Because it was in the middle of the woods and was a bit remote, the roar of the factories in the distance did not come here, and there was silence all around, except for the sound of cicadas and knocking on the door echoing in the empty space.

This is the residence of Princess Kadion, who had visited her once when she had come here with her brother just a few years earlier, and had been warmly welcomed by her.

After a few knocks on the door, Fran politely stood in the doorway and waited.

After a while, the silence was finally broken, and a middle-aged woman wearing a maid's apron opened the door, and was stunned for a moment when she saw that she was actually dressed in a fancy dress that did not match the rural environment at all, and only recognized her after a while.

"Treville...... Miss? She looked at Fran in amazement.

"Well, it's me, good afternoon." Fran bowed to her gently, "I'm here in Giverny today, and I want to ask - is Her Royal Highness the Princess here?" I'd like to visit her if I'm there. ”

"In ...... Yes, it's just a nap now. The maid was stunned for a moment, then nodded repeatedly, "You come in first, I'll go and inform her immediately!" ”

Then she welcomed Fran in, told her to wait in the drawing-room below, and to rest, and then she ran upstairs at once, apparently to inform the princess.

Soon, the maid ran down again, signaling that she could go up to meet the princess herself.

Fran followed the maid up.

Compared with the last time I came, the layout here is still about the same, and I don't see much change, but the original color here was a little dull a few years ago, and now it looks even more decadent, leaving only the atmosphere of being abandoned by the time lock.

The design and materials are still excellent, but you don't feel much temperature.

In the gloomy room, the princess sat in the reception room and smiled at Fran.

Because she was wearing a black dress, she seemed quite suitable for the atmosphere here, but in Fran's opinion, she was much older than she had met before, the whiteness of her temples was more obvious, and her complexion was not very good, and she seemed to have been overwhelmed by some worries recently.

However, when she saw herself, her expression was full of surprise, and it seemed that she really welcomed the arrival of this Miss Trelville.

"I'm glad to be able to visit you again, Your Highness, and I hope it doesn't bother you." With the thought in her heart, she respectfully saluted the other party.

"You may be seated, miss." The princess smiled, "You didn't disturb me, I have been living in seclusion in this kind of place, and it is a great honor to be remembered by you, please sit down, let me take a good look at you and feel the breath of the outside world." ”

Her face was very pale, maybe because she had been in seclusion for too long, or maybe she was too excited?

There's no way to tell.

"How are you lately?" Fran sat down obediently, then looked at the princess.

"Well, I'm in good health right now, and I can even say it's so good, God still won't call me over sooner." The princess replied with a slight quip, "Thank you for your concern, but what about you?" ”

Before she could reply, she suddenly laughed again, "Looking at your current complexion, you look very happy...... It's so much better than the last time I saw you in Paris, and it's so gratifying. ”

The last time they met in Paris, the princess met Fran in the box, but left in a hurry without saying a few words, and she had gone to Paris to see her old lover, Fran's father, Edgar.

Poor man, she probably doesn't know what happened after that, does she? Fran thought to herself.

"I am indeed much healthier than I was then, Your Highness." With an inexplicable pity, she nodded slightly.

"I heard that your grandfather was bothering to find a marriage partner for you, didn't ......? Now that you're so happy, could it be that he's found it? The princess was still joking.

"Actually, I don't need him to come looking for him, because I already have a sweetheart, and I've always had him, and I'm crazy to want to be with him all the time." Fran replied in a low voice, "Despite all the twists and turns and obstacles ahead, I want to ...... I'm going to get what I want. ”

"It looks like it's love!" The princess's eyes widened and she looked a little shocked, "Poor boy, this road is really difficult to walk!" Judging from your description, it seems that in the eyes of your grandfather, he is not a suitable person, right? ”

"Well, my grandfather strongly disagreed with my request, completely disagree." Fran nodded, "Of course his thoughts can't sway me, I'll stick to it." ”

"Poor boy!" The princess sighed, "He's not a nobleman, is he?" Hey, in this day and age, why bother to insist on such a boring and meaningless barrier? Adults should like it...... Don't be afraid, child, if your grandfather doesn't agree, I'll fully support you and I'll help you with whatever you need me. ”

Then, as if thinking of something, she burst out laughing, "Then should I call you Miss Treville or Mrs. Murray?" ”

"We have no intention of directly creating a fait accompli." Fran's face flushed, and then she immediately changed the subject, "Madam, I didn't come to you today to ask for help, but to figure out something and tell you something......

