I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 629 The Temptation of Macarons
Joseph was silenced by Charles's laughter.

But he could also understand that his brother didn't have many friends in the Palace of Versailles. After Alexandra came to Paris, she became one of the few peers who could play with him.

What worried the younger brother was that he often lost to the little girl in swordsmanship and had never won back once. Alexandra was a head taller than him and had a good understanding of swordsmanship. So although Charles practiced very hard, he was always beaten by her.

Joseph touched Charles' head and said with a smile:

"You are a Bourbon too, why don't you propose to her yourself?"

Unexpectedly, the little guy cried even harder when he heard this: "I proposed to her."

"Oh? Did she agree?"

"Woo woo, she said she didn't want to marry a little brat..."

Joseph almost couldn't hold back his laughter this time, a kid who was less than 9 years old, calling a 6-year-old kid a kid. Well, that made sense.

He coughed dryly and comforted his brother, "The Grand Duchess of Russia will probably come to Paris after attending the funeral."

"But what if she doesn't come?"

Joseph had to help him argue: "Look, she still has to learn painting from Mr. Greuze, and Mrs. Garland's music class hasn't ended yet. She will come back."

Ciel wiped away his tears and asked with wide eyes: "Are you sure?"

"Okay, I'm sure."

"Great!" Charles burst into laughter. His brother was the person he admired the most, and since his brother said so, there must be no problem.

The little prince put aside his worries and bowed to his brother, then turned to the tutor and said:
"I have to go feed the walnuts first, and then I'll have my Latin lesson with you right away."

Walnut was the Cape parrot that Joseph had given him.

When he passed by Joseph's desk, he was attracted by the pile of beautifully packaged macarons there and immediately slowed down his pace. Well, he perfectly inherited Queen Marie's obsession with sweets.

Seeing this, Joseph said hurriedly:
"Do you want to eat? If you do, take it. Take as much as you can."

He was worried about all these desserts, which Sorel had brought him on Valentine's Day. He designed the "custom" of giving macarons to his sweetheart for Valentine's Day with reference to the later model, so as to stimulate consumption. In fact, he originally wanted to refer to the later model of giving chocolates, but solid chocolate had not been invented yet.

As a result, many noble ladies wanted to send him macarons, but were unable to meet him due to their status. Later, they heard from somewhere that Sorel could contact the prince, so they asked her to convey their feelings.

Sorel has always taken it as her duty to help others, so when she heard their requests, she agreed to everything - she actually brought several large boxes of macarons to ask for an audience with Joseph, and then piled them all in the Crown Prince's bedroom.

Charles immediately and happily filled his pockets with macarons. Suddenly he noticed the card in the package and curiously read the words on it:

"Your Highness, I am deeply impressed by your elegant demeanor...Brother, how do you pronounce this word?"

"Ahem..." Joseph stepped forward to stop him, "Don't worry about the words, tear off the outer packaging first..."

After Charles left, Joseph went to the Petit Trianon to discuss Potemkin's funeral with Queen Marie.

Potemkin was the most powerful person under the Russian Tsar, and also had the attributes of "Russian Queen", so his funeral must be taken seriously.

Moreover, Britain has recently been launching a diplomatic offensive in Russia, such as expanding the scope of Anglo-Russian trade and making large-scale investments in Donbass, apparently in an effort to neutralize France's influence.

Joseph also wanted to use this funeral to make some "investments" in diplomacy. Not long after, in the Petit Trianon Palace, Talleyrand took the list of Russian officials and said to Queen Marie:
"Your Majesty, and Prince Zubov, you should perhaps mention him in your letter to the Tsar. He has great influence in Petersburg, especially without Potemkin's constraints. The Tsar will most likely show him your letter."

Queen Mary nodded and signaled to the clerk beside her:

"When you draft your letter, please include your regards for him."

She looked at the gift list again, and asked in confusion, "Why are you sending eight bookcases of the same style to the Tsar?"

Joseph smiled and said, "Then she can only give it to other nobles."

In fact, there are not only bookcases on the gift list, but also many ironware, cosmetics, carriages and other items that were given away.

These things were distributed to Russian nobles by Catherine II, which was tantamount to a large-scale promotion of French goods.

Including the carriage used in Potemkin's funeral, they were all donated by the Jewel Carriage Company.

After the funeral, Talleyrand could go and talk to Zubov about opening a department store in St. Petersburg.

Joseph knew very well that after Potemkin's death, this "young man" would dominate Russian politics for many years until the death of Catherine II.

Moreover, this person is far from being as capable as Potemkin. He is short-sighted, greedy for fame and money. Investing in him is very cost-effective.

At this moment, Alexandra, led by Countess de Berninac, entered the tea room and knelt before Queen Mary and Joseph:
"Your Majesty, Your Highness, I will be returning to Petersburg tomorrow, and I have come to say goodbye to you."

Joseph suddenly thought of something and whispered to Talleyrand:
"Follow the gift list for Duke Zubov, prepare one for the Grand Duchess as well."

The little girl could seldom use these gifts, so she just passed them on to promote herself.

Just then, Charles ran in excitedly, apparently having just finished his Latin class.

When the little guy saw his mother, he slowed down his pace, straightened his back, and walked forward to salute according to court etiquette.

Then, he noticed the little Russian princess, and immediately took out a handful of macarons from his pocket and stuffed them into her hands, blinking his eyes and saying:
"Sister, this is for you! It's delicious, try it."

In reality, these desserts were not as good as those made by the court pastry chef, but that’s how kids are – other people’s food always tastes different.

Alexandra politely declined: "Thank you, Your Highness, but I rarely eat desserts."

Then, she said in a low voice with a mature look, "And I suggest you not to eat so many sweets. It will make all your teeth fall out, and it is said that it will also cause ulcers on your feet."

Charles stared blankly at the macarons in his hands, and suddenly, as if his hand was stung by a scorpion, he dropped the desserts on the ground.

Then, he started to cry...

Joseph thought to himself that this little girl was really self-disciplined - normally, children would find it difficult to resist the temptation of sweets.

He glanced at his mother again, hoping that she would listen as well.

However, Queen Marie hugged Charles in her arms, took a macaron from his pocket, took a bite, and smiled:
"Sasha was just kidding, dear. These sweet foods are gifts from God. How can they be harmful to people?"

(End of this chapter)