A Precious Friend: 1-3 The Ball in Versailles

*Louis XVI succeeds to the throne. Diane, who hasn't visited for a long time, invites Jules and Gabrielle to the ball the Palace of Versailles. The cash-strapped couple finds a way to purchase fancy clothing for the ball.*

## Info

* **Rewards:** 3,000 , 600 , 1 , 1 , 1 , Blueprint: Attentive Lilies

## Transcript

Expand for script.

* A long time has passed since Dianna's last visit.
* During that time, the nation of France changed—the old king passed and the new king ascended to the throne.
* **Gabrielle:** (Dianna must be extremely busy with matters at court.)

* But who would have expected her to visit today.
* **Dianna:** My dear brother, my dear Gabrielle, it's been a long time.

* Dianna wears a well-cut, luxuriously designed dress, and an exquisite and expensive diamond necklace.
* She looks even more high-spirited than before.
* **Jules:** What brings you here, my dear sister? I thought you were quite busy these days.

* **Dianna:** Alas, I am. The Comtesse has ordered me to help her move into the palace.

* **Dianna:** Sometimes I'm waiting on banquets, other times I'm selecting jewelry for her.

* **Dianna:** She loves extravagant jewelry... This diamond necklace was a gift from her.

* Dianna speaks with pride, her heavily-powdered face showing the contours of a dazzling smile.
* **Dianna:** The Palace of Versailles hosts regular salons for noblewomen. Everyone loves these gatherings.

* **Dianna:** Ah, you won't understand any of this anyway. I trust everything has been well at Claye Manor? It's been quite some time since my last visit.

* **Gabrielle:** We are both doing quite well.

* **Dianna:** Heavens, my dear Gabrielle, you look like you've gotten thinner.

* **Dianna:** And why are you still wearing these old clothes?! They're from years ago!

* **Gabrielle:** Dianna, you know our finances are tight...

* **Dianna:** That won't do at all. A woman's dress is the crux of her appearance, especially for someone your age. You ought to dress with a little more glamour.

* **Gabrielle:** I don't go out much. And there's nothing wrong with wearing old clothes around the house.

* **Dianna:** Times have changed, Gabrielle. As a noblewoman, you must learn some social etiquette.

* **Gabrielle:** First, you need to put some more effort into your appearance...

* **Jules:** Enough, sister. Stop lecturing Gabrielle.

* **Jules:** What's the purpose of your visit today?

* Dianna appears somewhat displeased at Jules' interruption, but her expression quickly becomes haughty again.
* **Dianna:** Versailles is going to hold a ball soon.

* **Dianna:** And I said I would take you both to the palace. I'm finally making good on that promise.

* **Dianna:** This is a splendid opportunity to join the nobles' social circle. You cannot pass it up!

* **Gabrielle:** I can go to a ball... at Versailles?

* **Gabrielle:** But I don't have a suitable gown...

* **Dianna:** Heavens, Gabrielle! You don't have a single suitable ball gown!?

* Dianna gasps in disbelief. To the side, Jules frowns.
* **Dianna:** It wasn't easy for me to obtain this opportunity for you. And Queen Marie herself will be attending!

* **Dianna:** You cannot miss this! Buy yourself a new dress right now, Gabrielle!

* **Dianna:** I don't care if you have to pawn your valuables or borrow money, Jules! We cannot lose face!

* **Dianna:** Not just mine, but the face of the family. Do you understand?

* **Jules:** ...Say no more, Dianna. We'll think of something.

* Jules sounds exasperated, but also...a little tempted.
* **Dianna:** Really? You're sure you can handle this?

* Dianna's arrogant voice is full of doubt.
* **Jules:** I'll get it arranged, even if we have to borrow money.

* **Dianna:** I'm relieved to hear that. After all... I'm only worried that something might go wrong.

* Dianna seems completely oblivious to the awkward atmosphere. She just keeps on talking.
* **Dianna:** All right, I need to go see the Comtesse. She can't do without me...

* **Dianna:** I'll come by in three days' time to take you to Versailles

* Dianna dashes off, leaving Jules and I with the problem at hand.
* **Gabrielle:** Jules, I'm glad to hear that you're willing to attend the ball. But our finances...

* **Jules:** My dear Gabrielle, let me worry about the money problem.

* **Gabrielle:** But...

* **Jules:** This is the perfect opportunity for our family to make an appearance. I will take care of everything.

* Jules comforts me for a while, and then goes out to solve the money problem.

