The Princess and the Auto Memories Doll (王女と自動手記人形, Ōjo to Ōto Memorīzu Dōru?) is the first chapter of Violet Evergarden Gaiden.
Summary[]
Violet accepts a request to write public love letters on behalf of Princess Charlotte Eberfreya Drossel of the Kingdom of Drossel to her soon-to-be husband, Prince Damian Baldur Flugel of the Kingdom of Flugel. It is a tradition in the kingdom for princesses to write love letters to their foreign husbands to show that they are marrying out of love and not merely diplomacy. Violet is led by Alberta, a high-ranking court lady, to meet the young princess. The princess is doubtful about Violet's aptitude for the task due to her stoic personality and self-professed lack of knowledge about love when asked about her opinion of age-gap marriages without love.
However, Violet manages to exceed Charlotte's expectations by drawing upon her knowledge of romance novels to craft a heartfelt love letter that are well received by the people. Damian's reply soon comes, but its sensuality causes Charlotte to break down into tears and lock herself in her room not out of embarrassment, but frustration. Alberta explains to Violet that Charlotte had met Damian only once before and had a conversation beyond mere pleasantries. Alberta enters Charlotte's room to check on her. She finds the princess hiding behind the curtains and scolds her, telling her that she can't be with Charlotte in Flugel once she gets married, as she is the imperial governess who is in charge of raising the princesses born in Drossel. Charlotte is shocked and hurt at this news, especially as Alberta is more her mother than her own birth mother the queen. She expresses her fear of getting married and being all alone in a foreign land. Alberta assures her that she will be able to build a good relationship with Damian, but Charlotte is doubtful whether or not he will be able to cherish a woman he doesn't love.
The letter exchange continues through the month. As the wedding preparations progress, Charlotte seems more and more disconnected about the whole thing. At a private tea party, Violet asks for suggestions on what to write for the next letter, but Charlotte tells her that she didn't care anymore and that she can write whatever she wants and that Damian is most likely using an Auto Memories Doll as well. Charlotte is dissatisfied with his replies because she knows that he isn't the type of person who would write such words. She tells Violet about her first and only meeting with Damian at her tenth birthday party, where he comforted her and encouraged her to cry after he found her sobbing in the garden out of frustration at the fact that she was now a political tool whose only use was for marriage. Charlotte fell in love with him after that meeting. When talks of marriage for her were brought up, she worked hard to convince her father and the parliament that Flugel is the best choice. Despite her happiness at the marriage, Charlotte is anxious because she doesn't know how Damian actually feels. Violet, wanting to reassure Charlotte, tells her that she has an idea of who the other Auto Memories Doll might be and that she will go to seek her help.
A few days later, a letter arrives from Flugel asking if Charlotte still remembers that night in the garden. Unlike the previous letters, it is short, to the point, and clearly written by Damian himself instead of an Auto Memories Doll. This begins the start of more casual and personal letter exchange between the two royals. They both admit their flaws to each other, and Charlotte confesses her feelings for Damian and how his words and actions to her four years ago impacted her. Damian, who initially considered the marriage to be strictly political, starts to grow genuine affection for Charlotte as learns more about her and sees how serious she is about him. The public is initially bewildered by their informal exchange, but they soon become immersed in the couple's growing relationship.
As the day of the wedding nears, Charlotte struggles with the emotional turmoil of leaving her country and Alberta, as well as her anxiety about the future. The court lady embraces her and tells her that of all the princesses she has raised, she is the smartest and most toilsome, and that she wishes for her happiness.
Violet rides a boat to Flugel. She is wearing a hat decorated white camellias, a commemoration gift for the wedding she is unable to attend. She meets up with Cattleya, who was Damian's Auto Memories Doll and had a lot of trouble convincing him to write the letters. As the two banter and set off for their next requests, Violet remarks on the good weather and how it is perfect for a wedding.
Characters[]
- Violet Evergarden
- Alberta
- Charlotte Eberfreya Drossel
- Damian Baldur Flugel (flashback)
- Cattleya Baudelaire
Trivia[]
- This chapter was adapted into Episode 5 of the anime.