Chapter 1: In the Waves of New Destiny, Part 1

TRANSLATION BEGINS

< pp. 1-6: cover illustration, cover title page, table of contents, chapter title page, illustration >
< p.7 >
# Europe, 1755: The birth of three people who were fated to meet in Versailles years later. # In the Scandinavian kingdom of Sweden, a boy was born to the noble lineage of von Fersen. As the eldest son of a Parliament member, the boy was named Hans Axel von Fersen. # Since birth, Fersen was blessed with a vast fortune, high status, and calm wisdom. His masculine beauty would captivate the hearts of many noblewomen of Versailles years later.
< p.8 >
# Near the outskirts of Versailles, a girl was born to a noble household. She was Oscar François de Jarjayes, the youngest daughter to a legacy of men who were entrusted with service to the French Throne and command of the royal troops.
Granny:	[ clunk ] Lord Jarjayes! The baby is born! Oh boy, she is a lovely girl, just like an angel!
General Jarjayes:	[ twitch ] It's, it's a girl again? Could the Jarjayes line be cursed after all?
Granny:	Excuse me? Why, there are only six girls!
General Jarjayes:	There's no need for a girl in a general's household that serves the Throne and commands the royal troops!
Granny:	My goodness, Lord Jarjayes ...
< p.9 >
Oscar:	[ wah wah wah ... ]
General Jarjayes:	Hmm ... just by the sound of crying, she sure sounds like a boy.
Granny:	Oh please, don't kid yourself. She has such a pretty face. She'll be the most charming lady when she grows up!
General Jarjayes:	Well, your name will be Oscar. It's a fine name for you.
Granny:	Pardon? Eh, isn't "Oscar" a boy's name? Isn't it a bit, eh, ..
General Jarjayes:	So what? This child will carry on my legacy. As your father, I'll raise you to be the best soldier in France! You're my son, Oscar! My son!
< p.10 >
# Lastly, there was the tragic queen whose destiny would lead her into the giant storm of history -- Marie Antoinette.
< p.11 >
# November 2, 1755: The birth of Marie Antoinette Josephe Jeanne d'Autriche-Lorraine, the ninth child of Maria Theresa of Austria, Empress to one of France's strongest rivals in Europe. * * AJL: Until her arrival in France, Marie Antoinette was known by her German name: Maria Antonia Josepha Joanna von Osterreich-Lothringen. In a letter to fans, the author said that she used the French name throughout the story to avoid confusing the younger readers.
< p.12 >
# While a woman, Maria Theresa proved to be exceptionally skilled in politics. She was the legendary woman who imposed strict order over the Holy Roman Empire and brought fame to the Hapsburg dynasty. # Ensconced in the Schönbrunn Palace, Marie Antoinette was raised as a royal princess of the grand Austria. She turned out to be majestic and graceful, and above all, extraordinarily beautiful and generous.
< p.13 >
Marquise:	Well, Lady Antoinette, it's time for your lesson. Have you finished your essay? Lady ... Lady Antoinette! Lady Marie! My goodness, Lady Marie! * * AJL: For consistency, I will call this character "Antoinette" throughout the translation. Historically, all daughters of Maria Theresa were given "Maria" as the first name in their four-word Christian name. To avoid confusion, the daughters were called by the second name in their given name (e.g., Maria Antonia Josepha Joanna -> Antonia). The name "Marie Antoinette" was used by the French only.
< p.14 >
Marquise:	Lady Marie! Oh dear, please stop. Look at your dress! If your mother catches you like this, I ... oh dear ... Oh Lady Marie, my hair is already turning gray. Please don't make me worry any more. [ sob ] Oh, if she finds out that you haven't been studying and writing essays, what should I say?
< p.15 >
Antoinette:	I'm sorry, Marquise. My sisters invited me to play with them, so I went along. Honestly, it's not because I don't like writing essays.
Marquise:	Yeah yeah, just as I thought. Why, you don't ever forget about your history, French, piano, or voice lessons, Lady Marie!
Antoinette:	Um, I'd like to make up for neglecting my essays. I have piano lessons with Sir Gluck next. Would you mind asking him to change the time so we could do my essays instead?
Marquise:	Well, Lady Marie! What a great idea! I'll ask Sir Gluck to postpone today's lessons until tomorrow. Wait for me.
Antoinette:	Please, Marquise. [ hee hee ... ]
< p.16 >
Marquise:	Well, Sir! Are you saying that playing the piano is more classy than writing essays? It is important for Lady Marie to learn German, our national language!
[ clatter clatter ]
Gluck:	But it's your fault for not finishing the lesson during your assigned hour!
Man:	Wait a minute. Wasn't the next hour changed to French lessons?
Woman:	Excuse me? Lady Marie said she wanted to have language lesson next! What is going on?
Teachers:	[ stare ]
Antoinette and maid:	[ chuckle chuckle .... ]
Marquise:	She did it again! We were fooled!
Woman:	We're so pathetic. None of us could resist Lady Marie's charming words.
