After all the formations had marched past, Jero Bonaparte leaned close to Friedrich’s ear, asking Friedrich Ludwig to personally inspect each formation.
Friedrich Ludwig readily agreed to this trivial request from Jero Bonaparte. Under Friedrich Ludwig’s lead, Jero Bonaparte walked with him to inspect each formation on foot.
The generals in charge of commanding the formations saluted the two as soon as they saw Friedrich Ludwig and Jero Bonaparte arriving.
Friedrich Ludwig enthusiastically introduced the history of each formation to Jero Bonaparte, and upon listening to these introductions, Jero Bonaparte imdiately showed a look of realization and then warmly shook hands with the generals.
The inspection lasted for another hour and a half before it was finally completed. After Friedrich Ludwig and Jero Bonaparte finished inspecting the last formation together, Friedrich Ludwig said to Jero Bonaparte: "Your Majesty Jero, shouldn’t we head to Karlsruhe Palace!"
Jero Bonaparte first raised his head to look at the cloudless sky, and then lowered his head to glance at the elongated shadow.
It was around three to four o’clock at that mont, the hottest ti of the day, indeed not suitable for staying outdoors for long.
"As you wish!" Jero Bonaparte said to Friedrich Ludwig.
Under the watchful eyes of the subjects and soldiers of Baden, Friedrich Ludwig and Jero Bonaparte both mounted their horses, and Jero Bonaparte, once again, waved to the surrounding crowd as he rode.
Escorted by a large group of officers and soldiers, they headed to Karlsruhe Palace. Along the way, people continuously threw petals from both sides of the road into the center, blessing the Emperor and the Regent King, as well as these gallant soldiers.
The two horsen quickly arrived at Karlsruhe Palace under the blazing sun.
Jero Bonaparte and Friedrich Ludwig dismounted and handed their reins to a palace servant nearby.
"Please!" Friedrich Ludwig extended his hand to invite Jero Bonaparte to enter the palace with him.
Jero Bonaparte nodded slowly and entered the palace shoulder to shoulder with Friedrich Ludwig.
Following Friedrich Ludwig’s lead, Jero Bonaparte t the nominal ruler of the Grand Duchy of Baden, Friedrich Ludwig’s brother, Ludwig II.
"Your Majesty Jero, this is my brother!" Friedrich Ludwig said, pointing to the middle-aged man on the chair.
From Ludwig II’s appearance, he seed not to have any issues.
When Ludwig II showed a foolish smile and stared blankly at Jero Bonaparte, Jero Bonaparte imdiately realized Ludwig II probably had the sa condition as the forr Emperor Ferdinand I of the Austrian Empire.
Both suffered ntal deficiencies due to inbreeding.
However, due to the limitations of that era, the royal family was unaware of the dangers of close-kin marriages, which led to tragedies like Ludwig II and Ferdinand I.
"Alas!" Jero Bonaparte sighed and walked slowly to Ludwig II, "My brother, you are fortunate to live in the royal family, yet unfortunately afflicted with this strange illness!
May you receive the Lord’s rcy in the future and live it happily!"
After speaking, Jero Bonaparte reached out his hand to Ludwig II, who blankly stared at Jero Bonaparte and inquired in a tone inappropriate for his age, "Are you offering a handshake?"
Jero Bonaparte nodded and softly said to Ludwig II, "Yes! After we shake hands, it ans we are the best of brothers!"
"I like brothers!" Ludwig II smiled.
Ludwig II grasped Jero Bonaparte’s right hand with both hands, and Jero Bonaparte placed his left hand over theirs.
Seeing this scene, a smile also appeared on Friedrich Ludwig’s face, standing behind Jero Bonaparte.
A few seconds later, Jero Bonaparte and Ludwig II released their hands from each other.
Jero Bonaparte stepped back to where Friedrich Ludwig was standing and said to Ludwig II, "My brother, I must go now! I will visit you again next ti!"
"Goodbye then!" Ludwig II waved to Jero Bonaparte.
Jero Bonaparte and Friedrich Ludwig turned and left Ludwig II’s room. After leaving the room, Friedrich Ludwig expressed his gratitude to Jero Bonaparte.
"It was nothing!" Jero Bonaparte shook his head and replied to Friedrich Ludwig, "Your brother is fortunate to have you, and the Grand Duchy of Baden to have you as Regent King, indeed a fortunate matter!
