A Precious Friend: 1-3 The Ball in Versailles

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Louis XVI succeeds to the throne. Diane, who hasn't visited for a long time, invites Jules and Gabrielle to the ball the Palace of Versailles. The cash-strapped couple finds a way to purchase fancy clothing for the ball.

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Style: No dress-up component Rewards: 3,000 , 600 , 1 , 1 , 1 , Blueprint: Attentive Lilies

Attentive Lilies

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Transcript

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• A long time has passed since Dianna's last visit.
• During that time, the nation of France changed—the old king passed and the new king ascended to the throne.
• Gabrielle: (Dianna must be extremely busy with matters at court.)

• But who would have expected her to visit today.
• Dianna: My dear brother, my dear Gabrielle, it's been a long time.

• Dianna wears a well-cut, luxuriously designed dress, and an exquisite and expensive diamond necklace.
• She looks even more high-spirited than before.
• Jules: What brings you here, my dear sister? I thought you were quite busy these days.

• Dianna: Alas, I am. The Comtesse has ordered me to help her move into the palace.

• Dianna: Sometimes I'm waiting on banquets, other times I'm selecting jewelry for her.

• Dianna: She loves extravagant jewelry... This diamond necklace was a gift from her.

• Dianna speaks with pride, her heavily-powdered face showing the contours of a dazzling smile.
• Dianna: The Palace of Versailles hosts regular salons for noblewomen. Everyone loves these gatherings.

• Dianna: Ah, you won't understand any of this anyway. I trust everything has been well at Claye Manor? It's been quite some time since my last visit.

• Gabrielle: We are both doing quite well.

• Dianna: Heavens, my dear Gabrielle, you look like you've gotten thinner.

• Dianna: And why are you still wearing these old clothes?! They're from years ago!

• Gabrielle: Dianna, you know our finances are tight...

• Dianna: That won't do at all. A woman's dress is the crux of her appearance, especially for someone your age. You ought to dress with a little more glamour.

• Gabrielle: I don't go out much. And there's nothing wrong with wearing old clothes around the house.

• Dianna: Times have changed, Gabrielle. As a noblewoman, you must learn some social etiquette.

• Gabrielle: First, you need to put some more effort into your appearance...

• Jules: Enough, sister. Stop lecturing Gabrielle.

• Jules: What's the purpose of your visit today?

• Dianna appears somewhat displeased at Jules' interruption, but her expression quickly becomes haughty again.
• Dianna: Versailles is going to hold a ball soon.

• Dianna: And I said I would take you both to the palace. I'm finally making good on that promise.

• Dianna: This is a splendid opportunity to join the nobles' social circle. You cannot pass it up!

• Gabrielle: I can go to a ball... at Versailles?

• Gabrielle: But I don't have a suitable gown...

• Dianna: Heavens, Gabrielle! You don't have a single suitable ball gown!?

• Dianna gasps in disbelief. To the side, Jules frowns.
• Dianna: It wasn't easy for me to obtain this opportunity for you. And Queen Marie herself will be attending!

• Dianna: You cannot miss this! Buy yourself a new dress right now, Gabrielle!

• Dianna: I don't care if you have to pawn your valuables or borrow money, Jules! We cannot lose face!

• Dianna: Not just mine, but the face of the family. Do you understand?

• Jules: ...Say no more, Dianna. We'll think of something.

• Jules sounds exasperated, but also...a little tempted.
• Dianna: Really? You're sure you can handle this?

• Dianna's arrogant voice is full of doubt.
• Jules: I'll get it arranged, even if we have to borrow money.

• Dianna: I'm relieved to hear that. After all... I'm only worried that something might go wrong.

• Dianna seems completely oblivious to the awkward atmosphere. She just keeps on talking.
• Dianna: All right, I need to go see the Comtesse. She can't do without me...

• Dianna: I'll come by in three days' time to take you to Versailles

• Dianna dashes off, leaving Jules and I with the problem at hand.
• Gabrielle: Jules, I'm glad to hear that you're willing to attend the ball. But our finances...

• Jules: My dear Gabrielle, let me worry about the money problem.

• Gabrielle: But...

• Jules: This is the perfect opportunity for our family to make an appearance. I will take care of everything.

• Jules comforts me for a while, and then goes out to solve the money problem.