< p.17 >
Maids:	Hee hee ... everyone melts at the sight of Lady Marie's lovely smile. Oh, whoever doesn't must have a heart of stone!
# Antoinette was seven-years-old when W.A. Mozart, the six-year-old music prodigy, came to perform at the Schönbrunn Palace. * It was said that Mozart proposed to the young Marie in awe of her girly charms. # Marie Antoinette's unusual appeal to those who meet her would continue into her adulthood. She would appear as vibrant as ever until death. * AJL: While widely cited, this incident is probably an urban legend based on Mozart's impulsiveness. Mozart did jump into Maria Theresa's laps and received a kiss, but there is no evidence to suggest that he did propose to Antoinette.
< p.18 >
Kaunitz:	[ click clack ... click clack ]
Maria Theresa:	Kaunitz, if you keep fussing like this ...
Kaunitz:	Your Majesty!
Maria Theresa:	[ plunk ]
Kaunitz:	As I mentioned many times, we the Hapsburgs have always fought with the French Bourbons for control over Europe. However, this struggle has not benefited either party in any way.
Maria Theresa:	I know, I know. That's why we the Hapsburgs ought to ally with France rather than continue fighting.
< p.19 >
Kaunitz:	There is only one way to maintain a peaceful alliance between countries -- alliance by marriage. Marry your youngest daughter, Lady Marie Antoinette, to the French royalty.
Maria Theresa:	What did you say? Marry off Antoinette? The girl is barely 11 years old! And with that Louis XV? Good grief! Are you telling me to send my daughter to that decadent court where the mistresses run the show? [ kick ... scream ]
Kaunitz:	No, Your Majesty! Plea-, please listen to me. Please .. [ falls over ]
Maria Theresa:	Did you mean the grandson of Louis XV?
< p.20 >
Kaunitz:	[ headache ] Yes, the future Louis XVI. He is the current crown prince of France and just about to turn 12. I was thinking that it would be an ideal match.
Maria Theresa:	To marry my Marie to the crown prince of France, the future Louis XVI ... {{ Oh yes. Why didn't I think of this before? If she became the crown princess, sooner or later she would be the queen of France. For a princess, becoming the queen is perhaps the ultimate happiness. }}
Kaunitz:	May the alliance between France and Austria last in peace!
Maria Theresa:	Kaunitz, contact our ambassador in France and tell him to seek out Louis XV's intentions!
Kaunitz:	Yes, Your Majesty!

< p.21 >
# Incidentally, in the Palace of Versailles, Louis XV and his adviser Choiseul are discussing the same thing that Maria Theresa of Austria has considered -- the marriage between the crown prince of France, the future King XVI, and Marie Antoinette, the Austrian princess who is one year his junior. * * AJL: literally, the Palace of Versailles that is located in the countryside of Paris, France.
[ At the de Jarjayes house ]
Oscar:	Wait --! Don't sneak up on me!
General Jarjayes:	You're losing your balance! [ thrusts sword ] Hey, watch it! What's wrong with you? [ thrusts sword ]
Oscar:	[ deflects sword ] Why, he's hitting me with all his strength!
< p.22 >
Oscar:	[ attack! ]
[ clunk! ]
General Jarjayes:	Wah!
[ bong! ]
Oscar and General:	[ huff huff ... ]
Oscar:	You lost, Father! Now give me my platoon as you promised.
General Jarjayes:	[ Ah! ] Hmm ... [ Whish ... ]
< p.23 >
General Jarjayes:	[ stab whack! ]
Oscar:	Ah! Coward!
General Jarjayes:	Ha ha ha! You're careless, that's why! Coward or not, the match is over. Don't get too stressed out about it. Oscar, you still have a long way to go before getting a platoon!
Oscar:	Shit! You think you could get away with anything because I'm a child! Just wait, Father! I'll prove you wrong!
General Jarjayes:	[ ha ha ha ... ]
< p.24 >
General Jarjayes:	[ turns head ] By the way, Oscar ...
Oscar:	[ Grrr ... ] Uh-huh.
General Jarjayes:	The proposal to bring in the Austrian princess as our crown princess has been passed. Did you know?
Oscar:	The Austrian princess? Isn't she the daughter of Empress Maria Theresa?
General Jarjayes:	Hmm ... According to the court rumors, the princess Marie Antoinette is barely 11-years-old, but has already won the heart of Austrians for her beauty.
< p.25 >
Oscar:	I've seen her portrait. She has stunning, big eyes and those proud lips of the Hapsburgs. * It's quite impressive.
General Jarjayes:	If this princess truly were to become our crown princess ... Oscar, perhaps you would be assigned to serve as her private guard. Remember this and brace yourself for the future.
Oscar:	Yes, Father! * AJL: Antoinette had a protruding lower lip, like many of her Hapsburg sisters. This added a slight pout to her look and made her appear disdainful to others.
< p.26 >
[ At the Schönbrunn Palace ]
Antoinette:	[ yawn ... ] [ tap tap ... shake shake ... ]
Teacher:	Lady Marie! [ cough cough ] Are you ready? We're just about to cover the main subject. But if you keep fidgeting like this ...
