Une Affaire De Cœur
Act One- Scene One
Act One- Scene One
It is a dark and collied night in the French town of Blois. The sun has gone to sleep for the day, leaving only shadows to wave across the vast landscape. All things are quiet, but there is a slight air of unrest. An unsettling feeling. The silent breeze flows through the air, blowing the leaves of the trees back and forth, causing a slight rattling sound. But other then the swaying of the tree branches and the scurrying of the small creatures that dwell there, no sound can be heard. Things are eerily calm in the surrounding woods, where children would normally run and play. On any other night, some merchant would have planned to travel his way to another city in hopes of receiving large amounts of money. But not tonight. For a festival is taking place in town, a few miles off from the silent woods. Everyone has attended and the music resounds through the whole village. It is on this night that the young king has planned to take leave from the village and visit his secret lover, deep in the forest.
Cecil's Voice: (Sits in his chamber, writing in his journal as he waits for his chance to flee. His wife, Marcelle, is sitting at a fairly large mirror, combing her hair for the festival) It has been too long since I have seen him. Raphael, my love. Months, it has been. I crave to see him again, despite the fact that it risks great danger for both of us. His home in the woods is almost as luxurious as the castle and equally as beautiful. It is a private place. There, we can be alone, not to be judged by society. Not to be ridiculed by the public eye. Not to be forced to bend to the whim of others. Not to be forced... Oh, how I wish I hadn't been forced into the marriage with Marcelle. She is a nice girl, she truly is, but is daft. She is naive and has no sense of reality. I believe it is because she is so young. Too young for marriage. And I grew up with Marcelle, she is like my younger sister. This artificial life seems so wrong. If only I had met Raphael first.. We could have run away together... But now I am bound to the kingdom. As my father wanted. If he only knew... If only... But I'm certain that if he knew, he would disown me. If anyone knew, I would be sent into exile.
Marcelle: Cecil, are you ready to go to? I've been brushing my hair no less then an hour. Surely what you are writing in that journal of yours can not be so important that you must make your wife wait. (Pouts and stands from her seat, crossing her arms)
Cecil: (Sighs) Of course, Marcelle. I am ready to go. (Stands as well, putting his journal in his satchel, which he wears around his waist. As he turns, the book falls out, and lands back upon the seat, going unnoticed by Cecil.)
Marcelle: (Smiles and hugs Cecil warmly) Then let us go and join the fun! (Takes Cecil's hand and drags him happily through the castle, until they are outside, among the many joyous towns people) Oh, Cecil, dance with me, please?
Cecil: (Gives Marcelle a gentle smile, then pulls nods) Of course, Marcelle.
(They begin to dance through the festival, slowly at first, then the music pics up. Cecil spins her round and round, Marcelle smiling gaily, though Cecil seems not to be having much fun. The crowd has long since cleared way for the king and queen's dance. They spin together in an elegant fashion for what feels like an eternity for Cecil, but the time is fleeting for Marcelle. Though, eventually, the evening's time grows further towards midnight, and Cecil decides that it is now time to take his leave. When the music again picks up, he grabs the hands of two townspeople, pulling them into the dance. The crowd once again poured into the festivities, letting Cecil have the chance to escape. Marcelle looks around anxiously for her husband as Cecil scurries his way through the overflow of people.)
