While the uncle and nephew were having a conversation, a group of people poured into the vestibule through the fence. Although there were only dim lights as the light source in the dark night, so it was difficult to see the faces of these people clearly, but judging from the scene, It must be His Majesty the Pope.
Lucien and Aiglon quickly stopped the conversation, and then a group of them immediately came forward.
As the distance got closer, they gradually saw the appearance of this group of people clearly.
The one surrounded in the middle was an old man, with wrinkles on his face, wearing a white robe, and a white cap on his head. His steps were also quite sloppy, and he looked senile, but his commanding aura was enough. Prove his identity; and standing next to him is a middle-aged man wearing a red robe, who looks energetic and ambitious. At this time, the cardinal is supporting the old man intimately and looks extremely respectful.
It only took Eggron half a second to figure out—this was His Majesty Pope Leo XII and his confidant Cardinal Vittorio Esposito.
Prince Lucien Bonaparte happened to turn his head at this time and nodded seriously to him. Then he quickened his pace and greeted His Majesty the Pope who was coming.
Aiglon also looked at Theresa next to him. After the two looked at each other and understood, they walked side by side in front of the oncoming people.
This group of people had obviously noticed this outstanding-looking and too young couple, so they stopped in their tracks.
Everyone was watching them. Although they had different expressions, they didn't make a sound, as if they were waiting for something.
"Holy Holy Father!" Aigron did not disappoint them. After walking in front of the old man, he bent down and bowed his head to salute His Majesty the Pope with a respectful attitude. "I couldn't be more grateful to meet you."
Teresa also curtsied to the Pope at the same time. Compared to the calm Aigron, she was a little more excited, "Holy Father, thank you for always taking care of our couple!"
Because it was already evening, the cold wind in early spring was a bit colder, and it hurt everyone's face. However, even so, it did not dampen the enthusiasm of the couple.
The people around the Pope looked at each other. Although their expressions did not change much, they seemed to have reached a consensus - if they could do this, everyone would at least have a good face.
A kind smile appeared on His Majesty the Pope's face. After being silent for a moment, he looked around, and then sighed, "What lovely children. God really favors the descendants of those great families."
He naturally spoke in Italian, but both Aigron and Teresa had received similar royal education since childhood, so it didn't sound like there was any obstacle.
After finishing speaking, he took trembling steps, and then helped the boy and girl up together.
Aigron raised his head obediently, knowing that after such a set of etiquette, the two parties had at least temporarily become harmonious.
With the help of the dim light, Pope Leo XII looked at Aiglon and Teresa again, and then spoke again, "My children, on behalf of all Christians who have freedom and peace, thank you for your salvation for our fellow Christians."
"The indignation that I couldn't bear to see pagans slaughtering Christians guided me and brought me to Greece. I think this is also the mission given to me by God." After staying in the Austrian court for a long time, Egeron would certainly say these words, "Before I went through fire and water, I didn't think about my own safety, nor did I care about my success or failure. I only thought about saving those poor people from fire and water. Even if I risked my own life for this, I had no regrets. Fortunately, with God's help, With your blessing and your enthusiastic support, I was lucky enough to succeed. Your praise for me inspired me to move forward. I will never forget the spiritual encouragement you gave me and my subordinates. This is The pillar of our faith, because of which we can create miracles.”
The Pope couldn't help but smile. Although he knew it was just a show of words, he still felt very happy.
In this way, the group of people walked into the mansion from the front courtyard while exchanging greetings.
With the help of the bright candlelight in the living room, Aigron could see His Majesty the Pope and the Cardinal more clearly.
Both of them had serious faces, and because they had maintained solemn expressions for a long time, their faces showed a stiff blue-gray color, as if they were about to speak out endless religious admonitions at any time.
Regardless of whether they do good things or bad things in private, these senior monks are professionals who have undergone rigorous training for decades, and they definitely look solemn on the surface.
However, there are some differences between the two people.
His Majesty the Pope's expression is serious and even a bit stern. Although he is old, he still shows an indifference that is distant from others from time to time.
Cardinal Vittorio Esposito's eyes looked at him much softer.
Eggron knew why the two of them had such different attitudes——
Because the cardinal's "nephew" Leon Esposito is currently acting as Aigron's personal secretary.
Regardless of whether the cardinal liked it or not, his nephew was already bound to Aigron's future at this time, and he was very motivated to see Aiglon's career go smoothly.
It is precisely for this reason that he has been secretly interceding for Aiglon these days. His Majesty the Pope was able to agree to this private meeting precisely because of the insistence of this confidant.
But of course the cardinal cannot do everything, let alone make decisions on behalf of the pope. There is only so much he can help, and Aigron needs to find a way to fight for the rest.
As soon as he returned to the living room, Prince Lucien Bonaparte called all his children away, so the number of people in the living room was much smaller at this time, and the atmosphere suddenly became serious and stiff. The warmth and harmony just now All the excitement has disappeared.
Of course, they didn't come here for "family fun".
"My child..." After a moment of silence, Leo XII spoke again in a solemn tone, "You have made great achievements now, but I want to know where you plan to go in the future?"
Aigron knew that the other party was asking the question knowingly, but he still answered the other party respectfully, "Holy Father, I want to inherit my father's achievements and let a great country bathe in the glory of the Lord and enjoy wealth and prosperity. Of course... My end is at the feet of God, and I will be His humble servant.”
The Pope pretended he didn't hear the last sentence and frowned slightly.
