Work Text:
INT. PALACE BALLROOM - NIGHT
A mass of people in formal late 18th-century attire stand around a cavernous ballroom.
Couples dance on the dance floor to the song being played by the musicians stationed in the corner. Groups gossip on the sidelines. A few people linger at the table with finger food.
KING VON KARMA, an old man with a sharp gaze and the gaudiest outfit in the room, sits at the head of the ballroom, watching over the crowd.
MILES, 25, the crown prince, stands stiffly off to one side, glaring at the sea of people.
LANG
Your Highness.
Miles turns around to see LANG, 26, a handsome nobleman from overseas. Lang bows.
LANG (CON'D)
Shi-Long Lang. A pleasure to meet you in person.
He stands up, posture straight and smile confident.
MILES
You’ve come to offer a gift, I presume.
LANG
That’s where the other suitors go wrong. The most important thing in building a relationship is communication, right? I’d rather use my words than let a trinket speak for me. Or...
Lang extends his hand, a smirk on his face.
LANG (CON'D)
I could always use body language. Care for a dance, Your Highness?
Miles looks down at his hand. He takes it, his face emotionless.
The two walk onto the dance floor. Miles moves to place a hand on Lang’s side. Lang moves faster and grabs hold of Miles’s waist.
LANG (CONT'D)
You spend all your time commanding others. Let me lead you for tonight.
Lang winks with a sly smirk.
Miles is still for a moment. He scowls and places a hand on Lang’s shoulder.
MILES
Don’t get used to it.
Lang chuckles. The musicians begin to play.
The two dance in silence, Lang leading. Miles’s expression remains impassive.
LANG
As lovely as this is, I have to admit I didn’t come here for your hand.
Miles narrows his eyes. Lang lets out another laugh.
LANG (CON'D)
What else would I come here for, then, right? I wanted to see your gorgeous palace while I was in town. Meet the people. Hear what the rumor mill has to say.
MILES
Then why are you dancing with me?
LANG
I saw the palace, I’m meeting you, and now I want to hear what you have to say.
MILES
My responses to petitions are public. You can read those.
LANG
Oh, but I have. Every line, and everything in between. No, Your Highness, I’m not interested in what you can say publicly. I want to hear everything else.
Lang leans in close with the swell of the music. He whispers.
LANG (CONT'D)
Like your opinion on the king. He’s ruled long enough, hasn’t he?
Miles spares a furtive glance around. He sees the other dancers on the floors mere inches away. He sees the eyes of onlookers locked on him. He sees the King watching him.
Miles turns back to Lang. His expression is neutral.
MILES
His Majesty rules with fairness and wisdom.
LANG
Mm, try again.
Miles’s dance movements become more rigid. His eyes flit around the room.
MILES
His Majesty rules with fairness and wisdom.
LANG
I’m not so sure I believe you.
MILES
It doesn’t matter if you believe me or not, because that is what everyone must believe to be true.
LANG
And if it’s not the truth? Someone should do something about it, right?
Lang dips Miles. Miles leans in and whispers, exasperated.
MILES
You do realize where you are, don’t you? The consequences if anyone should hear you?
LANG
You didn’t disagree.
MILES
Even if I agreed with what you’re insinuating, what do you expect me to do about it?
LANG
Exactly that. Do something about it.
Other couples dancing begin to swirl and sway closer to them. The two straighten up and continue to dance, the moment gone.
They dance in silence.
A beat.
Miles subtly pulls them toward a less crowded area of the dance floor. Lang raises his eyebrows. The two move smoothly without missing a step.
Miles clears his throat.
MILES
Like what?
Lang grins.
LANG
The rumor mill says you play chess.
MILES
It’s perhaps the only thing anyone has ever said about me that’s true.
LANG
Well, I play as well. I’m in the middle of a difficult game, and I would love your assistance.
MILES
Chess is typically not a team game.
LANG
No. But I’d like it to be. And I would much rather have you on my team when I checkmate my opponent.
Miles’s eyes widen.
LANG (CONT'D)
Can I count on you helping me move the pieces?
Miles's face returns to a state of neutrality.
MILES
I just met you, Lang. I can hardly agree to do anything with so few details.
LANG
Then I’ll give them to you.
Lang spins Miles around, speaking mid turn.
LANG (CONT'D)
The gardens are beautiful here. Would you care to promenade with me?
Miles completes the turn. He lands much closer than they were before.
He glances at the King. He stares right back at him.
MILES
My absence will be noted.
LANG
Let it. You’re looking for a husband, aren’t you? Let them think you’ve found one.
MILES
It would affect you, too. You will be a character in the rumor mill you follow so closely.
LANG
Gaining the attention of the great Prince Miles von Karma? That’s one story I wouldn’t mind floating around.
Miles looks away with a frown. He knits his eyebrows.
The song ends with a flourish. The two bow down to each other, the final step of the dance. They linger on the dance floor.
LANG (CONT'D)
If you really want to see fairness and wisdom in this kingdom, then I’ll see you outside.
Lang walks away, slow and unhurried.
Miles keeps his eyes on Lang. He does not move.
The music begins again for the next dance. Dancers sway around Miles. He watches Lang as he makes his way across the room.
Lang glances behind him. He catches Miles watching him. He grins and steps outside.
Miles steps off the dance floor and beelines for the exit.
END.