Flowers, Swords and France

After Charles passed the responsibility of making the decision to Louis Bonaparte who was far away in France, perhaps realizing the seriousness of the matter, the Duke of Wellington stopped talking about this topic.

"Humph, are you afraid to make a decision, or do you think this is beyond your imagination and you can't grasp it?" Because he was a little dissatisfied with Charles's evasion, the Duke glanced at Charles coldly, "If it was Talleyrand, he would be here, happily giving me a satisfactory answer."

"I'm not Talleyrand, sir." Charles did not lose his composure because of his provocation, and still said slowly, "I am undoubtedly very interested in your words, but the person who makes the decision should not be me, nor should it be you... but the current leader. I can assure you that I will Strongly express your and Britain's sincerity to the president. As long as the president is interested in this proposal, I will do my best to promote this idea. "

"Aren't ordinary people waiting for the decision? Smart people should know what to do! Ordinary people can only see one step, and smart people should make all plans for themselves..." The Duke answered mercilessly, "Whether the Bourbon or Bonaparte is in power, Talleyrand is always Talleyrand, isn't it?"

Because he knew that the other party was secretly testing how loyal he was to Louis-Bonaparte, Charles just kept a superficial smile and still didn't answer.

"Little guy..." Seeing that Charles was not moved at all by intimidation or inducement, the Duke finally had to shake his head gently. "Well, considering your age and status, it's really hard to tell you this at the beginning. Just remember my words! You know, opportunities are rare. Not every foreigner will encounter such a good thing..."

"I will remember your and the British's kindness in my heart, and I will repay it as soon as I have the chance." Charles also gave a promise without hesitation.

The Duke ignored him and just gently picked up the small bell next to the rocking chair and shook it.

The crisp bell did not last long. An old servant quickly opened the door and walked in. He stood beside him respectfully.

"Take this gentleman to rest first, and ask him to have dinner together later." The Duke gave an order coldly, and then waved his hand gently.

Because he saw that the old man was a little tired now and didn't seem to want to talk, Charles also understood, and bowed to him again obediently, and then turned and left. Say goodbye to the giant for the time being.

"Oh. By the way, one of my relatives is visiting me here today. She just came. If she comes to see you later, I hope you can treat her with courtesy, okay?"

Just as Charles was about to leave the room, the Duke's voice suddenly sounded from behind him.

"Hmm?" Because he was a little confused about this sentence, Charles slowly turned around and looked at the Duke again.

She? What does it mean? What female relatives are coming to visit me? Charles suddenly fell into confusion.

But the Duke did not continue to speak, with only a meaningful smile on his face that could not be seen.

It was as if...he was playing a prank on me...Charles suddenly had this thought in his mind.

What exactly is it? In a short moment. He fell into deep thought, but there was no clue in his mind, but he had to answer the Duke's words.

Forget it, let's wait and see what happens. Anyway, the British will not do anything to him now. In the end, Charles made up his mind.

"We are always polite to ladies." After leaving this promise, he walked out of the room generously.

………………………………

Led by the servant, Charles walked through the corridor of the castle again. Although it was already afternoon and the sun was shining brightly today. But the interior of the castle did not increase much because of this. Because the air was humid and had the chill of early spring, Charles felt uncomfortable all over. He felt the cold air drilling into his body, and his nose also felt bad smelling the musty smell.

But... Overall, it was very satisfactory.

I met the man who finally defeated Napoleon, witnessed the moment when an era was about to end - fortunately before he died - and then fought with this man once, winning his (although somewhat reserved) praise... It was worth the trip.

Thinking of this, Charles suddenly felt that the discomfort in his whole body suddenly disappeared, and he became energetic again.

"Hello, where is the gentleman who came with me?" Because he remembered the Foreign Ministry official who came with him, he couldn't help asking.

"He is resting now, and will dine with you and the Duke later." The servant answered in a respectful but distant tone.

"Oh... so," Charles nodded gently, and then he asked again as if inadvertently, "So, how many people will have dinner with the Duke today? Are we the only two coming?"

