Flowers, Swords and France

"Ciel..."

Just when Mary was trying her best to tease or please her benefactor, Charlotte suddenly came to the reception room.

Of course she came to see her husband. However, the moment she entered the door, what she originally wanted to say had been temporarily forgotten.

Because she discovered that Marshal Treville's personal secretary, Miss Marie de Leoland, was staying in this reception room, and she was very close to her husband, as if they were intimate. Same as partners. Her face was now filled with a flattering smile, with a suspicious blush.

As a woman, Charlotte naturally understood what this young lady's behavior meant.

The original calmness was instantly replaced by shock, followed by anger, and her brows suddenly stood up.

Ciel quickly recovered from the initial shock, and then suddenly felt that the situation was not good.

Having been with his wife for so many years, he certainly understood the emotional changes that Charlotte's expression foreshadowed.

He immediately suppressed the smile on his face and returned to the plain and serious look before. Then he glanced at Mary without leaving any trace. Then he suddenly got the idea and handed Mary the record he had just filed from the desk. , pretending as if Mary was approaching him to get something.

"Mary, please put this away." He said to Mary in an extremely calm tone with great effort.

At this time, Mary did not react so quickly, and still looked at Ciel in shock. However, she was used to following Ciel's orders, and she reached out and took the thin notepad almost out of habit.

At this moment, she finally reacted, and looked back at Ciel with some admiration in her teasing eyes, and then took the book into her arms.

"Okay, sir." She replied in as calm a tone as possible.

"Hmm." Charles responded vaguely, and then turned back to look at Charlotte, as if he had just noticed her.

"Charlotte? Why did you come to me? What's the matter?"

Charlotte did not answer immediately, but continued to frown, looking between her husband and Mary with a somewhat stern look.

However, maybe because she didn't see any more clues, maybe because she didn't want to argue at this time, she finally calmed down slowly, as if she was cooperating with her husband.

"Can't I come over and see you?" However, her words still contained a hint of thorns.

"That's right! You can come over to see me at any time." Charles shook his head quickly, and then said with a smile on his face, "It's just that I'm a little weird, because usually you wouldn't come over to see me at this time..."

While the couple was having a conversation, Mary also backed away from Charles little by little. She deliberately didn't make any sound so as not to embarrass Charles.

"I'm afraid it's just because I haven't come over at this time that you think you can do whatever you want, right?" Charlotte seemed a little angry, so she didn't give in at all and continued to taunt him, "Besides, I won't come over to take a look. , God knows what you are going to do.”

"I really don't understand what you are talking about. Well, anyway, you just like to ridicule me. I know this and can bear it. Isn't that what married life is like..." Charles shook his head and pointed his finger. Referring to Mary, "But if you are talking about Mary, I called her here today. After all, she just I have just taken over from Ms. de Beauvain, and there are still many things I don’t understand that I need to ask for, so she will come to report to me recently. You know this, right? In addition, there is an important meeting today, and we must I will attend, so I need to coordinate my position with her now to avoid causing problems later.”

Charles took the trouble to explain to Charlotte. To be honest, he felt a little wronged now - if he had done something, he would not have complained about being glared at by Charlotte, but today he has not done anything...

"Reporting to work..." Charlotte lowered her gaze slightly, as if trying to figure out whether her husband was just fooling herself with his words.

"Yes, that's what happened," Charles immediately confirmed again, and then urged his wife, "Okay, what's going on, please tell me quickly, I have to go out later!"

Charlotte did not speak any more, but glanced at her husband and Mary again, but her brows quickly relaxed again, and she finally did not pursue this matter further. "It's about Ou Ren."

"What's going on with Eugene? What's going on?" Charles asked quickly.

He is both his cousin and brother-in-law, and can be said to be one of his own. Because he is the youngest brother, Charlotte has taken care of him since he was a child, and he has a deep affection.

Moreover, compared with Charlotte's equally arrogant and arrogant brother Philip, the youngest son Eugène is much more humble and respects both Charles and Charlotte very much.

When the late Duke of Treville died, a dispute broke out within the Duke's family over the disposal of the inheritance. Philip stood up unequivocally to oppose Charlotte's inheritance of the family business, and even encouraged his father to stand up and oppose it too, and Charlotte also He refused to give in even an inch, and was willing to have a falling out with his father. However, at this dangerous and urgent moment, Ou Ren chose to stand by his sister's side, which shows the status of his sister in his heart.

Ciel naturally values ​​​​such a family member who clearly supports him. If he is willing to serve him, he will certainly try his best to support him. However, unlike other members of the family, he seemed to have no interest in wealth and power. He was only interested in the sea and wanted to serve in the navy.

Although Charlotte didn't understand the idea of ​​her brother enjoying the glory and wealth but enjoying the sea breeze, Eugene still insisted on his opinion after several persuasion. In the end, Charles admired his will very much, so Help him enter the navy and let him get his wish. Now he is serving in the fleet with the navy.

Charlotte didn't explain further, then glanced at Mary, who left knowingly.