Antoinette:	Excuse me, Sir. There are some beautiful violets blooming near the spring in the north garden. Surely you would like to pick a few for yourself! The weather is so gorgeous outside. Please?
Teacher:	Eh, well ... [ stomp! ]
< p.27 >
Teacher:	Lady Marie, you have an excellent mind. It's a shame that you don't like to put it to good use!
[ Maria Theresa enters. ]
Teacher:	Your, er, Your Majesty.
Maria Theresa:	Oh, continue with your lesson. [ reads Antoinette's writings ] [ Oh dear! ]
< p.28 >
Maria Theresa:	Eh, I was wondering ... whether it was Marie who wrote all of this.
Teacher:	Yes, she did.
Maria Theresa:	[ Oh my God!!! ] How could this be? This is awful! Why, she's almost 13-years-old! And yet her French and German are lousy! Her grammar and spelling and just about everything are atrocious! How could the future Queen of France be like this?
Antoinette:	The Queen of France?
Maria Theresa:	That's right, Marie. Listen to me. I have just received a letter from our ambassador to France.
< p.29 >
Maria Theresa:	The letter says that King Louis XV of France wishes to arrange a match between you and the crown prince. Well, this nonsense of yours can't go on any longer. Bring Count Mercy to me right now! Then tell all of Marie's teachers to meet here!
Antoinette:	{{ The Queen of France! Soon I will be the Queen of France! }}
< p.30 >
Maria Theresa:	French!
Antoinette:	[ chant ramble ... ]
Maria Theresa:	History!
Antoinette:	[ puzzled ]
Maria Theresa:	Literature!
Antoinette:	[ sweating ]
Maria Theresa:	Piano!
Antoinette:	[ ping pong ping pong ]
Maria Theresa:	Singing!
Antoinette:	[ notes off tune ]
Maria Theresa:	Dance! [ stomp! ]
< p.31 >
[ Antoinette curtsies gracefully. ]
Maria Theresa:	Heh heh ... whew! I guess just this is okay.
Teachers:	She is as nimble as a butterfly! [ Of course! ] Oh how graceful she looks! As if she's dancing with wings!
Maria Theresa:	[ glare ] However ...
< p.32 >
Maria Theresa:	Anyway, if anything she must learn to speak French well! Bring me the best French instructor in the country immediately! And you, Count Mercy!
Mercy:	Yes!
Maria Theresa:	Until the formal offer of marriage arrives from France, keep spreading good words about Antoinette throughout Paris. Tell them how beautiful and charming, how majestic our Antoinette is! Show them pamphlets and portraits of her slender figure and ivory complexion, her elegant manners and gentle character! Let the French fall in love with our Marie Antoinette!
< p.33 >
Maria Theresa:	Soon people will say that across Europe there is no one more suitable for the crown princess of France other than the princess Marie Antoinette of Austria!
Antoinette:	[ burp burp ]
Maria Theresa:	Why, you lazy bug! [ smack! ] Bad girl! [ slap! ]
Antoinette:	[ wah ... ! ]
[ In Antoinette's room ]
Antoinette:	Um, I read in some book that a woman could choose the man she wishes to marry.
< p.34 >
Antoinette:	Why must I marry someone I have never seen before? I want to fall in love too. I still want to play with all of you.
Maid:	Your sisters were like that too. But just think how wonderful it would be! It's a girl's ultimate dream to become the queen of France and have all the things she wished for! Anyway, why don't we go to the garden and play? It's warm and lovely outside!
Antoinette:	{{ She's right. There's no use in worrying about things like this. I'll just think about how to have fun all the time. }}
[ la la la ... ]

< p.35 >
# In 1769, the formal marriage proposal that Marie Antoinette had been waiting for had finally arrived! Marie Antoinette was just a lively 14-year-old maiden at the time.
Maids:	There hasn't been such a large wedding for a long time! Well, Austria does wish to establish blood ties with France, you know. Just the preparation alone has been going on for more than a year now.
[ people gossiping ]
Voices:	It'll be during April of next year. People all over Europe will be celebrating! Oh, how exciting! People are saying that it'll be the most magnificent wedding since the beginning of history! Maybe we'll get more dole too! Heh heh ... I heard there are tons of things being delivered to the Palace everyday -- gold, silver, jewels, fabrics, and more! It's unbelievable!
< p.36 >
Maids:	Wow, there are only two months left! Your hair looks fabulous pulled up into a set! You look every bit as majestic as a queen!
Antoinette:	Liars!
Maria Theresa:	[ sigh ] {{ As the Empress of Austria, I have agreed to this advice of marriage solely out of concern for our empire's prosperity and security. }}
< p.37 >
Maria Theresa:	{{ Yet, is this truly the best choice for my Marie? For an innocent, naughty girl who loves playing around? Even for an ordinary girl who dislikes being pampered, it shouldn't make her miserable if she were granted the crown and rank of a queen. Oh, why do I feel so anxious? Where does this ominous thought come from? }}
< p.38 >
Antoinette:	[ turns head ] Ah, Mother!
