The music around had turned soothing, and the Heir of Baden, Carl Ludwig, was the first to cast a bright smile toward Joseph: "Your Highness, your arrival is like the sunshine illuminating all of Karlsruhe."
Joseph stepped forward a few steps, returned the smile courteously, and then saw two court officials from Baden carrying a small box over.
At Carl Ludwig's indication, one of the officials elegantly opened the box.
Joseph saw inside a rectangular box about 30 centimeters long, made of silver inlaid with gold, with edges adorned with rubies and diamonds.
"What is this?"
Carl Ludwig smiled and said: "It is my gift to you, a masterpiece from a top master of the Iroquois Treasures Company. I hope you will like it."
Iroquois Treasures Company? Joseph felt the name was somewhat familiar and suddenly remembered, wasn't this the company Charles started that sold Indian goods?
He picked up the heavy little box and looked at the Heir of Baden: "Did you say, a gift?"
