A Precious Friend: 1-5 Claye Chateau

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Queen Marie often leaves the Palace of Versailles to chat with Gabrielle at the Claye Chateau. The Friendship between the two grows stronger, but Diane suddenly demands Gabrielle to fight for their family's rights...

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Lily's Kiss

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Marie hesitates, as if she wants to tell me something but doesn't know how to say it. I take the cue to ask.

• Is it about His Majesty the King?
• Is it about Count Fersen?

Transcript

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• Queen Marie and I started communicating frequently after the ball. And even when I don't go to the palace personally, we would still write to one another.
• She writes about things that trouble her, or about interesting anecdotes. Gradually, I learn that Queen Marie's personality is completely different from what Dianna had described.

• Gabrielle: Her Majesty the Queen has written to me again...

• Dear Gabrielle:
• How are you? Time in Versailles has been rather vexing and dreary of late. I wish to go out for some fun.
• I'm curious about the country lifestyle of Claye Manor you mentioned previously. I wonder if I could come for a visit sometime soon?
• Yours, Marie Antoinette
• Gabrielle: Heavens! Her Majesty the Queen is coming to visit me at Claye Manor!

• Jules: Gabrielle, my dear, what are you so excited about?

• Gabrielle: Oh Jules, honey, please listen. Queen Marie has asked if she could come to Claye Manor to pay me a visit.

• Gabrielle: How do you think I should reply?

• Shock flashes across Jules' face. Then he clears his throat.
• Jules: That's splendid. It means that the Queen cares about you.

• Jules: You must not disappoint the Queen's expectations of you. Make sure that she is well entertained!

• His voice rises in excitement as he speaks.
• Gabrielle: But won't this end up incurring more costs? If we can't afford it...

• Jules: Don't you worry about money. A visit from the Queen obviously requires a reception of the highest standards.

• Gabrielle: Have we paid off the debt from last time?

• Jules: I'll manage it, don't worry. All you need to think about is having a good time with the Queen.

• Jules' answer is very vague.
• Gabrielle: All right. I'll reply Queen Marie right away.

• I was so immersed in the joy of Queen Marie's visit that I didn't notice Jules' strange attitude.
• I carefully fold the letter and put it in the drawer, then I take out my quill and write my reply to Queen Marie.
• Your Majesty:
• I am well, thank you. Claye Manor welcomes your visit at any time, as do I, of course.
• Yours, Gabrielle.
• Not long after sending the letter, I receive news of Her Majesty the Queen's impending visit, and we start preparing merrily.

• The day of Queen Marie's visit to Claye Manor has come. Jules and I wait excitedly by the gate. Before long, the elegant carriage from the Palace of Versailles arrives. The Queen waves at me enthusiastically.

• Gabrielle: How nice to see you again, Your Majesty. How have you been?

• Marie: Oh Gabrielle, there's no need for formalities between us. Just call me Marie.

• Queen Marie winks at me playfully. Having left Versailles, she appears to have let go of her queenly grandeur.
• Gabrielle: Yes, my dear Marie. Welcome to Claye Manor.

• Her cordiality and liveliness are always so infectious, and soothe away all of my anxiety.
• Jules, with a pleasing smile, seizes the chance to strike up a conversation.
• Jules: Your Majesty, welcome to our humble abode.

• Jules: In preparation for your arrival, my wife and I have made some renovations to Claye Manor.

• Jules: If you have any requests, please don't hesitate to ask. We will do our utmost to satisfy your every wish.

• Jules' behavior is respectful, but this gesture feels a little strange to me.
• Marie: Oh, Polignac, please leave us. I would like to spend some time alone with Gabrielle.

• Jules: Yes, Your Majesty. If there is anything lacking in Gabrielle's hospitality...

• With a polite smile, Queen Marie waves Jules off to the side.
• Marie: My dear Gabrielle, you have no idea how dreadfully boring life is in Versailles!

• Marie: All this courtly etiquette, having eyes on you all the time, correcting you. I simply cannot stand it.

• Marie complains to me as we stroll together through the gardens of Claye Manor.
• Marie: Even when I'm eating there are many people watching me. I have no freedom whatsoever.

• Gabrielle: I thought that after becoming Queen, you could do whatever you want. I had no idea...

• Marie: Not at all. They watch your every word and every movement, then report it all to the King.

• Gabrielle: (I guess Marie is rather lonely in Versailles...)

• Gabrielle: (Other people might think that the Queen possesses power and unlimited wealth, but they don't know about all of these...)

• Marie: I like the carefree atmosphere of Claye Manor.

• Gabrielle: I-If you really like it, Marie, then you're very welcome to come and visit me.

