Eagle’s Glory

"Because of this, I cannot accept her reputation being ruined. She must be married as a flawless bride."

Edmund felt angry and wanted to grab the old man in front of him by the collar and ask him why he was going crazy and involve a young child.

However, even though his hands were trembling slightly, he still held back and did not attack the senior he respected.

"I finally understand your determination to do whatever it takes to achieve your goals." He said mockingly.

"I have never lacked this kind of courage." The Marquis of Noirtier answered him seriously, "Dear Count, I will tell you that I was in the next room and heard everything you just said... I'm very proud of Valentine, an ordinary child would never be like her."

"So you're going to sacrifice her to save a villain's life? Her life is worth a hundred times more than your son's."

"Sacrifice? No, I don't think so." The Marquis shook his head, "I don't think of this as a sacrifice. As I said last time, our family has been marrying according to the will of the parents for generations. My grandmother, my mother, came into my family like this, and then I... Were they sacrifices? Maybe, but this is how we live, I have the right to decide that Valentine will marry anyone , my son has the right to decide even if I die.

Besides, no one would think that marrying your granddaughter to someone like you is called a 'sacrifice'. As Valentine said, you don't have to feel inferior to yourself. You are the Count of Monte Cristo, and the little sailor from Marseille is just left in the dust. dream! "

"Yes, I am indeed no longer what I used to be, but even so, I will never forget everything I have experienced, let alone who gave me the humiliation and pain I endured." Edmund retorted.

"Yes, I can completely feel the pain and humiliation, because I am also one of the parties involved. But can't these things be compensated? No, I know that you are not the kind of person who wants to destroy everything, so I'm trying my best to make it up to you, hoping to calm your anger... It's a pity that Valentine is too young, but you are still young, right? She has a smart mind and outstanding appearance, and will have huge fortunes in the future Wealth, and she is willing to dedicate everything she has to you, aren't these enough to appease your resentment?"

Facing the eloquent old man, Edmund stopped arguing.

He knew that if it came to a war of words, he would never be the Marquis's opponent.

Besides, this topic made him feel a little bored, and he really didn't want to continue.

He calmed down a little,

Try to evaluate your current situation.

Although things are already very bad now, the worst thing has not happened. At present, Villefort does not know his secret; and what he just knocked out Valentine has not been exposed in front of everyone.

It seems that the Marquis of Noirtier is not willing to cause a big scandal just to blackmail himself.

In other words, he can escape at any time.

And he felt that he should get away immediately, and could no longer be entangled with the grandparents, otherwise there would be new troubles when Valentine woke up.

"You can say whatever you want, but unfortunately, I cannot agree with your idea. Now, can I go?"

The Marquis remained very calm and did not seem angry at his refusal.

"Of course, you are our most distinguished guest. Of course you can come and go freely. I can send you off if necessary."

"Then there's no need. You'd better take good care of Valentine. This poor child shouldn't have to endure all this."

After finishing speaking, Edmund looked at Valentine, who was still sleeping, with complicated eyes. Then he nodded slightly, made a farewell gesture, then bypassed the old man and walked out of the room.

As he expected, the Marquis of Noirtier did not make any move to stop him. After all, this old man was a veteran in the political arena. No matter how reluctant he was to leave by himself, he would not do the shameless act of forcibly pulling someone in.

But when Edmund left the door, he heard a word from behind.

"Edmund, maybe you will despise me at this moment, but I will not give up."

Edmund did not respond, but strode away, then down the stairs and back to the noisy living room downstairs.

At this time, people were still talking and laughing, and the atmosphere was full of celebration. The turmoil they had just experienced was just like a dream.

"Monsieur Count, where were you just now?" Prosecutor Villefort finally saw his distinguished guest again, so he quickly came over to ask.

Originally, the count was willing to pay attention to this enemy, but at this moment, after experiencing the storm just now, when he thought that he was the culprit who caused everyone (including the innocent Valentine) to fall into this situation, he was in no mood to do anything anymore. It was perfunctory with him.

"Sorry, I was too drunk just now, so I blew the cold wind in the courtyard to wake up." He made up an excuse casually.

"Ah, I'm sorry. To celebrate today, our family brought out the old wine collection, so it may be a bit too strong." Villefort had no doubts and nodded immediately, "Then why don't you stay with us for a night? Bar?"

"No, no!" Edmund, who was still frightened, almost spat out. If he really dared to stay here for one night, God knows what would happen. "Sorry, I have other things to deal with, so I'm going to say goodbye and go home. I hope you can forgive me."

Seeing the other party saying goodbye, Villefort was not dissatisfied. After all, he knew that Edmund had a high position and must have a lot of things to deal with. Moreover, the other party was willing to attend his wedding and stayed at his home for so long as a guest, which was enough. I already have face, so I really can’t ask for more.

"How could it be? Your coming here has already made our family shine. How can I have the nerve to delay your schedule again?" He waved to Edmund with a smile and sent the count off respectfully, "Good night, Mr. Earl."

So, the groom pulled Edmund's carriage from the stables to the stone steps of the mansion. Edmund got into the carriage and started on his way home.

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Just as Edmund got into the carriage and left, Valentine, who was in a coma, finally woke up from the bed.

As soon as she opened her eyes, she found her grandfather sitting next to her, looking at her with concerned eyes.

