Eagle’s Glory

Alice did not notice Edmond Dantès's entanglement. She was already immersed in the memories of the old days and could not extricate herself. She continued to narrate without waiting for the count's prompting.

"Because I participated in the looting, I received a good beating. During the war, people have little sympathy, and gold and silver treasures will destroy all morality in the world. In short, no one took pity on me. I am a little girl, and they beat me Half dead, almost dying. Facing a group of adults, I couldn't resist. I could only lie on the ground and get beaten, while I begged God to save me... Fortunately, just when I was about to lose consciousness, the man who rescued me Appeared—well, you guessed it, Bianca.”

A flash of tears suddenly appeared in Agnes's eyes. She stretched out her hand and held her sister's hand tightly. A thousand words were shed in these tears - although she was very young at the time, She still remembers her sister's love and sacrifice for her.

Alice also held her sister's hand, and then said with a smile that she was not sad now, she was just recalling the past.

"Bianca fought those people away and then pulled me up from the ground. It's funny to say that at that time, I knew clearly that she had saved me, but my first reaction was to cover the things in my hands tighter. I was afraid of being snatched away by her - even though it was actually meaningless, what could I do if she wanted to snatch it away? Hey, it can only be said that my consciousness was blurred at the time... She saw me like this Then she couldn't help laughing and said don't worry, I won't steal your things. Then she took out a handkerchief and wiped my face. I had never been treated so tenderly before, but more importantly, I kept what I grabbed, and I allowed my brothers and sisters and I to survive! The relief and joy made me faint at the time.

When I woke up again, I found myself lying in a very open and clean place, and Bianca was watching me and gave me food and water. She congratulated me on my escape from death, and I could say what? Of course I was very grateful to her for saving my life, and then I asked her to allow me to leave there. I wanted to return home with my trophies and bring hope of life to my parents and younger siblings..."

Then, Alice's face suddenly turned red again, "After thanking her, I also asked her name specifically. I told her that I was an exiled princess, and that when we returned to France, we would definitely do our best. I could not repay her kindness to me, but she looked at me like a fool, and then laughed..."

Edmond Dantès couldn't help laughing after hearing this - obviously, under those circumstances, hearing a beggar-like little girl say that she was a princess would have made a normal person laugh.

After Alice laughed for a moment, she spoke again, "After she finished laughing, she told me that she didn't care if I was a duchess or a princess. She needed something else in return. I quickly asked her what she wanted? Because it was obvious to us at that time She had nothing, and her answer turned out to be me.

She said that she had been wandering for a long time and now she wanted to take on an apprentice, and she felt that I was quite suitable to be this apprentice. "

"Ah? Why is it you?" Edmond Dantès was a little confused. It seemed that Agnes had become Bianca's apprentice, so why was it Alice?

He looked at Alice suspiciously again, but he couldn't see any trace of strong figure on this delicate lady.

"Mr. Earl, I was as surprised as you." Alice smiled and shook her head. "I asked her why she picked me? She answered me that she didn't come to the rescue immediately after seeing me being beaten, but After watching me for a while, she felt that although I was thin, I had good physical endurance and a strong will. Although I was a bit older, I should still be able to learn some of her skills as long as I worked hard—— "

Although Edmond Dantès accepted her explanation, he still felt that this was a bit too lucky. He could be favored by a famous teacher just by being beaten for no reason.

"Of course this is not the most important reason. She went on to tell me that with her ability, if she wanted to choose an apprentice, there would be girls better than me. However, she was usually conceited about her appearance, so she had long sworn that she would be careful when choosing an apprentice. I want to find a girl with extraordinary appearance... and she said that I am the most beautiful child she has seen in all of southern Italy. Although I am dressed in ragged clothes, I will definitely become a great beauty, enough to become her inheritance... … It doesn’t matter whether I am a commoner or a princess.”

Edmund was stunned with surprise. Although this reason seemed absurd, it was inexplicably convincing when she said it in her mouth.

Alas, this world is so realistic. Those who are beautiful will always get preferential treatment.

Alice also blushed in embarrassment, but there was also a sense of pride that a woman must have in her blue eyes.

She may indeed deserve this compliment.

"Then why didn't you become her apprentice?" Edmond Dantès calmed down and then asked again.

"Because I rejected her." Alice replied, "I don't like swords and fighting, and I have younger brothers and sisters to take care of. How can I learn sword skills from others every day? But she didn't allow me to refuse, she said She is not a kind-hearted saint. Since she saved my life with great mercy, she has the right to ask me to make corresponding repayments. If she doesn't want to repay her, then I can use my life to pay for it... I I cried and begged her, told her about my family situation, and begged her to let me go for the time being. When we returned to France and got back our ancestral property, we would definitely pay her a large sum of money to repay this kindness.

My crying did not arouse her compassion, but after listening to my crying, she seemed to have other thoughts - so she asked me, is my sister beautiful? Of course I replied that she was very beautiful, as cute as an angel, so she laughed again and said that if I lied, I would have to pay with my life. If I didn't lie, then she would get a satisfactory result. Then she forced me to take her to our home, intending to see with my own eyes..."

At this point, Edmond Dantès actually understood the whole story.

It is obvious that Bianca is not a kind-hearted person. She watched Alice being beaten and forced Alice to either become an apprentice or die, which proves her character. However, even so, she still objectively has feelings for Alice. Well, so it's normal for these sisters to admire her so much.

Alice finished the last part of the story calmly.

