"Alexander Nikolaevich......" When she heard this man say her name, Fran didn't react at first, but she quickly thought about it. Pen @ fun @ pavilion wWw. ｂｉｑUｇE。 ｉｎｆｏ

Isn't the name of today's Russian crown prince Alexander Nikolayevich Romanov?

Judging from his foreign trade and attitude, there probably won't be anyone else, right?

Thinking of this, Fran raised her head again, looked at the young man, and for a moment did not know what to say, and finally could only hesitate to answer.

"Hello, sir."

"Well, just call me sir, you don't need to add any honorific titles." Alexander smiled slightly, "Also, please don't be nervous, I don't want to be treated respectfully as His Royal Highness the Crown Prince on such an occasion, because that would make me lose all fun." I'd be sorry if you treated me with that kind of rejection. ”

"Oh...... Hmm......" Fran still can't accept the reality, her expression is obviously a little dazed, and her words seem a little incoherent. "Well, sir, thank you."

However, although she was still confused on the surface, she was already highly nervous inside.

Why did His Highness the Crown Prince come to me? Could it be that the matter has already been revealed? It didn't look like it, if the real thing was revealed, there would be no need for him to be so pleasant, or even to see him in person.

After thinking about it for a while, Fran still couldn't think of a reason, so she decided to improvise and see what the other party was up to.

"Don't be nervous, miss, I'm really just here to have some fun." Crown Prince Alexander couldn't help but laugh deeper, but he really couldn't make people feel a little enthusiastic, "By the way, I came to see you, maybe you don't know, but you have become famous in Petersburg lately, and many people have mentioned you, and they all praise you with superlative adjectives, which makes me can't help but be curious......"

"I'm really embarrassed...... "Fran blushed slightly, "your country is truly a welcoming country. ”

"We Russians cherish all things beautiful, especially beautiful women." Crown Prince Alexander made a gesture to invite Fran to sit down, and then sat down himself, "And after seeing you today, I confirm that they are indeed not exaggerating to me, and you deserve all the nice words they have given you......"

He spoke slowly and calmly, but Fran became more and more confused and nervous, for she could feel that although His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was praising herself, she did not have much enthusiasm, but flattered herself appropriately with a social attitude, and until now she had not heard anything from the other person's mouth.

At this time, many people had already noticed the situation here, and looked at His Royal Highness the Crown Prince in surprise, and this focus of gaze made Fran feel a little uncomfortable, and she found that now Andre also looked at her nervously, as if she was very worried, and forgot to talk to the people next to her.

She secretly made a gesture to Andre, indicating that her side could handle it, and let him pay attention to his side.

"Do you like Mr. Andrei Bezukhov very much?" At this moment, Alexander suddenly asked.

"Huh? What the? Fran didn't react for a moment, and then looked at the other party in surprise, "Why do you say that?" ”

"You see, you came here at his invitation, and you seem to be very close to him." Alexander said with a little meaning, "Besides, Andrei is also a very likable young man......"

"No, I think you're mistaken, he's just a friend of mine, and although I came to Russia at his invitation, it was only because I'm a novelty lover and want to see the beauty of Russia." Fran hurriedly explained to him, "And I have to say that Russia really made my trip worthwhile. ”

"I'm glad you can say that about my country, but I still think it's a bit surprising to come to a strange country just to go out and see it." Crown Prince Alexander still looked like I didn't quite believe it, "At least it's not like the usual style of a lady from a famous noble." ”

"If you look at me with the attitude of judging ordinary people, then you can underestimate me, people are different." Fran had already calmed down by this time, and then looked at the other party rather reservedly. "I'm a painter, and my dream is to see the most fascinating places in Europe and the world, and then keep them under my brush...... And I have already begun to put this ideal into practice, and I have been to many places in France and England before coming to your country......"

"Oh! Oh! I know you've studied drawing, but I didn't expect you to love it so much! Crown Prince Alexander was visibly surprised, "I have always felt that many young ladies like you just use art as a way to add luster to themselves......"

"It's still a misunderstanding, at least a misunderstanding of me, and I really love it." Fran replied very seriously, "So I am grateful to my teacher for selflessly teaching me his drawing skills." ”

"Well, Durrenburg is a good painter." Crown Prince Alexander nodded, "At least a first-class painter, it's a pity that he left us prematurely......"

Fran didn't ask why he knew who his teacher was, his brother, as one of the most powerful ministers in the empire, must have become the focus of attention and research of dignitaries from all over the world, and of course he was also stained with his brother's light, and probably became a well-known figure - of course, this is not good news for her.

