The King's Mistress: 1-5 King's Movements

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Gabrielle tells Marie that Louis XVI has already left Versailles. The two of them tail him to a book store, only to witness a heart-stopping crisis...

Info

Style: Recommended: Full of Secrets, Lilac Whispers, Lilac Walk, Spring Gifts, Furtive Choker, Lilac Gloves Rewards: 3,000 , 600 , 3 , 1 , 1 , Blueprint: The Seine

The Seine

Dialogue Choices

(Should I try to get a peek?)

• Peek
• Don't Peek

Transcript

Expand for script.

• You: This is bad, Gabrielle! Louis is gone!

• I searched the area around the study, but I couldn't find him.
• So I've returned to the meeting spot Gabrielle and I had agreed upon.
• Gabrielle: Oh heavens, I've finally found you, Your Majesty!

• Gabrielle rushes towards me, and grabs my hand in a panic.
• Gabrielle: I wanted to tell you that I saw the King leaving the palace in a carriage, but you were nowhere to be found.

• I tell her how Blaisdell made fun of me.
• You: Do you think he was hinting at something?

• Gabrielle: There's no time to think about that. We have to catch up with the King to get to the bottom of things.

• Gabrielle: I've already prepared the carriage. If we dawdle further, we won't be able to catch up.

• You: You're right, Gabrielle. Let's get in the carriage.

• I press up against the window while clutching at my seat.
• Unable to suppress my anxiety, I call out to the driver to go faster.
• Gabrielle: We'll be able to catch up as long as we follow this road, Your Majesty. Don't worry.

• You: May the Lord bless us...

• Gabrielle draws the curtains, and takes out a simple dress.
• Gabrielle: You'll draw too much attention on the streets with your current attire, Your Majesty. Why don't you change into this?

• You: (Compared to a palace maid's attire, this outfit is certainly more inconspicuous and better suited for tailing someone.)

• You: You always think of everything, Gabrielle.

• Servant: The King's carriage is just ahead of us, Your Majesty.

• I look out the window, and realize we've arrived at the Paris market.
• The market is crowded, and Louis' carriage is forced to slow down.
• You: Follow him quietly, and don't lose him.

• His carriage comes to an abrupt stop by the road outside a theater.
• You: (A theater? Is Louis going to watch a show with his mistress?!)

• I remember him getting bored when we watched a show together, and I'm filled with chagrin.
• You: (Hmph, so he's only happy when he's with his mistress?)

• You: I'll go take a look. Wait for me in the carriage, Gabrielle.

• Gabrielle: Yes, Your Majesty. Please be careful.

• I nod before alighting. Then I look for Louis in the crowd and quietly tail him.

• Louis doesn't go into the theater. He turns round the corner and into an alley. I hurry after him.
• I had expected to see a residential area, but I find myself standing in front of a large bookstore instead.
• You: Delman Bookstore? Is he here to buy books?

• You: (Is it all a misunderstanding?)

• Louis lifts his head and looks around him. Startled, I quickly hide in a corner.
• You: Has he discovered my presence?

• I cautiously peek in his direction. He's entering the bookstore.
• You: I guess I'll go in too!

• Upon entering, I spot Louis immediately. He's browsing the shelves.
• I maintain a distance of two shelves between us, carefully watching him through the gaps.
• You: (He's been engrossed in that book for over ten minutes now. What kind of book is it?)

• My curiosity is aroused.
• You: (Should I try to get a peek?)

Peek

• You: (Louis is focusing all of his attention on the book. It won't hurt to go nearer.)

• You: (Besides, Mother told me to find out what he likes too...)

• I persuade myself with these excuses as I step lightly behind Louis, and peep over his shoulder.
• You: Fitting... Lock cylinder... I can't see what it says on the back...

• Trying to get a clearer view, I move a little too close to him, and my face bumps into his shoulder.
• Louis freezes. Then he tries to turn around, but I stop him in a panic by pushing against his back.
• I keep my head down, and apologize in a hushed voice.
• You: I'm so sorry to have disturbed you.

• Louis XVI: That's all right... Are you interested in this book too, Madame?

• He holds up the book he's been reading to show me the cover.
• I raise my head to glance at the book very quickly before lowering my head again. The cover has the word "Locks" on it.
• You: Oh, no I'm not. I'm sorry for disturbing you.

• I step back hastily and flee the area. The other customers glare at me in annoyance.

Don't peek

• You: (I'd better not go over. I can't afford to startle him.)

• Someone taps me on the shoulder.
• A kind old lady points at the book in my hands. I'd forgotten all about it.
• Old Woman: Do you need any help, Madame?

• You: Ah... No, thank you... I'm just browsing.

• I politely decline the shop assistant's help before turning the other way — towards Louis.
• As I go closer, I manage to see that he's reading a book about locks.
• You: (So that's what he likes...)

• I was probably staring too intensely, because Louis raises his head and turns around, as if he's sensed something. Panicking, I lower my head.
• You: (Please don't notice me...)

• I hear footsteps approaching. It's Louis.
• Louis XVI: Excuse me, Madame. Are you interested in this book?

• I shake my head emphatically, consciously lowering my voice when I answer him.
• You: Sorry, I don't know what you mean.

• I cover my face and turn to flee.

• I hurry out of the bookstore and hide in a corner. Lucky for me, Louis doesn't come after me.
• You: That was too reckless of me. I need to keep a cool head.

• Fortunately, I can see the bookstore clearly from here, so it's easy for me to check on Louis.
• You: Hm? What is he doing?

• Louis hands something over to the store owner, who wraps it up as a gift.
• You: (Is he getting a gift for his mistress?)

• The store owner cheerily waves goodbye to Louis when he leaves.
• You: They seem rather familiar with one another. I guess Louis frequents this place.

• Eyes twinkling, and looking more relaxed than ever, Louis ventures deeper into the alley.
• You: (I've never seen that expression on his face before. He must be looking forward to seeing her...)