I Am Louis XIV

The Duke of Anjou is already a strong young man. Although he looks slender and gentle, he has martial arts lessons and horseback riding every day. His hands are not weak. into the wool mixed with gold thread, the sterling silver base of the button was suddenly deformed, and the ruby ​​inside flew out, bounced on the door frame, and then hit the Queen Mother's bun amidst screams .

Queen Mother Anne took off the cracked gemstone from her bun in annoyance, looked at it, and threw it on the ground, "You all go out," she said, "Let me and the Duke stay alone for a while."

Tailors and servants came out in a file, and the queen mother's maids also retreated. The queen mother sat down on the chair in front of the window with her skirts on her shoulders. Under his care, his height exceeded the standard of French men at that time, and with the one-foot high platform, he completely looked down on the Queen Mother in a condescending posture, but this was only in terms of physiology, not Psychologically—eighteen years of intentional connivance, doting and restraint, the Queen Mother was not as silent and obedient in front of Philip as she was in front of Louis. She stretched out one foot and kicked the clothes on the ground: "You Dissatisfied with what, Philip? About the clothes, or our arrangement?"

Philip stared at the Queen Mother: "Brother Wang will recover soon."

"Not now." Queen Mother Anne said mercilessly: "The envoy from Lord Protector Richard Cromwell has been waiting in Paris for three days. How long do you want him to wait? The British are waiting for us reply..."

"We have nothing to say about this rebellion," Philip said. "The king has plans for Dunkirk. They just have to follow his word."

"They?" The Queen Mother said, "What about you? Your Highness? Are you just watching?"

"I am willing to help and serve Brother Wang," Philip said palely, "but the bishop and you want me to..."

"Your Highness!"

"Let me take the place of my brother!" Philip said angrily. "Louis is still alive, he is just sick and needs medical treatment, and he will be back soon! But you and Monsieur Bishop want me to be King Regent!"

"If you're worried..."

"If Brother Wang really needs me, I am willing to give him my life!" The young Duke shouted, "But you want to take away his trust and love for me!"

"Louis will understand..."

"It's not Louis's problem, mother, it's my problem. I can't believe that you would do this. You are cheering for the new king when brother Wang is in danger and his life is uncertain!" Here Philip thought of the flattering dignitaries who had suddenly rushed before him, thinking that King Louis XIV was doomed, that while the Duc Gaston was dying and the Prince de Condé had submitted to the royal family, the Duc de Anjou was The only heir to the French throne——Philip sneered at this despicable and shameless behavior, but he didn't expect his mother and Bishop Mazarin to do the same. Where did they put Louis? Where did you put him?

Or, for these people, the so-called king is just a pawn on the chessboard? Can be discarded or replaced.

"Philip!" Philip's words deeply hurt Queen Mother Anne's heart. Doesn't she love her son? Of course not, she is even willing to use her to replace Louis to suffer these hardships, but the news from the outside world is always It is intermittent and ambiguous. Even if there is a holy relic of the blood clan pretending to be the king, it cannot exercise power in place of the king. Britain, Spain, the Netherlands... These countries are still surrounded by France, and France must have a king.

Queen Mother Anne knew that she was as indecisive as Bishop Mazaran in this matter. If it was her mother-in-law, Mary of the Medici family, she might directly announce that the former king was dead and let Philip succeed him directly. Anyway, they They are all her own children, she is still the Queen Mother, and Cardinal Richelieu will do the same, but...she slumped down her straight body, raised a hand to press her forehead: "I thought, Philip, "The queen mother said in a low voice: "You will be happy to accept such an arrangement."

This sentence embarrassed Philip. Standing on the high platform, he felt like a criminal who was publicly displayed. He was also the son of Louis XIII, a direct descendant, and possessed inherent and inalienable rights, but unfortunately , he was born two years later than Louis—it would be a lie to say that he never felt resentment or jealousy after he was sensible, and he also knew that the Duke of Gaston was probably his future—for this reason, the Queen Mother Anne and Bishop Mazaran deliberately indulged and even lured him to the path of evil, just so that the French royal family would no longer have brothers fighting against each other.

As for Louis, his king and elder brother, he has been hesitating. Philip knew what he was thinking, but sometimes he was angry, annoyed by his distrust, but since the king stabbed Felipe Mann to death in front of him. Chini, he will no longer be anxious about these trivial things—even if he still has delusions occasionally, but think about it, if he and Louis were swapped, would he be able to do what his brother did for him? Louie didn't even have to fall into the trap, he just had to stand by and watch.

"I can't," said Philip. "Mother, please, I can't. Don't make me hurt Louis. I don't want to see him hate me."

Are we willing? Queen Mother Anne could hardly bear the desire to growl, but a strong sense of exhaustion welled up in her heart, "Okay," she compromised, "I'll go discuss it with Mr. Bishop."

—————

Mary gently held the parchment in her hand. It was thinned until it was almost transparent, and the words on it were written with needles. The small ones were like the feet of the goblins, and they could only be seen clearly with a magnifying glass.

She burned the parchment roll on the candle, and walked lightly towards the courtyard where almost all wizarding children had their lessons outside, or in a place large enough, because they were not yet proficient in spells, to trigger The fire or lightning may hurt yourself. The basilica-style atrium of the Colonna Palace is a good place. The statue is silently watching Louis and his mentor. When Mary walked in, he He was holding a flame, and the flame was burning in his hand, illuminating his eyes. When Mary saw this sight, her heart seemed to melt, but the steely core still made her say The news that would make Louie sad.