Maria Theresa:	Marie, why don't you come to my room and stay with me for our last two months together?
Antoinette:	Mother?
Maria Theresa:	You have a very important task ahead of you, and I must teach you how to behave according to your rank. Promise me you'll become a great queen for the sake of your 20 million French people. Oh my dear Marie, if only I don't have to let you go so soon ...
< p.39 >
# In April of 1770, Durfort, the special envoy of France, came to escort the bride back to France. # The grand procession consisted of 48 carriages, including two glass gilded carriages drawn by six horses each. # For Marie Antoinette, the festivities marked the beginning of her greatest journey in life.
< p.40 >
# As the lavish celebrations continued into the nights, Marie Antoinette swore before the figure of Christ to renounce all of her birth rights as granted by Austria. # Soon it was April 21. The day for Marie Antoinette to bid farewell to her beloved homeland had finally arrived. Marie Antoinette would leave Austria and step into her new destiny as the crown princess of France.
< p.41 >
Maria Theresa:	My dear Marie, listen to me. Take my personal journal as a gift, and be sure to read it on the 21st day of each month for my advice.
Antoinette:	{{ Mother ... }}
Marie Theresa:	Promise me you'll read it. I'm sure you'll find it helpful. Now keep your mother's writings in a safe place.
Antoinette:	Thank you, Mother.
Marie Theresa:	Oh my dearest Marie!
Antoinette:	Mother ... Mother!
< p.42 >
Maria Theresa:	Farewell, Marie! Don't forget your mother! Keep studying and working on your skills! Try to improve your character! {{ Only my writings can protect you now. Oh, even though you're so far away, I will continue to watch over you until my last breath. I always will! }}
< p.43 >
[ On the roads to France ]
Crowd:	[ Yay! ] Cheers for Marie Antoinette! Marie Antoinette hooray! [ Yay! ] Hooray hooray!
Antoinette:	{{ Farewell, Austria! My dearest country! Oh my dear Mother and brothers, I'll miss you! Farewell forever, my Schönbrunn Palace! My lovely fountains! }}
< p.44 >
Antoinette:	{{ Now I am the Crown Princess of France! }}
< p.45 >
# The hand-over of bride was performed at the imperial pavilion on the shoals of the Rhine River, midway on the bridge between Kehl and Strasbourg. * * AJL: Kehl is on the German border (then part of Holy Roman Empire), and Strasbourg on the French.
Maid:	Lady Marie, the transfer ceremony will soon begin. Please prepare for a change of dress.
Antoinette:	Do you mean taking my clothes off?
Maid:	It is necessary that you remove every item you brought from Austria. Not even a stitch of fabric is allowed. Now please hand me everything you brought from Austria.
Antoinette:	Every ... everything?
Maid:	Yes. Please give me your laces, ribons, cross, ring, ... and underwear.
< p.46 >
[ Images of Antoinette in nude and in French dress ]
< p.47 >
# At the receiving room.
Courtiers:	Farewell, Princess. We cannot follow you beyond this room. We wish you all the best.
Antoinette:	Oh ...
[ The Austrian retinue leaves. ]
< p.48 >
Antoinette:	{{ Oh, I've left all of Austria behind. Everything behind! }}
Courtiers:	Now we shall serve the Crown Princess of France, our Lady Marie Antoinette.
Noailles:	I am Countess Noailles.
< p.49 >
Noailles:	It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness. Sorry to have kept you waiting. His Majesty and His Highness are expecting your arrival at Compiègne.
Antoinette:	[ Oh ... sob ... ]
Noailles:	Lady Antoinette!?
Antoinette:	[ Aaarrrgh ] [ wah ... shiver ... ]
< p.50 >
[ Antoinette walks toward her carriage. ]
Crowd:	[ clap clap ] [ Yay .... ! ]
[ Antoinette notices a young officer on horseback. ]
< p.51 >
Antoinette:	Countess Noailles, who is that person?
Noailles:	Huh? Oh, she is Oscar François de Jarjayes, the daughter of General Jarjayes. While a woman, she serves as the Captain of the Palace Guards! [ chuckle chuckle ]
Antoinette:	A woman!?
< p.52 >
# At the Compiègne pavilion off the path to Versailles, the entire Royal Family of France waited for Antoinette's procession to arrive.
[ fanfare of hornets ]
Oscar:	Her Highness the Crown Princess has arrived!
Courtiers:	[ Wow! ]
< p.53 >
Antoinette:	It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty. How do you do?
Louis XV:	[ Ah ... ] Oh boy, aren't you a lovely bride! You're like an angel sprinkling joy over France! [ Ha ha ha ... ]
Antoinette:	Oh dear, Grandpa!
< p.54 >
Louix XV:	Well, there's your husband, the Crown Prince Louis. He is my grandson.
Antoinette:	{{ He seems rather stiff, just like a wooden puppet. Could he really be as stuffy as he looks? Why, his eyes seem so dull. Yet this ... this man is my husband? }}
Louis XV:	Hey, has the cat got your tongue!? Welcome your bride with a kiss!
