The music around them shifted to something soothing, and Baden's Crown Prince, Karl Ludwig, was the first to cast Joseph a radiant smile. "Your Highness, your arrival is like sunlight illuminating all of Karlsruhe."
Joseph took a few steps forward and returned the greeting with a smile, then saw two Baden court officials carrying a small box over.
At Karl Ludwig's signal, one official opened the box with elegant movements.
Joseph saw that inside lay a rectangular box about thirty centimeters long, made of silver inlaid with gold, its corners studded all over with rubies and diamonds.
"What is this?"
Karl Ludwig smiled. "A congratulatory gift from me to you. A proud work by a top master of the Iroquois Curios Company. I hope you will like it."
Iroquois Curios Company? Joseph felt the name was a little familiar, then suddenly remembered. Wasn't that the company Charles had set up to sell Native American goods?
He picked up the heavy little box and looked toward the Baden Crown Prince. "Did you just say a congratulatory gift?"
"Yes, Your Highness." Ludwig bowed slightly. "Your wedding ceremony is next month. This set of tobacco pipes represents my most sincere blessings for you.
"Oh, this is only my personal gift. At the wedding, the royal family will send an even more generous present to Versailles Palace."
Tobacco pipes... Joseph hurriedly squeezed out a smile. "This truly is the finest gift. I like it very much!"
Ludwig signaled for his men to hand the box to Eman, then smiled at Joseph. "This kind of Native American-style tobacco pipe has been very popular lately. I suppose you must enjoy a few puffs in your leisure time as well?"
"Ah, yes..."
Joseph responded politely, but inwardly he muttered, *My little brother's business tactics are pretty impressive.