"That much?!" Joseph sighed. "He's being far too impulsive."
He knew that when Camellia gestured to the collar, she meant that Charles wanted a Golden Merit Contribution Badge.
This badge was a trick he'd devised to boost war bond sales—all those who bought a large amount of bonds would receive a brooch shaped like a shield and iris.
A bronze badge was awarded for purchasing 30,000 francs, a silver one for 100,000 francs, and the golden badge required the purchase of 300,000 francs' worth of war bonds.
He himself wore a Golden Merit Contribution Badge.
By his arrangement, from Louis XVI to Queen Mary, and even Alexandra, all had recently shown obvious favor toward nobles wearing the badge.
Just last week, Mirabeau, who owned two golden badges, had even earned the honor of dining at the same table as the King. This ignited a "competition of contribution badges" among the nobles of the Palace of Versailles.
