"I wish you success in Austria, Your Highness."
Aigron held the other person's wrinkled hand and said, "Thank you, I will try my best, Marshal Your Excellency."
Marshal Marmont was obviously a little depressed. He neither overpowered the young man opposite him in terms of momentum nor won the opponent in the argument, so he was full of frustration in his heart.
Now that he is facing losing power, he knows in his heart that his era has passed and the younger generation will fill the vacancy.
Talleyrand once told him privately that he believed that the nearly adult King of Rome would achieve great things. He was doubtful, but in his heart he hoped that he could really accomplish something in Austria.
So when he visited Austria, he stopped by to see his old friend's son.
In terms of results, this visit was not a pleasant one. He found that he could not wash away the title of "betrayer" in front of this young man - a title that would accompany him for the rest of his life.
As His Highness said, only history can make a judgment.
"Being an Austrian prince may be the best solution." He glanced at the young man gloomily, and then sighed, "In the past thirty years, the strife in France has caused bloodshed; I think in the next few decades These disputes are still endless, and whoever gets involved will be unlucky. Stay away from those whirlpools, and you can have a peaceful and wealthy life. This may be God's last mercy for Bonaparte - Your Highness, take care of yourself. "
After saying that, he turned and left.
When he walked out the door, the officers waiting for him outside quickly stood up from the sofa, saluted the marshal, and then prepared to leave with him.
"Marshal, can I treat you all to lunch?" Aigron chased him out and asked Marshal Marmont. "After all, I haven't had the chance to see a French soldier for a long time."
The marshal looked back at the young man. He was a little surprised at first, and then seemed to understand something.
Then, he hesitated for a moment and nodded.
"Of course, Your Highness, it is our honor. But... please forgive me for not being able to participate. I have to meet with Metternich. You can have lunch with them."
Then, he turned his head and looked at the officers in front of him sternly, "It is a rare honor for you to have dinner with His Highness. If anyone dares to be disrespectful to His Highness, you must bear the consequences yourself!"
"Yes!" These officers did not dare to neglect and stood at attention.
Then Marshal Marmont left the room, leaving the officers behind.
Aigron looked around at these officers. They were all in their thirties, wearing brand new uniforms. They were all quite tall and looked like they had experienced the battlefield.
However, none of them dared to look at him now.
Aigron could understand their mood - they didn't know what attitude they should take to deal with this young man with a very special identity, so they could only act respectful but serious and cold at the same time.
If you have a pleasant conversation with Napoleon's son, wouldn't it be a big disaster if you are accused of blackmail when you return home?
"Everyone, I am really sorry that I have put you in trouble because of my willful behavior." So he apologized with a smile, "But I think that eating a meal will not affect your future, and since If the Marshal keeps you, then he won't take this matter to heart... Therefore, I suggest that you let go of your worries and just treat it as a lunch and satisfy the curiosity of this poor man like me. For reasons you all know, I will always have a good impression and respect for the French military."
After speaking, he motioned to the officers to sit down again.
At this time, Chanel also came over with a dinner plate and placed the prepared meals one by one on the coffee table.
"This is just a light meal, so it's a bit crude. Please don't mind." Aigron picked up the tableware, cut open the belly of the roast chicken, then cut it into small pieces and ate it. "Okay, let's get started."
Under the guidance of the young man, these officers also started to eat, but they were obviously still a little cautious.
"Anyone here, has anyone participated in the recent battle in Spain?" Aigron asked.
The "battle in Spain" he refers to does not refer to the expedition to Spain in the late empire, but the war in 1823 when the Bourbon royal family sent troops to help the Spanish Bourbon royal family suppress the rebellion.
The officers looked at each other and then nodded.
"Oh! Great, I have a group of real fighting heroes in front of me." Aigron suddenly laughed, "Can you tell me about your experience in the battle? Just treat it as dessert during lunch. I am very interested in this kind of story. Gentlemen, can you satisfy my little curiosity?"
"Your Highness, if you don't mind, let me tell you about my experience in this war." At this time, an officer finally spoke and responded to Aiglon.
Aiglon immediately looked at the officer.
