While the younger Duke of Treville followed General La Morisier's troops and fought their way through the barricades with guns, the colonel of the National Guard deliberately concealed the fact that his cousin, who was an officer under him, did not go to battle with a gun.

And his cousin happened to be hiding in his house right now—now, even if anyone knew about Charles's escape, no one would dare to run to the Duke of Treville's palace to catch the deserters.

So, in the midst of this state of turmoil, Charles could have stayed in the Duke's palace of Treville, enjoying the safety that many people hoped for.

Just as the troops began to bombard the fortified area of the insurgents, with the Louis-Philippe Hospital as the core, the dinner at the Duke's Palace began on time as usual. Even in such a chaotic moment, the dinner at the Duke's Palace of Tréville was still very luxurious, as if it had not been affected by the outside world at all.

At this moment, however, there were very few people sitting in the seats – just the Duke of Treville and Charles.

Under the candlelight, Charles, dressed in casual clothes, picked up the wine glass and took a sip of the wine.

"It's a good wine." After tasting it, he praised it softly.

"This is the best gin we've ever made on a southern grange, and it's just 'good'?" The Duke of Trevil sat on the throne, his expression was still as cold as usual, but his voice was a little softer, "I'm old. You can't drink any more spirits, so you can drink more......"

"Oh, thank you." Charles nodded in acknowledgment. Then he took another sip, "I still can't drink more, I've been very busy lately, and keeping my head clear is more important than anything else." ”

"It's good that you know the way." The Duke nodded slightly.

"Boom!"

As the two members of the Trevill family were talking, the sound of gunfire from outside was heard in the dining room, but neither of them showed any signs of it, as if they were unaware.

After a little dinner. The Duke of Trevil finally got down to business.

"How is Monsieur Bonaparte doing?"

Of course, he didn't mean just saying hello.

"He's not bad." Charles replied in a low voice, "He thinks that General Kafenjak will help him solve his problems and pave the way for him to become president." And that's a good thing. ”

"Really?" The Duke's expression remained unchanged, and he continued to cut off a piece of quail meat with his knife, "If it were me, I would be very happy." But ......"

There was a sudden hint of playfulness in his tone.

"But what?" Charles hurriedly asked.

"Have you ever considered the possibility of the other party's fraudulent gamble?"

"Gambling?" Charles didn't react for a moment.

He looked at the Duke curiously. "What do you mean?"

"Do you really think ......" Duke Treville looked at Charles with a slight displeasure. Apparently a little disappointed by his incomprehension, "After killing thousands of people with guns, will our dear protector, General Kafenjak, still want to compete fairly with you for the presidency?" ”

Charles' heart pounded.

"You mean, they might not be on schedule? Just abolish the presidential election? ”

The Duke of Trevier wiped his lips with a napkin before answering.

"I'm not sure about that, but I've just heard a little bit of the wind that there are people who want to vote in the National Assembly after the chaos has been put to rest. The voting rights of the majority of the French people were abolished directly to increase the chances of General Kafenjak's victory. At the moment, it seems. It seems to be still at the motion stage......"

Charles was a little upset by the sudden news.

That's right, if General Kafenjak and the others are going to wash the mob in Paris once, why would he have to let these people vote in the presidential election? These people, and those who sympathize with them, if they had the right to vote, would surely not vote for him, but would choose his competitors? Moreover, these people were poor but numerous, and in the case of universal suffrage, their choice would have determined the final fate of the presidency – something that Louis Bonaparte and his comrades secretly expected.

If General Kafenjak wanted to suppress the mob and win the presidential election at the end of the year at the same time, it would seem that "simply abolishing the suffrage of all the lower classes" would be an excellent shortcut, rather than a bloodbath of the mob and then curry favor with them.

So, if he did do it, it would be a decisive blow to the dreams of Louis Bonaparte and his partymen, as would it have been to Charles' ambitions.

In the face of this huge threat and blow, Charles felt a little anxious in his heart.

After a few moments, he reluctantly came to his senses.

The established history told him that this was certainly not the end of the world.

In any case, the historical fact that "Louis Bonaparte was elected President of the Second French Republic in a popular election at the end of 1848" is unmistakable. General Kafenjac and others must have wanted to do the same, but since Louis Bonaparte still came to power in popular suffrage, he must have thwarted the plot. This shows that there is a way to solve this matter.

Moreover, it must be addressed as soon as possible so that there are no future problems.

"Don't be nervous, Charles." Duke Treville's voice was still as cold and calm as ever, "It's just a motion now, and there's still a long way to go before it becomes a reality. And even if you are in a hurry, it is useless, and you can only solve the problem by calming your heart. ”

"I see." Charles breathed a sigh of relief, then looked up at his cousin, "Tell me, then, who is advocating for this motion?" ”

"It was the gentlemen of the Party of Order, Thiers and Mr. Barro, who had asked us the royal party privately to see if we could agree to this proposal." The Duke replied indifferently, "I'm quite strange. They will serve General Kafenyak......"

