Just as Crimea entered the cold and lonely early hours of the morning, Paris had just entered the early spring night. www.biquge.info Although the sky darkened quickly, the brightly lit city soon continued to illuminate the city with artificial light sources, and the colorful streets were full of people looking for fun, and in the dim light, the city's inhabitants were drunk and dreamed of death, adding a different kind of debauchery charm to the city.

In the heart of the modern city of Babylon, the Tuileries Palace is still lit up tonight, with brightly dressed gentlemen and ladies weaving between the gates and corridors of the palace, adorning the palace with their jewels.

Recently, in order to celebrate the series of military victories of the empire on the Crimean peninsula, His Majesty the Emperor and Empress have held many banquets to invite celebrities from all walks of life to the palace for banquets.

At this time, the banquet of the palace tonight is also in the grand opening, and a steady stream of guests gather in the hall of the palace to prepare for a new feast, waiting for the emperor and empress who will be dressed up to attend.

And the person they were waiting for was now in the study, listening to the report of the new Foreign Minister, Count Alexander Valevsky.

"Your Majesty, this is a draft of peace talks that we have drawn up for the Russians." In a respectful and somewhat reserved tone, the Earl handed a document in his hand to His Majesty the Emperor, "Please take a look." ”

His Majesty the Emperor took it casually, skimmed it hastily, and then put it directly on his desk.

"Yes, I'm satisfied, you've worked hard."

There was a smug look in his smile, but it was normal, after all, he had achieved something that he couldn't have imagined years ago.

Only a few years ago, he was just a pretender to the throne in exile in England, with no money and no power worth mentioning, nothing but a Bonaparte surname, no one paid attention to him, and the world seemed to have forgotten him.

But after a few years, he had become the ruler of one of the most powerful nations in the world, and with the wealth and army of that country, he had defeated another old enemy, so that they had to bow down before him.

What an amazing experience, and what a brilliant achievement!

Is there any other explanation than that God is on him?

At this moment, His Majesty the Emperor was convinced that his auspicious stars were shining, and he knew that whatever he did would go well, and the whole of Europe could only tremble and bow at his feet, and no one could resist the thunder in his hands.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty." Count Valewski duly congratulated His Majesty the Emperor again, "Now that the Russians are in the midst of civil strife, they will not be able to deal with us for a generation, and possibly for a longer time, and we can exert our power in Europe to the fullest." ”

"What's your opinion?" His Majesty the Emperor asked rhetorically.

"A Poland that may be born will need the protection of France, and although the Russians will be too busy to take care of themselves because of civil strife, Poland is still very weak, and the surrounding countries can still hurt her." "And, I think," said the Foreign Secretary cautiously, "and, I think, if we can go and become the protector of Poland, we will be able to restore the intimate ties that the two countries once had, and ...... And to get a spokesman in Eastern Europe who is in line with our interests. ”

The Emperor watched the Foreign Secretary's words silently, and there was a smile on his face.

He knew that the Foreign Secretary's advice was not only for the benefit of France, but also for some emotional considerations—after all, he was the illegitimate child of Emperor Napoleon and his Polish mistress.

However, at this big time, he didn't debunk the other party's thoughts, but just nodded indifferently.

"I'll think about it."

Then, he immediately changed the subject.

"Is there any news from the front? Is Marshal Tréville feeling better? ”

"I ...... I am sorry, Your Majesty. As soon as he said this, the minister's expression quickly changed from excitement to sorrow, "I have just received a telegram, and the marshal's physical condition has ...... It's already very bad, and it's very likely to ...... In these two days, it will return to the arms of God. ”

"Is that so?"

His Majesty's eyes widened in slight consternation.

But soon, he returned to normal, Marshal Tréville was nearly eighty years old, it was the end of his life, and now he was going to the front tirelessly, and it was normal for his energy to be exhausted, and he had already made mental preparations.

It's just that when he really confirmed it, he still felt a little sorry in his heart.

Marshal Treville was a loyal general of His Majesty the Emperor, and in the process of his return to France to regain power, the marshal also played a great role. After he became president, he also served the Bonaparte family in the saddle and horses, eventually helping him restore the empire and ascend to the throne of emperor.

His Majesty the Emperor is also very grateful for his loyalty and merit.

However, during these years, the expansion of the Trevill family's power could not help but make him feel a threat. Grandpa is a marshal, a veteran of the army, and grandson is an imperial minister, powerful, and the combination of the two is enough to make any emperor suspicious.

It can even be said that the Tréville family has unexpectedly turned into a group of forces that even the emperor finds quite tricky. Although he hoped to continue to use their abilities to exert his political strategy, His Majesty the Emperor also began to secretly guard against them in his heart.

