Eagle's Glory

"At your current age, maybe you don't understand what happened, but it doesn't matter." Edmund Dantès stroked her hair with compassion, as if facing his own child, "From From now on, you will have everything you dreamed of, even more than you should have—and the price of all this is just obeying your master's order... This is very difficult for you. Simple, because he's a very nice guy, you just have to follow his orders."　　

228, the change of fate

"...it's easy for you because he's a very nice guy."

Hai Dai was ignorant, but judging from the performance of the person opposite, she had instinctively felt the kindness of the other person.

She vaguely felt that maybe her fate would be completely different next, and she would no longer be as lonely and helpless as before.

After appeasing Haiidee, Edmund Dantès had no more attachments. For him, the task of coming here has been completed, and now he should go back as soon as possible, so as not to have long nights and dreams.

"Please allow me to say goodbye to Mr. Ambassador—" He turned his head to look at von Mayrhofen, "I hope to leave Istanbul as soon as possible."

Von Mayrhofen was not at all surprised by the Count of Monte Cristo's decision, and he nodded immediately.

"Okay, I'll take you to the ambassador now."

Soon, they stayed behind Haiide, who was still ignorant, for the time being, and then walked together to the small garden of the embassy to meet the ambassador.

"Mr. Ambassador, on behalf of my lord, I would like to express my most sincere thanks to you." As soon as he saw him, Edmond Dantès thanked him with the most sincerity, "Without your help, his conception would be impossible." It will never happen so easily.”

"You're welcome, it's just mutual benefit, and we also appreciate his help." Ambassador von Genz replied calmly, "I had expected that you were going to leave, so in the name of sending a letter to Prime Minister Metternich, I am going to You can take that child along with us as a member of our embassy and get in there—now that the Turks are in dire straits and want something from us, so they won’t embarrass us, and I don’t expect you to be hindered.”

Seeing that the ambassador had arranged things so properly, Edmond Dantès felt more at ease.

"Okay, everything depends on you." After a while, he asked again with some hesitation, "By the way, Mr. Ambassador, I suddenly thought of a question - if His Majesty will use the banner of the Grand Duchess of Ioannina next, Then the Sultan and his subjects will definitely guess that Haiide's real buyer is us, then they...will they take their anger out on you? Will they...cause you any trouble?"

It is hypocritical to ask if it will cause me trouble after I have finished it... the ambassador thought to himself.

But this kind of hypocrisy is part of diplomacy, so he is not angry.

"It takes time for the news to go back and forth. I think that when the Sudanese monarchs and ministers know about it, they will no longer care about Ioannina..." The ambassador laughed mockingly, "At the speed of the Russians' advance, I'm afraid they will threaten Varna within a month, and then approach Adrianople. At that time, all they can do is beg the West to mediate quickly, and how dare they do anything to us?"

The ambassador still didn't say a word - now that the situation has reached this point, there will inevitably be major changes in Turkey's territory. Instead of this, it is better to use the situation to force the sultan's monarch and ministers to make further concessions and weaken Turkey.

Since the Duke of Lechstedt cannot get the crown of Greece, he must need a comfort product to calm his mind. This "comfort product" Austria cannot and does not want to give it, so let this crumbling Turkey give it—anyway, it can It is already a great kindness for him to survive.

Edmond Dantès didn't know what the ambassador was thinking, but from the ambassador's calm attitude, he had confirmed that the situation was under control, so he didn't worry too much anymore.

"Since you have made up your mind, it would be great." Edmond Dantès bowed again, "Goodbye, Mr. Ambassador! I wish you all the best in the future."

"Say hello to Princess Teresa for me, I didn't expect this little girl to have such courage, but it's a pity...hey, she used her courage outside the motherland!" The ambassador shook his head here. Shaking his head, he seemed a little disapproving.

Until now, he still thought that the Duke of Lechstedt had done this with the dowry of Princess Teresa.

But at this point, he also knew that it would be useless to talk too much, so he could only wave his hand to say goodbye.

After bidding farewell to the ambassador, Edmund Dantès returned to the room just now, while Haiidee was still waiting here timidly.

Right now Edmond Dantès can be said to be proud of his spring breeze, he knows that his mission is about to be a complete success.

Just because he was in such a good mood, he looked at Haiide with a particularly gentle look.

"Little girl, are you ready?" he asked, "I'm taking you out of here."

"Where are you going?" Haiidee asked, both wary and expectant.

"To your real buyer," Edmond Dantès replied immediately, "to the place where you will be a ruler..."

Haidee blinked, not understanding the second half of his sentence at all, but it didn't matter.

Edmund Dantès held out his hand to her, and Haidee blinked, then reached out and took his hand.

This hand is thin and slender, and people can't help but feel caring.

After all, she is only a child... Edmond Dantès thought.

Fate had tortured her, made her lose everything, and from now on, everything would be different—she would enjoy glory that she never had.

At this moment, von Mayrhofen opened the door and informed the Count of Monte Cristo that he could leave, so he resolutely took Haidee's hand and walked out of the room.