Thiers, so familiar......

When he heard this surname, Charles couldn't help but feel a little moved. Thanks to the two mentors. This man was famous in later generations, and he was notorious for his murder, and he was already familiar with the surname long before he crossed over. However, after twenty years of travel, he has never had the opportunity to see him, but he didn't expect to be involved with him today because of this kind of thing.

However, Charles was also mentally prepared for this - Thiers had been a supporter of the Orleans royal family of the July Dynasty for many years, but he himself was a Bonapartist, and it was only a matter of time before the two political groups clashed and contradicted. I just didn't expect it to come so quickly.

Well, I'd love to meet you!

Charles silently read in his mind.

This worrying news has made him gradually lose his appetite. He just wanted to report the news to Louis Bonaparte and them as soon as possible, and discuss a countermeasure as soon as possible.

"Young man, think more about everything! Use your brain, don't wait for someone to remind you! The Duke of Treville admonished him again. Don't be panicked until you know when it's over. What's the point of that? ”

"Thank you for the reminder." Charles thanked him sincerely.

"It's good that you know the way." The Duke nodded, then looked at Charles again, with some inexplicable meaning in his eyes, "Have you eaten enough?" Would you like to have some more? ”

"Oh, no, I'm full." Charles hurriedly replied.

"Now that you're full, then...... Let's just deliver food to Charlotte, right? She must have been hungry. ”

"Uh......" Charles was taken aback, "what am I for?" ”

Although the duke's demeanor and tone did not change at all. But Charles always felt that he seemed to be smiling maliciously.

"Why shouldn't it be you?" The Duke replied coldly, "This happened to her. Of course it's going to be angry. Only if you persuade her, will she cooperate a little, right? And, of course, you have to solve the problems you created yourself, don't you? ”

"But......," said Charles, who wanted to say something.

"Alright, don't waste time, let's go." The Duke interrupted him directly, "My only granddaughter is starving and suffering now, and I feel very distressed now, so let's finish it early." ”

Hey, we've all eaten for so long just now, I don't see any place where you seem to feel sorry for your granddaughter, aren't they all good! Charles protested loudly in his heart, but bowed his head and obeyed the Duke of Treville's orders.

I didn't expect the Duke of Treville, who had a rigid and indifferent face, to have such potential to tell bad jokes......

"Charles, now it's time to talk to her." Before Charles left, the Duke of Treville suddenly whispered.

Charles nodded slightly.

"Okay, I'll tell her well."

"Thank you for your hard work."

……………………

Amid the incessant ringing of the sound, Charles took some food and followed the route he remembered, down the stairs and corridors, to the door of Charlotte's bedroom. He didn't knock on the door, but opened it directly with the key.

"Charlotte, I've brought you food, are you hungry now?" As soon as he entered the door, he asked directly.

"Uh......h Whining...... Woo......" Charlotte's answer was vague.

She was sitting on the bed, staring at Charles, who had just entered.

"Your grandfather is worried about you, so he asked me to bring you food just after eating." Charles closed the door and continued to smile, "That's why I'm here." ”

"Uh......h Woohoo......"

Charles put all the food on the desk in the bedroom, then walked over to the bedside, "Oh! I forgot! How can you answer me when you gag your mouth? Aha, sorry, sorry......"

Then, ignoring Charlotte's indignant look, he reached out and untied the silk scarf that was tied around the corner of Charlotte's mouth.

When hiding in the Duke of Treville's palace, out of concern for Charles' safety and fearing that Charlotte, who hated the mob, would also participate in dangerous urban street battles, the Duke of Treville instructed Charles to temporarily "quiet" Charlotte first.

It was clear that his joke did not amuse Charlotte at all, and as soon as she could speak, Charlotte scolded loudly.

"Hurry up and untie it for me! You coward, deserter, bastard! I hate you! You shameless! ”

While scolding, she struggled. Unfortunately, her hands were tied so tightly by Charles that she had been tied to the head of the bed before, so Charlotte was unable to break free despite her struggles. He could only continue to scold Charles.

I knew that I was sure that this was the result! Charles sighed inwardly.

Then, he smiled again, "Okay, don't be angry, I have to do this......"

"Don't talk to me!" Charlotte's face was still full of anger, "Go away!" You deserter! ”

"Charlotte ......"

"Go away! I don't want to see you! Charlotte was still scolding him.

Charles couldn't help but frown slightly.

"Charlotte, that's enough! Listen to me! ”

The two men looked at each other. With a distance of only a dozen centimeters, Charles seemed to feel Charlotte's breathing, which had become heavy from the violent struggle.

