A Precious Friend: 1-7 A Gloomy Welcome

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Gabrielle moves into Versailles happily, but finds herself at the mercy of other nobles due to her lower status. Diane stands up for Gabrielle, but she decides to bear the insults...

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Style: No dress-up component Rewards: 3,000 , 600 , 1 , 1 , 1 , Blueprint: Soft Steps

Soft Steps

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Transcript

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• With Queen Marie's assistance, Jules and I quickly move from the simple and rustic Claye Manor to the gorgeous and refined Palace of Versailles. Everything feels like a dream.
• For the first few days, I'm still overcome by excitement. I enthusiastically unpack my belongings, and try to make the new palace room more cozy and comfortable. Soon, Dianna pays me a visit.

• Dianna: Ah, this room is more than satisfactory. Looks like Queen Marie really values you!

• As soon as Dianna enters, she starts looking around my new room and giving comments.
• Dianna: But the vase you brought from Claye Manor is too old-fashioned. You should replace it.

• Gabrielle: Good day, Dianna...

• Dianna: How is it? Have you gotten used to being here in Versailles?

• Gabrielle: Yes. Marie has taken good care of me.

• Dianna: How dare you call the Queen by her name! Goodness gracious! Do you have the slightest idea how much trouble that will bring to our family?

• She screams at me as though I've committed a heinous deed.
• Gabrielle: Ah... But Marie asked me to call her by her name.

• Dianna: Well, you still can't! Listen carefully. Do not ever speak to her that way in public, even if the Queen has asked you to.

• Dianna scowls, and her tone is unusually stern.
• Dianna: Gossip is abundant in Versailles. You must never be careless.

• Dianna: Don't forget your place just because you've moved into Versailles and has received a little bit of the Queen's favor.

• Dianna: You must properly attend to the Queen, and earn more of her favor.

• I know that ever since Dianna became the first maid of the Comtesse, she has been currying more and more favor.
• But to admonish me—or rather, order me—in such a blatant way... makes me really uncomfortable.
• Gabrielle: But Marie and I... We're good friends.

• I summon my courage to rebut Dianna.
• Gabrielle: I don't want to make use of our friendship to...

• Dianna sneers at me.
• Dianna: You think Queen Marie gets along with you because she likes you? Surely not!

• Dianna: Gabrielle, you're too naive.

• Dianna: You thought she likes you, but she's only looking at the noble Polignac family.

• Dianna: Only the Polignac family has your back, Gabrielle.

• Gabrielle: Is... Is that so?

• I've never doubted the friendship between Marie and I, but Dianna sounds so certain, she's starting to sway me.
• Dianna: Gabrielle, you've never been caught in the politics of Versailles, so it's not surprising that you don't know.

• Dianna looks at me with sympathy, but her tone remains serious.
• Dianna: I have been in the palace for many years, and I'm well-versed in the intrigues of these nobles. You have to believe me.

• Gabrielle: Indeed... Her Majesty the Queen has mentioned before that her frequent trips away from the palace aroused criticism from certain people.

• Dianna: dMore than just criticism! All the notable nobles in Versailles are talking about it in private.

• Gabrielle: (So even Marie's frequent trips have caused a big fuss...)

• Gabrielle: (Let alone a noblewoman like me who has no status at all...)

• Dianna's words worry me. I look at her nervously.
• Gabrielle: But, usually I only interact with the Queen...

• Dianna: As long as you are in the palace, it's hard to avoid dealings with other nobles.

• Dianna: I have seen with my own eyes many noblewomen forced to flee Versailles because of nasty rumors and gossip.

• Gabrielle: Heavens... That's terrible!

• Dianna: Nobles may act friendly towards you, but they're all too happy to stab you in the back.

• Gabrielle: As long as I don't offend them...

• Desperately, I hold on to a sliver of hope that as long as I don't provoke anyone, nothing frightening will happen.
• But it is completely shattered by Dianna's sharp retort.
• Dianna: You're in Versailles because of the Queen. The moment you lose her favor...

• Dianna: Not only you, but the whole Polignac family will suffer!

• Her words lash away at me mercilessly, leaving only fear and helplessness in their wake.

• Ever since Dianna heaped her warnings upon me, I've begun to notice some rather unpleasant things.
• For example, whenever it's my turn to receive household supplies, there won't be any left. Damaged items in the room are never repaired. The window leaks for days and no one shows up to solve the problem.

