Shadows of the Past, Flames of the Future ASSASSINATION???

NOTE: *........* Actions [.........] 3rd person's POVs (........) Thinking

ERIKA ASTERIA

*sighing* Father, why must you always speak of business at dinner?

ERIKA ASTERIA

Can we not simply enjoy this fine meal?

VIVIAN ASTERIA

*smiling* My dear Erika, you may not care for trade routes and rival merchants, but this empire is your legacy.

ERIKA ASTERIA

*rolling her eyes* Legacy, legacy, legacy... That's all you ever talk about, Father.

VIVIAN ASTERIA

*chuckling* Ah, Erika, you're as fiery as your mother was.

VIVIAN ASTERIA

But one day, you'll understand the importance of our family's business.

[Erika's maid, Lila, enters the room.]

LILA(SERVANT)

*curtsying* Forgive me, sir. But Princess's music teacher has arrived for her lesson.

ERIKA ASTERIA

*excitedly* Oh, wonderful! I'm so glad I can finally focus on something I love.

VIVIAN ASTERIA

*smiling* Very well, dear. Go and enjoy your lesson.

VIVIAN ASTERIA

But don't forget, your responsibilities will come soon enough.

[Erika exits the room, followed by Lila.]

LILA(SERVANT)

*whispering* Don't worry, miss.

LILA(SERVANT)

Your father just wants what's best for you.

ERIKA ASTERIA

*sighing* I know, Lila.

ERIKA ASTERIA

But sometimes I feel like I'm suffocating under all these expectations.

LILA(SERVANT)

*smiling* You're strong, miss. You'll find your way.

ERIKA ASTERIA

*whispering to herself* I have to see it for myself.

ERIKA ASTERIA

Father's always talking about the market, but he never lets me go.

[Erika puts on a simple cloak and hood, disguising herself as a commoner.]

ERIKA ASTERIA

*excitedly* I'm actually doing it!

ERIKA ASTERIA

I'm going to see the market for myself!

[Erika walks through the bustling market, taking in the sights and sounds.]

ERIKA ASTERIA

*to a vendor* Oh, how much for the bread?

Someone

Vendor: *smiling* Ah, just a few coppers, miss.

ERIKA ASTERIA

*handing over the coppers* Here you go. Keep the change.

[Erika sees a poor family struggling to make ends meet.]

ERIKA ASTERIA

*to the family* Excuse me, do you need some help?

Someone

Poor Mother: *gratefully* Oh, bless you, child. We're struggling to make ends meet.

ERIKA ASTERIA

*handing over a pouch of coins* Here, take this.

ERIKA ASTERIA

It's not much, but it might help.

Someone

Poor Father: *tearfully* Thank you, miss. You're an angel sent from heaven.

ERIKA ASTERIA

*smiling* You're welcome.

ERIKA ASTERIA

Just take care of your family.

[Erika continues through the market, feeling a sense of purpose and compassion.]

ERIKA ASTERIA

*to herself* I had no idea it was like this. Father's world is so different from this one.

[Erika stops at a stall selling fresh flowers.]

Someone

Flower Vendor: *smiling* Welcome, miss! Fresh flowers for you?

ERIKA ASTERIA

*smiling* Oh, yes! I'll take a bouquet of those beautiful roses.

Someone

Flower Vendor: *handing over the bouquet* Here you go, miss. You have a kind heart.

ERIKA ASTERIA

*smiling* Thank you. I just want to help.

[Erika continues on her way, feeling a sense of fulfillment and purpose.]

VIVIAN ASTERIA

*to his guard* I want extra security around Erika at all times.

VIVIAN ASTERIA

I've received intel that there's a plot against our family.

Someone

Guard: *nodding* Yes, sir. I'll make sure to increase the guards around her.

ERIKA ASTERIA

*to her maid* What's going on? Why are there so many guards around me?

Someone

Maid: *nervously* I don't know, miss.

Someone

Maid: But your father has ordered extra security for you.

ERIKA ASTERIA

*frustrated* But why? I hate being cooped up like this.

LILA(SERVANT)

*soothingly* I know, miss. But your father just wants to keep you safe.

[Erika's carriage suddenly lurches to a stop.]

Someone

Coachman: *yelling* Whoa! The wheel's broken!

ERIKA ASTERIA

*alarmed* What happened?