< p.55 >
[ Louis-Auguste kisses Antoinette on the cheeks. ]
Antoinette:	{{ That's it? Why don't I feel anything even though it's the first kiss from my husband? Oh, to think of spending the rest of my life with a husband like this .. }}
# On May 16, the official wedding was held at the Chapel of Louis XVI within the Palace of Versailles. The event drew an attendance of 6,000 clergymen and nobles.
< p.56 >
# The signing of the marriage certificate.
Antoinette:	[ scribble ] Oh no! [ hand slips when writing ]
[ Image of an ink blot next to Antoinette's name on the scroll ]
Antoinette:	It's stained ...
Courtiers:	[ whisper whisper ... ] What a bad omen! [ Oh my God! ]
Louis XV:	Oh, that's all right. The brush just got caught in the paper, that's all. [ ha ha ha .... ] How could something bad happen to our beautiful darling, the Crown Princess!
< p.57 >
# At last, Marie Antoinette became a member of the the French Royal Family! Antoinette was 14-years-old at the time.
[ On the streets of Paris ]

< p.58 >
Jeanne:	Look, Mom! Everyone is heading to Versailles! Even the Palace gardens are open to public today! Oh, there will so many fireworks! Our Crown Princess is so lovely, don't you think?
Nicole:	Nah, there won't be any fireworks. It's supposed to rain in the afternoon.
Jeanne:	But, Mom! Everyone is talking about the wine flowing from the fountains! [ Hmpf! kick! ]
Nicole:	Jeanne! All you ever think about is play! Can't you be just a bit more like your sister Rosalie?
Jeanne:	Yikes!
< p.59 >
Rosalie:	[ giggle giggle ]
Jeanne:	Hmpf! Unfortunately, I just can't be as nice as Rosalie! Oh, Mom, our father is the last heir to the house of Valois, right?
Nicole:	Oh come on, not this again!
Jeanne:	But wasn't the house of Valois ... No, I mean, wasn't the Valois dynasty once the darling of nobles before the Bourbon dynasty? Hmm ... we are the last surviving heirs after all.
Nicole:	Heh heh ... Back then I was working as a maid in the house of Valois, which had since fallen to ruins. The Lord truly loved me.
< p.60 >
Nicole:	But then the Lord died soon after you were born. And with that the house of Valois came to a tragic end.
Jeanne:	Perhaps in better times ... Even though we were born as daughters of a maid, we still have a chance to live in the Palace of Versailles. Right, Rosalie?
Rosalie:	My gosh, Jeanne! You're kidding! Ha ha ha ... But seriously, Jeanne, you're beautiful. Maybe you'll attract some young nobleman and become his wife!
Jeanne:	{{ She's right! This is it! It's time to escape from this filthy, dark pigsty! This is disgusting! I can't stand living in this dump any more! Oh, how wonderful it would be to wear silk velvet dresses, lace up a corset, eat lots of good food, go to parties and masquerade balls ... }}
< p.61 >
[ gallop gallop gallop ... ]
Fersen:	Wow! The villages seem so lively in this merry midsummer!
Servant:	Sir Hans Axel, did you forget about the wedding between the Crown Prince of France and the royal princess of Austria? That's why there are so many festivities throughout Europe!
Fersen:	Oh, that's right! That's it!
< p.62 >
Fersen:	{{ So it's the royal princess of Austria, Marie Antoinette. }}
# Hans Axel von Fersen, a young Swedish nobleman, was on his way to a German university to study weaponry.
[ At the Jarjayes house ]
Oscar:	Granny! There's not much time left! Where are my clothes? What's taking you so long?
Granny:	[ drag drag ] Huff ... Move! ... My goodness ... Grrr ...
Oscar:	What's this?
Granny:	It's a dress! You will be meeting the Crown Princess in the Court of Versailles for the first time today.
< p.63 >
Granny:	[ buried under dress ] Why you ... ! Would you like to wear this dress, Lady Oscar? [ dodge ... curse ... ] Look, my Lady ... you are a woman! A real woman!
Oscar:	"My Lady"? Your head would get chopped off if Father heard what you said! Hey, André! Are you ready? Let's go!
André:	Granny, why don't you give up your preaching? Don't be so stubborn!
Granny:	Oh .... how dare you speak to your grandmother this way? [ bawl .. ] Oh, to think Lady Antoinette is already married, and yet she is the same age as my Lady Oscar!
< p.64 >
Antoinette:	[ skip shuffle ... ]
Noailles:	Lady Antoinette! Your chemise would fall off if you keep skipping like this! And what have you been doing? Shouldn't you be done by now?
Maid:	Oh, Countess Noailles! Her Highness just won't stand still. She keeps running around and around.
Noailles:	Lady Antoinette!
< p.65 >
Noailles:	Listen, you're not in Austria any more! Lady Antoinette, you simply cannot fool around like a child! Customs and refined manners are very important at Versailles! Especially for you, the Crown Princess!
Antoinette:	[ Oh my, she has three cavities! ] But in Austria, my mother always let me wear comfortable dresses and do whatever I want, except when there are important ceremonies and official events!
