Flowers, Swords and France

"So, I have one more thing to ask you..." When she said this, Matilda's voice became lower.

The evening breeze caused the trees to sway gently, making a soft rustling sound, which also made two of them feel the chill even more.

"You can ask, and I'll answer everything I know." Charles nodded indifferently and agreed to the other party's request. "How come we have been working together so happily?"

Matilda hesitated for a moment and then spoke again.

"You...you have to do this? Is there no other way? You want to buy other people's bonds, and you want to take advantage of the opportunity to make a fortune. It's all up to you. I have no right to do it. I don’t want to ask where your capital comes from, but do you have to involve irrelevant people?”

"Irrelevant person? Do you mean Miss Marquis de Leolan?" Charles asked in return.

"Yes, that's her." Matilda nodded in agreement, "Don't forget, since I can guess all this, others can also guess it - although it takes a little more effort, but as long as you have the will, you can always guess it. It can be guessed. Besides, it seems that you have never thought of keeping it a secret..."

"This doesn't need to be kept secret in the first place. Did I violate any laws by purchasing bonds? No." Charles was somewhat disapproving of her words. "If someone is willing to spend so much effort to know that I am buying a large amount of bonds, then I would like to thank her..."

His cold joke did not make Matilda laugh, but instead made her frown slightly.

"If others can guess it, they will definitely think that Mary and you...well, the Treville family...are very closely related, and others can also guess that you have a large amount of money. ...If someone learns about these situations, maybe you will be fine. Now you have Things are different now. But what about Mary? Don't you think she's in danger? What if someone kidnapped her and extorted a large amount of money from you? The world outside is so chaotic and lawless, can you guarantee that this won’t happen?”

"Blackmail me?" Charles asked back. Then he couldn't help but smile.

Charles, who smiled without answering, had actually given Matilda an answer, an answer that scared her the most.

She looked at Ciel. He was stunned for a moment, and a trace of pain flashed in his eyes.

"I know...I know! If this really happens, you will never let yourself spend money, right? Don't deny it, judging from what I know about you...you will definitely do this !" The coldness in Matilda's tone was gradually replaced by anger. "So. You see her in unpredictable dangers, but you still watch her take risks with peace of mind! Maybe the risk is not very big, but what if it really happens? How terrible that would be, don't you? Have you ever thought about it?”

The seemingly scorching gaze still stayed on Ciel's face.

"No, I can see it from your eyes. You have thought about it, but you don't care. You just use her as a tool. You have not worried about her safety, isn't that right?"

Under her series of accusations. Charles still looked normal and listened quietly.

After she stopped talking, Ciel spoke again.

"Perhaps I need to emphasize to you again that this is of her own free will. She is willing to earn commissions in this way, and..."

"It is precisely because I know she is voluntary that I come to talk to you now," Matilda interrupted him, "Even if she is voluntary, even if she is not afraid of such risks, can't you refuse?" Is that all you can do? I believe that with your ability, there are other ways!"

Perhaps feeling that her tone was too harsh, she sighed softly, and then softened her tone, "Sorry, Mr. Treville, I'm a little anxious, so I might be a little rude..."

"It doesn't matter." Charles comforted the other person considerately, "I have always been very tolerant of precious friendships."

"If this is the case, can I ask you to be more tolerant...Don't let Mary continue to engage in such dangerous activities, at least show some kindness before it's too late!" Matilda spoke out somewhat eagerly, her chest He was also slightly undulating, "A person like you who can write that kind of article, shouldn't he also have some kindness in addition to his talent? God has given you talent and will also bless you. Could it be... "

"What are you talking about?!" Charles shouted, interrupting Matilda's persuasion.

Matilda was startled by Ciel's sudden roar. Looking at the ferocious-looking young man and his sharp gaze, she shrank subconsciously.

There are only two people here. If I offend him, will...will he take me...

A burst of panic instantly hit her heart. The inner fear instantly made her whole body stiffen, and some cold sweat broke out on her back. She even thought about turning around and running away or shouting for help.

But after a moment, the almost innate stubbornness dispelled the fear in her heart.

This is my home, don’t be afraid of anyone!

"I sincerely beg you not to involve Mademoiselle Marie de Leoland in your plans again." She answered word for word with a calmness that was neither humble nor overbearing.

The person on the other side seemed to have torn off all the masks, and his tone was very stiff, and he even stopped using honorifics, as if he was ready to attack her at any time. However, she was resolute and fearless, and was ready to shout for help at any time.

"No, I'm asking what you said behind?" Charles repeated his question again anxiously.

Hmm? What's going on?

