Flowers, Swords and France

December 24, 1840

As dusk gradually descended upon the entire earth, the annual Christmas Eve was approaching.

Ever since the Son of God finally died and dedicated his life to mankind, such a night has always been a festival in the Christian world, and it is also a day for people to gather with their families and quietly wait for the arrival of the new year.

At this time, France was under the rule of His Majesty King Louis-Philippe I. Although this Majesty, who was born in the Orleans royal family, had driven the Bourbon royal family out of power through a coup ten years ago and ascended the throne himself, after ten years of ruling, France is now generally stable and peaceful, and economic development has returned to the track of prosperity - although everyone knows that the recession will definitely come later, at least now is enough to enjoy life.

The French, in general, are a nation that likes excitement, showing off, and splendor. So once there is a little peace, that deep character in their blood prevails again. As a result, the festivals in recent years have become more and more grand and noisy, with a sense of luxury of enjoying the present moment and living a life of luxury.

In addition, in order to show how stable his rule is, the king likes to create grand scenes, so he deliberately indulges this nature and wants to divert people's attention from politics. So now, every festival, the whole of Paris will fall into excitement and noise.

As one of the most important festivals of the year, Christmas is of course the same. As soon as December came, the capital was caught in the festive atmosphere. As time approached, the carnival continued for days, and the theaters were full. People relieved the fatigue accumulated over the year in the celebration and looked forward to good luck in the coming year.

Since yesterday, white snow began to fall from the sky, sometimes like goose feathers, sometimes as thin as gossamer. Although the intermittent snow was not large in scale, it also covered the streets and buildings with a layer of white armor, and made the winter atmosphere worthy of its name.

When Christmas Eve came, the buildings in the city were decorated with lights everywhere. The colorful stickers made the originally dim lights suddenly have a blurred color, and also turned the white snow into a group of patterns. In this colorful light, there are endless melodious music coming from every corner, making people feel like they have come to a dream world.

However, in such a flashy and noisy world, there are still a few pure lands that remain quiet and leisurely, as if they will never be infected by the outside world.

There is such a corner in an inconspicuous house in the Saint-Germain district. And there is a living room on the second floor. Although the room faces the street, because of the thick curtains, the cold wind and the hustle and bustle are isolated from the outside.

There was no candlelight in the room, because it was very dark, only the light outside the door was faintly visible, and in the room, a young man was lying in this quiet darkness, sleeping soundly.

This young man was about twelve or thirteen years old, wearing a gray linen pajamas, with golden hair, and looked very handsome. However, even in his sleep, his expression was very quiet, and he seemed a little more mature than his peers.

During this festival, he had slept for a long time, and the hustle and bustle around him did not bring any touch to him, as if he did not care about this celebration at all.

However, the hustle and bustle of the festival did not leave him.

Just when the sky was completely dark and the lights were just turned on, the door of the room was gently pushed open, and a young woman walked in quickly.

Maybe it was because of habit, or maybe it was intentional, although she walked fast, her steps were tight and powerful, and she did not make any sound, and her sense of balance was very good.

The woman was wearing a pure gray winter dress, and her golden gray hair was tied up in a bun behind her head. Unlike the popular style nowadays, she did not wear any accessories. Only the faint smile on her delicate face could show some traces of youth.

With the help of the weak light, she walked to the bedside and looked at the young man with his eyes closed on the bed.

Then, she sneered and stretched out her right hand to his head.

"Charles, Merry Christmas." In a daze, Charles suddenly heard a greeting in his ear.

Before he could react, a sharp pain suddenly pierced his brain from his ear - he felt that a hand was grabbing his ear mercilessly, and then forcibly using this ear to lift his head up.

The intense pain made him almost subconsciously wave his hand heavily at the hand, but it did not work. The other hand grabbed his wrist directly, making his attack ineffective.

Although the hand was white and slender, it was extremely powerful, like an iron clamp that left him helpless.

At this time, the young man slowly regained consciousness and saw clearly who was playing tricks on her.

Then, the red blush of anger swept away the calmness on the young man's face.

"Let go!" He shouted at the woman opposite. "It hurts so much!"

"This is the lesson you deserve, young man." However, the woman did not mean to apologize at all. Instead, she looked at Charles with confidence, "I didn't teach you to be unaware of someone approaching you! Shouldn't you be taught a lesson for such a bad performance?"

"Why do you do this! I'm not going to be a swordsman, so why do I have to be so alert and even have trouble sleeping?" The young man was still aggrieved, "You just want to bully me!"

Although he said that, the boy had suffered enough from Aunt Agnes's bullying for many years, so apart from making verbal accusations, he had no choice but to accept the reality.

The reason for accepting the reality is not actually because of family affection and respect for the elders, but because of another reality - he can't beat the other party, completely.

