Chapter 3: Forbidden Love, Part 1

TRANSLATION BEGINS

< pp.1-7: cover illustration, title page, table of contents, chapter title page, chapter illustration >
< p.8 >
Oscar:	It must have been four years ... You've changed so much! I almost didn't recognize you.
Fersen:	Oscar, you're now the Commander of the Palace Guards, right? Even in Sweden, people are talking about you. They say the Palace Guards has quite a formidable woman commander.
Oscar:	{{ Fersen! }}
Fersen:	{{ Oscar! }}
Fersen:	Actually, the reason I came back to France was ... my father wanted me to look into some marriage prospects. After all, it's unfitting for the oldest son of the commander of Swedish army and advisor to the throne to stay a bachelor.
< p.9 >
Oscar:	[ thunk! ] Marriage?
Fersen:	Now I'm first considering the daughter of Necker, the Director General of Finances, then two or three other women as alternates. After all, I'm getting older.
Oscar:	Fersen ... Are you going to see Her Majesty, Lady Antoinette?
Fersen:	I'll visit her in court tomorrow. How is Lady Antoinette?
< p.10 >
Oscar:	Beautiful ... she's become incredibly beautiful! Now, like a flower in full bloom, her beauty and elegance are simply stunning.
< p.10 >
[ At court ]
Antoinette:	Hans ... Axel .. von ... Fersen ... {{ Oh yes! I know it! Yes I do! I've known it since years ago! Yes, since the very beginning ... }}
< p.11 >
Antoinette:	{{ Fersen! Oh! Is it really you, Fersen? Is it really you? Oh, I knew it! I knew you'd come back to France someday. Surely you would! }}
# After all these roses, diamonds, magnificent songs, and rowdy laughs ... over hundreds of days and nights ... across great distance and space ... Marie Antoinette, the 22-year-old Queen, has finally endured her suffering. Her heart has now re-awakened with passion.
< p.12 >
# Oh, how time goes on and on ... see how light lingers and sparkles ... as if all had returned to four years ago ... to the year when they were 18 ... Perhaps Lady Antoinette would leave Countess Polignac aside just for a while ...
Polignac:	[ click clack ]
< p.13 >
Polignac:	{{ Did they say Count Fersen? The young Swedish nobleman? [ Grrr ... ] It must have been during my childbirth, my leave from court ... How could Lady Antoinette welcome that fellow back to court! Hmpf! What a pain! Why, Lady Antoinette shoved me aside the moment I left her alone! Fersen ... what sort of man is he? Well, as a foreigner, he doesn't hold any true authority in court. But still ... }}
Messenger:	Here comes ... Countess Polignac!
Polignac:	[ huff huff ... growl! ]
Antoinette:	Countess Polignac! You came just right in time!
< p.14 >
Antoinette:	I was just telling Oscar that I was thinking about quitting gambling.
Polignac:	{{ What? }}
Antoinette:	After all, it's illegal, and I always lose anyways. [ tee hee ... ] The national deficit is also getting higher.
Polignac:	Oh ... I see. That would be fine with me. Well then, we must find something else more amusing ... [ uh-huh uh-huh ... ] [ Grrr ... tremble ... ] {{ Oscar, you nosy brat! Damn you! }}
Oscar:	[ grin ]
< p.15 >
Antoinette:	By the way, Oscar, I heard that lovely young lady of yours was quite popular.
Oscar:	Thank you. She's a distant relative to my sister's family.
Antoinette:	Well! Then why don't you bring her along the next time you come to court?
Polignac:	Aargh! How could our dignified Queen meet with that brat! Why, she was terribly rude towards my daughter at the last ball! She threw her fan at her and ...
Oscar:	That was Miss Charlotte's fault, Countess Polignac.
< p.16 >
Polignac:	Wh- what? What did you say? It's my daughter's fault?
Oscar:	Indeed! Your daughter insulted Rosalie, so she should apologize next time.
Polignac:	{{ How dare you ... defy me! Now anyone who seeks favors from Her Majesty has to come and beg me on their knees! Everyone in court! That Oscar is dangerous ... Just when I thought she's only a Palace Guard, she's become a pain in the neck. I must get rid off her ... whatever it takes ... Now ... when I can still do anything I want ... }}
< p.17 >
Oscar:	Thus, the Hundred Years' War finally ended during the reign of Charles XVII. It was then that Joan of Arc also appeared.
Rosalie:	Yes, I see.
Oscar:	You've worked very hard. It's rather easy to teach a quick study like you. I've already taught you all the history, literature, and etiquette you need. {{ You've become quite beautiful ... almost like a born noblewoman ... }}
Rosalie:	{{ Monsieur Oscar ... }} Um ... do you know a noblewoman by the name of Martine Gabrielle?