"What's the matter?" The princess was a little strange.

"I'd like to ask...... Excuse me...... "Fran hesitated for a moment, then finally reassured, "I've heard rumors that you and my father are ...... Well, there have been personal affairs in the past, right? ”

When she heard this question, the princess's face suddenly sank.

She hesitated, not knowing how to answer, but under Fran's staring gaze, she realized that she could not tell a lie.

Hey, what's the point of lying?

She nodded slightly, "Yes, we had a personal affair...... But it didn't last long, and it didn't delay your brother and sister's life, so please forgive me...... Forgive us for our momentary confusion. ”

"I haven't met my father a few times, but I've vaguely heard him mentioned many times...... They all say that he was bohemian in his early years and had affairs with many women, so even if you ...... Even if you have been tempted by him, I will not blame you for it, so rest assured. "Well, then, having said that, I would like to ask you one more thing—did you, and him, have left any children?" ”

"Nope! Absolutely nothing! As if she had been electrocuted, the princess suddenly raised her head and shouted, "This is outright slander and slander, miss, whoever says this to you, please don't believe it...... This is a slander that has no basis in fact! ”

However, from her violent reaction, Fran came to another conclusion—or rather, confirmed her original conclusion.

"But the person who said these things didn't seem to be joking, she told me that I was not a child left by my father and mother." Fran closed her eyes slightly, "I brought it in from the outside." ”

"Who?!" The princess shouted as if she had made her an enemy. "Who's telling you these stupid things? Don't believe a word!! ”

"But it's hard for me not to believe her." Fran shook her head, not swayed by the Princess's violent reaction, "After you and I met, that D-Nordlien once approached us and told us some facts......"

She sighed softly, "She said that you and my father had an affair and ...... And I am not the mother's child, the real child has been buried with the mother. The reason why she said that...... It's not that she's guessing, but because, because ...... Because she really dug up her mother's grave and found the remains of a baby, anyone in the same situation would believe that it was her mother's real child, right? If she had made it clear to me, even I would have believed her. Later, I met my father again......"

"You saw him?" The princess exclaimed again.

"Yes, I ran to him when he was chased by Agnes and finally rescued, and asked him about these things, and he ......" Fran paused.

"What did he say?" The princess immediately asked, forgetting how strange her behavior was.

"He said I was his daughter, but not my mother's daughter – that is, the father was still the father, and the mother was not the mother." "He wasn't joking," replied Fran with a peculiar calmness, "and he replied to me very seriously, and I don't think a father would make such a joke with his daughter, would he?" So...... I roughly understood that I was not legally legitimate, but that I had secretly taken the place of the lucky one to be the rightful heir by virtue of my mother, well, I don't know if I could call her mother, and the death of her child...... This reality is cruel, Your Highness. ”

"yes, very cruel, very cruel." When she said this, the princess stopped arguing, and just muttered to herself.

"But even if it's cruel, I have to face it, and I want to know the truth - who gave birth to me? So...... I'm going to ask about my father's old lovers, ...... You are the first. Fran said.

"Why am I the first?" The princess asked rhetorically.