• The weather turns cold, and Jules has been coughing for a few days due to the chilly air at night.
• I go looking for the servant in charge of household supplies in Versailles, in the hopes of obtaining some warm blankets.
• Servant: I'm truly sorry, Madame Polignac. The palace has been short on supplies lately...

• The servant hastily fends me off with the usual excuse.
• Gabrielle: (What do I do now...)

• Sudden footsteps ring out behind me, and the servant's expression immediately switches to an ingratiating one.
• Servant: Good day, Duchess Andre. Why have you come in person today?

• Duchess Andre: I was out for a walk, and so I thought I'd drop by.

• Servant: I'm checking the fabrics and warm clothing you requested. I'll deliver them to you later.

• Servant: Do you have any other instructions?

• Duchess Andre: I knew that you are a considerate soul.

• After her conversation with the servant, she finally directs her gaze towards me.
• Duchess Andre: Who might this be?

• Servant: This is Madame Polignac.

• Duchess Andre: Oh? So you are the Polignac whom Her Majesty invited to the palace.

• Gabrielle: I...

• The duchess in front of me sizes me up with her gaze. Disdain flits across her expression as she turns away without so much as a word.
• Duchess Andre: Oh, right. Prepare a few top quality blankets for me.

• Servant: Yes, Your Grace.

• Gabrielle: Please come in.

• The conversation between the maid and Duchess Andre makes me think for a moment. I decide to open my mouth.
• Gabrielle: I also need some warm blankets.

• Servant: I'm very sorry, Madame Polignac. The current stock has all been reserved...

• Gabrielle: But...

• Duchess Andre: Ah, I'm so sorry, Madame Polignac. I have already reserved these.

• Duchess Andre: It's a pity, but please don't put this hardworking servant in a difficult position.

• There's not the slightest hint of regret in Duchess Andre's words. Instead, there's an air of superiority.
• Gabrielle: (...Are they deliberately neglecting me?)

• Gabrielle: (As long as I don't come into conflict with them, perhaps they will slowly turn their attention away from me...)

• Just as I'm about to leave, Dianna suddenly appears behind me.
• Dianna: All of you have been too neglectful towards Madame Polignac. She is the "darling" of the Queen, you know.

• Dianna: If the Queen were to know about this, what do you think will happen?

• Dianna severely rebukes the servant, and the latter suddenly appears fearful.
• Servant: Miss Polignac, you misunderstand. What I meant is... The supplies in the palace have been lacking.

• Servant: But since it's Madame Polignac's request, of course we will resolve the shortage.

• The servant changes her half-hearted attitude and puts on an ingratiating face.
• Duchess Andre doesn't look pleased at all.
• Duchess Andre: Dianna, it's you. What a coincidence.

• Dianna: Duchess, it's been a long time. I'm here to fetch some supplies for Comtesse Artois.

• Dianna: Oh yes, I believe you have not met Madame Polignac. She's my brother Jules' wife.

• Dianna: She moved in to Versailles at the Queen's invitation. Please take care of her from now on.

• For once, Dianna's haughty voice sounds like an angel's bell.
• Duchess Andre: Certainly, certainly. I have other matters to attend to, please excuse me.

• The Duchess flees in defeat, and the servant respectfully sees us off.

• Dianna: I've really wasted my breath on you the other day!

• Dianna: As the Queen's "darling", you ought to make use of your influence.

• Dianna: Not only did you not use it, but you're also being bullied!

• Dianna shakes her head in exasperation.
• Gabrielle: But...

• Dianna: But what? Are you going to say "but I'm friends with the Queen"?

• Dianna: The Queen's "good friend" is being bullied by a little duchess! If words were to spread...

• Dianna: Not only will you embarrass yourself and our family, but also the Queen!

• Gabrielle: (Our friendship...will embarrass Marie?)

• A heavy sorrow descends upon me. Everything in Versailles is so bewildering to me.
• Gabrielle: (But who would believe that we're simply friends? Even Dianna refuses to...)

• Dianna: Listen carefully. You must learn how to make use of your relationship with the Queen. Understand?

• Dianna: If I hadn't been here today, you wouldn't even have been able to deal with that little problem.

• Dianna: The Palace of Versailles is a place that values power. If you don't know how to use it, you'll be bullied by everyone!

• Gabrielle: ...Oh.

• It may seem that I've agreed with her, but deep down inside, I don't support her view.
• Gabrielle: (Staying by Marie's side just to take advantage of my friendship with her, is that really what power is?)

• Gabrielle: (But our friendship is far more precious than such shallow things, isn't it?)

• Gabrielle: (I'll just have to go on tolerating everything as best as I can.)