Flowers, Swords and France

[First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to my friend Dr. Bai Hechou, the first ally of this book...]

"Mr. Treville, how is your father now?"

After hearing this, before Ciel could say anything, Charlotte's expression changed subtly. . She glanced at Ciel anxiously, as if she was worried that this issue would make him unhappy.

Yes, precisely because she knew the affairs of Charles's family, in order not to hurt Charles, she had never mentioned his parents' affairs in front of Charles since he was a child - even though they had always quarreled and quarreled over the years. She never argued with him about this issue.

But now, if the princess asked him directly in front of him, would it make him very unhappy? Charlotte felt a little uneasy in her heart, and also secretly dissatisfied with the princess.

However, her worries were actually somewhat unnecessary. Ciel himself didn't feel any embarrassment.

As a time traveler, it is difficult for him to have a true perception of his parents in this life as his parents - when his parents in this life gave birth to him, they were not even as old as he was when he traveled back in time.

Of course, if we get along with each other for many years, we can naturally develop a family relationship. Just like the old Marquis and his sister, they have been recognized by him as close relatives. However, one of the couple died early and the other ran away from home early, which left no impression on him at all - so naturally, he had no feelings for the so-called parents. The reason why I always keep silent about it is just because I really can't recall many impressions, and I need to worry about my sister's perception.

"He left home a long time ago, saying he wanted to relax, but I never heard from him again...until today." Charles replied in a calm tone, "If you want me to As for his current situation, I’m sorry I don’t know.”

After hearing his words, the princess's eyes suddenly opened wide, as if she heard something strange. Then, she blinked quickly several times to block her vision, as if she was lost in some thought.

After a while, the habit that nobles had developed since childhood of concealing their inner emotions allowed her to regain her original sense and calmness. "Ah, is that so?" She smiled a little apologetically, "I've been living in seclusion in the countryside for too long, so I don't even know this news. I'm so sorry, so sorry..."

"It doesn't matter." Charles nodded, indicating that he didn't mind.

Then, as if she thought of something, the princess fell into deep thought. The originally quiet mansion became even more silent now.

Seeing this atmosphere, Charlotte, who was a little unhappy, planned to say goodbye.

Anyway, since I came to visit once, I have fulfilled my etiquette, and there is nothing to talk about with this outdated old lady from the province (although she is only in her fifties).

"It must be quite chaotic outside now, right?" the princess suddenly asked, then looked at the two people with a smile, "Although I haven't been interested in world affairs for a long time, my son still sends me letters occasionally... so I don't think so. I’m completely ignorant of the outside world. It’s just like there’s a screen behind it, but I can’t see it clearly... I know it’s a republic now, but hasn’t peace returned to this country yet?”

"No, it will continue to be chaotic for a while..." Charlotte replied quickly, and then cast a covert glance at Charles, "Only when its destined monarch returns to the country can it be possible to restore the country's destiny as destined by God. order.”

"Mr. de Orleans suffered retribution. He only pitied his sister, and such a kind lady almost suffered disaster with him! Fortunately, he passed away on that day, so he didn't have to see his brother suffer with his own eyes, and he didn't have to be expelled from the country. "The princess sighed thoughtfully, "She took great care of us young people back then! If it hadn't been for usurping the throne, I'm afraid we would have attended her funeral..."

After finishing speaking, the princess sighed softly, as if she was sighing for something.

"That lady will never see this day again." Charlotte replied coldly. She had no good impression of anyone in the Orleans family. "It's her luck!"

"You care too much about old grudges, Miss Treville. We should all leave some respect for the people who have passed away and the enemies who have been defeated, even if they are our life and death enemies." The princess slightly raised the The black silk gloves were elegantly folded and placed on the pusher. The charm of this noble lady once again gave the two people some projections that transcended time and space. "Yes, Mr. de Orleans once gave us and this country bring But only those who know that they are worthless will complain after the fall. When Mr. de Orleans comes to power, we can bear the loss silently, endure the loneliness and seclusion for a while. After leaving the scene, the glory we had will always follow us. This was true for the 26-year disaster, and the same is true for the 18-year disaster. Look, aren’t we now restoring justice?”

The July Revolution of 1830 and the ensuing July Dynasty destroyed many aristocratic industries supported by the royal family, and slowly pushed many nobles into a situation on the verge of bankruptcy. Although the nobles had properties, If you are often unable to make ends meet, then it is not difficult to imagine the outcome after losing part of your property.

