As Anning was suddenly overwhelmed by emotion, Talleyrand said, "Concerning the wedding, have you decided on the Bishop to officiate it?"
Anning narrowed his eyes: Smart move, Talleyrand, aiming for this all along!
In Europe of this era, you've got to have a Priest to preside over a wedding.
In fact, from the moment Europeans are born in this era, they're entangled with priests.
Just out of the womb and they need a priestly baptism, coming of age they seek priestly blessings, a wedding requires a priest officiant, childbirth means getting priests to baptize the kids... and finally, at life's end, it's priests who conduct the funerals.
Thus, priests possess immense power; their previous oath of loyalty led to a split among them, resulting in a divided France.
Don't be fooled by how Talleyrand once sold off church property willingly and proposed its confiscation to save the Parliament. He is, indeed, a Bishop recognized by the Pope in Rome.
