
The Rose of Versailles

Episode 11

"Fersen Departs for the Northland"

translated by "Ginrei"
edited by Usagi Ninja Team


 [] = description of the scenes
 () = alternative translations (feel free to put them or drop them), and
      sometimes my comments or explanations
 {} = translation of what it says on the screen

**********************************************************************
 notes on names:
 Andre should be spelled with "/" accent acute over the "e"
 deGuemenee is spelled with "/" accent acute over the middle 3 e's.
**********************************************************************


NARRATION
The city of Paris was lively once again. The French flags were fluttering,
and show (shop?) windows were decorated with portraits of the Louis XVI 
couple. People walked with a light step.
Delighted voices cheering the new age were passing by in the florid streets.
The citizens had great expectations for the reign of the new King.

NOBLE
Your Majesty, this man here is a baron.
He's requesting the post of secretary of the Court.
I humbly would like to ask for a recommendation
from Your Majesty....

ANTOINETTE
I see. Don't worry. His Majesty will listen to any request from me.

MERCY
Lady Antoinette!
Without even examining his character or past accomplishments,
accepting it so easily is....uh...

ANTOINETTE
Count Mercy, you're still a worrywart. Don't worry. I'm no longer a child but
humbly the Queen of France. I won't be instructed by anyone!

[Antoinette stands up from the throne]

ANTOINETTE
Grand Chamberlain, now I'd like to end the audience for today.
Well, let's continue that play, Countess Noailles!

[Antoinette runs away]

NOAILLES/MERCY
Lady Antoinette!

ANTOINETTE in her mind
Wonderful! How wonderful!  I can assign whomever I want as the minister!
I'm no longer lectured!
  (Here, Antoinette means that she's no longer told what to do.)
Yes, I'm the Queen of France! From now, to dance all night at the
masquerade, watch operas, buy jewels, I'm free to do them all!
Free...I'm free!

[opening title]

{Episode 11: Fersen Departs for the Northland}

[at Jarjeyes'. Oscar and Andre practicing fencing]

OSCAR
You've improved quite a bit, Andre!
It's becoming scary to use the real swords.

ANDRE
I'm still no match for you.   I can never be as light and fast as you are.

JARJEYES
Oscar!

OSCAR
What is it, Father?

JARJEYES
Rejoice, Oscar! You've been promoted to the Royal Guard High Commander! And
(the rank) was promoted all the way up to Colonel!

OSCAR
High Commander?

JARJEYES
Lady Antoinette's first request to the King after becoming the Queen
was to promote you.

OSCAR
Lady Antoinette...

[Court]

ANTOINETTE
As the Royal Guard Head Commander, please be my side even more from now on,
Oscar.

OSCAR
Yes, Your Majesty.

ANTOINETTE
I've arranged for your salary and pension to be doubled.

OSCAR
Eh?
Thank you very much. The honor is more than I deserve.
However, Your Majesty,
Right now, our France is not financially affluent.
The salary should stay the same as now.
Otherwise, I cannot accept the promotion this time!

ANTOINETTE
Oscar...
Very well, Oscar.
Ah, but ask me for whatever you wish, anything like higher rank, horses, or
castles! Now I can make any wish come true!

OSCAR
Lady Antoinette!
My only wish is that Lady Antoinette becomes a fine Queen.

[Jarjeyes household]

NANNY
Isn't Mademoiselle ready yet?

ANDRE
Don't rush.  It takes a woman time to change clothes.

NANNY
What are you saying? YOU, too, want to see it as soon as possible!

[Oscar appears with the new military uniform]

ANDRE/NANNY
AH!

NANNY
Ah, you look even more dashing!
The uniform of the Head Commander fits you really well!
Even a woman like me would fall in love with you!

ANDRE
That only bothers Oscar all the more.

NANNY
You're making fun of me again.

ANDRE
Sorry, sorry. I only told the truth.

NANNY
That's even worse!

[Andre hides behind Oscar]

[knocks on the door]

BUTLER
Lady Oscar, there are many gifts from the Court congratulating you.

OSCAR
Please decline them politely saying that I'm sorry but I cannot accept them.

ANDRE
Eh?

NANNY
Oh!

BUTLER
As you say.

NANNY
Lady Oscar, how wasteful!
You declined the gifts from Lady Antoinette!

OSCAR
Nanny, this is better for Lady Antoinette.

NANNY
But...

OSCAR
She's too candid (frank) with her own emotions, and (doesn't try to hide but)
expresses her kindness for the persons she favors.
But...but the all the money she uses comes from the people's taxes.
I'm afraid of her candor.
I'm worried about how the people who are taxed will regard Lady Antoinette.

ANDRE
Nonsense! You're worrying unnecessarily.
The People are all in love with Lady Antoinette!

OSCAR
I hope that's the case.

[at the Court]

ANTOINETTE
I see. Oscar declined my gifts...

MME NOAILLES
Yes, I'm sorry.