"No, there are others, sir." The servant replied in a low voice.

Charles' heart jumped slightly.

The previous ones were just indirect hints, and this was what he really wanted to ask.

"Who else?"

As they talked, they walked along the corridor to a forked corridor.

"And..."

"Are you Mr. de Treville?" Just when the old servant was about to explain further, a question suddenly sounded from the aisle on the other side. "Heh, it looks like it should be."

This sudden sound made Charles stop for a moment, then slowly turned his eyes and looked over.

At the end of his vision, he saw an old woman.

The woman was tall, wearing a black dress, and her gray hair was tied back. Her facial features are quite regular, serious yet not lacking in firepower, and she can still see a little bit of the remaining charm of her youth. Her nose is straight and her forehead is high. Although she is covered with wrinkles, she can make people feel her strong will.

What was not commensurate with her age was that her eyes were bright and her gray-brown pupils were staring at Ciel, as if she were a hunter who suddenly caught his prey.

"Are you Mr. de Treville?" Seeing that Charles had not answered yet, she asked again, and then slowly walked towards Charles.

Only then did Charles regain his composure from the initial confusion, and then he nodded gently. "Yes, I am de Treville, who are you..."

"I've finally waited for you, sir." After Charles confirmed his identity, the old woman nodded gently, "You are more handsome than I thought."

"Thank you for your compliment, madam." Charles smiled and thanked the other party, but he did not relax his vigilance towards her at all. "But, forgive my humble eyes, it seems that we have never met before? Excuse me, are you... "

Read the original text in Liu#9@书/吧!

"You are right...we have never met." The old woman had already walked in front of Charles. Then she stopped gently and looked at Charles quietly.

"My name is Elizabeth Patterson Bonaparte. You can call me Madame Bonaparte for now."

Although her voice was low, it sounded like a lightning strike to Ciel.

What!

Turns out...it's her?

I should have thought of it a long time ago, I should have thought of it a long time ago!

The Duke is really too much...playing such a prank on me!

It turned out to be this Ms. Patterson!

"What's the matter, sir?" Because Charles was still in a panic, the old woman had a slight smile on her face, "Did you think of something?"

Amidst this slightly joking laughter, Ciel finally managed to calm down, and then bowed.

"Oh, Ms. Patterson, nice to meet you."

"Please call me Madame Bonaparte." Before Charles could say anything, the old lady interrupted Charles directly and decisively.

Judging from her unflinching expression and firm tone, it is obvious that she is a strong-willed and extremely independent woman. It seems impossible to send her away with fancy words.

This is troublesome... Ciel sighed inwardly.

"Ms. Patterson..." he repeated the title again.

"Madame Bonaparte!" With a sense of arrogance and anger, the lady suddenly raised her voice, and then glared at Charles, her chest rising and falling slightly, and her originally thin body suddenly seemed full of power. "Sir, can't you understand what people are saying?"

"I'm sorry, madam, please believe that I have no disrespect for you." Charles bowed slightly to her with full apology, "But, I think you should be able to understand that I cannot obey you. The reason for the wish - you are not the legal wife of Prince Jérôme Bonaparte, at least the emperor has clearly issued an edict stating that you are not, so I cannot use a title for you that you are not entitled to originally, please understand. ”

"Please call me Madame Bonaparte!!!"

Elizabeth and Jerome Bonaparte were married on December 24, 1803. The ceremony was officiated by Archbishop John Carroll of Baltimore. However, after returning home, Jérôme's brother Napoleon ordered him to return to France and annul the marriage. Jerome ignored his brother's order to return home without his wife.

In the autumn of 1804, Jerome tried to travel to France to attend his brother's coronation with the pregnant Betsy, but encountered a series of delays. And when they finally arrived, Napoleon banned Elizabeth from setting foot on the continent.

Gérôme traveled to Italy to try to reason with his brother, writing to his wife "Dear Elsa, I will do everything I can," but she never saw him again. (To be continued ~^~)