A Precious Friend: 1-2 Princess of Austria

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The wedding ceremony of Louis XVI, Crown Prince of France, and Princess Marie is to be held today. Gabrielle and Jules leave early to attend the ceremony...

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Style: No dress-up component Rewards: 3,000 , 600 , 1 , 1 , 1 , Blueprint: Spring Scents

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Transcript

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• May 16th, 1770. The wedding ceremony of Louis, heir to the French throne, and Marie-Antoinette of Austria is to be held today.

• I get up early and apply my makeup. Jules waits for me quietly.
• Gabrielle: Would I look disgraceful like this?

• Gabrielle: Is this dress too plain? Should I wear some jewelry?

• Jules: You're nervous, Gabrielle. You're as beautiful as an angel.

• Gabrielle: I should wear the ruby necklace my mother gave me. It was a most precious wedding gift.

• Gabrielle: Could you help me put it on, my dear?

• Jules helps me with the necklace, then rests his hands on my shoulders. His eyes are gentle and warm.
• Jules: Just you watch, Gabrielle, you will be a goddess at the Palace of Versailles.

• Gabrielle: Thank you, Jules. Perhaps I really am too nervous.

• This is my first appearance at such an important occasion, so I'm paying attention to the details.
• Gabrielle: (Though it's a newly tailored dress, it's very plain.)

• Gabrielle: (The only eye-catching thing is the ruby necklace on my chest...)

• I keep staring unhappily at myself in the mirror until Jules gently reminds me...
• Jules: The carriage is ready, Gabrielle. We should get going.

• Gabrielle: All right, let's go.

• Although we were a little delayed in setting out, we have plenty of time. As we get closer to our destination, our way is blocked by commoners flocking to the streets hoping to catch a glimpse of royalty.
• The carriage is frequently stalled before finally arriving at the palace.

• The banquet hall is crowded. Owing to our family's financial situation, Jules and I can only watch from a distant corner near the door.
• Brightly dressed nobles pass by, ignoring us. They greet each other with the usual formality.
• Duchess Charles: Ah, if it isn't the Comtesse Riosa! It's been a long time. You are looking more beautiful and youthful than ever!

• Comtesse Riosa: You too, Duchess Charles.

• Comtesse Riosa: Your dress is magnificent. It complements your beauty with such perfection.

• Duchess Charles: You flatter me! Did you purchase this diamond necklace from Bohmer?

• Duchess Charles: Such paramount workmanship. It's worth its high price.

• Comtesse Riosa: Your dress is just as gorgeous. If I hadn't ordered mine in advance, I would have chosen it without hesitation.

• Hearing their conversation, I can't help but admire the Duchess Charles' dress. The complex embroidery and detailed craftsmanship is familiar...
• Gabrielle: Look, Jules. Didn't we see that dress at Bohmer's store?

• Jules: Yes.

• Gabrielle: That dress cost fifty thousand livres...

• Jules: So what? If one can't regularly attend banquets, then an expensive dress is nothing but a decoration.

• For a moment, Jules' cold remark shocks me.
• Gabrielle: What's wrong, my dear? You don't seem happy...

• The nobles overhear our conversation.
• Duchess Charles: Which noble family is that? Dressed like a maid at a grand wedding?

• Comtesse Riosa: Don't be surprised, Duchess. Some people are born with poor looks and can do nothing but talk behind other people's backs.

• Comtesse Riosa: Look at that ruby necklace. It looks like the one my grandmother used to wear. How old-fashioned.

• Jules becomes sullen at the nobles' contemptuous remarks. I don't feel any better either.
• Gabrielle: (The ruby necklace is our family's most expensive piece of jewelry...)

• Gabrielle: (Am I really so unsuited for such an occasion?)

• Jules clenches his fist and his face contorts.
• Gabrielle: Jules...

• As I steel myself to say more, the nobles become excited.
• Comtesse Riosa: Look! It's Prince Louis and Princess Marie!

• I set my thoughts aside and look at the center of the banquet hall.
• Prince Louis and Princess Marie-Antoinette, wearing a gorgeous dress, make their grand debut.
• Comtesse Riosa: My gosh, the Austrian Princess is absolutely beautiful!

• Duchess Charles: Her dress is so precious and luxurious...

• Everyone sighs in wonder at wedding music, falling flower petals, and resounding applause.
• Even from a distance, I can feel Marie Antoinette's grace, generosity, and beauty.
• Gabrielle: (All of France's nobles are here, admiring her looks...)

