At noon the next day.
In the dining room of Petit Trianon, Queen Mary set down her napkin and looked at her son seated across from her. As though speaking casually, she said, "Darling, I heard the Tax Bureau has proposed collecting the Tithe on its behalf."
Joseph swallowed a Nut Shortbread and nodded. "That is indeed the case, Mother."
Queen Mary smiled. "Well, I do not mean to interfere with your decision. I merely wanted to ask how you intend to handle this matter." Joseph glanced at the Court Officials and servants around them, and they immediately bowed and withdrew.
Only then did he say to his mother, "I was the one who had Mr. Robespierre submit the proposal. To be honest, the Tithe should have been brought under government control long ago." Queen Mary nodded without directly trying to dissuade him. Over all these years, countless facts had made her understand that when her own views clashed with her son's, it was best to listen to him.
She hesitated for a moment, took a small sip of Wine, yet could not help saying, "But this will greatly weaken the church's support for the royal family. You know, for hundreds of years, the church and the King have always been the closest of allies."
"They once were." Joseph's expression turned solemn. "Especially in the age of ignorance, when 'the King is God's representative in the world' and 'all authority comes from God'—everyone believed such things without question.
"But although people today still appear devoutly faithful to God, what they read are the works of Rousseau and Voltaire, and what they discuss are nationhood, Freedom and Equality.
"Yes, quite a few among the lower classes still believe in the church's teachings, especially those who have never attended school. But believe