Work Text:
Act I. Scene I.
Father has been in his chamber for the past few days. Whenever I’ve passed by, I would hear him mumbling about plans regarding a ship coming from Africa, and that the people on board “will understand the same pain I felt years ago.”
Maybe he knows something. Maybe he’s finally gone delirious.
However, if Father has suddenly gained precognition, I am curious who it is that’s on the ship. The only other residents on this island are that damned monster, Caliban, and Ariel and their nymphs. Unfortunately for me, I’d rather perish than speak to the first, and Ariel and I have never formally spoken. Father never speaks of them, as he thinks he’s the only one who’s seen them visibly. It doesn’t matter though, I know I’ll speak to them directly one day. Seeing that there’s nothing for me to do at the moment, I go outside towards the rocks.
The crashing of the cerulean waves has always calmed my nerves, and they provide a beautiful sight to behold. Yet, I cannot enjoy my time outside, as I suddenly feel a sense of dread wash over me. Looking up, a storm—no, better call it a hurricane— is tormenting a large ship in the middle of the ocean. This must’ve been what my father was foreshadowing for the past few days, I guess lunacy hasn’t gotten him just yet. He’s the one I need to confront regarding this…situation, to figure out what his ulterior motive is.
Act I. Scene II.
I wish it took more time than it did to search for Father, but I cannot be lazy looking for him. Time to put on the mask of compassion.
“If by your art, my dearest father, you have put the wild waters in this roar, allay them!”
If you’re curious about if I genuinely care what happens to the people on the ship, I do! They shouldn’t die by my father’s hand, with that little gust of wind he calls a storm, not until I find out what importance these people have. Only then can they die.
“No harm. I have done nothing but in care of thee, of thee, my dear one, thee, my daughter, who art ignorant of what thou art, naught knowing of whence I am, nor that I am more better than Prospero, master of a full poor cell, and thy no greater father.”
What the hell is he on about? Ignorant? I must’ve been wrong when I said he wasn’t losing it, I can’t understand a word he is saying. Crazy or not, he better not be wasting my time. Just cause we’re on some deserted island doesn’t mean I don’t have better things to do. Like counting sand.
“More to know did never meddle with my thoughts.”
“‘Tis time I should inform thee farther. Lend thy hand, and pluck my magic garment from me.—“
I did as he said, eager to figure out what he wanted to tell me. He kept on monologuing, acting as dramatic as ever. I swear if he doesn’t stop—
“Twelve year since, Miranda, twelve year since, thy father was the Duke of Milan, and a prince of power.”
What?
“Sir, are you not my father?”
“Thy mother was a piece of virtue, and she said thou wast my daughter, and thy father was Duke of Milan, and his only heir a princess, no worse indeed.”
I’m going to pass out. I am a princess. I am royalty. All my life, I thought I was some poor, useless child without a mother on an abandoned island. In just a few seconds, I went from rags to riches. No, I’m not at riches just yet, Father just mentioned a man, Antonio, my uncle— wait, he overthrew Father and he’s now the Duke? Nonononono…...damnit, how is it that I have gained so much and lost it all in a mere few seconds. What shall I do?
“—dost thou attend me?”
“Sir, most heedfully.”
Whoops! I guess I was too lost in thought that I looked like I wasn’t listening. Don’t worry Father, for once I actually am! This is too good an opportunity to miss up on.
I am going to spare you the details as my Father doesn’t know how to get straight to the point. Essentially, my Uncle Antonio betrayed my Father and got help from the King of Naples to overthrow us, which led us to end up on this island. Oh, what the fuck! To cry out isn’t even enough to express the emotions I’m going through…it’s becoming a conversion of feelings, giving way to bitterness and rage. My damn father has spent 12 years laying around and moping rather than doing something. I have a family full of cowards who can’t even solidify their power in this world. You know what, I will be different. Once I find a way out of this island, I shall go back to Milan, and claim the throne that I rightfully deserve.