"It's okay. Mademoiselle de Leoland is our loyal friend. It doesn't matter if she knows these things. She will never tell anyone." After Mary left, Charles said to Charlotte in a complaining manner, " If you do this, it will easily make people feel cold.”

"Do we have to tell others about our family affairs?!" Charlotte became impatient and scolded Charles almost harshly. It was obvious that she was still angry about what just happened. "Why should she know this?"

The reason why she suddenly stopped pursuing the matter just now was not that she completely gave up her suspicion of her husband, but because there was no real evidence now. If she really wanted to quarrel, it would just be embarrassing for herself, and Charlotte didn't like to be a A troublesome person does not want to interfere with her husband's affairs - after all, she also knows that Mary is one of the loyal lackeys of the Treville family and has the trust of Marshal Treville.

But the thorn in her heart was still there, so as soon as Mary walked away, she became angry at her husband.

"Okay, okay, if you don't say it, don't say it, that's fine." Charles shrugged angrily, "Now that she has left, you should tell me what's going on, right? I'm really busy. leave."

"Eugen recently told me that he heard some rumors in the navy, saying that we may be at war with a big country in the sea in the near future..." Charlotte lowered her voice, and then followed Charles to explain, " Therefore, he wants to join the fleet that will be the easiest to fight the enemy in the future, and then become a captain there..."

"Being a captain? Is he still so young?" Charles was a little confused.

Undoubtedly, with the power and prestige of the Treville family, even the navy can exert influence and take care of Eugene. However, it is one thing to be a naval officer, and it is another thing to manage a battleship. You must know that the captain It is the soul of a battleship, and it is tied to the life of the entire battleship. Although he liked his cousin very much, he didn't want to make fun of a battleship and the lives on it.

Charlotte obviously understood her husband's difficulties, but she still decided to make her husband agree. "No matter what, please try your best."

"But aren't you worried? If there is a fight, naval guns don't have eyes..." Charles tried to persuade Charlotte, "In terms of his personal safety, it's best not to take this risk."

"I also tried to persuade him, but he said he was not afraid, and he also begged me to help him... If this is what he insists on, then how can I refuse him?" Charlotte shook her head. The eyes are full of the unique look of a sister who dotes on her younger brother. "Besides, what reason is there to reject him? Isn't this the heroism of our ancestors? Now I am very proud of Eugene, and I want to fulfill him. Charles...don't you appreciate this spirit?"

After a pause, she said something to comfort herself, "Besides, after seeing such a heroic performance, God will bless Ou Ren. Didn't your grandfather charge in the rain of bullets and survive in the end? "

"Okay, I do appreciate it." Charles nodded and decided to agree to his wife's request to help realize Ou Ren's ideal. "Okay, I will find a way to communicate with the Navy - in addition, I will also ask grandpa to help. I think as long as we work hard, there should be... there should be some hope."

That's what he said, but he himself wasn't sure.

"Then it's up to you, Ciel." Seeing Ciel finally agreed, Charlotte breathed a sigh of relief.

However, she immediately changed the subject, "There is one more request, regarding Ou Ren, but it is personal to me."

"What?" Charles asked again.

"Didn't you set up many industry organizations when you were minister? Choose one and find a way to insert Eugene into it, so that he can rely on it." Charlotte replied in a low voice. "Let's find a place that's more hidden. Don't let him get out of the limelight. Let him live in peace and contentment..."

Ciel looked at Charlotte with slight confusion.

"Don't doubt it. Ou Ren has never asked me for such a thing. I took the initiative to plan this." Charlotte shook her head and denied Charles's guess, "I'm just grateful for his current situation. You You know, he is a young son, and his father and Philip don't seem to care about him very much. If we don't care about him anymore, he will be in more trouble in the future... He is my biological brother, and I have to leave something for him. Otherwise, how will others see me?

After pondering for a moment, Ciel nodded again. "Okay, this is not a difficult thing. I have recently set up a maritime industry association down there. I can put him into any shipping company down there. He happens to be in the right industry! And there are not many people. Will pay attention to him."

"That's great, Charles..." Charlotte was obviously very happy with Charles's straightforwardness. She stretched out her hands to hold her husband's head, and then kissed Charles, "Thank you."

"You are my wife, and it is what I should do to fulfill your wishes." Charles smiled and wiped her hair, then said goodbye to him, and was about to go to the hanger to pick up his coat, "Okay, there is nothing else to do now. If you want me to do any more things, then I will leave..."

"Wait!" Charlotte stopped him suddenly, "I want to say a few words to Mademoiselle de Leolan."

"Ah?" Charles was a little shocked.

"Just talk for a while, just a little something." Charlotte said calmly.

"But..." Ciel hesitated.

Read the original text in Liu#9@书/吧!

"It's nothing, just a few words. It won't take up much of your time." Charlotte still had no intention of discussing, but said directly and firmly. "Okay, just wait here."

"Charlotte..." Ciel wanted to say something else.

