ANABEL OF CYRILSBURG

[TheNunnery 1853]

 

ANABEL

Princess Royale of Cyrilsburg

 

-

Written by Héloïse Thérèse Halcourt d’Artois,

 

A dramatized piece depicting the beginnings of Anabel I of Curonia,

Do not take the events which happen in the play for fact.

This piece is dedicated to Her Imperial Majesty, Anasatya of Kotiz.

Cast

 

Princess Anabel of Cyrilsburg: 

 

The young and adolescent Princess Royale of Cyrilsburg in The daughter of Wilhelm I of Curonia and Evelyn of Istria. She was considered a timid girl. But, some had considered Anabel to be an extremely bright child as well. 

 

Wilhelm I of Curonia: 

 

Founder of the Kingdom of Curon and father of the Princess Royale of Cyrilsburg, He was considered a doting father to Anabel and an even more dutiful ruler to the Curonian people. But, Wilhelm was also known to be very paranoid and protective. 

 

Evelyn of Istria: 

 

Mother of the Princess Royale of Cyrilsburg. She was thought of as a good mother to Anabel and an even more loyal Queen-consort to Curon. Numerous historians consider Evelyn to be extremely pious, kind and holy.

 

Ser Graham Milner: 

 

The honest and overly zealous knight under Wilhelm of Curonia, in charge of watching over Anabel’s welfare and security. Historians believe Ser Graham Milner was also remarkably blunt and brash. 
 

Prince Romulus of Renatus: 

 

Son of Augustus the First with his sister-wife, Helen of Carolustadt. Fellow princes and lord-lings of the Empire considered Romulus as a brash and trouble making prince-ling, but also very charismatic.
 

Helen of Carolustadt: 

 

The sister-wife of the extremely controversial Emperor of Man, Augustus the First. Many courtiers of Carolsutadian court considered Helen to be a gentle speaking and benevolent Empress-consort, occasionally crafty.

 

 

Extras

 

Cyrilsburg Crier
 

Songbird Performers

Curonian Citizens

Curonian Nobility

Imperial Nobility

 

Haense Nobility

 

Guards

 

 

Narrator

 

[ MUST BE PLAYED BY THE LADY OR GENTLEMAN DIRECTING THE PLAY ]

 

Props

 

Tea Set

Teddy Bear

 

Prop Baby

 

Green Silk

 

Act One

 

Beginnings

 

 

Spoiler

 

[ The lights turn on. The curtains rise upon the town square of Cyrilsburg, the capital of the Curonian people. The CYRILSBURG CIRER standing on top of a wooden box, placed on center stage. While Curonian citizens entered the stage, surrounding the crier. ]

 

Cyrilsburg Crier : 

 

All Ladies and Lords! 

We have news of great importance! 

The Count and Countess of Curon announce the birth of their daughter! 

Lady Anabel of House Devereux!

 Long may the Count and Countess reign!

 

Curonian Citizens : 

 

Long Live!

Lady Anabel of House Devereux!

Long Live!

 

Cyrilsburg Crier : 

 

Now! His Grace! Wilhelm Devereux!

 

[ WILHELM I OF CURONIA comes out from the balcony of the Devereux Keep in front of the town square with his beloved wife, EVELYN OF ISTIRA who holds onto a prop baby, wrapped around with green silks. The Citizens cheering for their lord, before, WILHELM I OF CURONIA would lower his hand. The citizens cheers, stopping. ]

 

Wilhelm I of Curonia : 

 

Beloved people, thank you. 

Thank you all for your loyalty and hard work!

Let us all celebrate! 

 

[ After WILHELM I OF CURONIA’s speech, Song Bird Performers would enter the stage, upper stage center, in front of the palace doors, playing beautiful music from their vocals and woodland instruments. Evelyn then exited the stage, walking “Into” the keep with the prop baby, enter SER GRAHAM MILNER ]

 

Ser Graham Milner : 

 

The people love you!

My lord?