“Know thus far forth. By accident most strange, bountiful Fortune, now my dear lady, hath mine enemies brought to this shore…”
This is my chance. I have an opportunity to make my wish come true. I must walk forward and endure what is to come in order to obtain the grand reward. Father’s plans shall become my own, and I’ll work my will through him. He has brought the ones who have done us wrong, done me wrong, unto these yellow shores. I’ll treat this like a game of chess, every single person will be a piece. I’ve gotta strategize, cause this is all I’ve got.
“...here cease more questions. Thou art inclined to sleep, ‘tis a good dullness, and give it way. I know thou canst not choose.”
I wish I could finally just make his spells ineffective against me, the look on his face when he sees it not working! For the past several years, I have snuck into his chamber and practiced magic on my own. No one knows about this, so I’m not sure how I’ll be against him. However, it is not the time to reveal myself to him, or else I would’ve knocked the domino down too early. And now, to sleep…
In my magic-induced sleep, I witnessed a mirage of people and symbols. I saw those I never knew of, all spread out along a chess board. I see several men lined up as pawns. Father is a Rook. Caliban is a Knight. However, the man— no, maybe more a teenager, a few years older than myself at most— is a king. No recollection of such a person crossed my mind, and yet I feel a strong presence from him. If I run into him in the future, I know he shall make a valuable asset. The only other oddity I notice is that there is no Queen. There are no signs of her. Unless…it’s because the queen is in control of the board, calculating every single movement made for every single chess piece.
After I woke up, Father led me outside for us to see Caliban. I don’t understand why he insists on bringing me to see him. He knows what occurred, and yet he puts me face to face with that villain, a vile, loathsome monster. I had tuned out most of the conversation, except for when I lashed out against him for saying he’d try to assault me again. Oh, how I wish to watch you get pulled apart limb from limb. I was lost in my violent daydreams, until I heard…….music? And voices! Voices I had never heard! I look over to my Father, and notice his hard stare in that same direction. I think this spirit or person or whoever must be an important aspect to his plan. Whatever that may be.
That’s when I see him.
The King in my dream.
I couldn’t even hide my shock when I saw him! Not only is this the first time I see someone not from this island, but I didn’t expect that my dream would come true. If he’s here, that must mean he’s a part of Father’s plan. I’m not certain what it is, but if I get more information, I’ll be able to make a theory.
“I might call him a thing divine, for nothing natural I ever saw so noble.”
“...it goes on, I see, as my soul prompts it. Spirit, fine spirit! I’ll free thee within two days for this.”
“Most sure, the goddess on whom these airs attend! Vouchsafe my prayer may know if you remain upon this island, and that you will some good instruction give how I may bear me here. My prime request, which I do last pronounce, is, O you wonder! If you be maid or no?”
I understand now. I had spoken out of fascination, for I had never expected such a thing to occur. Now, this man— well, maybe a teenager is a better term, he’s definitely my age— is asking if I’m a goddess? And he looks…oh god, don’t tell me he’s into me. That has to be some sort of record. Ugh, I don’t have time for this, what if this guy starts following me around, professing his love? Obviously my answer would be—
“How? The best? What wert thou if the King of Naples heard thee?”
“A single thing, as I am now, that wonders to hear thee speak of Naples.”
Yes. My answer is yes. Okay, back to the important stuff. If he’s royalty, I think my father wants me to fall in love with him too. It’ll secure the throne for us again, and we can get off the island. I need to manipulate Father’s plan into my own, one that has me in charge and no potential threats around. I need to pretend I am sweet, innocent Miranda, who suddenly falls head over heels for the man in front of her. In doing so, I shall make sure he’s infatuated with me, and we get married at once, for this will secure my position as Queen of Naples. Then, I’ll get Milan under my power as well. I cannot let anyone come in between us, or else it will all crumble down. This means all measures necessary, even if it’s graphic.
“A word, good sir. I fear you have done yourself some wrong. A word.”
“Why speaks my father so ungently? This is the third man that e’er I saw, the first that e’er I sighed for. Pity move my father to be inclined my way!”
“Oh if a virgin, and your affection not gone forth, I’ll make you the Queen of Naples.”