"My son, I will support you in everything you do out of Christian piety, but I cannot support you in replacing a legitimate monarch - don't forget that as early as ten centuries ago, the Capetian family had Now they are ruling France. Their legitimacy is unparalleled, and their defense of the Catholic Church is obvious to all. Their family's rule is so long that even the most terrible disasters did not end it but only temporarily interrupted it. This must be the will of the Lord. "
This also made it clear that he did not intend to do anything to help him regain the throne.
To be honest, this result was not surprising to Aigron at all.
Aigron knew that the two people in front of him had accepted large sums of bribes from him, especially His Majesty the Pope himself, who was extremely greedy. However, this did not mean that they would support him unconditionally. They had their own interests and demands. It is their bottom line - especially now that they have no way to coerce the Pope with force, it is even more impossible to ask for anything from them.
"But as far as I know, the Capetian kings have not been particularly respectful to the Roman Church since ancient times. They have tried to invade Italy more than once, insulted the Pope, and even once established another pope outside Rome, which plunged the church into a state of chaos. In the midst of unprecedented chaos..." Aiglon replied with a hint of mockery.
The corner of the Pope's mouth suddenly twitched, as if he wanted to refute, but he knew this was a fact. The most embarrassing dark history of the Roman Church was really a gift from the Capetian royal family.
However, as expected of the Pope, the old man soon regained his kind face, and then answered him in a gentle tone, "But your father also did similar evil deeds. He caught my predecessor." Paris was humiliated. I even witnessed such a disaster myself... How could I expect anything from the Bonaparte family in such a situation?"
Indeed, this is also true.
Emperor Napoleon was yelling at Pope Pius VII. The pope was first forced to crown Napoleon I, the first emperor of France. However, during the coronation ceremony, Napoleon took away the crown and crowned himself and his queen, which greatly humiliated the pope. self-esteem.
In 1809, Napoleon attacked Vienna and annexed the states under the Papal States. Pius VII was furious and announced that Napoleon would be excommunicated (a common practice of the church in the Middle Ages against monarchs who disrespected the church). After Napoleon heard about it, He was also furious and sent troops into the Vatican on July 6, 1809, and then arrested Pius VII and escorted him back to France for imprisonment. It was not until 1814 that the Restoration Dynasty released him after Napoleon abdicated for the first time.
The Prison of Avignon caused by Philip IV was already a thing of the past 500 years ago, but the shameful humiliation caused by Napoleon is right in front of us. Those who witnessed it at the time are still there, and it is obviously the latter who is more deeply impressed—— In this case, how could His Majesty the Pope have any expectations for the Bonaparte family?
"Yes, my father did get carried away and committed these blasphemous atrocities. This was one of the reasons why he was eventually abandoned by God." Aigron was already prepared for this questioning, so he immediately Then he continued, "But he is him and I am me. I clearly understand why God favors me and what he wants me to do. I also clearly understand that the Roman Church is the agent of God's will in the world. I Respect the church, respect you and anyone in the church.”
"Anyone can say this kind of thing." His Majesty the Pope certainly didn't believe what he said, "but it's very difficult to put it into practice."
"But I don't see what the Capetian kings have practiced." Aiglon shrugged, "Since there is not much difference between Capetian and Bonaparte, why do you care about who is sitting on that throne? At least I have used my heart and soul to prove how much I respect you——"
At this time, Aigron finally revealed the fact that he had given the Pope a heavy bribe to show his sincerity in cooperating with the church.
The pope's expression was uncertain. Of course he would not be fooled by a young man's eloquent words, but there were no logical errors in what the young man said.
Most of the ancestors of the Capetian family did not respect the church very much, and all kinds of evil spirits and "piety" seemed to have nothing to do with it. The most disgusting thing is that they controlled the Gallic church to be independent and independent of Rome. They fought against each other at every turn, and even invaded Italy many times and plundered the Papal States.
Emotionally speaking, although the church does not like Bonaparte, it cannot say how much it likes the Capet family (now the Bourbon royal family).
"I know the weight of your piety, and I must be deeply appreciated by my Lord." Although the Pope was a little confused, he still maintained a gentle attitude. He hinted that he was satisfied with Aigron's bribe, and then changed the subject. , "However, as a church that transcends the country, we are unable and unable to feel the change of throne of the most powerful country in the Catholic world. If you want to find clear support from me, I can only deeply Express regret."
"Of course I don't dare to expect the church to lead my horse and support me!" Aigron suddenly emphasized his tone, as if he felt insulted. "I am confident that I am destined to rule France. If God decides to give it to me, then it will It will inevitably fall into my hands, I can just carry out God’s will myself, how dare I trouble others?”
The young man's sudden outburst showed not only his strong personal will and arrogance, but for a moment the old man seemed to be a little shocked - after all, although he was young, he had led people to fight several times and was used to seeing life and death. , the respect and modesty just now was just a deliberate show.
It does have some of the charm of the past... Looking at this young man, the Pope thought to himself.
Although this behavior could be called a bit rude, considering that the young man had given him a lot of "donations", the Pope also forgave this small offense.
Of course, the more important reason was that the young man personally said that there was no need for the Pope and the church to help, which greatly reassured the Pope.
"My child, what do you hope to get?" The Pope calmed down again and then asked leisurely.
"Holy Father, what I hope for is very simple." Aiglon smiled again, and then bowed to the old man again, "Can you bless me and my wife in public in a public ceremony, and then promulgate What about an edict in recognition of our contributions to God as devout Christians?”
The error-free chapters of "The Glory of the Young Eagle" will continue to be updated.