"Grandpa!" She subconsciously wanted to stand up, but she felt her body was sore, especially the pain in her neck, so she lay down again.

"Are you okay? Valentine?" Marquis Noirtier quickly leaned over and hugged his granddaughter.

"I'm fine." Valentine took a few deep breaths and finally regained control of her body. Then, her attention turned to the issue she was most concerned about. "Where is the Earl? Where has he gone?"

"He went home." The Marquis of Noirtier replied calmly, "After you fainted, I rushed out to save you, but he left without saying a few words to me. He seemed to be in a bad mood."

Although she had already had a premonition, when her grandfather confirmed it, Valentine still felt lingering annoyance and frustration in her heart.

"I'm sorry, Grandpa, I messed everything up... It would be great if I grew up a little more! It would be great if I were more beautiful!" She covered her face and tried her best for herself but ended up Feeling miserable about failure.

Just when she was about to burst into tears, a wrinkled but warm hand was placed on her forehead, which finally calmed her down.

"Don't blame yourself, child." The Marquis of Noirtier comforted his granddaughter softly, "You have done well enough, at least better than I expected. In addition, it is us who are at fault, not you, you There is no obligation to bear punishment, so your willingness to stand up for your father has proven your character. Whether you succeed or fail, this is not your responsibility."

"What does it mean who is responsible? If my father dies...is killed, I will become an orphan without a father and a mother!" Valentine replied sadly, "Is it true that all this cannot be changed? Yet?!"

"Don't worry, kid, things are not that bad." The old man shook his head.

"But didn't he already refuse? He also...he punched me..." As soon as she said this, Valentine felt a dull pain in her neck again.

"You have to forgive him for this. In that situation, anyone would have punched him. He has been very restrained. If he had been cruel, you wouldn't be able to wake up now." The Marquis calmly explained to the Count, "Don't He has no choice but to hate him because of this, and you left him with no way out."

"Of course I can forgive, I can forgive anything. Of course the madam has to forgive her husband, right? If I can really become the madam..." Valentine's eyes flashed with hope and frustration. It was obvious that she At this moment, I felt complicated, "But... things have already reached this point, what hope can there be?"

"Child, if you want to become an adult, you have to learn patience." The Marquis shrugged disapprovingly, "If he agreed immediately when you asked for mercy in person, then I would have made a mistake! In fact, what he just said All the reactions have verified my judgment of him - he is a rare good man with both talent and virtue, and his moral sense is far superior to that of most people. I am very happy for His Majesty's discernment."

Grandpa's praise of the count made Valentine feel a little better, but she soon fell into depression again.

"But, you also saw that he didn't like me, rejected me and then left..."

"No, of course he likes you. Because he likes you, he can't bear to make you suffer. Of course, this kind of like is still far from love. He doesn't hate you because you hold him back, it's just your suggestion. It impacted his moral sense and made him feel conflicted, that's all... After this incident, he left a deep impression on you in his heart. I believe this is a scene he will never forget for many years."

"This is probably an unforgettable scene for me..." Valentine sighed softly.

What happened just now was not only a shock to the count, it was also a huge life shock to her. She actually said in front of a man who was more than 20 years older than her that she wanted to be his wife, even when he was about to leave. At that time, she still held on to him with all her strength, which was something she could never imagine before.

However, she still gritted her teeth and did it.

She wasn't proud of it, but she wasn't ashamed of it either, because it was something she had to do.

Originally, she had fallen into extreme depression, but after hearing her grandfather's explanation and comfort, she seemed to see some glimmer of hope in the midst of despair.

Maybe she hadn't completely lost her chance.

Of course, this might just be self-comfort, but at the moment Valentine had to let herself believe this.

"Well, if only I could be a few years older..." She let out another sigh that did not belong to her age, "If that's the case, I guess he won't be so resistant."

She has never hoped that she would grow up quickly and become a graceful girl as soon as possible.

"Don't worry about things that cannot be changed, because it is futile." The Marquis still remained calm, "Valentine, this is not a battle that can be decided in a few minutes or hours, but a long-term battle. We need to pay a heavy price for our battle, tell me first, do you want to give up?"

"Give up? Of course not! As long as there is a glimmer of hope to save my father, I will try my best. Since you haven't given up, how can I give up?" Valentine responded without thinking.

"Okay, then just wait for my news, I will make arrangements." The Marquis of Noirtier nodded slightly, "Valentine, you have worked hard enough. Grandpa is proud of you... …Really, this is not to comfort you, you performed better than I thought, and I think the count has also taken a liking to you."

Although her grandfather's praise did help her find some confidence, Valentine, who was under heavy pressure at the moment, couldn't be happy at all.

"What should I do during this period, Grandpa?" she asked her grandfather.

She didn't want to stand idly by in this battle between her grandfather and her grandson, because she knew she had to succeed, because... her father's life was in her hands at this moment.

Facing his eager granddaughter, the Marquis of Noirtier smiled bitterly, and then reached out to touch her forehead.

"What do you need to do? Simple, read more, learn more art, learn the knowledge you should have, learn to think, learn to dress yourself up, learn to be loyal...learn what you have as the best wife, everyone praises you Your hard work and talent... Then, when you wait for my news, your grandfather will do everything for you, and of course all this is inseparable from your hard work."

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