_______ SOMEWHERE ________
_________ CARLOS _________
(Running) Finally… my suffering ends here! I will no longer be a slave to you traitors. I'll find my own path first, and then I'll destroy you.
_____________
While there are people ruled by kindness and friendship—as witnessed in Kala Village—there are also those ruled by evil and aggression.
In a village on the northern border, where endless snow falls, lies Sola Village, which harbors hatred and resentment toward the Imperial Family.
This hatred began ten years ago, when the major clans nicknamed it the "Emperor's Trash."
It was at that exact time that Princess Maria was exiled to that village—a princess who was supposed to inherit the throne.
In Sola Village, there is a story told by ancestors long gone. It differs slightly from Kala Village's legends:
"When the first ruler's snow melts, he awakens the one who makes blood into fertilizer for the soil, so the Tree of Eternity will sprout, blinding the enemy and opening Heaven's gates to every great warrior. Then the enemy will perish as all perish, and the Mother will finally be freed of her burden, returning to her origin, ultimately perishing, for all is mortal except the Lord of Worlds."
__________ SOLA VILLAGE ________
________ MARIA'S HOUSE ____
______ Woman _______
Please… please, sir… I beg you! Let me in! My son is really sick! Please, let me see Doctor Maria! Even if you charge money as a guard, surely you have some mercy for this poor woman. Please, let me into Doctor Maria's office… my son will die… please! (crying)
_____ Watchman _____
(Angry) As I told you—if you want to enter and have your son treated, pay money.
If you don't have any, it's better you leave. As for your child… I think he's already dead.
_______ /Door opens/ _______
______ MARIA ______
What is all this commotion? And at midnight, no less?!
______ Watchman ______
Don't worry, ma'am. It's just a commoner… nothing—
______ Woman ______
(Approaching Maria) Please, ma'am, help my son! You're a doctor, right? Then you must be kind. Please, help me!
_______ Watchman ______
(Strikes the woman) I told you! We're not a charity!
_______ The Baby ______
(Crying)
_______ MARIA ______
Damn it! You woke me up from my sleep for something so trivial!
_______ Watchman ______
Sorry, ma'am. I'll take her away immediately!
_______ MARIA ______
Stop! I don't want any more trouble. You! …Woman, do you hear me?
______ Woman ______
(Crying) Y-yes, ma'am?!
_______ MARIA ______
I'll treat your child. Just let me sleep.
______ Woman ______
Thank you so much, ma'am! I owe you my life—I'll do anything!
_____ Watchman ______
But, ma'am…
_____ MARIA ______
(Angry) What? Do you have a problem?
_______ Watchman ______
Well… I mean… no… I don't have a problem. Sorry for the trouble!
_____ MARIA ______
Good then.
_______ The Baby ______
(Crying)
_____ Woman ______
Calm down, little one. You'll be fine now.
____ MARIA ______
You, woman, come inside and quiet your child!
_______ Woman ______
O… okay… I'm sorry, and thank you so much, ma'am!
_____ POV MARIA ______
Damn! If it weren't for my honor and my sleep, I would've ignored this annoying woman!
____ /Door closes/ ____
________ 2 hours later _______
______ The Baby ______
(Laughing)
_____ MARIA ______
It's done. Make sure he's fed well!
______ Woman ______
(Joyful) Thank you… thank you so much! I… I'm so grateful, ma'am. Sorry if I caused trouble. It's my child, after all, but I won't feel at peace like this!
______ MARIA ______
(Fake smile) …Th-This…
_____ POV MARIA ______
(Angry) Do you still want something else?!
_____ Woman ______
Yes! I'm not satisfied at all! After all, I can't just leave you like this!
_____ MARIA ______
Excuse me, ma'am? Is something wrong?
_____ Woman ______
Yes! There's a big problem! I can't repay your kindness with money, but you can ask me for anything within my means, and I will do it!
_____ MARIA ______
But…
_____ Woman ______
I insist! Please! So my conscience and my son's will be at ease!
_____ MARIA ______
(Sighs) Since you insist… there is indeed something. I don't have much time. Are you really sure about this desire of yours?
_____ Woman ______
Yes, ma'am! I'm sure.
_____ MARIA ______
Alright, then! But remember: "you cannot back out." As I said before, you'll do anything, right?! Then, follow me outside and leave your child here—I'll take good care of him.
________ Woman _______
Alright, thank you!
______ /Door opens/ _______
________ Watchman _______
Ma'am! Do you need anything?
_____ MARIA ______
No, nothing in particular! And you, woman, what is your name?
____ Woman ______
M-My name? …Okay… my name is Sa… Samantha, ma'am!
________ MARIA _______
(Smiles) Good. Samantha, I'll explain your task, but remember! Keep it a secret. Do you promise me?
______ SAMANTHA ______
(Nervous) I… I promise, ma'am!
____ POV SAMANTHA _____
(Joyful) She… she smiled at me!
_______ MARIA ______
Good. That's settled, then. I'll start now!
______ /Screaming /_______