"With his current condition, there’s no way he can handle state affairs properly!"
"I’m rely doing what is within my duties, Your Majesty Jero!" Friedrich Ludwig humbly responded to Emperor Jero Bonaparte.
"For everyone to do well in their respective duties is truly comndable!" Emperor Jero Bonaparte praised Friedrich Ludwig, "There are many in this world who can’t even manage that!"
Friedrich Ludwig smiled faintly, then asked how long Emperor Jero Bonaparte would be staying in the Grand Duchy of Baden.
"Augusta and I will leave tomorrow!" Emperor Jero Bonaparte replied to Friedrich Ludwig.
"So soon!" Friedrich Ludwig could not help but ask.
"This visit with Augusta was just a stopover! Staying too long might cause us to miss Maximilian’s coronation!" Emperor Jero Bonaparte explained to Friedrich Ludwig and then inquired, "By the way, have you received Maximilian’s invitation?"
Friedrich Ludwig showed a hint of embarrassnt on his face, "Your Majesty, we have also received an invitation from Grand Duke Maximilian! However, due to the many trivial matters within the Grand Duchy of Baden recently, I couldn’t find the ti to attend!
Therefore, I intend to send my subordinates to attend the coronation in Warsaw!"
"That would work as well!" Emperor Jero Bonaparte relieved Friedrich Ludwig, "For a coronation, it’s the thought that counts!
After all, Maximilian’s throne was supported by Franz and ! If I don’t attend, Maximilian might not be pleased!"
"Your Majesty, you are indeed the one who should most definitely attend!" Friedrich Ludwig also concurred.
"Alright! Enough of that!" Emperor Jero Bonaparte said to Friedrich Ludwig while shaking his head, "Let’s go to the hall and wait for a while; I’m sure they will arrive soon!"
"Alright!"
Emperor Jero Bonaparte and Friedrich Ludwig entered the hall. At that mont, Empress Augusta was conversing with a group of German noblewon dressed in colorful court gowns.
Seeing this, Emperor Jero Bonaparte did not rashly interrupt their conversation but instead strolled around the hall with Friedrich Ludwig.
During this ti, Friedrich Ludwig enthusiastically introduced the nobles of the Grand Duchy of Baden to Emperor Jero Bonaparte, who smiled and greeted each noble and engaged in brief conversations with them.
As ti passed, one by one, nobles dressed in sumptuous attires entered the hall of the Karlsruhe Palace.
At 4:45 PM, Empress Augusta dismissed the surrounding German noblewon and approached Emperor Jero Bonaparte, linking her arm with his and standing by his side.
At 5 PM, the banquet officially comnced.
Friedrich Ludwig first, on behalf of all the nobles and citizens of the Grand Duchy of Baden, expressed their sincere gratitude for the arrival of Emperor Jero Bonaparte and Empress Augusta.
As soon as Friedrich Ludwig finished speaking, Emperor Jero Bonaparte was the first to applaud him.
Imdiately, thunderous applause filled the entire hall.
Once the applause subsided, Friedrich Ludwig spoke again, hoping that Emperor Jero Bonaparte would also say a few words in the conference hall.
Being adept at impromptu speeches, Emperor Jero Bonaparte naturally did not fear such performances. Since Friedrich Ludwig had given him the stage, he was obliged to leave a good impression on the Baden nobles in the hall.
Emperor Jero Bonaparte solemnly began his speech, saying that he and his wife visited Baden purely on a whim, and both the nobility and citizens of the Grand Duchy of Baden have made him feel the goodwill of this country towards him. He genuinely loves this country and hopes that in the future, the Grand Duchy of Baden and the French Empire can advance hand in hand, maintaining the friendship between the two nations forever...
As soon as Emperor Jero Bonaparte finished speaking, Friedrich Ludwig’s applause promptly followed.
Amidst a round of applause, the banquet officially began.
The group that had been standing solemnly around Emperor Jero Bonaparte and Friedrich Ludwig imdiately dispersed, gathering in twos and threes to chat.
If anyone feels hungry, they can also go to the "buffet" next door to the hall to get food.
Even Emperor Jero Bonaparte and Friedrich Ludwig no longer maintained their serious expressions from earlier; Friedrich Ludwig joined the crowd for conversations, while Emperor Jero Bonaparte first went to the nearby dining room to satisfy his hunger.
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