Walsh knew that was a jackpot returning 30 tis the bet!
His heart twitched with envy.
anwhile, the Russian in red casually pocketed the silver coins spit out by the machine and excitedly continued to feed money into the slots of all four machines, then pulled the levers in rapid succession, his eyes darting back and forth over the spinning drums.
However, this ti when the drums ca to a halt, not a single machine awarded a prize. Undeterred, the Russian fixed his bloodshot eyes on the machines, continued to insert coins, and pulled the levers.
His luck spiked again as two of the machines displayed matching sets of symbols, and the clatter of falling silver coins further exhilarated him.
Just then, Viscount Freselle, Chair of the Fashion Week Committee, approached him with a few others, and said amiably, "Count Bobrinskoy, you have been playing for a whole day and night without eating anything. For the sake of your health, I suggest you take a rest..."
"Get out of my way! Don't block !"
The mont the young man finished speaking, several burly n who looked like bodyguards ca over and pushed Viscount Freselle and his company backward with their bodies.
Viscount Freselle, left with no choice, quietly instructed the security inspector who had co with him, then walked away.
He then stationed several policen around Count Bobrinskoy, ready to call a doctor for him should he faint or show signs of discomfort.
...
Joseph walked out of the south gate of Tuileries Palace, sowhat fatigued.
Queen Mary had agreed to be the ambassador for Fashion Week, requiring her to give a speech every two days, and naturally, he had to accompany her.
Fortunately, now that a four-league long east-west wooden railway had been built in Paris City, it took just over twenty minutes to reach the Tuileries Palace after entering the city, saving the Queen a lot of ti.
According to the plan, the railway would extend further westward, providing a direct connection between Paris and the Palace of Versailles.
Enjoy new stories from m-v l'e|-
Soon, one could travel from the Palace of Versailles to Paris City via coach in just over an hour, saving nearly 70% of the previous travel ti.
This wooden railway, although expensive to build at 50 thousand livres per league—which is 4 kiloters—was the result after Murdock brought in British track workers to use new techniques to reduce costs; had French craftsn been employed, it would have cost an additional 10 thousand.
However, just the convenience of the wooden railway for the nobles from Versailles to travel to Paris could increase Paris's annual comrcial inco by at least a million livres—the shorter travel ti ant the nobility had more ti for shopping and entertainnt.
Moreover, people who previously avoided going to Paris due to the distance or a rough journey would also increase their visits and spending in the city because of the railway.
Joseph stretched his arms and caught sight of the life-sized painting of "The Chosen Son" hanging at the front of the hall out of the corner of his eye—Queen Mary was extrely pleased with this painting, and thinking of the many foreign dignitaries who would co for Fashion Week, had a copy hung here to "show off" her son.
Joseph shook his head in embarrassnt and wondered whether he should have Fouche arrange for soone to steal the painting in the middle of the night when he saw Viscount Freselle coming towards him with a worried expression.
The man nearly bumped into the Crown Prince before realizing, promptly halting and bowing deeply.
Joseph smiled and asked, "Viscount Freselle, are you in so trouble?"
Freselle hesitated a mont and then said, "Your Highness, Count Bobrinskoy of Russia has been at the amusent hall for a day and a night, and hasn't eaten a al in that ti. I have tried to persuade him several tis to no avail. You know, with his status, should anything happen, it might..."
"Count Bobrinskoy?"
Joseph frowned slightly. Eman promptly leaned in and whispered, "Your Highness, that's the Empress of Russia's illegitimate son. He has been loitering in Paris for several years now, and many nobles know him."
Joseph nodded in realization, "Is it Alexei?"
"Yes, Your Highness, that's his na."
Joseph's eyes narrowed, realizing that Catherine's younger son, the future brother of Tsar Paul I, had also co to attend Fashion Week.