However, the princess certainly would not be reduced to that situation. Although she did suffer a loss, her departure was more of a silent protest - when Louis-Philippe was in power, so many famous old nobles chose to live in seclusion out of the public eye. . Compared with the princess and others who have been in seclusion for more than ten years, the nobles like Duke Treville who stay at home as a protest are relatively mild.

This implicit criticism made Charlotte even more unhappy, but she had to have the necessary respect for her elders, so she couldn't retaliate.

"So, are you planning to end your secluded life?" Out of politeness, she changed the subject, "If you come to Paris then, please be sure to pay a visit to our home..."

"Although everything has gone as I wished, I have become accustomed to the current life, and I am afraid I have no motivation to run out again... After all, for an old person, how much new is there to see in this world? "The princess still smiled and shook her head slightly, causing her hair curls to sway slightly. "But don't worry, if I arrive in Paris one day, I will naturally come to visit you."

"That's our honor." Charlotte said casually.

Then, the princess suddenly turned her head and looked at Charles, who had been silent next to her.

"Young man, you have been silent all this time, is it because we have not treated you well enough?"

"Oh, absolutely not." Charles quickly replied with a smile, "I just couldn't bear to interrupt the conversation between the two ladies. Besides, I also have a lot of things to consider..."

"In your eyes, isn't Miss Treville's charm enough to make you forget those mundane things?" The princess's smile suddenly contained some cunning and joking that was inappropriate for her age. Years of experience made her suddenly You can see the true relationship between the two people, and even see which side is more proactive. "Then you are too ruthless..."

"You are such a joker!" Charlotte couldn't help complaining to the princess, and then secretly pinched Charles.

But Ciel could only smile bitterly.

Seeing the interaction between the young couple, the princess couldn't help but laugh out loud, with a childish smile like that after a successful prank.

"Thinking about problems is always hard work, and few people do it happily." After laughing for a while, she nodded and looked at Charles and spoke again, "In this regard, you are quite like your father. ——He actually liked to meditate silently back then...I don’t know what he was thinking about.”

"You seem to really know him?" Charles couldn't help but ask.

After hearing this question, the princess was slightly startled at first, and then couldn't help but smile even more cheerfully. "Of course we understand each other very well...we used to be good friends."

"Good friend?" Charles was surprised.

"He never talks about politics in front of us, and we don't talk about it in front of him. He just paints, and he paints very well - that's enough, sir. If you don't talk about this, I will continue to keep you here. Of course, the princess knew why he was surprised, and then warned implicitly, "If it weren't for this, we wouldn't be so interested in a die-hard supporter of Bonaparte."

It seems that having an artistic expertise is really helpful for interpersonal communication...

Read the original text in Liu#9@书/吧!

"Oh, that's right!" The princess suddenly seemed to think of something, and then smiled at the two young people, "Please wait for me."

Then she got up and left the drawing room, seemingly going to the bedroom.

After Charles and Charlotte looked at each other for a while, the princess came back with a pamphlet in her hand.

After the princess put it on the table, the two of them discovered that it turned out to be a portrait album with gems embedded in the gold frame, shining with golden brilliance.

Before the two of them could speak again, the princess opened the album on her own. Only then did they realize that these were portraits, and the people in the paintings were the same beautiful woman, wearing various gorgeous clothes. He shows off his manners in different scenes - judging from his skillful color and composition skills, the painting is quite good and worthy of the album itself.

"This is what your father painted for me back then..." The princess looked at Charles with a smile. "I wonder how your painting skills are now?"

"Charle doesn't like painting very much. We just learned some casually when we were young, and then gave up." Charlotte helped Charles answer, "But his sister is very talented. Everyone says she is the future. A great painter..."

Charles didn't speak. He only had one thought in his mind right now - Fran would probably like this album very much, right...?

"Oh?" Before Charles could speak, the princess suddenly suggested, "Then you can help me forward it to Miss Treville... By the way, I would like to convey my best wishes, and hope that she can achieve her father's achievements."

Ciel was surprised at first, and then quickly thanked the other party sincerely.

"It doesn't matter, just think of it as a gift from an elder to the child." The princess replied with a smile.

And Charlotte thought of another question——

So... his father was also a guest of this famous princess back then?

Well, that's okay actually. Charlotte didn't care about such old memories.

Perhaps because of fatigue, the princess gave a hint that the reception was over, and the two young people took their leave.

………………

After both of them left, the princess still looked at the woods outside the window, silent for a long time.

"So when you came to visit me last time, you had been away from home for a long time..." She sighed softly. (To be continued)