Sofia didn't know what Minister Kangstan was thinking; she just showed an annoyed expression, her originally stern features softening immediately, her eyes glistening with tears.
She shook her head and sighed deeply: "Villeneuve swindled the money? That was merely 300,000 francs! It's insignificant dust in the corner of our family's treasury!
He made my mother a laughingstock in society? Moscow's salons will soon forget, and Saint Petersburg's court has more important gossip!
The Sherbatov Family family can bear these things!"
Minister Kangstan was even more puzzled: "Then why..."
At this moment, Sofia's voice suddenly rose: "But if the Church successfully completes this exorcism and announces to the world that the swindler was 'possessed by a demon,' do you know what that means?
It means that my mother—a devout believer, a faithful person who donates vast sums to the cathedral every year—she was deceived by a demon! She was used by a demon!
Because her faith was not pure enough, her heart not firm enough, she gave the demon an opportunity!
This is the most fatal defilement! It is the most malicious and irreparable trampling of the Sherbatov Family family's sacred reputation!
This stigma will cling to my mother, and to our entire family, like a maggot on a bone!
Do you think 'religious freedom' alone is a reason for us to accept such a stain?"
Sofia's chest heaved violently, the scent of expensive perfume filling the living room.
Her voice was a mix of pleading and firmness: "Cancel it, Uncle Kangstan. Use all your power, and we will cover all the costs for it—
Anyone, just tell me his name, and I will handle him."
Minister Kangstan frowned, knowing full well that Sofia was not exaggerating.
Unlike French society, which had largely secularized, Russia at that time was still a country with a strong religious atmosphere, one that could directly intervene in many affairs.
Baroness Alekseyevna's immense wealth and her intricate connections with the Tsarist court were crucial ties that Parisian politicians eagerly sought to maintain.
It didn't matter how many lovers she had, but "being seduced by a demon"? This could cost her her current wealth and status.
Minister Kangstan sighed: "Sofia, the Grand Exorcism ritual involves many parties, and many Parisians are eagerly anticipating it.
The key is that the Church's stance is also very firm; this is not just an idea from the Archdiocese of Paris, but a greater impetus comes from the Holy See...
I need time to coordinate..."
Sofia cut him off decisively: "There's no time! I heard the ceremony will be held before the August assembly votes on the latest education bill! But I will only accept one outcome—
And that is cancellation!"
Then she leaned closer to the stout man she called "Uncle," her voice low and melodious: "Uncle Kangstan, if you make this happen, you can ask anything of the Sherbatov Family family...
We will satisfy all your requests!"
Ernest Constans moved half a step away with difficulty: "I'll do my best..."
...
Only after Sofia's luxurious carriage departed did he let out a breath.
As a Republican minister, he certainly didn't want to see any "Grand Exorcism" performed in Paris.
However, in France, even though all religious property had been nationalized and clergy were paid by the state, the Church had never given up its covetousness for its former power.
The Holy See, far away in Rome, still had deep roots in French politics and among the populace.
For instance, handing the swindler Édouard-Benoît de Villeneuve over to the Church for an exorcism was a will from a higher authority that he could not resist.
— — — —
No matter how many people wanted to stop the exorcism, Paris, this city always hungry for novelty and excitement, had reached the peak of its fervent anticipation for it.
Le Petit Journal had been fanning the flames for several days with sensational front-page headlines:
"The Exorcism of the Century! Will a Living Demon Appear in Notre Dame Cathedral?"
"Exclusive Inside Story: Demon-Possessed Villeneuve Raves in Prison, Prophesying the Day of Judgment!"
"Citywide Sensation! Tickets for Spectators Are Impossible to Get! Are You Ready to Witness a Miracle?"
The reports exaggerated everything, describing Villeneuve as a monstrous figure with a hideous face, spouting ominous prophecies.
They further depicted the exorcism as an ultimate showdown between light and darkness.
The sensational writing of the tabloid journalists skillfully played on the public's curiosity, fear, and desire for a spectacle, driving the entire population of Paris into a frenzy.
Meanwhile, LUnivers and Le Petit Journal, having received information through certain channels that someone was working tirelessly to prevent the exorcism, intensified their attacks:
"Russian Nobles Attempt to Interfere with Holy Rites! Should the Purity of Faith Be Defiled by Money?"
"To the Writers of France: Please Respect France's Religious Traditions and Sacred Rites!"
"Cancel the Exorcism? That's Compromising with the Devil! Parisians Will Never Agree!"
Each commentary was righteous and stern, portraying Sofia's demands as a crude interference by foreign powers, using money to assault the core of French faith.
And the restless writers, they claimed, were attempting to use their influence to cover up evil and protect the demon.
They called upon all devout believers to stand up and defend this sacred ceremony, which would "purify Paris and manifest the Lord's power."
As the date of the ceremony approached, Paris was abuzz with discussions in its streets, cafes, and salons. From ordinary citizens to high-ranking officials, everyone excitedly exchanged various bizarre rumors:
"Did you hear? That Russian noblewoman is afraid of losing face and wants to cover it up!"
"Hmph! Her mother was deceived by a demon, and she still wants to prevent God from manifesting? What a joke!"
"Exactly! We must see it! It's a once-in-a-century event! Let's see what a demon looks like!"
"Le Petit Journal says Villeneuve grew scales in prison? Is that true or false?"
"Who cares if it's true or false! Let's go see the spectacle! Go stake out a spot in front of Notre Dame!"
Canceling the ceremony? In a Paris ablaze with public fervor and religious fanaticism, this had become an impossible task.
Just as Minister Kangstan was in a state of agitation, a carefully worded petition, signed by Flaubert and other writers, as well as several prominent figures in Parisian science, landed on his desk.
This petition cleverly avoided the controversial quagmire of "exorcism or not," focusing entirely on the scientific and judicial impartiality of "determining Villeneuve's mental state":
"...Given the unique and complex nature of Édouard-Benoît de Villeneuve's case, his behavior oscillates between psychopathology and what the Church currently calls 'demonic possession,' with an extremely blurred boundary.
To ensure the fairness and accuracy of judicial proceedings and to avoid any misjudgment based on non-scientific understanding, we strongly urge the Ministry of Interior:
Immediately after the exorcism ritual at Notre Dame Cathedral is completed, designate independent, authoritative psychiatric experts to conduct a strict and careful assessment of Villeneuve's mental state.
This action is not to question faith, but to demonstrate the Republic's responsibility towards the mental health of its citizens, and to uphold the rigor of legal procedures."
Minister Kangstan read the petition repeatedly, and the deep furrow in his brow finally eased slightly. He immediately convened his staff for discussion and ultimately decided:
Agree to the core demands of the petition! The exorcism will proceed as planned by the Church, but after the ceremony, authoritative psychiatric experts designated by the government will immediately intervene to conduct an independent mental evaluation of Villeneuve!
To ensure the authority and credibility of the assessment, and to avoid domestic experts getting caught in potential factional disputes or being accused of bias, Minister Kangstan ultimately decided to invite the renowned European psychiatry doyen from the University of Vienna, Professor Meynert, to preside over the assessment.
And after the meeting, Minister Kangstan immediately disclosed the news to Sofia.
He hinted that this was the best arrangement that could be made for her mother's reputation at present—
If the assessment showed that Villeneuve had a mental illness, then the difference in public opinion between "being deceived by a mentally ill person" and "being deceived by a demon-possessed person" would be enormous...