After considerable more debate and conversation, we left the Café Procope.

“Where to now?” I asked Lafayette.

“Parc Monceau. It is a pleasure garden of incredible beauty.”

When we entered the garden, I was amazed. The lush gardens contained several follies. These included an Egyptian pyramid, a Roman colonnade, a Dutch windmill, an Italian vineyard, and Turkish tents. Performers in exotic costumes roamed the gardens. There were also animals from foreign lands. One creature stood taller than a horse and had a large hump on its back.

“Is that a camel?” Andelbert asked.

“Quite right, Andelbert. From Egypt, the land of the Pharaohs.”

We spent a couple of hours exploring the grounds before Lafayette suggested we have dinner. There was a pavilion in the garden that contained shops and cafés. We had a delicious meal while being entertained by musical performers. It was a pleasant time.

Afterward, Lafayette said, “We have one final destination on our tour. The Comédie-Française. We are going to the theater.”

I didn’t know what to expect as we entered the ornate theater building. Inside was a large open room that reached several floors high. There were seats in rows in the main space, and the walls were lined with small private rooms open to the main hall, where more patrons sat. At one end was a large stage decorated like the interior of a home. As showtime approached, I was filled with anticipation.

Soon actors took the stage, and the story began. It was called The Barber Of Séville. It was a tale about a Spanish Count who falls in love with a girl. He attempts to win her love by pretending to be a poor college student. But the girl’s guardian, a doctor, will not allow her to see the Count and keeps her locked up in his house. The Count happens upon a former servant who is now a barber and has access to the girl’s home. The barber arranges several ways for the pair to meet, and they eventually fall in love. The story was told in both words and song. It was quite an engaging experience.

After the theater, we made our way to the Luxembourg Palace, and we were taken to grand apartments where we would spend the night.

“I moved here at age 11 to train as a musketeer,” Lafayette said once we were inside the palace. “Three years later, I became a sous-lieutenant. At which time, my uncle arranged for my marriage to Marie Adrienne Françoise. As I was only 14 and she was only 12, her mother objected. So they delayed the marriage for two years and arranged for us to meet frequently during that time. Marie is a rare beauty, and kinder than any soul should be. We fell in love. When we return to Versailles tomorrow, I should like you to meet her.”

“I would be honored and delighted to,” I said.

“As would I,” Andelbert added.

I marveled that we had befriended such a man.

The following morning we returned to Versaille and visited Lafayette’s home. Lafayette was not exaggerating. Marie was genuinely beautiful in both appearance and manner. Andelbert and I were both completely charmed. I hoped that someday I could win such a rare woman for my own.

The Emperor Departs

Grand Duke, this portion of my tale is for your reading only. It shall be removed from any further copies. I trust you will keep this information secret, as I fear what may happen if it is revealed that I shared it.

As had become my morning routine, I wheeled myself out into the gardens. There Maria would bring me my breakfast and spend a few minutes sharing the latest about her growing romance with Andelbert. I discovered she had learned far more about Andelbert in a month than I had in a year.

As I was finishing up my meal, the Emperor approached my table and took a seat.”

“Excuse me for not rising, Comte,” I said.

“Amusing, Baron. I trust the recovery is progressing well.”

“It is. The doctor attends to me regularly and seems pleased.”

“Excellent. I have come to say my farewells.”

“Oh, I am sorry to see you go, Your Highness.”

“I have stayed too long already, I have an empire to run. I can only engage in such frivolity for a limited time.”

“Of course.”

“I also wanted to share my findings regarding the King and Queen with you.”

I wasn’t sure how to react to that. Or if I wanted to know the personal affairs of the King and Queen. But a Baron does not question an Emperor.

“I met with both the King and Queen regarding their failure to produce an heir. I was straightforward and unflinching in my inquiry. Much to my dismay and somewhat relief, it appears it was simply a matter of the Queen’s lack of interest. And the King’s apparent ignorance of how to properly perform his duty.

They are nothing more than a couple of complete blunderers when it comes to these matters. They have assured me that they will make a concerted effort in the future to produce an heir.”

“That is good news, Your Highness.”

“Indeed. Now I must wish you farewell. I have enjoyed your company over these last few weeks.”

“As have I, Your Majesty.”

“Au revoir, Baron Blastfurnace.”

“Au revoir, Your Highness.”

As the Emperor walked away, I wondered if I would ever see him again.