ANTOINETTE in her mind
Why wasn't Oscar pleased with my gifts?
Fersen hasn't come since I became the Queen...

ANTOINETTE
Mme. Noailles?

MME NOAILLES
Yes. (Your Majesty)

ANTOINETTE
That Swedish Count Fersen hasn't come to Versailles recently.

MME NOAILLES
He's a student studying abroad. He might be busy with some other things.

ANTOINETTE
I see. That's true.

GRAND CHAMBERLAIN
Lady Antoinette, the audience is about to start in the Hall of Mirrors.

ANTOINETTE
Grand Chamberlain, I'm not feeling well today. Please cancel the audience.

GRAND CHAMBERLAIN
Wh, what are you saying, Lady Antoinette?!

MERCY
That's right, Your Highness. You're not a Crown Princess anymore but a Queen
of France. You're not allowed to be capricious or selfish!
The audience is a duty for the Queen.
Furthermore, those are the people who came to celebrate
the new King and Queen!
 (Mercy is using "Princess" for some reasons here. To him, Antoinette is still
 a princess for him, never mature enough to call her queen. In Japanese,
 "princess" is sometimes used to call someone who is cherished. That's why I
 used "Your Highness" here instead of "Your Majesty".)

ANTOINETTE
All right. Then I'll see 10 people only.

MERCY
Only 10!
But there are hundreds of people who came to celebrate.

MAID
Your Majesty, there's a request for a special audience.

ANTOINETTE
No. I don't want to see anyone today. Please refuse.

MAID
As you say. I'll tell Lord Fersen so.

ANTOINETTE
Fersen?! It's Fersen?!
I'll see him for just a little while then.
Escort him to my salon.

MAID
Yes, Your Majesty.

[waiting room. noisy nobles]

NOBLES
What happened to the Queen?
That's right. I've been waiting for four hours!
The gifts will rot if I have to wait this long. Let me see the Queen now!
Me, too!

GRAND CHAMBERLAIN
Queen will appear as soon as she feels better. Please wait for a while.

[deGuemenee appears]

GRAND CHAMBERLAIN
Duke deGuemenee

DEGUEMENEE
Ah, Grand Chamberlain, I brought a foreign guest of honor for Queen Antoinette.
Please tell her immediately!

GRAND CHAMBERLAIN
Ah, well, I was just explaining now that the Queen suddenly fell ill and the
audience is delayed.

DEGUEMENEE
Enough of the silly excuse. Tell her now. Now!
You understand?

GRAND CHAMBERLAIN
But Queen is now...

DEGUEMENEE
Are you saying that you won't tell her knowing that it's a request from Duke
deGuemenee?

GRAND CHAMBERLAIN
Oh, no. I'm not implying anything as such.

DEGUEMENEE
Ah, that's enough. Please tell the Queen. This is Marquise Brahe
It would be Queen Marie-Antoinette's responsibility if a diplomatic 
conflict evolves ...
by the refusal of the audience today.

GRAND CHAMBERLAIN
Ah, well, that's uh...

DEGUEMENEE
Everyone! Please remember this. It seems like the new Queen would see a poor
Swedish noble, but wouldn't see us legitimate nobles!
Marquise Brahe, let's leave!

DEGUEMENEE
Oscar!
Step aside. STEP ASIDE!

OSCAR
Please. There's enough room for you to pass.

DEGUEMENEE
Hmph! Don't get puffed up just because you were promoted to the Royal Head
Commander!

[deGuemenee pushes Oscar aside and leaves]

OSCAR in her mind
The Swedish noble that deGuemenee mentioned is...
Then, Lady Antoinette is neglecting the audience to see Fersen?
How could she!

[Antoinette's salon]

ANTOINETTE
Ah, what a nice breeze.
Fersen, even winds are welcoming you.

FERSEN
Lady Antoinette,

FERSEN
I think I should leave now.
I won't be able to visit frequently, since I feel bad about taking so much
time (just) for me.

ANTOINETTE
What are you saying, Fersen? My feelings calm down just by talking to you.
You don't have to be reserved. Please relax.

FERSEN
But...

MME NOAILLES
Lady Antoinette, it's time for the concert.

ANTOINETTE
Please cancel the concert.

MME NOAILLES
Lady Antoinette!

ANTOINETTE
Say, Fersen, let's walk outside. Shall we?

FERSEN in his mind
She can't cancel the concert.
But how pitiful!
Just standing by Lady Antoinette,
I'm so enchanted by her beauty, I can't say anything.

ANTOINETTE
What is it, Fersen? Let's go, shall we?

FERSEN
Y-yes.

ANTOINETTE
Today is the day of the Big Fountain. It's wonderful!

[Oscar hears Mme. Noailles]

MME NOAILLES
If you let her do anything, something terrible will happen to Lady Antoinette!
She has ignored relations with the families of the Dukes who have strong
alliances with the Royal family.
She has spoiled several concerts before, too.

MERCY
Hmm...

MME NOAILLES
Well, she's gathering young and openhearted people without (much)
rank by her side.
See, look.

