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Scene 1
Astrid
An invitation to a wedding?
Lord Bonnett
Yes. I would be honored if you and Lady
Ludmilla were to attend.
Ludmilla were to attend.
Astrid
...I apologize, Lord Bonnett, but
respectfully, I will have to decline.
respectfully, I will have to decline.
Astrid
I'm afraid I am far too busy to attend a
banquet at this time.
banquet at this time.
Lord Bonnett
Oh? Am I to understand you are turning
down a personal invitation from me?
down a personal invitation from me?
Astrid
...
Lord Bonnett
The wedding of my only son and heir is a
momentous occasion for House Bonnett.
momentous occasion for House Bonnett.
Lord Bonnett
A time of joy and fortune...which we will
of course share with our supporters.
of course share with our supporters.
Lord Bonnett
It would be a shame if the Red Dragon
Knights were not among that number.
Knights were not among that number.
Astrid
(I have no time to waste at a banquet. Not
now, and not in the future either.)
now, and not in the future either.)
Astrid
(But it is true that we can't afford to lose
House Bonnett's financial support...)
House Bonnett's financial support...)
Astrid
Lord Bonnett, may I request a day's time
before making my formal reply?
before making my formal reply?
Ludmilla
I think it is a fine idea. Let us accept,
Lady Astrid!
Lady Astrid!
Astrid
This hardly seems like the time to make
jokes, Marshal.
jokes, Marshal.
Rizette
I agree with her, Commander.
Rizette
You've been working too hard lately. Why
not take this chance to relax a little?
not take this chance to relax a little?
Astrid
Not you too, Rizette.
Astrid
It's out of the question. I can't just leave
my duties unfulfilled.
my duties unfulfilled.
Mysha
Don't worry about it! We'll handle things
here while you two are away.
here while you two are away.
Mysha
It's not every day you get a chance to go
on a cruise, you know! Go have fun!
on a cruise, you know! Go have fun!
Astrid
But...
Astrid
(I only officially assumed command of the
Knights less than a week ago.)
Knights less than a week ago.)
Astrid
(I still don't quite feel worthy of this.
Of standing where my father once stood.)
Of standing where my father once stood.)
Astrid
(And with Finn...this is no time to leave
Rigland for a party, of all things.)
Rigland for a party, of all things.)
Ludmilla
We need House Bonnett's gold to keep
our knights equipped and our people safe.
our knights equipped and our people safe.
Ludmilla
Securing funding is also part of the
Commander's responsibilities, Lady Astrid.
Commander's responsibilities, Lady Astrid.
Astrid
...You do know just what to say.
Astrid
Alright, then. I'll let Lord Bonnett know
that we accept his kind invitation.
that we accept his kind invitation.
Astrid
(That said...I hardly know what to expect.
Especially with that postscript.)
Especially with that postscript.)
Astrid
("All guests are requested to bring
a swimsuit"...?)
a swimsuit"...?)
Guest
Come on in already! The water's great!
Guest
Wow, what a ship! Swimming in a pool
on the ocean—what'll they think of next?!
on the ocean—what'll they think of next?!
Astrid
(This ship is a marvel—an extravagant,
wasteful marvel.)
wasteful marvel.)
Astrid
(A freshwater pool in the deck of a cruise
ship...it's ridiculous.)
ship...it's ridiculous.)
Astrid
(And the interiors are as ostentatious as
any noble mansion in the capital.)
any noble mansion in the capital.)
Astrid
(House Bonnett's coffers run deep...
As do those of the bride's family.)
As do those of the bride's family.)
Astrid
(They are the royal family of Laomis,
after all.)
after all.)
Astrid
(The other guests are certainly enjoying
themselves, but I...)
themselves, but I...)
Ludmilla
Lady Astrid, you look pale. Are you
feeling seasick?
feeling seasick?
Astrid
Ah...no, Marshal.
It's nothing.
It's nothing.
Astrid
You look like you're having fun.
Ludmilla
Of course! It is not every day one gets to
swim in a pool while on the sea.
swim in a pool while on the sea.
Ludmilla
They look to be serving refreshments
over there. Shall we?
over there. Shall we?
Astrid
...No, thank you. Please, don't hold back
on my account, though.
on my account, though.
Ludmilla
I see...then I will be right back.