===================================

Ever since bidding farewell to Edmond Dantès, Aigron has been thinking about his mission.

He was not worried about the safety of his trip, because he knew in his heart that according to the habit, Edmund Dantès should easily get Haidee and bring him back.

What he was struggling with was how to position the relationship between Haidee and Edmund Dantès?

In the original work of "The Count of Monte Cristo", there is no need to tangle with this issue at all. Haidee is obsessed with her master, and eventually becomes a year-end relationship with him, and the two travel together.

But the current environment is completely different - Edmund Dantès came out a few years earlier, and in his mind, there is nothing that can replace the weight of his fiancée Mercedes in his heart.

Moreover, Haidee is only ten years old now, and she doesn't understand any relationship problems at all. A gentleman like Edmund Dantès would never have any love for such a young child.

What's more, this time, in theory, Hai Dai's buyer is herself...

More importantly, I plan to canonize Haiide as the Grand Duchess of Ioannina and treat her as a puppet ruling the Ioannina region. If she is really married to Edmond Dantès, the political influence will be too great. Big, have to carefully weigh.

He thought about this question for a long time, and after much deliberation, he still had no clue. In the end, he did what most people do when they have no clue——

Go with the flow.

Anyway, Haidee has fallen into his hands, and he can arrange it as he wants at that time. After a few years when she grows up, it will depend on the situation.

Days passed, and he was anxiously waiting for the result.

And on a certain night, he finally received a report that the Count of Monte Cristo had returned.

Eggron, who was having dinner with Teresa, was ecstatic, so he ordered the count to be brought here, and he wanted to be summoned immediately.

As he expected, the Count of Monte Cristo brought a little girl with him this time.

Under the shadow of the candlelight, the two of them came to the dining table together and accepted the examination of the two Highnesses.

The little girl's footsteps were very light, with almost no sound. She was wearing a white skirt. Because her skin was pale and thin, she looked like a floating ghost. She looked timidly but full of doubts at the young man in front of her.

From Edmond Dantès' respectful performance, she wisely realized that the young man in front of her was her real buyer.

Therefore, even though this young man looked gentle and had a very friendly attitude, she just stood there in fear, not daring to speak out, for fear of offending the new "master".

At this time, Aigron also looked at the pale and thin little girl in front of him, but she couldn't hide her natural beauty, and then looked at Edmund Dantès.

"Edmund—you've done a very good job!"

After a word of praise, he gestured, "Take her to sit down with me, and we will have dinner together."

Of course Edmund Dantès would not refuse this favor, and he immediately took Haidee to sit at the table together.

Haiide was a little bit on pins and needles, she couldn't understand what the people present were saying, and she didn't know what to do.

However, looking at the sumptuous meals on the table and smelling the aroma wafting from the food, she almost forgot all her troubles and fears, and only the most instinctive desires of human beings remained in her mind.

It's been a long time since she had a good meal.

Both Aigron and Teresa were born in the royal family and grew up in the court. The food they eat here can only be described as crude by their standards, but for Haiide who has just got rid of her slave status Said that this is a feast that she has never dared to imagine for many years.

"Let's have dinner." Eggron made another gesture, and then looked at Haiide with a smile, "Eat more, little girl."

Haidee could not understand Aggron's words, but she guessed from the boy's friendliness that she was in for a feast.

So, driven by hunger, she no longer had any scruples. She grabbed a piece of grilled lamb chops with her hands and stuffed it into her mouth. Spoon of pumpkin soup.

She choked on this nonsense eating, and she couldn't help coughing, but she kept stuffing things into her mouth while coughing.

This gobbled-up appearance made Egron and Edmund Dantès laugh a little dumbfounded.

Teresa couldn't bear to see it, and let out a sigh.

"Poor child, she must have suffered a lot!"

Then, she stood up, sat next to Haiide, picked up the tableware and cut the food into small pieces for her, and then began to feed Haiide.

After eating a little food, Haiidee began to wake up, and then she didn't dare to act recklessly, and obediently let the girl manipulate herself, eating food bit by bit, and drinking soup to moisten her throat every short period of time, finally No more gaffes.

And while they were eating, Aigron and Edmond Dantès talked.

"It looks like your trip went much smoother than I imagined."

"Yes, Your Majesty. This is all because of Ambassador von Genz's cooperation." Edmund Dantès replied, "He thinks Austria needs your cooperation this time, so he is happy to make it easier for you. And He believes that indirect rule in the manner of the Grand Duchess of Ioannina may be an acceptable result for both parties."

Aigron also nodded secretly in his heart.

He knew in his heart that Ambassador von Genz, as Metternich's confidant, also hated the Empire back then, and had repeatedly engaged in diplomatic conspiracies against Napoleon, and he had not shown any kindness to himself over the years.

However, what happened back then is what happened back then, what is happening now is what is now, everyone decides to act based on their position, there is no hatred or non-hatred.

Since he helped this time, I will accept the favor.

Because Haiidee can't speak French now, the two of them didn't have any scruples and got straight to the point.

"You have taken her along the way, so you should know her better—" Aigron asked again, "Do you think she is suitable for our plan?"

