The Happy Life of a Duchess

In this part, Mr. Duval said very implicitly and vaguely.

He hinted to her in the letter that if she wanted, they could meet——

The implication is that they can meet to discuss this matter.

Maybe it's a way to avoid leaving some paper-based words, and Adele can understand it.

Their King of Orleans was able to escape from the struggles of the orthodox royalists of Bourbon, the Emperor Napoleon’s faction, and the Republican faction, and succeeded in inheriting the throne of France as the Grand Duke of Orleans. It can be seen that he is indeed outstanding. .

His existence has reconciled the contradictions between conservatives and radicals, whether it is the dispute between the old and the new aristocrats, or the debate on whether to reform, to a certain extent, when there are some internal and external troubles, such as the spying of Britain across the strait, His throne was barely preserved in such a difficult environment.

Although his dynasty was not long, it was not short either.

Compared with those faction members who had their heads cut off and necks cut off one after another during the Great Revolution, think about the ending of those party members of the Feuillet, Girondist, Jacobin, and Abelian factions, and then think about it. A last Bourbon king and queen whose rule was overthrown...

At least in comparison, in Adele's impression, the final situation of the King of Orleans——

After the February Revolution, at least one life was left, and he fled to England so that he would not be reduced to the point where there were no bones left.

Adele's mentality immediately calmed down a lot. Although it seems a little gloating to say so, the king's reign is indeed not much left, and there is nothing worthy of being remembered by history during his reign. Notable achievements.

He just represented the interests of the emerging bourgeoisie. While the Bourbon orthodox and radical Republicans were being suppressed, he kept himself in a relative balance among the constitutionalists and then protected himself.

"So, won't you explain more to me?"

Adele hugged Mr. Duval and refused to let go.

There was a bit of sweet helplessness on his face.

Mr. Duval received Adele's reply letter that day, and came to Bailu Manor the next day to meet his lovely fiancée in the garden.

At this time, he didn't really care about whether everyone would think of him when he came to Juradi Manor.

To be honest, the actions of Barry's family have already made him very disgusted, and he has never been such a submissive person.

"Don't worry." He patted her on the back lightly to reassure her.

Adele doesn't know much about the king's rights, etc., and the only knowledge she has is from books and movies and TV dramas.

She lived in the era of a free, equal and fraternal republic. As a high-class lady born in capitalism, she didn't need to worry about politics and other issues. She only needed to enjoy the protection of her family and the influence brought by enough money.

Her conception of the king's power is very vague.

Of course she knew that King Louis-Philippe, the ruler of the July Dynasty, would not be the mascot of the constitutional monarchy like the British royal family later, but she couldn't tell whether he was like the medieval or later period. A ruler has the power to behead someone at will.

Or, she just didn't know whether the king had the power to dispose of a not-so-small government official like Mr. Duval at will.

M. Duval is the tax collector in Paris.

This position is not small, but it also has real power. Although it is definitely not as good as a cabinet minister, such as the Minister of Finance or the Prime Minister of the Cabinet, it must be said that this position can be regarded as horizontal in Paris or in the whole of France. go.

"No, no." Mr. Duval smiled, putting Adele's worries on the surface, he explained very gently, and he didn't refuse to explain because she was a girl who didn't understand this aspect.

"How should I put it, today's political situation is more chaotic and complicated, compared to when the king just succeeded to the throne, it is even more... Stranger."

"If we say that the struggle at the beginning was on the bright side, when there was no doubt that various parties were vying for power and discussing the national system, now...our king did not have the ability to control the situation during his reign. Not only did the conflicts not resolve, but even if it was eased, it was just forced down."

"Now it's more of a state of undercurrents, and I... just happened to be able to find some opportunities to live in it for the time being. Many people also want to act like me. It's a pity that those who can truly maintain neutrality and gain opportunities It’s not much, and it’s a pity that Armand didn’t get this kind of ability, he, like Mr. Bonn Barry, is not enough to be involved in the political arena.”

"I'm a centrist republican... In the party of the king's supporters, there are activists and conservatives. One is on the left and the other is on the right. One advocates reform and the other advocates stability. Before the king used both sides to suppress and balance, to control the situation, but because there have been some... because the heirs of King Napoleon are getting older, people from this faction have acted a little bigger, and the balance has been broken."

"My appointment is actually the result of the struggle between multiple parties. I got this position because people valued my neutral position." When Mr. Duval said this, Adele seemed to understand.

"In short, if the king wants to threaten me with my position, it may cause some...chain reactions. After all, the tax officials in Paris are customizing tax collection management in Paris. The essence is to manage money. Hijacking the country's pocketbook..."

He smiled slyly and stroked her hair gently.Because she was meeting him, she dressed up very carefully, and he himself tried his best to make himself more handsome, just hoping to leave a better impression on the other party.

Adele stared at the other party, and she couldn't see anything wrong from his expression. It seemed that he really wasn't bothered by it, so she quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

"Then why..." She paused, "Isn't the king looking for you because of the Barry family's affairs?"

"Yes and no." His expression suddenly became subtle.

"He seemed to think that I would have a good impression of Miss Barry, or he probably meant to give Miss Barry...for nothing to me."

Adele was taken aback, but didn't react for a while.

There was a bit of indifference in Duval's beautiful blue eyes, and his usual smile was just a polite way of saying, he knew in his heart how much of a real smile, and he would only bear it when he was facing his lovely fiancée. He couldn't help showing a gentle smile, trying to coax her and pamper her again and again.