"Because based on what I know now, you're the most likely person." Fran looked up at the other person, "It's all the more because, if I have to accept this fate, I'm ...... I hope that at least you are the one who gave birth to me...... At least that's a little more acceptable. I'm sorry I asked you such an impertinent question, but if what I'm asking has nothing to do with you, please don't take it to heart, just treat me as nonsense, I'll leave immediately, and I won't talk about anything like that again. ”

"Silly boy, what a silly boy!" However, this time the princess did not deny it, but she sighed bitterly, "Why do you have to find the root cause? Why can't it just be as if nothing happened? Agnes can't destroy your position, you just have to enjoy your position in peace! ”、

That is to say...... You confess......" Fran lowered her gaze.

"Now, what's the point of not admitting it?" The princess smiled wryly, and then looked at Fran again, only this time there was no more concealment in her sight, but complete love. "Kid, you don't know how happy I was when you came to me!"

"I'm also very happy, although I didn't know the details at the time, but I really feel very close to you." Fran nodded, "It's okay, it's a blessing in misfortune." ”

"Son, I don't know what you're going to think of me when you learn about it, whether it's love or hate, but ...... Would you like to give me a hug, if you'd like? A little tear suddenly appeared in the princess's eyes, "I've always wanted to tell you I'm sorry, but ...... But I really don't dare to say it! ”

"Actually, you don't need to say sorry, I believe you are doing this for my good...... And you have given me a whole new life. Fran stood up, then walked up to the princess, "I'm just sorry, I'm ...... I'm really not used to calling Mom, I haven't called anyone in so many years, and I really can't call it now. ”

"It's okay, it's okay," the princess's tears finally couldn't help flowing, and then suddenly hugged Fran's waist, "Child, I'm sorry, I'm sorry......"

Fran stood quietly like this, letting the princess burst into tears, and to be honest, even with her will, she still felt some pity at this time.

However, the determination has been made and there is no further hesitation.

When the princess's tears gradually stopped, she looked at the princess again.

"Now I know most of the things I want to know, but I have one more question for you......"

"What's the matter?" The princess asked, sobbing.

"Is I the only child born to you and your father, or is there someone else, do I have an older brother outside?" Fran endured the lingering thoughts in her heart, "Could you please tell me the truth?" I think...... I have the right to know the truth. ”

"Oh God! My God! The princess cried out, "Please, spare me, spare me!" ”

Being tortured like this in front of her own daughter, what woman would endure it?

"Is there such a boy? He's been fostered outside by you, and he's grown up healthy, and he's known about his origins—" Fran continued to ask, though his heart was a little sour. "Later, he used to go under the pseudonym Ezreal ****** and returned to France, right?"

"He's really looking for you...... This stupid boy, I've told him so many times, why didn't he listen! The princess's tears flowed again, "It's best that everyone doesn't destroy their lives......"

"He's a nice guy, he's very upright, and he loves me very much, and I'm very grateful to him." Fran whispered, "Thank you for his attention." ”

"He's always been like this, it's just that his integrity is excessive!" The princess smiled bitterly, as if complaining and praising her, "You must blame us, right?" You were just born at the time, but so many terrible things happened, Edgar said that for the sake of your future, just let you replace the child that Alice miscarried, I ...... I thought about it for a long time, and finally agreed, because you know, if a boy is an illegitimate child, how many chances does he have to make a career on his own, but a girl is an illegitimate child, and she has no property, no parents, and no blessings in this life...... What should I do in this life?! So I agreed to Edgar's offer and asked him to bring you back, and since he knew about these things, he has always wanted to help you in any way he can, so that you can live happily. You don't know how many tears I secretly swallowed for you, but fortunately, your grandfather and brother also love you, and they have always taken good care of you...... Really, I'm relieved to see such results. ”

"Really? I am also glad to be able to receive your blessings. Fran replied calmly.

If it was a normal relationship, of course, the princess could see that Fran was strange, but now that she was full of excitement, how could she hear the strangeness?