And at this time, Marshal Tréville can be said to have gone at the right time, he has climbed to the peak of honor, but he can no longer threaten the power of the emperor, and after he is gone, the Trevill family will not be so terrible. Thinking of this, His Majesty the Emperor couldn't help but feel a little faintly happy in his heart.

That being the case, he spared no hesitation in giving the highest honor to those who were not threatening, in order to inspire others to continue to serve him

"Hey...... Fate is a trick. His Majesty the Emperor let out a long sigh, "Originally, I wanted to hold the grandest triumphal ceremony for the marshal, so I couldn't see him again?" It's brutal. In that case, let's hurry up and give him the honor we deserve, lest we miss it! ”

"Your kindness is touching, Your Majesty." The Count immediately echoed His Majesty.

Since he has achieved such a brilliant victory with the expeditionary force, the emperor naturally wants to give the marshal the highest reward for a soldier, and the imperial government has already begun to prepare to reward the whole army in the triumphal ceremony of the marshal's return to China, but now it seems that it will not be able to wait for that time.

Of course, the foreign secretary has no intention of objecting, and he has a good relationship with the Tréville family, so he naturally hopes to continue to form a good relationship.

"I will promote him to the rank of Generalissimo, and confer on him the Order of Honour," said His Majesty the Emperor, looking down, word for word, "and I will make him a duke, and as for the title ......"

When thinking of this, His Majesty the Emperor hesitated slightly. Originally, these things could be prepared slowly, but now the marshal's body has no way to wait, so he has to hurry up.

According to the style that the Napoleonic emperor was accustomed to, he would use the place of victory as an emblem and award it to those generals who led their armies to win important battles, such as Sirte was the Duke of Dalmatia, Davout was awarded the Duke of Olstedt, Ney was awarded the Duke of Erchingen, and so on, so His Majesty the Emperor began to think about what title to give Marshal Tremville.

"How about being called Duke Kerson?" His Excellency the Foreign Minister looked up at the Emperor, "Sevastopol was called Kerson in ancient times. ”

"Duke Kerson......" His Majesty the Emperor subconsciously repeated, and then nodded suddenly, "Okay, just use this!" Go and draft the telegram, and send these honors and insignia over while everything is still in time. Hey, poor old Victor! ”

"It is already his greatest honor to be so much missed by you, Your Majesty." The Foreign Secretary bowed deeply and exited the room.

And immediately after the departure of the Foreign Secretary, His Majesty the Emperor also left the study, and went to the hall that was already full of friends, and threw himself into the flashy and brilliant lights.

It will be one of the most glorious moments of his life.

His Majesty's commendation order, through the cold ticking of telegrams, soon reached the Crimea, thousands of miles away, and was nervously translated by the translators into the plaintext command, and then handed over by the commander's attachés.

By the time the telegram finally reached Charles, it was early in the morning.

And it didn't make time in the end, and just two hours earlier, Marshal Trevier, having stopped breathing for good, had passed away with wishes for his grandchildren.

The old man was lying peacefully on the bed, his expression calm and a little relieved, if it weren't for the fact that his body was gradually becoming cold, there was almost no difference from falling asleep.

But for the two people sitting beside him in a daze, the world has become completely different.

Charles took the message from the attaché and took a cursory look at it.

Generalissimo, Legion of the Order of the Highest Honor, Duke's title...... These things are so coveted by the world.

But the man who was going to receive all this is gone, and he will no longer be blessed to receive these dazzling honors.

However, the title of nobility can be passed on after all, and even if the marshal dies, the duke title he received will remain.

Because his son Edgar has been missing for many years and can be legally judged dead, according to the inheritance law, at this moment, Charles has become the second Duke of Kerrson.

Duke...... It is so dazzling to say, it is one of the most glorious titles of the empire, but at this time, Charles is not the slightest excited, but only feels uninterested.

If that was the price of having to see the old man go, he would rather never have such a thing.

But what's the point of saying that now? Those who have left will be gone forever and will never come back. Thinking of this, Charles couldn't help but look at the old man again, and tears welled up in his eyes again.

As a minister, as the grandson of a marshal, it was obviously very inappropriate to show such an emotional appearance, but when that heartfelt sorrow came to his heart, Charles forgot all about his manners, and could only vent his grief in the most primitive way of human beings.

However, the dead are dead after all, and the living still have their lives and the paths they must take.

Charles suddenly felt someone hug him from behind, and although it was very strong, it was very tight.

"Go and rest, sir. There's so much more to do...... "Fran's voice was still a little crying, "We, we still have to take grandpa home." ”

Her call made Charles's sanity gradually clear.

yes, there's so much to do, and it's time to take a break.