< p.66 >
Noailles:	France is different from Austria! Our dear France is very strict about keeping appearances and manners! [ squish! ] It's your first appearance at the Palace of Versailles, so pay attention! You must not break any of our honored customs!
Antoinette:	[ grunt! ]
Noailles:	Oh, there's another thing you need to keep in mind. At Versailles, no woman of lesser rank may address a lady of higher rank uninvited in public.
< p.67 >
Noailles:	Since the Queen is deceased, Your Highess, the Crown Princess, is now the highest ranking woman in Court. Please be the first to address the women in Court. Everyone is waiting for you to speak, Lady Antoinette.
Antoinettes:	{{ I am the highest ranking woman in Court! No one can say a word unless I address her first! Everyone is waiting for me to speak! Oh how exciting! }}
< p.68 >
Noailles:	Below Lady Antoinette, the next highest ranking women are the King's daughters. You do understand, right? All the nobles around the country are summoned to court today. So please ...
Antoinette:	All right, all right, Madame Etiquette!
Noailles:	Madame Etiquette!? What did you call me? Why, you little ... !
< p.69 >
Noailles:	The receiving line will be headed by the aunts of His Highness -- Lady Adélaïde, Lady Victoire, and Lady Sophie -- then his sister, Lady Elisabeth, ....
Antoinette:	[ thinking of Oscar ] {{ I wonder if she would be there. Of course she would. Of course. }}
[ Antoinette arrives at the Court. ]
< p.70 >
Women:	[ whisper whisper ] Oh my! I must be dreaming! Why, I've never seen such a gorgeous, charming lady in Versailles before! Her steps are so nimble and graceful! She is so slender! Ah, of course, she is a royal Austrian princess by birth. She truly has a noble bearing. Oh, she looks so dignified and resolute, not at all intimidated!
[ orchestra music ]
Antoinette:	{{ Everyone is looking at me, watching my every move in awe! They all seem entranced with my beauty! Oh, how lovely! How lovely! }}

< p.71 >
Antoinette:	{{ Now I am the Queen of Versailles, ruling over the top of European courts! }} Look, Your Highness, the minuet is starting!
Louis Auguste:	Oh, I, er, don't dance well. Feel free to dance yourself if you like.
[ Antoinette notices Oscar and starts walking toward her. ]
< p.72 >
[ Antoinette notices Mme. de Dubarry's hostile glare. ]
Antoinette:	{{ My goodness, what a woman! Why, she acts like a proud, shameless peacock! She is quite voluptous but seems vulgar. Why is she staring at me like that? }}
< p.73 >
[ Antoinette and Dubarry exchange looks. ]
Antoinette:	[ Hmpf! ] Oh hello! How do you do? You are Oscar, er, ...
Oscar:	Oscar François.
Women:	[ whisper whisper ] Look, Lady Antoinette addressed Oscar ... first! Well, she'll come around to us soon.
Antoinette:	Eh, see that woman over there? She keeps staring at me. What kind of person is she?
< p.74 >
Oscar:	Your Highness, Countess Dubarry is a woman undeserving of your attention.
Antoinette:	{{ But how could she attract so many sycophants and act like the Queen!? Why is everyone kissing up to her? Countess Dubarry ... }}
Noailles:	Oh my, Lady Antoinette! [ chuckle chuckle ] Did you see the looks on the ladies' faces in court? Hee hee ..
< p.75 >
Noailles:	Lady Antoinette, all the women were secretly vying to be the queen of society and prima donna of the Court! Now that you've arrived, everyone pales in comparison to your high status and beauty! Indeed, nobody comes close to matching you for the role of Queen!
Antoinette:	Countess Noailles, His Highness does not like dance or talk to women at all. So what does he like?
Noaille:	The Crown Prince is a gentle, shy man. He likes to read and ..
Antoinette:	[ tremble ] Reading!? Oh dear, I hate reading books!
< p.76 >
Noailles:	He also enjoys hunting and making locks.
Antoinette:	Locks!? Er, the thing that hangs on doors and comes with a key? You mean, going to the blacksmith's workroom and smashing "bang bang"?
Servant:	Lady Antoinette, Lady Victoire and Lady Sophie have come to see you.
Antoinette:	Oh, my dear aunts! Welcome!
Oscar:	Look, André! The three old maids have finally shown up! [ snort ]
André:	Huh? You mean, they're going to Lady Antoinette's chamber?
< p.77 >
Oscar:	Heh heh ... It looks like quite an interesting match, Marie Antoinette versus Dubarry. [ heh heh ... ]
Antoinette:	The King's mistress!? You mean that, er, Countess Dubarry?
Sophie:	Yes! That woman was born into the working class ...
Victoire:	And used to be a harlot in the filthy slums!
Antoinette:	A harlot?
Victoire:	That is, a prostitute who sells her body to men for money!
Antoinette:	[ stunned ]
< p.78 >
Antoinette:	How could ... such a vulgar woman be allowed in court? Why, in Austria, my mother would have thrown these shameless women into the reformatories!