"Yes, so please don't complain, you are very happy, so many people love you and bless you, you can have everything, just like a princess! Live your life well, forget about us, and be your well-deserved Miss Treville, no one...... No one can take away your happiness, not even Agnes! She's trying to deal with Edgar, it's understandable, I can bear it, but if she wants to deal with you... I'm going to give her a taste! Although the dynasty has changed now, I still have some old friends after all. ”

Her comfort, her earnestness, was so real that Fran couldn't help but be moved for a moment, and she stood by with her head down, listening quietly.

"By the way, I want to ask, where is Iza now? It's been a long time since I've heard from him, and I'm very worried about him. Really, such an old young man, he didn't even know how to write a letter to his mother. The princess asked suddenly.

"He was seriously wounded by a shot by me, and then he was sent to the Americas, and he probably can't come back now." After a long silence, Fran replied in a strange tone, "I'm here today to tell you about it, in addition to asking about it. ”

The princess's eyes widened again, and she looked at Fran as if she were looking at otherworldly creatures.

"You...... What did you say? ”

"I shot him and sent him to the Americas." Fran continued to repeat, every word like a hammer, shattering her mother's fragile heart.

The princess was so dizzy that she almost fell to the ground.

"You...... You ......"

"I want to say I'm sorry, but I know it's useless to say I'm sorry, and I'm not doing it because I'm crazy, it's because I have a reason." Fran held the princess and whispered in her ear, "I had to do it, though I don't think you and he would necessarily understand me. ”

"You...... Why are you so cruel! The princess finally reacted and yelled at her.

"Is it cruel? Maybe. Fran smiled wryly, "But someone told me that sometimes we have to be cruel, even though we don't like cruelty. ”

Then, she glanced at the other calmly, "I have no choice but to do this, but of course I don't want him to die or suffer a great calamity like this—now that he is in America, penniless, I am afraid that he will be miserable, so I would like to ask you to go to the Americas to find him, rescue him, and save him from this misfortune, after all...... After all......"

"He's your brother! How do you do this! The princess asked angrily.

Then, she stood up anxiously, glancing around as if she had been shot.

"That's exactly what I want to say, I already have an older brother and don't want another one anymore." Fran replied calmly, as if it weren't her who was questioned, "I'm grateful for his help, but I'm sorry I can't repay you." Right now...... I suggest you go to America as soon as possible, find him, and help him. ”

"I'll go!" The princess replied bitterly, "I will go...... I'll be there soon! ”

Then she looked at Fran with a look of bewilderment and disgust and hatred. "I really didn't expect you...... You'd do something like that......"

"I have to make a choice, Your Highness." Fran sighed.

"No one asks you to make a choice, everyone wants you to live and live happily as a young lady of the Trevill family!" The princess was so angry that her whole body trembled. "No one will get in your way, and no one will want to get in your way!"

"It's not a question of getting in the way or not...... All in all, now that I've confirmed it to you today, it's pretty simple to do. Fran bit her lip tightly, then suddenly raised her head, "Your Highness, please let everything be sealed in dust, as if nothing had happened, and if you do find Mr. ******, please tell him that I don't want to have anything to do with Mr. ****** again, and please stop approaching us for any reason and doing things that harm us, and please restrain him from doing so." ”

"Good...... Good...... That's what you're asking for? Is this the punishment God has given me? The princess laughed instead, "Yes, don't worry, we don't want to lose your wealth at all, and we don't want to have anything to do with you, you can live your life well!" Since God wants to punish me for the sins I have created, I ...... I'll take it silently. ”

Then, she pushed Fran away and rushed to her bedroom.

Soon, she returned, holding a picture frame in her hand, and threw it in front of Fran. "This is the painting you left here last time, please take it back today, I ...... I am not blessed to have your work, may you be happy! ”

Fran almost burst into tears at the sight of her expression, but she endured it.

Yes, since you want such a result, wouldn't it be ridiculous to cry and cry again?

She silently took the painting into her arms, and then owed it. "I wish you happiness, Your Highness, goodbye, I won't bother you, I'm very sorry to disturb you."

Until the end, she finally couldn't harden her mind and tell the princess that her father had been killed. (To be continued.) )