After dinner, we wandered through a great hall of mirrors. It was remarkable. Everywhere you looked, there was a reflection. The hall had tall windows overlooking an indescribable garden, which featured a vast, tree-lined canal that stretched as far as the eye could see. It was beyond imagining.

As Andelbert and I were walking back to our rooms, a servant approached us.

“Baron Britpop, the Queen has requested an audience with you. You will accompany me now.”

“Is my brother also welcome?”

“The Queen requested only your presence.”

I looked at Andelbert with anxious eyes.

“It is fine, brother. I am quite tired and look forward to a rest,” Andelbert said.

The servant took me outside, through the gardens, to an awaiting carriage. We rode alongside canals lined with orderly rows of trees. It was an incredible sight. There must have been thousands of trees. When we reached the gate of a stone chateau, I was escorted in and told to wait in a parlor.

After several minutes, the Queen entered, along with two other women, who I assumed were her personal servants. The Queen was dressed lavishly and was a striking beauty.

The man who escorted me in announced the Queen’s arrival. I quickly stood and bowed. I was unaware of the proper custom and hoped I had not offended the Queen.

“Rise up,” the Queen said. “Baron Britpop, do you know who I am?”

“Of course, Your Majesty, you are the Queen of France.”

“And do you know my name?”

“Marie Antoinette, Your Majesty.”

“I was informed that you were granted your barony by Emperor Joseph II. Is this correct?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Are you aware that the Emperor is my brother?”

“I was not, Your Majesty.”

“Do you have any news of my brother?”

“I am afraid I have not seen him for over two years. When he awarded me the barony.”

“That is disappointing. Was the Emperor well when you saw him?”

“Yes, Your Majesty, and in good spirits.”

“Thank you, Baron. I would now like to hear this tale of how The Emperor came to award a barony to a blacksmith.”

I was shocked to learn that she had heard of my story so quickly. But I suppose there are no secrets in a palace with so many servants. I told her the tale in great detail. She was attentive, although she showed little emotion during the telling.

Afterward, she said, “That was a most enjoyable story, Baron. It is very much in keeping with my brother’s character. I shall retire now, but I would like you to return in the morning. There is something I would like to show you.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. It would be my great honor.”

With that, she left the room, and I was escorted back to the main palace. When I arrived at my room, Andelbert was waiting.

“What happened?” Andelbert asked.

“I was taken through the gardens and then rode in a carriage along the canals to the Queen’s personal Chateau. There I waited in a room for the Queen. When she arrived, she asked me several questions. I discovered that she is Emperor Joseph’s sister.”

“Truly?” Andelbert asked.

“Yes. She asked for news of the Emperor. Sadly I had none. Then she asked me to tell her the story of how I became a Baron.”

“How did she learn of that?”

“I am guessing one of the servants from dinner informed her. Or perhaps Lafayette told her.”

“How curious.”

“It was. Even more curious, the Queen has requested that I return in the morning. She said she wanted to show me something.”

“What?”

“I cannot imagine.”