Was it a hard birth? For Lady Evelyn? 

 

Wilhelm I of Curonia : 

 

Indeed, It was extremely hard. 

But God has delivered us!

A beautiful and healthy baby girl. 

 

Ser Graham Milner :

 

Besides that my lord. 

I have received Intel from spies.

A plot from the Adrians is brewing!

 

Wilhelm I of Curonia : 

 

Of course, they have been on a slander campaign for a while.

 

[ WILHELM I OF CURONIA looks towards SER GRAHAM MILNER ]

 

Wilhelm I of Curonia :

 

I fear they will try something bold, Graham. I truly fear. 

I fear my legacy, my father’s legacy. 

Will all be for nothing after my death!

 

[ Beat ] 

 

My own son seems to be quite foolish, even for a child. 

My beloved wife, daughter, children, and citizens. 

I do not wish for them all to perish after I am deceased. 

 

Ser Graham Milner : 

 

We must not fear! We must not falter, my lord!

My blade will always belong to you.

 

Wilhelm I of Curonia : 

 

Let us hope. God be with us. 

 

[ WILHELM I OF CURONIA and  SER GRAHAM MILNER exit the stage through the “balcony” while the Curonian citizens celebrate with music still playing. Then the people would exit the stage, the curtains closing. The narrator comes out, downstage center, in front of the curtains. ]

 

Narrator : 

 

Tis the Story of a Devereux. 

A Princess.

A Duchess.

An Empress Mother.

And finally, a Queen. 

Here is Anabel, the Princess Royale of Cyrilsburg 

 

[ The Narrator would exit the stage. ]

 

END OF ACT ONE

 

 

 

Act Two

 

 

Destined

 

 

Spoiler

 

[ The lights turn on. Curtains rise upon the town square of the Cyrilsburg, the capital of the Curonian people. ENTER PRINCESS ANABEL OF CYRILSBURG from the left, walking to center stage while holding onto a teddy bear. Enter SER GRAHAM MILNER from the right, walking to center stage.  ]

 

Ser Graham Milner : 

 

What are you doing out here? Little Princess?

 

Princess Anabel of Cyrilsburg :

I am not little! I am about six and . . . A half!

Six and a half!

 

Ser Graham :

 

Aren’t you an adult now!

 

[ WILHELM I OF CURONIA enters the stage in a distressed manner, running up to hug his child as guards rushed passed him ]

 

Wilhelm I of Curonia :

 

My beautiful rose!

Oh! 

My beautiful rose!

 

Ser Graham Milner :

 

Is something wrong? Sire?

 

Wilhelm I of Curonia : 

 

Yes, those bastard Adrians wish to marry my daughter!

And, go to war with us!

 

Ser Graham Milner : 

 

The Emperor would not allow this! I assure you!

 

Wilhelm I of Curonia : 

 

God Bless! Let us hope . . .

 

[ IMPERIAL SOLDIERS with PRINCE ROMULUS OF RENATUS enter the stage, standing on center stage right. The guards run, giving WILHELM I OF CURONIA a small whisper, the Devereux then left with SER GRAHAM MILNER. Leaving the two children on center stage. ]

 

Prince Romulus of Renatus : 

 

I- I am… Romulus!

 

Princess Anabel of Cyrilsburg :

 

I am Anabel! Nice to meet you!

 

Prince Romulus of Renatus : 

 

Do you like to play in the snow?

 

Princess Anabel of Cyrilsburg :

 

I do! Let's do that!

 

[ The lights would go off for a couple of minutes, then turn back on with the two children building a snowman on center stage. The lights would go off once more, this time the children making snow angels. Then finally, for the last time. The lights went off and on, the two children on the ground, laughing. ]

 

Prince Romulus of Renatus :

 

That was so fun!

Can we be friends?

 

Princess Anabel of Cyrilsburg :

 

Friends forever!

