A Precious Friend: 1-8 Unvoiced Grievances

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Queen Marie organizes a ball to welcome Gabrielle to the palace, but something unexpected happens during the ball...

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Style: No dress-up component Rewards: 3,000 , 600 , 1 , 1 , 1 , Blueprint: Light Fingers

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Transcript

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• My days in Versailles have become more comfortable lately, not because I've learned how to wield power, but because Dianna has been using her network to help me with my requests.
• Marie has also organized a welcome ball for me. It's such an overwhelming surprise...

• Gabrielle: Dear Marie... Do you think this ball gown suits me?

• I stand in front the mirror slightly embarrassed, and Marie is next to me.
• The lady in the mirror has an elegant updo and wears a gorgeous ball gown. She's far removed from my normal self.
• Marie: Of course, dear Gabrielle. This was tailor-made for you.

• Marie playfully winks at me, and nods repeatedly in satisfaction.
• Gabrielle: You've done so much for me, I don't know how I can thank you...

• Marie: All I ask is that you stay by my side.

• Marie: The ball is for your sake. Be confident.

• I nod emphatically, and go hand in hand with Marie into the ballroom.

• The ballroom is just as resplendent as before. The lively atmosphere, filled with the sweet aroma of wine, momentarily puts me in a trance...
• Gabrielle: (It feels just like the day I attended Marie's wedding ceremony...)

• I walk into the ballroom together with Marie and everyone in the hall turns their attention to us.
• Gabrielle: What shall I do, Marie? I'm feeling nervous again...

• Marie: Don't be afraid, dear Gabrielle, I'm here.

• Marie lets me take her arm, and we walk to the center of the ballroom together.
• The noblewomen who were exchanging greetings with one another, start flocking towards us.
• Duchess Andre: Good day, Your Majesty.

• Marie: Duchess Andre, it has been a long time.

• Marie: Let me introduce you to my good friend—Gabrielle Polignac.

• Duchess Andre: Madame Polignac, a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

• Her refined and courteous manner surprises me, and I curtsy hastily.
• Gabrielle: (She's acting as if we've never met before...)

• Gabrielle: Good day, Duchess Andre.

• I'm still a little uncomfortable, but Marie's presence reassures me.
• Then I meet the noblewomen I saw on the wedding day.
• Comtesse Riosa: Madame Polignac, you look stunning... This outfit must have been designed by Monsieur Leonard.

• Comtesse Riosa: It matches your disposition perfectly, like a tailor-made dress.

• Duchess Charles: Lady Polignac has certainly gained Her Majesty's favor.

• Instead of flashing me disdainful looks, they are just as polite as everyone else offering their greetings.
• Gabrielle: (They must have forgotten about that poor little noblewoman at the wedding...)

• Just as I begin to feel my interest ebbing, a noblewoman comes up to Marie. It seems she has an important matter to discuss.
• Marie: Dear Gabrielle, please enjoy your ball. I will come look for you later.

• Gabrielle: Yes, Your Majesty.

• After Marie leaves, the crowd disperses in all directions. Not wanting Marie's efforts go to waste, I try to find other people to converse with.
• I approach two noblewomen with their backs to me. They seem to be talking about something. From time to time they erupt in giggles.
• Gabrielle: (Oh? Isn't that Comtesse Riosa and Duchess Charles?)

• I'm about to turn around and leave when once again I hear that familiar, scornful tone.
• Duchess Charles: Hmph, that Polignac doesn't have the slightest hint of nobility on her. She's simply a village girl!

• Comtesse Riosa: Right, why would Her Majesty look so favorably on her? It makes no sense...

• Duchess Charles: Perhaps Her Majesty just wanted an obedient pet.

• Comtesse Riosa: Polignac as a pet? Her Majesty will be devoured by those greedy hyenas!

• Their mockery has the effect of icy cold water. It wakes me up in an instant.
• Gabrielle: (So this is how they see me...)

• Gabrielle: (An obedient pet? Greedy hyena? That's what I am to them...)

• There's a chill in my heart, the likes of which I've never felt before. For a moment, I struggle to breathe.
• Suddenly, there's a commotion in the distance. All of the nobles gather in that direction.
• Comtesse Riosa: Good day, Your Royal Highness.

• Gabrielle: (Is that...Princess Adelaide?)

