Episode 8

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**The Congress Dances** is the eighth episode of the Record of Grancrest War anime series.

## Synopsis

The Great Hall Tragedy… If only that incident had never taken place, Alexis Deux and Marrine Kreische would have been united in marriage. They fell in love with Eramu six years ago. Their feelings were unchanging, even after finding out each other’s positions; their true love would have brought together the Fantasy Alliance and the Factory Federation as one. But those hopes were soon shattered.

The two find themselves at a crossroads once again, after assuming their fathers’ leadership roles. Peace, or war. Which will they choose, and what lies ahead?

## Long Summary

Layla a retainer of Lord Marrine reports to about the attack on Alexis' life. Afterward, emotionally vulnerable Marrine is shown wearing her wedding dress lamenting over not being able to marry Alexis because of the Great Hall Tragedy.

Lord Villar is briefed on the assassination attempt by Phederico Rossini and that Marrine still has feelings for Alexis by Theo and Siluca. The lord then elucidates on how both lords first met in the first place leading to a flashback. While riding on a carriage with her retainers driven by Irvin, Marrine approaches a curious Alexis who is fascinated by the shiny pavement. Upon seeing Marrine, Alexis compliments her by saying he's fallen in love with her, however, Marrine takes it as a pick-up line. This encounter would lead Alexis to send her many love letters, all of which she'd never read until persuaded by her retainer Layla. Initially, Marrine was going to read one letter, but instead read all of them. The last one she reads says a special present, will be given to her and the following day, Marrine sees in her courtyard a giant rose display there.

Wanting to thank, Alexis in person, Marrine learns that Alexis attends soirees hosted by the local lords and she attends one of them. Upon arriving at the soiree, an altercation between a young lord and Marrine occurs and Alexis intervenes leading him to get knocked out. Later in a separate room, Alexis regains consciousness and it's shown that Marrine stayed by his side the entire time. The two then talk with one another both revealing that they know of each other's background. Although once again Alexis confesses his feelings for Marrine, she again rejects him.

On a trip that was meant to be to Lord Darcy's manner, Marrine is lead to a place where a bunch of children to sing a song as Lord Alexis conducts it. This event was all a plot created by Layla who couldn't stand watching her lord so crushed. When the children are done singing, Alexis pays each child a silver coin and then talks with Marrine. She chastises Alexis for his charitable acts, however, he defends them. The argument that Alexis gives moves Marrine and decides to marry him. Back to the present, Villar notes that he'd be against a political marriage, however, due to the wedding being on true love he accepted it.

The Union Lords meeting is held and the topic of Count Villar's actions are put on the table. Marques Dawson vehemently notes his disdain the Count's actions as he jeopardizes any possibility for a peace treaty between the two factions. In his defense, Villar has his Knight Theo explain his reason for the topic at hand. Meanwhile, Marrine becomes privy as to why her multiple requests for allegiance with Lord Parvel of Starck have received no response. A messenger from Starck reveals that before accepting allegiance with Marrine, she must prove her caliber as a leader. Back to the Union meeting, Theo finishes his speech. Villar then notes that the battles fought to that point were because the Alliance threw down the gauntlet and Theo merely picked it up. Marques Dawson accepts that sentiment, however, insists that it could still have soured their relationships with the Waldlind. In Villar's rebuttal, he notes that Waldlind rejected Theo's offer when he tried to join them, which is why Theo sought his aide. This prompts Dawson to argue that Villar should have rejected Theo's offer for aide, which is echoed by two other lords. Audaciously, Villar claims that any person he'll help any person in the Union, especially those that are under attack. Furthermore, he notes that the neutral country of Bredland will be under siege by the Sea King Erik. Dawson claims that they need to thwart him and Villar agrees while also noting that the Union must truly take their interests into consideration. Because the majority agrees to go to war with the alliance, Lord Alexis is congruent with it. Another thing the lord proposes is that Villar becomes the new leader of the Union as he's far more capable for the position. It's also noted that if Villar were to become the Emperor then he'd be the first to pledge fealty toward him. However, Villar declines the offer as his grandfather would disapprove of his grandchildren fighting. Chiming in on this turn of events, Lord Dawson proposes they again try to negotiate with the alliance. Lord Klute rejects it, but is put in his place by Dawson, much to his frustration. A vote is then cast and it's congruent with all of the lords that they will try and negotiate with the Alliance.

Aubest informs Marrine of this news and she orders him to prepare her army to invade Starck. This will be the prelude that leads to the invasion of Altirk.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

* Marrine Kreische
* Layla
* Villar Constance
* Theo Cornaro
* Siluca Meletes
* Irvin
* Alexis Deux
* Marques Dawson
* Lassic David
* Klute Gallas
* Milza Kuches
* Aubeste Meletes
* Telius
* Klute Gallas