Life of Being a Crown Prince in France-Chapter 979 - 887: The Holy See’s Conditions

Queen Mary looked on in surprise as the two entourages in the distance became entangled.

Immediately, the vehicles tilted, horses neighed, and the police and Vatican guards shoved each other, ordering one another to move aside, creating a scene akin to a cheap market stall dispute.

She turned to the Guard Captain: "Why is Archbishop Muzareli here?"

Brian, standing behind her, stepped forward and bowed: "Your Majesty, Archbishop Muzareli arrived in Paris last week, claiming to discuss church affairs with Archbishop Beaumont. However, he and the Pope are somewhat... ah, not on good terms, and today he deliberately intends to embarrass the Pope..."

Brian was executing Joseph’s orders.

As one of the highest echelons of the French Church, he naturally hoped for the French Church to overshadow the Vatican.

However, he had only entertained the thought before, never expecting His Highness the Crown Prince to truly pursue it!

Queen Mary anxiously crossed herself: "What, what should we do now?"

Brian gestured to the Court Guard: "First, separate the two groups!"

The Guard Captain looked at the Queen, and seeing no objection, immediately ordered several hundred Swiss Guards to charge forward.

After a full 15 minutes, the people and horses of the two entourages were finally separated by the wall formed by the Court Guard.

Those Paris Police, being well-trained and numerous, had thoroughly beaten the Vatican Guard of Muzareli, leaving them disheveled and bloodied.

Seeing this, Archbishop Brienne hurriedly reminded the King and Queen in a low voice: "Your Majesties, let us first go greet the Holy Father."

Queen Mary nodded, taking Louis XVI with her towards the golden carriage, followed by hundreds of nobles from the Palace of Versailles according to their ranks.

However, when the King and Queen were about ten meters away from the luxurious carriage drawn by eight horses, they finally saw that behind the window was a stranger dressed in cardinal’s red.

Brian, following with his portly steps, was startled upon seeing that person: "How is it Archbishop Muzareli?"

At this moment, from the other side of the human wall, someone called out in Latin: "Holy Father, are you unharmed?"

Everyone paused for a moment, then all turned, seeing Pope Pius VI trembling as he descended from the white "gemstone" carriage.

The two black horses pulling the carriage snorted, seeming to salute the Pope.

A silence fell over the Versailles Palace Square.

After a moment, Queen Mary finally reacted, signaling to the Guard Captain: "Escort Archbishop Muzareli back."

Then she and Louis XVI walked quickly toward Pius VI, but upon getting closer, they intended to kneel and kiss the Pope’s ring as protocol dictated, only to find the ground littered with broken flags and shattered ceremonial items, leaving nowhere to step.

Queen Mary turned to look at the nobles behind her, seeing their well-rehearsed formation for the audience in complete disarray, utterly lacking the solemn and respectful atmosphere required for welcoming the Holy Father.

Brian timely suggested: "Your Majesty, perhaps it would be best to let the Holy Father rest in the Palace of Versailles first."

Half an hour later, order was finally restored within the Palace of Versailles.

In a lounge, Louis XVI and his Queen awkwardly comforted the Holy Father, while most of the nobles behind them whispered among themselves, occasionally covering their mouths to stifle laughter.

Brian glanced at the Crown Prince beside him and said to Queen Mary: "Your Majesty, the banquet is about to begin. The Holy Father may need to change into clothes suitable for the banquet."

Queen Mary nodded and also smiled at Pius VI: "Holy Father, we will listen to your teachings during the banquet later."

After the King, Queen, and nobles had departed, just as Pius VI was about to breathe a sigh of relief, there were "knock knock" sounds at the door.

Before he could respond, the door was pushed open, and the Crown Prince of France strode in.

Pius VI was momentarily taken aback, standing up and stretching out his hand, waiting for the latter to kiss his ring.

Joseph, not being a devout believer, ignored this gesture, only slightly bowing, then sat on a chair beside him, gesturing to the chair behind the Pope: "Please, have a seat."

Reflexively, Pius VI sat down, hearing the Crown Prince of France say: "Holy Father, you’ve come for the conflict in Ferrara, haven’t you?"

"This..." Pius VI looked at his youthful face, hesitated for a moment, then nodded, "It is indeed a catastrophe that should not have occurred."

Joseph shook his head: "It is merely the Italians reclaiming their own land."

"You are mistaken, Your Highness, according to Constantine’s Imperial Decree..."

"We all know that it was fabricated by the Church," Joseph interrupted unceremoniously. Abundant archaeological evidence in later generations has confirmed that this decree never existed in history.

Pius VI widened his eyes, seemingly difficult to believe that the "Son of Divine Favor" would utter such blasphemous words.

Joseph glanced at the Pope and spoke directly: "What are you willing to offer for the withdrawal of troops?"

Pius VI took a deep breath, looked at the closed door, and hesitated: "If you wish to discuss diplomatic matters, perhaps you should invite Her Majesty the Queen."

Although he had heard about the Crown Prince of France presiding over state affairs, in his view, it should be under Queen Mary’s guidance.

Joseph smiled, turned his body, and said: "Archbishop Brienne, please inform Her Majesty the Queen that the Holy Father needs rest, and the banquet is postponed by an hour and a half."

From outside, Brian’s voice came: "Yes, Your Highness, I will do so immediately."

Joseph turned back: "Alright, now we have ample time to communicate."

Pius VI looked in surprise at the young Crown Prince, quickly adjusting his mindset, and put on the smile of an elder: "Your Highness, in the name of Almighty Jesus, your actions in Northern Italy against Ferrara are unjust..."

Joseph sneered: "At the most critical moment of the war between our country and Austria, the Vatican declared Austria as the ’Shield of God’ and bestowed the title of ’The Just’ on Franz II.

"Since the Vatican gave enormous support to France’s enemy, it should be ready, at some point, to endure France’s wrath."

Pius VI looked aggrieved: "It was all Muzareli’s idea, you might want to put him on trial..."

"Ha," Joseph waved it off, "The decision was made by the Vatican, and the benefits to Austria were given to you and the other cardinals. Throwing Muzareli under the bus when things go wrong?

"We don’t need to waste time on meaningless topics.

"I ask once again, what are you willing to offer for the withdrawal of troops?"

Pius VI again stared at the "Son of Divine Favor" for a moment, sighed, and reluctantly began:

"Very well. The Vatican is willing to offer 100... 120 million ducats as reparations for France’s losses."

Seeing Joseph take a sip from his teacup, appearing deeply focused on his tea, Pius VI gritted his teeth and continued:

"And to hand over Ferrara and Bologna to France’s administration..."