Louis, intrigued, got out of bed. His barber sat him down for his morning shave. As the barber applied the lather and drew the razor along the King’s face, Philippe explained.

“From now on, your life does not belong to you. All you do is designed to be seen and admired. Dressing, shaving, eating, drinking. They are no longer actions but a performance. All noblemen at court are required to present themselves at the appointed hour. Only a few, however, will be given the privilege of entering, observing, and in some cases, participating.”

The barber made the last stroke with the razor and a valet held a mirror up for Louis to check the work. Louis tilted the mirror slightly, and saw reflected in the doorway a queue of nobles waiting to enter the room. They shifted impatiently from one foot to the other. Rohan and Louvois were first in line.

Philippe nodded at the footman by the door, who in turn held out his hand, indicating it was time to enter. The nobles moved into the room. An anxious noble stepped forward but was pushed aside by Cassel, who looked down his nose. “Dukes before marquises, I believe,” he said. The noble frowned and then stepped forward again, only to be pushed back by Montcourt. “I’m with the duke,” Montcourt muttered.

Rohan, Louvois, Cassel, and Montcourt were escorted to a corner where they stood to watch the King’s morning rituals. The other nobles filed in and out in a quiet, orderly fashion, each bowing in turn.

“All entrances and exits will be supervised,” Philippe told Louis. “Self-control and order are paramount.” Then he added, “Basically, it’s the opposite of fucking.”

Louis grinned. It was the dressers’ turn to do their job. They removed the King’s nightshirt and attired him in a new shirt, trousers, vest, scarf, and jacket. Nobles continued to walk past quietly, bowing and watching the royal show. When his outfit was completed, Louis reached up to straighten his collar, but Philippe shook his head. He waved a noble forward.

“Not him,” the King said. He nodded at Montcourt. “I want all here to know that Versailles rewards those who show loyalty and humility.” Montcourt approached the King, tugged gently on the collar to smooth it out, then stepped back and bowed.

Bontemps announced the Queen and she entered, escorting a young boy dressed in velvet and silk. Then Bontemps ushered the remaining nobles from the room but put his hand on Rohan’s arm. “His Majesty wishes you to stay.”