* The next day, he says he has already resolved the matter, and invites me to go dress shopping.
* I'm somewhat anxious, but Jules assures me with confidence that there is nothing to worry about. We then get on the carriage to go to Bohmer's shop.

* **Bohmer:** Ah! If it isn't Monsieur and Madame Polignac! What an honor to have you visit my humble store...

* **Bohmer:** Is there something I can help you with? Do you need a new dress or...?

* **Gabrielle:** Um... I was wondering if you have any suitable ball gowns?

* **Bohmer:** What a coincidence! A new batch of dresses just came in, all produced by famous designers...

* **Bohmer:** Meticulous craftsmanship, dignified and stylish, yet luxurious. They will be a perfect match for you!

* **Gabrielle:** Well... Bohmer, that might not be the sort of dress I'm looking for...

* **Bohmer:** Oh, Madame Polignac, is there something that concerns you?

* **Gabrielle:** To be frank, we don't have enough money.

* Jules frowns at my honesty.
* **Jules:** Money is not a problem, Bohmer. You need only provide a suitable dress.

* **Gabrielle:** But Jules, my dear, we really don't have that much money for a ball gown...

* **Bohmer:** Ball? If I may ask, are you going to attend the ball at Versailles?

* **Gabrielle:** ...Yes.

* **Bohmer:** Well, since you are attending the palace ball, I will certainly give you an appropriate discount.

* **Bohmer:** I just so happen to have a dress that is both inexpensive and remarkably novel in design.

* **Bohmer:** However the fabric is not the best... If that's something you don't mind?

* **Gabrielle:** (If it still looks great overall despite the poor fabric...)

* Seeing my hesitation, Bohmer quickly adds—
* **Bohmer:** The discount on this dress is even better... But it's entirely your choice, for I can provide a dress of any quality!

* **Gabrielle:** Jules, let's just make do with it this time...

* **Jules:** We'll take this dress.

* **Bohmer:** Splendid! And of course, I will give you the best price!

* **Jules:** I told you, you don't need to worry about money. Just leave it to me.

* In the end, I can't resist Jules' persistence, and so we buy the novel dress at a discounted price.
* Before I know it, it's the day of the ball. Dianna comes as scheduled, and we set off for Versailles in a carriage.

* I thought the dress would meet Dianna's standards, but instead...
* She starts nagging incessantly the moment she lays her eyes on me.
* **Dianna:** Heavens, Gabrielle! What is the meaning of this?

* **Gabrielle:** ...What's the matter, Dianna?

* **Dianna:** Your dress! It's so...unpresentable! Didn't Jules promise to take care of this?

* Dianna's face flushes as she gets all flustered and emotional.
* **Dianna:** The balls at Versailles are highly extravagant affairs. Gabrielle, your appearance is downright disgraceful!

* **Dianna:** If I didn't know any better, I'd think you're just a servant, not a madame of our Polignac family!

* **Gabrielle:** I...

* **Dianna:** How can you wear a dress made of such inferior fabric? It's entirely inconsistent with our family's status!

* I can't think of anything to say to refute her. All I can do is lower my head and listen to Dianna's increasingly acrimonious remarks.
* **Dianna:** And Comtesse Artois specifically asked me to bring some dignified noblewomen with me!

* **Gabrielle:** ...

* Dianna's words weigh heavily on my mind... Is this dress really that unsightly?
* **Gabrielle:** (Am I not at all qualified to attend the ball at Versailles?)

* **Gabrielle:** (Because our family's finances are in such dire straits, I can't even afford a beautiful dress...)

* **Gabrielle:** (I even earn the scorn and disdain of my husband's sister...)

* **Dianna:** Gosh, what am I going to say to the Comtesse with you attending the ball like this?

* Dianna ignores my gloomy expression and continues to complain.
* **Jules:** Enough! Dianna, I loaned out Mother's ruby necklace in order to pay for this dress.

* **Jules:** I've already done all that I can to meet your requirements. Do you want us to cancel the trip now?

* **Dianna:** Well... of course not. Everyone knows that you're coming. If you're absent...

* **Dianna:** You... really took Mother's necklace to the pawnshop?

* Sensing Jules' anger, Dianna subconsciously lowers her voice a little.
* **Jules:** That's right. Where else would I get the money?

* **Dianna:** Well... All right then. I suppose there was no other way.

* A bitter frown appears on Dianna's face, but instead of complaining further, she merely sighs.
* With heavy hearts, we continue on to the Palace of Versailles...