The Temptation of Macarons

Joseph was rendered speechless by Charles, and nearly laughed despite himself.

Still, he could understand. His younger brother truly did not have many friends in Versailles Palace, and after Alexandra came to Paris, she had become one of the few children his own age who could play with him.

What weighed most heavily on his little brother's mind was that he often lost to the little girl in fencing, and had yet to win back even once—Alexandra was a head taller than him, and had a fine instinct for swordplay as well. So although Charles trained very hard, she had always been pinning him down and thrashing him.

Joseph rubbed Charles's head and said with a smile:

"You're a Bourbon too. Why don't you propose to her yourself?"

Unexpectedly, when the little fellow heard this, he cried even harder. "I already proposed to her."

"Oh? Did she agree?"

"Wuwu, she said she didn't want to marry a little brat..."

This time Joseph almost failed to hold back his laughter. A little brat not yet nine years old was calling a six-year-old a little brat. Well, that did make sense.

He hurriedly gave a dry cough and comforted his younger brother. "The Russian Grand Duchess should still come to Paris after attending the funeral."

"But what if she doesn't come?"

Joseph could only help him reason it out. "Look, she still has to learn painting from Mr. Greuze, and Madam Galan's music lessons haven't ended either. She'll come back."

Charles wiped away his tears and stared up with wide eyes. "Are you sure?"

"All right, I'm sure."

"Wonderful!" Charles instantly broke into a smile through his tears. His elder brother was the person he admired most. Since his brother had said so, then there definitely would not be a problem.

Having