In the anime, we are first introduced to Andre Grandie when he is only 15 years old. He was brought to the Jaryayes's Mansion by his grandmother (Nanny) when he was 6 years of age and as time went by, he became Oscar's best friend, confident and companion who is willing to sacrifice not only his life and his youth, but his gorgeous blue eyes for his beloved Oscar.
Andre is the first one to realize Oscar's inner conflict: being a beautiful woman, raised as a man by her father, who is expected to continue the tradition to protect the royal family. As her friend, he dislikes how General Jarjayes treats Oscar, especially when he demands that Oscar should engage in a duel with Girodelle in order to prove she is worthy of becoming the commander of the French Empirial Guard. Deep inside Andre believes that Oscar should choose the life she wishes to live.
He keeps silence when General Jarjayes asks him to convince Oscar to wear the uniform. Oscar believes he is not being honest with her and demands him to confess, but is Andre who first hits her, knowing that Oscar will release all her anger and emotions, thus hepling her to come to a decision..
After the fight, as they lay down on the grass, Andre holds her hand and says "I never experienced anything like this before." We learn that Andre 's feelings are much stronger than what he expresses: he sees the woman within Oscar fighting to brake free.
Some time has passed, and Oscar is now the commander of the Empirial Guard. Her duty: to protect Princess Marie Antoinette. Because of Oscar's nature- one of impulsiveness- Andre is the one to calm her down and bring her back to her senses. With his words of advice, he makes Oscar realize the consequences of her actions, especially when she has to choose betwen Madame DuBarry or Marie Antoinette in order to protect her own mother.
Oscar senses the attraction between von Fersen and Marie Antoinette. "It might be your femenine intuition" Andre implies -Andre has not noticed yet the attraction Oscar feels towards von Fersen,- but he is the one to arrive just in time to prevent Oscar from using her sword against von Fersen, and prove his innocence with respect to the letter incident.
In Episode 8 -- "Oscar in My Heart"-- Andre's dreams are tormenting him. He wakes up in the barn and begins to realize that his friendship with Oscar has somewhat changed ever since she became the Commander of the Empirial Guard.
Her duties demand her to spend more time with Marie Antoniette and von Fersen -this is how Oscar becomes attracted to him- and uncounsiously she begins to treat Andre in a rather despotic way.
Could it be that Andre's nightmares are becoming a reality? Could it be that their friendship will never be the same? Could it be that Oscar has forgotten about him?
After the Marie Antoinette 's horse incident, Andre is taken before the King Luis XV, and he is punished with the death penalty.
But just before the guards take him, Oscar shows up before the king and offers her life for his."Andre, you won't die. I swear it!"
Andre can't believe what his eyes see --Oscar is willing to give her life to save him. He was wrong, Oscar did not forget the friendship they share. This is the first time we see Andre cry.
At that very moment, von Fersen kneels down before the king and offers his life in exchange for Oscar's. (But is Marie Antoinette who saves them all.)
Oscar and Fersen look at each other and suddenly Oscar faints. Both Andre and von Fersen run to assist her, but is Andre who holds her in his arms as she continues to bleed.
At the Jarjayes' Mansion, Andre is going insane. The mere thought that Oscar could die drives him crazy and everyone is trying to calm him down. He blames himself for what has happened: "It should be me, and not Oscar laying on that bed!" It is here also, where von Fersen finds out that Oscar is a woman.
Throughout the night, Andre watches over Oscar's sleep. He cries as he recalls his childhood memories: Oscar and him riding horses, practicing sword-fighting, playing and laughing. He fears nothing will ever be the same. Oscar is a noble whereas he is only a mere servant. He fears he is losing the most important person in his life.
"Oscar! Oscar! Oscar!'
The next morning, when Oscar wakes up, Andre is the first person she sees. Oscar calls his name and tells him that she was dreaming about when they were kids and that she felt Andre was calling her in a very sad voice. And indeed he was. As Oscar laughs, Andre cries swearing that one day he would sacrifice his life for hers.
Oscar ignores Andre's feelings.
Andre is a very sensitive soul and
Oscar's laugh hurts him deeply.
This page was created by: The Rose of Versailles
copyright 1997
Berusaiyu No Bara is a creation of Riyoko Ikeda and Lady Oscar is a production of Tokyo Movie Shinsha. All rights reserved.
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