The King's Mistress: 1-1 Awkward Breakfast

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There are many witnesses to Marie's breakfast with the King. Feeling uneasy, she tries to make conversation with the King, but is mocked by the people for not knowing proper etiquette. Unable to stand any longer, Marie snaps back. After breakfast, she takes a stroll in the garden, and eavesdrops on noble ladies talking about her and the King.

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Rive Gauche Girl

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• It's been four years since I arrived at the Palace of Versailles. The weather has been dismal. The rain over the past few days just stopped this morning.
• I sit by the window with a quill in my hand. I've been writing in my diary while listening to the birds chirping.
• You: "A month ago, Louis XVI ascended the throne and thus, I became the Queen."

• You: "I'm still not accustomed to my new status..."

• You: "My actions now represent the queen of France, and not just myself."

• You: "I'm surrounded by many people every day, and I cannot afford to make any wrong moves."

• I sigh as I close my diary.
• Maid: It's time for breakfast, Your Majesty.

• You: All right, help me get changed.

• You: (Unbelievable. I thought things would get easier when I'm Queen.)

• You: (I never expected royal life to be like that of a circus monkey. There are so many people watching me all day.)

• You: (To preserve royal dignity, I have to dress formally even for a simple breakfast.)

• The sounds of conversation reach me before I enter the banquet hall. I try to perk up before entering.
• Louis sits at the long dining table. Sunbeams shine through the French windows, lighting up his gentle brown eyes.
• He is silent and thoughtful, a stark contrast to the rest of the diners, who are busy chatting away.
• Male Commoner: The Queen is here!

• Louis looks up, and a servant pulls out a chair for me.
• I know I'm late for breakfast, so I hurry over to sit beside him.
• You: I apologize for my tardiness, Your Majesty.

• Louis XVI: It's all right. I arrived just a short while before you.

• Louis XVI: Let's eat.

• A servant approaches to lay out the napkins for us.
• Breakfast at Versailles is sumptuous, but the rules are numerous.
• Dressed in a cumbersome dress, I try to look dignified by keeping my back straight.
• The servants serve up exquisite cuisine, and I turn to see Louis fully focused on enjoying his food.
• The diners continue chatting non-stop. It feels awkward to be the only ones not talking.
• You: (Why won't they stop looking at me? Especially the women in the corner smirking at one another...)

• You: (They must be mocking me because my husband won't even talk to me.)

• You: (If only Louis would help me get rid of this awkward atmosphere...)

• I clear my throat, pretending to make casual conversation.
• You: The weather's great today, Your Majesty. Would you like to accompany me on a stroll in the garden after breakfast?

• Louis XVI: I'm sorry, Marie. I have to attend a state conference after this, so I may not be able to keep you company.

• The two women behind me start whispering.
• Commoner Woman: Doesn't the Queen take note of His Majesty's schedule?

• Commoner Woman: Probably not. The King just refused her straight away.

• I'm embarrassed. I hadn't considered the possibility that he'd be busy with something.
• Afraid that he might get upset, I hastily push my bowl of soup towards him.
• You: I forgot you have state affairs to handle... The broth is great. You should try it.

• Louis looks at me, surprised. A sudden silence descends upon the crowd.
• You: What is it?

• Noblewoman: Oh look, she passed a half-eaten bowl of soup to His Majesty...

• Noblewoman: No, Monsieur, please listen!

• You: How rude.

• It dawns upon me that I've behaved inappropriately. My cheeks redden.
• Louis gives me a gentle smile. He gestures for a servant to get me another bowl of broth.
• Louis XVI: Since you like it, have more.

• You: That's not what I mean...

• You: I just wanted to share some tasty food with you, like an ordinary couple.

• Louis XVI: The broth is indeed delicious. Thank you for your recommendation.

• You: Don't you have anything else to say? Which dishes do you like best?

• Louis looks confused. I swallow everything I wanted to say.
• You: (Once again... Louis just doesn't respond to my attempts to get closer to him.)

• You: (There's not the slightest bit of French romance in him.)

• You: (He always treats me gently, but why won't he let me into his heart?)

• Maid: Your Majesty, please be careful. It's hot.

• The servant has returned with a new bowl of soup. Lost in thought, I reach for the bowl without taking heed of her warning.
• You: Ow!

• The bowl is hotter than I expected. I drop it, and it shatters on the floor.
• Louis hurries over to me. He takes my hand to look at my palm.
• My hand looks exceptionally small in his. An angry red mark has appeared on my skin.
• Louis XVI: That must hurt. I'll call for a doctor.

• You: I'm fine. It only hurts a little.

• Louis XVI: Go get the Queen some ice, and clear away the mess.

• There is a fuss in the banquet hall. Some servants start clearing away the shards and the spilled soup, and someone else starts icing my hand.
• I can clearly hear mocking laughter amid the chaos.
• Noblewoman: Truly an Austrian woman! Clumsy and rude.

• I look in the direction of the laughter to see a haughty noblewoman speaking.
• Noblewoman: How unfortunate it is for His Majesty to marry a woman like that.

• I prop my hand on my chin as I gaze at the gossiping women.
• You: The women of France do love to gossip!

• You: I wonder why? Is it because they have an extra tongue?

• Noblewoman: You--!

• Louis XVI: Stop arguing. It's almost time for the state conference, and we need to finish the meal.

• The noble women look mortified, but they finally back off. I feel utterly discouraged despite the reduced tension in the atmosphere.
• You: (When people ridicule his wife, Louis only gives them a mild rebuke.)

• I'm surrounded by brazen judgments, whispered gossip, and Louis' indifference...
• It all feels so suffocating, just like the tight corset I'm wearing.
• You: (I actually thought he'd stand up for me. How foolish of me!)

• I remain silent for the rest of the meal. The food seems tasteless now.
• When Louis finally puts down his fork and knife, I am relieved.
• I force myself to give him a polite smile, and watch as the servants escort him from the hall.
• You: (When will our relationship finally improve?)

• You: (I hope that one day, he'll be willing to spare me some of his attention...)

• The roses in the garden are alluringly beautiful. A light breeze carries their lovely fragrance through the air.
• You: It's a pity I'm enjoying such a wonderful scene by myself.

• I sit on a bench behind the fountain, mesmerized by the roses. The sound of footsteps awakens me from a daze.
• Madame Louise: It was so awkward back in the banquet hall.

• Madame Louise: Are the King and Queen like that in private as well? They don't behave like a couple at all.

• Madame Louise: I'd be upset if my husband were so aloof with me. His Majesty is so unromantic.

• Madame Camille: Who says His Majesty is unromantic? He's probably just not interested in the Queen.

• Madame Louise: You mean the King is courting another woman?

• Madame Camille: Oh believe me, our King is as amorous as his grandfather.

• Their voices grow softer, and I strain to hear what they're saying.
• You: (What do they mean?)