He has a square face and looks honest and honest, but his eyes are very smart and can flash a shrewd light at any time, which proves that he is very scheming.
Perhaps because he has been traveling all year round, his skin is dark and his hands are covered with calluses, but his strong body looks particularly upright against the military uniform, and he looks energetic.
His eyes twinkled and a fawning smile appeared on his face.
It was obvious that he wanted to take the opportunity to have a relationship with him.
Very good, adventurous, he likes this kind of people.
Although this kind of guy who tends to follow others is not likable, he is also very useful, especially since Aigron is in urgent need of accumulating contacts, so he looks at him very kindly.
"Okay, please speak!" He nodded.
Then, the officer continued to talk.
It has to be said that he is not a good narration person. His eloquence is not good and his French accent is very strong. It was a little difficult for Aigron to listen, but he still listened to the other party's story with the greatest enthusiasm.
When he was half full, the officer finally finished speaking, and then looked at the boy carefully like a student waiting for the teacher's judgment.
"Thank you for telling me this, sir. I thank you for everything you have done for your country, and I admire your courage and perseverance." He smiled friendlyly, "I think, with such a loyal and fearless guardian like you, France Whoever is on the throne will be safe."
Seeing Aigron being so kind, the officer was obviously flattered, and his smile became even more flattering. "Your Highness, I grew up in the age of the empire. Although he unfortunately left the world due to the tricks of fate, he is still a hero. I earnestly hope that you can achieve great things in Austria and live up to his reputation."
Logically speaking, it was a bit taboo for him to say these words. It seemed that he really wanted to make friends with him.
"Thank you, I will work hard." Aigron thanked him again, then stretched out his hand and patted his shoulder in a friendly manner. "By the way, what's your name?"
The officer straightened his back and replied in a low voice, "Your Highness, my name is Morcerf, Fernand de Morcerf."
After hearing the name, Aigron didn't take it seriously at first, and then suddenly, he seemed to be touched. He looked at the other person in astonishment, and his eyes became strange.
"Fernand de Morcerf?"
"What's wrong with you, Your Highness?" The officer was a little confused by his performance. "Have you heard of my name..."
The young man's expression slowly returned to normal, but his vision was still a little strange. "Hmm... I do have an impression of this name."
Then, he asked abruptly, "Sir, have you been to Greece?"
"I have been there..." Fernand de Morcerf's face suddenly became a little confused, and he looked at Aiglon cautiously, "Your Highness, how do you know?"
"I have read about your deeds in the newspapers, sir." Aiglon looked at the other party with excited eyes. "The newspapers said that you were a fighting hero who shed blood to defend Ali Pasha of Ioannina. Fight hard. After hearing about your deeds, I can't help but be filled with admiration... God bless me, let me meet a true war hero today! A soldier worthy of France's reputation!"
His expression was extremely sincere, and he was obviously excited from the bottom of his heart.
"Your Highness... I didn't expect that your Austria could hear my little thing." Morseff was a little embarrassed at first, but he covered it up skillfully, "I don't think I am a war hero, because even though I used I tried my best, but in the end I couldn't change the outcome. The Pasha family was still unfortunately killed... This is a nightmare for me, and I just want to forget it."
"Is this the humility of a hero? It's really admirable!" Aigron seemed to appreciate him even more and patted his shoulder again, "Okay, since you don't want to mention it, I won't mention it, but please Allow me to pay you my sincere respect.”
"If you want to do this, then I can only accept it shamelessly." Morseff replied with a wry smile, "Your Highness, but I feel that I am just fulfilling the duties of a soldier, and this is not worth mentioning."
Aigron did not forget this episode. He was pacing in the room, looking completely excited.
After a while, he stood in front of Morseff again, "Sir, are you married?"
"Yes, I have been married for two years." Morcerf nodded, "My son, Albert, was just born this year -"
"Oh, I have a wife, children, and a happy family. It's really enviable!" Aigron smiled and clapped his hands. "God favors those brave and sincere defenders of our country, and you truly deserve it."
Then, he took it out of his pocket and handed his pocket watch to the other party.
"Your Highness?" Morsef was a little shocked.
"This is my gift to your son." Aigron looked at him with a smile, "I sincerely hope that he can carry on the courage of his ancestors and become an upright and good man with a bright future in the future."
