Flowers, Swords and France

When Charles returned home in the cold winter night, it was already night.

However, unlike the nervous de-Bovan family, Charles' home was peaceful and lively, which made Charles feel much more relaxed.

He came back at a very good time. Charlotte was having dinner with Fran and the children.

So when Charles returned to the restaurant, he asked the servants to prepare some more meals for him, and then sat next to Charlotte.

"He really doesn't know etiquette. He called you over and refused to treat you to a meal?" Charlotte was obviously dissatisfied with Baron de-Bovan's hospitality. "These country guys are really uncomfortable."

While complaining about the baron, she took off her husband's coat and hung it next to him, and then had dinner with Charles.

"It's still warm at home..." Charles sighed with a pun, and then touched his son's hair next to him.

Although he had just saved a life and was a little excited, he could only keep silent about this brilliant achievement, which made him feel a little regretful.

At the same time, because he had just got a new child, he also had some strange feelings for his eldest son.

Although Clovis was not very close to him at ordinary times, he seemed to be in a good mood now, so he started to giggle when Charles touched his head, which made Charles and Charlotte laugh.

However, Charlotte's laughter was full of joy, while Charles's laughter was mixed with a little bit of strange feelings.

Son, Daddy has brought you a sister.

When he thought of this, he felt a little amused.

"What on earth did that person call you over to talk about?" Perhaps she found that Charles was a little strange, so Charlotte couldn't help asking.

"Well... we just talked about some issues related to bonds." Charles first took a sip of wine, then answered calmly, "There have been some unexpected situations in the market recently, and he hopes that I can solve them as soon as possible to calm the panic in the market."

"Then he should come to our door to ask us to do something? Why did he suddenly call you over?" Charlotte was a little dissatisfied with Charles' explanation, "Is this his attitude when he asked us for help? Charles, did he say anything cold to you after you went there?"

It was more than just cold words, he cursed you with all kinds of words, but it's no wonder, who told me to play with someone's daughter.

"His attitude is decent, at least he did it for the good of all of us..." Charles answered with a smile.

"Even so, you can't stand him?" Charlotte was still indignant, "Charles, you are now the minister of the empire. Although he has a high position, you don't have to be so respectful to him. This is not only a matter of etiquette, it is also an important image issue. You can't let others think that you are his agent! You should let him know that he can't order people like you around."

"Yes... you make sense." Charles nodded and agreed with her opinion, "I will pay attention to showing this kind of... subjectivity in the future."

"Okay, you are usually too polite, but you don't know that you shouldn't be so humble to some people , because they will not think that you are giving them face, but only that you are afraid of them. "Charlotte curled her lips, still somewhat disapproving, "Since you want to show the proper attitude, don't wait until later, I think it will be fine soon - I will call them over in two days to let them know how powerful we are!"

Charlotte was very dissatisfied with the treatment Charles received from the baron. She believed that she and her husband were no longer the same as they used to be. They could be said to be one of the most prominent families in the empire. Although their wealth could not exceed that of the Bovan family, they should be one level higher in terms of power, so she felt that she and her husband should be respected enough by this big banker.

What's more, she still remembered the old grudge between the two families, and deliberately wanted to give this family some face after she became rich - but this did not mean that she wanted to scold the baron in person, but just wanted to entertain him as a hostess, and let him know in a subtle way that he needed to respect the Treville family now.

"Okay, let's do as you say." Charles immediately seconded, "Charlotte, you know, he is my partner now, and we are too close. I still need him in many places. If I do it, it may not be appropriate. It's best if you hint to him."

"That's best." Charlotte finally smiled again.

"Charlotte, with you here, many things that I can't do conveniently will be much easier... Thank you." Charles immediately complimented her.

However, although he was very happy that he had diverted Charlotte's attention, there were more than just Charlotte present. Charles found that Fran's eyes were always looking at him, as if thinking about something.

Just when Charles was secretly rejoicing, Fran suddenly sneered, perhaps because his compliment to Charlotte made his sister unhappy.

