Chapter 397: The New Symbol of Paris

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The gambling in Mars Hall continued until 1 a.m.; Queen Mary, elated with her win, eyed the small mountain of Gold Coins on the table, yawned quietly, and then rose contentedly, ready to return to Petit Trianon Palace.

According to court etiquette, the royal couple were supposed to hold a bedtime ceremony at 10:30 p.m.—which meant that the nobles would watch them go to bed—but since Louis XVI often "worked overtime" at the Royal Workshop, this rule had become a mere formality.

She stretched lazily, looking at the empty chair next to her, and turned to ask Countess Debreninac:

"Where's my little honey from Saint Petersburg?"

The latter hurriedly leaned in and whispered:

"Your Majesty, she went to bed at 10."

"Look, I had forgotten," Queen Mary said with a laugh, tapping her forehead, "She's still growing."

She left Mars Hall, and had not gone far when she heard the voices of several noblewomen chatting at the corner of the corridor ahead: