Today is finally the day to receive Lady Marie Antoinette at the Rein river.
It's my firstjob as a Royal Guard Commander.
Oscar!
A substitute?!
I was informed that there seems to be a disquieting move to kidnap Lady Antoinette.
Your duty is to protect Lady Antoinette with your life.
In case of emergency, wear this and become a substitute for her.
Oscar!
You're not going to neglect your duty, are you?
Once I've put on a military uniform,
I swear to my uniform and this sword that I will fulfill my duty!
The Rose of Versailles
Kusamurani namo shirezu
The flowers blooming in the wilderness
Saiteiru hana naraba
they are without names
Tada kaze wo ukenagara
A gentle breeze
Soyoide ireba iikeredo
makes them sway
Watashi wa bara no sadame ni umareta
My destiny is of a rose
Hanayakani hageshiku ikiro to umareta
Born to live in glory and passion
Bara wa bara wa, Kedakaku saite
Roses, oh roses, blooming with dignity
Bara wa bara wa, Utsukushiku chiru
Roses, oh roses, withering with regret
Bara wa bara wa, Kedakaku saite
Roses, oh roses, blooming with dignity
Bara wa bara wa, Utsukushiku chiru
Roses, oh roses, withering with regret
Episode 2
Fly!
An Austrian Butterfly
In 1770,
the sand bank of the Rhine, a river that runs between France and Austria,
has been selected as the place for receiving Marie Antoinette, who was coming in to France for the marriage.
The planning of the wedding took a year to complete
because the honor and the detailed rules of both countries had to be taken into consideration.
And a neutral site was specially chosen for handing her over.
And in Vienna...
Lady Marie!
Lady Antoinette!
Ah, there she is.
Lady Marie!
Your dress is all soaked!
Ah, Lady Marie, please don't make any more of my hair turn gray.
I'm sorry, Duchess.
But it was really beautiful.
See!
Marie is only 14.
Wouldn't a Royal Crown or the throne of a Queen
only bring misfortunes for such carefree, tomboyish, and playful Marie?
Could it be that I'm making a terrible mistake?
Ah, I'm so worried. I somehow sense a misfortune...
Marie...!
This marriage is desperately needed for the peace between Austria and France.
As Maria Theresa, the Empress of Austria,
I have to consider the prosperity and security of my country first!
Oh, how beautiful!
You look really beautiful.
Your tied hair really suits you, too.
Aha, Mother!
How is it Mother? I look pretty, don't I?
Marie.
You have a number of virtues.
But you are capricious, playful without limit,
and lack deep thoughts.
So, bring this with you.
Think of this note of instructions as your mother
and read it over this day, every month.
Time for departure!
No! I'm still afraid!
I'm always with you.
Thank you, Mother...
Marie...
Rein river, bride receiving palace
If you see anyone suspicious, report immediately!
Oscar, France and Austria are guarding with national pride.
Nobody would even think about causing trouble.
They'll arrive soon.
We're all set,
Duke Orleans.
I told you not to mention that name!
Jean.
Jean?
A, are you really Jean?
I'm surprised!
Kidnap her alive, alright?
Let's go!
I'll ruin this marriage!
Louis XV and the Crown Prince will be laughed at by the whole Europe, and be dethroned as consequence.
And I, Orleans, will be the next King!
Lady Marie, the Reception Ceremony will soon begin.
Please change your clothing.
What? I have to take off this clothing?
Yes. You're not allowed to wear any products from Austria,
not even a string of thread.
You'll have to change into everything from France.
All of everything?
Yes. Laces, ribbons, cross, underwear, and rings.
Rings?!
This ring, too?
I'm always with you.
No!
I won't take off my dress, either!
Lady Marie, this is a rule!
Please change!
I'm going back! I've decided not to marry anymore!
What's wrong?
Did something happen?
Yes, now she's whining about the marriage.
Why women are so...
Send a message to His Majesty that there will be some delay.
Aye!
What a woman.
At the very last minute...!
What?!
Well, you weren't that much different.