I’m willing to show my ankles to this man now. I have known him for five minutes, don’t even know his name, and yet he’s essentially proposing to me! If there’s a god out there, I certainly believe in him now. What a naïve boy! He’s to become king once he returns home, and he pulls this stunt? Not complaining, this’ll surely work well with what I’m imagining. All I need to do is continue this innocent, pure act and he’ll be enamored with yours truly by the time everyone’s gone!
“One word more. I charge thee that thou attend me. Thou dost here usurp the name thou owest not, and hast put thyself upon this island as a spy, to win it from me, the lond on’t.”
“No, as I am a man.”
“There’s nothing ill can dwell in such a temple. If the ill spirit have so fair a house, good things will strive to dwell with ‘t.”
“Follow me. Speak not you for him, he’s a traitor…”
Well, excuse me for being hospitable to our dear guest! He can’t be serious right now, is he even using his head?
“O dear Father, make not too rash a trial of him, for he’s gentle, and fearful.”
“What! I say, my foot my tutor?...”
...how dare you…I felt the need to restrain myself from lunging towards his neck and strangling him to death! I could even feel my fingers twitch in anticipation. No…..not yet, I have barely even begun my plan to royalty, I cannot be hasty and dispose of Father. You know…with the Prince watching me defend him, I should be as dramatic as possible. Then he’ll for sure think I’m that down bad for him. I leap out and grab onto his leg, practically holding him down.
“Beseech you, Father!”
“Hence! Hang not on my garments.”
“Sir, have pity. I’ll be his surety.”
“Silence! One word more shall make me chide thee, if not hate thee…”
I wish you did, then it would be so much easier to just get rid of you. Fuck, I hate being this weak, insufferable child in his eyes. I hate how I have to be this obedient little girl towards him, only to hear him call me a wench. I hate knowing I’ll only be some form of his property, to be wed off to someone like that mindless prince over there. I don’t even have the power to lift myself from the ground, my fingers curling around the grass beneath me. While I was mentally holding back the urge to scream and cry, I felt a hand on my shoulder. Looking up, I notice Whatever-His-Name-Is kneeling beside me, a look of worry on his face.
“Are you alright?”
“....yeah…”
I barely register what he says to my father, obviously not shaken by the threats that come his way. He must be either extremely kind or extremely stupid to do this for someone he just met, in front of their father no less.
“It’s not exactly a bad thing however,” I thought to myself, watching him reach a hand out towards me. I stare absentmindedly at it, taking it a few seconds later a tad embarrassed. That didn’t stop him from smiling at me, and I realized I had never noticed his features before. His dark brown hair that reaches the nape of his neck, his sky-blue eyes, his tanned skin. He would definitely make a good husband: kind, selfless, attractive. I do hope when the time comes for us to officially marry, he is as devoted as he is now. Oh God, what am I thinking? I’m losing brain cells being around him. Whatever, I guess I don’t mind him that much. Keeping his grip on my hand, he pulls me alongside him, following Father.
Act III. Scene I.
For the past hour or so, Father has commanded Ferdinand (finally got his name) to work different tasks around the island. He isn’t such a bad worker, I had feared he’d be insanely weak due to having servants around his castle. Not only that, he does this all for me, the girl he has known for an hour. It touches my heart, truly it does. If only I could let him in on this plan, but I fear he’d slipped up while loudly confessing his love for me. Curiously, I glided over towards him, watching his eyes light up in happiness.
“You seem to be deep in thought? Is there something bothering you, beloved?”
He set down the log he was carrying and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
“Oh, it’s absolutely nothing to worry about,” I waved it off.
“If you insist. Just know, if there’s ever anything bothering you, I’ll listen. My father says I talk too much for my own good, so I’m trying my hardest to listen to more people now. And since you’ll be my wife in the future, I should listen to you the most.”
I was incredibly overjoyed with how this situation unfolded.
“That’s so sweet of you! I was worried all of these tasks made you regret your choice, but hearing you say all this out loud…I could scream! ”
He laughed heartily and I grinned, my thoughts consumed with giddiness knowing for certain I can initiate my mission.
Act III. Scene II + III.