"yes, our teacher unfortunately left us, and it was a blow to me." Fran looked a little sad, "However, I will commemorate him with one painting after another, and I think his spirit in heaven will be happy to see me working so hard." ”

"I think ......so," replied Crown Prince Alexander, understandingly, "he will be pleased, and I personally hope that you will leave some outstanding works here, just as you did when you were in England." ”

"I'll definitely do my best, thank you." Fran bowed her head slightly.

"When you were in England, it seems that you went with your brother, right? At that time, Britain was very lively, and fairs were held all the time. Alexander continued, seemingly casually, "Monsieur de Treville must not be as laid-back as you, for he has a business ahead of him. ”

When His Royal Highness the Crown Prince said this casually, Fran finally understood something.

The other party approached him suddenly, obviously with some other considerations, rather than wanting to shush himself.

"I'm sorry, sir, I'm not very clear about that. My brother is a politician, but he never tells me anything about his politics, let alone anything about diplomacy......" she immediately became serious again, "and likewise, I don't ask him anything about it, because I'm not interested in it at all." Politics, diplomacy, these are the jobs of you men, I just want to live my own life...... So you don't have to knock on me at all, because I don't really have anything to tell you. ”

Such a dignified and unsparing answer made Crown Prince Alexander stunned for a moment, and in the end he could only laugh awkwardly and gently waved his hand to resolve this embarrassment.

"Hey, I don't know where you go! I'm just asking you casually, after all, there aren't many opportunities to talk to you. You can, of course, not answer my question, and I don't mean to offend you. ”

Then he looked at Fran again, "In that case, I won't go around in circles with you...... I think, even if you don't care about politics and diplomacy, you know that the relationship between France and Russia is not very good these days? ”

"I've heard people say that...... But I don't think that affects my perception of Russia. Fran smiled and replied, "I still have a good impression of this country." ”

"Yes, the current dispute is only at the government level, and in my heart, there is no reason for the people of our two countries to be hostile, especially us, the Russians, who like the French the most." Crown Prince Alexander also smiled, "And as the crown prince of Russia, I think it is my duty to make efforts to ease the tension between two countries that have a great friendship in their own right......"

Fran didn't speak now, but looked at the other party suspiciously.

"Well, you know, I'm the crown prince, but after all, I still have my father, and he is the owner of all power, so I can't go against his will to do official activities, because that would make people think that the royal family is not in harmony." Crown Prince Alexander went on to explain to her, "But as far as I'm concerned, I'm very keen to ease relations between the two countries, and I want to be friends with your brother...... So, if you don't mind, can you serve as a bridge between us and make some kind of contribution to the great friendship between our two countries? For example, bring me some oral messages and some handwritten letters to your brother - of course, all of this is private, does not involve any official form, and does not represent a formal diplomatic statement between the two countries. ”

No wonder he was tempting me all the time!

Fran finally understood that, unlike the Tsar, who had chosen to be tough on the Bonapartes, the crown prince had a good impression of France and hoped to somehow ease the tense relations between the two countries, but he was suffering from too many restrictions to move freely, so he hoped that there would be some unofficial way to do so, and hoped that the French would think the same.

He must have thought that as the sister of the Imperial Minister, he would be able to bring some kind of message, so he kept hinting at himself, and the result was ...... He did not receive any diplomatic messages at all, and could not give him a satisfactory answer.

Now he's probably going to take the initiative himself.

"I see what you mean...... she looked at her solemnly, "I'm glad to do you a favor, and whatever I want me to bring back to France, I'll take you, sir." ”

"What a clever girl!" Crown Prince Alexander sighed in a low voice, and then apparently relieved, "Well, no doubt you have done me a great favor...... I have to thank you. ”

"No, this is what I ought to do, I have been so warmly received by you and your countrymen, and I deserve to do something in return," Fran replied at once, "and this is what I am glad to do." ”

In her heart, she really didn't want the two countries to fight, but she also knew that it was inevitable.

And by this time, the prelude to the waltz had already sounded.

"May I ask you to dance along? I'm happy tonight. Crown Prince Alexander asked again.

"Okay...... Sir, I rarely dance with people, so I'm afraid it won't be pleasant for you. After a moment's hesitation, Fran finally agreed.

"By the way, since you are staying at Count Bezukhov's house, have you seen Miss Natasha of their family?" Just as he reached out his hand in front of Fran, Crown Prince Alexander suddenly asked, "We haven't seen her for a while, we miss her, she dances very well." ”

"She's at home, but I haven't seen her." Fran replied without any hesitation, "It is a pity to hear from the servant that she seems to have a very bad cold, so it is inconvenient for her to see me." ”

"I see......" the crown prince sighed. (To be continued.) )