< p.18 >
Oscar:	Hmm ... Martine Gabrielle ... And what's her last name?
Rosalie:	I don't know. I really don't! But ... she is my real mother! Those were my mom's last words at death! She said I'm a lady!
Oscar:	Is that ... true? Why haven't you said anything until now?
Rosalie:	Because I couldn't believe it myself! How could I be a lady! But ... if she's still alive, I want to see her ... even just once ...
< p.19 >
Oscar:	André, do you know her?
André:	Hmm, Martine Gabrielle ... I recall hearing about her from somewhere, but I don't know the surname.
Oscar:	I see. All right, Rosalie. I'll try my best to find this noblewoman called Martine Gabriellle.
Rosalie:	Monsieur Oscar!
Oscar:	Well then, Rosalie, have a seat. Your next lesson is pronunciation. If you were truly a noblewoman, you could attend court in all fairness. Actually, Her Majesty can't wait to see you.
Rosalie:	Her Majesty?
< p.20 >
Rosalie:	Er, no ... I don't want to see Her Majesty!
Oscar:	Rosalie?
Rosalie:	Everybody is saying we're eating poorly and suffering all because Her Majesty spends too much and is too frivolous!
Oscar:	Sit down, Rosalie.
Rosalie:	No! I'm telling you Her Majesty is evil and mean, as cruel as demon ...
Oscar:	Sit down!

< p.21 >
[ At Versailles ]
Polignac:	Charlotte, you've turned out beautifully! As I wished, you're now the number one young lady in court!
Charlotte:	I heard that girl is coming with Monsieur Oscar today. Er, what's her name, Rosalie ... What's she doing here? She's not a lady at all!
Polignac:	My dear child, what are you worried about? No one can match up to you!
Servant:	Here comes ... Count Hans Axel von Fersen! And here is ... Colonel Oscar François de Jarjayes!
< p.22 >
[ Fersen and Oscar leads Rosalie into the room. ]
Women:	Oh my! Look over there, Madame! Don't they look like they just stepped out of a painting! [ huh huh ... ] Indeed! How lovely they are!
Charlotte:	Mother! No ... nobody is looking at me! Why, she's only a country bumpkin!
Women:	[ whisper whisper ... ]
Servant:	Here come ... His and Her Majesty!
< p.23 >
[ Antoinette and Fersen exchange looks. Nervous, Antoinette quickly turns away, leaving a stunned Fersen. ]
Antoinette:	{{ Oh God ... I thought my heart just stopped ... What's wrong with me ... I've never felt like this in front of him ... }}
< p.24 >
Antoinette:	{{ Oh dear, I've got to go talk to him ... Everyone is staring at me ... But if don't ... if I don't go ... they'll think it's strange. }} [ moves towards Oscar ] Ha- Hello, Oscar! Is this the young lady we were talking about earlier?
Oscar:	Lady Antoinette.
Charlotte:	Mother! Her Majesty spoke to them first!
Polignac:	How ... could this be! Lady Antoinette!
Antoinette:	Enjoy the party, Miss Rosalie Lamorliere.
Rosalie:	{{ This ... this is Her Majesty? She, she is different from what I thought ... what everyone in the streets was saying! That's not her! She's like a beautiful goddess, as kind as the virgin Mary ... }}
< p.25 >
Rosalie:	Um, um ... er ... it's a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty.
Oscar:	[ snicker ]
Polignac:	Your Majesty, my daughter wishes to say hello. Have you forgotten about us?
Antoinette:	Countess Polignac!
[ Polignac and Rosalie exchange looks. ]
< p.26 >
Polignac and Rosalie:	{{ Oh my God! }}
Rosalie:	{{ It ... it's her! It's her! She's the one who killed Mom with her carriage and ran away laughing! }}
Polignac:	{{ Could this be ... her? }}
< p.27 >
Rosalie:	[ steps forward: rustle! ]
Oscar:	[ grabs Rosalie's wrist: hey! ] Wait!
Rosalie:	Monsieur Oscar?
< p.28 >
Rosalie:	Why? Let me go!
Oscar:	Now, what are you trying to do? Just to leap out and throw away your life?
Polignac:	{{ This girl ... }} Lady Antoinette! This girl, this girl is not a lady at all!
Antoinette:	Countess Polignac?
Polignac:	I saw her in Paris when ...
< p.29 >
Oscar:	Wait a minute, Countess Polignac!
Polignac:	Oscar!
Oscar:	What did you say you were doing in Paris? [ whispers to Polignac ] Are you going to say that you ran over and killed her innocent mother with your carriage? Confess right in front of Her Majesty?
Polignac:	Ah!
Oscar:	Remember! The only reason she came here was to find you and avenge her mother's death! And she's prepared to die for it!
< p.30 >
Polignac:	Um, Lady Antoinette, I mistook her for someone else. Sorry for disturbing you.
