Ludwig II Chapter 2: The Illusionary Princess Translated by: Tae-chan aka Tokimaru ~*~ Special thanks to ~*~ Sandi Dee, an Austrian You Higuri fan who helped me with the translations for many names of people and places. Thanks, Sandi! % = thoughts $ = flashbacks As usual, please forgive the mistakes I make, since my Japanese isn't all that good. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 91 Court lady: This is the flower that Ludwig-sama’s horse trampled on! Man on horse: Hyeeh /sweatdrop/ Court lady 2: I want to have it! Court lady: No way~~~~~, it’s mine! Sophie: Eheh. Court lady: Ack- Sophie that was unfair! Page 92 Sophie: % You don’t even look over your shoulder. Sophie: % --- but it’s fine. After all, It’s a love that can’t be granted. Sophie: % My beautiful King of Bavaria I’ve always admired----- Page 94 Kinsberk: As usual, you’re really popular with the young ladies. Ludwig: Oya, is that really so? Kinsberk: C… cold words. /sweatdrops/ (You seriously didn’t realize?) Ludwig: /sigh/ Kinsberk: You look considerably worn out. Ludwig: Um. I don’t like hunting. Page 95 Ludwig: It’s much better to recite poetry. Truthfully it was wasted time. Ludwig: ! Kinsberk: Y… your majesty!? Ludwig: Hornig. Ludwig: I just thought of something good. From now let’s go to Rouzeninzel! Don’t you think that it’s a perfect day for giving fireworks? Kinsberk: (Your majesty) W… wearing nothing…. Ludwig: Hornig. Kinsberk: Ah Page 96 Taxsis: You mustn’t do that your majesty. The servants will get flustered. Ludwig: Taxsis. Ludwig: ~annoyed~ I can do what I want. Leave me alone. Ludwig: Hornig. Kinsberk: /sweatdrop/ Your Ma~~jesty~ Kinsberk: Ah, Lieutenant Taxis, congratulations on your engagement. Page 97 Taxsis: Aw man, even you know about it? So this offends the boss. Kinsberk: Huh? Taxsis: It’s nothing. Thankyou, Kinsberk Kinsberk: (Did I say something wrong? I don’t understand him) Taxsis: There is something that it is high time I did, Ludwig-sama. Hornig: ! Your Majesty! Page 98 Hornig: What happened? Coming out here like that. Hornig: I’ll go and get something for you. Ludwig: It’s fine. Hornig: Your majesty? Ludwig: I had thought, “Let’s go to Rouzeninzel” but I’ve changed my mind. Ludwig: Come, Hornig. Bathe in the water with me! Your king allows it. Page 99 Hornig: ----% Ah…. Ludwig: What’s wrong? You undress too. Hornig: I… I’ll do it by myself. Ludwig: Keep quiet! Page 100 Ludwig: You’re pretty. Ludwig: Like a Grecian Legend! Hornig: ---% You are much more…. Hornig: Stop joking! Page 101 Hornig: While it’s rude of me, your majesty Hornig: I’ll (respectfully) get you for that Ludwig: How dare you~~ base servant, you’ll get your deserts. Hornig: Kyaaa~~~~~ Page 103 Taxsis: Hornig, I too was the king’s partner. Taxsis: You don’t have to run away. Ludwig: What do you want, Taxsis? Taxsis: While it is troubling your majesty with my private affairs, I would like to receive permission to marry. Ludwig: You don’t have to go on about it. Ludwig: I hear it is some song princess from somewhere, but for a someone who comes from a high family like you it’s a bit of a daring choice. Page 104 Taxsis: If I am in love Ludwig: Then there is no need for you to gain my permission. You are free, Lieutenant Taxsis. Ludwig: Congratulations. Taxsis: I’m indebted to you. Page 105 Hornig: Heika, you’re body will get cold. Hornig: I’m sorry that it’s just mine, but please at least wear the coat. Taxsis: % You are terrible to me… your majesty, your heart is pretty innocent. Taxsis: % That passion, that genuineness, will destroy yourself, will it not? Page 106 Taxsis: % You are really too beautiful to live in this world. Ludwig: Hornig, I really