Marie Antonia of Vienna has her whole life mapped out ahead of her. She is to marry Dauphin Louis Auguste, eldest grandson of King Louis XV. As his wife, she will be called Marie Antoinette and will be the highest princess of France. Upon the death of the King, she will become Queen Marie Antionette. But she dreads both new roles.

		June 13, 1769 It has come at last — the marriage proposal! King Louis XV's personal envoys arrived this morning. I was called immediately to Mama's summer house, The Gloriette, where she works on the hottest days. I did not know what I was being called for. Indeed, I thought maybe Luisa had told Mama about our picnic and I was to be reprimanded for hill rolling! But as soon as I set foot in the cool marble receiving room, Mama was out of her chair behind the desk and running toward me. She crushed me to her bosom and whispered, "Antonia, you are to be married! You are to be the Queen of France!" Her cheeks were wet with tears and soon mine were, too!"