After learning that he would become the future Prime Minister of the Principality of Ioannina, Father Faria was overjoyed. His originally pale face began to turn red, and his eyes shone with excitement.
Logically speaking, he should behave calmly, but now he can't even hide his joy and pride in being recognized.
To him it was indeed a reward that he could not refuse.
And he also knows that this is the highest reward he can get from His Majesty - he is also self-aware, and he is fully aware that even if this young man can really return to the throne one day, he will never be able to become the prime minister or even the minister. .
Let's not say whether he can live until that time, even if he does live until that time, His Majesty's cabinet will naturally be the result of the balance of forces among the various factions in France. Everyone is sitting in rows to divide the results. There is no way that it will be his turn to be unknown. foreigners.
Therefore, he knew in his heart that His Majesty was already doing his best to treat him as kindly as possible - accordingly, he must also work hard to repay this kindness.
This was also a problem for him. He had served as Count Spada's secretary in the past and was exposed to all aspects of society, but he had never had experience in governing a region. However, he was determined to use all his brainpower to All devoted to this work.
"Your Majesty, since you have decided to let me take on this responsibility, do I think that I should prepare for it from today on?" After calming down, Father Faria proactively suggested, "If you think it is okay, So starting today, can you give me a copy of the advance team's report? I think that in order to fulfill my duties, I should know as much as possible about the local situation."
"You are really a serious and responsible person -" Aigron smiled approvingly.
He was also quite happy to see the other party getting into the mood so quickly.
"Most of the reports of the advance team are currently written by Edmund. I will ask Chanel to copy a copy for you and have someone read it to you. I think, to you, all this is not It will be difficult, but your talents are enough to bring peace to this little corner of Ioannina."
Of course, now Aiglon is only verbally informing the priest, and it does not officially appoint him as the Prime Minister of the principality. In the future, when they come to Ioannina together, he will perform a pretentious ceremony to make the Grand Duchess Haidee personally "canonized" the priest.
However, now that he had spoken, the priest could now begin to perform his duties.
Then, Aigron spoke to the priest a few more words, briefly explained his requirements to him, and then left the room with Teresa.
He has always adhered to the principle of trusting others. Since he has chosen a priest, he must fully trust him. If he interferes in every detail, he will not only insult the other party's ability, but also make himself appear to be ignorant. .
He is confident that the priest will be a competent Prime Minister.
"Your Highness." On their way back, Teresa suddenly spoke again.
"What's wrong?" Aigron asked.
"I suddenly thought of something..." Teresa looked a little weird, "Before entering Ioannina, should I solve my identity problem?"
After Aigron was stunned for a while, he understood what Theresa meant.
According to the tacit understanding he reached with the Austrian officials, theoretically, Theresa is still in Austria. However, if he takes Theresa with him to Ioannina, Theresa will definitely have to be in a public identity at that time. Attending official occasions - after all, they used to do it to show off their power, so how could they be without her.
Therefore, in order to solve this problem, it is indeed time to "come" to yourself in time.
It is natural for a fiancée to come to her fiancée, and no one can question it.
"I'm sorry, because I have been with you all the time, I almost forgot about it." Aigron apologized to Teresa in a low voice, "Then I will immediately announce your arrival and our wedding date to the outside world through official news-"
"Is this date determined?" Teresa was surprised and happy.
"It's almost certain." Aiglon replied, "Today Panos and I have already discussed that after I pacify Ioannina and establish the principality, Greece will also declare its independence, and then we will return to Greece together. , hold a wedding with you at the place we have agreed upon. He said he would be very happy to arrange a grand ceremony for us. I think, if everything goes well, we can hold a sacred ceremony within a month - "
The so-called agreed place is naturally the Parthenon.
This magnificent historic site will witness the wedding of the couple.
Teresa couldn't hide her secret joy when she thought of this. Regardless of what the people next to her might see, she hugged the young man tightly and kissed him on the cheek.
It is already early November, and what Aigron said is that within a month, the matter will be completed within this year.
For Teresa, this was indeed the most exciting news.
"Your Highness! That's great...I...I've been dreaming about that day!"
"I can't wait, Teresa." Agron nodded, and then joked in a teasing tone, "From that day on, you can't just tease me without paying the price - —”
To be honest, this was what he was thinking. When Teresa and him were together, the two of them slept together - but in order not to accidentally cause death, Aigron could only endure his lust and only hug her. And Mian failed to take a step beyond the thunder pool.
Sleeping with a beautiful girl like her, skin to skin, all night long, but not being able to go out of line, was like being tortured.
Fortunately, this different kind of suffering will soon be over...
Of course Theresa could hear what Aigron was implying. She lowered her head in shame and did not dare to say another word. However, on the way back, her steps were very brisk and her skirt almost floated up.
By the time they returned to their residence, Chanel and the others had already packed all the gifts and loaded them into the carriage, while Haidee also stayed here, waiting for their orders.
"Good day, Your Majesty..." As soon as she saw Aigron, she bowed respectfully.
After Teresa's education during this period of time, she has become very proficient in simple vocabulary and etiquette.
Agron looked at the little girl. She was still wearing the long dress she had put on after her baptism, and she was also wearing the small crown given to her by Teresa.
This child, who once had a sallow complexion due to the hard life, has been transformed after this period of careful care. His face is white and rosy, and his facial features are exquisite and beautiful. Coupled with his clothes, he is cute and noble—— Just like a real princess.
