[Comprehensive Book] A Rose for Catherine

Catherine's second audience with the Prince Regent.

Maybe it was for some other purpose, but she was a little more nervous than the first time.The regent was not bad-tempered, and invited Catherine to sit down on a chair with a gentleman's etiquette.Princess Charlotte, who was by her father's side, gave Catherine a wink for reassurance and relaxation.

Catherine tried to soften her facial expression and appear less restrained.Princess Charlotte and the regent spoke a few words before leaving the room first.

After looking at her for a full quarter of an hour, the regent slowly tapped the floor with his cane and said, "Miss Catherine, I heard from Charlotte that you—are very interested in the school."

Catherine nodded: "That's true. I'm very curious about the schools that women go to."

The Prince Regent was noncommittal to her answer, then asked her about girls' schools and other aspects, and then said other unrelated topics: "I read the story you wrote for Charlotte. It is very wonderful, very... special."

The princess who was not raised as an heir married the king of another country. She knew nothing about her future husband, and her only longing was a handsome portrait drawn by a court painter.However, she was destined to be disappointed when they met at the engagement ceremony—her husband was mediocre and ugly, shattering her last dream of this marriage.She couldn't change all this, so she could only marry to a foreign country alone. After marriage, she found that her husband didn't like her either.

——this is a marriage that makes them both miserable, but makes everyone happy except them.The princess thought so.

The princess gave up the fantasy of marriage, she indulged in the ball and pleasure, as if venting her dissatisfaction, as many mistresses as the king finds, she also has as many lovers.Her marriage to her husband was figureheaded, and after producing an heir, she lost meaning to all.

In this despair, she fell in love with a young man who appeared in front of her and accompanied her to comfort her.The princess fell in love, and she proposed to the king to end the marriage.

However, it is destined to be an inextricable relationship.Everyone thought the princess was ridiculous and unreasonable. They reprimanded her, satirized her, warned her, and asked her to be a qualified superficial queen. They allowed her to raise lovers, but they did not allow her to insult the dignity of the royal family.

The princess was in despair.In grief and anger, she decided to poison the king with poison.She thought that in this way she could get the happiness she wanted, but her beloved lover reported her plot to the king.

She was imprisoned in the depths of the deep castle, completely insane.She clamored to see anyone, but no one came to see her, not a lover, not a child, not a friend.

Finally, the annoyed king, who was notified by the servants, came to see her, and they still couldn't get along peacefully.

The princess finally said: "I have destroyed you, and you have destroyed me. Marriage without emotion has destroyed us."

"But in the beginning, it wasn't my fault. It was never my choice."

After the king left, she swallowed the poison and ended her short and painful life.

Although the original names of the regent and his wife were not used, the information revealed in the text description makes it very easy to think of this famous couple in England who seem to be divorced.

Catherine replied calmly: "I am very honored to be praised by you."

"Wrong marriages not only make women miserable, but also men." The regent didn't know whether he was evaluating Catherine's works or his own past experience.After he finished speaking, he half-lyed on the crimson velvet cushion, as if thinking for a while: "Miss Catherine, let's talk about your school. I read your letter to Charlotte , you are a very courageous and thoughtful girl—although you are too brave. Now, what kind of reason can you give?"

Having been the crown prince for many years, when he deliberately lowered his voice and became serious, he felt very oppressive.

Catherine calmed down, "Your Excellency, I heard that you have elegant taste, love and support art very much, and are willing to invest in it. I wonder if education is also an art worthy of your investment in your eyes?"

"Do you think education is an art, Miss Catherine? A novel idea."

The Prince Regent watched her with interest.

In order to achieve her goal, Catherine started talking nonsense without hesitation: "Of course, Your Excellency."

"Do you think the art of education is more worthy of my investment than architecture?" The regent's tone was unclear, "Education, women's education."

"Your Excellency, they are two completely different arts." Catherine replied neither humble nor humble. "The art of architecture lies in design, while the art of education lies in shaping a person's thoughts. It will be influenced by one person and a group of people. an era."

"Girls' education will be more than an art, it will be a historical feat."

For a king, it would be even better if he could influence the achievements of later generations.Especially for a future king like him who is not well-received by the public, maybe he doesn't care about his evaluation in the history books, but he will definitely be willing to seize a chance to turn his reputation around.Who wouldn't want to be praised?

It's a decent chip.

"Miss Catherine, aren't women being educated these days?"

"Your Excellency, it is the noble women who can get enough education." Catherine corrected him, "It is the education that people think women can get. The door of truth has not been opened to women."

At least for now.

"Miss Catherine, your ambition may be beyond my imagination." The regent paused, "But this will not cause actual damage to me, and it may not necessarily hurt you." On the contrary, it can restore the popular support he has lost. .

He didn't ask Catherine if she was ready for a difficult situation, and if she hadn't expected it, she wouldn't have come to him.

The regent continued to talk to himself about his thoughts: "Let women get more rights to study. Miss Catherine, how do you judge that they must be correct? No one has ever said to do this."

Catherine smiled slightly: "Before Queen Mary, there had never been a queen in England. The glory of Queen Elizabeth made history prove that the appearance of the queen was not a mistake. Then why can't women go to school in the future, become lawyers, doctors, or prime ministers?" ? I don’t think most occupations are more difficult than being a promising monarch.” ①

"Your Excellency, the education of women is certainly an art worthy of your investment. Even leaving aside the inconclusive education itself, you can pursue in the design of schools what we already know, the art of architecture. Besides, we can foresee its correctness, People in future generations will also recognize your correctness. As a man, this correctness will be even more precious."

Catherine said softly, smiling, not frightened or intimidated by the shocking thoughts she uttered today.

She has seen a more equal, free and beautiful era, so she can't bear a less good era.Since she couldn't bear it, she took the initiative to pursue the freedom and rights she wanted.

His Excellency the Prince Regent stroked the cane inlaid with rubies. The gorgeous and precious gemstones were shining brightly. He said slowly, "Miss Catherine, I think I am a little moved by you."

The author has something to say: [Dreamer·Big Huyoujia·Catherine]

①: The first queen of England is controversial. Some people think it is Jane Grey, queen of nine days, but some people don't admit it. They think Mary is the first one (Jane Grey did not hold a formal coronation ceremony before stepping down Mary hosted.).Mary is considered as an example here, because the queen who was pushed to power and stepped down in nine days is not suitable to be used as an example here.