Antoinette:	Huh?
Polignac:	[ shiver ] {{ To avenge her mother's death! And willing to die for it! Is that really ... why she came here? How could she! }}
[ At the Jarjayes house ]
Rosalie:	I was so close! I was so close to killing Mom's murderer! What have I been practicing my fencing all this time for?
Oscar:	And what are you going to do once you killed her? No doubt you'll be sentenced to death! Won't your heart feel empty then? You can't bring back the dead even if you killed Countess Polignac! Why don't you care more about your own life?
< p.31 >
Oscar:	Don't die, Rosalie! You've become a member of the Jarjayes! I don't want you to die!
Rosalie:	Oh ... Monsieur Oscar! [ sob ] Monsieur Oscar!
Oscar:	In any case, we've found Martine Gabrielle. So just think about tomorrow, Rosalie.
[ At Versailles ]
Fersen:	Where is Oscar's office ... Gosh, how am I supposed to know where things are in a place this big!
< p.32 >
Noailles:	Are you ready yet, Your Majesty? The Princes have been waiting for a while now.
Fersen:	[ bursts into room: bang! ] Oscar!
Antoinette:	[ drops fan: clang! ]
Fersen:	{{ Oh... shit! It's the wrong room ... }}
Noailles:	How rude of you, Count Fersen!
Fersen:	I, I'm very sorry. I had the wrong room.
< p.33 >
Antoinette:	[ tremble tremble ]
Noailles:	Your Majesty?
Antoinette:	Pick, pick up ... the fan, please. {{ Oh! What a pleasant surprise! Still ... suddenly like Icarus Fersen soars and then descends before me ... My heart seems to have stopped beating.
< p.34 >
Fersen:	[ huff huff ]
Oscar:	What? You mean you went into Her Majesty's room next door by mistake? Missed, moron!
Fersen:	Hey, look! Who did I do this for? Oscar, you'd be careful. The Polignac set is keeping a close eye on you. Now Mme. de Polignac is the queen behind the scenes. Who knows what that woman would do! Just be careful, Oscar.
# By the Queen's special request, Fersen soon came to serve in Palace of Versailles, sporting the blue-and-white uniform of the Swedish light dragoon.
< p.35 >
Antoinette:	[ huh huh ... ] How lovely! It does suit you quite well. People do look exceptionally stunning in foreign dress, Count Fersen.
Women:	[ murmur murmur ] Oh look over there! Did you see the way Her Majesty looks? She's married, for God's sake! And, to be crass, she's quite enjoying herself. Oh Madame, don't you think it's odd? What Her Majesty shows toward Count Fersen is not just kindness. Gosh, how could she forget her own role! If Her Majesty were in love with Count Fersen ...
< p.36 >
Oscar:	[ looks up: what? ]
[ chandelier: rippp ... ]
Oscar:	[ feels falling powder: drip drip ]
[ chandelier: wham! ]
Oscar:	[ Arghhhhh! ]
< p.37 >
Oscar:	[ pushes André away ] André!
[ chandelier falls to the floor: crash! ]
Women:	[ Oh my God---! My God ---! ]
Oscar:	[ huff huff huff ]
Antoinette:	Oscar!
< p.38 >
Fersen:	Oscar!
Oscar:	I'm, er, I'm fine. That was close!
Women:	[ shiver shiver ] Oh my ... that was a heavy chandelier! What in the world just happened? I didn't think it was that old!
Oscar:	{{ Was it ... an accident? }}
Antoinette:	Oh dear .. Oscar, Oscar almost ...
Polignac:	She's all right, Your Majesty. Look!
Oscar:	{{ But ... what if ... it's planned? }}

< p.39 >
Nicholas:	Oh God, Jeanne! Is this really okay ... for us to sneak in like this?
Jeanne:	Of course, you idiot! Anyone wearing a sword and cap can come in here! Get a hold of yourself! Soon Her Majesty will come through the Hall of Mirrors. And I'll try the same trick again!
Antoinette:	That was really dangerous! Now go and inspect all the chandeliers in the Palace!
Jeanne:	Here she comes!
Nicholas:	Her Majesty's attendants are coming! Hurry, Jeanne!
Jeanne:	Okay! [ Yes! ]
Nicholas:	[ screech! ] Jeanne! Oh dear, hang on, my darling! Hang on, Jeanne!
< p.40 >
[ Nicholas and Oscar exchange looks. ]
Oscar:	Um, you're ...
Nicholas:	[ panic! ] Com- commander! Get up, Jeanne! Oh crap! Let's go! It's my commander! It's not gonna work! [ drags Jeanne away ] Er, bye!
Oscar:	Huh? What a strange guy! I thought he was weird to begin with. So he is a bit off.