Sophie, Victoire, Adélaïde: (the three aunts)	That woman took her lover's money and married the Count from the eminent house of Dubarry. It was solely a paper marriage, because she murdered the Count by poison the day after their wedding. That's how she became a Countess and started appearing in court. Then, after becoming the King's mistress, she took over the appointments of ministers, got castles of her own, accepted bribes from courtiers ... doing just about everything as extravagant as she pleases.
< p.79 >
The three aunts:	We're the King's daughters, but nobody would listen to our protests! They all follow that woman's orders completely! Everyone is kissing up to her! So she acts like an unofficial queen! [ blab blab ... ]
Antoinette:	What ... what a shameless woman! How dare she stare at me like that!
The three aunts:
Yeah! How dare she! But, even with her power, she can only dream of rivaling you. How can she beat you, the true royal princess and future queen! Why don't you ignore her completely?
< p.80 >
[ At Dubarry's room ]
Louis XV:	What do you think of today's party? Antoinette seemed to have won over the whole court in just one show!
Dubarry:	[ perk ] I'm not that impressed with that saucy, little redhead!
< p.81 >
Louis XV:	Wait a minute, Antoinette is not a redhead! She has pretty blond ...
Dubarry:	[ growl ] Her hair just looks red compared with mine! I must order new dresses! [ ring ring ... ] I can't lose to that little redhead ever! {{ Why, until now I've always had the most beautiful carriages, worn the largest diamonds, ranked first among the noblewomen, and enjoyed the following from the entire court! Yet my wide influence seems to mean nothing! How could I lose to that tiny foreignerl! That smart aleck! }}
< p.82 >
Jeanne:	[ plop ]
Nicole:	[ slap whack slap ] How could you!? How could you steal from the poor? I've suffered enough yet you ...
Jeanne:	[ spit ] Why!? We can't even get a proper meal every day! We'll end up dying if we had to put up with appearances!
Nicole:	Jeanne!
< p.83 >
Rosalie:	Where are you going, Jeanne? Jeanne, my dear sister!
[ clank clank clunk clunk ]
Jeanne:	That's an awfully good carriage. I'll give it a try. Maybe it'll work. [ pat pat ] Oh Madame, I'm a descendent of the house of Valois. Would you be so kind to spare some change for this wretched orphan?
< p.84 >
Boulainvilliers:	The house of Valois? Hey, stop the carriage! Are you really .. from the house of Valois?
Jeanne:	Yes, Madame. In fact, I ...
Boulainvilliers:	Then ... you are a royal descendent of the fallen house of Valois .. the dynasty that was overthrown by the present French royal family. Oh, what a surprise! A descendent to the King ... Listen, I'm Marquise de Boulainvilliers.
Jeanne:	Huh?
Boulainvilliers:	You said you're an orphan, right? Come to my house. I won't treat a true descendent poorly. Er, of course, I'll offer you a proper education.
< p.85 >
Jeanne:	{{ Am I dreaming? I thought I'd be lucky just to get a gold coin! Now comes the moment I've been waiting for! How could I give up this opportunity! I'm moving one step closer to my dream! }} Wait! I just wanted to say good-bye to my friends. Please wait for me!
Rosalie:	Jeanne! Oh Jeanne, where did you go? I was so worried about you!
Jeanne:	Good-bye, Rosalie, Mom! Listen, I've been invited to stay with a marquise!
< p.86 >
Nicole:	How could you! Are you leaving home all by yourself? Don't be silly!
Jeanne:	That's right! Chances like this come only once in life! I don't want to end up staying here for life!
Nicole:	Jeanne! This can't be true! How could you leave us! Think it over, Jeanne!
Jeanne:	Rosalie, you'd better leave here soon! You don't want to end up an old hag like Mom, do you?
Rosalie:	Oh Jeanne, you're mean!
Rosalie and Nicole:	Wait, Jeanne, please!
Nicole:	Jeanne, don't you want your mother any more? Please come back, Jeanne!
< p.87 >
Nicole:	Ohhh, Rosalie! Jeanne ... Jeanne ... left!
[ Oscar arrives at the Court of Versailles. ]

< p.88 >
Women:	Look, it's Oscar François! Oh my, she looks even more handsome in her outfit today! It's Monsieur Oscar! Oh, she's so cold! Why wouldn't she ever speak to us? Gosh, if she were truly a man, I'd snatch him and make him marry me! Hee hee ... I prefer André ...
[ Oscar turns to look at the women. ]
Women:	[ blush ] Oh dear, she's looking at me! Why did you say you prefer André? [ blush ] Oh, I don't think I can sleep tonight! No no! By the way, who do you think Lady Antoinette will address first today? Hee hee ... she, of course!
< p.89 >
Antoinette:	Hello Oscar François!
Women:	See, I was right! Wow! Lady Antoinette looks gorgeous today! Isn't she dazzling! She seems to have great taste!
Antoinette:	You don't talk or dance a bit like the others do. Would you like to come to my afternoon salon?
Oscar:	Thank you for your offer, Lady Antoinette. However, I am a soldier who happens to be a woman. My sole duty is to protect the Royal Family, not to chat or dance.
