• 1254
• French Merchant
  Please, could you sell just a little more satin cloth?
  At this rate, we'll never make it in time for the meeting with the Queen Mother!

• 1255
• Market Keeper
  Hey, I'd like to help, but without even a proof-of-order receipt...

• 1256
• Vittoria
  Player, are Alvise and Julien getting along well in France?
  I just hope he can manage to see the Queen Mother...

• 1257
• Citizen
  Is the Queen Mother really coming...!?

• 1258
• Merchant
  Yes.
  Her summer destination apparently changed to this imperial villa all of a sudden.

• 1259
• Citizen
  So that's why the officials were up in arms...

• 1260
• Merchant
  With all the rich nobles that are going to push for an audience with the Queen, we're going to be really busy.

• 1261
• Citizen
  ...! There's already a line!?

• 1262
• That day, the road to Marseilles' imperial villa was packed with people hoping to get a glimpse of their Queen Mother.
  Commanding countless guards, the Queen Mother's gold and silver-decorated procession spoke volumes about just who was running this country...

• 1263
• Voice
  Hey, Player.

• 1264
• Alvise
  So you heard about the Queen's visit and came here, eh...
  I'd expect no less of you.

• 1265
• Alvise
  ...I still can't believe that that man actually got the Queen Mother to come all the way here to Marseilles...

• 1266
• Alvise
  Hmph.
  Speak of the devil.

• 1267
• Julien
  Hello, Master Alvise.
  I have just returned from Paris.

• 1268
• Alvise
  ...Good work.

• 1269
• Julien
  Is something wrong? You don't look entirely pleased.

• 1270
• Alvise
  No...
  I'm just surprised.
  Surprised at how easily this meeting came about when our resident ambassadors have been trying and failing for years.
  I bet those old fools on the counsel were falling all over themselves after they heard this news.
  ...Julien, if this meeting goes well I shall have to reward you.

• 1271
• Julien
  Ha ha...
  This is all thanks to your and Player's cooperation, Master Alvise.
  There is no need to reward me.
  But, I do have one request...

• 1272
• Alvise
  What's that?

• 1273
• Julien
  Just once, I would love to see the world-famous Orseolo collection for myself.

• 1274
• Alvise
  Hmph.
  You've been subjected to Vittoria's collection of junk whether you wanted to be or not.

• 1275
• Julien
  ...Don't the Orseolos have another collection besides that one?

• 1276
• Alvise
  How do you know about that...?

• 1277
• Julien
  Well, I am a treasure hunter.
  When the other nobles whisper rumours about treasure, I know how to listen.
  I have heard that Master Mauricio, the previous head of the Orseolos, gave away his personal fortune, and that each item that was collected was a masterpiece...

• 1278
• Alvise
  ...
  Hmph.
  I have no idea if that junk really has any value or not...
  But very well.
  You have really helped me out this time.
  Go see it when you want.

• 1279
• Julien
  Ha ha...
  Thank you, sir.

• 1280
• Julien
  As someone who sells art, it would be a great pleasure of mine to see the secret Orseolo collection.

• 1281
• Alvise
  By the way, Player, Julien.
  I am about to head for the imperial villa to meet with the Queen Mother.
  Since you two have been so invaluable in getting this to happen, I want you both to come with me.

• 1282
• How will you respond?

• 1283
• Okay, I see.

• 1284
• Thank you, but I couldn't.

• 1285
• Alvise
  Don't be modest.
  You've been invaluable for this meeting.

• 1286
• Julien
  I'm terribly sorry, but I have a prior arrangement to meet someone else...

• 1287
• Alvise
  ...Hey! Wait!

• 1288
• Alvise
  You will? Thank you.
  Julien, you too...

• 1289
• Julien
  I'm terribly sorry, but I have a prior arrangement to meet someone else...

• 1290
• Alvise
  ...Hey! Wait!

• 1291
• Alvise
  Honestly.
  That man...
  I try to be nice to him, and he goes and brushes me off...
  Hmph.
  Well, I'm not taking care of him anymore!
  Player, it looks like it will just be you and I going to see her.

• 1292
• Alvise
  Alvise Orseolo and Player, here to see the Queen Mother.

• 1293
• Guard
  Very good.
  Come in.

• 1294
• Guard
  You must be Sir Orseolo's companion? Come inside.
  The Queen Mother awaits you.

• 1295
• Alvise
  I am Alvise Orseolo, and this is Player.
  We are here to see the Queen Mother.

• 1296
• Duke of Guise
  Very good, sir.
  The Queen Mother awaits you in the audience chamber.

• 1297
• Voice
  ...Oh ho.
  You must be Player, the Voyager I've been hearing about lately?.
  And...this must be Orseolo.

• 1298
• Alvise
  Yes, your majesty! Your majesty, it is the greatest pleasure to be here with you today.
  I am the Republic of Venice's...

• 1299
• Queen Mother of France
  There is no need for stiff formalities.
  I took the liberty of reading your proposal earlier.

• 1300
• Alvise
  ...Yes, your majesty.