He turned around and looked at his sister, looking at her haggard face, and couldn't help but reach out and gently rub his still smooth cheeks. "You can go and take a break, too."

Charles, who had not slept all night, stumbled to the side of the marching bed in the corner of the ward, and then lay down on his own.

However, as soon as he closed his eyes, his grandfather's voice and smile appeared in his mind, and then he felt a sharp pain in his brain and heart, and he couldn't sleep. I don't know how long it took, but the exhaustion from his heart finally made him fall asleep groggy.

For the next few days, Charles lived in a groggy state, carrying out his tasks mechanically, and handing over the army to the general who succeeded Marshal Tréville, whose sleep was so erratic that day and night were reversed, that he became much haggard.

And after a few busy days, most of the affairs were finally explained by him. And Marshal Trevier was also put into the coffin by him, ready to return home with him.

They took the Napoleon, the flagship of the Treville command, a mighty and magnificent battleship that had carried the marshal from the mainland, through Gallipoli, Varna, all the way to the Crimea in high spirits, witnessing the Commander-in-Chief's victories, witnessing his honor and glory, and now it will return to his homeland with the Commander-in-Chief, as he did when he came.

Since the fighting with the Russian army had ceased to be fighting, the Anglo-French troops were free, and the farewell to the marshal became a grand and unprecedented, and almost every unit sent its own representative to the port of Balaclava to see the departure of the French commander-in-chief.

The flags of each unit were unfurled in the sea breeze, and the incessant sound of guns and cannons further represented the reverence of the soldiers for the commander who led them to the final victory.

As in the bid farewell to Marshal Raglan, the marshal's coffin was towed to the harbor by a gun carriage, where it was unloaded from the gun carriage and carried to the battleship.

At the moment when the coffin was transported onto the battleship, the British and French warships surrounding the harbor, and even the artillery on the shore opened fire at the same time, and the huge roar made the entire sea begin to shake, and the military band also began to play military songs, such a grand scene, so that everyone present will never forget.

But for Charles, these grand scenes did not mean anything, he just wanted to leave quickly, and set out on the journey to send his grandfather back to his hometown, and he wanted to bury him in the family cemetery, just like the Duke of Treville who had done before.

In his anticipation, the ship finally started slowly in the midst of the incessant sound of cannons, and with the departure of this battleship, there were also a large number of transports and frigates, at this time, these ships were all with towering masts and full sails, as if weaving a white curtain on the sea, what a grand scene!

A generalissimo leaving the world deserves this scene.

For the sake of etiquette, the marshal's coffin was stored in the captain's quarters, where he had been living at the time, and the surrounding cabins were also emptied so as not to disturb the marshal's spirit in heaven. Charles stayed in the cabin next to the coffin, staring blankly at the endless sea.

The surroundings are very quiet, only the sound of the sea resounds, the gentle swaying of the Mediterranean, not so much the waves, but the intimate caress of the sea god, the rocking of the boat, for Charles, who has gradually become accustomed to riding the boat, not only can not bring much freshness, but only adds to the loneliness in his heart.

He stared blankly until the sky turned from light to dark, and finally he couldn't see anything clearly, and then he withdrew his gaze.

There are still a lot of things for him to worry about, but the exhaustion and sadness in his heart make him prefer not to think about anything, and wait until he returns to China, now he just wants to go through every day like this.

Just as he was about to fall asleep, the door suddenly opened, and the sound of soft footsteps reached his ears.

Even without the help of lights, Charles knew who was coming, and in the current environment, she was the only one who could live in the cabin next to the coffin, and only she would come to her without fear of angering His Excellency.

"Are you feeling better now?" Charles asked without looking up.

"How can it be so good?" Fran smiled bitterly, walked in front of Charles, and then threw herself directly into his arms, "Sir, I haven't slept well for the past few days, and I always think of grandpa in my mind......"

"Me too." Charles smiled bitterly. "Although I have been mentally prepared for a long time, when I really met it, I realized that I was more vulnerable than I imagined."

"You're not vulnerable!" Fran hurriedly said, "Grandpa has loved you so much since you were a child, if you don't have any grief, that's ...... That's heartless. ”

"Doesn't he love you just as much?" Charles still smiled wryly.

"Yes, he loves me too......" The words inadvertently stung Fran and made her eyes suddenly flash with tears, "He loves us too much, and I ...... And I never reciprocated him, but ...... again and again Disobey him again and again, and make him angry......"

At this point, she couldn't hold back any longer, she cried out, and then hugged Charles, "Sir, I'll go to hell ......!" ”

"I'll go too, so don't be afraid." Charles sighed, then gently stroked her fine hair.