[Antoinette and Fersen in the garden]

MME NOAILLES
Especially for that Fersen, she's showing a friendship that looks unnatural
even to me.

MERCY laughs
You're thinking too much, Countess Noailles.

MME NOAILLES
Oh, no, Count Mercy! The matter is serious! Even if some things were
permitted as a Crown Princess, it's a different story if she's a Queen!

MERCY
Hmm... (more thoughtful, this time)

[Oscar visits Fersen's house]

BUTLER
Oh, you are...

FERSEN
Oscar!

OSCAR
Fersen, I came here to warn you.

FERSEN
I see. I can pretty much guess what that is. Please sit down.

OSCAR
If you can guess, then it's easy (for me to tell you).
Fersen, you better leave France immediately (/as soon as possible), and go
back to Sweden.

FERSEN
It's about Lady Marie-Antoinette, isn't it?
Is someone spreading nasty rumors?

OSCAR
Not yet. There might be, but I haven't heard (it). But there are a few who
have noticed.

FERSEN
I was vaguely aware of it.
Lady Antoinette was a little... too interested in me,
and too kind to me.

OSCAR
It was permitted up until now, since she was allowed more freedom
as a Crown Princess by comparison. But it's different now!
She is Her Majesty the Queen of France.

OSCAR
Fersen, you should stay in your own country for a while.
As for things up until now, you don't know what danger
you might be in from now on.

FERSEN
I understand, Oscar. I was going to do it eventually.
I'll do so until the Court forgets about me.
But... but Lady Antoinette is too beautiful. She's too beautiful.

OSCAR
That's all. I thank you for listening. Farewell, Fersen. (or, We'll part now.)

FERSEN
Wait, Oscar.
Don't you feel lonely?
As a woman, you're dressed up like that and spending your youth without
knowing the happiness of (/as) a woman?
(He's probably referring to getting married and having kids here)

OSCAR
I was raised as a man in order to inherit from my father, General Jarjeyes.
I never felt lonely, and I feel happy now as it is.

FERSEN
Oscar, we'll meet again. Won't we?

[Oscar in a carriage]

OSCAR in her mind
All for the sake of Lady Antoinette. And eventually, for our France. Please
forgive me, Fersen.

[Oscar's carriage stops]

ANDRE
What happened?

MAN
Some kid stole money from a Duke.

ANDRE
A child (kid)?

[a child crying and deGuemenee glaring at him]

OSCAR
Duke deGuemenee !

[Rosalie comes running]

ROSALIE
Please, Your Highness Duke!
Please, Your Highness Duke,
This is only a child who didn't know any better!
Please forgive him!

ANDRE
Oscar, that girl is...

OSCAR
Yeah, that girl Rosalie, who tried to sell her body to me the other day.

DEGUEMENEE
Do you know that child?

ROSALIE
Yes, he's my small neighbor, Pierre.
He hasn't been eating for 2 days so...
Please forgive him. I beg you, merciful Duke.
Please!

DEGUEMENEE
All right then.
Get out of here.

ROSALIE
Duke!
Thank you very much!
Pierre, (promise me that you'll) never steal again.
Go home now.

PIERRE
OK!

[deGuemenee fires on Pierre from behind]

MOTHER
Pierre!
Pierre, Pierre!
PIERRE!!! AHH!!
PIERRE-!!!

[deGuemenee laughs]

OSCAR
You won't get away with that, deGuemenee!
Wait!!

ANDRE
Oscar!
Wait, Oscar!
You have no chance.

OSCAR
Let me go!  Let me go, Andre!!

ANDRE
He's a Duke that even the King can't touch!
He's not someone you can handle!

OSCAR
Let me go! Get out of my way! Move, Andre!

ANDRE
Calm down! Calm down, Oscar!

[the carriage of deGuemenee leaves,
Andre pushes back Oscar into the carriage forcefully]

ANDRE
Go!
Leave now!

STABLEMAN
Go!

OSCAR
How...how can such a cruel thing can be allowed to happen?!
To hell with aristocrats!  To hell with the Duke!!

[Oscar cries]

NARRATION
That night, Hans Axel von Fersen left France to go back to Sweden.
It would be 4 long years before he stepped onto French soil again.

[Versailles]

ANTOINETTE
I see. It's quite sudden...

ANTOINETTE in her mind
What's wrong with me?
As if there's a hole in my heart. Is this the feeling of loneliness?
Fersen, why didn't you tell me...
Fersen, Fersen!
Fersen!
From now on, I'm alone again.
What should I do, Fersen?
Fersen!!

[ending title]

NEXT EPISODE:
I can't forgive! For shooting (and killing) a helpless child! deGuemenee
challenged the furious Oscar to a duel.
Handling such a heavy thing as life,
sleepless hours pass, until the sun rose on the day of destiny.
Next episode on The Rose of Versailles: 
"Oscar at the Duel at Dawn"

END

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  Bruce Carlson     carlson@indirect.com     Phoenix, AZ