Flowers, Swords and France

When Viscount Dillion said mysteriously, "I'll take you to a nice place to have fun...", Charles couldn't help but feel a little curious. In the past few months of working together, they have been together for many social events, but this is the first time that his minister behaves like this.

Although he had a vague premonition in his heart, Charles thought about it and still did not refuse his invitation.

After all, this viscount is his boss and his political ally, so there is no need to refuse. And after all, what is there to do at this time? There are so many troubles...

So, as soon as it was evening, he and Albert got on the minister's carriage.

The carriage went along the winding streets, and after a long drive, they came to an apartment on New Street Saint George.

As soon as the carriage stopped, the minister jumped down directly, and then knocked on the door with his cane. The door was soon opened, and an old woman looked at the viscount respectfully and saluted.

"Master, you are here."

The Viscount just nodded casually, then pointed to the two young men next to him, "This is the friend I want to invite tonight, is she ready?"

"The lady is ready. I heard you were coming, so I spent the whole day preparing!" The old maid replied quickly, with a smile on her face.

"That's good." The Viscount responded coldly, pointed his cane to signal her to move aside, and then made a gesture, asking Charles and the other two to go in with him.

Charles and Albert looked at each other. Their social experience made them almost understand what was going on, and they couldn't help but smile at each other.

The three of them walked through the hall downstairs and walked up the stairs to the second floor. The Viscount led the way in front, and the sound of his footsteps was accompanied by the rhythmic tapping of his cane. But it also had a unique sense of rhythm.

Charles was really amazed that Viscount Dillion, who was already middle-aged, could still have such a good spirit and skills.

Soon, they came to the second floor. Opening a double door decorated with red velvet and red silk rectangular patterns, the Viscount led the two young men into the inner room. The walls of the room were covered with satin, velvet and tapestries. The cross-drawn curtains and door curtains, everything inside formed a sharp contrast with the landlord's poor appearance that was not well maintained. It was obviously the work of a woman who carefully decorated it.

What attracted Charles's attention the most was not the furnishings in the city, nor the dishes on the table, but the three girls on one side of the table. To be precise, it was the girl in the middle.

She was indeed very beautiful, with a delicate face, curved and thin eyebrows, and bright red lips. She also had curly gray hair and watery brown eyes. Although the white skin exposed on her chest told people that she was not lacking in plumpness, because of her gloomy expression, she looked incredibly thin.

However. This was not the focus of Charles's attention. Charles was more concerned about her expression and movements.

Because, after seeing the Viscount, she showed surprise on her face, then stood up, like a wife waiting for her husband to come home, walked to the Viscount, and took the Viscount's cane attentively.

"Sir, you are finally back!" She greeted him in a tender voice, leaning in the Viscount's arms, as sweet as if she didn't notice the two young men next to her. "I thought you had forgotten this poor man!"

"My lovely little deer," the Viscount smiled happily, as if he was not a grandfather. He reached out and stroked it, "Didn't I come to see you today?"

Then, he turned around and pointed at Charles and the others, "This is the guest I told you about tonight,"

Then, he said to Charles and the others with a slightly embarrassed look, "Charles, Albert, uh... this is... this is my good friend, Miss Melissa-Duro."

And this Miss Duro was much calmer. She lifted her skirt and saluted Charles and the others respectfully, "Good evening, gentlemen..."

"Miss Duro, good evening." Charles quickly suppressed the different thoughts in his heart and saluted the other party.

Of course, she was not the wife of Viscount Dillion. Charles had seen that lady in their mansion. Then... everything was clear. She was the Viscount's concubine, or the mistress as the saying goes.

Moreover, her age was indeed worthy of the title of Miss, because she looked very young, the same age as Charles and his partner. To describe it with a cruel metaphor, it should be said that she was only a few years older than Matilda, and about the same age as Julie.

Viscount Dillion, who had become a grandfather, seemed to have been with his "good friend" for a long time, and they were completely close to each other.

Charles did not find it particularly strange at this time.

Whether it was normal or debauched, it was a common entertainment activity in the upper class. A rich man brought his friends to his mistress's house to entertain. Not only Albert had long been accustomed to it, but even Charles was not surprised at first.

I wonder if Matilda knew that her father was keeping a mistress outside? A thought suddenly flashed through Charles' mind.

Maybe she should know.

If she knew, how would she feel about her father's behavior in her heart? Would she not take it seriously, or hide her anger in her heart?

Ciel couldn't help but become curious.

After a moment, he came back to his senses and felt a little funny again. What does this have to do with me?