 

[ PRINCESS ANABEL OF CYRILSBURG and  PRINCE ROMULUS OF RENATUS walk out of the stage from their right. The curtains closed quickly afterward. The lights turning off. ]

 

END OF ACT TWO

 

 

Act Three

 

 

The Dance

 

 

Spoiler

 

[ The lights turn on. Enter the NARRATOR backstage center, in front of the closed curtains ]

 

Narrator : 

Years had passed, Since the two, Destined lovers, Had met in childhood.

Now we take us to the end of the gentlemen’s war

Curonians had their first king, 

Wilhelm the First.

 

[ Exit the NARRATOR. Lights turn off. Curtains rise upon the gardens of Red City, with imperial nobility on the center upper stage. The lights turn on. Haense nobility on the right upper center stage, then Curonian nobility on the left upper center stage. Enter EVELYN OF ISTIRA and HELEN OF CAROLUSTADT, walking onto center stage.]

 

Evelyn of Istira :

 

Your Imperial Majesty!

 

Helen of Carolustadt :

 

Queen Evelyn,

How are your children?

 

Evelyn of Istira :

 

Very well. Your Imperial Majesty!

My daughter, Anabel.

 

[ Beat ] 

 

Has grown into a beauty!

Only to be rivaled to yourself, of course!

 

Helen of Carolustadt :

 

I can see.

My son, Romulus, has s been speaking of your daughter!

For a while-

 

[ Beat ] 

 

Oh? Here they come!

 

[ Enter PRINCESS ANABEL OF CYRILSBURG and PRINCE ROMULUS OF RENATUS. The two consorts would move backwards into the crowd Imperial Nobility. The two now teenagers, would be doing a simple waltz, expressing joy and happiness while they spoke to each other.]

 

Princess Anabel of Cyrilsburg :

 

I think everyone is watching us.

Romulus.

 

Prince Romulus of Renatus :

 

It is no problem, let them watch.

I only wish to dance with you.

 

Princess Anabel of Cyrilsburg :

 

Then let us dance, till this dream.

Ends.

 

Prince Romulus of Renatus : 

 

I only hope to have this dream with you,

My beauty, never ends. 

 

[ After PRINCESS ANABEL OF CYRILSBURG and PRINCE ROMULUS OF RENATUS’s short conversation the pair of royals would elegantly dance around the stage, going to the center right, then center left. Then onto downstage left, downstage center, then finally center stage. While the two players would dance, traditional Haense music would be played by an orchestra. ]

 

Prince Romulus of Renatus :

 

I love you.

You are a Saint from the Seven Skies.

Your beauty is only compared to, Saint Juila. 

 

[ Beat ] 

 

None can compete with you.

You are my shield while I am your blade.

I stand to defend your beauty and purity.

 

Princess Anabel of Cyrilsburg :

 

My heart belongs to no other.

God has sent me a man of honor.

 

[ Beat ] 

 

A prince of my heart, none can ever take my heart but you.

You stand here as the one who holds the locket, to my heart.

 

[ Once PRINCESS ANABEL OF CYRILSBURG and PRINCE ROMULUS OF RENATUS would exit the stage after their short exchange. HELEN OF CAROLUSTADT would exchange a grin to EVELYN OF ISTIRA while leading the Curonian Queen to center stage. All NOBILITY exiting the stage shortly after the royal couple. ]

 

Helen of Carolustadt :

 

Evelyn, perhaps we can talk over.

What do you like?

 

Evelyn of Istira :

 

Tea or wine, your Imperial Majesty.

Beer is the drink of the poor.

 

Helen of Carolustadt :

 

Agreed, Evelyn.

 

[ Beat ] 

 

Then, let us meet in a couple of days.

I have an idea.

 

[ Exit HELEN OF CAROLUSTADT and EVELYN OF ISTIRA, the curtains closing. ]

 

END OF ACT THREE

 

 

Act Four

 

Betrothals

 

 

Spoiler

 

[ The lights turn on. Curtains rise. Showing a small table on center stage, a chair on the left and right.  HELEN OF CAROLUSTADT already sitting on the right chair. Enter EVELYN OF ISTIRA walking into the Imperial Gardens of Carolustadt, sitting on  the left chair. ]

 

Helen of Carolustadt :

 

Evelyn? Anabel, is it?

