Sophia had no idea what the minister uncle opposite her was thinking.
She merely showed an exasperated expression, her originally sharp features softening into tenderness, her eyes glistening with tears.
She shook her head and let out a deep sigh:
"Villeneuve stole the money?
That was merely 300,000 francs! It's an insignificant speck of dust in the corner of our family's vault!
He made my mother a laughingstock in society?
Moscow's salons will soon forget, and St. Petersburg's court has more important topics of conversation!
These, our Sherbatov family can afford!"
Minister Constant grew even more puzzled:
"Then why..."
At this, Sophia'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,' what does that mean?
It means that my mother—a devout believer, a faithful parishioner who donates vast sums to the cathedral every year—she was deceived by a demon! She was exploited by a demon!
It was because her faith was not pure enough, her heart not steadfast enough, that she gave the devil an opportunity!
This is the most fatal defilement! It is the most malicious and irreparable trampling of the Sherbatov family's sacred honor!
This stigma will cling to my mother, and to our entire family, like a maggot to bone!
Do you think that the mere reason of 'religious freedom' is enough for us to accept such a stain?"
Sophia's chest heaved violently, the expensive perfume scent filling the living room.
Her voice was a mix of pleading and firmness:
"Cancel it, Uncle Constant. Use all your power; we will cover all costs for this— Anyone, just tell me his name, and I will handle him."
Minister Constant frowned, knowing full well that Sophia was not exaggerating.
Unlike French society, which had largely secularized, Russia at the time was still a country with a strong religious atmosphere, where religion could directly intervene in many affairs.
Baroness Alexeievna's immense wealth and intricate connections to the Tsarist court were crucial ties that Parisian politicians desperately wanted to maintain.
It didn't matter how many lovers she had, but "seduced by a demon"? This could cause her to lose her current wealth and status.
Minister Constant sighed:
"Sophia, a grand exorcism ceremony involves many people, and many Parisians are also looking forward to it.
The key is that the Church's attitude is also very strong; this is not only the idea of the Archdiocese of Paris, but the greater impetus comes from the Holy See... I need time to coordinate..."
Sophia interrupted him decisively:
"There is no time; I heard the ceremony will be held before the August parliamentary vote on the latest education bill! But I only accept one outcome— That is cancellation!"
Then she leaned closer to the corpulent man she called "uncle," her voice low and alluring:
"Uncle Constant, as long as you make this happen, you can ask the Sherbatov family for anything... We will satisfy all your requests!"
Ernest Constant painstakingly shifted half a step sideways:
"I'll do my best..."
...
Only after Sophia's luxurious carriage had departed did he let out a gasp of relief.
As a republican minister, he certainly did not want to see a "grand exorcism ceremony" play out 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 held deep roots in French politics and among the populace.
Just like handing over the swindler Edouard-Benoit to the Church for an exorcism ceremony, it was a will from a higher level, which he could not resist.
————
No matter how many people wished to prevent this exorcism ceremony, Paris, a city always eager for novelty and excitement, had reached the pinnacle of its fervent anticipation for it.
Le Petit Journal had been fueling the frenzy for several days with sensational front-page headlines:
"The Exorcism of the Century! A Living Demon to Appear in Notre Dame?"
"Exclusive Inside Story: Demon-Possessed Villeneuve's Prison Ramblings Prophesy Judgment Day!"
"Citywide Sensation! Tickets for Spectator Spots Impossible to Find! Are You Ready to Witness a Miracle?"
The reports went to extreme lengths to sensationalize, depicting Villeneuve as a monstrous figure with a hideous face, uttering ominous prophecies.
The exorcism ceremony was portrayed as an ultimate showdown between light and darkness.
The tabloid journalists' highly inflammatory prose precisely stirred the citizens' curiosity, fear, and desire for a spectacle, driving all of Paris into a frenzy.
Meanwhile, L'Univers and La Croix received intelligence from certain channels, knowing that some were sparing no effort to prevent the exorcism ceremony from taking place, so their journalistic attacks were particularly fierce:
"Russian Aristocrats Attempting to Interfere with Holy Rites! Shall the Purity of Faith Be Defiled by Money?"
"To the Writers of France: Please Respect France's Religious Traditions and Sacred Rituals!"
"Cancel the Exorcism? That's Compromising with the Devil! Parisian Citizens Will Never Agree!"
Every editorial was righteous and stern, portraying Sophia's demands as crude interference by foreign powers, using money to assault the core of French faith.
And the restless writers were depicted as attempting to use their influence to cover up sin and shield the devil.
They called upon all devout believers to stand up and defend this "sacred ceremony that purifies Paris and manifests the Lord's power."
As the date of the ceremony approached, Paris's streets, alleys, cafes, and salons buzzed with discussion.
From ordinary citizens to high-ranking officials and dignitaries, everyone excitedly exchanged various outlandish rumors:
"Did you hear? That Russian young lady is afraid of losing face and wants to hush 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?"
"Who cares if it's true or false! Let's go see the spectacle! Go stake out a spot in front of Notre Dame!"
Cancel the ceremony?
In a Paris where public opinion was boiling and religious fervor was ablaze, this had become an impossible mission.
Just as Minister Constant was at his wit's end, a meticulously worded petition, signed by writers like Flaubert and several prominent figures in Parisian science, was delivered to his desk.
This petition cleverly avoided the controversial quagmire of "whether to exorcise," focusing instead on the scientific and judicial fairness of "determining Villeneuve's mental state":
[...Given the unique and complex nature of Edouard-Benoit de Villeneuve's case, his behavior fluctuates between psychopathology and what the current Church calls 'demonic possession,' with an extremely blurred boundary.
To ensure the impartiality and accuracy of judicial disposition, and to avoid any misjudgment based on non-scientific understanding, we strongly urge the Ministry of Interior to:
Immediately after the exorcism ritual at Notre Dame is completed, appoint 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 Constant read the petition repeatedly, and his tightly furrowed brow finally relaxed slightly.
He immediately convened his staff for discussion and ultimately made the decision:
Agree to the core demand of the petition!
The exorcism ceremony would proceed as planned by the Church, but immediately after the ceremony, government-appointed authoritative psychiatric experts would intervene to conduct an independent mental evaluation of Villeneuve!
To ensure the authority and credibility of the evaluation and to avoid domestic experts falling into potential factional disputes or being accused of bias, Minister Constant ultimately decided to invite the renowned European psychiatry doyen from the University of Vienna, Professor Theodor Meynert, to preside over the assessment.
And after the meeting concluded, Minister Constant immediately relayed the news to Sophia.
He hinted that this was currently the best arrangement that could be made for her mother's reputation—
If the evaluation showed Villeneuve had a mental illness, the difference in public opinion between "being deceived by a mentally ill person" and "being deceived by a demon-possessed person" was enormous...
(End of Chapter)
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