I'm the Finance Minister, Jacques Necker.
I know you well.
You quit as Finance Minister, but came back.
We know why you were dismissed from the office.
Even though you worked for the Palace, you made public its financial deficit.
I just did my job as an accountant.
And now you're suggesting to tax not only us commoners, but also the clergy and nobility.
A tax at an extremely high rate.
I might be fired again.
No, we'll protect you this time.
You're the only one with a sense of sincere justice and equality,
paying no attention to the privilege you may have in the Palace.
You're giving me too much credit.
The People have a high expectation for you.
As long as you're in the Palace, the King will have to approve the National Assembly.
You want me to persuade the King?
Is that why you wanted to see me secretly?
To reform the government without any bloodshed,
Riots can be avoided if the National Assembly is approved!
I'll try.
In order to save my ailing country even a little.
Approve the National Assembly!
The King must approve the true representatives of France!
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 36
"The Watchward is 'Au Revoir'"
Oscar!
Only a handful of nobles visit the Court nowadays.
We didn't have enough money for the funeral of Louis Joseph.
So we sold off our silver wares and golden candlesticks.
I know the French Guards are extremely busy.
You didn't have to come to thank me.
No, I was expecting a severe punishment for a serious breach of military discipline.
But I was not punished by the mercy of Your Majesty.
I deeply appreciate it.
Of course!
We've been friends for 20 years!
We both suffer in this uncomfortable time.
But everything will settle down soon.
The Royal Army is now heading to Paris and Versailles from all over the country.
Light Cavalry Regiment from Southern France,
Royale Claverte Regiment from Charenton,
Salis Samade from Vichy.
...over 10 thousand soldiers in all.
I ordered it as the French Queen,
In order to dissolve the National Assembly and prepare for riots of the commoners.
Louis Bourbon Dynasty is invincible!
We won't be shaken by such things!
Commander!
It's almost the time to patrol Paris.
I'll be right there.
Assemble in the parade ground...
Oscar!
I probably got a summer cold.
I have a little fever.
Sorry, but tell Alain to direct the patrolling tonight.
OK. Leave it to us!
Just as I thought, a lung disease.
The French Guards will be put on alert, also, sooner or later.
If we have to, the Royal Family is ready to fight with the rioters.
In such case, Oscar, I'm counting on you!
In July, Royal Army troops arrived, one after another.
Royal Clavert Regiment closed the Place Victor Hugo, virtually forbidding rallying at the Plaza.
We're not trying to make trouble,
but lawfully discussing the future of France.
Are you not also French, just as we are?!
Take off your military uniform and join us!
Right! If not, go back to your garrison post!
Meanwhile, the Royal-Allemand Regiment closed the road from Paris to Versailles.
They skirmished with demonstrators demanding Louis XVI to abdicate.
Salis-Samade Regiments patrolled Paris on their own,
enforcing curfew and cracking down on gatherings at night.
The situation grew more hostile suddenly in July.
Soldiers armed with guns stood everywhere in town, coercing citizens.
And there was another serious problem.
Since an army of over 100,000 soldiers gathered in Paris,
overpopulation caused severe food shortage in and around the city.
Hatred and hunger took away smiles from the people.
A portrait of Oscar?
She invited a painter by herself.
What changed her mind?
She used to refuse to be a model.
She used to refuse to pose.
I've seen you 20 years ago.
20 years ago?
Yes, on the day that the royal couple visited Paris.
Though Queen Antoinette was still a girl, she was beautiful.
And you were beside her.
Your dignity and innocence...
Your blond hair shined like the sunlight, still branded in the eyes of this old painter.
I remember. The sky was really beautiful on that day...
Monsieur Robespierre!
We've been just informed that Duke Orleans and his group led 2000 demonstrators, demanding Louis XVI's abdication.
What does he want after Louis XVI's abdication?
The coronation of Duke Orleans.
So, there he unmasked himself.
He joined National Assembly and the 3rd Estate, just for that purpose.
How stupid.
If we accept that, the aristocracy will only continue.
Monsieur! Let's remove Orleans' group from National Assembly!
Wait, wait. Leave him alone.
Nobody will support him anyway.
We can't have internal trouble now.
What's more important now is the official approval of the National Assembly and withdrawal of the army from Paris.
Let's wait a little more.
Finance Minister Necker will do something for us.
Let's wait.
Monsieur Necker, you've just spoken something a vassal should never say in front of His Majesty!
I'll say it again and again!
We can't go against the tides of the times.
Instead of suppressing, please approve the National Assembly
and come to compromise for a talk.
And we must have a reform in order to resolve this financial crisis!
What kind of reform are you planning?
A reform in monarchy.
It's no longer possible for the King to run France by himself.
Our country won't prosper without parliamentary government
based on the cooperation from new political force.
What you mean by the "new political force" are the commoners!
Are you saying His Majesty should become side by side with the commoners?!
Exactly!
Does any one of us, who support His Majesty, have the power to resolve this crisis?!
Please stand up if you think you can!
Never, Your Majesty, never!
Never!
You should never allow a reform of the monarchy!
You have proclaimed that a resolution without an approval from the King is invalid!
If you accept the National Assembly now, the monarchical authority will be affronted!
You should never give in!
The flow of time is set by the King!
You look pale.
It's about enough for today.
No, I'm all right.
I'm also getting little fatigue...
If you say so...
