I Am Louis XIV

The noble lady's eyes were squinted at first, but then they suddenly opened wide because she saw the little falcon's skirt.

What should be mentioned here is that the dressing style of Montreal is completely different from that of Versailles - just like the cloak and boots of the Marquis de Lafayette that we described before, one can tell where he comes from at a glance.

Montreal is too far away from Paris. Not only gentlemen but also ladies will change many of their habits when they get there, including their clothes - Montreal has four distinct seasons, and it is extremely cold in winter, with the lowest temperature being around ten degrees below zero. , and there are frequent snowstorms and hurricanes. The clothes that were popular in Versailles and Paris were only for collection there, otherwise they would be killed by the violent and harsh weather.

When the king first met Xiao Falcon, she was dressed like a common noble girl, curling her hair, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, holding up layers of skirts, and holding up a delicate little umbrella... But today , although she was not wearing the cowhide skirt worn by Indian women, she also lifted the wide skirt from the front of her knees to reveal the tight pants and boots underneath - she was dressed exactly the same as the men, and the boots were studded with spurs.

It's no wonder that noble ladies would be frightened. Not long ago, it was a serious crime for a woman to wear men's clothing.

Louis also saw it. The queen turned to him and said something that made him look unhappy.

This matter is actually related to Madame Montespan.

In Versailles, when the Queen Mother was not dead, there was no doubt that she was the first noblewoman in the palace, and everyone would follow her orders. After that, she should be the queen, but Madame de Montespan was constantly fighting with her. Fighting, trying to usurp the power that only belongs to the queen, the queen did not care about it, let alone Madame Montespan, even Marie Mancini could not shake her status at first, because for Louis XIV , she is also a Bourbon. If others provoke the queen, it is equivalent to provoking His Majesty the King and shaking his authority. How could he allow it?

Mrs. Montespan should know that in the past ten years, the king has never restricted her power and desires. Under the flattery and pursuit of others, she has lost even her last vigilance. As the king appointed Auguste As governor of Montreal, jealousy and greed further dazzled her mind, and now she could be said to be confronting the queen on the open fire.

The little falcon was given to the queen by the king, but Mrs. Montespan showed her kindness, intending to lure this child who was not familiar with the world to her camp. However, for Mrs. Montespan, the little falcon was not worthy of her. Going to the people who wasted their energy, coupled with the deception and fooling of the thoughtful people, Mrs. Montespan used the wrong method-not only was the little falcon not attracted to her, but was angered by her.

The Indian girl told the king from the beginning that she disapproved of the Marquis Lafayette's handling of the matter. The behavior of avoiding the enemy at a distance was no different from running away from the enemy. She Her thoughts and plans were contrary to those of the Marquis - she wanted everyone to convincingly admit this kind of marriage.

This child's temperament is not only unlike that of French ladies, but also that of Indians. Indians maintain an open attitude towards love and marriage. For a man and a woman to become a couple, they only need the consent of each other's parents and priests. That's all. They don't care what the tribesmen think or whether they are willing to give blessings.

Later, the Marquis de Lafayette told His Majesty the King with a wry smile that this might be because he let Xiao Falcon read too many books on politics and humanities - Montreal and Paris are far apart, and most of the residents are businessmen who have a rough understanding of writing and reading. Or soldiers, of course captains would not let books take up precious cabins, so when the Marquis wanted to teach the little falcon to read and write, he used his own books.

Therefore, when Mrs. Montespan wanted to introduce the little falcon into her luxurious world, the little falcon was like a truly free bird. She was frightened and thought she was threatened. Madame de Montespan's maids all left the room, and insisted on dressing as they pleased.

The strange costume of the little falcon was quickly reported to the Marquis de Lafayette, who was at the side of the king. Hearing people say this, he nodded indifferently: "Nothing," he said: "From Montreal to Jamestown, ma'am. They all wear this when riding."

"But these are tight pants." The visitor said.

"Of course they are trousers, otherwise how could she ride a horse astride a saddle." Marquis Lafayette said something even more shocking as usual: "She is going to hunt with us today, and I brought her favorite Two muskets."

These words immediately shocked the people around them. Although you will see groups of noble ladies following you during hunting activities and even wars, they will not participate in any of these activities. If it were not for Little Falcon, Three hundred years later, they were still riding horses with side saddles - that is, placing their legs on one side and having special side saddles. But this kind of saddle and riding method, let alone tracking prey, even running The rider would be thrown off the horse and his neck would be broken, so even if the ladies got on the horse, they would only be led by servants and walked around on the flat ground for a while.

Before the men had finished being surprised, Xiao Falcon appeared. She lifted her skirt behind her, revealing her trousers and boots. Her legs were spread apart. The high saddle held her up like a throne. She took it from the Marquis's hand. Gun, look at the king.

"The person with the most prey today will get my reward." Louis said.

Then the trombone sounded, and people didn't have time to question Little Falcon - how a lady participated in the activities of the gentlemen. They led the attendants, falcons and hounds and flew away. Little Falcon was among them. "What do you think?" Can that lady catch the prey?" asked the Queen.

"Of course." Louis said with a smile: "She is an Indian princess."

Indian princess! This name given by the king himself spread throughout Fontainebleau in a few hours. Before the men and Little Falcon came back, Little Falcon's status was once again raised, and the noble ladies envied him again. And jealous, in addition to the king's favor, they also saw the little Falcon's maid (yes, she brought the maid) on her horse loaded with rabbits and foxes, as well as pheasants with brilliant feathers, her own horse There was actually a bloody stag dragging on its back. Although the prey in Fontainebleau was certainly not as big as in the real wilderness, it still covered half of the horse's body.