• The next day, he says he has already resolved the matter, and invites me to go dress shopping.
• I'm somewhat anxious, but Jules assures me with confidence that there is nothing to worry about. We then get on the carriage to go to Bohmer's shop.

• Bohmer: Ah! If it isn't Monsieur and Madame Polignac! What an honor to have you visit my humble store...

• Bohmer: Is there something I can help you with? Do you need a new dress or...?

• Gabrielle: Um... I was wondering if you have any suitable ball gowns?

• Bohmer: What a coincidence! A new batch of dresses just came in, all produced by famous designers...

• Bohmer: Meticulous craftsmanship, dignified and stylish, yet luxurious. They will be a perfect match for you!

• Gabrielle: Well... Bohmer, that might not be the sort of dress I'm looking for...

• Bohmer: Oh, Madame Polignac, is there something that concerns you?

• Gabrielle: To be frank, we don't have enough money.

• Jules frowns at my honesty.
• Jules: Money is not a problem, Bohmer. You need only provide a suitable dress.

• Gabrielle: But Jules, my dear, we really don't have that much money for a ball gown...

• Bohmer: Ball? If I may ask, are you going to attend the ball at Versailles?

• Gabrielle: ...Yes.

• Bohmer: Well, since you are attending the palace ball, I will certainly give you an appropriate discount.

• Bohmer: I just so happen to have a dress that is both inexpensive and remarkably novel in design.

• Bohmer: However the fabric is not the best... If that's something you don't mind?

• Gabrielle: (If it still looks great overall despite the poor fabric...)

• Seeing my hesitation, Bohmer quickly adds—
• Bohmer: The discount on this dress is even better... But it's entirely your choice, for I can provide a dress of any quality!

• Gabrielle: Jules, let's just make do with it this time...

• Jules: We'll take this dress.

• Bohmer: Splendid! And of course, I will give you the best price!

• Jules: I told you, you don't need to worry about money. Just leave it to me.

• In the end, I can't resist Jules' persistence, and so we buy the novel dress at a discounted price.
• Before I know it, it's the day of the ball. Dianna comes as scheduled, and we set off for Versailles in a carriage.

• I thought the dress would meet Dianna's standards, but instead...
• She starts nagging incessantly the moment she lays her eyes on me.
• Dianna: Heavens, Gabrielle! What is the meaning of this?

• Gabrielle: ...What's the matter, Dianna?

• Dianna: Your dress! It's so...unpresentable! Didn't Jules promise to take care of this?

• Dianna's face flushes as she gets all flustered and emotional.
• Dianna: The balls at Versailles are highly extravagant affairs. Gabrielle, your appearance is downright disgraceful!

• Dianna: If I didn't know any better, I'd think you're just a servant, not a madame of our Polignac family!

• Gabrielle: I...

• Dianna: How can you wear a dress made of such inferior fabric? It's entirely inconsistent with our family's status!

• I can't think of anything to say to refute her. All I can do is lower my head and listen to Dianna's increasingly acrimonious remarks.
• Dianna: And Comtesse Artois specifically asked me to bring some dignified noblewomen with me!

• Gabrielle: ...

• Dianna's words weigh heavily on my mind... Is this dress really that unsightly?
• Gabrielle: (Am I not at all qualified to attend the ball at Versailles?)

• Gabrielle: (Because our family's finances are in such dire straits, I can't even afford a beautiful dress...)

• Gabrielle: (I even earn the scorn and disdain of my husband's sister...)

• Dianna: Gosh, what am I going to say to the Comtesse with you attending the ball like this?

• Dianna ignores my gloomy expression and continues to complain.
• Jules: Enough! Dianna, I loaned out Mother's ruby necklace in order to pay for this dress.

• Jules: I've already done all that I can to meet your requirements. Do you want us to cancel the trip now?

• Dianna: Well... of course not. Everyone knows that you're coming. If you're absent...

• Dianna: You... really took Mother's necklace to the pawnshop?

• Sensing Jules' anger, Dianna subconsciously lowers her voice a little.
• Jules: That's right. Where else would I get the money?

• Dianna: Well... All right then. I suppose there was no other way.

• A bitter frown appears on Dianna's face, but instead of complaining further, she merely sighs.
• With heavy hearts, we continue on to the Palace of Versailles...