"You love me, right?" Charlotte looked up at him and asked.

"I absolutely love you." Charles had to tell his wife again.

"Then wait." Charlotte glanced at him without a doubt, then turned around and walked out of the room.

At this time, Mary was waiting in the hall outside the reception room, preparing to attend an important meeting of the Railway Federation with Charles. However, it was not Charles who came out. Instead, the first one to come out was Charlotte.

Mrs. Treville, who was well-groomed, was still very beautiful today, and her clothes were elegant and luxurious. However, as she came closer step by step, Mary felt more and more panicked in her heart.

"Madam..." When Charlotte walked up to her, Mary had to say hello with a forced smile.

The relationship between the two of them has never been very good. Because of her close friendship with Fran and because she became Charles's wife, Mary has always been a little unhappy with her. The so-called respect is only superficial, while Charlotte Of course I can feel it.

"Ms. de Leoland, I have a few words to say to you." Charlotte looked at Mary with eyes that were calm but also filled with strong dissatisfaction.

"Please show me, madam." Under the eaves of the crowd, Mary had to respond to Charlotte with a seemingly respectful expression.

"The scene I just saw was very uncomfortable." Charlotte looked at her and said coldly, "I'm afraid your behavior is a little inappropriate."

"I'm sorry, madam, but... we have always gotten along like this. The husband doesn't like others to be too respectful to him." Mary smiled cautiously, "He believes that dignity does not come from forcing a face, but from It’s reflected in actions…”

This explanation, no matter how you listen to it, makes no sense, but from the outside, there is no malicious intent, but it is enough to make people uncomfortable.

"Do you think I'm making trouble out of nothing? No wife would like to see what you just did to her husband." Charlotte frowned slightly, "No matter how smart you are, you should understand yourself status, and what you should and shouldn’t do?”

"I...I don't quite understand what you mean." Mary deliberately pretended to be stupid to delay time, hoping that Charles would come out quickly and rescue her from such an embarrassing situation. "If you mean that I shouldn't treat sir so kindly, then... then as long as sir says so, I will comply."

Here we go again!

Charlotte's anger was aroused even more, because not long ago, someone also responded to her with almost the same words.

And compared to that person, the current person made her even more impatient.

"Ms. de Leoland, I don't want to say anything more to you now. You have a good surname, but you haven't done much to deserve it... But I know it's not yours. No, you were unlucky before, and I can understand that you want to do something to get out of your unlucky situation." Charlotte looked at the other party coldly and said word by word, "You are very sad. Clever, but I hope this cleverness can be used in the right place and do what you should do..."

Charlotte's eyes full of contempt made Mary furious.

"What are the things that should be done?" She put away her less enthusiastic smile and asked in a low voice.

"Isn't this obvious? With your cleverness, you have won the favor of Marshal Treville and asked him to help you. Then you should repay the favor and continue to do this job well. Don't keep thinking about it. Something else." Charlotte sneered. The sarcasm in his tone almost overflowed, "It's enough for you to please his grandpa, why bother your grandson? I would like to advise you, do what you should do now, lest you end up losing both ways and be defeated by yourself. Damn by his cleverness!"

If you are an ordinary person, you may not understand how mean the sarcasm is, but Mary can understand it.

Because she could understand it, the humiliation and anger were even more irresistible.

What did she take me for? A lover who seduces an old man to gain glory and wealth? Now the prostitute trying to seduce her grandson?

The blood on her face faded almost instantly, and she looked at Charlotte with wide eyes.

"Oh, do you feel your self-esteem is hurt? Why? Isn't what I said the truth?" Charlotte didn't care about the other party's anger at all, but sneered, "Since you can do it, why are you afraid of what others say? If you are afraid of what others say, then you'd better understand your duty and stop doing stupid things, understand?"

Marie lowered her head, her whole body was trembling slightly, and she clenched her fists to prevent herself from exploding.

"I don't know what my duty is, Madam." She gritted her teeth and said, "Yes, I did receive the favor of the Marshal and the gentleman, but only people with evil intentions would make up stories about others. I have always been dedicated to serving the Treville family..."

"Then, I think you should know who brought you everything you have now, right? Look at yourself, how different are you from our servants?" Charlotte still didn't give up on Mary, "I don't want to be angry with you, because you are not qualified."

"Not qualified..." Mary gritted her teeth and repeated in a low voice, almost hating it.

No insult could hurt her as deeply as this "unqualified" and would not arouse such strong hatred in her.

"So, please remember what I said, don't make me unhappy, and don't do stupid things." Charlotte saw that she had said it thoroughly enough and didn't want to argue with this servant anymore, so she waved her hand and signaled him to leave. "Remember, next time I find you trying to show off your coquettishness, you will bear the consequences yourself."

Humph, stupid things? I have done countless stupid things! I will continue to do them! I will make you regret treating me like this today!

Mary roared in her heart with hatred.

But on the surface, she admirably restrained her anger, then lowered her waist and saluted Charlotte slightly.

"I understand, ma'am." (~^~)