Flowers, Swords and France
Chapter 5: Showing weakness and making arrangements
When Charles followed Mary and walked back to the restaurant, he found that his grandfather and sister were there.
He was suddenly relieved secretly.
"Grandpa, I'm here." With a slightly reserved and serious expression, he bowed to the Marquis of Treville, "How have you been lately?"
"What are you asking? I'm very fine! Stop dawdling, you haven't eaten today, have you? Come sit down and have something..." Although Marquis Treville seemed to be scolding Charles, the excitement in his tone was not there. Unable to hide it, "What? Isn't this your home? It's like you are a visiting guest..."
"Oh...Okay!" Charles smiled sheepishly, then stretched his body and sat on his usual seat.
"Did Charlotte know that you came here today?" Marquis Treville picked up the wine glass.
"In order to save her from waiting too long, I had someone notify her." Charles answered as he picked up the wine bottle and poured himself a glass of wine.
"It's good that you informed me! I was afraid that you would still be as careless as you were when you were single!" The old Marquis also breathed a sigh of relief, then made a toast gesture to Charles and took a sip of wine. "You are newly married now. You should try to stay with your wife as much as possible. Even if you have to stay up all night for something, you must inform her in advance so as not to worry her. Remember, you must pay more attention to Charlotte. Only in this way can you and Charlotte Only then can we live the first newlywed life well..."
The old man's rambling words moved Charles quite a bit. "Okay, I know everything. Thank you for reminding me. Grandpa."
"bite!"
At this moment, a crisp sound suddenly came.
Ciel looked over as if reflexively. Then it was discovered that this was the sound made by Fran's silver spoon hitting the disk as she drank the soup silently.
She looked very pale. His brows were also slightly furrowed, and he was only looking at the soup in front of him. His movements were stiff and heavy, obviously he was using this to vent his anger.
Ciel felt a pain in his heart and quickly looked away.
Seeing his sister looking so thin made him feel a little distressed, but he didn't know what to say.
At this time, he suddenly felt that not only his sister, but also his grandfather's attitude was a little strange - although he was smiling, his expression always looked a little unnaturally stiff. There are also veins on the temples exposed, as if he had just lost his temper.
Could it be that they had a quarrel just now?
Such a thought flashed through Ciel's mind.
Then, he glanced around the restaurant again, feeling that he had stayed in a restaurant countless times in more than twenty years, but now he felt a strange sense of unfamiliarity.
Grandpa and sister, who have always had a very good relationship, can understand why they are quarreling without going into details.
The harmonious family has become like this... It's really frustrating.
"Charles. How is your work in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs going now?" Marquis Treville looked at Charles with some worry. "If people in the government are all cunning, then those in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are all They are the most slippery among slippers, so be careful! They are so conceited that they can say ten thousand words of kindness without frowning. Then they are waiting to stab you in the back! Don't listen to anyone's flattery there, otherwise you will find that you can't do anything! If you want to make a career there, just do it. You have to learn to turn a deaf ear to their every word and just do your own thing..."
Perhaps because Talleyrand left such a profound impression on the old man during the imperial era, the Marquis of Treville held a deep-rooted suspicion and distrust of the diplomatic community. I always feel that these people are a bunch of conspirators with ulterior motives - of course, this view is not unreasonable.
"I will, Grandpa. Are you still worried that I don't know how to treat others now?"
Charles replied with a smile, and began to use a knife and fork to clean the meal that the servant had just served, and then continued in a vague tone, "The Marquis of Turgot is extremely afraid of me, for fear that I will invade him." Right, so keep following me He said how much he valued me... Of course, his rhetoric was of no use to me. I told him clearly that after I came back from the UK, I would participate in actual work instead of sitting next to him. A device that only looks at documents.”
"Oh! Well done! That's what it's like!" The old Marquis knocked on the table lightly, "Then what does he plan to use to satisfy you?"
"In order to avoid hurting his heart, I only ask him about Eastern affairs now - whether it is the Near East or the Far East. European affairs are still under his care - I only watch and learn..." Charles said word by word replied, "The minister was not offended by my request and he quickly agreed with me."
The old man raised his head slightly and looked at his grandson in surprise.
"Wonderful! He actually agreed? That's great!" The old man picked up the wine glass and drank it in one gulp. "Haha... He must think he is lucky, right? Hahahaha..."
