Descending On France 1780
Chapter 298: The 291st dance party begins

Chapter 298: The 291st dance party begins

Saint Just was still several steps away from Anning when he spread his arms wide: "General Frost, Maximilien has asked me to apologize to you on his behalf; he couldn’t make it to your dance party today."

Anning was speechless; my relationship with Robespierre is no less intimate than yours, kid. What are you playing at? So, he scoffed and said, "He already told me yesterday during dinner that he wouldn’t be coming today."

Saint Just was left awkwardly stuck.

Christina shook her head, probably speechless at Anning’s domineering CEO-style socializing.

Meanwhile, Pauline looked curiously at Anning and Saint Just’s interaction, probably guessing what kind of relationship the two had.

Saint Just quickly adjusted his expression and said to Anning, "Oh, he did mention it already? Yet, out of courtesy, he still wanted me to convey his apologies to you today."

Anning replied, "I know. Have fun at the party."

Saint Just said, "Of course, I will. By the way, Miss Boarne over there asked me to invite you to her tea party. It’s tomorrow afternoon!"

Anning pursed his lips; he knew Saint Just came over to make requests on behalf of Josephine.

Although it was just a tea party and seemingly not a big deal, with Anning’s current status, the mere act of attending the tea party had substantial potential benefits.

If he went to Maraisson Castle for the tea party, Paris would surely buzz with rumors, saying he and Madame Boarne were having an affair or something of the sort. Josephine, that shrewd socialite, would certainly turn these rumors to her advantage in no time.

Anning didn’t want to go.

Even though Saint Just was Robespierre’s confidant and out of respect for Robespierre, he should probably go, Anning still didn’t want to.

Besides, from what Anning knew about Robespierre, he wouldn’t care about such things at all.

So Anning was about to refuse, but Christina interjected, "My fiancé isn’t fond of such matters; may I attend in his stead?"

Saint Just smiled and said, "Of course, that’s perfectly fine. Indeed, the General must be busy with military duties; we still have a war to fight against four countries, after all!"

At that moment, the music started playing.

Christina said, "It’s already that time. We’re supposed to open the first dance; are you ready?"

Anning replied, "I’m always ready. The question is, are you?"

Christina laughed, "Please be gentle when you step on my feet."

"That’s not something I can control." Anning shrugged, then took his fiancée’s arm and walked boldly towards the dance floor.

Because the host was about to lead the dance, Saint Just, who had been wanting to say more, could only close his mouth helplessly—after all, one should not hinder others from fulfilling their host duties, right?

After Anning entered the dance floor, Napoleon asked Lasalle, "Do you have a target for tonight?"

With a wicked smile, Lasalle turned to Pauline and said, "Honorable Miss Bonaparte, may I have the honor of asking you for a dance?"

Napoleon stepped forward and grasped Lasalle’s hand, "I would be delighted."

Lasalle: ?

Napoleon: "I’m also called Bonaparte."

"But damn it, you’re not a miss."

"I damn well could be!"

"Huh? I must see this for myself!"

Then, the two of them energetically made their way to the dance floor.

Pauline looked bewilderedly at the pair and then exchanged glances with Saint Just. Taking the opportunity, Saint Just smoothly asked, "Miss Bonaparte, may I have the honor of asking you for a dance?"

Pauline seriously inquired, "I’m a girl, is that not a problem?"

Saint Just was caught off guard, "What?"

Pauline, "Didn’t you want to find a man to dance with? Just like my brother and Lasalle. I thought you mistook me for a man, seeing as how I’m dressed in military attire and don’t have a bust."

Saint Just clarified, "You misunderstand. I didn’t mean that, I just wanted to dance with a girl..."

Pauline, "But the music has already passed the introduction, and from the dance etiquette I’ve learned, one shouldn’t enter the dance floor at this point, should they?"

Saint Just could only smile awkwardly, "Then I will take my leave. Enjoy the party, Miss."

He then turned and approached Josephine.

Josephine had likely been waiting for Saint Just’s result, so she actually declined all dance invitations and simply waited there for his return.

This was quite rare, after all, Josephine was the queen of the ball, and her presence in the dance hall was indispensable.

As soon as Saint Just approached Josephine, she eagerly asked, "Did it work?"

"Halfway. Miss Tolleson has agreed to attend your tea party."

Josephine bit her lip, watching Frost and Christina twirling in the dance hall. Christina’s expression looked troubled; her large gown had been stepped on by Frost more than once.

Josephine, "Never mind. I’ll try inviting Napoleon Bonaparte, and that Lasalle. He looks exactly like a rake who enjoys playing at balls."

Saint Just agreed, "Indeed, that Lasalle has the typical Cavalry demeanor. These people enjoy such things."

He paused, then continued to Josephine, "Besides, I tried to invite Napoleon Bonaparte’s sister to dance, but she rejected me in a rather peculiar way."

Josephine appeared surprised as she looked at Saint Just, "There are women who would refuse your dance invitation?"

After all, Saint Just is the "Archangel of the Revolution," truly handsome; many noble young ladies would stop in their tracks upon seeing him, glued to the floor as if stuck by superglue.

Saint Just ran his fingers through his hair, expressing helplessly, "Perhaps Miss Bonaparte only has eyes for General Frost."

Josephine, with envy, "That Napoleon, I didn’t realize he’s such a schemer, having his sister charm Frost, to secure the position of a lover."

In this era, having extramarital lovers was nothing scandalous, and sometimes it was even done openly. For instance, Marie, the Queen of France, had a Swede named Earl Fersen as her lover, who frequented Versailles Palace and often met with Louis XVI.

There seemed to be no reaction from Louis XVI, of course, that might be because he was too entertained with locks.

So, in Josephine’s understanding, Napoleon introducing his sister to Frost was his way of setting up his sister as Frost’s lover to glean some advantage for himself.

Josephine, "Perhaps there’s quite a bit I could discuss with that scheming Napoleon."

Then she muttered softly, "But how can I get Napoleon to dance with me?"

After all, in this era, women could not invite men to dance, they could only accept invitations.

Saint Just watched Josephine’s mutterings, his face showing a complex expression.

It seems in this Paris—no, at this ball, there was more than one woman immune to the charms of Saint Just.