A Precious Friend: 1-6 Palace Invitation

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The French nobles are displeased by Queen Marie's frequent visits to the Claye Chateau. Queen Marie refuses to leave Gabrielle, yet does not wish to upset the nobles. She invites Gabrielle to move into the Palace of Versailles.

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Dialogue Choices

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And with such a generous and sincere offer, she earnestly invites me to stay with her again.

• Accept.
• Decline.

Transcript

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• Queen Marie's visits to the Claye Manor grow longer, and I can't help but worry about the rumors circulating inside and outside the palace.
• Today I stand at the gate as usual, looking forward to a wonderful tea time with Marie.

• Marie: Ah, my dear Gabrielle, you're always a sight for sore eyes.

• Gabrielle: What's the matter, dear Marie? Is something amiss?

• Marie looks vexed, and I can't help worrying a little.
• Marie: I've been leaving the palace so often that even His Majesty has reminded me to reduce my trips.

• Marie: His Majesty would never bring this up without cause. The nobles must have made a complaint.

• Marie: I truly don't know why the nobles have to be obsessed with my every move. I've really had enough.

• Marie sighs, furrowing her brows. This must be distressing her greatly.
• Gabrielle: It is all my fault... My dear Marie, I should be the one visiting the palace, and not the other way round.

• Gabrielle: (Marie keeps leaving Versailles to see me because she is being considerate of my family's financial situation.)

• Gabrielle: (And yet I've taken Marie's kindness for granted...)

• The thought sends a pang of guilt through me.
• But Marie smiles and shakes her head, rebuffing my train of thought.
• Marie: Dear Gabrielle, this is not your fault...

• Marie: Rest assured, I will not let this drive us apart.

• She gives me a smile and winks at me, reverting back to her charming and lovely self. I heave a sigh of relief.
• Gabrielle: Of course I believe you, dear Marie...

• Marie: But I have no intention of letting those nobles criticize me any longer, so I came up with an idea.

• Gabrielle: What idea?

• Marie gazes at me hopefully, and gently clasps my hands in hers.
• Marie: Dear Gabrielle, you can move to Versailles.

• Marie: That way, I won't need to leave Versailles to chat with you and enjoy our afternoon tea.

• Marie: You can also come to my salons. I'll have my designer make new dresses for you...

• Marie's face lights up as she starts making plans for the good times to come.
• Gabrielle: Please come in.

• Gabrielle: Dear Marie, I'm sorry. I'm very moved by your suggestion...but I have to refuse.

• I gaze at my good friend with a guilty look. After pondering about it, I decide to tell the truth.
• Gabrielle: The Polignac family cannot afford to support the cost of us living in Versailles.

• Gabrielle: I'm so sorry, Marie...

• Unexpectedly, Marie laughs, as if it's not a problem at all.
• Marie: You don't have to worry about the cost at all, Gabrielle!

• Marie: Since I'm the one who is inviting you to move to Versailles, it's only natural that I bear the cost.

• Marie: What do you think, my dear friend? Will you move to Versailles?

• And with such a generous and sincere offer, she earnestly invites me to stay with her again.

Accept.

• I'm truly moved by her words... At the same time, I'm reminded of what Jules said.
• Gabrielle: (He just wants our family to have a place near the Queen...)

• Gabrielle: (And Marie will get less complaints from the nobles...)

• With these two points in mind, I gradually set my mind at ease.
• If it can fulfill my husband's wish, and allow me to meet Marie more often as well...
• Gabrielle: Dear Marie... I don't know how to express my feelings...

• Gabrielle: Thank you, my dearest friend. Of course I'm willing to move to Versailles.

Decline.

• I'm very moved by her words. Yet at the same time, my misgivings increase...
• Gabrielle: Dear Marie, I can't.

• Gabrielle: I want to stay by your side, but taking your reputation into consideration, it would be better if I declined.

• Marie: Reputation? You mean the opinions of nobles who do nothing but blame each other all day?

• Gabrielle: I know that bearing the brunt of all the rumors is hard on you. I don't want my dear friend to get hurt.

• Marie: Gabrielle, you truly are too kind...

• Marie: Those nobles have already slandered me to the point that I don't have a reputation anymore.

• A haughty expression spreads across Marie's exquisitely beautiful face. When it comes to the nobles, she has always been merciless with her words.
• Marie: Even if I don't invite you to live in Versailles, my reputation will not rise as a result. Besides...

• Marie: I care about our friendship more.

• Marie's tone gradually softens. Once again, she holds my hand and looks me in the eye.
• Marie: You've given me the happiest times I've ever had since I arrived in France.

• Gabrielle: Marie...

• I'm really touched, and I return her grip firmly.
• Gabrielle: Thank you, Marie. I accept your invitation. I'll move to Versailles.

• Marie: Wonderful! Dear Gabrielle, I've already prepared a room in the palace for you. Come quickly!

• Marie is overjoyed at my acceptance of her invitation. After that, we have a wonderful afternoon tea in Claye Manor's garden.
• After Marie has left the manor, I quickly rush back to my room to tell Jules of this matter.

• Gabrielle: Jules, my dear, listen to me...

• Jules, who is resting on the sofa, knits his brow slightly when he sees me rushing in without any regard to etiquette.
• Jules: What's the matter, Gabrielle? This is unlike you.

• Gabrielle: My apologies, Jules. I should have knocked... But I have good news to share.

• Jules: What happened? Is it concerning...Her Majesty the Queen?

• Gabrielle: Yes, you're right. The Queen has invited us to move into the Palace of Versailles!

• Jules: Oh my... What a privilege... Is this her way of acknowledging that we deserve a place near her?

• Jules: But Gabrielle, my dear. Expenses in Versailles are not small...

• Gabrielle: The Queen said that she will bear these expenses.

• Jules gets up from the sofa in surprise and clasps my hands tightly.
• Jules: This is wonderful, Gabrielle. You really are an angel sent by God to save me.

• Jules: Thank you. I knew you wouldn't ignore my request. I knew you'd help me.

• Jules has never thanked me so seriously before. This actually makes me feel a little uneasy.
• But when I think of the fact that I'll be moving to Versailles soon, I am once again filled with joy.
• Gabrielle: (I hope everything goes well...)

• I pray silently in my heart.