"I think she is very suitable." Edmund Dantès replied firmly, "She has a docile personality, and because of the hardships she has suffered before, her expectations for the future are very low. She only hopes to meet someone who can It is enough to treat her master well... I think, as long as we make good use of it, she can definitely play its due role, and she will not resist your will."

Aigron was somewhat disapproving of these words, people were fickle, and the low expectations now did not mean low expectations in the future. He did not dare to take it lightly.

But at least for now, everything is very ideal, he can drive and manipulate this child at will, and she will never have any opinions.

"In this case, let's carry out the original plan—" Aigron nodded, and then looked at Haidee again, "First of all, we must give her the proper education so that she knows how to communicate with us and how to respect her." We, and it is best to learn the etiquette knowledge necessary to be a grand duchess..."

"Leave it to me." Teresa, who had been busy feeding Haidee, interrupted suddenly. "I think I can teach her."

"That couldn't be better, Teresa, I don't think anyone is more suitable than you—as long as you don't get bored." Aigron immediately agreed, "She will be your student from now on."

"I will make her an outstanding woman, and I think she has the potential." Teresa said enthusiastically, "Of course, first of all, she will respect us and obey your leadership."

As she spoke, she smiled and winked at Haidee.

"Poor child, from now on you won't have to suffer from hunger or cold...we will make it up to you."

Haiidee was still ignorant, she didn't understand that the three people present were deciding her own destiny, and she didn't know who the person who bought her was and what she wanted to do.

But looking at Teresa's smile, she inexplicably felt a wave of kindness, and the food stuffed in her stomach also brought her a sense of security and satisfaction at the moment, so she also smiled sweetly, Glad to have found a new home.

Aegron was also full of satisfaction at the moment, and he picked up the wine glass to pay tribute to his favorite.

"cheers."　　

229, determined

Eggron was overjoyed when Edmund Dantès brought Haidee back safely.

Right now, everything is ready, and all the conditions for him to realize his previous plan are ripe.

Haide was the only bloodline left alive by the former Ali Pasha of Ioannina, which means she was the one most qualified to lay claim to succession.

However, Haiidee is only 10 years old now, and she has already left her homeland, so there is no doubt that not many people in the local area will buy it.

But it doesn't matter to Aigron, because he played this banner just to march into Ioannina in a legitimate way.

According to the news he has received now, the army of the Russian Empire is like a broken bamboo, pouring down like a torrent that broke the dam, and is overwhelmingly pressing towards Constantinople.

The sharpness of the Tsar's soldiers is bad news for Aigron on the one hand, because the honor he has won so hard has begun to fade, and people will see that the Tsar is the one who gave the Sultan a fatal blow; On the one hand, this is also a good thing, because the Turks are now in a state of desperation, and they are already in a hurry just to deal with the Tsar, and they no longer have extra energy to manage themselves.

For the Sultan, if he had to choose between Greece and Constantinople, his choice must be the latter.

Therefore, this struggle has reached the second half-the pressure facing Aigron has become extremely small, and he can march forward with confidence and expand the results of the battle.

He wants to march into Ioannina, and then find a way to expand the territory he occupies-this is very important to him.

He had never expected to compete for the throne after the independent founding of Greece, and according to the tacit agreement he reached with Metternich, he could not do so either.

Moreover, after the independence of Greece, he is destined to leave this place. In that case, his influence will inevitably fade a lot, so he needs to find a stable territory for his subordinates.

At this time, Ioannina is an excellent choice. First of all, this is a "land without owner", as long as you grab it in your hand, no one will fight for it; By being a puppet like Dai, he avoided the suspicions that arose from being the ruler himself.

In this way, with his order, his army began to regroup at Mesolonghi.

After this period of rest, the officers and soldiers have regained their physical strength and spirit, and are full of fighting spirit again, and the troops lost in the fierce battle before have gradually been filled up.

Aigron's next battle goal has been conveyed to every soldier through the officers, and they are all gearing up, full of confidence, and ready to follow His Majesty to win a new victory.

However, this time, Aigron does not plan to play the vanguard by himself.

Ioannina's defense is empty, he is not under great pressure, and he does not need to hold the line in person. He would rather stay in Messolonghi, where the news is smooth, so that he can contact all parties at any time, bargain, and prepare for the post-war layout .

He is going to start with Michel Ney at the head of the team, with Edmond Dantès and Isaac Valleolo on the team.

Isaac Valleolo is the captain of Ali Pasha's personal guard. He is definitely the number one well-known figure in the local area. As long as he steps into the land of Ioannina, he will publicize that Miss Haide has returned. Greece, ready to recover the family business.

When the general situation is settled and the public opinion has matured, Egron will take Haide and the main force to enter Ioannina amid cheers as a conqueror, and then turn it into his own stronghold.

His overall plan had been well thought out, so he started to execute it immediately.

Soon, in accordance with his orders, Michel Ney assembled a vanguard force under his personal command, with a number of nearly 3000 people. They assembled outside the city of Messolonghi and were ready to march at any time.

Before they set off, Aigron held a brief departure ceremony.