INT. ANASHIA'S SAFE HOUSE – BEDROOM – CONTINUOUS
Anashia has put on his clothes. He is moving toward the door to leave the room. Determination is in his eyes—he will obey Alia's order but will return quickly.
Alia (ALIA) was lying on the bed, her eyes a mix of tears and resolve.
Suddenly, just as Anashia is about to reach the door, Alia stops him with a sharp, suppressed voice.
ALIA
(Almost a wail)
"Stop! You are not leaving now, Anashia."
Anashia freezes. He turns to look at Alia. There is a question in his eyes—was the hard decision they just made wrong?
ANASHIA
(Slowly, in a confused voice)
"Alia... you were the one who said..."
ALIA
(Quickly sitting up on the bed, extreme panic on her face)
"The danger is not over yet! I know... I know Victor's people followed us. I drove here; they won't let me go. This place is not safe."
Alia gets up and walks towards Anashia. Her eyes are fixed, showing the fear of a lover more than a Queen.
ALIA
(Placing her hand on Anashia's chest, whispering)
"If you leave, I will be alone. And if you go outside, you will die. Victor will be looking for you. You are my only weakness, Anashia. You are not leaving now. We have to be together... at least until we know what to do."
Anashia hesitates no longer. Alia's fear does not weaken him; it re-energizes him. He holds Alia's hand, feeling the warmth of that pistol-wielding hand.
ANASHIA
(In a firm, calm voice)
"Then we will stay together. And together we will dismantle this danger piece by piece. You are not leaving... I am not leaving."
Scene: "The Silence of the Throne"
INT. VICTOR'S PRIVATE CHAMBER – ALIA'S PENTHOUSE – MORNING
The Moscow morning light enters Victor's lavishly decorated private chamber. The room is filled with black, grey, and deep red furnishings—symbols of Victor's personality: power, authority, and bloodshed.
Alia (ALIA) is sitting in a recliner chair in the middle of the room. She is in a completely new outfit, wearing a crisp, grey suit-costume, her hair pulled back tightly. She holds no cigarette or weapon, but there is sharp steel in her eyes.
Alia's presence in Victor's room during his absence is not just waiting; it is an occupation. She silently observes Victor's belongings, the maps on his table, and his private documents. Each object seems to give her new information about Victor's power and vulnerability.
A photograph of Victor in a military uniform, smiling like a victor, sits on a nearby table.
Alia stares at the photo. Pain flashes in her eyes for a moment, but it is quickly covered by political coldness.
ALIA
(In a low voice, to herself)
"You may love me, Victor. But you forgot, this kingdom is not just yours."
Suddenly, there are slight footsteps outside the door. Alia quickly leans back against the chair, returning to a calm, normal posture. Her heart rate is fast, but no change is visible to the outside world. She is now the perfect Queen.
SOUND: The soft sound of the door opening.
Scene: "Yuri's Dilemma and Alia's Gambit"
INT. VICTOR'S PRIVATE CHAMBER – ALIA'S PENTHOUSE – MORNING
The soft sound of the door opening.
Yuri (YURI) enters—Victor's extremely loyal and tough aide. Yuri's eyes are sharp, his face like stone. He usually does not hesitate to enter Victor's room, but today he freezes.
His eyes fall directly on Alia sitting in the middle of the room. Alia's calm, authoritative presence in Victor's private chamber, in his favourite chair, visibly shocks Yuri. A momentary inconsistency appears on Yuri's face.
Alia meets his gaze. Her expression is cold, perfectly controlled.
ALIA
(In a calm but sharp voice, directly in Russian)
"Yuri. You are late."
Yuri quickly composes himself. He bows slightly before Alia—which is now not just custom but allegiance to the new power.
YURI
(With suppressed concern in his voice)
"Madam Alia. I did not expect you here. Victor Ivanovich... where is he?"
ALIA
(Smiling faintly, that smile as cold as ice)
"You don't need to look for Victor now, Yuri. His work is now in my hands. Did you forget, I am part of this kingdom? Or are you only loyal to Victor?"
Alia raises a finger and points to a paper on the table.
ALIA
"I want to know the report that came from NLS Command... what information did Anashia give there? And what is the South Command's plan? Give me a detailed report. Now."
Alia's direct, power-grabbing question stuns Yuri. He knows the woman sitting before him is no longer Victor's weakness.
YURI
(In a weak voice)
"As you command, Madam."
Yuri looks back at the door, as if checking if he has a chance to escape from this room. But he knows, the game has changed Scene: "Yuri's Hesitation and Alia's Move"
INT. VICTOR'S PRIVATE CHAMBER – ALIA'S PENTHOUSE – MORNING
Alia's cold question sweeps away all of Yuri's cleverness. He quickly thinks—Where is Victor? Did Alia kill him? Or is this just a change of power?
YURI
(Hesitating slightly, without taking his eyes off the files)
"Madam, the NLS report says Anashia was seen in the South Command network a week ago. But we suspect he is on Russian soil now. Victor Ivanovich... he was a little concerned about this information."
ALIA
(Calmly, looking directly into Yuri's eyes)
"Concerned, or afraid? You are avoiding my question, Yuri."
Alia gets up from the chair. Her presence makes the solemn atmosphere of Victor's chamber even colder.
ALIA
"I don't need Victor now. I need you. I know what Victor dreamt of with his royal blood. You are part of that family too, Yuri. You all stood by Victor because he used the name of the dynasty."
Alia's words turn Yuri's face pale. He knows Alia has grasped their secret weakness.
YURI
(In a low voice)
"Madam, my loyalty is always to the State."
ALIA
(Leaning over the table, whispering)
"Good. From now on, I am the State. You continue looking for Victor with all his men—but secretly. No one should know where and why he is missing. And you will obstruct the South Command's plan to catch Anashia."
Alia's instruction was a clear instruction for betrayal. Yuri faces the riskiest decision of his life.
YURI
(Bowing his head)
"I understand, Madam. But what if Victor Ivanovich returns...?"
ALIA
(Smiling—a cruel, confident smile)
"If he returns, Yuri... he will find his Queen stronger than ever. Go now. And tell Maria to bring me coffee."
Yuri quickly exits the room; fear and a new purpose are evident in his hurried steps.
Alia returns to the chair. She looks at the royal photograph of Victor's parents on the table. She picks up the photo and slowly turns it over.
ALIA
(To herself, in Russian)
"Теперь мой ход, Виктор."
(Translation: Now it's my move, Victor.)
Scene: "The King's Return and the Queen's Game"