Some ladies were scared, but more ladies were excited. They also learned to ride horses and use guns under the guidance of their fathers and husbands, but when it came to hunting, it was always forbidden for men. They did not have the courage. and qualifications - but now that there is a forerunner, more people will want to taste the forbidden fruit.

Madame Montespan thought that without her guidance and protection, an indigenous girl would be unable to move forward in Versailles. Not to mention the queen, she might be considered competent, but the direction of the wind in the court still depends on Madame Montespan - she Who you talk to, who you get close to, who you dine with, walk with, and even tie a few ribbons on your sleeves are all being watched all the time.

Today, those who surrounded her were all attracted by the little falcon, even the Duchess of Montpensier was no exception. She boldly touched the neck of the buck and asked how the little falcon was able to hit it. Not all the prey is the result of the little falcon, and the noble ladies asked the little falcon for pheasant feathers - most of the feathers they saw were processed, which still had residual warmth, bright colors and shapes. This is the first time I have seen the complete and natural-looking feathers.

The queen glanced at Madame de Montespan. There were only a few people around her, most of whom were asking for help from her and who were not well-informed. Mrs. Montespan's expression was very ugly. Perhaps for this arrogant woman, this was already a great shame.

"Please allow me to introduce you."

The little falcon turned around and saw the Duke of Vendôme. The Duke of Vendôme was easy to identify. There were not many old men in the palace with silver-white temples and blue eyes. Moreover, his coat was embroidered with golden lilies - although there were no There are strict legal restrictions, but except for Bourbon, few people will take the risk to use this pattern - "This child is the daughter of a friend of mine," he pushed the people around him forward, "Lou Count Seiler’s daughter, you can call her name, Angelique.”

People exchanged glances quickly, knowing that this was the new lady chosen by the Bourbons to dedicate to the king.

Louis smiled as soon as he saw the girl, but this smile made those who were familiar with His Majesty sigh in their hearts.

"Is she the daughter of Earl Lucelle?" His Majesty the King said kindly: "I know your father, your family is quite old and traditional." Otherwise, he would not completely follow the template of a royal lady. Shaping - There are many families in Paris who want to climb the ladder by relying on dishonorable nepotism, but no one can compare with Count Lucelle. After all, no one can "plan for the long term" for their children, right?

The Duke of Vendôme and others hoped that the king would fall in love with the young lady at first sight. Now it seems that the lady fell in love with the king at first sight. In order to avoid the plan going wrong, Angelique also spent her girlhood in a monastery. , lest she should be aroused by the thoughts of a girl by an officer, a poet, or even worse a dramatic actor - for the sake of control, people deliberately kept her mind empty, and she could not be expected to hide it from the king when the time came.

In Angelique's mind, the king should be a figure like her father. In fact, they are indeed similar in age. Angelique's father is younger, but has thinning hair and a fat body. Angelique She thought His Majesty the King was like this too. She had never tasted the taste of love, so she was not very reluctant - the bright light cast by the King's crown, especially the Sun King's crown, was enough to cover up all the shortcomings.

"You are so beautiful, Your Majesty." Angelique said eagerly, "I thought all the portraits were fake!"

Louis really laughed out loud at this time: "Thank you for the compliment, madam," he said: "You are also very beautiful, especially vibrant and youthful. Seeing you, I feel like March has arrived early. .”

Angelique touched the roses on her temples with joy and shame. These finger-sized roses were products of the greenhouse of the Duke of Vendôme's residence. Although they were not as big and gorgeous as the roses in midsummer, their orange-red and pink-white colors were The fragrant smell, just as the king said, seemed to bring the breath of the goddess of spring to people in the harsh winter.

Then the king raised his head and looked around. Because his young and capable subordinates had either gone to America or were still fighting for him in the Netherlands, Dunkirk, Calais, and Milan, he was familiar with them. There were not many people, but he immediately called his brother, the Duke of Orleans: "Philippe," he said intimately but irresistibly: "I know there are many good young people there, my dear, young people are It's time to stay with the young people, my good brother, I leave the ladies to you, let them get along well, there will be a dance in the evening, don't let anyone fail."

The Duke of Orleans sighed, walked over and took the unaware girl away. She was still looking back at His Majesty the King in confusion along the way. Anyone who is not so hard-hearted would have to hesitate, but Louis XIV never wavered at all. "How cute, Your Majesty," Duke Vendôme approached the king and stretched out his little finger to hook His Majesty's sleeve: "Isn't she cute?"

"She must be a few years younger than the eldest princess." Louis said: "You old guys..."

"You are in need of someone to distract you." Duke Vendôme said unabashedly, "That lady, or a lady similar to that, is no longer suitable for you."

"But I no longer need a royal wife." Louis said bluntly: "Gentlemen, all wars are about to end. Next, I want to spend the next time with my wife, peacefully and leisurely. , without any interruption.”

"What about your current lady?" asked the Duke of Vendôme.

"It depends on her own wishes." Louis said: "It doesn't matter if she wants to stay in Versailles, or she can go to Montreal with her children."

"I'm afraid that lady won't be so obedient."

"I once sacrificed the person I love most," Louis said, "and that lady, I have given her what she wants, and she shouldn't push for more."

"Huh?" Duke Vendôme suddenly said: "Where is the lady?"

He was talking about Madame Montespan. Just now he saw her standing in the shadows, looking at them with a terrifying look. She should also know that she had been abandoned by everyone, but in the blink of an eye, she Disappeared.

"If there is anything more terrible than having a poisonous snake in the room," said the Duke of Vendôme, "it is that you cannot find her."