Only one thing is certain - Melissa Duro is definitely just her nickname, not her real name. But, well, Ciel doesn't particularly care about this kind of thing.

"Is this the friend you brought here?" The Viscount suddenly looked at the two girls still sitting at the table and asked Melissa.

They seemed to be uncomfortable with this situation, and then they stood up and saluted the three men with some embarrassment.

"Well, they are my juniors. They just entered the opera house not long ago. I just brought them here today to help them see the world..." Melissa nodded, then looked at the two young people with a smile. "So, gentlemen, you must think of a way to help these poor children!"

turn out to be. This young lady is a singer. No wonder!

However, this Miss Melissa Dureau should be valued by the Viscount now. It's been taken care of. According to the jargon of this kind of people, it should be "coming ashore".

In this era, the singers of the opera house certainly had some side businesses. No wonder Viscount Dillion was so mysterious at that time. So that's it... But after all, even in the 21st century, aren't showgirls still running these side businesses? There is just some difference in price.

When he thought of this, Charles felt relieved.

Then, as usual, he sat down with Albert.

And next to them, there was a girl each. but. It looked like he was still just as he had just debuted, he didn't even dare to say anything, he just poured wine for Ciel.

However, even jerky. Even though they were a little shy, they still moved closer to Ciel.

Read the original text in Liu#9@书/吧!

Melissa Duro has become a shining role model in their eyes. After getting a big benefactor, she already has a beautiful house, luxurious furniture, a set of silver tableware, and every A monthly allowance of two thousand francs, a one-horse car - even though it was rented, these things, when added together, how could Melissa not become a heroine in the eyes of the showgirls? How can we not make them envious and then find ways to imitate him?

Especially after Viscount Dilion became a minister, Melissa became a demigod in the eyes of her junior singers. Everyone envied and hated her, but to be favored by the minister, she personally How could the guests brought home be any worse? Naturally, they tried their best to get closer.

However, Charles was not so cooperative. He didn't do anything to the girl next to him, he just chatted with the Viscount and Melissa because he still remembered Charlotte's threat.

The person next to him was different. Charles glanced sharply and saw that while Albert was secretly doing something, he also stuffed his business card into the girl's pocket, making her blush.

This guy! Ciel smiled bitterly, and then drank another glass of wine.

He didn't expect that his performance would be noticed by Viscount Dilion - and this was actually one of the reasons why he brought Ciel here tonight.

"Sure enough, this person is quite decent, not like me." He thought to himself.

Worthy of Matilda.

A few people kept chatting, and Melissa suddenly sighed, "Hey, I am so lucky to be able to meet Mr., after suffering so much."

"Efforts?" Albert asked cooperatively.

"Yes, I was young too, sir!" Miss Melissa Barrow nodded and sighed sadly, as if she couldn't bear to look back. "Young girls tend to create a lofty and beautiful image for themselves, very Ideal image; for men, feelings, and the world, they make up some illusory fantasies for themselves; then they naively put their fantasies out The perfect character is given to someone, thinking that person is the embodiment of ideal perfection, and they firmly believe that it is this fictional creation in the man they choose. But later, when the illusion they beautified, When their idol turns into a disgusting thing after real contact, it is too late for them to escape their misfortune..."

"It seems that you were heartbroken by some writer or painter, poor lady!" Albert sighed, "Fortunately, Mr. de Dillion saved you!"

"Yes, I simply don't know how to express my gratitude to sir!" Melissa repeated, as if it was an aria in an opera. Moreover, due to the effect of alcohol, her face was flushed and she looked even prettier than usual. "He gave me everything, and I will definitely use my life to repay him..."

After all, this former palace courtier had an extraordinary eye when it came to finding a mistress.

"You are already repaying the favor now," Viscount Dillion smiled and ruffled her hair again, completely ignoring the two young men beside him.

……………………

"Friend, I really can't see that you are so boring now!" Albert sighed exaggeratedly in the taxi, "Even if you want to marry Charlotte, you don't have to be like this!"

By the time this private banquet ended, it was already late at night.

"I just find it boring..."

"That's right. It's really not good-looking. It's not as good-looking as Melissa." Albert nodded.

"What do you think of Melissa?" Charles suddenly asked.

"My friend, from my experience," Albert said, smiling on the surface, but his eyes were very serious, "this kind of woman, although gentle as a dove at ordinary times, can be as vicious as Robespierre. Poor Mr. de Dillion still thought he had her in his hands, but I see, he is the one being played around with! I dare say that sooner or later our Minister will suffer a great loss from this woman."

"Oh, really?" Charles shrugged, "Who cares."

"Yes, who cares!" Albert also replied with a smile.