• 1301
• Queen Mother of France
  In order to combat the Turkish expansion, you want to start a rebellion among the Bedouin.
  And on top of that, you want to build a canal in Suez to allow for easier trade in India...
  It is far too reckless to even be called a plan.
  This is nothing more than a schoolboy's daydream.

• 1302
• Alvise
  ......

• 1303
• Queen Mother of France
  ...But, if it were to become reality, it would be a very attractive daydream.
  Right now, my country and Venice are both far behind in trading with western nations.
  If we continue to sit idly by, we may both one day be relegated to irrelevant has-beens.

• 1304
• Alvise
  ...It is exactly as you say, your majesty.
  That is why I wish to sign a nonaggression treaty between our countries that will allow us to support each other as we inevitably expand out to the open seas.
  If the route to India does become a reality, I promise that we will be happy to export our pepper to France at a greatly reduced price.

• 1305
• Queen Mother of France
  ...I like your spirit, Sir Orseolo.
  Very well.
  Let us forget old grudges.
  We shall forge an agreement with Venice.

• 1306
• Alvise
  ...Thank you, your majesty...!

• 1307
• Queen Mother of France
  However, before that, there is one thing I wish to ask you.

• 1308
• Alvise
  ...?

• 1309
• Queen Mother of France
  Where is Julien, without whom this meeting would never have happened?

• 1310
• Alvise
  Julien Clarence is...uh...

• 1311
• Queen Mother of France
  ...So, he is not here.
  Upon hearing stories from my orderlies about the Court Favourite, I was hoping to meet him for myself, but...
  ...Very well.
  Then to reward you for your excellent work in arranging this meeting, I hereby decree that you shall both receive rewards.
  Alvise, bring him here before the treaty is signed.

• 1312
• Alvise
  ...
  Y...yes, your majesty...

• 1313
• Alvise
  Dash it...
  We were so close to signing the agreement.
  If it hadn't been for that man...
  Player, I'm sorry to trouble you again, but please help me find him.

• 1314
• How will you respond?

• 1315
• Okay, I see.

• 1316
• Go find him yourself

• 1317
• Alvise
  Thank you.
  I am sure he will listen to you.
  Good luck.

• 1318
• Alvise
  Hmph.
  I must prepare for the signing of the agreement.
  Besides...
  I'd be too disgusted to go looking for him myself.
  ...Anyway, I leave this in your hands.

• 1319
• Julien
  ...Then, the one who was manipulating the whole anonymous letter incident behind the scenes was...

• 1320
• Augustine
  ...Yes.
  It is just as you think.

• 1321
• Julien
  Ha ha...
  How very ironic...

• 1322
• Augustine
  ...It looks like someone is here.

• 1323
• Julien
  Why, if it isn't Player.
  Ha ha...
  What's wrong? Why the perplexed face?

• 1324
• What question do you want to ask?

• 1325
• Why is Augustine here?

• 1326
• What were you talking about?

• 1327
• Julien
  ...
  Ha ha...
  So you saw me together with him.
  But, please don't speak of this to anyone else.
  He is a fugitive from the High Court of Justice.
  This is the only chance I have to catch up with an old friend.
  By the way...
  Why did you come all this way? Did something happen at the meeting?

• 1328
• Julien
  ...
  Ha ha...
  Nothing, actually.
  Just small talk.
  But, please don't speak of this to anyone else.
  He is a fugitive from the High Court of Justice.
  This is the only chance I have to catch up with an old friend.
  By the way...
  Why did you come all this way? Did something happen at the meeting?

• 1329
• How will you respond?

• 1330
• Alvise needs you

• 1331
• Are you sure that was just small talk?

• 1332
• Julien
  Sheesh...
  You don't believe me?
  Ha ha...
  I told you before, you know.
  Unnecessary doubt will only lead to bad things for both of us...
  ...Now, you must have had some reason for coming down all this way.

• 1333
• Julien
  ...
  I see.
  She wants to reward us...
  I don't know if I deserve that, but let's head back to the imperial villa anyway.

• 1334
• Guard
  ...Player and Julien?
  Hurry inside.
  The Queen Mother awaits you.

• 1335
• Guard
  ...Player? Her majesty awaits you inside.
  Please hurry.

• 1336
• Alvise
  Thank you, Player.
  Hmph.
  Julien, if you only knew how much trouble you've caused me...

• 1337
• Julien
  ......

• 1338
• Alvise
  ...? What's wrong? You don't look like yourself...
  Does even a man like you get nervous before a meeting with the Queen Mother herself?

• 1339
• Julien
  No, that's not...

• 1340
• Alvise
  Hmph.
  Well, whatever.
  We can't keep the Queen Mother waiting any longer.

• 1341
• Duke of Guise
  Hurry inside.

• 1342
• Queen Mother of France
  Player, and Julien.
  This meeting with Alvise has been enormously beneficial.
  Please accept this reward as a token of appreciation for your hard work in making it happen.