"Mr. Old Barry was one of the supporters of the king's faction before, and his son, Mr. Bonn Barry, who is currently at the helm of the Barry family, has basically maintained this line."

"However, in terms of relationship management, he is obviously inferior to his father, so he can only get the king's favor through some other methods..."

"On the surface, everyone thinks that Mrs. Barry was chosen by the king as his lover, but in fact, it was the Barry and Bernard families who chose her and sent her to the king, and she did get The favor of the king also brought solid benefits to the family behind him."

"But now, Mrs. Barry is not too young..."

Adele frowned, thinking a lot in her heart.

"Yes, you're a smart girl, just as you think."

He put his arms around her and sat with her on a bench by the garden, enjoying the view of the fragrant garden without being disturbed.

"Miss Barry is probably also a participant and beneficiary of this complicated relationship."

"Actually, if I hadn't been summoned last time, I wouldn't have thought so, but now I'm thinking, maybe Miss Barry isn't so...pure?"

"..." Adele didn't speak.

This confidence was a little strong, as if it brought her to the set of something she didn't expect, such as the Red and White Rose War.

"The king probably also used Miss Barry to win me over, and of course there was some element of threat, and then the actions of the Barry family... probably because they thought they had won, or Miss Barry...couldn't wait any longer. .”

"The rumors in the past two days have spread beyond my expectations." He looked a little cold. "I communicated with Mr. Duke that I plan to hold the dance in advance and announce it as soon as possible... What do you think?"

"Of course I can." Adele shook her head. She had already expected this solution. They wanted to be the first, but they had obviously gone through the legal process here, and they only needed to announce it. Mr. Duval firmly insisted on it. If the attitude is there, then the plots of the Barry family and others are not to be feared.

"I'm really angry that something that has been confirmed has suddenly changed like this."

"I didn't expect that there would be such twists and turns, and it would involve current political issues. I just hope it won't affect you..."

"Don't worry, it won't affect you." Mr. Duval smiled, but in his smile and thinking, he showed a bit of indifference and danger.

"I'm not going to be manipulated so much that I can't even marry the girl I like."

Adele guessed that he should also be under considerable pressure, but he didn't show it in front of her at all.

She wasn't sure if there was the reason she imagined, and Mr. Duval did hint at her, saying that Miss Barry couldn't wait, and if she wanted to win the position of Mrs. Duval, she must have this last Chance.

It's just that, if he wanted to take her sweetheart away, he didn't want to see if she agreed.

Besides, isn't Mr. Duval's whole heart on her?

She speculated in her mind about possible situations and the reasons why the Barry family took such a move. This move was even a bit stupid and naive.

She guessed that either the other party had some reason to do it, or they overestimated their influence on Mr. Duval——

In other words, he probably underestimated the pressure from the king or others.

It sounded light and light, as if it wasn't enough to worry about, but it was probably because he deliberately said it lightly in order not to make her worry too much.

Adele leaned back into his arms.

His slow and peaceful breathing came through his clothes, and his deep and gentle voice spoke of the arrangements behind.

Adele couldn't help poking his chest, and he grabbed her teasing fingers.

"Ok?"

He lowered his head and chuckled, his eyes soft.

The author has something to say:

The French Revolution was mainly composed of three ruling parties and the Abelian faction, as follows:

Faillant faction: bourgeois constitutional monarchist faction in the French Revolution, representing the interests of the financial bourgeoisie. On July 1791, 7, the constitutional monarchy sect split from the Jacobin Club, named after the meeting held at the Abbey of Feuillon.The main representatives are Sieyès, Lafayette, Bailly, Barnave, Lammert brothers and so on.They advocate a constitutional monarchy and oppose a republic.

Girondists: The bourgeois democratic republic moderates in the French Revolution, mainly representing the French industrial and commercial bourgeoisie who believed in liberalism at that time.Famous activists of this faction include Jacques Pierre Brissot, the Marquis of Condorcet, the Roland couple, Pierre Vicduignan Vergniaud, Armand Jean Sonnet and others.They advocated a republic, but they did not approve of the execution of Louis XVI. It was overthrown by the Jacobins in June 1793.

Jacobin: A bourgeois radical political group that participated in the Jacobin Club during the French Revolution, most of its members were small proprietors.The main leaders are Robespierre, Danton, Mara, Saint-Just and so on. ? On June 1793, 6, the Jacobins overthrew the Girondins. ? In the spring of 2, Robespierre sent the main members of the Hébert faction and the Danton faction to the guillotine.The bourgeoisie was unwilling to continue to be restricted, and the internal contradictions of the Jacobins became more acute. The Thermidor coup on 1794 July (7 Thermidor 27, 2) ended Jacobin rule.

Abelian: The left wing of the Jacobins during the French bourgeois revolution.The main leaders are Abel, Chaumet and so on.Represent the demands of the broad masses of the common people. In March 1794, it was eliminated by Robespierre because of its opposition.Also translated as Aibel faction.

In short, the claims of the four are more radical than the other, followed by the reign of Emperor Napoleon I. (Information comes from the Internet)

War of the Red and White Roses: After the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453) between England and France, supporters of the Lancastrian dynasty (Red Rose) and Yorkist dynasty supporters (White Rose) started a civil war for power.After Henry VII, the first monarch of the Tudor dynasty, married Princess Elizabeth, the eldest daughter of Edward IV of York, the two roses merged into one and became the Tudor rose, the coat of arms of the Tudor dynasty. A symbol of the Tudor royal family, representing nobility and eternity.