"Okay, you're already awake, why are you talking so much?" Agnes avoided Ciel's angry and accusatory gaze, and then continued to accuse him, "How can you still sleep in a day like this? It’s too shameful. You are still a young man, how can you be so depressed?”

"I had something to do yesterday, so I went to bed too late...Is it already night now?" Charles defended himself for a moment, and then he looked at the small clock on the bedside with the dim light, "Wow, it's already... It’s time!”

"Did you realize it just now?" Agnes smiled disdainfully, then glanced at Charles, "Hurry up and change your clothes."

Following her line of sight, he looked down and found that his pajamas had been opened and a large area of ​​skin on his chest was exposed, and then he couldn't help but blush.

"Then you go out first."

"Come on, why are you still ashamed? I hugged you the day your mother gave birth to you. Is there anything I haven't seen about you since you were a child?" Agnes still smiled disdainfully.

But despite this, she still walked out, obviously treating her nephew who had gradually grown into an adult, she was not as completely unaware of his growth as it seemed.

"You can really bear to do it...I am a nephew after all..." While changing clothes, Charles felt that his ears were still hurting, so he couldn't help but complain in a low voice.

Although he is Agnes's nephew and has grown up under Agnes's care, due to the experience of being a human being twice, his mind is much older and he has not regarded Agnes almost from the beginning. Nice treats her as an elder.

However, his attitude of "respecting but only looking at level" has always made Agnes uncomfortable. In addition, due to the influence of his mentality, he appears to be "too sophisticated and does not have the vitality and innocence that a child should have." Therefore, Agnes Nisi was even more angry and often wanted to teach this ignorant boy a lesson.

However, even though she said that, in fact, during many years of getting along with her, Agnes also developed an inseparable bond with this child. After all, this is the bloodline left by her sister in the world, and it is also the one she has been with for so many years. I have seen the child grow up since she was a child, so many times she just speaks harshly, and of course Ciel can see that.

It is precisely for this reason that his complaints are mixed with some joy of being cared for.

Soon, he changed his clothes, then went out and walked next to Agnes.

"You look pretty good, kid!" Agnes looked at Ciel who had dressed up, and then couldn't help but laugh, "In a few years, he will be able to trick girls!"

Now his height has reached her neck. In another two or three years, he may be as tall as Agnes.

Although his winter clothes were relatively heavy, he still looked thin and tall, making him a handsome young man. Coupled with his calmness and calmness that belied his age, he was even more handsome.

"How long are you going to make fun of me?" Charles couldn't help but frown and asked.

"This is not necessarily a joke." Agnes reached out and grabbed his shoulder, "You look so much like that person, maybe you will do all the bad things like... like that person."

"That person?" Charles was slightly startled, and then he thought of who the other person was referring to. "What bad thing has he done? Have you received any information about him?"

Because he disappeared early, he didn't have much impression of his father in this life, and unlike those children who lost their fathers when they were young, he had no nostalgia for his father. This was probably a sequelae of time travellers.

"No, it's nothing." As if she realized that she had made a mistake, Agnes frowned slightly, and there was a shadow in her smile, but she quickly returned to normal, "Don't forget that he is a painter, a painter. Are there any good people in there?”

"...I always feel like you said something very offending." Charles lowered his gaze, obviously disapproving of this.

"Okay, come down with me." Agnes pushed him directly without giving him any room to think. "On days like this, it's better for everyone to get together as a family..."

Charles didn't make any resistance and followed his aunt downstairs.

Agnes came specifically to see Charles today, so as soon as she arrived at his home, she went straight to Charles' room. However, when she came down, she found that although the living room of the mansion had been decorated There were festive banners, and there were servants walking around preparing dinner, but no one from the owners of the mansion was present.

"What's wrong? Where is your grandfather?" Agnes asked.

"He has been in poor health recently and is seeing a doctor outside." Charles replied.

In fact, it was not the case. Charles knew that his grandfather belonged to a Bonapartist political organization and often held secret meetings under various names. His grandfather went out a few days ago and was supposed to be back before Christmas. As a result, something might have happened on the way and he has not returned yet.

Although he had no feelings for his father, he and the Marquis of Treville had a deep relationship. To be honest, he felt very distressed to see his grandfather working hard at such an old age. He told his grandfather several times that he would serve him, but because of his current age, his grandfather refused to let him help him. He had no choice but to watch his grandfather continue to work, and he made up his mind to replace him as soon as possible.

"It's pitiful to be sick on such a day..." Agnes said casually, but from her eyes, she didn't seem to believe this reason.

But she had no interest in politics, so she didn't intend to pursue anything. "Forget it, it's better if he's not at home. What about your sister?"