• Despite mustering up the courage to invite her, I still feel somewhat nervous.
• After all, though our friendship has deepened, she is still the Queen...
• Marie: Well of course, my dear Gabrielle. I need a companion, someone to talk to...

• Marie sits down on the garden bench, basking lazily in the sun and breathing in the liberating air.
• Marie: I...have encountered some troubling matters recently.

• Marie hesitates, as if she wants to tell me something but doesn't know how to say it. I take the cue to ask.

Is it about His Majesty the King?

• Gabrielle: Is it...something about His Majesty the King?

• Marie: His Majesty and I haven't been getting along that well recently. He's always reluctant to talk. We can never have a proper conversation.

• The garden of Claye Manor houses all kinds of plants. The gentle breeze creates a refreshing and peaceful atmosphere.
• Perhaps this atmosphere has put Marie at ease. She gradually opens up to me.
• Marie: And the King is always so busy. He may be my husband, but I rarely get to spend any time with him alone.

• Marie: It feels like he's grown distant, and even talking to him feels awkward.

• Marie lets out a sigh. Without realizing it, she has confided quite a lot in me about the King's affairs.

Is it about Count Fersen?

• Gabrielle: Is it concerning...Count Fersen?

• Marie: Yes. Fersen is about to depart for the battlefield.

• Marie frowns gravely.
• Marie: I dare not imagine what might happen to him on the battlefield. Sometimes I regret not stopping him.

• Gabrielle: Count Fersen is a courageous man. Perhaps he is taking the initiative to join the army in order to...prove himself to you?

• Marie: Gabrielle, you understand people so well...

• Gabrielle: Dear Marie, I believe that Count Fersen will return safely for your sake.

• Marie: Thank you, dear Gabrielle. You're the only one who listens to these depressing worries of mine.

• Marie: I feel better after letting it all out.

• The heavy frown fades away, and her usual perkiness returns.
• She goes on to tell me many things about Count Fersen.

• After that, Marie starts visiting Claye Manor from time to time for tea and a chat. She'd confide in me and tell me the latest gossip. We gradually become even closer.
• One day, right after tea with Marie, Dianna suddenly pays us a visit.

• Gabrielle: Oh Gabrielle, my dear. It appears that you are quite flush with success lately.

• My friendship with the Queen has given Jules a lot of confidence.
• Dianna: Oh Dianna, dear sister. I thought you've been too busy of late.

• Dianna: As the first maid to the Comtesse, I'm naturally very busy, but I will never ignore my family because of that.

• Gabrielle: (Ever since she became the Comtesse's maid, Dianna has seldom referred to us as family.)

• Jules: Dianna, why have you come to visit?

• Dianna: Well, I shall get straight to the point then. Gabrielle, you've grown rather close to Queen Marie, it seems.

• Dianna's voice takes on an envious tone when she mentions the Queen and I, but then it hardens again.
• Dianna: You should put in some good words for our family to Queen Marie.

• Dianna: Oh yes, you could try asking for a noble rank for Jules. It would strengthen our family's standing.

• She sounds like she's giving me an order, and that I must do as she says.
• Gabrielle: What are you saying? You're...telling me to take advantage of my friendship with the Queen?

• Dianna: You're not taking advantage, silly Gabrielle! You're merely looking out for your family.

• Dianna: Are you telling me you can't do it?

• Gabrielle: (Take advantage of my friendship with Marie for the benefit of the family? How could she even ask that of me...)

• Gabrielle: I...I can't.

• Dianna: You can't?! You're actually telling me you can't handle such a simple matter?

• Dianna is furious.
• Jules: Dianna, stay calm.

• Jules coughs lightly and then looks at me. His tone is extremely tender.
• Jules: Dear Gabrielle, we merely wish that you consider it, for your family's sake...

• Jules: And also for yourself.

• Gabrielle: Myself?

• Jules: As the Queen's close friend, shouldn't you possess status and wealth?

• Jules: We merely wish to establish a place near the Queen, be it for you or for me.

• Jules' tone is very cordial and sincere. He cautiously glances at me with scheming eyes.
• Gabrielle: (This my first time seeing him like this...)

• For a moment, I cannot figure out how to reject them, and inadvertently fall silent.
• Dianna: Listen to him, Gabrielle. Jules has asked you so humbly. Aren't you moved by his words?

• Dianna: There are countless people who yearn for Queen Marie's company, and yet she has chosen you.

• Dianna: Since that is the case, why can't you consider it for the sake of your family?

• Even Dianna's tone softens as she tries her best to persuade me.
• Gabrielle: I... I'll think about it.

• In the end, I couldn't resist their gazes, and agreed to think it over.
• But I have no idea how to ask Marie about this.