< p.41 >
Jeanne:	Yeah, I just went to Versailles and had a private talk with Her Majesty. After a while, she finally realized her dislike towards you was a misunderstanding all along.
Rohan:	Oh my! How happy I am!
Jeanne:	Because of her mother in Austria, she said she still couldn't see you, but she'd be willing to correspond with you in secret.
Rohan:	Oh, sniff sniff, thank you very much! [ hallelujah! hallelujah! skip skip! ] I'm going home now to write a letter to Her Majesty!
Jeanne:	[ heh heh ... ]
< p.42 >
Messenger:	Monsieur Oscar! Her Majesty wishes to discuss something urgent with you. Please leave for Versailles at once!
Oscar:	Who? Her Majesty? The sun has set already. What could it be? Very well, I'll go right now. Granny, get my things ready.
Rosalie:	Monsieur Oscar! Don't leave, Monsieur Oscar! You promised to teach me grammar next!
Oscar:	Rosalie! I'm afraid not. I have work to do.
Rosalie:	No! Our promise came first! I prepared so hard for this!
< p.43 >
Oscar:	My, aren't you a silly girl. It's the Queen's order.
Rosalie:	Are you saying the Queen's whim is somehow more important than our promise?
Oscar:	Rosalie ...
Rosalie:	Nooo! Monsieur Oscar is always ... always with Her Majesty!
Oscar:	Rosalie!
Rosalie:	I'm sorry. But please ... let me come with you.
Oscar:	Fine. Hurry then.
Rosalie:	{{ She doesn't understand ... No, she doesn't ... Her Majesty has everything, everything she wants ... But I only have my feelings toward Monsieur Oscar ... }}
< p.44 >
[ Carriage is shown leaving the gates of Versailles. ]
[ carriage: teeter totter ]
Oscar:	Now this is really strange. They said Her Majesty had gone out to the opera hall.
André:	Well, that was a waste of time.
Oscar:	André, don't you think it's odd? What's with the messenger earlier?
[ carriage: teeter totter ]
[ footsteps from the bushes: tap tap ]
Rider:	[ being attacked with sword ] Ahh!
[ horses: neigh! ]
< p.45 >
Oscar:	Huh?
Rosalie:	[ sees sword flying through window ] Arghhh!
Oscar:	[ kick! ] Robbers! André, give me my sword! Who are you? Who told you to do this?
< p.46 >
Attacker:	Oh, let's get rid off this girl too! Die!
Rosalie:	[ screeeeeech! ]
Oscar:	[ stab attacker in back ] Yaa!
Attacker:	[ Errr ... ]
Oscar:	Rosalie! Go! Take the carriage back home! [ fends off other attackers: cling! whish! ]
Rosalie:	[ shiver shiver ] Oh ... oh ...
< p.47 >
Oscar:	Rosalie!
Attacker:	[ struggles to get up ] Damn! What a woman!
André:	Oscar!
[ Attacker stabs Oscar in the back. ]
Rosalie:	[ Arghhhhhh! ]
< p.48 >
André:	Oscar!
Attacker:	[ prepares to strike again ] This is it!
[ gallop gallop ]
Fersen:	[ fires shots into air: bang! bang! ] Oscarrr! [ gallop gallop ]
< p.49 >
André:	It's Monsieur Fersen!
Attackers:	Oh no! Someone's come to help them! [ flee ... ]
Fersen:	Is Oscar all right? I just stopped by your house, but you were out. So I thought ...
Rosalie:	Oh, it's all because I begged her to take me with her and caused her trouble ...
[ At Versailles ]
Women:	Did you say Oscar got attacked by robbers and was hurt? Yeah, she was stabbed on the left shoulder! It's quite serious! I heard Miss Rosalie was attacked too! Was it a deep wound? Apparently someone used Her Majesty's good name to call her out!
< p.50 >
Charlotte:	[ opens door: slam! ]
Polignac:	Oh Charlotte! You came just right in time. I was about to discuss something important with you.
Charlotte:	[ huff huff ] Mo- .. ther ... What, what ... have you done ... to Monsieur Oscar?
Polignac:	[ jerk ] What are you talking about, Charlotte?
Polignac:	Tell me! Last night I saw Uncle coming home with blood-stained clothes and a bunch of strange men!
Polignac:	There, er, was an accident. Um, it was an accident.
Charlotte:	Mother, you're lying!
Polignac:	Quiet, Charlotte!
Charlotte:	[ tremble ]
< p.51 >
Polignac:	{{ This has become quite a headache since the plan failed. Darn, I thought it'd be a good chance to get rid off of the other girl too. But if her injury were serious, she wouldn't be able to come to court for a while. I could try again. }} Come over here, dear. I've something to tell you. Actually, it's about your upcoming marriage to Duke Guiche. How lovely it'd be for you to marry into the Duke's family! And, Charlotte, think how powerful I'd be in front of the entire court!