• I'm suddenly anxious... Dianna mentioned before that the Princess can be really mean...
• Suddenly, she walks towards me, followed by a crowd of noblewomen.
• Adelaide: The world really has changed. Now anything can enter Versailles.

• She flicks me a scornful glance, and the noblewomen around her start sniggering.
• An overwhelming sense of grievance and sadness comes over me. Tears well up in my eyes, and I take in a deep breath.
• Gabrielle: (Was coming to the Palace of Versailles the right decision?)

• Perhaps my friendship with Marie has gone to my head...
• In the humble Claye Manor, I had unconsciously forgotten about Marie's royal status, and simply enjoyed her company.
• Gabrielle: (But how could I forget... And this is the Palace of Versailles, the center of power in France.)

• Madame Adelaide doesn't even care how I react. After insulting me, she leaves together with the crowd.
• The special ball arranged for me has made me a target for ridicule instead.
• Even after Marie has returned, she can't ease my pain... And the ball ends swiftly and simply.

• In the days after the ball, I begin to notice that I truly don't fit in the Palace of Versailles. Perhaps my friendship with Marie is just wishful thinking.
• Marie keeps inviting me for afternoon tea and to take part in her salons, but I keep declining. Dianna and Jules are the ones who first notice my strange behavior.

• Dianna: Gabrielle, I heard that it's been a while since you participated in the Queen's activities.

• Dianna: This is unacceptable. Your mission is to properly attend to the Queen, and earn more of her favor!

• Dianna: Do you know how much gossip you are causing by cooping up in your room?

• These remarks are echoed by Jules.
• Jules: Dear Gabrielle, I don't know what happened in the ball, but hiding doesn't solve any problems.

• Gabrielle: I... Perhaps I have not adjusted to life in Versailles yet.

• I reply despondently, without telling him that I don't want to be criticized by the nobles any longer.
• Dianna: But you can't just hide like this... I heard that the Queen personally came to invite you, but you declined!

• Gabrielle: I haven't been feeling well lately...

• My attitude of refusing both the carrot and the stick results in Dianna stomping out, and Jules declaring failure in his attempts to console me.
• He finally sighs and leaves the room, leaving me alone with my depression and insecurity.
• Gabrielle: ...Please come in.

• Surprisingly, Marie comes visiting again, which astonishes me and makes me feel guilty at the same time.
• Marie: My dear Gabrielle, why do you look so pale?

• Marie: You've been acting strange ever since the ball and have declined all my invitations. What happened?

• I guess she's finally realized that something is wrong with me.
• Gabrielle: Dear Marie, I...

• After a moment's hesitation, I tell her everything from start to finish. Marie sighs heavily.
• Marie: My dear Gabrielle, what do you think of a Queen's status?

• Gabrielle: Very honorable, of course...

• Marie: But I've been unable to make any friends despite all the years in France.

• Marie: The nobles of Versailles may show their respect on the outside, but they are always secretly pointing their fingers at me. Whether it's my outfit, or my behavior...

• Gabrielle: (Marie has told me about this many times before. Back then, I couldn't even imagine...)

• Marie: Do you know that they call me the "Austrian village girl" in secret?

• Gabrielle: Goodness, my dear Marie... I never imagined such things...

• When I think of the repulsive faces of those nobles, I can't help but feel terrible for my good friend.
• Marie: Don't worry, dear. I don't care about their criticisms. After all, I am the Queen of France.

• Marie: Those two-faced noblewomen are merely jealous of my status and position. It's sad, really.

• Marie: Even if I'm not qualified to be Queen of France, they are also undeserving of the role!

• Marie's proud countenance along with her simple way of speaking make her even more adorable.
• She gently holds my hands and looks at me with beautiful and sincere eyes.
• Marie: Now, I finally have a friend. That's the most important thing to me.

• All of the grievances I've suffered seem to dissolve instantly. I gratefully grasp her hands.
• Gabrielle: (So it turns out I'm not the only one who celebrates our friendship...)

• Gabrielle: Thank you, Marie. You're also very important to me!

• Gabrielle: I won't care about how other people see me any more. As long as I can be by your side, that's enough for me.

• My heart is finally free from pain. Marie's words have taken away all of my feelings of inferiority and anguish.
• I'm so thankful and honored to have such a good friend. This is the greatest blessing of my entire life.