love the view from here. Don’t you think it’s fantastic! Ludwig: The mountains of the Alps are so pure and grand that they’re holy. Ludwig: Like as though they are scoffing at human’s ugliness. Page 107 Ludwig: You know, I’m working on a project. Hornig: Project? Ludwig: I’m building a castle. It will be the realization of a “middle ages” one. The castle will be like a big swan spreading out it’s beautiful wings! A dream castle with a Holy Knight “Roehngrin” motif. Ludwig: It’s name… yes, I shall name it “Neuschwanstein”. Page 108 Hornig: Neuschwanstein… it has a pretty ring to it…! The idea for Neuschwanstein (New Swan Castle), which today is the first on the list of Germany’s famous sight-seeing places, was taken from Wagner’s opera which was modelled from a middle ages feudal lord’s castle. 2 years later in 1869 construction was commenced. Hornig: We’re not going to stop by Possenfohen’s mansion? Ludwig: Nah… I just really can’t like my aunt. Ludwig: But my cousins are all easy to get along with… Page 109 Gakul: Sofie, could it be that that terrible sound is… Wagner? Sofie: No buts about it, brother. I’m playing your favourite, “Tanhoizah” for you. Gakul: Oya, isn’t it King Ludwig’s? Page 110 Sofie: You’re being mean to me! Gakul: What’s up with her? She’s so hysterical. Woman: You’re thick too. She's lovesick. All the young girls are crazy over Ludwig. Woman: Because of the Vittelbach blood that flows through him, certainly he’s good looking. It’s the finest of all the royal families in Europe. However… Gakul: However? Woman: They also inherit the tendency towards visions. That’s the Vittelbach’s bad blood. Woman: Just look at his younger brother Otto. He lost his reason and was shut away in the castle, wasn’t he? Page 111 Crazy blood --- is the evidence of my family ---- Ludwig: Yo, Gakul, thanks for coming to visit me. Gakul: Long time no see, your majesty. Ludwig: As in the past, just Ludwig is fine, my school friend. Gakul: Then I guess I will. You hate formality don’t you. Ludwig: That person also often said that. Shishi… Gakul: Shishi? Ah, you mean Elizabeth, right? It seems that she is finding it hard to be Austria’s bride. That’s because she was a wild child like a mountain cat. Ludwig: Pitiable isn’t it. Page 112 Gakul: Oya, did you have an interest in Shishi? Gakul: She’s over 7 years older. Ludwig: ---- it’s not like that. Ludwig: It’s just… I think that in the depths of our souls we were twins. Gakul: Then, how about Sofie? She’s her younger sister. Ludwig: Sofie? Ludwig: I hadn’t thought about her. Gakul: Won’t you think about her? Ludwig: Huh? Gakul: I wonder if you’d invite her to the opera or something next time you go. I hear that she’s…. crazy about you. Page 113 Ludwig: You’re saying… she’s in love with me? Ludwig: % ---- A woman is…. Gakul: Eh… ah… well, I was just wondering. Don’t take it seriously. Ludwig: …. Let me think about it. Ludwig: Excuse me, I feel a bit sick. Ludwig: Please make yourself suitably at home. Gakul: What the heck…!? Page 114 Ludwig: Why is it that just by thinking of the body ‘woman’ Ludwig: I feel like I want to throw up. Taxsis, why can you get married? Ludwig: Is this also the work of the crazy blood? God..! Munich Royal Opera House. Opera patron 1: Hey, look over there! Opera patron 2: Huh? Opera patron 1: The royal box seat. Page 115 Opera patron 1: The woman who’s sitting next to King Ludwig! Who is she? Opera patron 1: It’s something we don’t see very often. Ludwig: Sofie, I hadn’t realized that you had such a profound knowledge of Wagner’s opera. Page 116 Ludwig: I really would like to go with you again. Is that okay? Sofie: Ludwig-sama, of course… of course it is! Sofie: