I Am Louis XIV

Alberoni froze.

The Archbishop of Toledo beckoned and asked Alberoni to come out with him. There were no seats or even kneeling cushions in the prayer room, and he could only kneel or lie prone on the cold stone bricks. However, since Carlos II bit off half of his face, the archbishop's body has become extremely weak due to mental and physical torture, and he can barely maintain the majesty of an archbishop when he talks to Minister Perot , there is no need for this disciple who treats himself as a baby at the worst time.

Alberoni followed the archbishop to his bedroom. The archbishop sat back on the chair, while Alberoni stood with his hands down. He didn't ask the archbishop eagerly how he would let him go to France. Did the archbishop intend to hook up with Louis XIV? ? Or does he need an eye and an eye for sneaking into Paris? But whether it is a messenger or a spy, Alberoni thinks it is not suitable for him - he is taciturn, but he cannot be said to be good at patience, otherwise the ending of Carlos II will not be like this.

The Archbishop of Toledo let out a long breath.

You know, he said, you and Patinho, here he is referring to Jose Patinho, the crime you committed was to tie you to a horse and make you five pieces It should be. At the beginning, the archbishop didn't know what role these two teenagers played in the riot, but when he recovered from his sick bed and finally got up, he also figured out the whole story of that night. The ins and outs—he regretted that he was not cautious enough—yes, as a superior, he was born the youngest son of a great nobleman, and he also studied under a cardinal when he was in Rome. Having come into contact with those lowly commoners, to the archbishop, what are a few humble lives worth in order to appease the king?

But he should not have ignored Alberoni's thoughts, he should have realized that since Alberoni was rescued from that hell, his tendencies had undergone a terrible change.

Alberoni was different from the disciples of the archbishop's colleagues. Their disciples were often born into noble families, and the second and youngest sons who could not inherit the family property either joined the army or joined the church. However, since the church reform, the church has also begun to value Character and ability, when the Archbishop of Toledo met Alberoni, he was just a gardener, but he had a face that was kissed by an angel, gentle and polite, and knew how to say hello and goodbye in Latin (The master taught him when he was happy).

The archbishop took a fancy to him at a glance. It can be said that the archbishop was the one who pulled Alberoni out of his impoverished vitality, but it was this child who ruthlessly betrayed his teacher and single-handedly promoted the riot Itinerary——When the archbishop was lying on the sickbed in pain, enduring the torment of fever and pain, he only wanted to imprison Alberoni on the city wall or put him on the wooden horse of Judas, or other tortures , Resentment poured on his heart like molten iron, making it extremely hard.

But it was also Alberoni who quietly took over the job of looking after the archbishop after the death of Carlos II.

Looking after the archbishop at that time was not an easy task, not to say that there were no attendants or maids to do things, the problem was that facing a face that looked like a devil, few people could insist on not turning their eyes away, and not wanting to escape. The damaged part of the archbishop was the cheek, which healed very slowly and was very difficult and troublesome to take care of—this was also the result of the church sending two priests from the Inquisition to treat the archbishop.

The archbishop's cheek was bitten off by Carlos II, leaving a big hole dripping with blood. If there is no church, he is not an archbishop, and he must die—this hole makes him unable to drink water or eat. It leaks out and contaminates the wound (this is a new concept proposed by French priests and scholars), so those who take care of him must use cotton balls to drip water on the archbishop's swollen tongue and lips. Use a long-handled spoon to pass directly into the throat a little bit. This kind of thing doesn't sound difficult, but the problem is that the person who lost half of his cheek can see white teeth, mandarin fish-colored gums, and purple-black tongue from the wound, which looks really scary.

Before Alberoni left the king's room, the maids and attendants serving the archbishop always intentionally or unintentionally avoided this terrible scene, and the frequency of feeding and watering was so low that it could only ensure that the archbishop was still alive—anyway, the archbishop He often falls asleep due to fever, and loses the ability to speak clearly... maybe he will die tomorrow.

Until Alberoni took over this heavy work, the archbishop can say without exaggeration that Alberoni is like an angel who came down from the sky to save him, and his life can be said to be given by Alberoni. of.

When he recovered, the archbishop couldn't make up his mind to execute Alberoni. Even if he was exiled, he couldn't choose a place for a long time, and because of the scars he left, he always had to wear a mask to reduce the frequency of speaking, Some things can only be handed over to Alberoni, so the disposal of this rebellious disciple has been delayed until today.

Then he said, Alberoni, do you want to go to France?

It's going to be a big battle here soon, said the archbishop. Anti-French and pro-French, Habsburgs and Bourbons, and whoever wants to take advantage of the fire, they're going to treat Spain as their own country. It’s a good place to decide the outcome or make money, boy,” he said with a bit of ambiguity, and in order to avoid pulling the tangled muscles around his mouth, he abbreviated or changed some pronunciations, and only accompanied him like this It took Alberoni several years to understand: The French ambassador to Spain is going back to France. I entrust you to him. You follow him to Paris. Maybe you can find your future there. .”

What about you?

I'm here.

Then I won't go either, sir.

Don't be stupid, Alberoni, you and José are good friends, but you are different. The archbishop said: He is Juan Patinho's nephew, and now he is staying with his family. Madrid, surrounded by squires and guards, no one can threaten him, but you, you are only a little priest, no one cares about your life.

I will never betray you again.

