Without anyone noticing, Edmond Dantès arrived in Paris, and then quietly visited the prestigious Marquis de Treville, an important Bonapartist partisan.
His mission went very smoothly, and he easily gained the trust of the Marquis of Treville, and then forwarded His Majesty's personal letter to the Marquis, and then it was time for him to perform another mission.
However, he also very much needs the help of the Treville family for this task, because he has no friends or connections in Paris, and he wants to sell the precious gems as soon as possible at a reasonable price without disturbing the market. , definitely need the help of this noble family.
After the initial meeting, the Marquis of Treville and Alice friendly invited him to lunch.
Although the Treville family has long lost its former glory, in order to entertain the distinguished guest of the Count of Monte Cristo without losing their own dignity, they still organized the lunch very exquisitely.
Start with mushroom and lettuce soup as an appetizer, then the carefully cooked beef ribs, then herring and shrimp, as well as pudding and small desserts as decorations. The various meals are really rich.
During this period of travel, Edmond Dantès was already exhausted physically and suffered a heavy mental blow, so he couldn't help but twitch his index finger when he saw this feast.
Of course, in order to maintain the title of count bestowed upon him by His Majesty the Emperor, he worked hard to follow the etiquette taught to him by Father Faria and respectfully accompany his hosts to their meals.
However, after all, he had been imprisoned in the Chateau d'If prison for more than ten years. Although Father Faria taught him the proper etiquette, he could not have a place to practice it. In just a few months after he was released, he had to Running around didn't give him enough opportunities to get used to it, so it was obvious that his movements were quite unfamiliar.
The Marquis of Treville and Alice exchanged a look, and they also realized that the name Count of Monte Cristo might not be worthy of the name. It was just a temporary seal given by His Majesty to catch a duck - judging from the name of the fief, it might be a bit evil.
However, even so, they only understood each other tacitly, and no one showed any contempt for the count. After all, this was not the time to show off.
Besides, since His Majesty said he was an earl, then he is an earl, or not.
While the guests and hosts were chatting, the sumptuous lunch ended, and the Marquis of Treville stood up to leave.
"Okay, Earl, I need to leave for a while." The Marquis said, while raising the autograph letter in his hand, "Now that I have your Majesty's autograph letter in hand, our comrades will definitely cheer for it, and I will be more convincing next time, and I will urge them to find enough qualified volunteers to serve His Majesty as soon as possible. In fact, many people are already eager to try..."
Hearing what the Marquis said, Edmond Dantès couldn't help but feel relieved.
"That would be for the best, and I wish you all the best, General."
The Marquis of Treville nodded to him, then turned around and strode out of the restaurant and his mansion, exuding a vigorous and resolute momentum.
At this time, Alice slowly stood up and bowed slightly to Edmond Dantès.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Earl, because we were short of time and we didn't make too many preparations... Please forgive me if there is any lack of hospitality."
"I am very satisfied with your family's hospitality, madam." Edmond Dantes replied quickly, "Don't say such things again, otherwise I will be really embarrassed."
Seeing that Edmond Dantès was so talkative, Alice also smiled.
"Then please follow me, and I will take you to the guest room to rest. It is best not to stay in a hotel during this period. I think it is the best choice to stay in our home as a guest - this will also make it easier for us to communicate in the future. Cooperate with each other to carry out His Majesty’s mission.”
"I am attentive to your arrangement, madam." Edmond Dantès also felt that this arrangement was the best, so he followed her opinion.
"Then please follow me." Alice stood up, and then walked towards the second floor with Edmond Dantès.
After all, she was a pregnant woman, and it was a bit difficult for her to go upstairs with her big belly. Because the Marquis was not disturbed during lunch, there was no one around to help her.
Edmond Dantès couldn't stand it anymore, so he reached out to help her, and he also received Alice's thanks.
"You are such a kind-hearted person," she said with a smile.
"This is not worthy of praise. Any well-educated person would do this, madam." Edmond Dantès replied solemnly.
