The city of Rome is quiet and solemn at night. The lights in the magnificent buildings bring the city into an illusory dreamland.
The Bonaparte Palace in Piazza Venezia is also sinking into the night, sharing this solemn silence.
And taking advantage of the darkness, a carriage slowly drove out from its back door and rushed outside the city of Rome.
Because of the care of Cardinal Vittorio Esposito, the carriage encountered no obstacles along the way. It quickly left the Roman carriage and, under the cover of darkness, arrived at the door of a hotel in the suburbs.
The person guarding the door quickly confirmed their identities and then sent a safe signal to the interior of the hotel.
Then, the carriage lowered the pedals, and Cardinal Joseph Fish stepped out. Then he helped an old woman out of the carriage.
She was wearing black clothes and a turban on her head, her gray hair tightly wrapped, and she looked like an old nun.
Because the lights everywhere were dim and the old woman's eyes were dim, she felt a little dizzy after getting off the carriage. She stood for a while before letting herself adapt to this strange environment.
"Come with me." The cardinal muttered softly, and then led her all the way to the guest room at the back of the hotel.
Soon, they came to the door of a guest room.
"This is it." The cardinal stopped, and then said to his sister, "They have reserved several rooms here, so you don't have to worry, just vent to your heart's content."
"Thank God." The old woman also breathed a sigh of relief and gently raised her hand to make the sign of the cross.
Then the cardinal knocked softly on the door, which was soon opened by a girl whom both of them had seen.
"Your Majesty!" Chanel saluted the former Queen Mother respectfully, then welcomed them in, and then carefully closed the door.
The sound echoed gently in the corridor, like the ripples on the surface of a lake, then gradually disappeared and returned to calm.
After entering the room, the old woman's breathing began to become rapid, and unspeakable excitement appeared on her originally calm face.
Her eyes wandered around the room, and the candlelight in the room was very bright, so she found her target easily this time.
The handsome young man with blond hair was standing in the center of the room, welcoming his grandmother's arrival.
The old woman suddenly opened her eyes wide and stared blankly at her grandson, whom she had not seen for more than ten years.
The whole room suddenly fell into dead silence.
"Grandma..." After a long time, Aigron shouted out softly.
"My grandson...!" The old woman screamed like a scream, and then finally took trembling steps and walked to the young man.
Because she was not as tall as the boy, she could only hug his waist and cry on his chest.
"My grandson...my grandson!" She wanted to say something, but her body and lips were trembling, so she couldn't say complete words, and she could only shout intermittently. "My poor grandson."
…”
Aigron was a little caught off guard by the old man's actions, but he quickly calmed down.
Yes, an old man was forced to be thousands of miles apart from his dearest grandson due to various changes. He thought he would never see him again in this life. How could he not be sad and painful?
And when she was already discouraged and despairing, because of a turn of fate, she had the opportunity to see her grandson again, so how could she not be excited and painful?
He has always been an indifferent person, but now when he was hugged tightly by the old man, he couldn't help but feel a little sad.
This is my grandmother. Even though she has been replaced mentally, this fact cannot be changed.
At this moment, the family affection deep in his blood made his heart seem to burn.
Can you see it? What a beautiful job I did... I let you see the relatives you never saw until your death, and I am a better you!
At this scene, even Cardinal Fish and Chanel, who were standing next to them, stretched out their hands to wipe away their tears, lamenting the fateful reunion of their two majesties.
"It's okay, it's okay." Aigron trembled and patted his grandmother's back to appease the old man's mood. "Grandma, I'm sorry that I couldn't see you until now."
"No need to apologize, you have worked hard enough..." Letizia replied with a tearful voice, "Egron, I am so happy, let me cry a little longer."
Aiglon stopped talking and quietly let the old woman sob in his arms. After a while, she finally regained her composure.
Because of the excitement and joy in her heart, her dry and wrinkled face became rosy.
She gently left the young man's arms, then stood in front of him, looking at her grandson carefully.
The blond boy is handsome and elegant, with a slim but strong body, and blue eyes full of vitality and drive to face difficulties - the kind of grandson that every grandmother hopes to have.
This was Louisa's only contribution to her family.
"Aigron, what have you experienced in these years?" Letizia asked, cheering up. "I heard that you were having a very unhappy life there... but I didn't know how I could help you.
God, this is so painful for me!"
"Please sit down." Aigron did not answer the other party's question immediately. Instead, he helped the old woman sit on the sofa by the window, and then sat next to his grandmother.
"Actually, I don't have much to say. After all, the scope of my activities before adulthood was in a very narrow place..." Then he began to briefly talk about his experiences in Austria over the years.
"Then what do you think of the Austrians?" Letizia asked after listening.
"To say hate, I actually don't hate them. Although my grandfather imprisoned me, they also allowed me to receive the education I should receive and provided them with very good living conditions. No matter what their purpose, this is true.
." Aiglon shrugged.
Letizia probably understood the young man's mentality.
She thought for a moment and then asked again.
"My child, so you are really single-minded now and insist on fighting for the throne again?"
"Yes, this is everything I strive for." Aigron nodded simply, "I once occupied the throne, but due to fate, I fell down and was forced to live in seclusion in a foreign country. Over the past ten years, I have endured the suffering of others.
I have been despised for a long time, and my name has been stained by it. I once asked myself, are you willing to endure these losses and contempt? My heart has answered me countless times, no, no!"