"Sir, I heard that Baron de Bovan's daughter...well, now she should be called the Duchess of Ricanicht - seems to have been pregnant for a long time? How is she now? It should be soon." She asked in a very naive tone, but it was tantamount to stabbing her brother with a sword.

Oops, I guessed it so quickly. Charlotte immediately felt a little embarrassed.

She knew the details of Laura's incident, so she naturally wanted to know why Charles ran over in such a hurry.

But even if you guessed it, you shouldn't mention it randomly at this time, just in case Charlotte thinks of it...

Charles couldn't help but look at Fran with reproach, but she still looked innocent, as if she didn't realize it.

"Well... I didn't see the lady when I just passed by. I heard that she is recuperating now." Charles replied with embarrassment, "However, if we calculate the time, there should be two or three months. After all, she I have only been married to that Duke for more than half a year, even if it is the fastest, it will take that long..."

Laura got married in a hurry when she was nearly three months pregnant. If the news about her giving birth was spread now, everyone would know that something was wrong. Therefore, Liana's birth will be kept secret for the time being. Her household registration will not be reported until three months later. When she is that She was only born at this time, and only her parents and grandfather would know her real birthday - and this is why Charles specifically noted Liana's birth date on the note. He hoped that his daughter could know the exact date of her birthday. On what day, and was born under the watchful eye of his father.

"That's not certain." Charlotte took over the conversation without noticing, commenting on the Bowen father and daughter with a mean expression. "The father is not a good person, how can his daughter learn well? I don't think that Miss de Beauvin is a good person. Maybe her child may not be her husband's, but she just found such a person to hide her ugly face... This My family can do any kind of scandal, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this happens.”

"If that's the case... wouldn't it be a big scandal?" Fran looked at Ciel innocently, "It's really scary!"

"Yeah, yeah..." Ciel could only reply while glaring at his sister.

In order to avoid further discussion, he decided to turn away from this somewhat dangerous topic and asked Charlotte with a smile on his face. "By the way, what were you doing after I left?"

"We just played tennis, which was quite fulfilling." Charlotte replied casually.

"So who won?" Ciel immediately asked.

He regretted it as soon as he said it, secretly blaming himself for being stupid - no one of them would want to be reminded of painful memories if they lost, and they would not be angry at himself at that time.

Fortunately, the result is not so bad.

"Let's call it a draw." Fran let go of teasing him and replied in a low voice. "We played all afternoon, and the score was still about the same. In the end, we were all tired, so we had to stop."

"A draw is good! I just like a draw!" Charles breathed a sigh of relief, "A family should live in peace and harmony."

"Hmph." Charlotte snorted coldly, but didn't say much.

They had a quarrel after Charles left, and then decided to settle the score in tennis, playing many sets. The score seemed intense, but the scene was ugly—Charlotte had just given birth and was not very flexible in her movements, and Fran almost never exercised, so both of them played with flaws, which was hard to see, but the score was Bite hard.

By the end of the match, they were all exhausted. They only lasted so long because they were arrogant. Perhaps they were also worried about losing in the end. In the last set, both of them decided to give up at the same time and ended in a draw.

Of course, during this period, there were countless overt or covert sarcasm and insults mixed in between them as desserts. The mean and tricky words used were enough to open the eyes of any onlooker.

Charles didn't want to delve into the details of the game, so he immediately avoided the topic. The dinner finally ended peacefully, and Charlotte finally did not become suspicious of the strange behavior of the Bowen family.

After dinner, Charlotte continued to take her son back for a walk in the garden. In the greenhouse at night, the refraction of light and the shadows of the flowers will make people feel as if they have entered another world, which is very beautiful.

Fran did not accompany their mother and son. She went directly back to her room, preparing to complete her work as soon as possible.

And before she left, she also gave Charles a gesture, indicating that he should go to her place first.

"Laura gave birth to the baby today, right?" She asked directly as soon as Charles came to her room. "Hers and yours."

"Yes." Because he felt that there was little point in lying, Ciel simply admitted. "It's a daughter. I named her Liana."

"Thank you...Thank you for keeping such a calm face!" Although she was prepared in her heart, when Charles really admitted it, she was still a little angry, "You are really going too far!"

