A Servant's Resolve: 1-2 Brave Marquis

*The Comtesse orders her servants to beat Alfred up. Just when he's lost all hope, an unlikely savior arrives...*

### Dialogue Choices

He understands that, doesn't he?

* **Explain your situation**
* **Beg for forgiveness**

## Transcript

Expand for script.

* In the Palace of Versailles, it's normal for us lowly servants to get trodden on by nobles.
* They can punish us with a snap of their fingers. I know this well.
* These nobles were born into privilege. To them, we're the dirt beneath their shoes.
* But when that man appeared... I felt a glimmer of hope.
* Perhaps it's because he's the only one who acts like a true noble.

* A tall nobleman strides towards us.
* I can't see his face clearly... but my chest tightens.
* **Burly Servant:** Another noble?

* They breathe a sigh of relief and raise their fists, intent on carrying out the Comtesse's orders.
* The next thing I know, a huge fist slams right into my stomach.
* **Alfred:** Argh!

* **???:** I said, stop! Violence is prohibited in the Palace of Versailles.

* His voice rings in my ears. I look up and see him standing before me.
* Pain overwhelms me, but it doesn't distract me from the sight.
* **Alfred:** (This man... he has such a brilliant aura.)

* **Comtesse:** What's the matter? I didn't ask you to stop!

* The man frowns, glaring at the exasperated Comtesse.
* **???:** Madame, please ask them to stop.

* **Alfred:** (What? Is he actually... helping me?)

* **Alfred:** (I'm not hallucinating, am I? Did they hit my head too hard?)

* **Alfred:** (He's different from the other nobles I've encountered... but he's still one of them.)

* **Comtesse:** Why should I? He broke my mirror!

* **???:** A mirror?

* **Comtesse:** Exactly! Mirrors are important!

* **Comtesse:** I could have had ten mirrors!

* **Comtesse:** Thanks to his idiocy, I'll be mocked by everyone!

* The Comtesse clucks like an angry hen. She looks ridiculous in his presence.
* **Comtesse:** He's a lowly servant! I can punish him for his mistake!

* **???:** He must take responsibility for his actions, of course.

* **???:** He understands that, doesn't he?

Explain your situation

* **Alfred:** You see, the Viscount lived in the Minister's Wing!

* **???:** What does that have to do with the mirror?

* **Alfred:** His room was close to the toilet! Such a foul stench!

* **???:** And...?

* **???:** Are you blaming something you couldn't control?

* **Alfred:** I didn't mean to! I almost threw up on the way here, and broke the mirror because I wasn't feeling well...

* **???:** Don't shirk your responsibilities. It's not something a man should be proud of.

* **???:** It might be a small matter, but I hope you realize your mistake.

* **Alfred:** Yes. I'm sorry!

Beg for forgiveness

* **Alfred:** Please! Don't beat me to death! Don't break my legs, or hit my face...

* **???:** This is the Palace of Versailles. I won't tolerate any violence here.

* **Alfred:** Thank you! Thank you... please, just let me go.

* **???:** But you did make a mistake. You must pay for your actions.

* **Alfred:** You're not firing me, are you? Please... I need this job!

* **???:** Your punishment will be determined by the rules of the court.

* **Alfred:** (...he's one of them after all. None of them see us as people.)

* His next words stun the Comtesse and her servants.
* **???:** He only needs to compensate the court.

* **???:** He does not need to bear the brunt of your unreasonable anger, Madame.

* **Comtesse:** What are you talking about?

* **???:** Don't you think it's a bit much to beat a servant for such a trivial affair?

* **Comtesse:** I beg your pardon? I'm only doing this to protect my dignity as a noble!

* **???:** Dignity? It seems you're doing this for your vanity.

* His gaze is resolute... His eyes look like stars...
* **Alfred:** (He really is different from the other nobles...)

* **Comtesse:** You! How could you take a servant's side over mine? Aren't you a noble too?

* **???:** You have besmirched your noble status with your actions, Madame.

* **???:** As nobles, we must hold ourselves to a higher standard, and set a good example for all.

* **???:** Your actions are not of a higher standard, Madame.

* He speaks the truth. Most nobles are hypocrites.
* I gaze at his handsome face, my heart growing warm. If only I could applaud his bravery!
* **Comtesse:** I don't know what you mean...

* **???:** A household only needs one mirror.

* **???:** Such extravagance has marred the ivory walls of the palace.

* **Comtesse:** You're a noble too! How can you say that?

* **???:** Precisely. We, as nobles, have a greater responsibility on our shoulders.

* **???:** As discerning nobles, it is our duty to put an end to such things. Only nobles with too much free time on their hands would do such things.

* The Comtesse's mouth hangs open.
* **Comtesse:** I... How could a noble say that...

* **???:** I must go now, Madame.

* **???:** I trust you will make the right decision and let this poor fellow go.

* He's about to leave when the Comtesse suddenly gasps.
* **Comtesse:** I remember you now! You... you're...!

* **Comtesse:** Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette!

* **Alfred:** (Marquis... de Lafayette...? What a distinguished man.)

* The Marquis bows to her. Such elegant poise.
* **Lafayette:** Au revoir, Madame.

* He leaves, his tall shadow vanishing as he descends the staircase.
* **Burly Servant:** What do we do now, Madame?

* **Alfred:** Please excuse me. I need to compensate the court.

* The Comtesse bristles angrily, pointing into the hallway as she shrieks.
* **Comtesse:** Go! Get as far away as possible!

* **Alfred:** (Not every noble behaves badly, it seems.)

* I pull myself up, dusting the dirt off my clothes.
* The Comtesse regards me with a gaze full of vitriol and scorn. I must be manure in her eyes.
* **Alfred:** (And in my eyes? She's a crazed hen in a fancy dress.)

* **Alfred:** (Well, it's over now.)

* **Comtesse:** Don't think you'll get away with this just because the Marquis de Lafayette stood up for you!

* She's still at it? How terrifying.
* **Alfred:** If there's nothing else, I shall excuse myself.

* **Comtesse:** Such impudence! A lowly servant is giving me attitude?

* **Comtesse:** I can exterminate you easily!

* **Alfred:** If I recall, this is the Palace of Versailles. Not your private yard.

* **Comtesse:** You think you'll be this lucky next time?

* **Comtesse:** The Marquis de Lafayette won't remember a lowly servant like you!

* I walk away, leaving that crazy Comtesse and her shrill voice behind me.

* **Alfred:** Lafayette, huh?

* **Alfred:** (That Marquis really is different from all the other nobles I've met.)

* I'm still hurting from the beating, but I can't help feel elation. I whistle a merry tune as I go to pay my dues.
* His name and face leave an impact on me.
* Little did I know the significance of this name...