"Agnes, please take care of Xia Lu here. I'll be back later."
Upon hearing her sister's order, Agnes was stunned for a moment.
Of course she knew that her sister wanted to spare her on purpose.
But she soon felt relieved that her sister was now considered a Bonapartist, but she stubbornly stayed out of the matter, so it was normal for her to avoid discussing anything with Princess Theresa.
"Okay." She agreed immediately, then took the niece from her sister's hand and started teasing her wholeheartedly. This seemed to be her only happiness here at the moment.
Alice and Teresa walked out of the room together, and then came to the path between the houses. From here, they could see the green grass around them, and they could also see the looming peaks in the distance with the snow line still remaining.
Coupled with the spring breeze blowing in the face, people suddenly feel relaxed and happy.
"This is really a good place, more livable than the hustle and bustle of Paris." Alice sighed from the bottom of her heart.
"I think so too... It's a pity that we won't be able to live here for a long time after all." Teresa replied, "To tell you the truth, I have always dreamed of living such a secluded life with Your Highness."
These words seemed to be full of "Versailles" suspicions, and Alice was naturally just doubtful. However, since Her Highness the Princess said this, she could only take it seriously.
"By the way, Your Majesty, where are your paintings? Can you let me go and appreciate them?" Alice changed the subject.
Teresa was a little confused. She originally thought that Alice made that request just to get rid of the embarrassment, but she didn't expect that she was serious.
So she couldn't help but ask, "Didn't you already read it? Didn't your husband receive a picture album? That was what I drew."
"Ah? It was actually you who drew it?!" Alice was so shocked that she lost her composure.
She really didn't expect that the "painter" His Majesty found for his promotional posters was actually his wife, Her Royal Highness Teresa...
The others don't matter, but what was Your Majesty's state of mind when he asked his wife to paint in the image of another girl?
What a terrible young man... She glanced at Teresa secretly with apprehension.
In this way, Her Royal Highness the Princess can be considered to be very open-minded.
She didn't expect that Teresa herself was the instigator of all the subsequent events.
"Why, does it surprise you so much?" Looking at Alice's shocked look, Teresa couldn't help but smile bitterly, "In your eyes, don't I have that talent?"
Alice was suddenly shocked and quickly shook her head in denial, "No, of course I didn't mean that. I just didn't expect that you would actually do it so personally... Your painting is really good, even my husband is full of praise.
"
"Your husband is much better than me in this regard." Teresa smiled and shook her head. "So I'm embarrassed that you praise me like this."
"It is true that my husband's talent for painting is a little better than yours, but even so, the charm you reflected in those paintings still proves that your aesthetic taste is much stronger than ordinary people, and this kind of thing is better than painting.
Skills are more important." Alice answered seriously, without the slightest hint of sarcasm, "Princes and grandsons have been surrounded by famous teachers since they were young. They can learn anything they want easily, but because it is so easy, they...
It is difficult for most people to develop perseverance. Without perseverance, they will not be able to accumulate that mysterious "feeling", so that they will be half-baked in everything they do. You have at least proved that your perseverance is better than that of many people with the same status as you.
Already."
"Oh, perseverance... I have never lacked this thing." Teresa laughed half-deprecatingly, "Mrs. Alice, thank you for your compliment. I must be very lucky to be your friend. You
So gentle and considerate.”
Of course she also knew that Alice was deliberately trying to please herself, so she must have deliberately exaggerated. However, in a short period of time, she had the wit and wisdom to weave such a set of compliments that were both flattering and not divorced from reality, which was enough to show that she had high regard for herself.
She has respect, and there is no need for her to deliberately embarrass her.
"If you are willing, we are friends now... Your Majesty." Alice smiled back, then knelt and saluted Teresa again.
After a short conversation, Teresa and Alice became harmonious again. Of course, there was an element of Alice deliberately trying to please her, but more importantly, Alice's beauty and elegant demeanor were extremely suitable for her.
Theresa's aesthetic taste, even if she knew that she was Agnes's sister, there would be no resentment or grudge in her heart.
It is conceivable that if her husband can really get what he wants and restore the empire in the future, then she will also reach the top. Although this is very glorious and glorious, it is also unbearable.
As a foreigner, she is destined to not have many close friends in France, but if she can have someone like Madame Alice by her side, life will not be too difficult.
Alice hesitated for a moment, wondering whether she should mention her sister.
She thought that since this painting was actually painted by Her Majesty Theresa herself, Her Majesty the Princess's acceptance should be higher than she originally thought, so after a while, she made up her mind.
"Speaking of your paintings, I have a doubt," she started deliberately.
"What do you mean?" Teresa asked.
"If I'm not mistaken, the image of Joan of Arc in your painting seems to be based on Agnes, right?" Alice asked cautiously.
Alas, it’s still here.
Theresa didn't want to face this problem, but she also knew that she couldn't escape it after all.
She felt a sour feeling of 'unconvinced but helpless' in her heart, but she nodded in the end. "Yes, your observations are indeed meticulous."
Do they need to be meticulous when they are all so similar... Alice thought to herself.
However, now that the critical moment had come, she didn't want to cause any further complications, so she didn't complain, but continued to test the other party.
"Then, what considerations did your Majesty have in deliberately using the image of Agnes? Was it done on a whim, or was there a more important plan? You may think I'm asking too much, but as Agnes
Sister of Nice, I ask you to forgive me for being curious..."
To be fair, Teresa didn't want to answer this question at all, but now that the matter was at this point, she could only answer it truthfully.
"His Highness has an idea. If he returns to France, he certainly wants to restore the empire and become emperor, but he does not want to follow historical tradition, but wants to follow his father's precedent and use a referendum to decide where he will go.