• 1343
• Queen Mother of France
  ...Julien, there is no need to be so formal for me.
  Raise your chin and approach me.

• 1344
• Julien
  Understood, my lord.

• 1345
• Queen Mother of France
  ...!Oh ho...
  So this is the man my orderlies have been speaking of...
  He looks just as the rumours say.

• 1346
• Julien
  ......

• 1347
• Queen Mother of France
  Viscountess Margaret Vernier--
  The only person who showed me any kindness when I came here from Florence and was surrounded by political enemies 20 years ago.

• 1348
• Alvise
  (Viscountess...!? You don't mean...)

• 1349
• Queen Mother of France
  ...Are you perchance related to Margaret?

• 1350
• Julien
  ...
  No, your majesty.
  Since the day I was born I have had no parents and no siblings.
  I have been all alone in the world.
  I have never heard of my having any relatives as lofty as that...

• 1351
• Queen Mother of France
  I see...
  I thought you resembled her, but perhaps I was wrong.
  ...You may step down now.
  We will now begin the signing ceremony.
  Bring forth the Lord Privy Seal.

• 1352
• Queen Mother of France
  With this sign, our nonaggression treaty between Venice and my country is complete.
  Player, I would like you to work as the representative of our country to ensure that the Suez plan succeeds.
  Will you accept?

• 1353
• How will you respond?

• 1354
• Yes.

• 1355
• No.

• 1356
• Queen Mother of France
  ...Wa ha ha.
  You have real courage to refuse me.
  ...Orseolo, it is up to you to use this man, or not use him, as you see fit.
  I will pray for your plan's success.

• 1357
• Queen Mother of France
  ...Very good.
  That is very reassuring.
  Orseolo, and Player, I wish you luck on fulfilling the plan.

• 1358
• Alvise
  ...Thank you, your majesty.
  I shall work as though my life depended on it.

• 1359
• Guard
  ...Player? Orseolo has been looking for you.
  Hurry and return back inside.

• 1360
• Alvise
  Julien.
  About the Queen Mother's story earlier...

• 1361
• Julien
  Ha ha...
  I suppose even a Queen Mother can tell a joke.
  There's no way I could be related to someone like a viscountess.
  Now then...
  We have succeeded at our task.
  Let's hurry back to Venice and put Mistress Vittoria's mind at ease.

• 1362
• Alvise
  ......

• 1363
• Alvise
  Player, I truly appreciate your help.
  ...Before we head back, there is something I want to investigate in this city, so if you'll excuse me.
  I am sure I will need your help again someday, so I hope I can count on you when that day comes.

• 24095
• The Queen Mother's summer visit had suddenly been changed to southern France.
  Then the royal family arrived in Marseilles.

• 24096
• Player and Alvise took in the magnificence of this procession while being astonished at the ability of Julien to put the visit in motion.
  Alvise attempted to reward Julien, but he declined.
  Instead, he requested that he be shown the treasured pieces of art that Maurizo, one of the Orseolo ancestors, had collected.
  Alvise hesitated, but agreed to the request.

• 24097
• Taking Player and Julien with him, Alvise went to have an audience with the Queen Mother.
  However, Julien said he had promised to meet somebody and left suddenly.

• 24098
• Alvise was upset with his insolence and went on to the Imperial Villa without him.

• 24099
• The Queen Mother appeared before them and although she labelled their plan for Suez as a "schoolboy's daydream", she was impressed with Alvise's enthusiasm and decided to agree to the pact.
  However, before she would sign it, she ordered that Julien, having been responsible for setting up this audience, be brought before her.

• 24100
• Alvise requested that Player go and find Julien.

• 24101
• Finally, Julien, who should have escaped to the Indies, was found at a church in town, where he was talking to Augustino and said, "...Then, the one who was manipulating the whole anonymous letter incident behind the scenes was..." Augustino noticed Player and immediately went to hide himself.

• 24102
• Julien asked this his meeting with the fugitive Augustino be kept a secret and then headed to the Imperial Villa.

• 24103
• Upon returning to the Imperial Villa, Alvise noticed that Julien's face did not look very well.
  However, not wanting to keep the Queen Mother waiting, they hurried back to have an audience with her.

• 24104
• The Queen Mother granted a reward to Julien and Player for setting up the meeting.
  Then, as Julien was standing next to the Queen Mother, she let out a loud gasp.
  His face looked exactly like that of an old acquaintance of hers.
  That person was the wife of the Viscount of Vernier, Marguerite.
  Twenty years ago when the Queen Mother was married into the royal family, she was the one person in the Paris Court that was kind to her.
  The Queen Mother asked Julien if he was related to her.
  However, Julien only smiled and said that he not known any of his relatives since he was born.
  With the Queen Mother's signature in place, she ordered Player to work diligently as a representative of the country in order to bring success to the Suez plan.

• 24105
• Once the audience was over, Alivse was determined to find out the truth about the situation.
  However, Julien only laughed and left.

• 24106
• In response, Alvise said, "I must study some things in this town before I leave," and he also left the Imperial Villa.