The Battle of Toulon took place in 1793. The first thing the new commander-in-chief sent from Paris did upon reaching the front was purge the army of aristocratic officers who might defect to Britain.
At the time, Paris, Lyon, and other cities were also carrying out the Reign of Terror. Joining the army and gaining command of armed force was the quickest shortcut to seizing power. Desaix, Napoleon's favorite general, had been born an aristocrat, though he was unfortunately killed at the Battle of Marengo.
Bullets on the battlefield had no eyes; who knew when one's turn would come? Even if they did not rise to become generals, plenty of people wanted to find wealthy wives early and live out the rest of their lives in comfort. With their military backgrounds, they could at least secure minor posts such as town mayor or city mayor.
Alice had come to find a husband. Unlike Layla du Renard, she did not have to work at such a young age. All she needed was to dress beautifully and wait for her skirts to swirl across the dance floor.
Her father, Frederick de La Rochefoucauld, had arrived. The old Leoncourt, who had once told Louis XVI, "No, Sire, this is a revolution," usually remained in Paris, founding charitable societies with his friends. Frederick, meanwhile, stayed at Touraine Castle in the Loire Valley, managing the family vineyards. The white wine provided this time came from them.
He wore a somewhat old hunting outfit, and his carriage was utterly ordinary. Judging by his clothing and appearance, he did not look like a duke at all, but rather a country squire.
The days when one could rise through flattery and clever maneuvering, weaving among women in salons, were long gone. Adapting to the wind had become a