He suddenly rembered from watching the Russian series "Empress Catherine" that Alexei had been traveling around the world since he was young to avoid threatening his brother's position as heir[1]. However, because of his reckless behavior, Catherine could hardly tolerate his foolish actions, and it seed she would soon recall him to Russia and then banish him to a remote town for reflection.
France is currently seeking an alliance with Russia in order to launch a strategy in North Africa. This Alexei is greatly favored by Catherine II, and this could be an opportunity to have a chat with him, which might yield unexpected results.
He gestured to Freselle, "Please lead the way, I'll go and persuade him."
"Oh, thank you so much, Your Highness."
In the gaming hall, Alexei was still excitedly inserting coins and pulling levers when he saw a young man with an extraordinary air appear before him, smiling at him.
His gaze changed for a mont, but then he turned his attention back to the slot machine, muttering under his breath, "What do you want? Please step aside."
Joseph saw him insert a silver coin and forcefully pulled the handle for him, laughing, "I rember as a child, because I was not in the best of health, I spent so ti recuperating at udon Castle.
"You know, there were no tutors or ceremonial officers there, I could ride horses and climb trees whenever I wanted, it was full of freedom and relaxation."
"Later, whenever I was tornted by various courses to the point of irritation, I would feign illness and go there to 'recuperate' for a few months."
"Until one ti, I wanted my 'happy holiday' to last a little longer, so I pretended to have a serious illness, the kind that looked as if I were about to die. I was fully convinced that this ti I could stay at udon Castle for an entire year."
"But guess what happened?"
"My mother was terribly worried, called all the court imperial physicians to diagnose , bled several tis—oh, and there were enemas too—thoroughly torturing in the process."
"In the end, I had to end my own illness. Afterwards, my mother told that to keep a close eye on my health, I would have to stay in the Palace of Versailles from now on and could never go to udon Castle again."
"Do you think I was too foolish at that ti, haha."
Alexei paused for a mont, and then understood the aning of the Crown Prince—he imdiately rembered the painting of the "Child of Divine Favor" he saw upon seeing Joseph. In order to avoid the political struggles of Saint Petersburg and to make his brother Paul's succession smoother, he deliberately acted the part of a prodigal, playing around the world.
But as the Crown Prince had just said, if he overdid his act, it would surely worry his mother and she would keep him close for discipline.
He took a step back, put away his playful expression, and with a hand on his chest, bowed gracefully, speaking in perfect French, "Thank you for the reminder, Crown Prince. I presu you already know my identity. It's a pleasure to et you here."
"Yes, Earl Bobrinsky." Joseph smiled back, "I believe you need a dinner now, and plenty of sleep. If you disagree, I might have to temporarily close this amusent hall."
A mont later, as the two were on their way to the restaurant, Joseph continued the small talk, "I've heard so rumors about you."
Alexei, a bit groggy from staying up late, smiled and said, "It seems I'm quite famous, Your Highness."
"What I an is, based on your current actions, the Empress may soon order you to return to Russia."
Alexei shrugged nonchalantly, "Perhaps."
In truth, he had already heard the news from Saint Petersburg—his mother had asked the Russian ambassador about his situation several tis, indicating her intent to call him back.
But what could he do? His brother's position as the Crown Prince had always been quite precarious. He dearly loved his brother and didn't want to add any pressure on him. Thus, acting the part of a debauchee was the only thing he could do to help his brother.
He mumbled, "In the end, this is all I can do."
Kesode checked the restaurant's private box with the guards and nodded at Joseph.
The latter led Alexei in to sit down, looking at the illegitimate child, "What would you like to eat?
"Actually, there is a lot you can do. I an, things unrelated to politics. And doing so might actually keep you farther away from Saint Petersburg."
[Note 1] Before Paul I, the Russian Tsar's succession was different from most European countries, as it was designated by the previous Tsar. Therefore, although Alexei was an illegitimate child, if he was greatly favored by Catherine II or had significant political prestige, he had the potential to replace Paul as Crown Prince.
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