(Scene fades the castle throne room. The King is seen sitting on his throne talking with a couple of servants when Soranus approaches him. He casually whispers something into the King's ear and his eyes widen in shock)
King Chalcodon: What?! …Straw? Into gold?
Soranus: Yes, Sire! Absurd, isn't it?
Prince Gallus: (walks into the room) Hey, dad. Sorry I'm late. I was just… (notices his father isn't listening to him and frowns) Uh, dad?
King Chalcodon: Ludicrous. If the Miller's daughter really can do such a thing, then why would he and his family live so humbly? He was probably just telling tales.
Soranus: I'm sure he was, Sire. But then again, it might be possible. You never know. I suggest you check this out before jumping to conclusions.
King Chalcodon: Hmm, maybe you're right. She does sound like someone that I should meet. (strokes his beard in thought)
Prince Gallus: DAD!
King Chalcodon: (yelps in surprise and turns to see his son standing nearby) Oh! Gallus, son! Sorry. Didn't see you there.
Prince Gallus: (hushed) Clearly. (normal voice) What's going on?
King Chalcodon: Well, Soranus just told me that there's a maid in the kingdom that can spin straw into gold.
Prince Gallus: What? Who?
Soranus: The Miller's daughter, apparently.
Prince Gallus: Say what now?
King Chalcodon: I know. Can you believe it?
Prince Gallus: No. That can't be right.
King Chalcodon: What makes you say that, son?
Soranus: I can explain that, Your Majesty. Prince Gallus here was out riding earlier today and he just so happened to pop by while I was collecting taxes from the Miller. And he decided to stop me from doing so.
King Chalcodon: Is this true?
Prince Gallus: Well… yes, it is. But that's not the point. I was—
Soranus: You're right, my prince. It isn't. I believe the point is that you also had the chance to share a chat with this Miller's daughter. Didn't you?
King Chalcodon: Really? (raises an eyebrow at his son) Is she pretty?
(Gallus stays silent, but blushes and awkwardly looks away)
Soranus: I knew it. Your Highness, didn't your father tell you to stay away from the local girls?
Prince Gallus: (sighs and rolls his eyes in annoyance) Yes, multiple times. (to the King) But dad, you don't actually believe what Soranus is saying, do you? This has to be some kinda mistake.
King Chalcodon: We'll see about that. (to Soranus) I want you to fetch the Miller and his family and bring them here tonight.
Soranus: Of course. (bows before the King) Whatever you say, Sire. I'll see to the arrangements. (walks away with a malicious smirk)
Prince Gallus: (notices Soranus' expression and turns to the King) Dad, are you sure this is a good idea?
King Chalcodon: Don't worry, son. This will merely teach the Miller a lesson not to lie.
Prince Gallus: But do you really have to drag his daughter into this? She's innocent, I'm sure of it.
King Chalcodon: Gallus, please. You're too young, allow me to handle this. When you're older, you'll understand. (walks off in another direction)
Prince Gallus: (groans and facepalms) Oh brother. I feel really bad for Ida. I wish there was something I could do. (looks out the nearby window)
(Scene cuts to inside Cameo's house that evening. Khloe had finished making dinner and Ida is seen setting the table as Cameo sits down)
Ida: Hey, dad? Grandma? (sets down when she finishes setting the table. Her grandmother sits beside her as she places a plate of food in front of each of them) Do you think I'll ever meet that boy again?
Khloe: Boy?
Ida: You know, the one who helped us with Lord Soranus. Gallus was his name. (takes a bite of food from her plate) Don't you think he was nice?
Cameo: Oh, him. Yes, he most certainly was a gentleman.
Khloe: I bet you'll see him again. (gently pats Ida's shoulder)
Cameo: But I wouldn't get your hopes up, sweetheart. (takes a bites out of his meal) With your looks and charm, you're more than worthy to be a royal bride. Trust me.
Ida: Dad, will you stop bragging? It's really annoying. And some of the things you say aren't even true. You know I can't spin straw into gold, no one can.
Cameo: Puh-lease. I simply embellish the truth, there's nothing wrong with that. It's harmless. (takes another bite of food)
Ida: But what do you think will happen if someone decides to take your claims seriously? Hmm? Your lying and boasting could get us into real trouble.
Khloe: You know she has a point. (takes a sip from her cup)
Cameo: Ugh, quit worrying! I'm not hurting anyone by exaggerating from time to time. Besides, what could happen?
(A knock at the door is heard. Ida, Khloe, and Cameo turn their heads towards the door)
Khloe: Who could that be?
