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Marie finally makes a choice with Gabrielle's support. They head to the opera to meet Fersen. Is tonight's play a hint?
Info[]
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Dialogue Choices[]
But Fersen has removed their names and recited the line with great emotion. It seems he's waiting for my answer.
- Smile at him
- Be brave and speak
Transcript[]
Expand for script.
- You: And now you know everything that's happened so far.
- A few days later, on a tranquil afternoon, Gabrielle comes to Versailles to see me.
- I tell her about my encounter with Fersen, Leonard's encouragement, what happened at afternoon tea...
- And my concerns.
- Gabrielle: So, have you made your decision?
- You: I...
- I have made my decision, but I don't know how to tell Gabrielle.
- You: (No matter how I explain it, it will sound like a selfish and childish choice.)
- Gabrielle: Tell me, my dear. Whatever your choice is, as long as it makes you happy, you'll have my support.
- You: I know this may not be the right choice, but...
- You: I want to follow my heart.
- You: Whatever the future holds for me, I will gladly accept it.
- I don't know why these words fall so easily from my lips.
- But the moment I say them aloud, the unease and tension inside me vanishes.
- You: After afternoon tea that day, I tried to make myself forget about Fersen. But the harder I tried, the more vivid my thoughts of him became.
- You: Something inside me is telling me that if I choose to give up now, I'll live to regret it.
- Gabrielle: Oh, Marie.
- You: I know I have my responsibilities, but...
- Gabrielle: It's all right, my dear. I understand.
- Gabrielle: I know there's a great deal of pressure on you. And I appreciate your situation.
- Gabrielle: No matter what you decide, I'll always be at your side.
- You: Thank you, Gabrielle.
- Gabrielle: This is wonderful. You've finally cheered up.
- Gabrielle: You finally look like the Marie I've always known, the one who faces her feelings and pursues what she wants.
- You: Except...
- You: I rejected him so firmly. I don't think I'll have another chance to tell him how I feel.
- Gabrielle: That is a problem...
- Gabrielle: If you send him an invitation in your name, people will gossip...
- You: Exactly...
- You: (And it would be too awkward if I ask him to meet me in Versailles.)
- Gabrielle: I know! Let's plan a fated encounter!
- You: A fated encounter?
- Gabrielle: I heard from Count Kroetz that a new opera troupe has just arrived in Paris, and it will perform at the theater this evening.
- Gabrielle: The Count has invited Count Fersen to attend with him.
- You: The theater?
- Gabrielle: What do you say? Shall we go see an opera, my dear?
- Gabrielle: It's been a while since we last went there. The box reserved for you has been empty for a long time.
- You: (Indeed, I haven't been to the theater in quite some time...)
- Gabrielle: If we go to the theater together, it won't arouse anyone's suspicions.
- You: It seems like a good idea.
- You: If I meet him in the theater, I can first speak to him about the play, so it won't be so awkward. What a great idea, Gabrielle. Let's go.
- You: �I need to change first.
- Gabrielle: Now that you're ready, let's be on our way!
- Gabrielle: You look just as excited as on the night we went to the masquerade ball.
- You: I hope tonight will go just as well.
- Gabrielle: Of course it will, my dear. You'll undoubtedly return with even better memories.
- Gabrielle and I smile at each other. I feel much more relaxed.
- When we arrive at the theater, there's already a large audience inside.
- An usher leads us to my reserved box. I ask him the name of tonight's play.
- Gabrielle: It's Purcell's Dido and Aeneas.
- I'm a little surprised to hear that.
- Just then, I hear a voice that makes my heart flutter
- Fersen: Your Highness?
- I turn around and see a pair of sky-blue eyes.
- Count Kroetz: Madame la Dauphin, Duchess of Polignac, it's a pleasure to see you.
- You: It's been a long time, Count Kroetz.
- Count Kroetz: Your Highness, this is...
- You: I know who this is. He's an old friend of mine.
- You: Count Fersen. What a coincidence.
- Fersen: Greetings, Your Highness. I've come at Count Kroetz's invitation. I am surprised to see you as well.
- You: Since we're all here, would you gentlemen care to join us? We could enjoy the opera together.
- I try my best to act calm but can't stop myself from clutching Gabrielle's hand.
- You: (Was I too direct?)
- Fersen: What do you say, Count Kroetz?
- Count Kroetz: It would truly be an honor. After you, ladies.
- As soon as we take our seats, the stage curtains glide open, and the orchestra begins to play.
- The actors give a flawless performance, but I can't enjoy the play as much as I normally would.
- I'm so nervous that my hands are trembling. I turn to look at Gabrielle.
- She holds my hands and gives me an encouraging nod.
- The actors on stage begin performing one of Act One's duets.
- Belinda: "Fear no danger to ensue. The Hero Loves as well as you. Ever gentle, ever smiling. And the cares of life beguiling. Cupids strew your path with flowers gather'd from Elysian bowers."
- I steal a glance at Fersen and find him completely engrossed in the performance.
- You: (Why did it have to be this opera?)
