Sugar War: Preparations
Joseph sighed softly, stepped forward, and embraced the Crown Princess Consort, gently stroking her back as he whispered, "If you miss her, go back to Saint Petersburg. Recite prayers for her before her gravestone. I'll speak to Mother."
According to European royal tradition, a princess who had married away could not return to her native country. On the one hand, this was to demonstrate her loyalty to her husband's family; on the other, it prevented her from leaking important intelligence.
However, Joseph did not care much about this. He knew that Alexandra had grown up by Catherine II's side. To her, Catherine II had been her grandmother, but also like a mother. Letting her return to pay her respects was only human nature.
The young girl's eyes immediately reddened, but she quickly shook her head. "I'm truly grateful for your concern, Your Highness, but it wouldn't be appropriate... It's enough for me to pray for her here..."
She suddenly stopped there.
Joseph immediately understood. Catherine II had been an Eastern Orthodox Church believer, but Alexandra could only pray in the Catholic manner in Paris.
He leaned close to the girl's ear and said, "If you wish to pray in the Eastern Orthodox manner, you may go to my office at Tuileries Palace. No one will disturb you there. You can even set up a small altar."
That had been his office when he was director of the Industrial Planning Bureau. Now that the Ministry of Industry no longer needed him to teach them hand by hand, it had been left unused.
Delight flashed through Alexandra's eyes as she asked nervously, "Th-this... is that really all right?"
"Have Kexer stand guard outside. No one will know," Joseph said softly. "You may continue praying until the forty days are