While Edmond Dantès and Mercedes were having a long conversation, Agron waited outside with Teresa and ordered that no one should disturb them.
He knew that on this issue, Mercedes' words would carry more weight than his own.
After a long time, the door of the study room was reopened, and then, under the guidance of the attendant, Edmund returned to Aiglon.
Aiglon took a look at the current appearance of his favorite minister - now, his eyes were blurred, his face was pale, and there was some redness and swelling at the corners of his eyes, as if he had experienced some kind of separation.
But even so, he didn't seem lost, but rather seemed to have made up his mind.
"It seems that you are going to come over and give me an answer, Edmund." So Aigron spoke first, "So, what is the answer?"
"Your Majesty..." Edmund bent down deeply to show his respect for Aigron, "You have thought so carefully for me and have put so much effort into it. I cannot violate it either emotionally or rationally.
Therefore, after careful consideration, I have decided to accept the proposal of the Marquis of Noirtier."
His voice was very soft, but without much hesitation. It was obvious that Mercedes had completely convinced him just now.
"Very good, Edmund, you really did not disappoint me." Aiglon smiled, and his voice became extremely soft, "I know this is a difficult choice for you, but I believe that you will make the best choice in the future.
Decades of life will benefit from today's decision. Miss Valentine is definitely worthy of the title of Countess, or even the Prime Minister's wife——"
Edmund smiled bitterly, "I have never doubted Miss Valentine's excellence for a moment, but I doubt whether I can take care of a family..."
"Okay, don't say that again! I don't want to hear a word of your self-deprecation anymore!" Aigron pretended to be angry and interrupted Edmund, "At this point, why do you feel inferior? You are already a
The count of the empire, my important minister, and the future pillar, if you have low self-esteem, how should others live? Or are you doubting my vision, and you think that the people I use are not worthy of all this? Huh?"
"I never meant this..." Edmund quickly bowed and admitted his mistake again, "Your Majesty, I'm sorry, I just still doubt myself..."
"It's useless for you to doubt it now. When you first drew your sword to kill, did you doubt yourself? When you were moving around Paris for me, did you doubt yourself? You must have doubted it, but you
I have done it all, and done it well. So this time too, Edmond Dantès, you don’t need to force yourself to play anyone, you are an admirable person and a man, so you just
You need to do what you think is right, and you will naturally become a good husband and a good parent! You must believe me on this, because I have not seen anyone wrong."
Aiglon completely dispelled Edmund's last hesitation with his categorical words. Then, he glared at his favorite "viciously" and said, "I have finished what I need to say. Now, you go back to your home."
, and then wait for my news, Lord Count of Monte Cristo."
Although Aiglon seemed to be angry, Edmund was deeply moved.
Being so valued by His Majesty and bestowed with so many favors, it would be difficult for me to repay him even if I was shattered to pieces.
"Yes, Your Majesty." He saluted Aiglon, and then left the palace with mixed feelings.
At the same time that Edmund left the palace, a messenger also rode out of the palace in a carriage and delivered the news that "the Count of Monte Cristo agreed to the marriage proposal" to the residence of the Marquis of Noirtier.
When he heard the news, the old Marquis also had mixed feelings.
On the one hand, he was happy that his son's life was finally saved; but on the other hand, he lamented that even in his old age, he still failed to defeat human nature and broke his promise.
But no matter what, now that His Majesty has spoken, it means the dust has settled.
And now, he has to solve the last trivial matter - "persuading" his son.
That night, the Marquis of Noirtier rushed to his son's home without stopping.
Upon hearing the news of his father's visit, Villefort had no choice but to interrupt what he was doing and come to greet his father.
Not long ago, he obeyed his father's instructions and got married for the second time, but because he was forced to marry someone, he didn't have much joy in the wedding. He turned around and devoted himself to legal work as usual.
She doesn't have much contact with the new lady; and the new lady doesn't care about this. As a noble lady who was widowed not long ago, what she cares about most is to continue to mingle in the upper class with the famous title of "Madame de Villefort", and everything else is
unimportant.
Therefore, apart from their "obligations" as husband and wife, the two of them usually live their own lives and basically don't disturb each other, so they can be considered peaceful.
Although he had always been dissatisfied with his father, Villefort felt some instinctive fear in his heart every time he saw his father showing his composure.
"Dad, why are you coming here so late?"
"I have something important to inform you." The Marquis of Noirtier said to his son in an impatient tone, "I have chosen a fiancé for Valentine, and I am going to sign the marriage contract first, and then wait.
She will get married after she turns 16."
Although his father's tone was calm and gentle, it sounded like a shock to Prosecutor Villefort.
"Ah!?" He opened his mouth wide and stared at his father in stunned silence. He suspected for a moment that he had heard wrongly, "Did you propose marriage to Valentine?"
The Marquis nodded slightly and confirmed again.
"Why!?" Villefort was completely at a loss, "Valentine is still so young, even if she wants to get married, she is not in a hurry right now?"
As a father, of course Villefort also considered the issue of choosing a husband for his daughter in the future. He also thought to himself that with his family status, he must find a top young talent in the country for Valentine. However,
Valentine was still young, so he didn't take it to heart. At this time, his father suddenly said that he had decided the life-long affairs for Valentine on his behalf. How could this not surprise him?
What's more, my father never discussed this matter with me from beginning to end. How could this make sense?
He had forced himself to get married quickly before, but now he wanted to get engaged to Valentine early. His father was an old fool! He made this judgment even more firm.
God knows who the foolish old father will marry Valentine to? What if it humiliates the family and ruins her life?
"Dad, don't joke about this kind of thing. Valentine's life is not a trivial matter. You can't deal with it at will. I am her father!" After coming back to his senses, he immediately protested to his father, "No matter you
Anyone who wants to marry Valentine must have my consent, so I ask you to take back your order immediately and end this ridiculous farce!"
