Gunshots rang out from the woods to the west. Seizing the chance, Joseph quickly set down the half-eaten "Polite Lion" and turned to look. "Is Father hunting wild boars?"
June was the nursing season for Red Deer, so for now, they could only hunt wild boars and birds.
Queen Mary nodded with a smile. "Yes, Charles and Count of Artois are there as well. Let's hurry over."
After the three rode for a while, they saw the guards clustering around the King and the others, pointing at the dust raised by the prey in the distance as they discussed something. Behind them, seven or eight ladies were watching with great interest.
Antoine, Count of Artois's eldest son, was the first to spot the Queen and the Crown Prince. He quickly urged his lead horse forward and bowed with a hand over his chest.
Hearing this, the others turned and bowed as well. The cheerful atmosphere from moments ago suddenly became several degrees more solemn. It could not be helped. The great nobles, Count of Artois included, were fairly relaxed around Louis XVI, but before the Crown Prince, they truly felt somewhat nervous.
Joseph nodded to the group, went to his father's side, and bowed. "My apologies. I'm late."
Louis XVI smiled and handed him the short-barreled hunting gun converted from an August 1798 Rifled Gun. "No, you came at just the right time. The herd of wild boars will be here soon."
Queen Mary greeted her husband, but instead of returning to the ladies, she took hold of Charles and began fussing over him. "Dear, how was your haul today?" "Uh, I only got two Grey Partridges. Look, the wild boars haven't been driven over yet."
Queen Mary gestured toward the ladies behind her. "Princess Maria came today as well.