The scene that I would like to rewrite is the scene where Miranda and Ferdinand are shown off to each other and they decide right there that they love each other. I think the idea of showing them off to each other and playing it off as though it happened by chance didn’t sit well with me. It fit better to have Miranda and Ferdinand met separately and Prospero finds a new way to enact his plan of revenge. I found the themes of manipulation and deception to be interesting and I wanted to continue that theme and incorporate it into my own short story. This is my rewriting of that scene and I hope you all enjoy it!

“Father!” A delighted screech echoed through the castle walls, Miranda, a small petite woman danced on her tippy toes while a scruff, but the gentle-looking man followed. “Father, I have exciting news, and I hope you don’t object.” The young woman glanced over to the man before looking at her father. Prospero was a tired old man, he had wrinkles that seem to come with age and wisdom and long gray hair that decorated his dark coat’s back. “What is it?” Prospero grunted, his eyebrows cocking towards the sky while his dark brown eyes set upon the younger man’s visage. “This is Ferdinand, we’ve known about each other for some time now, Father. I was hoping that you’d grant us your blessing… We want to wed.” Miranda’s face brightened even more as if that was even possible. Her grip tightened on Ferdinand and she let out a short sigh, holding back the rest of her excitement in case she was met with disappointment.

“Wed? Miranda, you are nothing more than a child. A princess as well, do you feel it is wise to marry a man that I did not arrange for you?” Prospero’s tired eyes seem to come to life with anger. The small flame in his eyes gazed from Miranda back to Ferdinand who looked uncomfortable. Ferdinand cleared his throat, stepping forward to hide Miranda’s body behind him, “Sir, if I may. My Father is King of Naples, I am next in line for the throne. I know you did not arrange this, but my country is rich and will benefit you. I love Miranda, and I promise to take care of her and protect her, sir.” Ferdinand bowed his head slightly to show respect towards the old man. Miranda followed suit, her eyes down to the floor as she was too afraid to catch her father’s stare.

Prospero looked between Miranda and Ferdinand, a slight smile coming to his lips. Soon he sat forward, letting out a small sigh and began to spoke, “My Miranda? She is a very prized woman. You must have a lot to offer if you are to wed her.” There was a dark glint in the old magician’s eyes, his plan to take revenge on Ferdinand’s father was falling into his lap without much effort. “It must be meant to be if you found each other…” The man’s voice trailed off as if he was deep in thought and couldn’t formulate his thoughts into words. “It is fate, sir. I love her, and I’m willing to do anything to marry her. I’ll even pledge myself to you and only you, sir.”

“No!” The old man snapped quickly, his eyes squinting and his fist clenching. “Your family will wed into mine. She deserves two families as I am nothing more than an old man, what if something were to happen to me? She needs someone.” Prospero’s stance relaxed slightly, but he was still tense at the thought of losing his way to revenge. “Miranda, do you love him?” Prospero glanced back towards Miranda who had finally lifted her head up after she was spoken to. “Yes Father, I do really love him.” Prospero nodded once, standing up to walk to Ferdinand and Miranda. He placed a hand upon each of their shoulders. “Then you have my blessings. Ferdinand, invite your father and mother. I’m sure they won’t want to miss this.” He gave a bright smile, one hidden with his own desires.