- Aeneas: "When, Royal Fair, shall I be bless'd with cares of love and state distress'd?"
- Dido: "Fate forbids what you pursue."
- You: (Was it truly a coincidence?)
- The actors sing passionately, their beautiful voices echoing throughout the theater.
- As if he senses my gaze, Fersen turns to look at me.
- Just as our eyes meet, I hear the opening notes of Dido's Lament.
- Dido: "I languish till my grief is known, yet would not have it guess'd."
- You: (My heart...)
- I avert my eyes and turn back to the actors on stage.
- No matter how hard I try, I can't concentrate on the rest of the play.
- I'm grievously distracted until the moment the final curtain falls.
- At Count Kroetz's invitation, we attend the troupe's post-performance celebration.
- After arriving at the ballroom, Count Kroetz approaches the theater manager to offer his congratulations, and Gabrielle encounters a family friend.
- Only Fersen and I are left at the edge of the ballroom, standing in awkward silence.
- You: (I didn't expect to be left alone with him. Should I be happy? Or...)
- Fersen: Your Highness.
- You: Yes?
- Fersen: Is there something you wish to tell me?
- Fersen: I felt your gaze all throughout the performance. Is something wrong with my appearance?
- You: No!
- You: Only...
- You: (What should I say? Wait, I know!)
- You: I only wished to thank you, Count Fersen, for speaking up for me at afternoon tea the other day.
- Fersen: Oh, I see.
- Fersen: You're welcome, Your Highness. As I said...
- Fersen: Whenever you are in trouble, I will always be on your side.
- You: Fersen...
- Fersen: Speaking of which, I was surprised to see you here.
- Fersen: I heard you had not attended a social event held outside the Palace of Versailles for some time.
- You: Gabrielle told me there was a new opera troupe performing today, so I wanted to come see.
- Fersen: Do you like it?
- His eyes are so blue, his gaze so intense. Every time he looks at me, I feel my heart skip a beat.
- Seeing him again overwhelms me with the urge to tell him my deepest feelings.
- You: Yes, I did.
- You: I found it very relatable.
- Fersen: Do you mean...
- You: "Fate forbids what you pursue."
- I look up at him and whisper the lyrics from Dido's Lament.
- Fersen: Your Highness...
- Fersen: I have no fate but you...
- Fersen: "Let you smile, and I'll defy the feeble stroke of Destiny."
- Aeneas said that when Dido refused him.
- But Fersen has removed their names and recited the line with great emotion. It seems he's waiting for my answer.
Smile at him
- I gaze into his eyes and smile.
- For a moment, I feel as though all the lights in the ballroom have faded.
- As if a curtain has fallen, separating us from the busy crowd.
- All I can hear is the beating of my heart.
- You: Fersen...
- Fersen: No, Your Highness. You do not have to say a word.
- Fersen: I understand how you feel now. Thank you for giving me this answer.
- Fersen: I am happy now.
- Fersen: I desperately want to dance with you, but that would not be wise.
- You: There's plenty of time, Fersen. There will be many dances in the future.
- Fersen: Yes, Your Highness... My princess.
- Fersen: Allow me to protect you against every obstacle fate sets in your path. From this day forth, until the day I die.
- His every word is so tender and earnest. I feel them deep in my soul.
- You: Thank you, Fersen. My friend from another land, my knight of the North.
- I want to hold his hands and dance with him.
- But for now, this is the best we can do.
- There are no words to describe the intensity of the silence shared between us.
Be brave and speak
- You: I...
- I don't know how to answer his confession. I can only turn my head to look at the dancing crowd, avoiding his loving gaze.
- You: (No, I shouldn't do this...)
- You: (But I made up my mind to be honest about my feelings. How can I shy away now?)
- Fersen: Your highness?
- You: Count Fersen...
- You: (I'll do it.
}
- You: Aren't you going to ask me for a dance?
- His eyes flash with a touch of surprise, but then he quickly resumes his usual calm manner.
- Fersen: Of course. It would be my pleasure, and my greatest wish tonight.
- Fersen: May I have this dance, Your Royal Highness?
- You: Of course.
- Fersen: It is good to see you finally smile, Your Highness.
- Fersen: I thought you felt nothing for me...
- Fersen: Though you didi accept my offer to help you in future, if ever you needed it.
- Fersen: But whenever I thought of our last conversation in the gardens, it made my heart ache.
- Fersen: I thank God for His grace, for allowing me to se you tonigt and learn of your feelings.
- He gently takes my hand and leads me to the dance floor.
- I feel as if we've returned to the night we first met, when fate brought us together.
- Only this time, I'm not nervous.
- We close the distance between us. It feels like a curtain has fallen around us, separating us from the busy crowd.
- All I can hear is the beating of my heart.
- Slow, steady, and sure.
Stories
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Chapter 1
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Chapter 2
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Side Stories
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Chapter 1
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Chapter 1
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Chapter 1
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Chapter 1
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Chapter 1
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Chapter 1
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Traveler's Notes
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