aristocratic engagement

The prince strode towards the desk, sat down on his own, and remained silent for a while.There were only a few candles lit in the study, barely allowing people to see the road without bumping into each other, and his face was blurred in the darkness.

But even so, the thick gilt on the corners of the desk, the armrests of the chairs and various furniture gleamed in the candlelight.The vertical clock inlaid with various gemstones is ticking in the silence. Beside the sofa, porcelain and jade from the East exude a soft luster. In contrast, there are fist-sized sapphire ornaments randomly piled up in the corner. , Under the candlelight, it exudes a mysterious blue light like the ocean.

Anne looked around, silently speechless in her heart, this study was built many times more luxuriously than the Pemberley Manor.If Darcy's aesthetics is low-key luxury, the prince's taste is extremely extravagant.

Even the "ashtray" on the table is gold-plated—no, maybe it's not gold-plated, but solid gold.

Annie gritted her teeth, thinking that all the wealth she had accumulated over the years could barely compare with the value of this study.

But she broke one penny into two and used it, especially feeling that it was not enough.

"Sit down."

The prince finally spoke.

Anne finally breathed a sigh of relief in her heart. The silent prince reminded her of His Majesty the King she had seen in the gallery that day.Although one of the two is "simple" and the other is extravagant, they have completely different temperaments. At first glance, people can't recognize that they are a father and son, but when they are silent, the aura unintentionally released is as strong as coercion. It was breathless.

Darcy pulled away the two chairs in front of the desk gentlemanly, and the two sat down.

"Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, if I remember correctly, the ancestors of the Darcy family served in the army." Unexpectedly, the prince looked at Darcy first.

Darcy's face remained unchanged, and he nodded slightly.

"You have the blood of a heroic soldier in your body, Mr. Darcy, have you ever thought of reviving the glory of your ancestors?"

Annie's pupils shrank suddenly. Could it be that he already knew what Darcy had been through?This is the rhythm of liquidation?But Darcy didn't do anything out of the ordinary!

Annie held Darcy's hand under the table, and he patted the back of her hand lightly, expressing his reassurance.

"You're right. If I hadn't met Annie, I might have gone to Europa again by now." Darcy pursed his lips, "I have been traveling in Europa for the past seven years, although I am just an ordinary Gentleman who knows, although I have witnessed the war..."

"Mr. Darcy, there is no need to say more about your modesty. I know your abilities very well." The prince interrupted him unceremoniously, "France, Prussia, Austria...Mr. Darcy, the land you have stepped on Not a lot."

As soon as the words fell, Annie's face turned cold.

Darcy raised his eyes and looked at the prince across the table, and neither of them spoke for a while.

Even Anne didn't know exactly what Darcy did in Europa.Darcy seldom mentioned what he had done in the past seven years, so Anne considerately refused to ask.

This is the tacit understanding between them-never press every step of the way, but leave some space for each other.

However, the prince who just met for the second time has figured out Darcy's past, which makes people shudder.

——Since when did he start paying attention to the actions of a gentleman who doesn't even have a title?

The air seemed to freeze.

The dim candlelight also seemed to be affected by the icy atmosphere, and it rose automatically without wind, and the flickering candlelight illuminated the faces of the three of them obscurely.

Annie calmed down, thinking about what the prince meant.This is certainly a beating, but what is his purpose?What value could be exploited in Darcy, which would be worthy of his polite invitation to the study to negotiate?

army?

war!

Annie's breathing was stagnant, and her eyes were fixed on the carved patterns on the table. The thin air made her brain spin rapidly.

No matter how many calculations are made, the war that is about to break out cannot be bypassed!Annie and Darcy came to London together to push the development of the "train" forward before the war broke out.

From the perspective of a businessman, Anne knew how much benefit it would bring; and from the perspective of an English lady and a person with Prussian blood, it is also an obligation to contribute to fighting against foreign enemies.

...Wait, she has Prussian and British blood in her body, is that why?

Rommel came to England this time, traveled around, and was even able to freely enter and exit the king's "palace". What role did he play?This doubt seemed to be solved in an instant.

The candlelight flickered, and Anne woke up from her contemplation.She looked at the two people beside her, and saw that they had already looked away, looking at her inexplicably.

Annie blinked, got up, picked up a pair of small scissors from the table, and walked to the candle.She carefully lifted the lampshade and snipped the wick.

The dancing flame gradually calmed down, shaking gently.

"I understand what you mean, Your Royal Highness. I agree to your request, and I will go to Europe with Mr. Rommel in autumn." Darcy's voice came from behind, and Anne paused involuntarily after hearing it.

She turned slowly, meeting Darcy's eyes.

Darcy smiled reassuringly, and said, "But I have one condition. Before I leave, I want to see that the train project is on the right track. At the same time, Viscount Richter must be the only one who can make a final decision on this project."

The prince raised his eyebrows: "Mr. Darcy, have you never thought about fighting for a title? Or, in the army..."

