A Servant's Resolve: 1-5 A Doubtful Heart

*In hopes of meeting Lafayette, Alfred requests to work near the King's study. However, something unexpected happens on his first day there...*

## Info

* **Rewards:** 3,000 , 600 , 1 , 1 , 1 , Amazing Charms

## Transcript

Expand for script.

* I returned to the Palace of Versailles after visiting my hometown.
* I resumed my duties as if nothing had happened.
* I'd even wonder if that day was a dream.
* As a French noble, the Marquis de Lafayette has all the wealth and status one could wish for. How fortunate.
* Who wouldn't want to live in luxury?
* I couldn't understand why he'd want to go to the New World.
* The New World is said to be far less developed than France, yet he'd gladly give up his comfortable life here for it.
* Perhaps a difference in mentality between the nobles and us commoners.
* I'd ask him about it... if I ever met him again.

* I can't seem to concentrate on my work. I've been thinking about Lafayette all day.
* I almost bump into a noble in the hallway, but manage to swiftly duck aside. He glances at me menacingly.
* **Alfred:** I'm terribly sorry, sir...

* Fortunately, he chooses not to reprimand me, and returns to the conversation with his attendant.
* **Noble:** We've been here a few times already, haven't we? Sigh... the King is always meeting someone in his study these days.

* **Attendant:** I've asked around, sir. The Marquis de Lafayette seems to be visiting the King very frequently these days.

* **Noble:** Lafayette? For what purpose?

* **Attendant:** Hmm, I'm not sure about this.

* **Noble:** Forget it. Lafayette must have important issues to discuss with the King. We'll come again another day.

* The pair continue chatting as they disappear down the hallway.
* **Alfred:** (Did they say Lafayette's with the King in his study?)

* **Alfred:** (Perhaps this is my chance...)

* I have a brilliant idea--I'll take my work closer to the King's study.
* I run to the other end of the hallway to find George, the attendant in charge of work distribution.
* **Alfred:** George, I need a word.

* **George:** Alfred? What do you need?

* **Alfred:** I'd like to work in a different area. Mind helping me?

* George looks at me skeptically.
* **Alfred:** Why are you looking at me like that? Is it difficult?

* **George:** Fine. It's not like you'll be able to slack off in the new area.

* The nobles in the Palace of Versailles tend to overlook their servants' movements.
* With George's help, I transfer to an area near the King's study.
* **Alfred:** (I'm a floor beneath the study, but this is the closest I can get.)

* **Alfred:** (All I can do is to wait for the Marquis de Lafayette to walk by.)

* **George:** What's on your mind, Alfred?

* **Alfred:** Oh, nothing really.

* George works near me now, so he drops by for a quick word.
* **Alfred:** (I didn't move here to chat with him though...)

* **George:** You'd better work hard. You're very close to the King's study, so they'll quickly notice if you slack off.

* **Alfred:** I know.

* **George:** You asked to be transferred here... I can't imagine why you'd put yourself under scrutiny.

* **George:** Could it be that... you're trying to curry favor with the King?

* **Alfred:** Don't say such nonsense!

* **George:** You're overreacting, Alfred. But now I'm truly curious.

* **Alfred:** Ask away. I'll answer... if I'm in the mood.

* **George:** Why do you want to work here?

* **Alfred:** (I wonder what he'll think if I tell him the real reason...)

* I decide to maintain my facade. I clear my throat, and turn towards the confused-looking George.
* **Alfred:** What other reason could there be? I'm bored of the mundane work, so I wanted a change of scenery.

* **George:** A change of scenery, huh? Like hell.

* **Alfred:** I don't really care if you believe me. But I wanted a change in scenery so much, I signed up for the Marquis de Lafayette's expedition.

* **George:** The Marquis de Lafayette? Expedition? I've not heard anything about that!

* I gleefully relay what Alexander told me to George.
* **Alfred:** Understand? We're leaving for an expedition to the New World-- we are going to war. Crazy, right?

* **George:** Are... are you serious?

* **Alfred:** ....I didn't expect this reaction, George.

* **George:** Alfred, you're dumber than I thought!

* **George:** You must be insane! You and those nobles... you're all insane!

* **Alfred:** Lower your voice! You trying to get me in trouble?

* George looks at me with contempt, as if mocking the expedition.
* **George:** You're an ignorant fool...

* **Alfred:** Why would you say that?

* **George:** It's already a miracle we peasants get to work in the palace.

* **George:** We have a stable income, we don't pay taxes... Do you have any idea how coveted our jobs are?

* **Alfred:** Of course. This job is better than tilling plots any day.

* **George:** Listen. It's tough enough trying to make a living for us lowly peasants.

* **Alfred:** What are you trying to say?

* **George:** The Marquis de Lafayette is a noble! He belongs to the highest rung of society! Who do you think you are?

* **Alfred:** (I... I'm nothing. I'm fully aware of that.)

* **George:** The nobles can afford to feast and make merry all day.

* **George:** ?But we slog like donkeys every day just to make ends meet!

* **Alfred:** That's the reason I joined the expedition. I want more money...

* **George:** Alfred, it's an actual battlefield you're going to. You might die before you see any of that money.

* **George:** Worse, you might live but be horribly injured.

* **Alfred:** Will you stop cursing me?

* **George:** I'm serious. The nobles have their families and servants to fall back on if anything were to happen them.

* **George:** Can you do that, Alfred?

* **Alfred:** (No, I can't... But I can't stop thinking about the possibilities.)

* **Alfred:** (Before, I'd probably laugh at the nobles' madness with George.)

* **Alfred:** (But now...)

* I am about to make my case when a loud crash thunders above us.
* **George:** What was that noise?

* **Alfred: '**Perhaps the doors were flung open?

* **George:** It came from the King's study!

* We peer up nervously, wishing we could see through the floor...