The sound of a baby's cry came from the bedroom.
Joseph gestured for Talleyrand to wait a moment and turned to enter the room.
Hmm, Little Mishu had a bowel movement...
The two nurses' eyes lit up, pouncing towards the crib like hungry wolves fighting for food.
Madam Cruddiey clearly had the upper hand, maintaining her walking posture according to court etiquette throughout, yet reaching the swaddling just before the jogging Lady Laisade.
The "champion" wore a smug smile as she skillfully unfastened the safety pin on the oil-soaked silk outside the diaper, then swiftly folded the brown-stained fine flax inner layer and stuffed it into the maid's bag before the smell spread.
Then came cleaning, dusting wheat flour on Mitchell's little bottom, applying almond oil, padding a new inner diaper layer, wrapping with silk outer layer, and finally securing it with a pin.
Joseph hadn't reached the crib yet, and the little prince was already asleep again, sucking his thumb.