With his help, the two people walked to the door of a room on the second floor and opened the room.
This is a beautifully furnished room with a bed, a desk, books on the bookshelves, and oil paintings as decorations on the walls. It seems that it is indeed a room for guests.
"You can rest here during this period." Alice smiled and said to him, "If you need anything, just ask the servants. I will let them treat you like the most distinguished guest."
"You don't have to worry about me, madam." Edmond Dantès was a little embarrassed, "I don't have high requirements for life, and I have no reason to yell at your house. I just need to finish it as soon as possible. Just give me the mission Your Majesty gave me."
"It seems that you are a focused and rational person! I can't help but be happy for Your Majesty, he has found the right person." Alice smiled even deeper. "But you don't have to be too nervous, Mr. Count, after finally coming to Paris, you can occasionally experience the life of this city like an ordinary tourist. I think it is also very beneficial for you to relax properly. "
Although what she said was reasonable and very considerate, Edmond Dantès could only sigh in his heart.
How can he be happy before the day when his great revenge is avenged?
"Don't worry, I'm already working hard to help you complete the task -" As if she saw what he was thinking, Alice returned to the topic, "Although I very much hope that I can come and help you in person, but Please forgive me, my body does not allow me to run around, so... I can only find a reliable guide for you and let her help you find the right person to redeem those gems."
"She?" Edmond Dantès heard it sensitively. "A lady?"
"Yes, to be precise, it's my biological sister, Agnes." Alice nodded gently, "Don't worry, although she is not our ally, she is also willing to help me with some small favors. I She has been notified and should be here soon——"
Then, she looked at the window facing the street, and her eyes lit up.
"Oh, she's already here!"
Following her line of sight, Edmond also looked over, and then discovered that a carriage was speeding towards this direction. Then the concierge opened the door without any communication, and he was obviously very familiar with the owner of the carriage.
"She will be here soon." Alice looked at Edmond Dantès again, "Don't worry, although she is not old, she is very skilled and will never be a drag on you, and maybe even... It can give you more protection.”
Although she spoke lightly, Edmond Dantès could smell something unusual. Ever since he came here, Alice seemed to be making all kinds of decisions. Even the majestic general looked very... Respect her opinion.
Considering that she said she was His Majesty's friend, this piqued his curiosity even more.
Although I have not been with His Majesty for a short time, it is obvious that he is a proud person, and those who can be recognized as friends by him will never be ordinary people.
"Can I take the liberty of asking? Who is your natal family...?" He couldn't help but ask.
"Nordelion is a somewhat famous family...but that is a thing of the past for me. Now my surname is Treville, and my child must be too." Alice replied calmly, "As for me My sister, I'm just about to explain to you - she is still a married woman, so she still belongs to my natal family, and my natal family and husband's family have always had different political opinions, and the relationship is not very good. So she just helped me a little out of family affection. It’s just a small favor, you’d better not embarrass her and just act like a tourist in front of her.”
Edmond Dantes probably understood.
He had already heard about the Nordlyon family, which was also a famous aristocratic family in France. No wonder Alice could have such magnanimity.
In addition, judging from her tone, the Nordlyon family must be on the royalist side, so they have "political differences." In this case, the lady who is caught in the cracks must not be feeling very well.
When the words came to this point, it was no longer a business-like communication between fellow parties, but more like a conversation between friends, showing mutual understanding.
"Madam, this must be very difficult for you." He said with a little sympathy, "Don't worry, I won't do anything to embarrass you and your sister."
Alice was silent.
"You can think that I boarded a pirate ship by mistake - after all, when I made up my mind to marry Edgar, I had no idea that Duke Lechstadt would actually escape from Austria and seek to prosper the family again." After a moment, Alice lowered her head. He looked away, and then said quietly.
"By the time I knew it, it was already too late. I was already married, and my father-in-law, the Marquis of Treville, wanted to be a loyal minister. He also wanted his son and even his grandchildren to continue to be loyal to His Majesty. So at this time, I still have What choice is there? I swore before God that I would become a member of the Treville family, honor my elders, and have children. How could I break my oath?"
