While Charles watched angrily at the side of his friend Albert as young Jérôme Bonaparte gathered around his sister, Fran himself was worn-out over the same problem. Pen fun and pavilion www.biquge.info

When she cut the cake for everyone and got their blessings, she thought that her role was almost over for the day, so she silently shrunk aside and waited for everything to end, allowing others to talk to each other and enjoy their own fun.

But her plans were soon shattered by Jérôme Bonaparte

"Miss Treville......" said the young man in a military uniform, who had a slight hesitation, and then said with some trepidation, "Happy birthday." ”

"Thank you." Fran was a little surprised at first, but quickly thanked the other party.

"It's a big day today." Jérôme Bonaparte smiled, but could still be seen to be a little nervous, "I envy you...... Own a ...... Having such a happy family. Your brother has made a lot of effort to please you. ”

Because he had recently started learning French in order to return to China, he stumbled in French, and he looked nervous, so although he tried to compliment Fran, he couldn't make anyone happy at all.

Still, that sincerity is manifested – perhaps even more so than those who are accustomed to being courteous.

"yes, I'm grateful to him." Fran replied in a low voice, "I've always been grateful to him." ”

"You can see that you have a good relationship with him...... But it's no wonder that I heard that your father disappeared at an early age, and that he grew up with you. ”

"yes, that's it...... Back then, we weren't as high-profile as we are now, and sometimes life was quite difficult—" Fran nodded slightly, "but a happy family must first learn to forget the unfortunate things. We did forget about this misfortune because we supported each other, and sometimes I even felt that our lives might have been more worth remembering at that time......"

"It's so right that family members support each other!" As if infected by Fran, Jérôme Bonaparte immediately echoed her, "You know my situation, too...... My grandfather — well, he didn't want to recognize me, and I didn't want to mention his name — abandoned my grandmother when she was pregnant, and she gave birth to my father in a lonely situation and dragged him to grow up, a broken family that had to endure not only the inconveniences of life, but also the ridicule of others...... But she endured all this, did everything to raise the child, and my father loved her very much, they loved each other and supported each other, and finally overcame all difficulties to get to where they are today. It was because of her that I was able to get life, and the life I have today, so I really love them and am grateful to them......"

He plucked up the courage to look up, then looked at Fran with a sincere expression, "So, Miss Treville, I think our family situation is really somewhat similar, and I also believe that with love as a bond, a broken family can be very complete after all......"

His tone was very sincere, even trembling, as if he had exhausted all his strength by saying these words.

And by this time, his mind was already clear.

Fran looked at the other party in surprise, not expecting that after only meeting a few times, the other party actually had such thoughts about herself.

She didn't feel honored, and she didn't want to respond to the other person.

"Yes, that's why I love my relatives, we are so close that even outsiders can't get involved." She pretended not to understand what the other party meant, "I thought that this kind of life could go on forever, but unfortunately, some sad changes will still happen in the middle...... Thankfully, things are finally back on track, thank God. ”

Jérôme Bonaparte looked at Fran hesitantly, wondering whether she had not understood what he meant, or whether she was rejecting himself, and he wanted to ask, but he could not muster up the courage for a moment.

"I also have great respect for your brother." In the end, he decided to change the angle and shorten the distance with the other party first, "In the UK, I often hear people say bad things about him, which is very serious, but seeing is believing, and after really contacting him, I found out that the rumors are all made up by some people with ulterior motives, and they are all malicious slander." Your brother is a very powerful young man, not a few years older than me, but he is very capable, gentle and funny, very warm and easy-going to everyone, what a rare minister of state, and the most needed talent in this country! ”

Because the other party said it so enthusiastically, Fran couldn't help but smile.

Maybe he was blind, maybe he was trying to please himself, but in short, his description must have been untrue and praised, and even made her a little ashamed - she admitted that her brother was not a good person, and she didn't need to love people.

Seeing Fran's smile, Jérôme-Bonaparte became even more eager, and he went on sincerely.

"As you know, I was able to return to France by the care of your brother, so he has been kind to me, and I will do everything in my power to serve him and repay his kindness to me...... Truly, please believe that I will be the most loyal friend of the Tréville family, and I will not hesitate. ”

Although Fran had heard similar words, when the young man said them, it seemed particularly convincing, because he was not the type who was good at words, so it was more like a heartfelt word, at least Fran believed that it was from his heart.