Astrid
(I knew I shouldn't have come...)
???
Hey, missy! Aren't you "our hero", the
great Astrid von Draclow?
great Astrid von Draclow?
Astrid
(...Missy?!)
Astrid
How rude!
I am no "missy"!
I am no "missy"!
Drunk Guest
Aw, c'mon!
Don't be like that, o' grand warrior!
Don't be like that, o' grand warrior!
Drunk Guest
Yeah, yeah! Why don'tcha come and talk
tactics with the guest of honor!
tactics with the guest of honor!
Astrid
(Guest of honor? Then this man is
Lord Bonnett's son?)
Lord Bonnett's son?)
Robert
Oh, my apologies if we have insulted the
Commander of the Red Dragon Knights.
Commander of the Red Dragon Knights.
Robert
We were actually just talking about you,
and your crusade against the Eternal.
and your crusade against the Eternal.
Robert
There were a few things you could've done better,
but overall, not badly done for a young kid!
but overall, not badly done for a young kid!
Astrid
...Do you require something from me, Sir?
Robert
Now, now, don't get mad!
This is my blessed day, you know?
This is my blessed day, you know?
Robert
Come on. Won't the great Hero of Rigland
raise a glass to my good health? Hmm?
raise a glass to my good health? Hmm?
Astrid
I will refrain, Sir. By all means, though,
I will wish you health in—
I will wish you health in—
Robert
...What, too good to drink with me?
Is that it?
Is that it?
Astrid
Coercing a lady to drink is boorish
behavior, Sir Robert.
behavior, Sir Robert.
Astrid
I would have thought the heir of House
Bonnett would show better breeding.
Bonnett would show better breeding.
Robert
...You little wench!
Watch your tongue!
Watch your tongue!
Lord Bonnett
What ho, Robert! Is there a problem?
Robert
...Yes, Father, there is.
Robert
It seems the good Commander considers
the wine you ordered for us "swill".
the wine you ordered for us "swill".
Astrid
Wha—?!
I said nothing of the—
I said nothing of the—
Lord Bonnett
Ah, of course the Lady Commander has a
refined palate befitting her station.
refined palate befitting her station.
Lord Bonnett
But I must admit, I am hurt to hear you
are dissatisfied on my son's special day.
are dissatisfied on my son's special day.
Astrid
...
Ludmilla
Now, now. If you wish to discuss tactics, I
would be honored to join you, Sir Robert.
would be honored to join you, Sir Robert.
Astrid
Marshal?!
Ludmilla
Leave this to me, Lady Astrid.
Ludmilla
A toast to you on your happy day, Sir.
Now, you were saying?
Now, you were saying?
Lord Bonnett
Hrrm. Tactics, is it? I must admit to
dabbling in the art myself.
dabbling in the art myself.
Robert
...How lucky you have such understanding
subordinates, Lady Commander.
subordinates, Lady Commander.
Robert
This had better not happen again.
Astrid
...
Astrid
(...What have I done?)
Astrid
(Provoked or no, I insulted the
bridegroom to his face...)
bridegroom to his face...)
Astrid
(And Marshal Ludmilla had to clean up
my mess. I should know better.)
my mess. I should know better.)
Astrid
(How can I claim to be worthy of the
mantle of Commander if—)
mantle of Commander if—)
???
Is something troubling you?
You look terribly upset.
You look terribly upset.
Astrid
Pardon me, you are...
Astrid
(Ah...if I recall correctly, this would be
the other guest of honor.)
the other guest of honor.)
Astrid
Forgive me. Congratulations on your
wedding, Queen Esma.
wedding, Queen Esma.
Esma
...
...Thank you.
...Thank you.
Astrid
...?
Astrid
(She looks troubled, too. It seems I'm not
the only one who isn't enjoying herself.)
the only one who isn't enjoying herself.)
Esma
You must be Lady Astrid, yes?
Of the Red Dragon Knights.
Of the Red Dragon Knights.
Astrid
You know of me, Your Majesty?
Esma
Of course. The courageous Hero of
Rigland is known even on our shores.
Rigland is known even on our shores.
Astrid
...You honor me.
Esma
The protector of your people, at such a
young age. You have my deepest respect.
young age. You have my deepest respect.
Astrid
I could say the same of you, Ma'am.