"This is not my plan." Ciel sighed. "Who knew this would happen."

Read the original text in Liu#9@书/吧!

"What about me? Am I your plan?" Fran looked at her brother angrily, "You...you shamelessly extended your claws to my former companions, but when you came in front of me, you did this Sanctimonious, do you think this is appropriate?"

"Shameless?" This word hurt Charles and made him frown, "How can you talk like that!"

"Sir, if you dare to do it yourself, are you still afraid of what others will say?" Fran looked at him with dissatisfaction, "I am willing to respect you, but you have to take action first!"

"To be honest, you are the one who caused this!" Charles frowned, "Don't you know? The Baron has almost figured out everything! He almost killed Laura just now, and even you almost couldn't escape his wrath!"

"What!?" Fran opened her eyes wide in surprise.

"What? Do you still think your plan is foolproof?" Charles smiled, "In fact, he knew it a long time ago, but he just kept it to himself. After Laura gave birth to a child, his true colors were revealed! You didn't see it at that time. He was almost crazy and almost wanted to take revenge on Laura."

Then, under Fran's slightly horrified gaze, Charles told her exactly what he had seen and heard just now.

When Fran heard the Baron say that he didn't want to pursue her, she finally felt relieved, but in the end, she was angry about another thing.

"In the end... after all, you stood up and saved her life?" She raised her head and glared at Charles, "This is really touching! She must have cried with joy, right?"

"She did cry, although she might not be very happy." Charles nodded first, then immediately asked back. "Are you jealous?"

"Yes... I... I am jealous!" Fran's face flushed, her eyes narrowed, and she almost cried, "You... You are so good to them, why do you treat me like this?! It's so unfair! You are just cutting my heart with a knife!"

"Hey, keep your voice down..." Charles hurriedly stopped her, "Don't be so angry, can I just watch him die in that situation? No, I can't do it."

"Then you can do it, why can't I say it?" Fran grabbed Charles' tie, and then pulled him directly in front of her with unimaginable strength, "You forgot, now your secret is in my hands! I can try my best to cover it up for you, but don't forget what you promised me!"

"Okay, I won't forget." Charles couldn't help but smile bitterly,

"Humph! You finally said something with conscience." Fran was slightly satisfied, "I can wait for you, but... but please repay my loyalty to you."

Charles didn't say anything, just adjusted his tie.

"I'm leaving tomorrow." Fran whispered. "I can finish these things tonight."

"Don't you stay here for two more days?" Charles was a little surprised. "Even if everything is translated, you can still stay."

"No, I don't want to stay, I want to go back." Fran shook her head, "I can't stand watching you and Charlotte go to the same dormitory every day, it makes me want to vomit. Compared to that, the loneliness at home before is nothing."

Charles didn't know what to say for a moment, and finally sighed.

"I'm sorry."

"What should I be sorry for? Who told you to marry her?" Fran didn't feel particularly entangled, but just sighed, "When I think about how you did so many things without telling her, I don't hate her so much!"

"Don't talk about this..." Charles was extremely embarrassed, "I am really sorry for her."

"You are sorry for many people, not just her!" Fran emphasized to him again, "So, you must do what you can to repay what you owe us!"

"Okay... I know." Charles nodded again.

"It's not enough to just say you know," Fran stared at Charles closely, "Now that Laura is gone, you can let Mary take her place in the United and, she has suffered a lot along the way, and she is so loyal to you..."

Charles hesitated.

"I have to bring her something that is certain before I can leave with peace of mind. You know how good our relationship is." Fran emphasized again. "Besides, wouldn't it be better to have someone you trust here?"

"Okay." Charles agreed, "I'll talk to the Baron, he'll agree."

"Then... say goodbye first, sir." Fran closed her eyes slightly, "What did you do when you said goodbye to Laura?"

Charles was stunned for a moment.

Her eyelashes trembled slightly, and her face was red and hot.

This is her home.

But... who cares.

He leaned over and kissed her directly.

"Goodbye."(~^~)