Someone

Coachman: *shrugging* Must've been an accident, miss. We'll get it fixed right away.

[Later that day, Erika feels unwell after eating a meal.]

ERIKA ASTERIA

*to her maid* I feel terrible. This food must've been spoiled.

Someone

Maid: *concerned* Oh no, miss! Let me get you some water.

ERIKA ASTERIA

*frustrated* This is ridiculous. First the carriage, now the food. What's going on?

LILA(SERVANT)

*reassuringly* It's just a coincidence, miss. Don't worry.

ERIKA ASTERIA

*uneasy* I hope so...

[Erika tries to rest, but is awoken by a loud noise.]

ERIKA ASTERIA

*startled* What was that?

LILA(SERVANT)

*rushing in* I'm so sorry, miss! It was just a servant dropping a tray. No need to worry.

ERIKA ASTERIA

*nervously* Okay... I think I'll just go for a walk in the gardens.

ERIKA ASTERIA

I need some fresh air.

[Erika walks in the gardens, feeling uneasy and trapped.]

ERIKA ASTERIA

*to herself* I hate feeling like I'm being watched all the time. I just want to be free.

[Suddenly, Erika hears footsteps behind her.]

ERIKA ASTERIA

*nervously* Who's there?

Someone

Guard: *appearing from the shadows* Just me, miss. Your father's orders. I'm to keep an eye on you at all times.

ERIKA ASTERIA

*sighing* Of course.

ERIKA ASTERIA

*to herself* I'm so glad I finally got some time to myself.

ERIKA ASTERIA

This old library is so peaceful. I can finally focus on my music.

[Erika hears a noise behind her. She turns around, but sees no one.]

ERIKA ASTERIA

*to herself* Must've been the wind.

[Erika hears the noise again, this time louder. She turns around, and sees a figure emerging from the shadows, dressed as a servant.]

ERIKA ASTERIA

*backing away* Who are you? What do you want?

SERVANT(SPY)

*smiling menacingly* You shouldn't be here, Princess Erika.

SERVANT(SPY)

You're a threat to our plans.

[The servant lunges at Erika with a poisoned blade.]

LILA(SERVANT)

*rushing in* Princess, watch out!

[Erika tries to dodge, but the blade grazes her shoulder.]

ERIKA ASTERIA

*collapsing* Ahh...

[As Erika loses consciousness, memories flash through her mind.]

ERIKA ASTERIA

*Thinking* Mother's smile... Father's laughter... The market... The music... Julian's eyes...

ERIKA ASTERIA

*thinking* (Is this how I'm going to die? Alone, in this dark library?)

ERIKA ASTERIA

(I never got to say goodbye... I never got to tell Father about the market...)

ERIKA ASTERIA

*whispering* Mother... Father... help me...

[Erika's thoughts become jumbled and disjointed as she fights to stay conscious.]

ERIKA ASTERIA

*whispering* I don't want to die... I want to live... I want to see the world... I want to fall in love... I want to have children...

[Erika's vision begins to blur, and she sees her parents' faces in front of her.]

ERIKA ASTERIA

*whispering* Mother... Father... I'm sorry... I'm sorry I didn't get to say goodbye...

[Erika's voice fades away, and she loses consciousness.]

Someone

(groggily) Where... where am I?

[A man across the table slams his fist down.]

MAFIA RIVAL

*yelling* Enough games, Taylor! Do you want the deal or not?

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*looking around* (What's going on? Who are you?)

[Erika finds herself seated at a metal table, wearing an unfamiliar leather jacket and combat boots. Her hands rest on something cold and metallic—a gun.]

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*seeing the gun in her hand* (What... what is this monstrosity in my hands?)

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*staring at the mafia rival* (Who's Taylor? What deal?)

[Erika freezes, staring at the man, then at the gun, and then at her reflection in the shiny table surface. Her mouth falls open as she sees Zoe’s face staring back.]

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*thinking* (This is not my face! These are not my clothes! What devilry is this?)

MAFIA RIVAL

*impatiently* You deaf now, Taylor?

MAFIA RIVAL

You used to have guts. Don’t tell me you’ve lost your edge.

ZOE TAYLOR//ERIKA ASTERIA

*completely confused* Edge? I… well… I do not believe I possess such an item.

MAFIA RIVAL

*stunned* What did you just say?

[The room goes silent. Everyone stares at her as if she’s lost her mind.]