Ida: (stands up from the table) I'll get it. (walks to the door and opens it to reveal Soranus standing before her. She gasps) Lord Soranus?
(Cameo and Khloe shoot up in shock. Soranus enters the house)
Cameo: Lord Soranus, sir! What brings you here? It's awfully late, isn't it?
Soranus: Yes, but I don't care. I'm here on behalf of His Majesty. (to Ida) The King wants to see you.
Ida: Me? The King wants to see ME?
Soranus: Yes, immediately.
Ida: But… why?
Soranus: No time for that, dear. (takes Ida's hand) You'll learn everything when we get to the castle. (starts to drag Ida towards the door, but stops and turns his head to face Cameo and Khloe) You two can come too, unless you have a desire to disobey your King.
(Cameo and Khloe look at each other nervously, then at Ida. Soranus has a smug expression on his face. They sigh in defeat)
(Scene cuts to the country road. Soranus is seen driving his chariot down the road with four guards on horseback beside him and Ida and her family riding with him. The chariot pulls up to the castle and the gates open. Soranus takes Ida's hand and leads her through the castle hall with Khloe and Cameo following close behind. They stop at the doors to the throne room)
Soranus: Wait here. (opens the doors and slinks inside)
Ida: I don't like this.
(The doors open and two guards allow the group into the throne room. King Chalcodon is seen on his throne with Soranus standing beside him on his right while Prince Gallus is standing on his left)
Soranus: Your Majesty, meet the Miller and his family.
King Chalcodon: Come in, all of you. (ushers the trio forward)
(Ida, Cameo, and Khloe anxiously step forward and stop a few yards away from the King before they all bow to him. Ida glances up to see Gallus smirking and waving at her. She shyly waves back)
King Chalcodon: Please, rise. (the small family reluctantly stands up) (to Cameo) You, good sir, must be the Miller.
Cameo: Uh… (clears his throat) That I am, Sire. My name is Cameo, and this is my mother Khloe.
King Chalcodon: Charmed. (to Ida) And you must be this Miller's daughter, yes?
Cameo: Yes she is, my lord. Ida is her name.
Soranus: She can speak, can she not?
Ida: Yes I can. And you shouldn't talk to people like that. It's rude.
(The entire court gasps and starts whispering to one another. Soranus opens his mouth to speak, but the King quickly stops him and the court falls silent)
King Chalcodon: I suppose you're wondering why you're here. (wags his finger, allowing Ida to come closer) That's because I recently heard a rumor about you, dear.
Ida: Me?
King Chalcodon: Yes, you. Your father says you can spin straw into gold.
(Ida tenses up and glares at her father, who looks away shamefully)
King Chalcodon: Mind you, I don't take kindly to liars. But I must know, Miss Ida. If what your father says is true, how do you perform such a marvelous feat?
Ida: (under her breath) Beats the heck outta me. (Khloe hits her with her walking stick) Ow! (normal voice) I-I mean it… it's… an old family secret. (smiles nervously as the court starts whispering to one another again)
King Chalcodon: So you're saying it's true?
(The room falls silent again)
Soranus: If she says so, it must be! And to prove it, this fine young lady should and will spin us a room full of gold! (wickedly smirks at Ida)
Cameo: She is? Oh! Uh, I mean she is! Of course she is! Right, honey? (Ida steps down hard on her father's foot) Ow.
King Chalcodon: Excellent.
Soranus: (steps forward) But if we discover that you can't spin straw into gold and everything that was said about you is a lie, then you and your family will be punished most severely.
(Ida, Cameo, and Khloe gawk in shock)
Prince Gallus: What? Dad, no! You can't—
King Chalcodon: Son, quiet! (to Ida) You do understand, don't you? And are you willing to be put to the test?
Ida: I… I… (pauses, then hangs her head in defeat) Yes, Your Majesty. I'll do my best.
King Chalcodon: Good. I'd expect nothing less. Prepare a room with a bale of straw and a spinning wheel. I expect that straw to be spun to gold by tomorrow morning.
Soranus: But remember the penalty if you fail to deliver. (snaps his fingers)
(Two guards appear on either side of Ida. She turns to Gallus for help and he reaches out, but the King stops him. The guards take Ida away before anyone could stop her)
Prince Gallus: Dad, this is so unfair. You can't expect her to do this.
King Chalcodon: I know what I'm doing, son. (gets up from his throne and walks away with Soranus following close behind. Gallus turns to Cameo and Khloe with an apologetic look; they give him anxious expressions)
(From another corner of the room, a dark figure with glowing orange eyes chuckles to himself as he disappears into the shadows)