"If she is... she's probably waiting for me." As if he remembered something, Charles suddenly laughed. "She will be very surprised when you see her later!"

"This smile is so weird." Agnes frowned, "What the hell is that?"

Charles did not answer, but went up the stairs again and walked to the other side of his bedroom.

"Wait for me!"

Agnes looked at Charles' disappearing back in confusion, but soon, the boy appeared from the corner again, and behind him followed a small shadow.

This shadow has been following Charles, holding on tightly, until Charles went downstairs, she timidly popped out from behind him and looked at Agnes.

"Aunt Agnes, Merry Christmas..." she whispered.

This is a little girl of seven or eight years old, with golden hair tied into two braids hanging down to her temples, blue eyes shining, and a timid expression, just like an angel descending to the earth.

If it was a few months ago, if she hadn't learned something, Agnes would be very happy now and would rush forward to hug this angel.

However, today, when she looked at the child, her expression became unusually complicated. She stretched out her hand and then put it down.

"Oh, Fran, good evening." Finally, she just responded lightly.

However, she soon found something wrong.

The little girl wore a red cone hat with a white pompom on the top of the hat, and she also wore a bright red skirt. The skirt was made of red flannel and looked extremely bright, with only white flannel edges on the corners.

What kind of outfit is this?

Looking at this weird outfit, Agnes couldn't help but feel a little strange. She also knew that this must be the work of her nephew.

"Charles? Is this your good work?"

"Yes, aunt, this is what I made for Fran. Does it look good?" Charles picked up his sister like a treasure and showed her the outfit on her body, "It looks good, right!"

He laughed as he spoke, obviously full of a sense of accomplishment, and then rubbed his face against his sister's face.

While he was doing this, Fran's shy face showed a happy smile, which made her look even more adorable.

"It's pretty..." Although she had never seen such an outfit before, Agnes quickly judged it with appreciation after her initial surprise. "Thank you for your thoughtfulness."

"Since it's a festival, we should do something unusual." Charles smiled and replied, "I designed this specially."

"Tsk, you always focus on evil ways." Agnes said disdainfully.

"It's good to be happy, isn't it?" Charles smiled and asked back.

At this time, Fran was still sticking to his side, and the thick velvet made him feel a lot warmer.

"By the way, why did you come here tonight?" Charles suddenly remembered something, "Don't you usually spend Christmas Eve at home first, and then come to see us the next day?"

"It's boring to be at home. Anyway, it's just those few people. They might be happier if I'm not here..." Agnes looked away, "Besides, I want to spend a good holiday with you before I leave you."

The original text is available at Six # 9 @Books/Bar!

"Leaving?" Charles was a little confused.

"Yes, I may have to go far away, and it may take a long time to come back." Agnes nodded, "Of course, if I'm lucky, I may come back early..."

"Are you going to find someone?" Fran asked timidly.

"How smart." Agnes sneered at her. Although she was smiling, there was some special meaning in her eyes.

Charles didn't notice anything, but Fran seemed to have sensed some malice, and couldn't help but shrink and get closer to her brother.

Although the child was young, she was sensitive enough. She didn't know what Agnes wanted to do or who she was looking for, but from the subtle changes in Agnes' attitude towards her during this period, she instinctively felt that she no longer loved her as much as before, so she began to deliberately avoid her aunt, and even when they had to be together, she would unconsciously seek the protection of her brother.

"What a lovely child..." Looking at Fran's appearance, Agnes sighed, as if she was saddened by the scene. "How lovely."

"Have you... have you made up your mind?" Charles was slightly moved, "Do you want to reconsider it?"

"No, I have made up my mind, don't persuade me." Agnes shook her head.

Charles bit his lip lightly.

Although he often had conflicts with Agnes when he was with her, he found that he was still reluctant to let her go when she said goodbye.

"Then can you come back earlier? I hope you can come back as soon as possible." After hesitating for a moment, he whispered.

"Well! What a nice thing to say! With your good words, I will definitely come back as soon as possible." Agnes laughed, "I hope your mother and you can give me enough luck..."

In Agnes's laughter, Charles and Fran looked at each other. They both felt that their aunt's attitude was unusual, but they didn't dare to ask.

"I will miss you." Charles let go of Fran and walked to Agnes' side. "I just feel it's very sudden that you suddenly said you want to leave us..."

"It's human nature. How can people stay together forever?" Seeing Charles's true feelings, Agnes' smile slowly became a little moved. "When I'm not around, you must remember to take care of yourself."

"I will." Charles nodded, "I will take good care of my sister."

"You are like a man." Agnes was obviously also deeply touched. "Well, we should celebrate such a festival and stop talking about those depressing things."

At this time, Charles swept away the sadness just now and suddenly laughed.