"Thank you...... It's great that you're willing to be our friend, and as you can see, we take good care of our friends all the time. She nodded with emotion. As long as you follow my brother, you don't have to worry about your future. ”

"I'm convinced of that, too." Jérôme Bonaparte straightened his back, then clenched his fists as if he had made up his mind.

He took a deep breath before finally calming himself down. The failure of the temptation just now did not make him despair, but made him want to find out.

The brutality peculiar to the Americans, overcoming his shyness, he decided to express it bluntly once and wait for the verdict that God gave him.

"So, Miss Treville, what do you think of me as a person?" He drew closer.

"You are an honest young man and a friend of ours." Fran replied.

"No...... I don't mean that, I'm not asking you to judge me in terms of personality, but ...... From other aspects. Jérôme Bonaparte mustered up his courage and hissed, "from the point of being fit to be your closest friend." ”

Fran didn't answer, but looked up at the other as if he had asked some strange question.

"I know...... I know that I am still of humble status, unworthy of you, and do not have much wealth, and although my family has some status in the United States, it is certainly not comparable to your family......" Jérôme Bonaparte's voice trembled again because of nervousness, "but can you give me a chance?" You may think that it is irresponsible for me to say such things on such an occasion, but please believe that I am serious, and this is the most serious moment of my life...... If, if you really fancy me, I promise, I will use my life to protect you and fulfill all your orders until the moment of death. ”

He uttered these words with all his strength, and then staggered to his feet without falling, and almost closed his eyes, waiting for the verdict of fate.

However, the ruling was long delayed, there was no agreement or rejection, just a painful silence.

With trepidation, Jérôme-Bonaparte reopened his eyes.

At this time, he realized that unlike the spring breeze just now, her expression had become very serious, and even a little indifferent.

When he saw this expression, his mood sank to the bottom.

"Special ...... Miss Treville? He asked, trembling, almost like he was about to cry. Don't you want to? ”

"I, remember, I just said, I have said it very clearly." He got an answer that was clear in almost every word, "I have a family around me and I don't need outsiders to intervene, and I don't think I need anyone to break into my life." ”

"But...... But you're going to get married, aren't you......? Despite chills, Jérôme Bonaparte mustered up the courage to ask. It may seem to you, in your opinion, that I am not qualified to pursue you now, but I can assure you that I am the most sincere of your suitors, and I am even willing to go to the trouble for you! ”

"Sincerely......?" Fran almost sneered, this completely different appearance from the usual made Jérôme Bonaparte almost stunned. "You are so confident to say it to a girl who has only met a few times...... Do you know me? Do you know what I'm doing and what I want to do? How much do you know about me? No...... You don't know anything, you're just looking at my face and you're attracted, if I didn't have the face I look like now, would you tell me sincerely? I'm afraid not, right? ”

"I believe it was God's arrangement. I've only seen you a few times, but you've taken over my whole heart, trust me......" Jérôme Bonaparte explained, a little anxious. "I'm really serious, I'm a cavalryman, I've been in battle, and I know what to vouch for with my life."

"God's arrangement......" Fran smiled and pursed her lips mockingly, "it seems that God sometimes likes to be whimsical, but unfortunately He did not impress me. ”

"That is, you ...... You're not willing to agree to my request, are you? "With the hope of what happens, Jérôme Bonaparte asks again." No matter how hard I try? ”

"There are a lot of talented and well-known young ladies in Paris, you can try to talk to them, I think as long as you have your enthusiasm, then you will definitely get a satisfactory result."

If she had had a little experience in the social world, and knew a lot of the subtle rules of human affection, Jérôme Bonaparte would have been able to hear it, and this was Miss Tréville's very tactful way of reminding her that she did not want to talk to him anymore, and that the problem should be put to rest, but Jérôme Bonaparte, who had grown up in the United States and served in the desert of Texas, did not understand this, and he still wanted to get to the end and not give up until he got a result.

