Life of Being a Crown Prince in France

In an instant, Alexandra’s heart welled with sweetness, the phrase echoing incessantly in her mind: My love shines like the morning star there.

The carriage came to a slow halt.

The Russian Princess carefully checked her attire, ensuring that there were no flaws. Only then, adhering strictly to the etiquette she had practiced over a hundred times, she gracefully descended from the carriage, holding the attendant’s elbow.

She walked through the hundreds of nobles who came to greet her and approached Louis XVI and the Queen. With the assistance of two maidservants on either side, she lifted her skirt and curtsied, “By the grace of Jesus, Alexandra Pavlovna Romanova is able to pay my eternal homage like the sun to the esteemed King and Queen.”

The King and Queen smiled and nodded in acknowledgment, “Paris shines all the brighter for your arrival.”

As per protocol, Alexandra was to withdraw after the curtsy and then greet the Crown Prince.

At this moment, a hint of a smile appeared on the lips of Veronique, the maid behind Joseph.

The Crown Princess’ arrival in Paris gave her hope — a chance to defeat Perna and Camellia. Afterward, being the closest person to the Crown Prince, she would most likely “rise in status.”

She had been planning this for a long time, and now was the first step in implementing her plan.

Alexandra kept facing Louis XVI as she retreated — it was basic courtesy never to turn her back to the King — yet she never heard the cues from the maidservants holding up her skirt beside her.

Yes, the seemingly simple act of withdrawing requires precise coordination.

Typically, the maidservants would quietly count steps and would constantly remind their mistress if she was veering off course or if there were any obstacles behind. Otherwise, if the mistress were to fall or bump into something, it would turn into a huge joke.

Currently, the two maidservants attending to Alexandra were assigned by the Palace of Versailles — according to the rules, a princess marrying into France must undergo a “de-culturalization” ceremony. When she entered French territory, she was to change all her original clothes into French ones, and her servants and personal items had to be left behind in Russia.

Alexandra cautiously took a step back, then discreetly coughed to remind the two maidservants.

Still, no response.

Yes, these two maidservants originally served the Crown Prince, and were Camellia’s subordinates.

Two months ago, Veronique repeatedly brainwashed them, saying that the Russian Princess would severely undermine Miss Camellia’s status, and that they should show this “barbarian princess” a lesson.

At this time, the French nobles felt deeply disdainful towards the Russians. Even if she was a princess, they faced no psychological barrier in bullying her a little.

Thus, this scene unfolded before us.

Alexandra realized that the two maidservants had ill intentions, and she became urgent. The ground here was uneven, surrounded by nobles from the Palace of Versailles; one slip-up on her part would make her look foolish.

The Crown Prince is watching me right now. What should I do?

She was originally prepared to take the risk of continuing backward, but suddenly thought that if the two maidservants wanted to scheme against her, they might slightly lower the skirt hem, causing her to trip over it…

Alexandra’s hesitation led to murmurs among the surrounding nobles.

Suddenly, she shook off the two maidservants decisively and turned around. Before anyone could exclaim, she took a few steps forward, knelt down towards the southeast, pressed her fingers together on her chest to form a cross, and loudly declared, “May Jesus forever protect our King, protect the Crown Prince, and all of France!”

Then she folded her hands and bowed her head in a posture of prayer.

Archbishop Beaumont, who accompanied her, was momentarily stunned— the Russian Princess was facing the direction of the Holy See, and all her prayers were in strict accordance with Catholic standards. Although the conversion ceremony had not yet been held, it was clearly a public affirmation of her intent to convert to Catholicism.

He hurriedly approached Alexandra’s side and touched her forehead with a prayer ring, reciting, “May the love of our Father, the grace of Christ, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit be with you. Amen—”

Immediately, the surrounding nobles lowered their heads and made the sign of the cross, “Amen—”

Archbishop Beaumont helped Alexandra rise, nodding with satisfaction, “Your devotion is like the rose of the Tower of David, sure to be pleasing to Jesus.”

The Russian Princess first expressed her gratitude to the Archbishop, then scanned the two maidservants before directly walking toward the Crown Prince.

The two maidservants were momentarily flustered, hurriedly bending to pick up the more than two-meter-long train of the gown, and followed.

The surrounding nobles, due to the solemn and stately atmosphere just now, dared not speak casually.

Not until Alexandra reached the Crown Prince did she finally breathe a sigh of relief and curtsy gracefully, “Your Highness.”

Joseph bowed in return, placing a hand on his heart, and then according to the protocol, stepped forward to embrace and cheek-kiss.

A gentle cheer arose from the surrounding nobles as they offered their blessings to the two.

Only Veronique gnashed her teeth in hatred.

She had planned to comfort the Russian Princess in a kind big-sister manner when she felt humiliated and heartbroken, thereby gaining her trust, and subsequently inciting her to conflict with Perna and others.

But the script did not follow her plan.

“No matter,” Veronique muttered to herself, “She’s just a young girl, I have plenty of ways to make you behave obediently!”

After a series of complex formalities, Alexandra linked arms with the Crown Prince as they boarded the second carriage together.

The convoy began its return journey to the accompaniment of music.

Inside the carriage, the two sat facing each other. Alexandra stole glances at the Crown Prince’s face, secretly thinking: His Highness seems more and more handsome…

Joseph was also observing her slightly full cheeks and suddenly said, “You really don’t have to force yourself. I mean, about the conversion.”

Startled, Alexandra raised her head, “Ah?”

Joseph winked at her and whispered, “You just need to be mindful of such matters especially in front of others, um, particularly my mother, who is a devout Catholic. In private, you may continue practicing the traditions of the Eastern Orthodox.”

Yes, although Joseph often resorted to the guise of “the Son of Divine Favor” to resolve some awkward situations, he was by no means a devout believer, and it mattered little to him what faith his fiancée practiced.

Alexandra was deeply moved, whispering, “Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness. But even so, it might place you in a difficult position…”

“It really doesn’t matter,” Joseph smiled, pointing up to the sky, “After all, we pray to the same Jesus, and I believe he wouldn’t mind.”

Suddenly, Alexandra felt a touch of emotion—she was quite concerned about her faith and was surprised by the Prince’s tolerance.

She quickly steadied her emotions and flashed Joseph a sweet smile, “Your Highness, do you have paper and pen here?”

“Of course.” Joseph retrieved paper and pen from the small table and handed them to her, “What do you intend to do with them?”

“To give you a gift.”

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