Charlotte:	Marriage! But, but why? You're kidding, right? Mother ... I, I just turned 11!
< p.52 >
Polignac:	Because Duke Guiche likes young girls! Don't be stubborn! Why, you'll be a Duchess!
Charlotte:	No ... Oh ... how scary ... I, I still like Monsieur Oscar very much ....
# One month later, Oscar finally returned to court with a bandaged left shoulder.
Women:	[ Oh my! Look! ] Oscar François! Oh dear, it's been so long! Hmm, I wonder if her wound is completely healed.
Oscar:	[ glare ]
Women:	Eek! How fierce she looks! She seems to be in quite a bad mood! Shhh ... Don't say that! It'll upset her!
< p.53 >
Oscar:	Rosalie, stay close to me. I wasn't the only one being targeted.
Rosalie:	Yes, Monsieur Oscar.
Antoinette:	Oscar! Oh Oscar, I was so worried about you! Are you all well now? The search is still on, and I hope we find the criminal soon.
Oscar:	Lady Antoinette.
Polignac:	Well, Your Majesty! It's probably just some robbers. No big deal!
Oscar:	[ grimace ]
Polignac:	[ jump ] {{ What ... was that? She has no proof! She can't say anything without proof! }}

< p.54 >
Rosalie:	[ notices Charlotte hiding behind a pillar ] {{ She's looking at Monsieur Oscar. Hmm, maybe she doesn't know what sort of thing her mother has done. }}
Oscar:	[ tries to pull a chair back: ouch ouch! ] Aww! [ shake! ]
André:	Oscar!
Oscar:	Um ... I guess not. I should be more careful.
André:	I told you so! You need to wear a cast for your left arm!
< p.55 >
Charlotte:	Um, excuse me, let me move the chair ...
Oscar:	Miss Charlotte!
Charlotte:	Monsieur Oscar ... um ... may I ... touch your left hand ... please ....
Oscar:	[ gives hand to Charlotte ]
< p.56 >
[ Charlotte takes Oscar's hand and begins to cry. She then runs away in tears, leaving a stunned Oscar and Rosalie. ]
Women:	What a poor child Miss Charlotte is! Soon she'll have to marry Duke Guiche! What a pity! Why, she's barely 11. How sad!
< p.57 >
Rosalie:	Marriage?
[ At the Jarjayes house ]
Fersen:	This lady called Leijel is English, but she has a large inheritance and high rank. Now we're about to enter into talks. The engagement will be settled once I get a chance to write and discuss it with my father back home.
Oscar:	Is she pretty? And how is her character? Her interests and breeding?
Fersen:	That I don't know. They don't matter anyways. As long as my father considers the match beneficial, I have no problem with it.
< p.58 >
Oscar:	[ shouts ] Will you marry someone you don't love, Fersen? [ huff huff ]
Fersen:	Oscar ... well then, even if there's love ... even then, can one marry only for love?
< p.59 >
Antoinette:	Monsieur Ambassador from Sweden. Um ... Count Fersen hasn't been coming to my salon lately. Is he ill?
Women:	[ murmur murmur ] Look! Her Majesty is asking about Count Fersen again. It's like she has nothing else on her mind except for Monsieur Fersen. Don't you think that's odd?
Maid:	Your Majesty, Count Fersen has arrived.
Antoinette:	{{ Fersen! Oh, he finally came! I've so much to tell him, but it's like there's a mountain between us. I can't seem to say a word when I do see him. }} Count Fersen, how are you? You haven't been coming to any of the card parties. I was so worried about you.
Fersen:	Your Majesty ...
< p.60 >
Fersen:	I'm sorry ... Actually, I'm busy with marriage plans now.
Antoinette:	[ what? ] [ boom! bang! boom! ] {{ Mar- marriage? Did he say marriage? }} Oh ... I see. Well ... con- congratulations. Um ... she must be very happy now. Er, your bride, I mean. Your ... bride ...
Fersen:	[ ... ]
< p.61 >
[ Antoinette turns around and runs away in tears. ]
Oscar:	[ bump! ] Lady Antoinette ...
< p.62 >
Antoinette:	{{ He's ... he's getting married ... Fersen is getting married ... married ... It's only natural, isn't it. But why am I so surprised? Why, why am I crying? No, that's not it. It's just my tears spilling out on their own ... Oh ... but my heart hurts so much ... my heart hurts ... Fersen is ... getting married! }}
[ In the gardens ]
Oscar:	Fersen! Why? Why did you tell Lady Antoinette? Why did you tell her?
< p.63 >
Fersen:	How could I ... how could I tell the Queen I love her!?
Oscar:	[ Ah! ]
Fersen:	She's the Queen! She's the wife of the King of France! It'd be treason against His Majesty! Against the Throne!
