONOR | Do you have any idea how it got out? ANDRE | No, but I’ll tell you one thing: there is going to be an investigation. This is a massive violation of my daughter’s privacy. ANDRE | I’m going to get to the bottom of this if it's the last thing I do. LEONOR | Oh my. MARY | Excuse me, Your Majesty! MARY | I'm sorry for interrupting, Your Majesty. MARY | [coldly] Your Highness. LEONOR | Miss Yokoyama. What an pleasant surprise. ANDRE | Mary! I was just looking for you... ANDRE | ...we're overdue for a conversation, you and I. ANDRE | So…Rosalind is very serious about you. MARY | I’m very serious about her, Sir. ANDRE | I’d hope so…it makes the press easier to handle, I think. MARY | ...It’s nothing I haven’t dealt with before. ANDRE | That’s right…you were at the center of quite the scandal, back home in Komorebi, weren't you? Something you did not share with me— MARY | Rosalind knew. I told her before we were ever together. ANDRE | She's got a big heart, but I have to ask: is there any truth to the allegations? MARY | Are you asking if I murdered my husband? ANDRE | If you intend to marry my daughter, your future Queen, I have a right to know whether or not you murdered your first spouse. MARY | No. I'm not a saint, but I'm not a murderer. ANDRE | Good. Now…do you intend to marry my daughter? MARY | With all due respect, Sir, that’s between her and me. ANDRE | [shakes head] Have you forgotten that you need my permission to propose to her? It's not just the custom in Armorica, it's the law. MARY | …Sir, there’s only one person whose permission I need to marry Rosalind. And she’s already given it. ANDRE | That's not how this works, Mary. You should know that. Rosalind is going to be Queen, but for the moment? I am still the King.

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Claudia has been spying on Jacques and Vivi for Elise pretty much since her introduction...glad to finally have it in the open.

Transcript under the cut.

8:00 AM / August 7th, 2016

[quiet organ music] CLAUDIA | Good morning, your majesty. ELISE | Good morning, Claudia. Have you got good news for me? CLAUDIA | No cancelled engagements this week. ELISE | None? That is good news. ELISE | Are they still sleeping in separate beds? CLAUDIA | Yes ma'am. ELISE | [sighs] That can't get out. ELISE | Should I be worried about them, Claudia? CLAUDIA | ...I think so, Ma'am. I am. ELISE | I found him the best psychologist in the country, and he quit therapy after a single session. A single session! ELISE | Sometimes, I don't know why I bother. It doesn't matter what I do fro them, it's never enough. CLAUDIA | ...I'm sorry, Ma'am. ELISE | [sighs] I should get back to the house. Same time next week? TIFFANY ROGERS | [on the TV] ...her name is Lady Emily. Her father is the longest-serving member of the privy council, Grand Duke Chandra, Earl of Monmout. GUNILLA ROOS | [on the TV] It's hard to be excited when all this means is another royal wedding and another §70 million bill for the taxpayer. CELESTE ALFORD-HUFF | Gunilla, I think you're just bitter your husband left you— STUDIO AUDIENCE | OOOO— [door opens] ELISE | Are you seriously watching Women of a Certain Age? ANDRE | I've gotta stay informed. And good morning to you, too. Why don't you sit down and have something to eat? ELISE | [offscreen, curtly] I already ate. ANDRE | [offscreen] Please? I miss spending time with you. ELISE | What, did Leonor stop taking your calls? ANDRE | [sighs] I don't know why you hate her so much. ELISE | She's fucking my husband. Next question. ANDRE | So hate me! Leonor has done nothing to you— ELISE | [scoffs] You're kidding, right? ELISE | I've forgiven a lot, but I will not sit here and listen to you defend her. Do you have something to talk about, other than your mistress, or are we done? ANDRE | ...um, the women of a certain age like Emily and Freddy. ELISE | If I cared what those old bats thought about my family, I'd watch their show. ANDRE | 'Old bats?' Pot meet kettle... ELISE | Are you trying to get on my nerves? Because you're succeeding. ANDRE | I'm sorry. Can I try again? Good morning, how are you? ELISE | [sighs] ELISE | Did you need something? Because I've got a lot to prep for this week... ANDRE | No, but— ELISE | Well, I'll be off then— ANDRE | Lees... ELISE | Have a good day! [door opens and closes] ANDRE | [sighs]