Walking home, I had solidified most of my plan. Since there are surely others on this island, probably being tormented by Ariel or Caliban, they’re most definitely related to Ferdinand in some way. If one of them is his father, that means he cannot ascend the throne, and he may also object to our hasty engagement. He is someone who must definitely be taken out, whether it be now or later, depending on his attitude towards me. If there’s others who pose a threat to my future, they shall also be eliminated. I have many ways to do so, as I am capable of handling magic, and understanding the vegetation on this island. Who’s to say that one of them may consume poisonous extracts from a plant without noticing? I do hope there aren't too many people left alive, not only is it annoying, but getting blood off of clothing is such an annoyance. Right now, the only one who will stay alive is Ferdinand and I. Maybe if he begs hard enough, his father as well. As much as I’d like to have my coronation right away, I won’t mind waiting if I know I won’t have any opposition.
Walking into Father’s room, my eyes search around for what I need. Landing on the magic book, I quietly pace towards it, grabbing it as if it were my baby. This bad boy will be my ticket off of this rock, and I cannot afford to let anything happen to it. Glancing out into the hallway to check for anyone roaming around, I run into my room and stuff the book under my bed. Right next to the book is a makeshift wand I had created several months ago. Father had used one some time ago, but opted for learning with his hands. While it worked fine for me, personally I rather use my hands too. Less to worry about if anything goes wrong. I can feel my anxieties growing by the second, I know something big is coming soon. Probably what I plan on doing. All I can do is hope for the best, and…maybe, just maybe, I can finally get a chance at a better life than this.
Act IV. Scene I.
“Ferdinand! I must have a word with you.”
That voice came from my wretched father. My fiance’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion but he obeyed my father. They had no clue that I was eavesdropping on their conversation.
“O Ferdinand, Do not smile at me that I boast her off, For thou shalt find she will outstrip all praise and make it halt behind her.”
“I do believe it,” murmured Ferdinand.
“Then, as my gift and thine own acquisition worthily purchased take my daughter: but if thou dost break her virgin-knot before all sanctimonious ceremonies may will full and holy rite be minister’d, no sweet aspersion shall the heavens let fall.”
I glared at my father from where I was hiding. Indignation coursed through my veins and I had to halt from taking any further actions. I dug my nails into my palm hard enough to draw blood. It seems he’s worsened in his comments about me now that others are around. He saw me as some type of reward to be easily given away. I don’t care how crazy I’ll seem, I won’t let him talk like that about me ever again. Ugh, getting carried away again! I strided away from my hiding place to confront my father and soon to be husband.
“My dear Miranda, we were just discussing your wedding,” Prospero joyfully mentioned.
“I can’t wait to see what happens,” I smiled a little too sweetly.
I have been waiting for the big day to arrive, my wedding. Well, only since this morning honestly. The goddesses appeared before us and offered us their humble blessings. Ferdinand and I were enjoying this momentous occasion when I noticed my father had disappeared. That was awfully strange considering the talk he had with Ferdinand, he wouldn’t be here to witness my wedding. I was deeply pondering when my husband nudged my shoulder.
“You shouldn’t be stressed out on our big day,” he teased with mirth.
I laughed in response and agreed with him.
“I shall get us some drinks to celebrate, I’ll be right back.”
I nodded and waited until he was out of sight. Where exactly did my father think he could run off to? I wasted no time leaving the wedding, instead choosing to dash to my room.
Act V. Scene I.
It’s time.
This is the moment foreshadowed for weeks, from Father’s incoherent ramblings in his room to my ominous dream.
Catapulting under my bed, I reach out for the magic book. I hope Father hasn’t noticed it missing ever since I took it, but it doesn’t matter if he did. He’s useless without it. I also reach for my wand, a normal looking branch yet dangerous to use. I’ll keep it to myself just in case. Grabbing a blanket and wrapping it around the book as if it were a baby, I tiptoe out of my room. I hear a commotion outside, and I peer out the window. My eyes widen in shock and despair, as I notice Father and 6 other people. I had hoped this wouldn’t have occurred, that no one else would be alive from the ship, but alas, not everything can happen smoothly. This simply means there will be more casualties. Continuing my run, I practically slam through the door into Father’s room, expecting Father. Instead, my little idiot husband is sitting there. Why? I don’t know. I don’t even care anymore. Damn bastards.