< p.64 >
Fersen:	That's why I was afraid to stay near Lady Antoinette! With feelings like this, I'm a traitor! I fear for my ...
Oscar:	Fersen ...
[ In the Palace ]
Rosalie:	Where did Monsieur Oscar go? [ notices Charlotte sobbing on the balcony ] {{ Miss Charlotte de Polignac ... }}
< p.65 >
Rosalie:	{{ I heard she'd be married off to Duke Guiche. And she's only 11. Poor child ... }} [ moves towards Charlotte ] Miss Charlotte ...
Charlotte:	Miss Rosalie Lamorliere ...
Rosalie:	{{ Poor thing ... you poor child ... The girl is not to be blamed for what happened ... She's still so young ... }}
Polignac:	Charlotte, what are you doing? Come over here! Don't you talk with that crass girl!
< p.66 >
Charlotte:	[ being dragged away ] You're mean, Mother! She's only ... Miss Rosalie Lamorliere is only telling me ...
Polignac:	{{ Rosalie ... Lamorliere ... ?}}
Charlotte:	Mother?
Polignac:	Lamorliere? Did you say Rosalie Lamorliere?
< p.67 >
André:	Oscarrr! Rosalieee! You won't believe this! I ... I ... I found out who she was! Martine Gabrielle ... is Mme. de Polignac's given name! It's Martine Gabrielle de Polignac!
< p.68 >
Rosalie:	{{ Martine Gabrielle de Polignac? Mme. de Polignac ... Mme. de Polignac is my real mother? }}
Oscar:	Are you sure, André?
André:	Absolutely! I've looked through the names of all the noblewomen.
< p.69 >
Rosalie:	[ sniffle ... sobbbbb ... ]
Oscar:	Rosalie!
[ Polignac kneels before a coffee table. ]
< p.70 >
Polignac:	{{ Rosalie ... Lamorliere ... Is it ... really her? I never thought about it since Rosalie is such a common name. Oh dear! If that girl were truly Lamorliere's ... then the woman I ran over with my carriage last time must have been ... Oh ... how could this be ... }}
< p.71 >
Polignac:	{{ Back then, Lamorliere was working as a maid in the house of Valois. I gave Rosalie to her right after birth and asked her to take care of her. If this were true ... then that girl must be ... Oh ... Oh God! }}
[ At the Jarjayes house ]
Oscar:	[ knock knock ] Rosalie, it's me. Could I come in?
< p.72 >
Oscar:	Had I known it'd turn out like this ... It was for you, but if I'd known it would make you suffer, then perhaps ... I wouldn't have taught you how to fence otherwise. I only wanted to keep you busy, to take your mind off silly things like avenging your mother's death. I didn't want to leave you as a prostitute crying in the streets of Paris.
< p.73 >
Oscar:	But now there doesn't seem to be anything I can do. It won't ease your suffering no matter what I do now.
Rosalie:	No no ... don't say that, Monsieur Oscar. If I hadn't met you then, surely I'd have become a fallen woman by now. Who knows how far I'd have gone ... I'm grateful for all that you did ... grateful beyond words ... If you hadn't spoken to me then, I'd have ...
Oscar:	Rosalie ...
Rosalie:	Don't worry. Rather, this seems to have helped me make up my mind. My real mother ... is the one who didn't even have bread crumbs to eat ... who had to sell off her underclothes for food ... who struggled against harsh poverty to raise me. Now that I think about it, at the time my mother must have seen Mme. de Polignac in her carriage and jumped in front of it ...
< p.74 >
Rosalie:	I am the daughter of Mme. de Polignac ... But there's only one person who is my mother ... my kind mommy ... Lamorliere ... I really feel this way now, with all my heart.
Oscar:	Rosalie ...
[ At Versailles ]
Oscar:	Are you really okay with the evening parties?
Rosalie:	Hee hee ... And how about you, Monsieur Oscar? Just look at your left arm.
Oscar:	{{ It looks like ... Fersen didn't come after all. }}

< p.75 >
[ Rosalie and Polignac notice each other across the room. ]
Rosalie:	{{ No ... she's not my mother! I only have one mommy! }}
Polignac:	[ steps towards Rosalie: tap ... ]
< p.76 >
Rosalie:	[ stunned ]
Polignac:	Um ... Aren't you ...
Rosalie:	[ runs away: rustle ... ] {{ If I could, I'd have tried kill her again! Now again! There's no way I'd call her "Mother"! }}
Polignac:	{{ Rosalie ... are you really my Rosalie? }}
< p.77 >
Charlotte:	[ hiding in corner: sniffle sniffle ]
Rosalie:	[ Oh my! ] {{ Charlotte ... my sister ... }}
Charlotte:	[ notices Rosalie ]
Rosalie:	{{ My sister ... Why, she's hiding from people and crying all alone ... Her tiny shoulders are shaking so ... }}
Charlotte:	[ sob sob ... sob sob ... ]
< p.78 >
Rosalie:	You like Monsieur Oscar, don't you?
