Chapter 887: The Terms of the Holy See
Queen Mary watched in astonishment as two convoys became hopelessly entangled not far away.
Carriages tilted precariously, horses neighed in distress, and members of the Paris Police and the Papal Guard pushed and shoved one another. Each side barked orders for the other to retreat, turning the scene into something resembling a chaotic squabble over stalls at a cheap street market.
She turned to the captain of the guard. "Why is Archbishop Muzzarelli here?"
Archbishop Brienne stepped forward from behind her, bowing slightly. "Your Majesty, Archbishop Muzzarelli arrived in Paris last week, claiming he needed to discuss ecclesiastical matters with Archbishop Beaumont. However, his relationship with the Pope is... well, somewhat strained. He likely intended to cause the Holy Father some embarrassment today."
Brienne was merely carrying out Joseph's instructions.
As one of the highest-ranking members of the French clergy, he naturally desired for the French Church's influence to eclipse that of the Roman Curia.
In the past, such thoughts were nothing more than idle fantasies, but he hadn't expected the Crown Prince to actually take action!
Queen Mary anxiously crossed herself. "This... what are we to do?"
Brienne gestured toward the Palace Guard. "Separate the two groups first!"
It took a full fifteen minutes for the palace guards to form a human wall, finally separating the men and horses of the two convoys.
The Paris Police, having been professionally trained at the police academy and holding superior numbers, had delivered a thorough thrashing to Muzzarelli's retinue, leaving them with torn clothes and bloodied faces.
Seeing this, Archbishop Brienne leaned in and whispered to the King and Queen, "Your Majesties, we should go and welcome the Holy Father first."
Queen Mary nodded and took Louis XVI's hand, leading him toward the golden, opulent carriage. Hundreds of Versailles nobles followed closely behind them, strictly arranged by rank.
However, when the royal couple was only ten meters away from the magnificent carriage drawn by eight horses, they finally realized that the figure behind the window was a stranger wearing the scarlet robes of a Cardinal.
Brienne hurried over on his stout legs. Upon seeing the man, he gasped in shock, "How is it Archbishop Muzzarelli?"
At that moment, a voice spoke in Latin from the other side of the human wall. "Holy Father, are you uninjured?"
Everyone froze before turning in unison. They saw Pius VI trembling as he stepped down from a plain, white "Gemstone" carriage.
The two black horses pulling the carriage snorted, as if greeting the Pope.
A sudden silence fell over the square of Versailles.
After a moment, Queen Mary finally snapped out of it. She first shot a look at the captain of the guard. "Escort Archbishop Muzzarelli back."
Then, she and Louis XVI hurried toward Pius VI. As they approached, they intended to kneel and kiss the Pope's ring according to protocol, only to find the ground littered with broken banners and shattered ceremonial vessels. There was simply no clean place to step.
Queen Mary looked back at the nobles behind her. The reception formation they had rehearsed so many times was in utter disarray, completely lacking the solemn and dignified atmosphere required to welcome the Holy Father.
Brienne offered a timely suggestion. "Your Majesty, perhaps it is best to let the Holy Father enter Versailles to rest first."
Half an hour later, order was finally restored within the Palace of Versailles.
In a drawing room, Louis XVI and his wife awkwardly offered their comforts to the Holy Father, while the nobles in the background whispered among themselves, occasionally stifling giggles.
Brienne glanced at the Crown Prince standing to the side and said to Queen Mary, "Your Majesty, the banquet is about to begin. The Holy Father may need to change into his formal attire."
Queen Mary nodded and offered a thin smile to Pius VI. "Holy Father, we shall look forward to hearing your wisdom at the banquet later."
Once the King, Queen, and the various nobles had departed, Pius VI was about to breathe a sigh of relief when he heard a sharp rap at the door.
Before he could speak, the door swung open, and the Crown Prince of France strode inside.
Pius VI was momentarily taken aback. He stood up and extended his hand, expecting the youth to kiss his ring.
Joseph, however, was no devout believer. He ignored the hand and merely gave a slight bow before taking a seat in a nearby chair. He then gestured to the chair behind the Pope. "Please, sit."
Pius VI sat down almost reflexively as the Crown Prince spoke.
"Holy Father, you've come regarding the conflict in Ferrara, haven't you?"
"This..." Pius VI looked at the young man's face, hesitated, and then nodded. "That is indeed a disaster that should never have occurred."
Joseph shook his head. "It is merely the Italians reclaiming their own land."
"I fear you are mistaken, Crown Prince. According to the Donation of Constantine..."
"We both know that document is a forgery created by the Church." Joseph interrupted him bluntly. Future archaeological evidence had already confirmed that the decree never existed in history.
Pius VI's eyes widened. He seemed unable to believe that the Son of Divine Favor would utter such sacrilegious words.
Joseph glanced at the Pope and got straight to the point. "What are you prepared to offer in exchange for a withdrawal of troops?"
Pius VI took a deep breath and looked toward the closed door, hesitating. "If you wish to discuss diplomatic matters, perhaps Her Majesty the Queen should be present."
Though he had heard that the Crown Prince was presiding over the state's affairs, he assumed it was being done under Queen Mary's direct guidance.
Joseph smiled and turned toward the door. "Archbishop Brienne, please inform the Queen that the Holy Father requires rest. The banquet is postponed for an hour and a half."
Brienne's voice drifted in from the hallway. "Yes, Your Highness. I shall see to it immediately."
Joseph turned back. "There. Now we have plenty of time to talk."
Pius VI looked at the young Crown Prince in surprise. He quickly adjusted his composure, putting on the benevolent smile of an elder. "Your Highness, for the sake of Almighty God, the attack on Ferrara by you and the Northern Italian states is wrong..."
Joseph let out a cold laugh. "At the most critical moment of our war with Austria, the Holy See declared Austria the Shield of God and granted Franz II the title of 'The Just.'
"Since the Church saw fit to grant such immense support to France's enemy, it should have been prepared to face France's wrath at some point."
Pius VI adopted a look of grievance. "That was all Muzzarelli's idea. You should be putting him on trial instead..."
"Ha," Joseph waved his hand dismissively. "The resolution was passed by the Roman Curia, and the benefits from Austria went to you and the Cardinals. Now that there's trouble, you want to throw Muzzarelli out as a scapegoat?
"Let's not waste time on meaningless topics.
"I will ask one more time. What are you prepared to offer in exchange for a withdrawal?"
Pius VI stared at the Son of Divine Favor for a long time. Finally, he sighed and spoke with great difficulty.
"Very well. The Holy See is willing to provide 1.2 million ducats to compensate France for its losses."
He saw Joseph pick up a teacup, appearing entirely focused on savoring the brew. The Pope bit his lip and continued.
"And we shall hand over the administration of Ferrara and Bologna to France..."
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