"Philip, Duke of Anjou, in the name of the Regent, granted the Lord Protector Richard Cromwell's request for an audience."

Louis listened, did not speak, but silently extinguished the flame in his hand.

"Okay," Melfa said understandingly: "It seems that our lesson today is over, Mary, come with me." He deliberately pretended not to see the little witch's eyes of resistance: "At this time, it is best to Leave him alone," he stretched out his arm, and Mary had to reach out to hold it, "let's see where your homework is going..."

The conversation between the two gradually faded away, and Louis returned to his room, his heart was full of sorrow, and some vague anger, but it fell not on Philip, but on Mary.

Marie thought he was half-imprisoned in the Colonna Palace. In this strange world, she could only rely on her and the Mancini family behind her. This was a big mistake. In any place, power and wealth go hand in hand. Along with this, Bishop Mazaran can be said to have poured out his power in the inner world just to ensure the safety and freedom of Louis in the inner world-the Colonna Palace was not achieved overnight, Luca and even Tuno and others , although they were recruited in name, their loyalty and obedience to Louis was not groundless, and Melfa also had a gift from Mr. Bishop in his hands—compared to his students, this older Wizards are obviously far sharper and more tactful.

It can only be seen from some minor details that Bishop Mazaran also made two-handed preparations. One is that Louis will return to the watch world after he recovers, and the other is that Louis may truly become a wizard and stay in the inner world. Leigh Mancini's wish.

It's just that after Marie Mancini stayed with the king for so long, it shouldn't have occurred to him that Louis would be willing to be manipulated like a bewildered child.

"Then Philip received Richard Cromwell's envoy as the Duke of Anjou," Louis said.

"Yes, she lied to you." said the blue-gray kitten. It had never spoken in front of Marie, or showed human-like intelligence, so the little witch didn't take it seriously. Louis entered When it was in the other world, it got into Louis' pocket. Magical creatures are very common in the other world. It followed Louis or walked in other places without attracting attention from others, but as a part of the Prince of Vanjoy, it could easily The correct information from Theodric is that when you speak, you will inevitably bring a little accent—maybe because the vocal organs of cats are still different from those of humans or blood races.

"What are you going to do next?" Kitten asked: "As far as I know, the Mancini family is preparing a blood oath marriage contract. They dare not kill you, but they want to keep you in forever." The world is tantamount to erasing your existence in the watch world."

"I think I need to learn about the blood contract first."

————

"Blood oath marriage contract?" Melfa said: "Indeed, this is the Mancini family," he said: "Although they have been denying it, it is said that they had intermarried with the devil when they were still in the world, so no matter how many generations Both men and women are beautiful, and sometimes there will be atavism, just like my poor little Valo's wife, they want to get her back because she can make any wizard who is favored by the Mancini family and She made a blood oath so that if they could hold her, they would also hold the wizard who was so powerful that they were a threat."

"But she's married to a mortal now."

"The same, they are all needed by the Mancini family." Melfa said: "If you conclude a marriage contract with Mary Mancini, then they can kill three birds with one stone. You know, first of all, you will not be Allowed to be king, replaced by your gentle, to be precise, cowardly brother; then even if your brother becomes king, as long as your affection is still deep, you will still be his hindrance; finally, the blood of Bourbon The blood of the Mancini family has been mixed in. Although there is a strong gap between the surface world and the inner world, who knows, maybe one day in the future, just like the Medici family back then, no one can think of a wool merchant. To be able to become the Grand Duke of Tuscany, their daughter will become the Queen and Queen Mother."

"They really think long term," said the king, stroking the kitten's back.

"They have cast a huge net," said Melfar, "and you are the biggest fish they have ever caught. Now it is up to you, Your Majesty."

"Decide?"

"I am your mentor." Melfa's expression suddenly became solemn, "In terms of magic, I must say that you have an extremely outstanding talent. In time, a Mancini family will not be able to suppress you. You It is even possible to turn the hostess into hostility. After all, Mary is also a direct descendant, and you should also be able to obtain the title of a duke—of course, you can also choose to give up becoming a wizard and leave as a mortal. This will be difficult, but it is not impossible. But even if I don't think wizards are born superior, I have to say, Your Majesty, you can do a lot in the other world..."

"I see what you mean," interrupted Louis mildly, "Mr. Murfa, but I have been a mortal for twenty years before, the education I have received, the teachings I respect and the laws I obey , are teaching me how to be a king, not a wizard, the world of wizards amazes me, maybe I still have some nostalgia, but like a traveler, I always want to go home."

Melfa couldn't tell if it was regret, but he sighed with relief: "A friend of mine has a lot of research on blood oath marriage contracts. Your Majesty, I will go and meet him."

—————

What Melfa didn't understand was that the king was also a great lord, and his thirst for territory was never-ending. Louis didn't know if the previous kings had longed for the inner world, just out of fear of faith or It was because of the fear of ignorance that he was hesitant to move forward, but since he came here, he has never stopped wanting to take it into his pocket. In addition to the various outputs, ores and manpower here, there is also their Geographical location, it is said that wizards can walk in various inner worlds at will, so even if mortals cannot cross the cornerstone on a large scale, as long as they can control the wizards here, they can launch surprise attacks on other countries—and they can’t even Finding out where the troops are stationed or where they are going to fight... This is enough for Louis to take risks.