"Wait," Lady Adelaide's eyes widened, "perhaps I misheard, but did you just say, Queen?"
"Yes, Queen." Joseph confirmed once more, "I assure you, the Queen of Modena, personally crowned by the Pope."
"But, how could that be..."
Joseph gestured for her to continue walking as he explained, "You know, His Majesty Ercole III has no heirs. If you marry, when he passes away, you would naturally take over Modena.
"As for the coronation, the Pope will offer it to you proactively."
Lady Adelaide's hands hung in the air, astonished, "I remember Ercole III having a daughter, whose son is already of age. Perhaps Ercole III might leave the duchy to that young man."
"No, he won't." Joseph replied confidently, "Even if our country agreed, the other member states of the Mediterranean Security Organization would firmly oppose."
Lady Adelaide immediately understood.
Ercole III's daughter had married the son of Queen Theresa of Austria; their children bear the Habsburg name!