After the charr has become rare and severe, the prestige of previous years. Charlotte was stunned for a moment. But soon she came to her senses, but instead of scolding, she turned her head away, unwilling to look at Charles.

All right. Now I can finally say it well.

"Charlotte. You're right, I did run away from the National Guard and didn't take part in the recent fighting. Charles calmly explained to Charlotte, "But there's a reason for that......"

Charlotte still looked away, not answering him.

"The leader of my party, you know, Monsieur Louis-Bonaparte, has decided to run for the presidential election at the end of the year. At such a critical moment. I can't get involved in the crackdown, because it will affect his reputation. Influence his electoral ...... Charlotte, it's not like I left your father behind. ”

Charles explained, looking at Charlotte's fair face.

"Charlotte, I have my considerations too, think about it......"

Charlotte turned her head suddenly, her blue eyes fixed on him.

"I'm so disappointed in you."

"What?"

"You left where you were supposed to fight, you hid in my house, you evaded your obligations!" Charlotte's eyes were covered with a layer of mist, and she was obviously very dissatisfied with Charles's imminent escape, "Even my father's kind of unobtrusive guy knows what to do at this time...... And you, and you! But hidden! Out of fear of me Gaomi, you actually tied me up! At such a critical time, you are just thinking about your little self-interest, you are so disappointed in me! ”

"Self-interest? You're wrong! I'm doing this not just for myself, but for the entire Tréville family, and for you! ”

"Phew! Sling the bull! ”

"I'm not talking nonsense!" Charles stretched out his hands and wrapped his arms around Charlotte's shoulders, "Look at me!" I tell you, all this I have done is not just my personal decision, but also the decision of your father and your grandfather! They were the ones who wanted me to join the Self-Defense Forces, and they told me not to participate in the repression! ”

Sure enough, as Charles expected, after hearing the news, Charlotte's eyes widened, and she lost her mind for a moment.

However, the charr certainly did not intend to stop there.

"The Tréville brothers have been secretly one since decades ago," Charles continued to talk to Charlotte and Pan, "and they've been working together in secret, for decades." Therefore, many of our actions are actually secretly discussed, and everything is for the benefit of the family itself. Today's departure from the Self-Defense Forces is also the result of everyone's deliberations......"

Charlotte was still staring at Charles, still not recovering from the shock.

"That's right, I'm just going to tell you, in fact, your grandfather and father are not some rags, they are not loyal to Henry V, they are only loyal to their own family!" Charles shook Charlotte slightly, "What's wrong with that?" The Bourbons should have gone to the garbage heap a long time ago, and if the Bonapians were useless to us, they would have to go to the garbage heap too! For us, only Treville matters, always! Now the Bourbon family signboard is very difficult to use, so they plan to let our side use the Bonaparte signboard, so they will make this arrangement, do you understand? All this is our choice after consultation, everything is for this family! ”

Seemingly awakened by Charles' shaking, Charlotte looked at Charles with resentment.

"Liar! You must be lying to me! You're lying to me! You shameless bastard, it's not enough to be a deserter yourself. And to slander the reputation of my father and grandfather! ”

"I didn't lie to you!" Charles replied aloud. "If you don't believe it, wait and ask him yourself!"

Charlotte was momentarily speechless.

Although she still refused to believe it, she actually knew in her heart that since Charles dared to say this to her. Then what he said should be true.

How so?

How so!

In a trance, she seemed to hear something shattering.

God, grandfather, royalists, noble blood, sacred duty, the cause of His Majesty the King. Restoration of the Bourbons......

These images that have always been built in her heart were so indestructible.

How so!

Under such a huge impact, she couldn't accept such a reality for a while. Thoughts were completely confused.

"You mean, they've been lying to me all along, they're not loyal servants of the Bourbon family at all, they're just there to show others?" Tears flowed slowly. She didn't realize it. "And Charlotte de Treville, one of the poor people who was tricked by them once?"

Her voice trembled because of the excitement in her heart, and there was a hint of crying.

"Yes, that's right." Charles confessed unceremoniously and without mercy, and then added, "And they intend to continue the deception." As long as the Bourbon signboard can continue to be used, they will continue to perform......"

"How could it be...... How could it be ......?" Charlotte seemed to be completely unable to hear his explanation. All the while muttering, "No, no, my grandfather, how could he betray...... How could it be ......? ”

"He didn't betray anyone! He is only loyal to the Tréville family! Charles interrupted Charlotte's muttering, then shook Charlotte's shoulder vigorously again, "Charlotte, cheer up!" Aren't you also surnamed Trevier? Shouldn't you be like your grandfather and make wise choices? Charlotte, since we're already going to talk to you today, don't you understand? Wouldn't it be better to put aside that meaningless stereotype and continue to fight for the glory and wealth of the family? ”

"No...... No...... I don't want it" Charlotte shook her head slightly, obviously still in confusion, "No ......"