Morcerf took the pocket watch, then bowed his head gratefully and paid tribute to Aiglon.
"Thank you, Your Highness! I will bring this gift and your blessings back to France for him. This will be the best gift he has ever received in his life."
At first, he just wanted to take the opportunity to establish a relationship and leave a name in the young man's heart. However, he did not expect that he would be so praised and loved by the former King of Rome as soon as they met.
His vanity was immediately greatly satisfied, and his whole body became elated.
If His Highness becomes successful in Austria in the future, then at least he will have made friends with one more top nobleman, which will definitely be of great help to his future.
"It's my honor to meet you, Mr. Morcerf." Aigron grinned widely, full of affinity, "I'm really glad that I had the opportunity to see a French war hero, your glorious deeds. It gave me great inspiration and encouragement, and made me understand that the difficult situation was just a kind of hardship for me - yes, being able to see your existence itself is the best news that God has brought to me."
"Your Highness...you are very grateful..." Morseff, who was already dizzy, didn't know how to respond at all, so he could only repeat his humble words in a low voice.
Under Aigron's praise again and again, the atmosphere at the table has become quite heated.
However, the expressions of the other officers looking at Morseff had become a little strange.
It can be seen that Aiglon's kind performance just now has aroused the jealousy of these officers towards Fernand de Morcerf.
Aigron struck while the iron was hot and cordially talked with these officers, and each gave them some gifts that he had prepared.
After lunch was over, Aigron said goodbye to the officers.
It was evident that they were all delighted, and their vanity was gratified by being so entertained by Napoleon's son.
Aiglon stood at the door and said goodbye to them one by one.
"Major Morseff, I wish you and your family eternal happiness." When it was Morseff's turn, Aigron waved to him with a smile.
"Your Highness, I wish you all the best!" Morcerf, full of excitement and surprise, gave Aiglon a military salute, then turned and left.
"Your Highness..." At this moment, an officer suddenly tugged at the corner of Aigron's clothes.
"Is there anything else? Major Villale?" During the conversation just now, Aigron already knew the other party's name, so he asked directly.
"You have to be careful about this man, Your Highness, he is not a good guy." The officer looked at Fernand de Morcerf's back with cold eyes, "We have rumors privately that he is not good at all. Not of noble birth, his surname is a fake.
"It doesn't matter. In this era, talent is more important than title, isn't it?" Aigron replied with a smile on his face.
"You are right to say that." Major Villale smiled awkwardly, "But I assure you, he is by no means as brave and loyal as he appears. He is a miserable deserter - during the Battle of Waterloo On the eve of the night, he abandoned the French army, followed General Bourmont to surrender to the enemy, and ran to the Prussian army. His fortune began from that time!"
Aigron's expression changed slightly.
"is that true?"
"This is not a secret. You can check it at any time. We just don't want to embarrass him in person, so we didn't say it just now." Major Villale replied coldly. "He is just a pathetic deserter and does not deserve your respect."
Then, he saluted Aigron with a military salute, "Your Highness, salute you! Goodbye."
After the officer finished speaking, he strode away.
Aigron looked at their backs, seemingly thoughtful.
After a long time, he returned to the room.
At this time, Chanel was clearing away the leftovers on the dining table.
"Chanel!" Aigron couldn't hide himself anymore, he shouted.
Chanel was frightened by this sound and trembled, then turned around and looked at Aigron who was beaming with confusion.
"Your Highness? What's wrong?"
Aigron didn't answer, but walked over directly and hugged Chanel suddenly.
"Your Highness!" Chanel was caught off guard and almost fell down. However, she did not struggle to resist. Instead, she looked at the little master with great confusion, wondering why he suddenly behaved like this.
She closed her eyes slightly, "At least... at least let me finish cleaning up..."
"Don't be nervous, Chanel, I'm just too happy... Just let me hug you... I just want to vent my excitement, really, I'm very excited!"
Aigron comforted the other person in a low voice, and then he looked into her eyes excitedly.
He was so happy that he couldn't wait to share his surprise with the people he trusted most around him immediately.
"Chanel, we have money!"
