Dramatis Personae:
DUKE VINCENT: A wise and just ruler.
LORD AEMILIUS: His treacherous and ambitious cousin.
LADY SOPHIA: A loyal courtier.
A MESSENGER: Bearing crucial news.
SCENE I. The Duke's study. Evening.
[Enter DUKE VINCENT and LADY SOPHIA, discussing documents.]
DUKE VINCENT:
The weight of Aquitaine doth press hard,
Good Sophia. The northern lords complain
Of raids upon their borders, livestock lost,
And Aemilius, cousin, governs there
With iron fist, yet sends no aid, no word.
LADY SOPHIA:
My Lord Duke, Aemilius is a snake.
His smiles are poison, and his counsel, lies.
He seeks to weaken, without doubt,
That he may grasp the power in his hands.
DUKE VINCENT:
Knows ambition, yet have no proof.
He is kin; to accuse without cause
Would tear the realm apart and start a war.
Must move with caution, though the heart doth ache.
[Enter a MESSENGER, travel-worn and weary.]
MESSENGER:
My Lord! A dire message from the north!
The lords have risen up, but not in war
Against the raiders, but against Aemilius!
They have him trapped within his own great keep,
Demanding justice for his cruel demands
And treasonous plots against your gracious rule!
DUKE VINCENT:
(Standing in surprise)
Against your rule? Then they have proof at last!
MESSENGER:
They do, my Lord! Letters secured do show
He planned a coup with forces from the east,
A plot to murder and seize the crown!
DUKE VINCENT:
The heavens are just! The truth doth shine at last!
Sophia, call the guards, prepare the host.
Ride to meet this kinsman, not as friend,
But as a judge of treason most extreme!
[Exit all, with urgency and resolve.]
SCENE II. The north border. Outside Aemilius's keep. Dawn.
[Enter LORD AEMILIUS and his few remaining GUARDS on the ramparts.]
LORD AEMILIUS:
Betrayed! Outwitted by that pious fool,
Cousin Vincent! The northern lords have me
Besieged within my walls. My reinforcements
From Burgundy were stopped by sudden floods.
Curses on my luck!
[Enter DUKE VINCENT on the field below, with LADY SOPHIA, soldiers, and the northern lords.]
DUKE VINCENT:
Aemilius, look upon thy righteous foes!
Thy treason is revealed, thy plots laid bare!
Yield now, and face the justice of the law!
LORD AEMILIUS:
(Shouting from above)
Never, you milk-sop Duke! I’ll die a king,
Not live a subject of your moral yoke!
Come, try and take me! My walls are strong!
DUKE VINCENT:
Then fire shall be our aid! The siege begins!
[The Duke's forces prepare to attack.]
SCENE III. Inside the keep. Moments later.
[The Duke's forces break through the gates. Enter DUKE VINCENT and his SOLDIERS.]
DUKE VINCENT:
Search every room! Find Aemilius the traitor!
[They search. Aemilius is found hiding in a cellar.]
LORD AEMILIUS:
(On his knees, terrified)
Mercy, cousin! I beg you, mercy now!
It was ambition's spur that drove the hand!
DUKE VINCENT:
Mercy? Showed no mercy when you plotted
Assassination and the realm's ruin!
The law is clear for traitors to the crown.
Take him away and let swift justice be done!
[Aemilius is dragged away. The Duke stands tall, victorious.]
DUKE VINCENT:
The realm is purged of this foul, wicked stain!
The north is safe, the borders are secure!
The people cheer the justice of the cause!
[Enter a HERALD with a golden crown, followed by the northern lords.]
NORTHERN LORDS:
Our Duke! Our King! We pledge our fealty now!
You have saved us all with wisdom and with might!
DUKE VINCENT:
Accept thanks, and rule with humble heart.
My reign is just, my kingdom now at peace.
This glorious end shall last for all the ages!
Long live the Duke! Long live the righteous Duke!
[A mighty fanfare of trumpets sounds. The crowd cheers wildly, celebrating the Duke's wisdom, bravery, and the glorious triumph of justice and peace.]
[CURTAIN
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