A Precious Friend: 1-9 Friends for Eternity

*The friendship between Gabrielle and Queen Marie grows stronger day by day, to the point that rumors of their ambiguous relationship begin to spread in the Palace of Versailles. Louis XVI decides to summon Gabrielle for a private talk.*

## Info

* **Rewards:** 3,000 , 600 , 1 , 1 , 1 , Blueprint: Tender Bloom

## Transcript

Expand for script.

* I grow even closer to Marie, and we often go on trips out of Versailles together.
* Today, I'm in my room writing a letter to my family members when Jules suddenly rushes in.
* Dianna also shows up in a state of excitement.
* **Jules:** Dear Gabrielle, I have news! I've been named Duke Polignac by His Majesty.

* As Jules excitedly recounts the event, he gesticulates wildly with his hands and feet. He seems absolutely overjoyed.
* **Dianna:** Comtesse Artois told me that it was the Queen who asked His Majesty the King to bestow Jules with the title of Duke Polignac.

* **Dianna:** Looks like you've taken my advice to heart, Gabrielle...

* Dianna's face is also beaming with delight, as if she can't wait for me to secure even more benefits.
* **Gabrielle:** Dianna, shouldn't we be happy for Jules first?

* **Jules:** Yes, my dear Gabrielle. I knew you're an angel sent from the Lord.

* It's the same compliment, but it's not as touching as before.
* Sometimes, I have the feeling that as I get closer to Marie, I'm becoming more and more distant from Jules...
* **Gabrielle:** You should thank Her Majesty, I played no part in it.

* **Dianna:** Don't be so modest. I heard that Her Majesty has expelled several noblewomen for your sake.

* **Dianna:** The whole Palace of Versailles is talking about this. You've become the talk of the town.

* Dianna says this rather sharply.
* I pay no attention to what Dianna says, and her exuberance suddenly diminishes.
* **Dianna:** You have done well in attending to Her Majesty. Of course she will look upon and act favorably towards your family.

* **Dianna:** But don't forget that all of this is because of your family...

* **Jules:** All right, Dianna. If it weren't for Gabrielle, I would not have received the title of Duke Polignac.

* **Dianna:** Oh, my little brother. Look at you, you're a duke now. You must use your influence well.

* Dianna and Jules talk among themselves about their splendid future.
* I end up feeling like an outsider, which is rather absurd...

* Now that Jules is a Duke, his schedule is much busier. Subsequently, I become increasingly estranged from him.
* At the same time, I begin to accompany Marie more and more. If not for Dianna, I wouldn't even know that there are other rumors.

* **Dianna:** Gabrielle, you must be careful. The rumors about you and the Queen are becoming more and more exaggerated.

* **Dianna:** There are people who say that your relationship is unusual, and even ambiguous...

* **Gabrielle:** My relationship with Marie is ambiguous? What sort of strange rumors are these...

* **Dianna:** I've even heard other noblewomen say that you have appeared in the Queen's chambers in the dead of night.

* **Dianna:** There are also nobles who have complained to His Majesty the King, saying that your relationship with the Queen is improper.

* **Gabrielle:** Goodness... How can such twisted rumors exist!

* I thought I was mentally prepared, but it's still shocking to hear the details.
* **Gabrielle:** Marie's chambers in the dead of night? That's preposterous!

* **Dianna:** Of course I believe that there's nothing going on between you and the Queen. I'm just concerned about the nobles complaining to His Majesty the King.

* **Dianna:** If they exaggerate and His Majesty the King believes them... There will be serious consequences for our family.

* Dianna sighs woefully. She looks up and stares at me warningly.
* **Dianna:** If His Majesty the King blames you, you must cut off all ties to the family, do you understand?

* **Dianna:** Your insatiable demands are the reason for these rumors. It's all your fault!

* I'm already accustomed to Dianna's treatment of me.
* **Gabrielle:** (Anything that benefits the family, she'll say I'm basking in the family's glory...)

* **Gabrielle:** (But any nasty rumors are always my fault...)

* In the beginning, I didn't particularly care about these strange rumors, but now I can't help worrying.
* **Gabrielle:** (Marie and I are merely friends. But what if His Majesty gets the wrong impression...?)

* The thought has been circulating inside my head... And one day, the King summons me for a private discussion.
* **Gabrielle:** (Oh no... Has he heard the rumors and believes them to be true?)