"Hold me tight, sir!" Fran was still crying, and there was a little more pleading in her tone, "I have only one of your relatives left!" You are the only one left in the world who deserves my attention. ”

Charles subconsciously stretched out his hand and tightly protected each other, and when the two people were tightly pressed together, he felt a heartfelt warmth.

Yes, this is my dear relative, and we have been dependent on each other for twenty years.

"I never thought that Grandpa would end up being so magnanimous, you know, he rarely forgives, but he said that...... How he loves us! Fran poured out in Charles' ear, "When I think of this, my heart ...... My heart is like a knife! Sir, I almost sacrificed my grandfather's love for you, but he forgave me in the end. ”

"It's forgiven us." Charles let out a long sigh. "From beginning to end, he didn't think about it in a selfish manner, he did it all for us......"

"yes, it's me who is selfish, I'm so selfish, I'm ...... I've sinned heinously, but sir...... Mr...... What can I do? That's the only way I can go! Fran's tears were still flowing, wetting Charles' clothes, "I tried to die, but God and you won't allow me to die, so I'm ...... So what else can I do? ”

"Don't say that again, if there's a mistake, it's not you who is at fault, it's our common fault." Charles comforted the other, "In that case, let's bear the sins together, I'...... I won't let you suffer in this guilt alone, didn't Grandpa forgive us in the first place just to free us? ”

"Sir...... Fran looked at Charles with wide eyes, she never expected Charles to say that.

"Yes, he has freed us and blessed us." Charles kissed her lightly on the forehead, "We, our path is no longer in the way...... As long as you haven't changed your mind, I will always take care of you, love you, and accompany you to the end. ”

Charles himself didn't expect that he would say this, but when he said it, he felt a heartfelt sense of pleasure.

Perhaps, these words are exactly what he hides deep in his heart and wants to say the most.

I don't want to care about anything, just let me ...... Just let me be willful. He thought to himself.

"Sir, brother...... That's great. The great sense of happiness made Fran close her eyes and her cheeks redden, "Great! We'll be together forever and ever, never again...... There is no one to separate us anymore. I love you and I'll never change my mind! ”

The brother and sister hugged each other like this, and the two hearts seemed to merge.

With this hug, Fran's breathing became more and more rapid, and she suddenly reached out and grabbed her brother's neck, and then kissed him directly.

Charles was initially a little stunned, and then immediately, he also responded enthusiastically to his sister's enthusiasm, and he stuck out his tongue and intertwined the ** in his mouth with her.

It may have been a century before the lips of the two men slowly parted, and Fran still stared at each other intensely, as if afraid that the dream would suddenly fade.

After watching it for a few seconds, she resolutely kissed it again, and the two of them indulged in a warm kiss again.

They kissed on and off, forgetting the passage of time, and with these kisses, a girlish blush appeared on her beautiful face, and the original exhaustion and haggard were swept away, and only a happy smile remained, a smile that could make people indulge.

"Let me go to heaven." She said suddenly. "For now, I have only one wish, please ...... Please satisfy me! ”

Charles froze.

Of course he could hear the code, but ...... It's one thing to kiss, that's another, they're still next door to Grandpa's coffin! He had never thought of such a crazy thing.

He rediscovered the determination and terror hidden beneath her feminine exterior.

In a sudden panic, Charles immediately tried to push Fran away, but his attempt was unsuccessful, because she hugged her too tightly and tightly, because the two of them were too tight, so Charles only felt that she was hot, almost like she had a fever. And at this time, he felt even more that he had a terrible reaction.

"We ...... Shall we come back home? Charr said almost pleadingly, "I...... I promised that I wouldn't go back. ”

"No, no!" Fran looked up and looked at her brother with a determination she had almost never seen before. "Sir, I ...... I've been waiting for this day for twenty years...... I won't wait another day and I won't let you go...... You...... You can't run away...... Please love me, love me! ”

As she spoke, her hand groped for Charles's chest, unbuttoning it all the way, and then slowly slid it down.

Charles's breathing became rapid, and with the slender hand rubbing against his chest, and the feeling of the towering peaks brushing against his body, he only felt his reason slowly drift away.

With such a beautiful woman and such genuine love, how could he really resist it?

Almost inadvertently, the skin of the two people was pressed together.

"Listen, listen, how fast this heart beats." Fran's tone became so soft that Charles could barely hear her original voice, "It's all beating for you......"

This kind of seductive look is something Charles almost never imagined.

Has she grown this big...... When did you grow up?

He didn't have time to worry about it, and he stretched out his hands around the other's waist.

Then, with a painful snort, the warm bodies of the two people suddenly merged together.

The sound of the sea crashing against the bottom of the boat is like a soft music to accompany this intimate and beautiful dance drama.

And in the quiet of the night, the magnificent sailing ship still sails, as if forever.