Gakul, Gakul! Sofie: Thankyou, thanks to you! He’s even more wonderful than I thought! He’s very much a gentleman. Gakul: Good on ya, Sofie. Sofie: Ah, Gakul, please teach me more about Wagner! I just can’t follow what he’s talking about. Sofie: Ah, what shall I do? My heart feels like it’s going to burst. Page 117 Ludwig: It’s very funny. Pufolten hears that I sat with a woman and requested you to give me first lessons in how to treat a woman. The famous actress Rita Bronski! Rita: You are the king of the country, so accordingly consideration needs to be given. I’ll give you my lessons carefully. Ludwig: I see. Rita: Ah Rita: Your majesty Page 118 Rita: What are you…. Rita: Ah Ludwig: Marriage is a reproduction act Ludwig: For the prosperity of descendants! Ludwig: So where’s the meaning in that? Ludwig: It’s disgraceful! It’s a calculating coupling quite different from a pure, holy love! Rita: Y… your majesty, for god’s sake, your hand… Rita: It hurts… Ludwig: Get the hell out of here. Page 119 Hornig: Your majesty Ludwig: Hornig. Page 120 Ludwig: Could I talk about a deceitful love? If it’s my obligation as the king, then must I go through with it? Hornig: There’s nothing that I can say Hornig: King… Swiss Rutsuelun Page 121 Wagner’s wife: Dear, a message has arrived from the king. Wagner: At the moment I’m busy with the composition of “Maistah” and I can’t free my hands, Gozima. Please read it. [Wagner As Ludwig II was a patron of this great composer, famous Wanger’s extravagance was appaling, and he was banished from Munich by the cabinet ministers who were considerate of the preservation of the national treasury. He hid himself in Switzerland. ] Wife: “Walter will communicate to Zacks that the ‘Efochen’, that Zigfried has found Brunhilde” ---- what is this? Wagner: Oh really? That young king at last has also done it. Those were the names of the lovers that Wagner created. 1867 January Munich was excited. Man: Look at this! Page 122 Man: It says that King Ludwig is engaged to the Baierun family’s daughter Sofie Kalrotte! Man 2: Hyaa~~~ it’s a sudden marriage! Man: Well anyway it’s a happy thing. The Austrian war also pretty much cleared away! Man: The ceremony is on the king’s birthday, the 25th of August, huh? Okay, I’m going to get married to my fiance on that day too. Blond man: (You devil you). Page 123 Woman: Empress Dowage Maria-sama, the photo of King Ludwig and Sofie-sama! Maria: Well, this…. Woman: Yes? ^_^;; Maria: That boy… no matter how you look at it, my son does not have the face of a man in love. I wonder if he really does intend to get married. Young woman: Look at those two! What a shining couple. Young woman2: A beautiful man and a beautiful woman quite suit each other! Young woman3: It’s fantastic. Young woman4: Wa~~~h, my Ludwig-sama~~~~~ Older woman: Nevermind. Young woman4: Mother~~~~~ Page 124 Sofie: U… um, your majesty Ludwig: What is it, “Elsa”. Is the party not fun? Sofie: % Elsa… the name of the heroine in the opera “Roengrin”… Page 125 Sofie: % I just realized that he never calls me by my name. Sofie: No… Sofie: Your majesty… you’re probably regretting having become betrothed to me, right? There’s someone else you’re in love with or something… Ludwig: ---- That’s stupid. You’re a little sentimental today. Sofie: Your majesty Sofie: If you’re saying that you love me, then please kiss me… Page 126 Ludwig: Ladies shouldn’t say things like that. Page 127 Sofie: Your majesty…! Man: You haven’t seen the king it seems, Baumhalt? Baumhalt: Well actually… Baumhalt: If you mean from now, he’s going to the Shirah Opera. He said he would be in time for the final act. Man: What? He just left Lady