Astrid
I can scarce imagine the weight a crown
must bear for one so young.
must bear for one so young.
Esma
It is not so heavy. Laomis is a small and
poor kingdom, after all.
poor kingdom, after all.
Astrid
Poor? Forgive me, but I had heard Laomis
was renowned for its lustrous pearls...
was renowned for its lustrous pearls...
Esma
Indeed, we are blessed with pearls of
uncommon beauty and value.
uncommon beauty and value.
Esma
But they are rare, and make up a very
small part of our economy—
small part of our economy—
Esma
Which is sustained largely by small-
scale trade and tourism.
scale trade and tourism.
Astrid
I see...
Esma
We are lucky to have Lord Bonnett's
cooperation as a trading partner.
cooperation as a trading partner.
Astrid
Then, is this marriage a condition of
that cooperation...?
that cooperation...?
Esma
...The benefits to my people far outweigh
my own personal desires.
my own personal desires.
Esma
And...I'm unworthy of love, in any case.
Astrid
(Ah...that explains why she looks so sad.)
Astrid
(How devoted, to endure marriage to that
vulgar man for her country's sake...)
vulgar man for her country's sake...)
Esma
We're not so different, are we?
You and I.
You and I.
Astrid
Ma'am?
Esma
Both burdened with titles far beyond our
ages, and the responsibilities attached.
ages, and the responsibilities attached.
Astrid
...Certainly so.
Astrid
And both with a knife to our throats from
House Bonnett, as well.
House Bonnett, as well.
Esma
Hee hee.
You can say that again.
You can say that again.
Astrid
Haha...
Ludmilla
(Phew...noble or soldier, dealing with
drunks is such a pain.)
drunks is such a pain.)
Ludmilla
(If they didn't pay our salaries, I'd throw
that wine-soaked gutter rat and his
that wine-soaked gutter rat and his
Ludmilla
stuffed shirt of a father overboard, but...)
Ludmilla
(At least I was able to defuse things
without causing trouble for Lady Astrid.)
without causing trouble for Lady Astrid.)
Crew
Geez, dealing with all these spoiled nobles
is exhausting, I'll tell you what.
is exhausting, I'll tell you what.
Ludmilla
(Oh? It sounds like the crew and I are of
a similar opinion.)
a similar opinion.)
Crew
You can say that again. All high and mighty
just 'cuz their folks got money.
just 'cuz their folks got money.
Crew
Wish we could switch with the guys in the
hold. Watching cargo sounds a lot easier.
hold. Watching cargo sounds a lot easier.
Ludmilla
(The hold? Cargo?
What are they talking about?)
What are they talking about?)
Ludmilla
(This is a pleasure cruise. There shouldn't
be any cargo other than guests' luggage.)
be any cargo other than guests' luggage.)
Crew
Hm? Hey, what's that ship there?
It's coming closer...
It's coming closer...
Crew
L-look! That flag!
Crew
That's a pirate flag!
It's Dargarossa!
It's Dargarossa!
Robert
How did they catch us so easily?! What
are we paying you louts for?!
are we paying you louts for?!
Crew
Forgive us, sir! That ship is just so fast—
Robert
Enough!
All hands to battle stations!
All hands to battle stations!
Esma
Lady Astrid!
Astrid
Get down, Your Majesty!
Stay close to me!
Stay close to me!
Ludmilla
Commander!
Your sword!
Your sword!
Astrid
Thank you! At my command, Marshal.
We will protect the Queen and the guests!
We will protect the Queen and the guests!
Ludmilla
Yes, ma'am!
Crew
Look out! They're boarding!
Dargarossa
...
Astrid
It's the Bane of the Ashiran Sea...
The dread pirate, Dargarossa!
The dread pirate, Dargarossa!
Esma
...
Adena
All of you better keep yer heads down if
ya wanna keep 'em attached!
ya wanna keep 'em attached!
Astrid
Dargarossa! How considerate of you to
save us the trouble of finding you!
save us the trouble of finding you!
Astrid
Your reign of terror ends now. You'll rue
the day you boarded this vessel!
the day you boarded this vessel!
Pirate
Oho, we got a live one here, boys! Let's
make her regret—
make her regret—
Astrid
Haaa!
Pirate
Gaah!
Ludmilla
Prepare yourselves, villains!
Haaa!
Haaa!