• Gabrielle: (Someday, not far in the future, she will be Queen Marie. She is destined for things far beyond my reach.)

• Her beauty eclipses us all, especially me, the most inconspicuous person here.
• Louis XV: We are here today to celebrate the wedding between my grandson and Princess Marie-Antoinette.

• Louis XV: I hope you will all enjoy yourselves in the ball that follows!

• As Louis XV says this, a round of applause erupts. The nobles cheer.
• The nobles gather in the center of the banquet hall and begin to dance.
• The noisy chatter dies down, replaced by joyous music and the tapping of shoes on carpet.
• I forget my earlier unpleasant emotions. I look at Jules, standing there with knitted brows.
• Gabrielle: Jules, my dear...

• Jules: What's the matter?

• Gabrielle: Well, we've not danced together since our wedding...

• I try to soothe my husband's anxiety. He is rather on edge.
• Perhaps realizing his demeanor, Jules' face relaxes and he manages a hint of a smile.
• Jules: I'm sorry, Gabrielle... I should be asking you.

• Jules: May I have the honor of this dance?

• He extends his hand in invitation, like a gentleman.
• Gabrielle: Of course, Jules. I would be delighted.

• I put my hand in his and we dance.

• Graceful and lively music fills the luxuriously decorated banquet hall.
• The rich aroma of wine intertwines with the fragrance of fine perfume. Dancing couples elegantly twirl while others engage in pleasant conversations.
• But even the most beautiful moments have an ending. Once the dance ends, you return to reality...

• Not long after the dreamy royal wedding, Jules' sister Dianna comes to visit.
• Gabrielle: (Dianna hasn't paid a visit since she became a Comtesse's maid.)

• Gabrielle: (What could be the reason for this sudden visit...?)

• As soon as she enters, Dianna begins to criticize me sharply, expressing her great displeasure.
• Dianna: How can you wear such a tattered old dress, Gabrielle?

• Dianna: No wonder you were mocked at the wedding.

• Gabrielle: I...

• Dianna: Even if you're short on money, you must still dress well. You'll bring embarrassment to the Polignac family.

• Gabrielle: (She's about to delve into a sermon. I need to change the subject...)

• Gabrielle: You've become Comtesse Artois' maid? Very impressive.

• Dianna: Well, of course. The Comtesse Artois is a member of the royal family. I've been making frequent visits to the Palace of Versailles recently.

• Dianna: I meet many important people I wouldn't normally get the chance.

• Gabrielle: What important people have you met?

• Dianna: I've often seen the Princess Marie, who recently moved into the palace.

• Dianna: She's the envy of every woman.

• Dianna: Her dresses are gorgeous, she has countless pieces of jewelry, and most important of all, the esteemed title of royalty.

• A dreamy look crosses Dianna's face.
• Gabrielle: Even you envy her?

• Gabrielle: I couldn't really see the Princess at the wedding as I was too far away.

• Dianna: Although the Princess is beautiful, she's a little too arrogant, and doesn't get along with Madame du Barry.

• Gabrielle: Arrogant? Really? I thought...

• Dianna: You haven't even been to the Palace of Versailles, have you? So you wouldn't know.

• Gabrielle: ...That's true.

• Dianna: I'm telling you, Princess Marie doesn't respect Madame du Barry and has never shown her any courtesy.

• Dianna: From what I've seen, she's never even spoken a word to her.

• Dianna: But given Madame du Barry's background, tsk tsk, how many people at the Palace of Versailles really think well of her?

• Dianna says this with a look of contempt, as if she too disregards Madame du Barry.
• Gabrielle: (Madame du Barry's background is indeed a little complicated...)

• Gabrielle: (And the Royal Princess was the Princess of Austria. Their status is vastly different.)

• Gabrielle: You really know a lot, Dianna...

• Dianna then speaks in a haughty manner.
• Dianna: If you could walk the halls of the Palace of Versailles like I do, you wouldn't think such things as shocking secrets.

• Dianna: It's no wonder that I know more than most maids. After all, I am the first maid of the King's brother's wife.

• Dianna: Tell you what, when I get the chance, I'll take you on a tour around the palace.

• Dianna: But you will need to dress better.

• At my insistence, Dianna continues to share interesting gossip from inside the Palace of Versailles with enthusiasm.
• As I listen to Dianna, I begin to empathize with Princess Marie.
• Gabrielle: (Being surrounded by powerful nobles and countless rumors doesn't sound like a happy life...)