* I head anxiously towards the King's study, wondering how to respond to the accusation and take the blame without involving Marie...
* **Louis XVI:** Come in.

* **Gabrielle:** Good day, Your Majesty...

* **Louis XVI:** Get up, be at ease.

* I expected His Majesty to reprimand me, but he starts speaking in a gentle tone.
* **Louis XVI:** Duchess Polignac, I've been wanting to thank you...

* His Majesty's words astonish me. In all of the scenarios I've thought of, none of them come close to this...
* **Louis XVI:** Thank you for keeping my Queen company so that she's not lonely anymore.

* **Gabrielle:** T-There's no need to thank me... Your Majesty, I...

* Overwhelmed, I'm so nervous that I start to stutter...
* **Louis XVI:** Don't be nervous. I know she's not happy in the palace, and your presence has rejuvenated her youthful spirit.

* **Gabrielle:** (I always thought that the King is serious and old-fashioned... But I never expected him to be so polite and gentle.)

* **Gabrielle:** (And judging from what Marie has confided in me, I thought they had a rather joyless relationship. Who would have thought...)

* **Louis XVI:** Please continue to remain by her side...

* **Gabrielle:** Your Majesty, I'll never leave the Queen's side.

* **Gabrielle:** (I thought I was the only one who understood how lonely Marie was in the Palace of Versailles.)

* **Gabrielle:** (I never imagined His Majesty to be aware of it, much less request me to accompany her.)

* The King's lips curve up into a slight smile upon my affirmation, and he seems to cheer up a little.
* **Louis XVI:** As for the rumors in the palace...

* My heart starts to race again...
* **Louis XVI:** I know that none of them are true, and I will send someone to deal with it. You have nothing to worry about.

* **Gabrielle:** Thank you, Your Majesty...

* **Louis XVI:** I hear that you have been learning how to make Austrian desserts?

* **Gabrielle:** (How does he know?)

* **Gabrielle:** I noticed that the Queen is a little homesick, so I wanted to surprise her. If Your Majesty may...

* **Gabrielle:** Please keep this a secret from the Queen for now.

* **Louis XVI:** We have chefs who know Austrian cuisine. I will ask them to help you.

* **Gabrielle:** That is wonderful. Thank you, Your Majesty.

* My conversation with His Majesty the King has come to an end, and afterwards, the palace gossip swiftly disappears.

* I grow increasingly confident that my friendship with Marie will not be affected by outside influences.
* And so, I gradually find the courage to refuse Dianna's and Jules' ever-growing demands.
* I start spending even more time with Marie, not just in response to His Majesty's request, but also out of my own free will.

* **Marie:** Dear Gabrielle, look at this new dress Leonard designed. Do you think it matches my necklace?

* Marie spins around in front of the mirror, asking sweetly for my opinion.
* **Gabrielle:** Of course, my dear Marie. Leonard truly understands your requirements. It matches perfectly!

* **Marie:** He occasionally embellishes his designs with Austrian elements. Such a lovely surprise.

* Whenever Marie mentions Austria, there's always a touch of wistfulness on her face.
* And you know she's longing for her homeland.
* **Gabrielle:** Marie, look what I brought you today.

* I've been learning how to make Austrian desserts for Marie. And now I'm finally ready to give her a surprise.
* **Marie:** This fragrance... It's brioche!

* **Marie:** Oh, my dear Gabrielle. You make me so happy.

* **Marie:** I never imagined that you would learn how to prepare Austrian desserts, and that they would be so perfectly made.

* **Gabrielle:** I'm glad that you like it. I was worried that you would be disappointed. After all, I've never tasted real brioche...

* **Gabrielle:** I asked for guidance from Austrian chefs in Versailles. They were all very enthusiastic. Of course, the most important thing was...

* **Gabrielle:** His Majesty's assistance!

* **Marie:** Oh, so it was Auguste... I don't know what to say. Thank you, Gabrielle.

* Marie gratefully takes a bite of the dessert. Her face blossoms into an innocent smile.
* **Gabrielle:** It's fine, we are best friends!

* Despite the many unpleasant and even saddening things I encounter in the Palace of Versailles...
* As long as Marie is by my side, I can overcome all my difficulties.
* And I swear I'll stay by my friend in the Palace of Versailles, for as long as she needs me...

Ending **[Eternal Company]**