< p.90 >
[ In the hallway ]
André:	Hey, Oscar, why did you refuse the Crown Princess' invitation? Oh you fool! You stupid fool! You'd be high up the social ladder if you attended the Crown Princess' salon!
Oscar:	André! Have you become as corrupt as the nobles in court?
André:	[ jerk ]
Oscar:	If you weren't Nanny's grandson, I'd have smashed you to the ground by now!
< p.91 >
Dubarry:	{{ That little redhead ... didn't seem to know how powerful I am, and so she forgot to address me. Heh heh ... But today will be different. }} Hello ladies! How do you do?
Women:	Mme. de Dubarry, how do you do? Well, you look as beautiful as ever today!
Antoinette:	Ladies, won't you come over here? Come and speak with my dear aunts! We're just talking about taking everyone for a long ride in the afternoon!
< p.92 >
Women:	[ anxious and surprised ] Eh, please excuse me, Mme. de Dubarry. Me ... me too. [ heh heh ] You'll join us for the ride, right? Heh heh ... [ whisper whisper gossip gossip ] Look, Countess Dubarry is ... Um, what did you say? To think of it, Lady Antoinette still has not said a word to Mme. de Dubarry! Oh yes, that's true!
< p.93 >
Women:	That's right! Even with the King's love and her power over Court, Mme. de Dubarry is still of lowly status. No wonder the Crown Princess wouldn't address her!
Dubarry:	{[ You little Austrian brat! How could you openly ignore me in front of everyone! Why ... }}
Antoinette:	[ giggle giggle ]
< p.94 >
[ whish! ]
Louis XV:	So you're the only one who Antoinette still won't address. Isn't this a bit silly? [ ha ha ... ] It's a misunderstanding! A misunderstanding! Why, the girl is barely 15!
Dubarry:	Although that 15-year-old girl is the Crown Princess, I can't stand being ignored any more! Don't you know how malicious court gossips are?
[ people gossiping ]
Voices:	Even if she has the King's backing and struts around haughtily, she still can't hide her vulgar class and breeding! It's awfully odd that a mistress with a commoner and prostitute background could show up openly in court!
< p.95 >
Voices:	The Crown Princess is of true noble birth as an Austrian princess. It's no wonder she wouldn't address women of her sort!
Dubarry:	{{ Yes, that's it! That little redhead is out to challege me! Even the King must do as I say. How dare she humiliate me so! }}
[ In the garden ]
Antoinette:	Hello, Duchess Orleans, Countess Maureau, and Countess Maureps! The weather is lovely today, isn' t it.
Women:	How do you do, Lady Antoinette.
< p.96 >
Antoinette:	Marquise de Lobel and Marquise de Lamballe, let's take an afternoon walk through the forests in the gardens.
Women:	[ titter ] Oh, what a wonderful idea! The Versailles gardens are most beautiful around this time of the year!
Antoinette:	Mme. de Lauzun and Mme. de Maintenon, do come to my card playing party tonight! His Highness will be there too.
Women:	[ Ah! Goodness! ] Oh dear, what an honor!
[ Antoinette turns to look at Dubarry and starts walking towards her. ]
Women:	[ Look! ]
Antoinette:	[ tap tap click click ]
Dubarry:	{{ Well, isn't she naive! That snobbish girl finally realized that she forgot to address to me! Heh heh heh ... }}
< p.97 >
[ Antoinette walks right past Dubarry. ]
Antoinette:	[ swish! ] Hello, Countess Jules!
Jules:	Lady Antoinette! [ giggle ]
Dubarry:	Oh ... [ shake shake shake ]
Antoinette and the women:	[ chuckle chuckle ... ]
Dubarry:	How ... how could this be?
< p.98 >
Men:	[ gossip gossip ] It seems like the Crown Princess wishes to ignore Mme. de Dubarry completely! I wonder why. Mme. de Dubarry does have the King's support after all. However, the Crown Prince would ascend to throne upon the King's death. Then Lady Antoinette would become the Queen. But Mme. de Dubarry holds the power now.
Women:	Oh, I wonder who Oscar François will support. Um, would it be Mme. de Dubarry with her established social circle? No no! She comes from the esteemed lineage of Jarjayes. How could she!
< p.99 >
Oscar:	Look, André! Those obsequious nobles are getting confused and making a big fuss. Hmm, they're all wondering which side would benefit them more, Lady Antoinette or Mme. de Dubarry? [ heh heh ... ] [ hmpf! ] I won't support either side! [ heh heh ... ] I'll just sit back and watch the women play out their cat fight!

END OF PART 1

abc	= speech
{{ abc }}	= thought
abc	= emphasis
...	= unfinished speech/thought, or pause
( abc )	= alternative translation, usually indicates literal meaning (lit.)
[ abc ]	= description of actions/sounds
< p.# >	= page number
#	= narrator's comments, author's footnotes
AJL:	= translator's comments

CHAPTER 1: In the Waves of New Destiny-- Part 1 --

CHAPTER 1: In the Waves of New Destiny

-- Part 1 --