"But what do they mean to me? I came to France with so much effort...... Half of it is for you! "Jérôme Bonaparte tried to silence his voice so that he would not shout himself." I've never gotten that excitement like this before...... Really, it's the first time. ”

Fran frowned slightly, this kind of stunned boy is not common in the social world, and even she has some pity for the other party.

Originally, considering that he was a chess piece that his brother had managed to get back to France, so in order not to hurt his feelings, she had already said it with great reservations, but he still had to ask to the end, which was really difficult.

At that moment, she suddenly felt something, and turned her head to look to the side.

Then, she finds her brother and Albert watching her.

Although he was still calm, with what Fran knew about him, of course, it could be seen that he was furious now.

Oh, my God! Fran suddenly felt a little overwhelmed.

What if he misunderstood?

"Sir, I've already made it so clear, why do you bother to ask?" As soon as she thought of this, she no longer had any scruples, and directly pointed out the words, "If you think you can blackmail us because of this...... I'm afraid you're mistaken, I don't owe you anything, and there's no need to please you in order to make you happy, right? ”

"Yes...... That's right. Jérôme Bonaparte's eyes darkened. I don't mean to blackmail you, whether you agree or not, I hope that I can continue to be a friend of your family. ”

"Well, let me tell you, I don't want to accept your so-called love, because I don't need it." Answered categorically and threw it out without hesitation.

Jérôme Bonaparte felt a dizziness in his head, and it was only with great difficulty that he regained his footing.

The blow was huge, but there was nothing to be done.

"Well, I'm sorry, I ...... I'm annoying you, even though it was definitely not my intention. In the end, he could only smile wryly and admit his defeat tonight, "You have enough freedom to reject me, and that's your right to do so – even if your rejection today won't dampen my enthusiasm." ”

"Please douse it, because I will give you the same answer in the future." Fran still didn't show mercy.

"No, I'm going to insist, because no one can say the future, and a cavalryman can't retreat in front of a fortress." Jérôme Bonaparte, however, did not give up, "Tell me what you like, okay?" ”

Fran didn't want to answer, and now she only felt shame and anxiety, because she was afraid that her brother would be angry about it.

And even more so - how can she answer "I will like my brother"?

"We'll talk about that later." She wanted to leave.

"Please, tell me!" Jérôme Bonaparte almost pleaded.

The plea was so earnest that Fran relented for a moment.

"I ...... I like heroes, I like people who are different, people who want to be more than ordinary people......" Finally, she gave this answer. "He can do great things, and do things that ordinary people will never do!"

Like Heroes...... This answer did not exceed the expectations of young people.

"But I'm only going to ...... I'll only fight, oh my God, I'll only fight! He whispered to himself, "But you can excel in war, don't you?" If...... If I were a hero in the war, would you look at me differently? ”

Fran wanted to leave, but Jérôme Bonaparte stayed next to her, "Please, tell me!" ”

Well, it's your choice.

Anxious, Fran couldn't help but feel a chord.

"Aren't you afraid of death?" She asked, looking up.

"Not afraid, never afraid." Jérôme Bonaparte replied immediately. "I rushed against the Mexicans."

"Well, maybe it won't be long before war breaks out, and then you can try to be a hero, on the battlefield you like." Fran said in a tone that bordered on indifference, "But I'll tell you that maybe you're going to die." ”

"The thought of you looking at me differently because of this makes even death less terrifying." Jérôme Bonaparte said undauntedly, "I know that many people can say such things, but it is different. But I'm different, I mean you can do it...... If war really comes, I will run as hard as I can, and then fight the enemy desperately...... Oh my God, with your words, I wish the war would break out tomorrow! And then either come back like a hero, or lie down in a nameless grave like a real warrior! ”

"Whatever you want." Fran replied impatiently, "Anyway, when the time comes, you can do it yourself, no one can stop you." ”

"Thank you...... Thank you very much, you have shown me the way, and all I have to do is close my eyes and muster up the courage to go on. Jérôme Bonaparte's face was already red, and he bowed deeply to Fran, then turned and walked away, "I have delayed you too much, and now I can't upset you any more." ”

It's stupid.

Can't you see it?

Hmph, stupid man, if a girl really loves a man, then how can she be willing to test him with her life? Looking at his back, Fran thought to herself with a frown. (To be continued.) )