"No, as arrogant as it is to say that in front of you, I don't need that."

The Darcy family has been entrenched in Derbyshire for many years, and their power and wealth have long surpassed everything represented by a title. Otherwise, how could the old Darcy stand out among the many lords and marry the young lady of the Earl's family as a manor owner?

Darcy is a calm and self-reliant person. He is good at weighing the pros and cons, and quickly found the best choice.

For him, the title is tasteless and a pity to abandon it, and he understands that since the prince has personally mentioned the matter of "joining the army" to him, it is probably impossible to refuse, so it is better to make a compromise in exchange for the smooth progress of his and Anne's plan.

As soon as he finished speaking, Annie understood what he meant.

The prince frowned.

Anne could see a vague embarrassment on his fat face.

Reminiscent of the prince's reputation of being heavily indebted, Anne and Darcy looked at each other, and tacitly answered the words flatteringly: "You are a noble duke and prince, and your status and blood alone are enough to make everyone have money bags. flock to it."

Anne smiled slightly: "You must understand how much benefit this business will bring. However, the core of this technology is hidden in my Richter New Invention Company. I dare not say whether other companies can surpass us in a short time. , but, you know, whether a company can develop, whether a country can be prosperous, the most important thing is the person who makes the decision."

The implication is that the achievements of Richter's new invention company cannot be separated from Anne, and the glory of Britain cannot be separated from the king and the next king in front of him.

This veiled flattery made the prince's brows stretch.

Even if another company acquires the technology in a short period of time, it will never be able to create a second Richter—her mind, her status as a lord, and her connections cannot be copied.

"...I am also a businessman, so I will naturally settle accounts with you." Seeing the prince's eyes flickering, Annie continued, "Since this is a business, I will definitely not let you suffer in vain."

Saying that, Annie stretched out a hand.

"5.00%?" The prince raised his chin and narrowed his eyes, seemingly dissatisfied.

Annie raised the corners of her mouth, shook her head, and said firmly, "50.00%."

The prince's hand on the table clenched involuntarily.

Annie kept smiling, and continued to nod: "I'm willing to give you half of the profit in private, and the exchange is..."

"No problem." The prince leaned back calmly, and fell on the high backrest, "You don't have to worry anymore, let go and do it!" After speaking, he raised his eyebrows slightly, and his eyes shifted to Anne's lower body : "That's a nice dress, Miss de Bourgh."

Annie listened, her eyebrows and eyes curved.

This deal is far more cost-effective than she imagined.

When he came to the hall again, the prince's attitude towards Darcy and the "Viscount Richter" couldn't have been more friendly.Anyone present with eyes could see the prince's appreciation and secret admiration for Viscount Hitt there.

In just one reception, Viscount Richter's reputation has spread throughout the upper class.

After the reception was over, when Annie walked out of the hall surrounded by everyone, she could hardly cope with all kinds of visits and door-to-door invitations.

At the entrance of the hall, Annie looked back and saw the pro-dynasty toasting her far away.

At this moment, all those who spoke harshly before gritted their teeth secretly in their hearts—I'm afraid, London is about to change completely this time!

Annie climbed into the carriage with eyes of jealousy, flattery, or disdain.

"Congratulations, today's harvest is not small." Darcy sat beside Anne, and stretched out his hand to embrace her in his arms.

Annie rested her head on his chest, sighed long and did not speak for a while.

The carriage drove slowly towards the city of London.

"But you are leaving again." Annie's voice was extremely low.

"I've thought about this day for a long time, but it's not a loss if I can use this as a condition to exchange for some benefits."

"War is too dangerous!" Annie raised her head suddenly, her eyes were filled with misty water, but she resisted it from dripping down, and blamed herself, "If something happens to you on the battlefield Things, I... what should I do? What should Georgiana do? How should I explain to her?"

Darcy sighed for a long time: "Honey, I'm not 'sacrificing' anything for you, have you forgotten, you are my partner, and this matter is also my matter."

"But—" Annie choked up.

"Besides, am I sure something will happen to me?" Darcy rubbed her hair, "I have survived safely on the front line, this time, I rarely have the opportunity to go into battle in person, don't those generals have a dead body? What a great opportunity to make contributions, and they won't give it to me easily."

Annie was silent.

It was dark at night, and on the path from the manor in the suburbs to the city of London, there were carriages of the lord's family who were attending the reception.When they reached the edge of the city, the carriages scattered in their respective directions.

The sound of horseshoes in my ears gradually diminished, leaving only the ruts of their car.

The candlelight of Louis Garden is the only star in the night.

Seeing the house getting closer, Annie turned around abruptly and pushed Darcy down against the car door.She put her hands on the sides of his face, breathing heavily, and leaned forward.

Darcy bowed his head tacitly, and put his arms around her waist.

Soft and cold lips pressed together, and Anne held his shoulders tightly.

The author has something to say: Kawen Kawen, Kaka is healthier_(:з」∠)_