Life of Being a Crown Prince in France - Chapter 1488 - 1394: The Hunt
Chapter 1488: Chapter 1394: The Hunt
Gunshots came from the woods in the west, and Joseph took the opportunity to put down the half-eaten “courtesy lion” and turned to look: “Is that Father hunting wild boars?”
June marks the fawning season for red deer, so only wild boars and birds can be hunted now.
Queen Mary smiled and nodded: “Yes, Charles and the Count of Artuwa are there too. Let’s go quickly.”
After riding for a while, the three saw guards surrounding the King and the others, pointing at the dust raised by the prey in the distance and discussing it. Behind them, seven or eight ladies were eagerly watching.
Antoine, eldest son of the Duke of Atuo, was the first to see the Queen and the Crown Prince, and quickly shifted his horse, placing a hand on his chest in greeting.
The others turned and saluted as well, and the previously cheerful atmosphere suddenly grew a bit more serious. Understandably, even the high-ranking nobles, including the Count of Artuwa, were more relaxed around Louis XVI, but they became somewhat nervous upon seeing the Crown Prince.
Joseph nodded to everyone and came to his father’s side, bowing: “Sorry, I’m late.”
Louis XVI smiled and handed over the short-barreled hunting rifle, modified from the Auguste Model 1798 rifled gun: “No, you’re just in time; the herd of wild boars is about to come through.”
Queen Mary greeted her husband but did not return to the ladies’ side. Instead, she began chatting with Charles: “Dear, how’s today’s harvest?”
“Uh, only got two gray partridges. You see, the wild boars haven’t been driven over yet.”
Queen Mary gestured to the ladies behind her: “Princess Maria is also here today, so you’ll have to showcase your shooting skills.”
Seeing her son’s reluctant smile, she nodded: “Alright, maybe you’re not too fond of her… But what about Miss Alianna? I specifically invited her here.”
She considered arranging her eldest son’s marriage a major life achievement, and thus hoped for another triumph with her younger son.
In the distance, a noble girl around sixteen or seventeen years old seemed to sense the Queen’s gaze and immediately flashed a sweet smile.
Queen Mary continued: “If you think she’s nice, I can persuade the King and Joseph for you.
“I know she’s just a viscount’s daughter, but she’s well-taught, and she’s a disciple of Mr. Leshuier. She plays the piano very well…”
Last month, she saw Charles and Alianna chatting for a bit, and when they parted, Alianna left with a happy smile, which led her to believe she had “seen through everything.”
In fact, Charles only recalled another noblewoman due to the girl’s dress.
Sweat gradually appeared on Charles’s forehead, and he desperately signaled to his brother for help.
Joseph had also endured their mother’s matchmaking pressure in the past and was feeling a bit bored waiting. So he looked at the herd of wild boars in the distance and loudly said, “Perhaps we should have a real hunt.”
Charles quickly replied: “What do you mean by ’real’?”
Joseph looked at him: “Do you know why nobles must be skilled at hunting?
“It’s to train the coordination between knights, marching formations, and pursuit techniques.”
He gestured to the large group of attendants driving the wild boars in the distance: “And now hunting has become a way to drill the servants, while we just wait here to shoot.
“Who wants to come with me to chase those beasts and truly hunt them down during the encirclement?”
Upon hearing this, Louis XVI’s eyes lit up, ready to say “count me in,” but was interrupted by Queen Mary’s anxious voice: “No, no, how could that be allowed? It’s too dangerous. Those are wild boars. If they were deer, maybe…”
Her concern was not without cause; wild boars are exceptionally strong creatures. Even a slight brush during a charge can cause fatal internal injuries.
Historically, many significant figures have died at the tusks of wild boars.
Joseph waved the hunting rifle in his hand with a smile: “Don’t worry, this gun’s accuracy and power far exceed the old flintlock guns. It can penetrate a wild boar’s skull.
“Moreover, we’re also equipped with revolvers, so even if a wild boar charges at us from 50 meters away, we have two or three shooting opportunities.”
Louis XVI and Charles nodded vigorously.
Seeing this, the others quickly expressed their agreement.
After confirming repeatedly, Queen Mary hesitantly agreed to “allow” them.
Charles breathed a sigh of relief and gratefully nodded to his brother.
Earlier, Alexandra had stayed on this side upon seeing the Queen did not join the ladies. Now, hearing she could participate in the hunt, her heart leapt with excitement as she eagerly approached Joseph, whispering: “Dear, um, can I go with you? I promise I won’t be a bother!”
Joseph appraised his wife, sitting sidesaddle in a light green dress on horseback, and shook his head: “Not like this, you can’t.”
Alexandra felt a bit deflated, but not surprised, as court rules usually had ladies watching hunts from afar, let alone chasing wild boars on horseback.
However, as she was about to leave, the Crown Prince added:
“It’s not safe like this. If you want to go, change into hunting attire.”
Joseph had full confidence in his wife’s riding and swordsmanship skills. Even if her shooting wasn’t as good, she wouldn’t get harmed by a wild boar.
“You truly are the best person in the world!” Alexandra exclaimed, excitedly kissing him twice on the face before tugging the reins and heading towards the rest area.
Soon, she returned donning a spirited red hunting outfit—the Crown Princess’s maid was quite diligent, having brought all the clothing she might need.
Joseph also finished checking his weapons and ammunition, had Kesode select over 30 experienced Imperial Guard soldiers, and, looking at the distant herd of wild boars, raised his hunting rifle high: “Full formation!”
Alexandra, her cheeks flushed with excitement as if seeing her hero gallantly on the battlefield, pressed closely to his side.
Charles and Antoine found themselves edged to her right side, with the left side taken by the Count of Artuwa and others.
Louis XVI unlocked his hunting rifle eagerly heading towards his son, but felt his clothes being tugged from behind.
Turning around, he met Queen Mary’s reproachful gaze and sheepishly said, “Well, I…”
The Queen shook her head without room for discussion: “Dear, you’re 46 years old, why join the young folks in foolishness? It’s too risky.”
Louis XVI, feeling wronged, pointed at the Count of Artuwa: “But Charlie is…”
Queen Mary promptly swayed his arm softly, persuading: “Just stay here with me, alright?”
The King immediately yielded, handing his rifle to an attendant. Taking a few steps back on his horse, he put his arm around his wife’s waist and together they watched as the Crown Prince led the hunting team, kicking up clouds of dust.
In the distance, noble maidens gazed wide-eyed at the Crown Princess, dressed in red hunting attire, straddling the saddle, and racing across the fields with her rifle on her back.