"Since you said so, then let's talk about the festival." Charles' smile was a little more cunning, "On such a festival, I want to ask you for a gift."

"Oh! I forgot about this!" Agnes exclaimed, and then looked at her hands. "What do you want? I'll buy it for you."

"I don't want any gifts, I just want you to do me a favor..." Charles lowered his head.

"Well, for your mother's sake, you can ask me for something." Agnes shrugged, obviously not taking it seriously, "Just treat it as a Christmas gift. As long as I can do it, I will help you do it."

"Well..." Charles suddenly raised his head and pointed to his sister next to him, "I also made a set of clothes like this for you. Can you please put it on me too? How about it? It's not difficult, right? You can easily help with this..."

Agnes was stunned. Looking at the smiling boy, she suddenly thought of a terrible thing.

"You made a set for me? How...how do you know..."

"We have been together for so many years, and you taught me how to use a sword. Why do you think I don't know your body shape and size?" Charles looked at him strangely, "I have memorized these a long time ago, and then I learned from the tailor myself...ah..."

He suddenly couldn't say anything, because his collar was grabbed by Agnes, and then forcibly lifted up, and then pressed on the table, so that he could only scream.

"What a bastard!"

Agnes's voice of shame and anger rang in Charles' ears, accompanied by the pain from time to time.

"Aunt Agnes!" Seeing her brother being treated like this, Fran was so scared that she ran to her side immediately, and then grabbed the corner of her clothes, and then she regained her reason.

"Humph!" Agnes snorted angrily, and then let go. "So you actually came up with such a trick! Is this why you didn't sleep all night?"

"Yes, that's it." Charles reluctantly raised his body and rubbed his wrinkled collar, but he didn't feel ashamed or afraid at all. "Since it's a holiday, we should do something unusual."

Then he raised his head and looked at Agnes. "Aunt Agnes, I just want you to experience the joy of the holiday with us... together. Please agree to my insignificant request."

As Charles said, he looked at her, showing a rare sincerity.

Under such a gaze, Agnes's original arrogance slowly turned into hesitation. On such a day, what does it matter if she is a little crazy?

There must be some commemoration.

"Okay, bastard!" Finally, she cursed.

Just as Agnes took this Christmas outfit to Fran's bedroom to change clothes, there was another commotion outside the mansion.

"Charlotte, why are you here?" Charles shouted in surprise when a blonde girl walked into the living room.

This was a girl dressed in luxurious clothes. She had a pretty face, but her demeanor was a little arrogant. Although there was still some childishness between her eyebrows, she had already shown her feminine charm without omission.

However, when she saw Charles, her almost innate arrogance was slightly reduced.

"I ran away from home secretly and wanted to come to see you."

"Oh, thank you!" Charles immediately thanked the other party, "Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas." Charlotte's face flushed a little, and then she answered in the same way.

But before she could say anything else, Charles suddenly pointed to Fran next to her as if he was presenting a treasure.

"What do you think of her outfit? Is it beautiful?"

Seeing Fran's outfit, Charlotte was a little surprised at first, but soon turned into an admiring gaze.

"Hmph, it's just so-so, but I guess it's still presentable." She was unforgiving.

Fran frowned, then glared at the other person without anyone noticing.

"Then I'll prepare a set for you, too, why don't you try it on?" Charles asked with a smile.

"What?" Charlotte was surprised again, but immediately pouted, "Why should I listen to you?"

"Aunt Agnes and Fran will both wear it, and I think it will look good," Charles smiled slightly mischievously, "If you don't like it, you don't have to wear it. I'm not sure if you'll look good in it."

Charles knew Charlotte too well. She was arrogant and would never tolerate others having something she didn't have.

Sure enough, Charlotte was immediately defeated by this superficial provocation.

"I can't possibly look bad!" She raised her head and declared.

"Well, let's put it into practice." Charles laughed even more happily, and then coaxed Charlotte, "I think so too."

When Agnes appeared in the living room wearing this red and white Christmas outfit, she was shocked to find that there was one more person here, and he was also wearing the same outfit.

You really prepared it!

Agnes glared at the hateful boy.

But her anger did not scare Charles at all, because everything in front of him was simply dazzling.

The three people stood together, with different heights and expressions. Agnes, the tallest, had a serious and solemn expression, Charlotte was arrogant and hid a little uneasiness for fear that she could not compare with others, and Fran looked innocent.

However, no matter what their expressions were, they all had their own charms, just like the beautiful scenery in the painting.

I am really... too awesome!

He couldn't help laughing wildly in his heart as he planned to announce his success.

Then he raised his hands, framed them in front of his eyes, and made a gesture of taking a photo, leaving an impression of the moment in his mind.

"Merry Christmas!"(~^~)