CHAPTER IV: DELITA'S BETRAYAL

[Ovelia stands by a window in Zeltennia castle. There come the sounds of commotion from outside and she nervously moves towards the door.]

HARSH VOICE: Where did he escape to?

[She continues her approach.]

ANOTHER VOICE: You search over there!

ANOTHER VOICE: He was wounded trying to escape! He must still be near!

[Ovelia holds her hands to her face as Olan staggers into the room, obviously injured. He drops to the ground and she along with him.]

OVELIA: Olan!! Are you ok!? What an awful wound. Be strong...

OLAN: Ovelia, your Highness... I must tell you...

OVELIA: Don't speak...

[He looks at her.]

OLAN: Please... Listen to me... My stepfather Orlandu didn't murder Lord Goltana... Suspected of conspiracy, my stepfather escaped Bethla with Ramza Beoulve... Now, he's fighting to stop the High Priest's evil plot.

OVELIA: I trusted Uncle not to start any rebellious moment...

[Ovelia looks up as more voices sound from outside.]

HARSH VOICE: No good! The door won't open!

ANOTHER VOICE: Highness! Are you safe!?

VOICE: Please! Open this door!

[Ovelia leans towards Olan.]

OVELIA: Then...who? Who killed Lord Goltana?

OLAN: It was...

[The door finally opens. Two Nanten enter.]

NANTEN KNIGHT (Male Knight): Your Highness... Are you alright?

[The other knight turns and shouts into the hall.]

NANTEN KNIGHT: Here he is!!

[Delita enters, dressed in a nobleman's robes. The knights kneel.]

DELITA: You there,leave [sic] this room.

NANTEN KNIGHT: Huh?

DELITA: I said, leave this room!

NANTEN KNIGHT: B, But...

DELITA: I'll not say it again!

NANTEN KNIGHT: Y, Yes...

[The knights leave as Balmafula enters. Both she and Delita stand on either side of Olan. Ovelia turns to Delita.]

OVELIA: Please! Don't be rough on Olan!

[Delita kneels close to Olan.]

DELITA: Such a foolish thing you did, Olan.

[Olan turns to him.]

OLAN: You...traitor.

DELITA: Oh, please. You know you wanted this too. Look around. See anyone who's really saddened? You should thank me for 'killing' your father...now nobody will be after him.

OLAN: Stop that nonsense!

[Ovelia stands.]

OVELIA: Why, Why did you do such a thing?

[Delita stands and looks to her.]

DELITA: I told you I'd make you into a real monarch.

OVELIA: You liar! You're just trying to use me!

DELITA: You don't trust me?

OVELIA: ...

DELITA: Well...Ovelia?

[She bows her head.]

OVELIA: I'd like to trust you... But...

DELITA: I must talk to Olan. Go to your room...

[She looks to him.]

OVELIA: Please... Be gentle with him...

DELITA: Ok. I promise...

[She begins to leave, but she stops and lingers near the doorway to eavesdrop on the conversation to follow.]

OLAN: I don't care. All I wanted was to clear my stepfather. Do it in one deathblow...

DELITA: What are you talking about? I can't have you dead.

OLAN: What am I worth to you alive?

DELITA: You'll work under me.

OLAN: Ha, ha, ha. Don't be a fool. I refuse, even if it means death!

[Delita walks towards the window as he speaks.]

DELITA: You cannot refuse. I'll bring down the Hokuten and build Ovelia's kingdom. Of course I'll kill the High Priest. I'm not his dog.

[Balmafula and Olan turn to him.]

OLAN: Are you serious? What the hell...?

DELITA: I'm sure you know I'm right. What I'm planning to do is completely justified. A former squire, now in control of Knights, and restoring order to the world. It's easy to understand. This's the 'hero' the people have been demanding.

OLAN: For that, you're going to take advantage of everything?

DELITA: Is that wrong?

[Ovelia flees from the hallway where she's been listening. Balmafula in the meantime turns to Delita.]

DELITA: What's the matter? Want to kill me?

[She draws a dagger.]

DELITA: I know the High Priest sent you as an 'assassin'. And if I betray you,you'll [sic] kill me, right?

[Delita walks towards her. She backs away.]

DELITA: Go on...Stab me with that dagger. What's the matter? Go on... If you don't kill me... I'll kill you!

[He moves towards her. The screen goes dark, and there is the sound of a woman's scream.]