Sliding into the chair in front of him, I glance down at the table between us. A chess board.
“You play chess, dear?”
“I occasionally have, my Father taught me. If it’s a game you’re looking for, expect a swift defeat!”
“Well then, we’d see about that.”
The two of us enter a fierce game, with him as white and me as black. I had the advantage over him, with all of his pawns and half of his remaining pieces taken. He only had gotten half of my pawns and a Knight. That’s when I noticed a Bishop of his move one too many spaces.
“Sweet lord, you play me false.”
“No, my dear’st love, I would not for the world.”
“Yes, for a score of kingdoms you should wrangle, and I would call it fair play.”
I had been enjoying this moment, as for once I felt at ease. Crazy, considering I’m pretty much losing it by now. That was until I noticed Ferdinand staring at the door, his face pale and fearful. I turn to look, and I grimace.
There was Father, and the six other men beside him, looking at the two of us as if we were ghosts.
The next moments were a blur to me. Ferdinand leaped towards a man I assume is his father, and he spoke about me being his new wife with giddiness. I had made a few comments under my cheerful façade, but I could barely register what was going on. All these men, alive and well, no I don’t care who you are. Why why why…all this panicking is making me ill. The book in my lap starts to feel warm, as if it had its own heat source. I look down, silently and stiffly. That’s when I started to hear a voice.
“Miranda, you know it’s time.”
Is it truly?
“Yes, you’re so close to your freedom. Open the book.”
Can I do it?
“Yes, my dear. You have become so strong, do not let yourself be swayed. This is what you deserve. Open the book.”
It’s right…this is what I deserve. I have never known what life truly is like, to be happy. I can’t even be certain how many years it’s been, how old I really am. Everything I knew was basically a lie, and it was all because of Father and his stupid companions. I’ve had enough. It’s my turn to be free with my life. Even if I have to kill every damn person on this ground.
“Miranda?”
I felt every eye in the room stare at me. Gripping the book in my hands, I peel away the blanket that had been covering it.
“Miranda, why do you have my magic book?”
No answer.
“Miranda? Beloved?”
No answer.
My shaking hands grab each end of the book.
Looking up, I see perplexed and anxious gazes.
I smile bitterly and rip open the book.
Everything goes black.
Act ??? Scene ???
The tower was in shambles. The explosion that was caused by Miranda practically tore the place into simple rocks. The 9 bodies that were in the room at the time were spewed across the coast of the island. The first to awaken was Miranda, groaning at the pain she felt across her body. Dazed and confused, she looked up at the place she had considered a home for the past 12 years in ruins. She didn’t feel any guilt or shame. She remembered what just happened, and knew that she had to act fast. Searching around for the book and her wand, she notices a body starting to toss back and forth. She quickly grabbed for her book, which was a few feet away from her feet, and held it close to her.
She did not know who he was, nor did not care. Rising to her feet, she walks over to the older man. It would be easier to get rid of him now before he is fully conscious. Opening her book, she looks through the pages, scanning for a painless spell that’ll cost him his life.
“Well then, good sir, be at peace—“
“WAIT!!!”
Miranda quickly turns over to a pair of men, who seem rather unimportant to the plot of this story.
“You must not kill him. He is a good man, and he deserves a kind death.”
“So, from what I understand, you two will be willing to die for him?”
“…yes.”
The two men draw their swords, ready to give up their lives for this older man. Miranda, clutching the book to her chest, stares the two men down, hoping they won’t attack her. Unfortunately, they do.
She moves quickly, hoping to gain distance between herself and the two men. That’s when she notices her wand, laying unharmed in the sand. She jumps for the wand, grabbing it tightly. Pointing at the two, she yells out and shoots out a bolt of magic. It hits the one on the right, who falls instantly.
“Adrian!”
He’s taken out as easily as a pawn.
His partner drops his sword and holds the other man’s body. Even from her distance, she can see the look of sheer terror in his eyes, ripping a piece of his tunic in hopes of stopping the bleeding.
“It’s too late for him.”
The man looks up at Miranda, his fear turning into anger.