Charlotte:	Miss Rosalie?
Rosalie:	Poor thing ... you're getting married. But you're still so young. I know how you feel, Miss Charlotte. I like Lady Oscar too. It's rather painful.
Charlotte:	Miss Rosalie ... You're so nice. I'm sorry for being mean to you before.
< p.79 >
Charlotte:	Everyone is afraid to come near me because of Mother's authority. But only you ... You're like ... a sister to me ... [ sob ... ] No! I don't want to get married! No no!
Rosalie:	Miss Charlotte ... {{ Charlotte ... oh Charlotte ... my sister! How you cry every night about the same thing ... my little sister! }}
[ At the Lamotte house ]
Rétaux:	How was it, Miss Jeanne?
Jeanne:	Um, you did great! Anyone would have thought it was written by a lovely woman, Rétaux. Heh heh ... thank you for your hard work.
< p.80 >
Jeanne:	Sorry to keep you waiting, Monsieur Rohan. I brought you Her Majesty's reply.
Rohan:	[ stunned ] Oh! This is ... The stamp of lily ... Yes, this is definitely the royal parchment and envelope! It's her stationery all right. [ reads letter ] "Dear Monsieur Rohan, Forgive me for doubting your honor till now." Oh my! [ reads ] "Actually, I found your round nose quite appealing, and I like everything about your face." Oh dear! [ reads ] "I'd like to continue this secret correspondence with you. I shall never forget your loyalty towards me." Oh my! [ faints: plop! ] Oh yes! Here we have the most noble, most digified and beautiful signature! [ reads ] "Yours, Marie Antoinette of France".
Jeanne:	[ Goodness! ] {{ Was he just naive? Foolish? Or maybe both? }}
< p.81 >
Jeanne:	By the way, Monsieur Rohan, Her Majesty was wondering whether you could provide 50,000 livres as proof of your loyalty.
Rohan:	Ah! Of course, that's easy! And my sincere thanks to Miss Jeanne too!
Jeanne:	Oh my! You're too kind, Monsieur Rohan!
# Thus ...
Jeanne:	[ ha ha ha ... ] Money, money, money ... Oh, 50,000 livres! * [ kachink kachink kachink ... ] * # About 600 million Yen; AJL: exchange rate in 1970s
Nicholas:	Um, Jeanne, now it's the time to quit. How could we use Her Majesty's good name to steal money!
Jeanne:	Shut the hell up, Nicholas! {{ This ... is still just a small treat. As long as I mention Her Majesty's name, I can squeeze as much money as I want from that fool! Soon I'll have a fortune as large as a princess' in Versailles! }}
< p.82 >
Jeanne:	{{ Rosalie ... according to rumors, you've been taken in by General de Jarjayes' family. How could you be wearing better clothes than I am and attending court! Have I lost to you? Have I? }}
[ In the gardens of Versailles ]
Fersen:	Oscar ... I can't. I can't go into the Palace. I must attend the opera sponsored by His Majesty, but ... Sorry, please understand how I feel. Let me go alone. I beg you, Oscar.
Oscar:	Fersen.
< p.83 >
Oscar:	{{ Fersen ... why did I feel a stab to the heart when I heard your words? What's happened to me? }}
[ In the Palace ]
Maid:	Come, Your Majesty, it's time to leave for the opera hall.
Antoinette:	Oh. Sorry for bothering you, but I'd like to be left alone for a while. [ walks outside ] {{ Since then I can't help thinking about where he is and what he's doing. Yet I can't tell a soul about it. }}
< p.84 >
[ footsteps: tap! ]
Antoinette:	[ turns around and sees Fersen ] Fersen!
< p.85 >
Fersen:	I beg your pardon, Your Majesty.
Antoinette:	I'm glad ... that you came! How have your ... marriage plans ... been going?
Fersen:	Um, thanks for asking ... the engagement has been ...
Antoinette:	Oh my! I must give my blessings then! I'll tell the ministers right away ... Anyway, I wish you all the best. Enjoy yourself at the opera tonight.
Fersen:	Thank you for your blessings, Your Majesty.
< p.86 >
Antoinette:	{{ Oh ... where is this lucky woman who'll soon fall into your strong arms ... your wide chest? Who is she? No! Not marriage! How could you marry another woman! Oh dear! Why can't I tell him? Why can't I say a word to him? }}
< p.87 >
Antoinette:	[ begins to cry ] {{ Now my heart is burning so passionately ... How could I stay calm! }}
Fersen:	Your Majesty!
Antoinette:	Oh, my dear Fersen!
Fersen:	Your Majesty!