Today, when Louis Bonaparte was persuaded by Charles, Marshal Treville and others, he was determined to find an opportunity to fight Russia on the Black Sea coast. The Near East will soon become one of the centers of French diplomacy, and even European affairs. All will be eclipsed. By that time, the person responsible for this aspect will obviously become the leader of the entire French foreign policy. The Marquis of Turgot, who didn't know the inside story, thought that Charles was being humble. In fact, without his realizing it, Charles had taken away the place where he was most likely to create a great career. As for the Far East affairs, the Marquis of Treville said this He was also not interested, and felt that the grandson was just a gimmick deliberately added to deceive others.
"If that's the case, Charles, then I'm relieved." After a moment, the old Marquis finally recovered from his joy, "You finally have the most important thing in your hands! But...actually, that's how it should be. , is there anyone else who is more capable of taking on such an important responsibility than you? If someone else takes the responsibility, I won’t be too relieved..."
Because there were others present, the old Marquis no longer made it more clear - even though Fran was a member of his own family and Mary was very trustworthy. The Marquis of Treville still weighed his words so as not to reveal the most important secrets - but the joy in his heart had been exposed.
This joy. The haze in his heart just now was finally washed away.
"Okay, then you go and enjoy a pleasant trip to the UK first. Others take the bride on a trip after their wedding, but what about you? You are tied up in the country with so many official matters! It's time for you to have a good rest... ..." Because he was in a good mood, the old Marquis' tone was also very serious, "Oh, I'm worried that the Queen will be unhappy at that time, because you and Charlotte are so outstanding, and you end up stealing the spotlight from her daughter!"
"Well..." Charles also joked with him, "Charlotte and I will try to be as low-key as possible so as not to cause her dissatisfaction."
"Haha!" the old man laughed, "Marrying a boring Prussian will make this princess suffer in the future!"
Historically speaking, this princess was indeed unlucky.
Although her husband Frederick had a good relationship with her, because his father William lived too long, he could only be the prince and was unable to hold the highest power. When William died, Frederick suddenly fell into a violent illness and died of cancer after only being emperor for 88 days.
And her eldest son, William II, succeeded to the throne. But he has a disability. He was born with an atrophic left arm. When he grew up, he became an out-and-out rebellious young man, opposing his mother in almost everything. Finally, a world war was launched against the Allies, which almost brought down the entire British Empire.
Of course, on this historical line. Maybe everything will be different...
"By the way, talking about this. Charles, after meeting the Queen, of course you have to be polite, but don't act groveling..." While Charles was still daydreaming, the old Marquis continued, "Our family's Are you any worse than the Queen? Her ancestors were the same way back then? Like our ancestors fighting on the German battlefield? George II was almost killed by our ancestors' men! It was only because of good luck that these Hanoverians were able to occupy the throne of England. There is nothing to be afraid of, if the Queen Don’t care if I put on airs with you!”
[Queen Victoria was born into the royal family of Hanover, and her ancestor was the Elector of Hanover. Because Augustus, the Elector of Hanover, married Sophia, the granddaughter of King James I of England, after the death of Queen Anne of the Stuart royal family without an heir, he relied on this marriage relationship to inherit the British throne. The emperor's title was George I.
His son George inherited the throne in 1727 and was called George II. This king loved military affairs and fought with France for many years. In 1743, he commanded the French army in the Battle of Dettingen in the War of Austrian Succession. When he lost his horse, he even commanded the battle on foot with his sword, and finally won the battle at a small cost. 】
"I'm really not afraid of them." Ciel nodded, "Actually, compared to the Queen, I think the Prince is more noteworthy."
This prince naturally refers to his husband Albert von Saxe-Coburg-Gotha.
"Prince?" The old Marquis frowned, "That man is indeed a figure. I heard that the Queen listens to his opinions on many matters, and the government also respects him very much. Since he can get such respect, then he should not An arrogant and rude person, you can have a good talk with him... If possible, it will be of great benefit to us to establish some friendship with him. "
"I will find a way to have good dealings with him - although this task is a bit difficult, it is not unthinkable." Charles nodded again, "Although the Queen is not always right under the current system, if we can gain the favor of the couple, If so, I think the British government will be more cooperative.”
The grandfather and grandson were discussing and eating, and time seemed to have turned back to the past.
Only then did Charles realize that he had eaten a lot of food without knowing it, and his mood became very relaxed.
He finally understood why he suddenly came over to take a look.
This is the feeling of home...
Then, with the corner of his eye, he looked at Fran again.
Fran continued to drink the soup in front of her at an unchanging rhythm, as if she was oblivious to everything else.
Although she seemed uninterested, Charles could sense at this moment that she was listening very carefully to the conversation between her grandfather and her brother - maybe. She must have listened like this for many years.
"Growing up, I have spent so much effort to remember every word you said in my mind. I followed your teachings... I looked up to you, trying desperately to imitate you and learn from you... …”
His mind suddenly recalled what Fran had said to him during the quarrel that day.
