Queen Mary was momentarily stunned upon hearing the words, her heart starting to race. Could it be that her son was so enthusiastic because he was harboring thoughts about the princess of the Two Sicilies?
"Oh, that's right," she recalled, "Maria is a very intelligent girl, skilled in astronomy and mathematics. Perhaps it's these qualities that have attracted Joseph."
With some reluctance, she nodded: "That would be nice, dear, to show the Princess of the Two Sicilies our warmth and courtesy."
She then quickly added, "By the way, Clementine will also be arriving in Paris soon. Are you planning to go...?"
Joseph immediately smiled and bowed: "Of course, Mother, how could I not welcome a cousin who has come from afar?"
He certainly didn't mind welcoming more princesses, and it also served to cover up his intent to set a trap for Besanval while greeting Maria.
The Queen finally breathed a sigh of relief. Her son was only being courteous, not more interested in the princess from the Two Sicilies. Clementine, you must work hard and try to capture the Crown Prince's heart!
After Joseph had spoken to the Queen, he immediately went to find the chief steward to discuss the ceremony and arrangements for welcoming the princess from the Two Sicilies in detail.
"Hmm, I think we should hang ribbons all along the roadsides here," Joseph pointed to the map, "or the bare trees in winter would look too monotonous. And these farmhouses, the princess could see them from afar in the carriage, they need to be well decorated."
"Yes, Your Highness, I will make a note of all your instructions," the chief steward busily wrote down these requests.
He knew the princess wasn't coming merely for "tourism," but possibly to become the Crown Prince's fiancée, so it was no surprise His Highness wanted to make a grand impression.
After discussing the welcoming ceremony with the chief steward, Joseph didn't return to Paris but instead went to the Crown Prince's chamber which he hadn't used for a long time.
He walked slowly in front of a row of massive arched floor-to-ceiling windows, his gaze sweeping over the rainbow halos reflected on the glass, suddenly turning to Viscount Kesode beside him, "Viscount Kesode, how long have you been the captain of my guard, seven or eight years now?"
Kesode stepped forward, a bit surprised, and said, "Yes, Your Highness, a full eight years. I was fortunate to become your guard when you were four, and two years later, Her Majesty the Queen promoted me to captain."
Joseph turned around: "So, in this world, besides the King and Queen, you are the one I can trust the most."
Kesode hurriedly lifted his hat and bowed, "By the Almighty, you can surely trust my loyalty, Your Highness."
Joseph nodded, then looked at him seriously, "Jacques, my friend, I am about to face a challenge that will have a huge impact on me. I need your help very much."
Viscount Kesode stood up straight, his tone resolute, "Your Highness, I will do anything for you, including giving my life!"
On the eastern outskirts of Paris.
Beside the road leading to a nearby town was a small hill, about ten meters tall, scattered with sparse shrubs.
At the moment, several men wearing greasy coarse jackets and equally dirty felt hats, with various weapons at their waists or on their backs, were lounging on the ground, chatting sporadically.
"It's going to be dark in less than an hour," complained a balding middle-aged man playing with an axe, looking up at the sky unhappily, "Looks like we're going to wait in vain again today."
"Even if he doesn't come today, he will definitely come tomorrow," said a red-haired man rubbing his neck while peering down the hill, "That's tens of thousands of livres. Even waiting a few more days would be totally worth it!"
The stern-looking man sitting on the edge suddenly spoke, "Colette, if we don't wait for that man within three days, I will smash your ass with the butt of my gun."
The redhead shivered and hastily said with a smile, "Boss, the news has spread all over the town; Baron Geddon has sold his house and all his land, preparing to marry that widow in Paris."
"Oh, I saw Geddon's servants piling up boxes of luggage on the carriage outside his manor."
The burly man next to him, whose prosthetic hand resembled that of Captain Hook, immediately nodded, "That guy also posted a notice in town recruiting bodyguards. It's obvious he's going to leave in a few days."
Before he could finish his words, urgent whispers came from the top of the hill, "Quick! Here he comes!"
The men, who were idling moments ago, sprang to their feet. The stern man signaled to his subordinates, "As we planned, move!"
They split up and surrounded the road underneath the hill, while the man on top who weighed nearly two hundred pounds yanked on the rope in his hand.
Dozens of logs that had been prepared earlier rolled down with a rumble, blocking the road that was over ten meters wide.
The carriage, which had been traveling leisurely, came to a sudden halt. Both coachmen, startled, leaped from their seats and ran towards the distant woods.
The stern man fired another shot towards the carriage and, along with his men, surrounded the two carriages, shouting triumphantly, "Baron Geddon, we're just some poor folks, hoping you'll leave us some silver coins. Otherwise, we'll just have to give you a few cuts and take the money ourselves."
He was about to open the carriage door, but suddenly heard a gunshot from behind.
He felt like he had been hit in the back with a hammer, his body crashing hard against the carriage, then saw the carriage turn red with his blood.
The other bandits were taken aback, turning around in panic, only to be met with two pistols pointed at Captain Hook and the bald man's backs from inside the carriage, while several armed men emerged from the bushes on both sides of the road.