It's good, at least she looks like a Grand Duchess.
Although Aigron only intended to treat her as a puppet, even if she was a puppet, he must have the necessary manners and not lose his own face.
So, in his excitement, he walked directly in front of the little girl, then put his hands under her armpits and lifted her up easily.
"Ah!" Haidee, who was unprepared, screamed in surprise.
"Little girl, we are setting off tomorrow, and we are going back to your hometown together." Because she lifted Haidee up with her hands, Haidee was looking at the young man at eye level, "I will make you the ruler there. Or, just like your grandfather. Of course, your prestige is too far from your grandfather to convince the public, but you can rely on me. I can guarantee you that as long as you respect me and obey me as you do today, Then I will make you live a life of glory and wealth, and be happier than most people in the world."
Haidee still couldn't understand most of the long string of words he said, but she was so ignorant that she instinctively understood that she had to please the owner who bought her, so she nodded gently.
Then, Aigron put her down, and then looked at Chanel beside him.
"Chanel, this afternoon you will copy all the recent reports given to me by the Count of Monte Cristo, and then forward them to Father Faria."
"Yes." Chanel accepted the order without any question.
"In addition, you will be responsible for Haidee's daily life along the way -" Aigron added another order. “I hope that from the first day in Ioannina she will be as radiant as she is today.”
"Okay." Chanel responded immediately.
"The people in Ioannina don't speak the same language as us, and most people believe in different religions. Although we can use an iron fist to intimidate them and make them obey us, blindly using swords and guns to intimidate them is not a long-term solution. We need an emotional link with the local people -" Teresa said what Aiglon was thinking, "Haidee is the last descendant of Ali Pasha. The local people have fought bloody battles for him, and they are both emotional and reasonable. We still have some affection for her and can accept her as a ruler, so we must show love and respect for her."
For Aigron, politics is now more important than military affairs, and he is clearly aware of what he needs.
==========================================
Aigron's orders were all carried out in an orderly manner.
That night, all the commotion in Mesolonghion subsided, and the soldiers on the streets and in the houses were forcibly returned to their ranks by the officers.
The next morning, the soldiers were gathered again and lined up outside the city.
But this time, Aiglon, Teresa and Haidee all appeared publicly in front of everyone.
Amid the cheers of the crowd, the three of them waved together, and even Haidee put on a graceful look under Theresa's instruction.
They were all dressed in fine clothes, and under the guidance of servants, they got on the same four-horse carriage with rich decorations. As the carriage started, the army also marched toward the north in a mighty way.
It is better to say that it is a patrol than an expedition.
Due to Aiglon's previous heavy losses, the Turks' defense force in this area was extremely empty. In addition, Aiglon had previously sent an advance team to sweep away the last remnants of the enemy, which also prepared the ground for Aiglon's advance. advertising.
Now word had spread all along that Ali Pasha of Ioannina, his last orphan, Princess Haidee, was coming.
This mighty team, with slow but unstoppable momentum, passed through the narrow isthmus north of Mesolongion, and then entered the Epirus region where Ioannina is located.
Along the way they marched, there were very few exchanges of fire. Apart from driving away the short-sighted bandits, they encountered almost no organized resistance. From time to time, there were local farmers hiding on both sides of the road, watching this group. The team that "escorted the princess back home" seemed to be watching some big show.
Of course Aigron was happy with this. He was in no hurry and rested intermittently along the way. From time to time, Haidee would appear from a distance in front of the villagers. Of course, considering safety reasons, the guards pulled away. They were not allowed to approach the area despite the cordon, but even so, it was enough to satisfy these villagers who had never seen the world.
"Princess Haidee is really back!"
The news spread like wildfire throughout Epirus, bringing back memories of the recent past.
Along the way, Aigron has also been in contact with Michel Ney, Edmond Dantès and Isaac Valleolo. They have all now settled in the city of Ioannina, and then There they await the arrival of His Majesty and the Grand Duchess.
After several days of cruising, the stop-and-go team finally arrived at the city walls of Ioannina.
Under the city gate, the main officers of the advance team were already waiting there.
As soon as they saw Aigron's team appear on the horizon, they immediately fired a salute to welcome the arrival of their lord and the future Grand Duchess - and on both sides of the city gate, they were already surrounded by "mobilized" residents. Live, everyone holds their breath, waiting for the arrival of this great world.
Amidst the constant sound of artillery fire, the carriage Aigron was riding in slowly drove under the city gate.
Then, Aiglon, Teresa, and Haidee, all three people in gorgeous clothes, stepped out of the carriage.
The three people immediately became the focus of everyone's attention. For a moment, everyone forgot their words, as if they were waiting for something.
Aiglon turned his head and looked at Haidee.
And Teresa also lowered her head and leaned into Haidee's ear.
"Haidee, this is your hometown!"
"Hometown..." Haidee murmured to herself.
She was only 4 years old when she was taken away and made into a slave. She had already forgotten everything about her hometown and could not even speak the language here.
However, looking at the city of Ioannina behind the city wall, she seemed to feel a mysterious call again.
Yes, this place once belonged to her grandfather and will be ruled by her in name only.
Before she could speak, Aigron held her armpits with both hands and then picked her up, as if he was dedicating his gift to the city.
——Only he is worthy of doing this here.
"Congratulations, Haidee," Aigron whispered. "From now on, this place will belong to you! Please remember our agreement."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Haidee replied softly, her eyes suddenly filled with tears. "I...I will never forget your kindness..."