"Then do you regret it?" Edmond Dantès couldn't help but ask.
"Regret? How is it possible? Mr. Earl, please don't underestimate me. I will never regret my decision." Alice smiled, and finally a arrogant look appeared on her face. "Looking back afterwards, If I had learned all this one day before I got married, and then asked me to make a choice, I would still have insisted on my decision without hesitation, because I love Edgar and I am willing to bear these costs for him. Now, I We must do our best for the revival of the Treville family, and since my father-in-law has determined that what we are doing now is the most beneficial to the family, I must also follow it."
Alice's confession made Edmond Dantès feel a little pity in his heart, and it also gave him a sudden sour feeling.
This respectable lady was faithful to her oath, but Mercedes was not.
Edmond Dantès had already found out that Mercedes had already married Fernand, whose surname was Morcerf, and had given birth to their son not long ago.
The woman who once entered into marriage with him has now become a woman and mother due to fate.
He didn't blame Mercedes. Any girl could not help herself when she encountered that kind of situation. She was different from the daughter of a noble. Her survival without a man's care became a problem. She didn't have much. There is no choice but to surrender to fate.
But even if he knows and understands, occasionally there will still be a few unwilling cries in his heart - how great would it be if Mercedes was still waiting for him?
He can now give her the happiest life.
But this can only be a delusion. She is now in his enemy's home, performing the duties of a wife and taking care of his enemy and his enemy's son!
Tears filled with pain and anger instantly fell from the corners of his eyes.
There was another scar in his heart, and another bit of hatred.
"Sir?" Seeing him burst into tears, Alice was a little panicked, "What's wrong with you?"
Edmond Dantès took a deep breath, then shook his head, "Nothing, madam, I was just very moved by your words, so I spoke from that."
Alice looked at the count curiously.
At that moment, the earl looked completely heartbroken. She didn't understand what the other person had experienced, but she knew that this must be the most painful scar in his heart - so since he didn't want to say it, Then she couldn't ask further questions.
Fortunately, at this time, there was a rush of footsteps on the stairs.
Then, the door was pushed open, and a girl in a skirt appeared in front of the two of them.
She has long chestnut hair and wears a hairpin on her head. She looks vaguely like Alice, but compared to Alice's calmness, she is much more energetic and energetic.
"This is my sister, Agnes." Alice introduced to Edmond Dantes with a smile.
Edmund immediately greeted the girl.
Then she looked at her sister, "Agnes, this is the Count of Monte Cristo, a distinguished guest in our family."
"Nice to meet you, sir." Agnes quickly raised her skirt and saluted Edmond Dantès.
"Agnes, I hope you can do us a favor -" After the two of them saluted, Alice immediately entered the topic, "Mr. Count is a foreigner. He just came to Paris and is completely unfamiliar with it, so he needs to A guide. In addition, please help him find a few bankers with whom his family has dealings. The count needs to sell some items to cover travel expenses. After all, the expenses in Paris are not a small sum..."
"Okay! Leave it all to me." It was rare for her sister to ask her for help, so Agnes agreed happily, "You can just take care of your health and stop worrying about so many things."
Then, she looked at Edmond Dantès curiously, "Monsieur Count, which one do you want to go to?"
"If possible, let's start with M. Danglars's bank account. I heard that he has a good reputation." Edmond Dantès replied calmly and reservedly.
"So, your Majesty, how are you doing recently?" Agnes asked innocently, her eyes wide open.
…
Edmond Dantes looked at Alice uneasily. He still remembered what he had promised.
And Alice could only smile bitterly, feeling a little helpless towards her sister.
"I'm just a traveler, miss. I don't know about your majesty. By the way, he is fine now." He answered after a moment.
Agnes was dumbfounded by this answer, but she no longer struggled.
"Well, Mr. Traveler, Agnes will serve you wholeheartedly~"