“Why have you done this? You are such a young girl, to be such a menace—“
“Does it make you fear me more? Then imagine me as a baby if it does. If you’ll excuse me, there’s more pressing matters to deal with than to speak to you.”
She points her wand directly at his forehead, and like a bullet, he drops as if he had been shot.
Out goes another pawn.
She turns her attention back to the grassy land, and walks back to where she originally was. Nearby, she notices her father’s cloak, laying hidden in the grass. Picking it up, she decides to put it on, curious of how it’ll fit her. While she was distracted, three men came running to see what had occurred. Once Miranda caught sight of those three, she frowned. She personally didn’t want to deal with Caliban, and had hoped her father had taken care of the three. Oh well, it seems she has to do the dirty work. Even from the length between the two, Miranda could hear Caliban’s yells. She simply kept quiet to herself, keeping her thoughts in her head.
“That damned monster is rambling on, yelling about God knows what. I will crush your windpipes if you dare get near me.”
He stumbled forward with a bottle of alcohol in one hand, intoxicated and unable to think clearly. Can he even perceive me?
“Oh Prospero, how I waited for this moment to arrive!”
She considered it an insult to be compared to her father. She would have obliterated him for that repulsive comparison, but this is getting quite interesting.
“I will take back the island that belonged to me and abolish you along with your daughter!”
His words were slurred while drool accumulated in the corner of his mouth. He could barely afford to stand on his legs, his body continuously swayed from side to side. What a sight to behold. She could not restrain the laugh that she was holding in. His expression shifted from incredulous to one of indignation.
“Even now when you are being threatened you dare mock me, Prospero?”
He lunged forward at what he assumed to be Prospero but instead collided with a sturdy tree. Her body viciously shook with laughter and she had to grab onto her knee to calm herself. He groaned and fell backwards onto his bottle that was filled with alcohol. She wiped the tears from my eyes and walked over to where he practically impaled himself.
“What a noble way to die, idiot,” she sneered down at him.
Out goes a knight.
Looking out at the other two who came with him, she didn’t bother to give them time to give some tragic backstory. She simply aimed and fired, watching the bolt go straight through their heads.
Out goes two pawns.
All that’s left are Prospero, Gonzalo, Alonso, Sebastian, and Antonio. The anxiousness she had felt originally had become one of twisted excitement. She had never felt such a rush in her entire life, and now she cannot get enough from it.
Scanning the area for the next victim, she found another pair of men on the ground, but awake. Sneakily walking over towards them, she saw the two holding onto each other, one with a serious wound on his side.
“Antonio! Antonio!”
As if he flicked a switch in her head, she realized who Antonio was. He was the one who took over Milan, subsequently kicking Prospero and herself out of the city. This is the man who caused her pain on this damn island, it’s only fair to give him the same treatment back.
Without use of her wand, she reached out and gripped the air as if it were Antonio’s throat, and lifted it into the air. On cue, Antonio’s body was launched into the air, with him grabbing onto the air to find what is doing such a thing. Sebastian looked at Antonio’s body, and turned to Miranda. She had thought he would do the same as the other two and draw his sword, but what he had done next shocked her. He stumbled over and bowed on his hands and knees.
“Please…..don’t kill Antonio, he is all I have in this world. Please, I’ll do anything.”
She falters slightly, seeing the look on his face. It’s so distraught, as if she’s killing him instead. Noticing the severity of the wound he has, she sets him back down, figuring that he won’t survive much longer anyways. Sebastian practically lunges towards him, holding him close as the brightness in his eyes dim away. She looks down at Sebastian’s sullen face, one soaked with tears, and sighed.
“Any last words you have?”
“Why is it that you’re doing this? What could you possibly want that would lead you to do such a thing?”
Miranda stared down at him, and felt bitterness flood into her system. She can see the care he has holding Antonio’s body, despite him already being dead. Despite being asked this question before, she decides she can tell him.
