Novels online

Chapter 1394: Hunting

The sound of gunshots echoed from the western woods. Joseph quickly seized the chance to set down his half-eaten 'polite lion', turning his head to look. "Is Father hunting wild boar?"

June was the red deer's breeding season, so only wild boars and birds could be hunted.

Queen Mary smiled and nodded. "Yes, Charles and the Count of Artois are also there. Let's go over quickly."

The three rode for a while, then saw the royal guards surrounding the King and others, pointing at the dust stirred up by game in the distance and saying something. Behind them, seven or eight ladies-in-waiting were eagerly observing.

Antoine, the eldest son of the Count of Artois, was the first to spot the Queen and the Crown Prince. He quickly reined in his horse and bowed with his hand over his chest.

Hearing this, the others also turned to bow, and the previously jovial atmosphere suddenly grew a bit more serious. It couldn't be helped; even high-ranking nobles, including the Count of Artois, were relatively relaxed when facing Louis XVI, but they genuinely felt nervous in the presence of the Crown Prince.

Joseph nodded to everyone, approached his father, bowed, and said, "My apologies, I'm late."

Louis XVI smiled and handed over the short-barreled hunting rifle he held, which was modified from an Auguste 1798 Model Rifle. "No, you're just in time. The wild boar herd will be here any moment."

Queen Mary greeted her husband but didn't return to the ladies-in-waiting. Instead, she pulled Charles aside and began to fuss, "My dear, how was your hunt today?"

Queen Mary gestured to the ladies behind her. "Princess Maria is also here today. You really must show off your marksmanship."

She saw her son's forced smile and nodded, saying, "Alright, perhaps you don't like her much... What about Miss Ariane? I specifically invited her."

She considered 'arranging' her eldest son's marriage a major life achievement, so she always wanted to achieve similar glory with her younger son.

A noblewoman of sixteen or seventeen in the distance seemed to sense the Queen's gaze and immediately offered a sweet smile.

Queen Mary continued, "My dear, if you think she's suitable, I can help you persuade the King and Joseph.

"I know she's only a viscount's daughter, but she's very well-mannered, a student of Monsieur Lesueur, and she plays the piano beautifully..."

Hmm, she had seen Charles and Ariane chatting for a bit last month, and he wore a happy smile when they parted. So, she decided she 'understood everything'.

In truth, Charles had simply been reminded of another noblewoman by the girl's dress.

Beads of sweat gradually appeared on Charles's forehead. He could only ceaselessly plead with his brother with his eyes.

Joseph himself had experienced the awkwardness of his mother pressing him to marry in the past, and he also felt a bit bored waiting. So, he looked towards the distant herd of wild boars and declared loudly, "Perhaps, we should have a real hunt."

Charles quickly interjected, "What do you mean by 'real'?"

Joseph looked at him. "Do you know why nobles must be proficient at hunting?

"It's to train coordination between knights, marching formations, and pursuit techniques."

He then gestured towards the large group of retainers in the distance who were driving the wild boars. "But modern hunting only trains the servants; we merely wait here and shoot.

"Who wants to come with me to personally pursue those beasts and truly bring them down in a proper hunt?"

Louis XVI's eyes lit up at these words. He was about to say, 'Count me in,' but then heard Queen Mary say anxiously, "No, no, that won't do! It's too dangerous! Those are wild boars! If it were deer, perhaps, but..."

She wasn't worrying needlessly; wild boars were incredibly strong creatures. When they charged, even a mere brush could crush a person's internal organs and kill them.

Historically, many prominent figures had met their end by a wild boar's tusks.

Joseph chuckled, shaking the hunting rifle in his hand. "You needn't worry. This rifle's accuracy and power far surpass old flintlock muskets; it can penetrate a wild boar's skull.

"Furthermore, everyone is equipped with revolvers. Even if a wild boar charges us from 50 meters away, we'll have two or three chances to shoot."

Louis XVI and Charles nodded frantically.

Seeing this, the others also quickly chimed in with their agreement.

Queen Mary repeatedly confirmed, before reluctantly 'giving her consent'.

Charles let out a sigh of relief and nodded gratefully to his brother.

Alexandra had seen that the Queen didn't rejoin the other ladies, so she had also stayed nearby. Now, hearing that she could personally participate in the encirclement hunt, her heart immediately pounded with excitement. She sidled up to Joseph and blinked her eyes pleadingly. "Darling, uh, may I go with you? I swear, I won't get in the way! Please!"

Joseph looked at his wife, who was wearing a light green gown and sitting sidesaddle on her horse, and shook his head. "You can't go like that."

Alexandra immediately felt a little deflated, but she wasn't surprised. According to court etiquette, ladies usually only observed from a distance during such hunts, let alone riding to pursue wild boars.

However, just as she was about to excuse herself, she heard her husband continue:

"You're too unsafe like that. If you want to go, change into hunting attire."

Joseph had ample confidence in his wife's riding skills and swordsmanship. Even if her marksmanship wasn't excellent, she would at least not be harmed by a wild boar.

"You're truly the best person in the world!" Alexandra excitedly kissed him twice on the cheek, pulled on the reins, and galloped towards the resting area.

Before long, she returned, dressed in a dashing red hunting suit—the Crown Princess's lady-in-waiting had been very dutiful and brought all the clothes she might need.

Joseph, for his part, had checked his weapons and ammunition. He had Clauzel select over thirty experienced personal guard soldiers. Looking at the distant herd of wild boars, he raised his hunting rifle high and declared, "All, form ranks!"

Alexandra's pretty face was flushed with excitement, as if she saw her great hero in his valiant posture on the battlefield. She immediately pressed close to his side.

Charles and Antoine could only be squeezed to her right. To Joseph's left were the Count of Artois and others.

Louis XVI opened the safety on his hunting rifle and excitedly started walking towards his son, but felt his clothes grabbed from behind.

He turned, only to see Queen Mary's chiding eyes. He immediately said with some trepidation, "Uh, I also..."

The Queen shook her head, allowing no room for discussion. "My dear, you're already forty-six. Why are you going along with the young people's recklessness? It's far too dangerous."

Louis XVI pointed at Charles indignantly, "But Charles, he's..."

Queen Mary immediately swayed her husband's arm gently and said softly, "Just stay here with me, won't you, my dear?"

The King instantly gave up his resistance, handed his hunting rifle to an attendant, reined his horse back a couple of steps, wrapped his arm around his wife's waist, and watched with her as the Crown Prince led the hunting party, kicking up clouds of dust.

The noblewomen in the distance, meanwhile, gazed at the Crown Princess, who was astride her saddle, dressed in a red hunting suit, with a hunting rifle on her back, galloping across the fields. All of them were wide-eyed with astonishment.