With a hint of doubt, Matilda repeated what she had just said.

"A person like you who can write that kind of article, shouldn't he have talent... eh... uh..."

Then, she also found something wrong. She quickly stopped talking in fear, her face instantly lost color, and the previous coldness was completely gone.

"How did you know?" Charles asked again. Unknowingly, they were almost close together. "Who told you? Fran? Who else did you tell?"

He was very nervous and angry, and of course, more embarrassed.

All along, what he was most reluctant to mention to others was that he earned some money to supplement his family income by writing some popular novels or court novels that cater to the market. Now he was exposed in front of him like this. For a moment, he forgot his original calmness and almost shouted out immediately.

"Well... uh..." Matilda wanted to answer, but she seemed to have no idea how to say it. A little blush appeared on her face. "Actually... actually..."

The young man was already standing in front of her, with a very stern look, so that she couldn't avoid it even if she wanted to.

Finally, she made up her mind. Then she decided to tell everything.

"Mr. Treville. Don't worry. No one told me specifically. I learned about this matter completely because of a small accident. It's like this..."

Then, she told Charles exactly how she found the letter written by Fran in the room when she visited the Marquis of Treville's house, and then guessed all the truth through this letter.

"It turned out to be like this! It turned out... It turned out that you knew it so early..." After listening, Charles sighed and supported his forehead with his hand. His previous calmness and composure had completely disappeared, and his tone was so heavy that he almost lost his soul. "How could this happen..."

This situation. Matilda, who was originally trembling with fear, suddenly had an urge to laugh in her heart.

"Mr. Treville. Don't worry, I am the only one who knows about this matter. I haven't told anyone." She repeatedly comforted Charles, "Besides, you don't have to react like this? In my opinion, it is a good thing to have talent. Isn't it good to admit it honestly and enjoy the praise you deserve? Why do you choose to hide yourself in front of everyone?"

The original text can be read in Liu # 9 @Book/Bar!

It took Charles a minute or two to come out of the sudden blow and frustration and regain his composure.

"This is my business, I don't want others to know. Since you know it now, I hope you don't mention it to anyone again."

"Okay." Matilda sighed helplessly and agreed to Charles' request, and then she remembered her request again. "Then, I also hope that you can listen to my previous request and not let Marie take risks again..." Noticing that Charles's expression was a little abnormal, she quickly added, "Don't worry, I'm not threatening you, I'm just asking. Since you want me to keep it secret, I will continue to keep it secret... Mr. Treville, even if it's just to help me, don't do it again, okay?" After listening to her words, Charles looked away. "It's too late for you to make this request now." "Too late? What do you mean?" "Because I have asked her to suspend her previous work." Charles answered calmly. "Now she is at my house, accompanying my sister to paint all day. Occasionally when I am very busy, I will ask her to deal with some documents or securities, but that's all. I don't think there will be any danger." This is the truth. Due to the narrow social circle, the Marquis can only move around in the social circle. Maybe the heavy details and paperwork are more useful. "So that's how it is... Great!" After hearing this, Matilda breathed a sigh of relief, "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"You didn't give me a chance to explain in detail." Charles answered with a righteous look, hiding the fact that he was deliberately teasing this serious girl with glasses.

Then, without waiting for the other party to protest again, he made another joke. "Even if I could do it, if that lady really suffered any trouble, my sister would not forgive me? So don't worry, she is safe."

"Fortunately you still have a sister, otherwise there is nothing you can't do!" Matilda sighed softly, and her tense nerves relaxed.

At this time, the increasingly cold evening wind made her shiver, and then she coughed a few times.

"Let's go back, it's too cold here," Charles immediately suggested, "Besides, the people over there have been waiting for us for a long time."

"Well, go back!" Matilda agreed quickly.

Suddenly, she found that the young man next to her took off his coat and handed it to her directly.

"To avoid catching a cold, I think you'd better put this on?" The young man looked at her with a smile, "You just sweated a lot. If you go back in the wind like this, I think it will be bad for your health."

This sweat is not because of your prank!

Matilda wanted to protest, but she finally held back.

"No, no..."

Charles did not give up his behavior because of her refusal. Instead, he continued to stretch his hand in front of her and persuaded her again.

"Miss Dillion, don't be stubborn, put it on first. You can give it back to me when you get to the door, so that no one will see it, don't worry."

Under Charles's almost tough attitude, Matilda thought about it, and then took his coat.

The coat, which was still warm, brought her warm comfort in the cold wind, and the two walked back along the lawn and path together.

"Thank you, Mr. Treville." Matilda thanked him again.

"You're welcome." )