Antoinette:	[ hugs Fersen ] Don't think of me as the Queen! Forget about it now! I love you, Fersen! Nothing can stop me now!
< p.88 >
Fersen:	[ hugs Antoinette ] Lady Antoinette! Oh, I've loved you since I first saw you at 18 ...
< p.89 >
[ Images of Antoinette and Fersen in profile and at the masquerade ]
# Perhaps ... since the night of the masked ball four years ago ... the two souls have secretly sought out each other, reaching out slowly .... As if by God's will, it was a moment they felt fated to come, lingering in the plucked silver strings of the harp.
< p.90 >
Fersen:	Forgive me ... I have no regrets now, even if I were to be beheaded.
Antoinette:	Don't say a word ... This is the first time since birth that I felt truly happy ... so passionate towards a man ... with all my heart and soul ...
[ Fersen kisses Antoinette ]
Antoinette:	{{ I love you ... I love you ... ! I've never felt so alive as I do now! }}

< p.91 >
[ At Versailles, the court ladies are busy gossiping about their queen. Oscar overhears. ]
Women:	Lately Her Majesty seems to be dazzling with beauty again! Well, even the goddess of youth, goddess of flowers, and Psyche would seem plain before Her Majesty! Oh dear, don't you know why? Let me tell you! It's because of Count Fersen! Oh my, how annoying! What? Monsieur Fersen is Her Majesty's lover? Shhh! Keep your voice down! Well, I never! After all, she's the Queen of France and a married woman!
< p.92 >
Oscar:	André, go to Her Majesty and request an audience for Oscar François.
André:	An audience? How formal! What's wrong?
[ In Antoinette's room ]
Antoinette:	What's wrong, Oscar? You're rather formal today.
Oscar:	I, Oscar François, have come prepared to receive any type of punishment. I'm afraid that I have some advice for Your Majesty.
< p.93 >
Oscar:	Your Majesty! Have you forgotten your role as the Mother and Queen of France? Gossips about you and Count Fersen have spread all over court. Have you considered how dangerous it'd be for you if it reached the King and the people? Even if those weren't true, there are many in court who are dissatisfied with your recent gambling and dealings with Mme. de Polignac. It's not just the people who think this way.
< p.94 >
Oscar:	I beg you, Your Majesty, do something. You'll run into terrible danger otherwise.
Antoinette:	Thank you, Oscar, for taking such care to consider my affairs. But you don't seem to understand. Even then, don't you understand what a woman's heart is seeking?
< p.95 >
Antoinette:	I was merely 14 when I married into France as the Crown Princess. I was just a child who enjoyed playing around and knew nothing about first love. For the Austro-French alliance, I've become the Crown Princess, the Queen, and the Mother of France. I had forgotten that Marie Antoinette is merely a woman. But, Oscar François, as a woman wouldn't you understand? I'm a human being beneath my role as Queen. I'm a woman with a heart for living. I'm a woman who want to love, to be loved, to wait for someone to sweep me off my feet just like everyone else.
< p.96 >
Antoinette:	Fersen ... My youth was spent meeting him and falling in love with him. He was my first love. Not even God can stop my heart from reaching out to him, my love from blossoming like a crimson flower. His Majesty is an admirable man, kind and diligent, and I respect him with all my heart. But ... but I don't love him! We're husband and wife in name only. [ sob ... ] Oh ... I want to forget such emptiness! That's why I keep dancing and singing, showing off beautiful dresses, playing day and night!
< p.97 >
Oscar:	[ leaves the room ] {{ Why? Even though I'm a woman ... I couldn't understand Lady Antoinette's ... Lady Antoinette's loneliness and suffering. [ flashback to Antoinette ] Don't you understand what a woman's heart is seeking? As a woman ... }}
< p.98 >
Oscar:	{{ Oh ... }} André ...
André:	Oscar ...
Oscar:	{{ I was 11 when Father asked me to dedicate my life to serving Lady Antoinette. But ... }}
< p.99 >
Oscar:	{{ But I could only watch as Lady Antoinette became trapped in criticisms and scandals. I couldn't protect her at all even though I was right beside her. I couldn't ... at all! }} [ oh ... ]
[ At Versaillles ]
Rohan:	[ glee ]
< p.100 >
Women:	Why, it's Cardinal Rohan! At Her Majesty's ball dance no less! How odd! I thought Her Majesty totally disliked him for fooling around with women as a clergyman! Shhh ... He doesn't seem to know.
Antoinette:	[ notices Rohan ]
Rohan:	[ wink ]
Antoinette:	I'm going back to my room! It seems like someone unpleasant has shown up today!
Noailles:	Your Majesty?
Rohan:	[ dazed ] Lady Antoinette?

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 3: Forbidden Love-- Part 1 --

CHAPTER 3: Forbidden Love

-- Part 1 --