"In desperation, I took her home, told my parents what had happened, and handed them my trophies, while all Bianca's attention was focused on Agnes. On her body, this little guy was only four years old at the time. She didn’t understand anything. She just giggled at Bianca, and Bianca picked her up and directly announced that Agnes would be her apprentice from now on. We must agree and repay her kindness, otherwise she will let my blood splatter on the spot - my parents are unable to resist, of course, for them, this is double good news... They got the money to return to China through me, and at the same time She also got a free bodyguard at the cost of Agnes being her apprentice, so objectively speaking, it should be a big profit, right?"

After saying these words, Alice smiled and spread her hands to Edmund, "Mr. Earl, thank you for your patience. I have revealed to you all the past events of that year. Undoubtedly, I don't have much to be ashamed of. But this is personal privacy after all, I hope you can keep it a secret for us two sisters, okay?"

"Of course!" Edmond Dantès naturally nodded in agreement, but based on his own conscience, he specifically asked again, "Can your Majesty be an exception? I believe he will still be very interested in this story. of."

Although Edmund could have broken his promise and told His Majesty in private, he really couldn't muster the courage to face his conscience at this time, so he simply asked directly.

"Your Majesty, of course, can make an exception..." Before Agnes could say anything, Alice narrowed her eyes and agreed, "Your Majesty is our friend, just like you are our friend, if this story can help your Majesty pass the time In terms of time, this is also an honor for us.”

Alice's frankness made Edmund secretly feel ashamed. Alice regarded herself and His Majesty as friends, but it turned out that these two "friends" were plotting against her savior... It was really embarrassing to think about it.

For reasons, since Bianca had done such a thing, His Majesty and he could use any means to retaliate cruelly; but for Qing, he really couldn't bear to see the two sisters sad.

Alice saw Edmund's hesitation and entanglement now, but she was a little confused. "Sir, what's wrong with you? What are you thinking about?"

Edmund was a little confused at this time, so he instinctively changed the topic, "I only have one last question, why was Bianca in Naples at that time? Is it a coincidence?"

"It's not a coincidence." Alice shook her head. "I found out later that she was hired to escort the king's family from Naples back to their homeland. She also came to the dock that day, so she saw the place where I was beaten. A scene..."

Edmond Dantès knew that the "king" family Alice was talking about this time did not refer to Prince Murat, but to the King of the Two Sicilies who returned to Naples after Murat, a branch of the Bourbon family. King Nan IV.

In other words, was Bianca serving the Bourbon family at that time?

The Bourbons of the Two Sicilies and the Bourbons of France have been separated by many generations, but they also share the same ancestry with each other, and there are marriages between them - such as the younger son of King Charles X, the assassinated Duke of Berry, who The wife he married was Princess Marie-Caroline from this family.

So could it be that Bianca is really the killer that the French Bourbon family found out of anger, trying to physically eliminate the heirs of the Bonaparte family once and for all?

This is indeed a quite logical inference, but Edmond Dantès has a vague feeling in his heart that things may not be that simple. This is an intuition but he himself cannot explain why.

But no matter what, this time he gained more than he imagined. He got a lot of important information from the sidelines, which was an excellent start.

There was still a fog in front of him, but he had already seen the light that penetrated it.

He tried to put aside the guilt on his conscience, and then spoke as if nothing had happened.

"After hearing your description, I admire this lady I have never met even more. I really hope to see her as soon as possible! By the way, what is her personality like? Is she married?"

"I didn't expect you to be so curious..." Alice covered her mouth and chuckled, "She was unmarried when we last met. She must have no interest in getting married at this age. As for her personality... … As you can tell from my description, she was an arrogant, sarcastic and severe person, quite egotistical and stubborn.”

"Her temper has become worse and worse over the years, and her words are extremely unpleasant. She was not so harsh before..." Agnes, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly interrupted. "I think she has become an old aunt because she has been alone for a long time."

"So you should take a warning and be humble and kind to others. Also, you should find someone to marry as soon as possible, so as not to become such a weird and mean character when you get older..." Alice replied.

"Hey! Why do you have to involve me?" Agnes protested dissatisfied. "I'm already very kind to others, okay!"

"I can testify to this." Edmond Dantès said loudly, "Miss Agnes is proud but not arrogant. She is a being that everyone admires. I believe that she will never become that kind of person no matter what. A person’s…her life will never lack care…and companionship.”

Agnes couldn't help but blush. "There's no need to be so exaggerated..."

"I hope so!" Alice couldn't help laughing.

After laughing for a while, she restrained her smile and looked at the count again, "Sir, there are many things you have to do, but you have to do it step by step. Next, we will find a suitable residence for you first. This is the best way to do it." Don't worry about important things, we will find them for you soon - as for Bianca, if she comes to Paris, we will tell you as soon as possible and try to satisfy your curiosity, but I advise you It's best not to ask for advice from her, she is a ruthless person, and my sister was often beaten black and blue by her when she was a child."

"I have never blamed her for this. You cannot teach good students if you are not strict -" Agnes defended the teacher, and then looked at her sister, "If I teach Xia Lu in the future, I will do the same. of!"

"Hey!" Alice became anxious upon hearing this, "Agnes, I'm warning you, don't touch my poor daughter!"

Under her sister's stern gaze, Agnes flinched and lowered her head, "Okay, if she wants to learn, I will teach her..."

"That won't work either." Alice still disagreed. "My daughter will be the star of the ball, and she doesn't need to wield a knife or a gun."

"Then if I hold a sword, wouldn't I be more prominent at the dance?" Agnes whispered.

"Agnes!" Alice shouted again angrily.

"Okay, I'm going back first~ Mr. Earl, if you have any errands, just call me!" Agnes made a face at her sister, then got up and ran away.