“I’m sure now you understand the feeling of emptiness. That’s what I’ve been living for all these years. I had always wanted to leave this island, it had always been a prison for me. When the man who had raised me told me he was Duke of Milan, and I the Princess, I had found a reason to live on with my life. However, the man you are holding, Antonio, was the one who took it all away. He took away the life I was supposed to live, so I took away his. You know, Father had a plan to make you guys suffer for your betrayal, but unfortunately it seems he had a change of heart in the end. It didn’t matter though, his plan essentially became mine. I knew he wanted me to fall in love with Ferdinand and for us to get married, ultimately making his father lose his son. What he didn’t realize was that I didn’t fall in love with him, all I was doing was playing a role to get what I wanted. To secure being crowned Queen, I had to make sure any family members who could inherit the throne before us or anyone who opposed us being together were taken out. I thought that storm he created was supposed to kill you, but as you can see, it didn’t. I’m sure you wish it did though. Now, I think that’s enough talking. I shall give you a painless death, for amusing me. I hope the two of you live happily in heaven.”
Miranda put her hand on his forehead, and suddenly he fell forward, limp against her hand.
Out goes two bishops.
Letting his body drop, she realized she wasted too much time speaking, and can’t waste anymore. Anyone who’s still alive could be awake. Walking through the grass, she sighted an older man and sent a bolt directly into his heart, killing him instantly. Hey, she said she was in a rush.
Out goes a knight.
Alas, she has arrived at the two kings, who were wide awake and terrified. The man she once considered her father was looking at her like she had gone crazy, and the other was looking sick. Bored once again, she decided to humor them a little.
“Do I have your blessings to marry Ferdinand?”
“W-what are you saying?
“How could we ever do such a thing after slaughtering our men?”
“Awe, I was hoping you’d say yes. It doesn’t matter though, you two will be dead before the wedding anyways.”
“Miranda, why are you doing this? Was I not good as a father?”
Her face darkened in anger, upset at the question he asked. Does he have a concussion? Hell, does he even have a brain left? He was the one who always looked down at her as submissive and weak, and now in the face of death, he’s still blaming her?
“I cannot believe you…. all my life, I had to listen to you speak as if I were…. lesser than you. I don’t care if it’s cause I’m a girl, or you have some belief you’re superior to everyone. You were always so reckless, listening to your whims and delusions. Now, I finally have a chance off this island, for an actual life, and I will not let you ruin that.”
She turns to Alonso, giving him a tight smile.
“I do apologize, I’m sure Ferdinand will be heartbroken to hear that you’ve died. You can leave him to me though, for I shall make a great wife. He’s already head over heels for me anyways. You can rest easy!”
“Wait! Why must I die?”
“Simply because of your position. You are King of Naples, and unfortunately I cannot wait for you to roll over and perish, so I’m speeding up the process! Plus, I’d prefer it if I had no witnesses around.”
Twirling her wand around between her fingers, she pointed the wand towards them. Closing one eye and sticking her tongue out like a child, she aimed. She shot. She hit. The two fell over, dead from their fatal wounds.
Finally, the board is clear. All that was left is….
The king. She is finally alone with Ferdinand. Tossing the book and wand aside, she turned to the man she will spend her future with.
Strolling over to his unconscious body, she lifts him into her arms and shakes him softly. Stirring awake, he looks at her and shoots up forward.
“What happened? Are you okay? Where is Father?—“
“I’m so sorry….but we are the only two alive….”
It took several seconds for the news to process throughout his brain, and when he did, he immediately started crying. He cried for his Father, who he had just reunited with after thinking he was dead. He cried for his father-in-law, all his shipmates. He even cried for Miranda, who did not shed even one tear.
“Beloved, what shall we do?”
“Go back to Naples, announce to the people what had happened, and continue our marriage. We shall rule jointly as the King and Queen of Naples and Milan. I know this is what our fathers would’ve wanted.”
Sniffling softly, Ferdinand took Miranda’s hands into his own and nodded. He was afraid of what he would have to do now that he was King, but he was happy to have Miranda safe by his side. The one who would never betray him.
Standing up, Miranda lifted him up and guided him to the shore. The cerulean waves were for once calm against the rocks, a stark difference between what had occurred hours before. She felt her façade melt away completely, no longer needed now that all who opposed her were gone.
Looking at Ferdinand, she had realized.
She had captured the King, ultimately winning the game.