Charles wasn't particularly surprised by her reaction and answer. Of course, the New Year that has been established over many years cannot be completely eliminated in a few words, and it would be strange if Charlotte could accept everything after just talking about it.

"We're not telling you to break away from the royal party, don't worry, you can continue to be an orthodox person with peace of mind, maybe one day it will be very useful to us." After smiling reluctantly, he continued, "The reason why I am telling you all this is to let you understand that we have all this for a reason, and we believe in you, can understand this reason, and agree with us!" ”

"Yes, you all have a reason, you just hid me...... It's been hidden for a long time......" Charlotte's eyes were still choking back in tears, "Okay, I've been ...... for so many years. Does all my hard work over the years still make any sense? What am I in your eyes? Is it just a ridiculous clown? You guys...... You ......"

Charles, of course, doesn't say, "Of course I've laughed at you in secret," and he continues to comfort Charlotte.

"No, are you our relative, or mine...... My dearest friend, how could I laugh at you? You have your own insistence, and it's not about right or wrong, it's just whether there's any interest or not. ”

"Interests." Charlotte looked at Charles with a little mockery and resentment, "Yes, yes, interests, all interests, as long as it is beneficial, you can do anything." I should have known that you are not all like that? I should have known it a long time ago! ”

"No, it's not just interests." Charles shook his head slightly, then jerked away Charlotte's hands that were tied to the head of the bed behind him, and then took Charlotte into his arms, "You still don't understand?" We can't take detours anymore, we can't take risks anymore, so ...... Lolotte, listen to me and find out what is most important to you! Is it the king, or is it your relatives? ”

When she heard "Lolot", Charlotte's body suddenly stiffened. This kind of childhood nickname was abruptly used by Charles, which really made Charlotte unexpected.

"You ......"

Charles hugged him for a while before he slowly let go of his arms and looked at Charlotte with his shoulders on his hands. Look at this girl with tears on her face.

Because of the violent struggle just now, she was already disheveled, her shoulders were almost exposed from her skirt, and the large patches of white skin shook Charles's heart a little.

There is not only one person who is evoked infinite memories by the title "Lolote"!

Forget it, I can't convince you, so let's go to bedtime first. Such a terrible thought suddenly flashed through his mind.

"Lolot...... Don't risk any ridiculous kings. In my heart, you are more important than any king or emperor, don't you think so? ”

Before Charlotte could answer, he hugged Charlotte into his arms with his right hand, then lowered his head and kissed her, and then reached for the skirt behind Charlotte's back with his left hand, and the slender ribbon was slowly untied by him.

"What are you doing!" Charlotte was finally awakened and reached out her hand to stop Charles.

However, as soon as she exclaimed, her lips were gagged by Charles.

After a long time, the lips parted.

"What are you doing!" Charlotte protested to Charles dissatisfiedly, "What time is it!" Didn't you hear the gunshots outside? Why are you so ignorant of shame......"

"Lolot...... Lolote ...... "Charr still didn't stop his left hand, calling softly. "Remember? Remember that summer? Leave it out there, we've got our business ......"

At Charles' call of "Lolot", Charlotte slowly stopped resisting, and all other thoughts in her mind seemed to be dispelled.

"Charles, don't ...... like that" The last bit of reason still made her protest weakly. But how to stop the Charles, who have already begun to act?

Charles, of course, couldn't stop there, he ignored Charlotte, who was still struggling, and gently unbuttoned Charlotte's skirt and then the corset. Slowly, Charlotte's clothes were peeled off, and her fair and translucent body was displayed in front of him in this way. Charles gently pressed Charlotte to lie flat on the bed, and then pressed herself on......

Years of affection and youthful passion had now been mixed together, and he had forgotten everything, he had forgotten what he had come to Charlotte's room for, and only thought of kissing the girl in front of him and then becoming one with her. He let out an unpleasant roar, moving in and out of Charlotte's body.

“…… Well...... You...... You ...... Well...... Yes...... Bad apple! I...... I hate you...... Woo......" Charlotte closed her eyes and refused to look at the hateful man again, her mouth complaining softly, but there didn't seem to be much anger.

The setting sun poured into the room through the window, and the two young men and women were entangled, unable to separate from each other again. Just a few kilometers outside is the bloody battlefield, but in the bedroom is a spring love.

The constant roar and shouts of slaughter, as if to accompany them, they all forgot about themselves and devoted themselves to the most primitive activities of human beings.

…………………………

In the study of the Duke's Palace, the Duke of Tréville was carefully writing his letters.

As he wrote, he suddenly stopped, and a thought flashed through his mind.

It's been so long, has that little guy convinced his granddaughter?

The contents of those wines should be able to work, right? Don't waste all that good wine.

The duke, whose hair had long since grayed, sighed softly, and then continued to bury his head in writing his papers. (To be continued......)