Faced with his son's tough performance, the Marquis of Noirtier did not blink an eye, but simply spread his hands indifferently.
"It's too late for you to say that, because I have already asked for His Majesty's opinion and received His Majesty's approval. Her Majesty the Queen even said that she can be the officiant herself..."
At this time, Villefort was once again stunned.
He did not expect that in order to create a "fait accompli", his father actually used his reputation as a "veteran minister" to persuade the two majesties. So since the two majesties have spoken, what room does he have for resistance? Isn't that just
Can you bow your head and agree?
However, he quickly changed his mind and thought that if the two majesties can come forward, then the marriage partner his father is looking for must be a very good candidate. Otherwise, Queen Theresa would not personally stand up to be the officiant, at least not
It's a disgrace to the family.
When he thought of this, his nervousness calmed down a little.
"Even His Majesty has persuaded you. You are really awesome. So, who is that lucky boy? Who are you planning to marry?" So he asked again.
"This man is the Count of Monte Cristo." The Marquis of Noirtier replied calmly. "He is your Majesty's favorite and a member of a well-known noble family. His future prospects are limitless. It will be easy to marry Valentine to him.
It will disgrace our family."
"ah?!"
Villefort interrupted his father with an exclamation of surprise.
Then, his face suddenly turned red.
"It's actually him...!"
All along, he had secretly suspected that the seemingly sanctimonious count, who had secretly raised Emily and Eugenie, had some perverted tendency to smelt copper, but now he was even more convinced of his suspicion - he actually wanted to
What kind of marriage contract is he entering into with his daughter who is only in her early ten years? Who is he if he is not?
"Is...is it his request? How...how can you agree to such a thing? Where do you want our family's reputation to go? Everyone will laugh at us for following the crowd and actually thinking of marrying our daughter to a father who is better than us.
Someone who is no more than a few years younger!"
"Gérard, do you think you still have a good reputation now?" Noirtier asked with a hint of ridicule.
This rhetorical question immediately dampened Villefort's momentum and made him blush instantly.
Indeed, the reputation for uprightness that he has worked hard for twenty years has been completely wiped out in the recent changes. Because he was under the control of His Majesty, he had to obey His Majesty's orders and participated in a series of political cases for the people.
The Bonapartes went to fight against their political opponents.
In the process, he was ridiculed as the "evil dog" of the empire by many dissatisfied people, and he himself was unable to express his own sufferings and could not defend himself at all.
Now that his reputation has become like this, how bad can it be if he marries his daughter to the Count of Monte Cristo?
When he thought of this, Villefort couldn't help but feel a dull pain in his heart.
He was very resentful and unwilling, but because he was trapped in a cocoon, he could not resist. This feeling of frustration was enough to drive anyone crazy.
His face turned red and white, and finally he raised his head again and questioned his father.
"Dad, you are not only a father, but also a grandfather. Valentine is your direct bloodline. You don't have to care about my feelings, but can't you have some sympathy for your granddaughter? Why should you do it?
How can she push for an engagement at such a young age? Do you have to use this bargaining chip to keep your position? Is there no other way for us to keep our family status? "
From his son's eager advice, the Marquis of Noirtier could feel a bit of his love for his daughter, which shows that he is not completely heartless.
However, it’s already reached this point, so what’s the point of talking about it anymore?
Alas, it is indeed time for a showdown.
Then, the Marquis of Noirtier sighed dejectedly.
"You want a reason? Okay, then I'll give you another reason - do you know the origin of the Count of Monte Cristo?"
"Isn't he from Italy?" Villefort asked subconsciously.
"No, that's just the life experience your Majesty made up for him. In fact, he is a Frenchman through and through..." The Marquis shook his head, and then continued in one breath, "His real name is Edmond Tangtai.
"
This name, like a spell in a nightmare, easily defeated Villefort, who was already uncertain.
His legs became weak, and he fell to his knees in one breath.
"Oh God...Oh God! Isn't he dead?"
"Unfortunately, he is not dead." The Marquis replied coldly, "Maybe he was not dead in the first place, maybe he crawled out of hell. In short, not only is he not dead, but he is still alive and kicking as the Count of Monte Cristo.
Appearing in front of you...how is it, are you relieved now, Jellal?"
Really relieved.
The Bank of Tanglar went bankrupt, and I "absconded with the money" without a trace; Fernand suddenly died suddenly when he was proud of the spring breeze; and His Majesty easily grasped the black material of the year... one by one, coincidences,
This time they were suddenly connected in series, and then became extremely clear.
Yes, it’s so clear and simple, why didn’t I think about it here? Why did I believe the prison report and conclude that the guy was dead?
Why?
But no matter how many times he asked himself, Villefort still couldn't get the answer.
In other words, the answer is no longer important at all.
Now he has to face the consequences of his actions.
"Actually, I have already known his identity and his desire for revenge." While Villefort was still deep in thought, the Marquis continued, "He wants your life, of course it is natural.
, because of you, he lost his fiancée, lost his freedom, and stayed in a dark prison for more than ten years... If it were anyone else, I would applaud him for taking the life of his enemy, but it was you, it was me.
Jellal, our son, we have been quarreling and cursing for decades, but even so, you are my son, my only child, so I want to keep your life, even if it costs a huge price.
No matter what, Valentine is part of the price, do you understand?"
His father's words were like flashes of light, and Villefort didn't hear them very clearly. At this time, he was already in a trance and his eyes were blurred.
"Is this retribution?" he murmured to himself.
"Get up!" The Marquis finally couldn't stand it anymore, and he pulled his son up from the ground, "You will never get my approval, but at least one day, you have to face me like a man.