I do have a good student...
What if she refused to learn?
Read the original text in Liu#9@书/吧!
He sighed inwardly.
Escape is not the answer, you have to say something to her. After a moment, he made up his mind.
"Miss Treville, would you like to hear what I have to say?"
Fran raised her head slightly and looked at Ciel doubtfully.
Ciel felt like she wasn't the only one. Even Grandpa and Mary's eyes were on him, as if they were worried about something.
In fact, he no longer wanted to lose Fran's temper.
Ever since her leap that nearly caused everyone to fall to death and made herself heartbroken, Ciel just begged Fran not to cause any more trouble and no longer wanted to punish her.
"That's it..." Charles cleared his throat, "You already know, right? In a few days, I will go to England with Charlotte."
Fran nodded slightly, indicating that she knew.
"Now. I heard from Mary that your injuries have almost healed, right?" Charles looked at the other party hesitantly, trying to make his tone appear casual and without any grudges, "So. I think you have already recovered during this period. You've been restrained enough, it's time to go out and get some air... It's not good for you to be stuck at home for a long time. Look how thin you are now."
"In other words, will you lift my detention?" Fran asked.
"Yes. It's lifted." Charles nodded, "But you need to promise me that you won't do stupid things again in the future."
"Silly thing..." Fran was stunned for a moment, then sneered slightly, "What do you mean?"
"You understand."
"I don't understand." Fran answered directly, "If you are referring to something that is not good for you, I did not intend to do it at the beginning, and I am not planning to do it now. If you are referring to something else... Do you need to repeat the answer I just gave to Grandpa?"
Alas, as expected, they were really arguing about this again just now.
Judging from the way grandpa was furious just now, it was clear what Fran's answer was.
Ciel looked at his sister and felt extremely confused.
There is not much point in continuing to persuade her. He saw it that time. His sister's will was terrifyingly strong, and it might not be possible to convince her with just a few words.
He glanced at his grandfather again and found that his face turned blue again, and he obviously didn't know what to do.
What more can be said? Ciel felt a pain in his heart.
After a moment, he let out a long sigh.
"Forget it, sir, don't talk about this topic. Thank you for your great mercy and giving me my freedom again." Perhaps seeing the distress in his heart, Fran's tone softened a lot, "Now that things have happened , everything has become a foregone conclusion, is there any point in saying anything? I will not make it difficult for you, I will only treat this kind of thing. Keep your delusion in your heart, rely on it to support your future life, pray to God, and wish you all the best in the future, and you - you can naturally live your own life peacefully without being affected by me at all. Isn’t it great? Thank God, at least I can live my life peacefully.”
"How old you are, what a lifetime..." At this time, Marquis Treville finally couldn't help but speak, "My child, why are you so stubborn? For you, there is no better way than this." Are there many?"
"For me, that's enough, Grandpa." Fran replied very solemnly, obviously having made up her mind, "Since everything I want is destined to be unrequited, and everything I do is in vain, then I still Is there any other choice? After waking up from the coma, I have figured it out. I am willing to bear the price for everything I have done, and I am willing to accept the punishment of fate for the love in my heart. At least - I still have it. You have the right to choose to be alone for the rest of your life, right?"
Then, she smiled bitterly, "Of course, if you two feel that something is wrong and that the punishment for me is not enough, you can also give me another punishment, or simply assign me a husband. I will silently obey my fate. After all, I owe you a lot, and I should give everything to repay it... I will never have any complaints about this. "
"You...you...you know we won't treat you like this, so why do you say that?" Charles interrupted her anxiously. "Don't you understand that we don't want to force you to do anything, we just want to make your life happier?"
"That's good for me." Fran lowered her gaze and replied softly, "You and your new wife happily ran to England to accept the Queen's summons - but of course I only deserve to hide at home and let Everyone is indifferent, I understand, sir - this is very good, it is the result that my fate deserves..."
Because she touched the true feelings, her tone became more and more heartfelt and sad.
"No, you are going to England too." After an unknown period of silence, Charles replied calmly, "After Charlotte and I set off, you and Mary will also board another ship and go to England together."
"Huh?" This sudden remark made everyone else open their eyes in surprise.
"You..."
"I said that I would give you freedom, but - of course this must be done after some investigation. If you stay in the country and suddenly give me a big surprise while I am abroad, it would be too uncomfortable for me." Charles said in a mocking and serious tone, "Besides, going abroad to relax is better than going anywhere else. So... what do you think?"
To someone like my brother, at least show weakness first...
Mary... your words are really useful...
Fran lowered her head.
"I obey your orders, sir." (To be continued...)
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