THE GRAND STORY OF THE SEEMINGLY IMPOSSIBLE ADVENTURES OF BARON BRITPOP BLASTFURNACE

The Royal Heir Problem

Baron Britpop Blastfurnace • Part 40

Cover design by Mark Starlin (royalty-free image by Andrey_Kuzmin)

The Royal Heir Problem

I shall resume the narration.

While Andelbert was in the kitchen baking bread for the King, a footman knocked on the door of my room.

“Yes?” I asked after opening the door.

“Baron Blastfurnace, Comte de Falkenstien wishes to see you in the royal gardens.”

“Lead the way,” I replied.

Trying to describe the gardens of Versailles is a hopeless task. The gardens stretch farther than the eye can see. There are separate gardens, or groves, enclosed by walls of hedges. Each of these gardens contains its own unique features such as waterfalls, fountains, and monuments. Everywhere you look, there are trees, bushes, and statues all in orderly rows or in decorative arrangements. They all surround a grand canal, which was dug over an eleven-year period.

The canals house a fleet of vessels for the King’s enjoyment. It is like a miniature Venice. I am told ice skating is very popular in the winter when it freezes. It brings back memories of the canal in Kapri. Surrounding the canals are forests…