He wants to take orders from the people instead of God, and uses the authorization of the nation as his authority. Because of this, he needs to use something to win over the people's hearts, not only materially, but also spiritually.
Hope to connect with the entire nation.
So he wanted to associate victory and honor with the empire and the Bonaparte family, and the image of Joan of Arc also fit his needs very well. To put it simply, he needed a living Joan of Arc to join him.
Let the people believe that the Bonaparte family has its destiny.”
Because Alice had already discussed His Majesty's intentions with her husband before and had some confidence in her heart, she was not too shocked. However, even so, she was still amazed by this young man's unconstrained imagination.
However, although it seems strange, it seems to make sense.
"So how does he plan to conduct this referendum?" Alice asked after a moment.
"Although people do miss the Bonaparte family at present, he will naturally not be careless. He plans to conduct a nationwide tour. On the one hand, he will let the people see his appearance and let them feel the existence of the Bonaparte family in person.
; On the one hand, it is also to examine the public sentiment in various places, and accompanying him on this parade will be a mighty team. He..." When speaking of this, Teresa paused deliberately, "
He hopes that a girl dressed as Joan of Arc will follow us."
Understood.
Alice now knew the young man's thoughts. Although some things were indeed beyond her and her husband's expectations, the essence was quite different.
She didn't know how much prestige this kind of parade would bring to the Bonaparte family and how many votes it would increase, but she could clearly know that it meant that Miss "Joan of Arc" would become famous throughout the country. If she performed well, she would become famous throughout the country.
She will become an eye-catching idol because of this. Imagine that the girl passes through every town and city and is cheered by everyone. What a fascinating honor it must be?
If Agnes could get such an opportunity, what would be the humiliation and blow she had suffered in the social arena before?
And besides Agnes, who else is qualified to play Joan of Arc?
In Alice's heart, no one is cuter or more dazzling than her sister, and she should receive all the attention. The current dilemma of being shut out is really a social injustice.
If there is an opportunity to make amends for fate's trick, then why not do it?
Alice had already made up her mind a long time ago, and now her determination was even stronger, and she couldn't wait to make this idea a reality right away.
"In other words, Your Majesty wants Agnes to play this role?" She forced herself to calm down, and then asked pretending not to understand.
Although her ability to control her emotions was not very good, the excitement and anticipation in her eyes at this moment could not be concealed from anyone. Just looking at her, Teresa knew that she would never object.
"He does have this idea, but it depends on whether Agnes is willing or not," Teresa replied calmly.
"Yes, of course she is willing," Alice blurted out.
At this moment, she no longer cared about whether her sister liked it or not, but she had to show her identity as her sister and make this decision for her sister.
After all, given Agnes' current situation, this is indeed the best opportunity.
As for Agnes, she believed that as long as she patiently persuaded her, she would definitely be able to get her to nod. Although doing so would make her sister jump into the political dye vat, which would go against her original intention of not getting involved in politics, but compared to
In terms of what is gained, this loss is negligible.
After all, it was the Wang family that was unjust to Agnes first, so it is natural for Agnes to take revenge, right?
Alice was born to her parents after their exile. She had never been favored by the royal family since she was a child, so she did not have much loyalty. After marrying Edgar, she was excluded from society because of the general.
The cold words were added to her and the door was closed. Even if she didn't hold any grudge, her original loyalty to the Wang family must have long since disappeared.
Since you treat us like this, why should we still be loyal? There is absolutely no need.
Alice knew that Agnes seemed to have some inexplicable resistance to this couple, but she believed that with her position in her sister's heart, she could finally get her to nod as long as she patiently persuaded them.
Compared with Alice's eagerness to try, Theresa was much more indifferent. She just looked at Madam calmly.
"Madam, it's not that I don't believe in your promise, but on this matter, we still have to ask for my opinion. It seems to me that she is not so willing. Otherwise, you wouldn't have to put so much effort into it.
Brought her here."
Teresa's words made Alice blush slightly, and she was obviously embarrassed that she had deceived her sister.
But this kind of deception stems from her extremely sincere love for her sister.
Now, she must carry out this deception to the end. Only in this way can her sister get out of the quagmire. At least that's what she thinks.
"Your Majesty, I admit that I did deceive Agnes, but in the face of the judge of conscience, I can say with utmost sincerity that I never had any other considerations except for her. Agnes has a stubborn temper.
There are some reasons why she is unwilling to cooperate with the Bonaparte family, but this is not a problem. I ask you to give me some time, and I will convince her to meet the wishes of the two majesties... I know that you can definitely still find it.
There are other candidates, but don't you admit it? Agnes is the most suitable match for age and temperament you have ever seen. There is no other candidate, so why don't you give me some room? I beg you.
Give me time to convince Agnes..."
As she spoke, Alice became more and more emotional, almost begging.
Seeing such a beautiful lady pleading softly to her, and out of noble feelings, Teresa suddenly softened her heart.
"What a noble request!" She couldn't help but sigh.
"No, I am not noble. Nobility is reserved for people like you. I am just a second-generation exile with the title of princess. I never dare to forget the shadows and cracks after my birth.
, that is the mark engraved on my soul, and no amount of etiquette can make me erase this mark." Alice replied emotionally, "When I was younger than you are now, in order to support the family,
To take care of my brothers and sisters, I sold flowers and handkerchiefs, and I had to plead with everyone who passed me; I tasted the taste of hunger, and the burning feeling is unimaginable... Fortunately, I and I
My family members have gotten rid of this nightmare, but who knows the future? I can only remind myself all the time that everything we have now is not something we naturally deserve, but something we should protect and strive for.
Your Majesty, I beg you, I implore you, let Agnes bear this honor, and I will be forever and ever grateful to both of you."