(in the evening, Catherine, Diane, Michael and leone sat in the garden for a tea party. standing far behind them were the array of servants ready at their beck and call. a slow music was playing from a band in the far corner. They were engaging in small chats and laughing when Carissa came.)
LEONA:( emotional) carissa, child! come on, give me a hug!(embraced her for a couple of minutes) have you been undertaking some fasts? you've got so thin!
CARISSA: (cooly) I'm fine. (sat down) hello dad.
MICHEAL: (coldly) Carissa, trust you've been good?
CARISSA: (grinned) never better. (smiled) oh don't worry your impact is not lost on me.
CATHERINE: (Laughed lightly) I beg your finest pardon, Michael. what she meant was that she has you to thank for all the love and care she's been receiving. see I've understood that your daughter's way of displaying affection is usually to say the opposite of how she feels. out of this world! (Carissa is puzzled)
MICHAEL: Anyways, I'm sure you know why we have come. (stopped when Carissa started to taste the food)
LEONA:(cleared her throat) carissa, your father is speaking.
CARISSA: I know, so I'm not saying a word.
LEONA: stop eating.
CARISSA: why? it's not like I'm using my mouth for anything else.
LEONA: (snapped) stop eating. (Carissa stopped, then dropped the fork)
MICHAEL: you must have been too busy dieting you forgot to have a meal before coming.
CARISSA: (rolled her eyes) That. and not to mention this looks delicious.
MICHAEL: (watchful) Anyways, I take it you're ready now?
CARISSA: (feigning ignorance) for what?
MICHAEL: what do you think?
CARISSA: oh that. (nodded) yes I am.
MICHAEL: you are ready to marry Edwards?
CARISSA: (feigned surprise) oh is that it? (chuckled) I thought you just meant if I wanted to get married, cause I do.
MICHAEL: just not Edwards?
CARISSA: yeah.
MICHAEL: (perplexed) then why did you ring us?
CARISSA:what do you mean? I didn't ring you. I only rang my mom and we can both agree there are plenty of reasons I could do that.
MICHAEL:(chuckled) ain't that right?
CARISSA: (chipped in) it's not that I don't like him. just there are some things I can't bear except he changes. his legs for instance. too bony. look at his jaw and it's too fat. his hands are full of veins. and that eyes, nose, lips, he could certainly do better.
LEONA: (exclaimed) darling, that's the whole of him!
MICHAEL: I understand. (to Catherine) we're done here.
CATHERINE: Diane, do you mind taking your friend for a walk? I have some catching up to do with the Howards.
DIANE: (stood up) yes mother(politely to Carissa) I'll walk with you lady Carissa. (she stood and left without another word)
MICHAEL:(without looking at her) you too Leona. (leona left them)
CATHERINE: Is there something bothering you my lord?
MICHAEL: How are you treating her to get her becoming more fearless?
CATHERINE: You cannot expect the change in such an instant. it takes time to break them down.
MICHAEL: Not like this. this one is getting even tougher to me.
CATHERINE: it's the first stage. eventually, she's going to wear out. I intend to stop at nothing till she becomes that.
MICHAEL: you'll have to do a better job then. you either put in your all or you don't bother lifting a finger.
CATHERINE: Michael...
MICHAEL: (cut in) it's lord to you! lord Michael.
CATHERINE: My lord, you brought her here because you trust me. Don't deviate. I am still as capable and you have nothing to fear.
MICHAEL: Then damn well prove it! (stood up and marched out)
ACT 2 SCENE 3: ANOTHER REALITY
(Diane led Carissa outside the garden holding hands. once far away from any possible view, she dropped the act)
DIANE: you know you're in so much more trouble now than before. you should've just stayed quiet in there.
CARISSA: unfortunately, I'm not of the likes of you afraid of voicing out my own opines.
DIANE: (giggled) is that so? then keep heaping unnecessary pressure on yourself
CARISSA: where can I get some monashwood?
DIANE: I'm not done talking here.
CARISSA: is there a reason I should continue to listen to you rant?
DIANE: see, you should really give me some respect here. you don't even know where to find your whatever wood. you need me more than you think you do, but I won't pay you any heed until I start seeing changes in the way you at least, perceive me.
CARISSA: i perceive you are definitely brave. talking to me like that is a skill that cannot be learnt. I hope it works out for you for a long time even after this.
DIANE: after this is only one option, you marry Edwards. then you won't even be able to come around here because he'll take you far far away.
CARISSA: When that happens, I would be so much powerful, I can just have guards swooping in on you. why should I go through the stress when I can have others do it anyways?
DIANE: (gasped) does this mean you're agreeing to marry him?
CARISSA: (shrugged) I have more reasons than not to.
DIANE: (shuddered) you never mentioned this at tea. I thought you said you don't like him.
CARISSA: what is it to you?
DIANE: it means a whole lot. (thought) I have to... (hurriedly) you'll have to excuse me.