Because of his excitement, Aigron's tone became heavier, "Because of this, grandma, I am determined to return to the throne. It is not for any narrow revenge, nor is it to reignite the war and let the shadow of death
Covering the earth again is not even for the sake of coveting glory and wealth... I just want to prove to the world that I can take back everything that fate has taken away from me. I want God to know that He
You can’t destroy me!”
Listening to her grandson's proud and emotional declaration, Letizia knew better. Although she had not seen her grandson for many years, she knew that his determination could not be changed, because her second son
That's it.
This stubbornness is probably a reflection of the continuation of the bloodline.
She looked back at her brother, Cardinal Fish.
The old cardinal immediately nodded gently.
Before, Letizia intentionally asked her younger brother to visit Aigron, weigh the young man's ability and will, and see whether he can really take on a big life, or whether he is a reckless person who talks nonsense, and the red-coated
After the meeting, the bishop quickly reported back to his sister. He believed that the young majesty would definitely make the family shine again.
These days, the cardinal has been working for the young man, liaising with people within the church, which is enough to show his attitude.
After the Cardinal's persuasion, Letizia finally made her decision.
Today, she saw her grandson with her own eyes and felt the courage in him that was beyond his current age.
Now that things have come to this, what is there to hesitate about?
As the cardinal said before, at her age, what's the point of accumulating more money? There's no way to take it to heaven anyway. In the end, it's not left to her children and grandchildren?
"I heard from Joseph that you want my support, right?" Letizia took the initiative to raise the topic.
"Yes, I hope you can sponsor me, grandma." Aigron nodded immediately and confirmed, "I know it is a bit unkind to ask you to spend money at this time, but I hope you can help me in difficult times, because I am here
To carry out an undertaking that requires a huge amount of money, no matter how lofty the ideal is, it will be difficult to achieve without the support of money."
After finishing speaking, he looked at his grandmother sincerely, waiting for her reply.
"Of course I'm happy to help you, Aigron." Soon, the old woman nodded slightly, and then gave the reply that Aigron wanted to hear, "I will sponsor all the funds I can use.
Here it is, I sincerely wish you success."
At this point, she suddenly changed the topic again, "But, my grandson, can you listen to me for a few more words?"
"Of course." Aigron replied. "Please speak."
Letizia did not speak immediately, but looked at her grandson again.
What a lovely child. It’s a pity that I didn’t grow up by my side and couldn’t witness his growth every day! I don’t know if I can live long enough to see him succeed... I hope God will bless him.
"My child..." After a moment, the old woman, who had made up her mind, looked at her grandson and spoke affectionately, "I have never put any pressure on you, and I will not force you out of wishful thinking like your supporters.
I want you to be restored as an emperor, no matter you are an emperor or not, I will love you. So, God testifies, you are not driven by my ambition to do these things..."
Aigron was a little stunned. He didn't understand why his grandmother said that.
"I don't know whether you will be good or bad in the future, but no matter what the outcome is, the world can never blame me for letting my children and grandchildren continue to take risks for the sake of Your Majesty. I only help you out of love. In fact, I would rather you can
Take my money and find a safe place to live in seclusion in abundance so that the family can continue stably. But now I know it's too late to say anything... But I still have to tell you, Aiglon, you can stop anytime.
There's still time, you still have great years ahead of you."
No, it's too late. Aigron replied in his heart.
He still remembers the cries that echoed in the theater.
After leaving all this behind, how could he not use the crown as compensation? Otherwise, what's the point of all he's done?
"When I saw your eyes, I knew you would never listen to me." Letizia sighed with a bitter smile, "Forget it, this is fate. Your father was like this back then. What can I do? What can I do?
All I can do is silently pray and bless you, hoping that you can have a better ending. However, Aigron, you don’t have to listen to me for anything else, but there is one thing you must do as I say.
As long as you recognize me as grandma, just listen to me."
Before Letizia could say anything, Aigron knew what she wanted to say.
"Is it about Theresa..." he asked awkwardly.
"Yes, that's it." Letizia nodded and confirmed, "It's hard to find a girl as good as Teresa anymore. God must have arranged for you to meet, and you should follow it. Don't tell me.
You may fail. Even if you become emperor, you still have to find a princess to marry, so why do you have to give up Theresa and find someone else? Anyway, I don’t believe they can treat you better than Theresa..."
Then, she continued, "Moreover, if Theresa is here, even if you are unlucky, you won't end up in such a tragic end. With her and her father protecting you, you can be like Jerome."
Isn't it good as an insurance measure to live a more or less comfortable life? I know you will never consider what will happen if you fail, but as your grandmother I must consider it for you. Young people are always young and energetic.
But you still have to listen to the opinions of your elders on some things."
"Okay, okay..." Aigron could only smile awkwardly, "I met Theresa this time and made an agreement with her. As long as she is willing to fulfill the engagement, then I... I am very honored.
"
"That puts me at ease." Letizia nodded with satisfaction.
Aigron could only continue to nod in agreement.
"Then when will Teresa come?" Letizia looked around again, "Didn't you say you wanted to meet me with her?"
"I have already informed her, and she will probably come over tomorrow." Aigron replied. He knew what grandma was worried about. "Don't worry, I won't break my promise this time and leave her alone..."
"You also know what bad things you have done." The old woman laughed sarcastically, "You have made her miserable this time, and you must make up for it in the future."
Then, she lowered her voice again and leaned into her grandson's ear. "Let me have a great-grandson as soon as possible, so that I don't have to worry so much anymore. It's best if you put him next to me. I will personally
Watch him grow up and make up for the pain of losing you."
"Uh... we can only talk about it later." Aigron was really unable to resist now. He could only lower his head and dare not speak.