Wisdom's Kiss (62 page)

Providence, Queen of Montagne
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Young Temperance, Princess Royal of Montagne, known as Teddy

Benevolence, Queen Mother of Montagne, known as Nonna Ben
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Temperance, Princess Royal of Montagne
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Wisdom, Princess of Montagne, known as Dizzy
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Roger, Duke of Farina
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Tavern Keeper, Frizzante Inn

Modesty, lady-in-waiting to Wisdom
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Patience, lady-in-waiting to Wisdom
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Wilhelmina, Dowager Duchess of Farina
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Fortitude, a serving maid, later lady-in-waiting to Wisdom
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Tips, a circus acrobat
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Rüdiger IV, Emperor of Lax
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Footman, Phraugheloch Palace

Queen Providence abed, with Queen Mother Benevolence, Prince Cuthbert, and young Princess Temperance. Cuthbert is presented an infant.

CUTHBERT:
Another daughter! 'Tis pure delight.

PROVIDENCE:
She will, I am certain, display the benevolence of her grandmother and the temperance of her nearest kin. Shall we name her Wisdom?

CUTHBERT:
The perfect virtue! You are too brilliant, my love. Perhaps one day she will even display a facility with mushrooms.

PROVIDENCE:
We can only hope. Come, Teddy, and meet your new sister. My heart knows you two shall forever be the dearest of friends.

YOUNG TEMPERANCE:
Will she be bound to crown as well?

PROVIDENCE:
No, my sweet, the role of queen is yours alone.

BENEVOLENCE:
Let me hold this gift. O! I must confess it: I sense the spark of magic within this life.

YOUNG TEMPERANCE:
She has magic but no obligations? Then she is twice blessed and I am twice cursed. Not a minute old and already she bests me.

PROVIDENCE:
The crown of queen is blessing, not curse—

YOUNG TEMPERANCE:
So you say! But it is forced upon me.

PROVIDENCE:
Mother—dear mother! Help! Our Nonna Ben convulses!

BENEVOLENCE:
Behold the infant, one and all! This babe, too, shall reign as queen—but not in this world, or on it!

CUTHBERT:
How speak you thus, belle-mere?

YOUNG TEMPERANCE:
Are you ill? Will you die?

BENEVOLENCE:
But wait, the moment passes ... Some queer force moved within me ... Never have I felt such power.

CUTHBERT:
Was it fierce, this force? Should we fear for her life? For ours?

BENEVOLENCE:
'Twas not grave, O no, but rather the premonition of freedom unfettered and unbound ... Acclaim ... Accolades mysterious and bountiful ... But observe. The infant sleeps. For now, she knows only the peace that every baby should.

PROVIDENCE:
O blessed child! What greatness awaits you?

YOUNG TEMPERANCE:
And will you yet love me?

***

Night. Providence and Temperance stroll together.

PROVIDENCE:
How fare you this fine evening?

TEMPERANCE:
I am well, for solitude is blissful. Observe the agapanthus blooming; it has such stately beauty. Such quiet...