Queen Mary's Struggle

Queen Mary suddenly raised a handkerchief to wipe away her tears, drew a deep breath, and rose to her feet.

"You are right. Joseph will solve every problem. Everything will get better."

She took her husband's hand again and said with great seriousness:

"But we cannot simply watch him bear such a heavy burden alone. We must do everything we can to help him!"

Louis XVI nodded in complete agreement. "Yes. That is why I have been working at the Ordnance Factory until late every night."

Queen Mary froze.

So even the King had been pouring his heart and soul into the coming war. It seemed she alone had contributed nothing at all...

Her thoughts raced. What could she do?

For example, donate some jewelry...

Yes, donations. She could arrange a fundraising banquet and call upon the nobles of Versailles Palace to raise money for the army!

What else could she do?

As she pondered, Prince Charles pushed open the door and walked in.

Diplomacy and war did not exist at all in a child's world. He bowed to his parents, then took Queen Mary's hand and asked, "Mother, will Grand Duchess Alexandra still come to Paris? I asked Mr. Greuze, and he said she has not booked any further painting lessons..."

The little fellow did not have many friends in the palace. Lately, no one had been there to play with him, and while practicing swordsmanship today, he had thought of Alexandra.

But Queen Mary's eyes lit up at his words.

Alexandra? Of course. How could she have forgotten about her?

She was Joseph's beloved princess.

Joseph was busy with affairs of state, so as his mother, she would help him settle his marriage.

That would count as an enormous contribution to France as well!

She immediately picked Charles