I think she has caught the heart of my beloved son! Romulus!

 

Evelyn of Istira :

 

Really? Are you upset?

I will go to her right now and slap her!

Tell her to stop acting like a wh^re-

 

Helen of Caroulstadt :

 

No, no! Evelyn, dear!

I propose a betrothal.

 

[ Beat ] 

 

For a while, my husband.

Has been thinking of one, perhaps to have stronger ties to allies.

Loosen up our incestuous bloodline or, more control over Curon.

 

Evelyn of Istira :

 

Really? 

Will my daughter be able to live nicely?

I hear your courts are filled with snakes.

 

Helen of Caroulstadt :

 

Evelyn, dear! I promise under god, the exalted Horen.

Your daughter will not be harmed by any, within my court.

 

Evelyn of Istira :

 

Of course, what-

 

Helen of Caroulstadt :

 

As long as I am EMPRESS-CONSORT.

I will not let a finger touch her. It is my idea for my sons to marry.

Suitable brides. Too many lowborns running around.

Trying to wh^re their ways into my sons heart.

 

[ Beat ] 

 

Besides, this alliance between our bloodlines.

Will be mighty, historians will remember the Curonian Princess!

Who married the dragon blooded prince.

Their children could rule empires, kingdoms-

Their legacy will be mighty.

 

Evelyn of Istira : 

 

I am quite tired, isn't there?

Water? 

 

Helen of Caroulstadt :

 

Evelyn, stop the act.

You know this will be amazing.

Please! Just listen!

 

Evelyn of Istira :

Do our husbands know?

Of this crafty idea?

 

Helen of Caroulstadt :

 

Of course not, but they will soon.

I simply wanted to see your reaction.

 

[ Beat ] 

 

Which, doesn’t seem. Too well.

Guess, you do not want your daughter to be,

Happy.

 

Evelyn of Istira :

 

No! I only want her happiness.

Do not twist my silence for denial.

I agree to this scheme, with only.

One, one request.

 

Helen of Caroulstadt :

 

What is that?

 

Evelyn of Istira :

 

Besides my daughter’s safety.

You must swear, that your son.

Will love my daughter, till death.

 

Helen of Caroulstadt :

 

. . .

 

[ Beat ] 

 

Perhaps.

 

[ Exit HELEN OF CAROLUSTADT, storming off the stage to her right (pushing the chair onto the table) leaving EVELYN OF ISTIRA on her chair while curtains close. Lights go off. ]

 

END OF ACT FOUR

 

 

Monologue

 

 

Fate

 

 

Spoiler

 

[ Enter PRINCESS ANABEL OF CYRILSBURG backstage center, in front of the closed curtains and facing the audience. Lights turn on. ]

 

Princess Anabel of Cyrilsburg :

 

I have heard of betrothal to my love.

Romulus.

 

[ Beat ] 

 

I feel like this was a fate, bestowed by God.

Perhaps, I am foolish. I will miss my father.

I will miss my mother and siblings.

But I understand that I must follow my duty.

 

[ Beat ] 

 

Though, even when my dreams have come true. I still feel anxiety.

Maybe it is my wedding? I feel like it was only.

A month ago when I met Romulus. His pale eyes and brunette hair.

How I adore it. I adore all of him.

 

[ Beat ] 

 

Well then, I must go off. I do not know what God has planned for me.

Will he make me a princess forgotten in history?

Do I have any ambitions of my own by marrying?

Perhaps not, perhaps so.

 

[ Beat ] 

 

Godspeed.

 

[ Exit PRINCESS ANABEL OF CYRILSBURG. Walking off the stage to her right. The lights go off. ]

 

 

THE END