I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 424 Compensation (asking for monthly ticket)
Obviously, Walter used some means to involve the Delvaux family's property in the lawsuit, and Camelia would be penniless immediately. And she didn't have any relatives or friends - even if she did, I'm afraid no one would dare to take her in under Walter's threat.

Then she would eventually have no choice but to compromise with that bastard.

Joseph's mouth sneered. He had disdained to pay attention to Walter before, but he didn't expect that this guy would take the initiative to jump on his face.

Then teach him a lesson.

He walked to Camelia and comforted her softly:
"Don't worry, I will never let Madame Delvaux's reputation be damaged. And the villain who framed her will also be punished as he deserves."

As for how to do it, there was no need for him to do such a trivial thing himself, just let Kaunitz handle it.

The next morning, the court officials of Schönbrunn Palace came to Joseph's room and respectfully invited him to attend the farewell banquet held for him by His Majesty the Emperor at noon.

Joseph smiled coldly and said calmly:
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty, but I'm afraid I'll have to stay in Vienna for a while longer."

The court official left in surprise. After a short while, Austrian State Minister Kaunitz and Baron Ferrari, Baron Turgut and other ministers hurried over.

After the greetings, Kaunitz asked anxiously:

"Your Highness, you were originally scheduled to return to Paris tonight. I wonder why you changed your schedule?"

He had to be anxious. Austria had just decided to make a big move in Silesia, and the front was eagerly awaiting French reinforcements. The French army would not set out unless the French crown prince brought the Vienna Special Agreement back to his country.

Joseph said with a sullen face:

"You know, Mrs. Delvaux just passed away, and someone slandered her for participating in a fraud case. I have to wait until the truth of this matter is found out before I can go back with peace of mind."

"Mrs. Delvaux?" Kaunitz looked at Foreign Minister Turgut in surprise, who whispered something in his ear.

Queen Mary's wet nurse? Kaunitz frowned immediately. Although wet nurses were usually not of high status, sometimes they would have a deep bond with the children they cared for, which was a bit troublesome.

He quickly signaled to Joseph:

"Your Highness, please return to Paris first. I promise to give you a satisfactory answer."

"No, I'll just wait for the results here." Joseph said calmly.

Seeing his firm attitude, Kaunitz had no choice but to leave. He immediately asked someone to summon the guard officer in charge of the matter - he had just learned the general situation from the prince's servant.

He cursed in his heart, wondering who the idiot was who delayed the war in Silesia because of a fraud case.

After inquiring about the case, Kaunitz went straight to the head of the secret police, Marquis Hartmann, and asked him to help investigate the matter.

As the secret police got involved, the officer quickly betrayed the captain of the palace guard, Marquis Verhoevena. The secret police then found Judge Meyer, who was trying the fraud case.

The so-called fraud case was fabricated rather hastily, with contradictory evidence throughout. The secret police interrogated the case for only one day, and everyone from the "fraud victim" to the judge told the truth.

Of course, this was because the Secretary of State intervened, otherwise this cheap false accusation would have been enough to seize all of Camelia’s property.

The false accuser was thrown into prison, and the judge quickly dropped the case. Kaunitz excitedly went to tell Joseph the good news, but the latter still had no intention of returning to Paris.

Kaunitz reported the matter to Leopold II in a panic. The latter was also overwhelmed and ordered Marquis Hartmann to re-examine the case.

The secret police immediately took severe measures against all those involved in the case.

When the captain of the palace guard and the judge learned that Leopold II had personally inquired about the matter, they were a little confused - the girl was just a low-ranking noble, how could she even alarm the crown prince? ! [Note 1] They no longer dared to hide it - it was not worth it to sacrifice their own future for a few thousand florins - and immediately gave Baron Walter away.

Walter was flirting with a woman at a ball hosted by a nobleman when the Emperor's personal guards rushed in and took him away. Due to the suddenness of the incident and the level of communication at that time, he had not yet received news of the overturn of the case.

After Leopold II learned the whole story, he scolded his brother-in-law severely and then asked Kaunitz to invite the French Crown Prince.

When Joseph entered Leopold II's reception room, he saw a noble man in his twenties with a wretched appearance standing by with his head lowered, trembling with fear.

When he and Leopold II exchanged greetings, the latter immediately tapped Walter on the back with his cane and shouted:
"Apologize to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince immediately, you bastard!"

Joseph raised his hand to stop him:

"Your Majesty, I am not involved in this case, so you don't need to apologize to me. I think Austria should have corresponding laws to deal with false accusations, forgery of evidence, and bribery. Oh, yes, the person he falsely accused was a respectable noble lady, and she has already passed away."

Leopold II looked at his legal advisor, and the old man hurried forward and said:
"Your Majesty, if the charges brought by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince are proven, Baron Walter will be sentenced to 20 years in prison and will be required to pay double the amount of the false accusation."

Joseph nodded with satisfaction:
"I praise the justice system in Austria. I think this is a good way to deal with it."

Walter was so frightened that his face turned pale. He turned around and knelt in front of Leopold II, begging:

"Your Majesty, I was wrong. I am willing to pay compensation. Please don't put me in jail. Please..."

The more arrogant and domineering a guy is in normal times, the more cowardly he will become when he encounters an unfavorable situation.

Leopold II glanced at Joseph who was studying the murals on the ceiling, gritted his teeth helplessly, and for the sake of the situation in Silesia, he had no choice but to sacrifice this useless brother-in-law.

"Guards, bring Baron Walter..."

He had barely finished speaking when his wife Ludovica came in quickly from the side door, bowed hastily to him and Joseph, and then wiped her tears in public:

"Fred made a stupid mistake. Please give him a chance. I am willing to compensate the Delvaux family 8 florins for this."

Madame Delvaux left behind an estate of about 6 livres, or 2 florins. She offered three times the compensation right off the bat, which seemed "full" of sincerity.

Seeing that Joseph was unmoved, she gritted her teeth again and said:

"One hundred thousand florins should be enough to redeem Madame Delvaux's reputation... Your Highness, please be kind..."

Joseph breathed a sigh of relief. He knew that even if Walter was thrown into prison, given his status, he would most likely be released secretly as long as he left Vienna. It would be better to get some benefits for Camellia.

"One hundred and fifty thousand florins, and an apology to Madame Delvaux in the newspapers."

Without waiting for Ludovica to say anything, Leopold II immediately nodded and said:

"Thank you for your tolerance, Your Highness. I will do as you say."

Joseph was stunned. Why did it feel like there was less?
[Note 1] Here is a reminder for those readers who have forgotten the previous content. Leopold II is the younger brother of Joseph II. Since the latter has no heirs, according to the order of succession, Leopold II is the current Crown Prince of Austria and the designated candidate for the next Holy Roman Emperor.

At the same time, Leopold II was also the Grand Duke of Tuscany, so others would address him as "Your Majesty".

(End of this chapter)