Saying, "I won't wear a military uniform!", till the very last minute.
I'm different from such a shrew!
What's wrong, Oscar?
I thought one of the ladies in waiting was a guy.
Hey, hey, Oscar.
You're being more suspicious than necessary today.
Lady Marie!
Where are you?
Lady Antoinette
Lady Marie!
Lady Antoinette!
Lady Antoinette, please come here.
Lady Antoinette!
Lady Marie!
Lady Antoinette!
Exchange the dresses?!
Yes.
Was she there?
No, she was nowhere to be found.
Keep looking for her!
Yes!
Lady Marie!
Where is she hiding?
I got bored of hide-and-seek.
Ah, Lady Marie! Don't fool us!
Now hurry and change!
Wow! So, I become you and you become me then!
Sounds fun!
I'll disguise myself as a maid and go to France to surprise everyone!
Hm? She's different from the maid that I saw!
Is anyone here?
Anyone?
Who is it!?
We've come to escort you, Princess Antoinette.
We'll bring you there.
Please hurry up.
How dare you touch me!
Every bit a shrew as her reputation!
We can't let you go back!
Doesn't matter. Tie her up!
What are you doing! How dare you!
Hold it!
Are you Lady Antoinette?
Who are you?
Damn!
Who the heck are you?!
French Royal Guard Commander, Oscar!
Damn!
You're so splendid, Oscar!
What happened to Commander Oscar?!
She's nowhere around.
What's she doing when the reception was finished without any trouble?
Heck, is this a woman's whim?
Ready to depart!
Did something happen?
No, nothing!
Commander Oscar will be coming later.
In her place, I, Gerodere will take the command!
Depart!
Chase them!
Stop!
Don't let them get away!
Who are you?
Are you English?
You're French, aren't you?!
Why did you do this? For whom?
Th-that's...
What's wrong?!
Who is there?
Hold it!
Who can it possibly be?
Somewhere before, I've...
The Crown Princess has arrived!
Please wait!
That's an impostor.
Oscar, have you gone crazy?
The real Princess Marie Antoinette is right here!
Hold it!
Duke Orleans!
This man was unresisting!
Why did you have to kill him?!
A man who conspired against the Royal Family deserves such a fate.
Now, the Bride Meets the Groom!
Hey, what are you hesitating for?
She's your pretty bride.
Now, now, what are you doing?
This is my grandson and the Crown Prince, Louis-August.
He's so shy.
He'll be my husband?
What are you standing there for?!
Greet your Princess Bride with a kiss!
Is this it?
Although I got a kiss from my husband-to-be for the first time...
I don't feel any excitement.
OK, that's good!
Now, I'll introduce the Royal family.
Louis's younger brother Count Provence,
Count Artois,
and Louis's cousin, Duke Orleans.
Let's depart for Versailles!
We're going to have a splendid wedding ceremony!
Who knows if Oscar were not there...
Right! I would have been dead by now.
How scary!
Although a woman, she's so valiant.
Eh?! A woman?
Yes. A woman but a commander of the Royal Guard for Lady Antoinette.
A woman...
Master Fersen, that's the marriage procession of Marie-Antoinette.
Oscar, Antoinette,
and Fersen
...the day of their fateful encounter is drawing near.
Into the French Revolution which will occur eventually,
toward the complex woven destiny that awaits Oscar, Antoinette, and Fersen,
and toward the Versailles Palace where decadence and conspiracy are swirling,
the parade proceeds in silence and solemnity.
Ai ga kurushimi nara
lf to love is to suffer
Ikurademo kurushi mou
I will take any suffering
Sore ga kimino kokoro ni
Until my love reaches
Itsuka todoku made
To your heart someday
Kimi wa hikari, Boku wa kage
You are the light while I am the shadow
Hanre rarenai futari no kizuna
We share a bond that can never be broken
Kurushimeba kurushimu hodo
The more pain I suffer
Ai wa, ai wafukamaru
the deeper is my love
Not reciprocated is the love I have for you
my eyes, they can no longer see you
Ah, Oscar?
Oscar!