For a moment, everyone in the delivery room failed to react.
By the experience of these noblewomen, the birth should have only just begun. They had never expected the baby to arrive so quickly.
Only Joseph was not the least bit surprised. Instead, he let out a long breath of relief at the smooth delivery.
After all, under his meticulous care, Alexandra had not been harmed by any of this era's bad customs after becoming pregnant. Her diet had been balanced and nutritious, she had kept exercising, and her physical condition was excellent. Thus, her labor had been far shorter than that of other noblewomen.
The court lady hurriedly cleared her throat and proclaimed in a melodious voice, "His Highness the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of France and his wife, Grand Duchess Alexandra, have been blessed with a son. The prince is healthy, and mother and child are safe."
The Little Prince let out a timely, resounding cry: "Waaah!"
Countess of Artois was the first to bend her knee and bow her head toward the Little Prince. "Praise Almighty God, who has bestowed an heir upon the empire. May the Lord bless the prince with health and wisdom, that he may be as great as his forebears."
At once, everyone in the delivery room bent their knees in salute. Silk and brocade rustled against one another, accompanied by fervent congratulations, as though an exhilarating symphony of fate had begun to play.
The door was pushed open, and Louis XVI rushed into the delivery room with quick steps, surrounded by over a hundred nobles and ministers.
The King excitedly yet carefully took the infant from the midwife, displayed him to the surrounding nobles, then drew a deep breath and gathered his courage.
"All present have witnessed the Crown Princess Consort's