After the ball ended, Joseph courteously escorted Count Ostman back to his room, then immediately turned and instructed Talleyrand, "As soon as the Russian Ambassador returns to his country, I want you to go to Rome at once."
Talleyrand instantly understood, "Your Highness, in fact, you only need to write a letter to the Pope, that will suffice.
"If you are not at ease, then have His Highness Ludovico come forward and 'denounce' to Rome."
Joseph thought for a moment and nodded.
To report that the last Knight Order of the Holy See had secretly colluded with the Eastern Orthodox, sending the Prince of Parma was indeed more appropriate. Moreover, Ludovico was a relative by marriage to France, so he would surely handle the matter with care.
The next day, while Talleyrand continued to deal with the Foreign Minister of Russia, Joseph convened what was the most important cabinet meeting in recent days.