If you don't want to disobey me, Alberoni. The archbishop raised his hand wearily: Then you should do what I say, he looked towards the void: Although I decided to stay here, to meet a King of the Habsburgs, but now I can tell you bluntly, boy, I don't think Spain or the Habsburgs can win the final victory, anyway, Louis XIV will not leave his children such A hidden danger, as his enemy, I can't beg the forgiveness of the Sun King, but I think, you can go to Paris, to Versailles, you are outstanding in talent, noble in character and handsome in appearance, and you are the most popular in the court of Versailles That kind of person, when you go there...

The archbishop paused: I don't know what things will look like in a few years, but if possible, Alberoni, if you can go to Charles of Bourbon, if he ends up in Madrid, I hope he You'll have a place next to me—I can't ask you to ask for anything for me, or for the Habsburgs, but if it's for Spain, you won't say no, will you?

……teacher.

Go, if you can't, it's okay, the archbishop smiled: I just want to save one fault that needs to be confessed.\

,"He pointed to his face, indicating that he didn't want to continue talking.

—————

The archbishop may not be sure of many things, but he was right when he said to Alberoni that the Duke of Orléans would never grant the request of the Catalans—what a fantasy! But after thinking about it, the Duke must also admit that for some ambitious people, this is a perfect opportunity. Catalonia was originally an earl country, which was held by France and Spain in turn. At the beginning of the thirteenth century, in order to ensure the integrity of the French territory, Louis IX made a deal with the King of Aragon, but in the Thirty Years War, it was occupied by Louis XIII, and Louis XIII declared its sovereignty returned to the hands of the King of France.

According to the law of succession, the title of Earl of Barcelona should be inherited by Louis XIV, but if the Duke of Orléans claimed that he had recaptured Catalonia, and claimed the title and territory of Earl of Barcelona... it is not impossible—— Not only because this is an existing fact, but also because France is facing a long and arduous war. If Louis XIV does not want to encounter obstacles at the beginning, he should have compromised.

Tamalit and his supporters thought this way. In the firelight, the eyes of the Duke of Orleans widened slightly at first, and then quickly calmed down: I am very surprised by your suggestion, he said: But I am I will not betray my brother.

This is not a betrayal, Tamalit has been paying close attention to the look of the Duke. He keenly noticed that although the Duke calmed down quickly, his pupils did dilate for a moment—in the Middle Ages, women knew how to use the expression Tomato juice to dilate the pupils, because dilated pupils mean that its owner saw something exciting or interesting - the duke's pupils can't be said to be flustered, he must be moved, but the French... always have to be hypocritical You may as well say to your brother's emissary that the Catalans, seeing your majesty, would rather have you rule them than your nephew, a child - that is also The fact is our expectation, you don't have to worry at all, your brother will definitely understand you and be happy.

Pooh! The Duke said in his heart that these Catalan nobles obviously took him for a fool. If he was another Duke of Gaston, he might really hesitate, but if he lost the trust and support of the King of France , what kind of storm can a foreigner set off in Catalonia? Take a look at the several kings of Poland, including a French duke. How did he run back to Paris in despair after being the king of Poland for three years?

At that time, he will be just a puppet. Once the Catalans gain independence, he will either encounter some accidents or be deported back to France.

I won't do that, said the Duke, but with a deliberately weak tone, Tamalit smiled, and he withdrew cheerfully, returning to his room with his watch.

While in the hallway, he met Gemma.

He stared at Gemma, Gemma lowered her head, Tamalit sneered, and Father Clarice swore that Gemma was the only girl who would not be taken away by the Duke of Orleans—presumably, after all... It's just that the Duke of Orleans is willing to keep her out of mercy? But it didn't matter. Although Gemma was a very useful tool, she didn't have any status with them. They never discussed any secrets in front of her.

Someone kicked Gemma. I don’t know who it was. Gemma is used to it. After these people left, she slowly stretched her body and walked to the end of the corridor. When her figure was about to disappear into the darkness, the tower Mallet frowned: It's still... He said in a low voice, and the attendants around him listened and nodded.

The death of Gemma's father and brother, to be precise, the failure of the riot was related to Tamalite, but Tamalit was unwilling to admit his failure, so he shifted the blame to his deputy, namely Gemma's father, anyway, they had been hanged by the Spaniards at that time, and Tamalit didn't pay much attention to their wives and children later, but, of course, he had seen Gemma before, and Gemma also Having seen him before, he had always been worried that Father Clarice's insistence on keeping Gemma would be bad for him. Now it seems that maybe not, but to be on the safe side, he should send Gemma to see God or the devil.

—————

Gemma is no longer qualified to sleep at the Duke's feet or in the corridor, it is a last resort in the chapel, and she now sleeps alone under a corner of the stairs.

In the middle of the night, a very heavy object was suddenly placed on her body. She woke up suddenly, and when she began to struggle non-stop, she touched the hands on her neck—the hands were like rough nooses He strangled her tightly around her neck, causing her to suffocate. Her legs kept kicking, and her strength was stronger than anyone the murderer encountered, including men. He regretted not using a knife while Move your thumb to pinch Gemma's ear.

Although the medicine of this era is underdeveloped, there are always killing techniques. This made Gemma completely lose the strength to resist. She opened her eyes wide, but nothing but darkness was darkness. She was about to die. She remembered her own Brother and sister... She thought she had been looking for an end, and only now did she realize how despicable she was-she didn't want to die at all!