"So much!" Joseph sighed, "He's being too irrational."
He understood that when Camellia mentioned the collar, she was indicating that Charles wanted a Golden "Merit Contribution Badge."
This item was a gimmick he designed for selling war bonds—everyone who purchased a substantial amount of bonds would receive a shield and an iris-shaped pin.
Purchasing 30,000 francs awarded a bronze badge, 100,000 francs a silver badge, and a gold badge required purchasing 300,000 francs worth of bonds.
He himself carried a Golden Merit Contribution Badge on him.
Under his arrangements, from Louis XVI to Queen Mary, and even Alexandra, they recently showed a noticeable fondness for nobles wearing badges.
Just last week, Mirabeau, who owned two gold badges, even received the honor of dining at the same table with the King, which spurred a "badge comparison craze" among the nobles of the Palace of Versailles.