Sofie here!? (What a thing to do). Page 128 Ferdinand: --- Sofie Ferdinand: I would do anything to have you smile! Man: Oya. I wonder who that young man is? Baumhault: Ah, that man is Ferdinand-sama, the son of the Aranson family. He had a passion for Lady Sofie. Page 129 Sofie’s mother: I’m so completely astonished I can barely speak! Gakul: What’s wrong, mother? Sofie’s mother: I can’t believe it, but he asks that the August ceremony be postponed! It seems that the reason is because the previous king was married on that month, but --- how is this! Sofie’s mother: Poor Sofie. She was looking forward to it so much… Guard: That’s Sofie-sama. Page 130 Sofie: I’m sorry for coming at such a late time. I heard that the king was here at Berk castle so I came. Would you please inform him of my arrival? Guard 1: He said that he wasn’t seeing anyone right now… Guard 2: It’s the usual reason. Sofie: If you won’t see me in then I’ll go in myself. I have an important thing to do. Guard: Sofie-sama, please wait a moment Sofie: % --- a light is on. Sofie: Your majesty…. Page 131 Sofie: % AH…. Page 132 Sofie: % What /is/ this!? Page 133 Ludwig: Sofie. Ludwig: Sofie. Ludwig: You’re in there, aren’t you. Then please listen through the door ---- I have to apologize to you. Ludwig: I cannot lie to myself. Ludwig: I think of you dearly like a younger sister. Therefore, I cannot marry you. Page 134 Ludwig: Please forgive me for having embroiled you in this, an innocent person. Sofie: % I don’t believe it…! Sofie: % So does that mean everyone was deceiving me!? Page 135 Sofie: % That man ---- that golden haired servant took the king away from me…! Sofie: % If only that man wasn’t around…! Ferdinand: The king promised to show me his pride horse. You’re the head of stables aren’t you? Hornig: Yes sir. Ferdinand: Please guide me to the stables. The king said he’d come later. Hornig: Sure, this way please. Page 136 Hornig: Wh…at…. Ferdinand sama Ferdinand: There is this person, right, that said you’re in the way! Ferdinand: She said that you were the king’s lover! Page 137 Ferdinand: You really do have a pretty face. I don’t have that sort of interest, but it makes me shiver. Ferdinand: If you bewitched the king with that face, then I’ll make your face into one you can’t look at. Hornig: % Sofie-sama Page 138 Ferdinand: ? Why don’t you resist? Ferdinand: You’ve given up? Page 139 Ferdinand: Resigning yourself is good. Out of consideration for that, I’ll send you to that world quickly. Ferdinand: Sofie! Sofie: It’s enough… stop. Page 140 Ferdinand: Why…! I’m doing it for your sake Sofie: You know, I understand. It was Hornig, right? I really loved him. Page 141 Sofie: But, I… was held in the illusion of his love and was enacting the role of Pierrot by myself. Sofie: No matter what I do, Sofie: I can’t become “Elsa”… Hornig: Sofie-sama Page 142 Sofie: You were there all along? Sofie: Why… didn’t you come to save him? You take that good care of your own skin? Ludwig: There was no need. Ludwig: You wouldn’t do anything like hurting Hornig… Page 143 Sofie: ! …. I loved you, Ludwig-sama. Ludwig: I too. Ludwig: “Elsa” Page 144 Sofie: I wonder if just once is okay. Ludwig: Please go ahead. Page 145 Sofie: Now I feel a lot better. Sofie: Apologize to the golden haired stable boy for me okay? Ludwig: I pray for your happiness. Sofie: I too. But… Page 146 Sofie: The happiness that you often speak of surely isn’t in this world. Sofie: Goodbye, King of Dreams! 1867, 10th of October, Lady Sofie’s engagement was cancelled. One year later, the girl married Ferdinand of the Arunson family. Autumn was advancing, causing a prediction of a fissure of secret fate. [1]