It must be terminal. I must finish it soon.
How is Paris, André?
Freedom is gone now.
Oscar.
What are you hiding?
Nothing.
I'm one eyed, but you, I can see everything.
No... I WANT to see everything.
Tell me!
I'll go to Paris tomorrow.
Why are you hesitating, Monsieur?
Just say, "Do it, St. Just" and I'll head to Versailles.
Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette...
it's a difficultjob but not impossible.
Demonstration by the People?
Necker's eloquence?
Monsieur, knives and guns are much more effective.
No more discussion. Go back.
How disappointing. My idea was not adopted again.
Bernard.
Yes?
Keep an eye on St. Just.
I don't want him to ruin what we have worked hard to establish.
Yes, Monsieur.
GO BACK! GO BACK!
Commander, there isn't much we can do by patrolling.
The Clavert and Allemand Regiments are taking up their posts in street corners.
We're just strolling around.
What will happen?
What will happen next? To Paris and people?
I don't know.
It can only end up in the extreme, probably. Unless the army withdraws from Paris...
A riot, you mean?
Call it "Revolution", if you will.
"Revolution"?
Revolution...
What's wrong, Oscar?
I felt somebody watching us from inside.
Should we go look?
No, maybe it'sjust my imagination.
Stop!
Place Vendome ahead is closed.
Take another route!
We're patrolling Paris now. Let us pass.
Turn back! It's under the control of Clavert Regiment.
There's no need for patrolling!
Hey, hey, that's enough.
Can't you see this uniform?
We're the comrades of same French Army.
I was ordered not to pass anyone! Turn back!
You pighead! Why can't you just step aside?!
Don't Alain. We can just make a detour.
If you say so, Commander.
What's wrong? A stomachache?
Remember, you don't fit for Paris!
You bumpkins should go back to your garrison and keep your sheep company!
What?!
What a nervy bastard.
Get him!
Don't Alain!
Ouch, ouch...
Are you OK, Alain?
It's nothing but a scratch.
But I haven't felt this good in a while.
Alain.
Let's gather everyone and return to the barracks.
Like you said, our patrolling is no longer meaningful.
Commander!
About what we talked a little while ago.
In case of a Revolution, the People will win.
Like you saw, the military is in discord.
There's not a chance to win against the people who fought hunger for so long.
Who are you tailing, Bernard?
It's not me, is it?
We're both fellow disciples of Monsieur Robespierre.
It's not good to follow around your fellow. I don't like it.
Listen, St. Just!
The world will change soon.
Naturally, as the leaves fall in autumn.
Why can't you just wait?
Then I'll ask you, too.
Do you know what Robespierre is really after?
A revolution.
To create an egalitarian state with sovereignty of the people!
You're an idealist. Too naive.
Robespierre's real aim is the power.
By advocating the People, he sits on the top!
A Revolution? For the People?
Robespierre's not much different from Orleans after all.
Don't you trust him?
He sure is taking leadership now but not in order to obtain a power for himself!
Stop that.
There's not a single human I can trust!
No matter how the history changes or how the age moves,
a man is born at one point and dead at another.
So everyone isjust thinking about himself while still alive.
I just want to do whatever I like!
Terrorism is what you want?
Yes! Rather than becoming a leader or giving speeches, it suits me better.
You'll see, Bernard.
He talks of "negotiation" or "parliament",
but he's actually waiting for an opportunity.
To kill all the privileged class with a justified reason.
In that sense, he's a large scale terrorist that I am no match to him!
Finance Minister Jacques Necker!
You not only neglected your duty as a cabinet minister in charge of the finance,
your behavior humiliated His Majesty's policy.
It can't be tolerated anymore.
You're forbidden to enter Versailles from now on!
Jacques Necker was discharged!
The Finance Minister got fired!
Comrades, tell all the citizens.
That the King finally started oppressing the patriots.
Following Necker, a massacre will begin.
And don't forget to add this:
We should take up arms and fight! The time has come to rise up!
Monsieur, Necker was not slaughtered. He's under house arrest.
Do as I told you!
Citizens! The King has finally challenged us outright!
The time has come for us to rise up!
To arms, People!
We shouldn't be manipulated by those in power!
That's right! King's Army is ready anytime, even tonight, to kill all the patriots!
Let's get armed! Show our strength!
Robespierre is making a speech! He'll be speaking at Rue St. Germaine!
I've only got two arms.
But the passion and courage for my country is burning,
like a fire strong enough to burn down Versailles Palace!
People! Let's work hand in hand! Fight together!
You'll see, Bernard.
He talks of "negotiation" or "parliament",
but he's actually waiting for an opportunity.
To kill all the privileged class with a justified reason.
His real aim is power.
By advocating the People, he sits on the top!
No, St. Just.
It doesn't matter what kind of man Robespierre is.
What matters is whether the People can stand up or not for themselves!
To arms!
Please order the army to withdraw from Paris.
The royal family should never engage in killing its own people!
Oscar, if that happens, you'll protect me, wouldn't you?
I am... no longer in the Royal Guards.
Please withdraw the army, Your Majesty!
The royal family should not point guns at its people!
I can't... do that, Oscar.
Oscar!
Why do you cry? As if... we'll never meet again.
Au revoir...
Au revoir, "see you again".
But both Antoinette and Oscar knew too well that they would never meet again.
A long lasting friendship could not overcome the obstacle of being the Queen of a country.
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