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The Crown Prince of France - Chapter 169
🕑 Added 2025-04-29 19:09:01 +0000 UTCChapter 169: A Shocking Case
Joseph’s forehead was covered in metaphorical black lines as he thought to himself, What kind of strange hobby is this? Trying to dissuade her, he said, “You see, I’m heading to Lorraine this time for official business. I really don’t have the time to take you to visit a coal mine.”
Clementine shook his hand and pouted, pleading, “Please, take me with you—”
“But…”
The little girl suddenly stepped back half a pace, pointed to her fair and tender neck, and said pitifully, “I’ve already listened to you and returned the Star of Wishes. That was my absolute favorite necklace! Shouldn’t you make it up to me just a little? Pretty please—”
Joseph couldn’t help but let out a long sigh.
A few days ago, he had noticed the necklace Clementine was wearing and, out of curiosity, asked her about it. He soon learned that his spendthrift mother had paid nearly 700,000 livres for it, with an additional 560,000 contributed by Clementine, all to purchase a necklace that was essentially a “con.”
He immediately told her that he had never worn such a necklace and urged her to return it.
Clementine, being clever, realized she had been duped and promptly sought out the jeweler. After a mix of coquettish persuasion and stubborn persistence, she managed to return the necklace, albeit with a 20,000-livre compensation fee.
In truth, the jeweler didn’t lose out. News of the Star of Wishes being fiercely contested by two princesses had already spread widely, elevating its fame. It would be easy to sell it at an even higher price in the future.
In the end, Joseph couldn’t withstand Clementine’s persistent pleading and reluctantly agreed to take her to Lorraine, reasoning that it was a way to thank her for saving the Queen 700,000 livres.
...
By noon the next day, Clementine turned to gaze at the three carriages she had prepared the entire night. They were filled with cosmetics, clothes, cookware, toys, cat food, and more. Feeling dissatisfied, she asked the Crown Prince once again, “Cousin, are you sure we can’t bring these?”
Joseph massaged his temples. “It’s either the carriages or you—choose one.”
“Oh…” The little girl immediately gave her maid a meaningful look, signaling her to load over a dozen suitcases onto Joseph’s luggage cart.
The convoy set off, heading northeast.
Before long, Joseph found himself thinking that bringing Clementine along might not have been such a bad decision.
The little girl’s antics and playful banter drove away the boredom and monotony of the journey. Despite her young age, she seemed remarkably knowledgeable about the aristocratic families of Europe, even teaching Joseph a fair amount. She must have been memorizing such information since childhood.
Well, aside from the occasional resentful glances from the carriage trailing behind, which made Joseph’s back tingle, everything was going smoothly.
The source of that resentment was Perna.
She had assumed this trip would be like their last visit to Bordeaux—a pleasant “tour” with the Crown Prince—and had joined as his private physician. To her surprise, a little girl had “stolen the show,” leaving her unable even to share a carriage with the Crown Prince.
...
On the road, Joseph began noticing signs of drought everywhere.
Some small rivers had dried up, and many fields were turning yellow from the lack of water.
Farmers were everywhere, carting water or carrying it by hand to their fields in an attempt to mitigate the damage.
But the widespread need for irrigation was overwhelming for France’s current agricultural practices. The country relied on extensive cultivation over vast lands, yielding only moderate harvests. In times like these, the sheer amount of farmland requiring water was staggering.
Joseph knew the critical moment was drawing near.
Fortunately, most regional granaries had already been completed. During the dry season, large quantities of imported grain had been transported via waterways to major cities.
In Paris, in particular, two massive granaries had been constructed. Their reserves alone were enough to feed the citizens of Paris for four to five months.
Joseph thought silently to himself, I hope we can get through that deadly time next year. Then I’ll finally have the chance to restore France’s glory.
...
Four days later, Joseph’s convoy arrived at the manor in Calonne. After the Crown Prince’s guards spread out to secure the area, Calonne finally realized an important guest had arrived. He hurriedly led his family and servants out of the cream-colored villa to greet them.
Following the customary exchange of pleasantries, Joseph followed Calonne inside and immediately signaled, “I need to speak with you privately.”
“Please, follow me,” Calonne said, leading Joseph to a modest study. He shut the door behind them and respectfully said, “Your Highness, please take a seat.”
“You may sit as well,” Joseph replied, forgoing all formalities. “Let me get straight to the point: I need information on Necker—specifically, evidence that could send him to prison.”
“You are a trusted elder of the royal family. I hope you can trust me in return.”
Calonne hesitated, putting on a conflicted expression. “Your Highness, you must have heard some baseless rumors. I really don’t have…”
Joseph wasn’t interested in watching him act. He interrupted, “Name your terms. What will it take for you to hand over the evidence I need?”
“This… You misunderstand…”
Joseph’s eyes narrowed slightly. If even an offer of such great benefit wasn’t enough to sway him, then there could only be one explanation.
Calonne had something to hide, and he didn’t dare to expose Necker.
Joseph’s tone turned icy. “Viscount Calonne, you’ve heard about the recent murder of Evans from the Public Investigations Office, haven’t you?”
“Yes, Your Highness, I’ve heard.”
“Good. Evans and Marat visited you shortly before their deaths, asking the same questions I’m asking now, correct?”
Calonne’s body trembled. Clearly, the timing of the Crown Prince’s arrival so soon after Evans’ death was no coincidence.
He nodded. “That is correct.”
“Then you should know that you are the prime suspect in this murder case,” Joseph said coldly. “Let me be clear: this matter is extremely serious. The Public Investigations Office has mobilized its entire staff. They’ll arrive two days after me to conduct a thorough investigation into you.”
“Oh, and by the way, the secret police will also be involved in the investigation.”
Calonne was alarmed. “Why would the secret police be involved?!”
Joseph inwardly chuckled. Of course, it was because he had tipped off Robert to put some pressure on Calonne.
“Because Evans was a highly significant investigator. The cases he handled were deeply involved, and he had critical leads in his possession. His death has brought the investigation to a halt.”
Calonne wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. He immediately deduced that Evans must have been investigating Necker. The Crown Prince’s remark about the case being “deeply involved” was entirely reasonable—after all, how could anything related to Necker not implicate numerous people?
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