Boissy had no choice but to nod. "Very well, Your Highness. I will have the children prepare seriously."
Archbishop Beaumont, seated on the other side, cautiously leaned over and asked, "Your Highness, what if we still fail to place in the top three this time?"
Joseph immediately straightened his back and said sternly, "How could a sacred and respected Church School possibly lose to a school casually thrown together by some declining minor noble?
"This concerns the Church School's reputation of several centuries!"
Archbishop Beaumont somewhat regretted sticking his neck out. Just as he was about to quietly shrink back, the Crown Prince gestured for an attendant to bring over a newspaper from a nearby table. Unfolding it, he said, "Archbishop Beaumont, have you heard of Madam Dampierre's initiative?"
Beaumont nodded. "Yes, Your Highness. I know a little about it."
Recently, Madam Dampierre's sponsorship of several pitiful female paint workers and her proposal to establish childcare institutions to look after their children had occupied the front pages of newspapers every day. How could he not know?
Joseph turned to look at him. "What do you think of it?"
Before Beaumont could answer, Joseph continued, "I think it is an excellent proposal.
"Factories are being built everywhere now, and more and more people, including quite a few women, are entering the factories. If we want them to work without worry, there should be public institutions to look after their children.
"Those children may be too young to learn spelling, but they can certainly first be taught things like dressing themselves, eating, and paying attention to hygiene."
Archbishop Beaumont froze for a moment, then hurriedly nodded in agreement. "Indeed, Your Highness. It is truly necessary."
"I knew you would agree." Joseph smiled again. "And managing and educating children has always been the