Flowers, Swords and France

"Alexander Nikolayevich..." When she heard this person say her name, Fran didn't react at first, but she quickly thought of it.

Isn't the current Russian Crown Prince's name Alexander Nikolayevich Romanov?

Judging from his foreign trade and attitude, there probably won't be anyone else, right?

When she thought of this, Fran raised her head again and looked at the young man. For a moment, she didn't know what to say, and in the end she could only answer hesitantly.

"Hello, sir."

"Well, just call me sir. There is no need to add any honorific." Alexander smiled slightly, "Also, please don't be nervous. I don't want to be treated as the crown prince on such an occasion. Because that would take away all the fun from me, and I would be sorry if you treated me like that.”

"Oh... um..." Fran still seemed a little unable to accept the reality, her expression was obviously in a trance, and her words seemed a little incoherent. "Well, thank you, sir."

However, although she was still dazed on the surface, she was already highly nervous inside.

Why did His Royal Highness the Crown Prince come to me? Has the matter been exposed? It doesn't look like it. If the truth is really revealed, there is no need for him to be so pleasant, or even need to come to see him in person.

After thinking for a moment, Fran still couldn't figure out the reason, so she had to decide to improvise and see what the other party was planning.

"Don't be nervous, miss, I really just came here to have some fun." Crown Prince Alexander couldn't help but smile deeper, but it really couldn't make people feel any enthusiasm, "I stopped by to see you, maybe You don’t know, but you have become famous in Petersburg recently. Many people have mentioned you and used superlative adjectives to praise you, which makes me even curious..."

"This really makes me ashamed..." Fran's face turned slightly red, "Your country is really a passionate country."

"We Russians cherish all beautiful things, especially beautiful women." Crown Prince Alexander made a gesture, asking Fran to sit down, and then he also sat down. "And after seeing you today, I confirmed that they You are indeed not exaggerating with me, you deserve all the compliments they give you..."

He spoke slowly and calmly, but Fran became more and more confused and nervous, because she could feel that although His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was praising her, he did not do so with much enthusiasm, but in a social response. He has an attitude and compliments herself appropriately, but until now, she still hasn't heard anything from the other person's mouth.

At this time, many people had noticed the situation here and looked at His Royal Highness the Crown Prince in surprise. This focus of attention made Fran even more uncomfortable, and she found that Andre was also looking at her nervously. , seemed so worried that he forgot to talk to the people next to him.

She secretly made a gesture to Andre, indicating that she could handle it and asked him to pay attention to her side.

"Do you like Mr. Andrei Bezukhov very much?" At this moment, Alexander suddenly asked.

"Ah? What?" Fran didn't react for a moment, and then looked at the other party in surprise, "Why do you say that?"

"You see, you came here at his invitation, and you seem to be very close to him." Alexander said with some meaning, "Besides, Andre is also a very likable young man... "

"No, I think you got it wrong. He is just a friend of mine. Although I came to Russia at his invitation, it was just because I am a person who likes novelty, so I just want to see the magnificent scenery of Russia." Fran quickly explained to him, "And I have to say that Russia really made my trip worthwhile."

"Although I am very happy that you can comment on my country like this, I still feel that it is a bit unexpected to travel thousands of miles to a strange country just to go out and see it." Crown Prince Alexander still looked like I don't know. She looked like she believed it, "At least it's not like the common behavior of a lady from a well-known noble family."

"If you look at me with the attitude of judging ordinary people, then you are looking down on me. People are different." Fran had calmed down at this time, and then looked at the other party quite reservedly. "I am a painter. My ideal is to see the most charming places in Europe and even the world, and then leave them under my brush strokes... And I have already begun to practice this ideal. When I came here I have been to many places in France before coming to your country, and also to the UK..."

"Oh! Oh! I know you have studied painting, but I didn't expect that you would love it so much!" Crown Prince Alexander was obviously quite surprised. "I have always felt that many ladies like you only regard art as a way to provide Your own way to add glory..."

"This is still a misunderstanding, at least a misunderstanding of me. I really love it." Fran replied very seriously, "So I am very grateful to my teacher for selflessly passing on his painting skills to me."

"Well, Durenberg is indeed a good painter." Crown Prince Alexander nodded, "At least he is a first-class painter. It's a pity that he left us prematurely..."

Fran didn't ask the other party why he actually knew who her teacher was. As one of the most powerful ministers in the empire, her brother must have become the focus of attention and research by politicians from various countries, and of course she was also involved. Her brother's light has probably become a rather well-known figure - of course this is not good news for her.

"Yes, our teacher unfortunately left us, which was a blow to me." Fran looked a little sad, "However, I will use a painting to commemorate him. I want to see that I have worked so hard. When the time comes, his spirit in heaven will definitely be very happy.”

"I think so..." Crown Prince Alexander replied quite understandingly, "He will definitely be very pleased. I personally hope that you can leave some outstanding works here, just like you did in England."

"I will definitely work hard, thank you." Fran nodded gently.

"When you were in England, you seemed to have gone with your brother, right? England was very lively at that time, and there were always exhibitions." Alexander continued to say casually, "Mr. de Treville must not be as good as You are so leisurely, after all, he has important things to do."

When His Royal Highness the Crown Prince said this as if nothing had happened, Fran finally understood something.

The other party suddenly approached him, obviously with some other considerations in mind, rather than just wanting to greet him.

"Sir, I'm sorry, I'm not very clear about this. Although my brother is a political figure, he never talks to me about his political affairs, let alone tells me diplomatic information... "She immediately became serious again, "Similarly, I won't ask. Ask him for any information about this, because I am not interested in it at all. Politics, diplomacy, these are your men's jobs. I just want to live my own life... so you don't have to deal with me at all. Just beating around the bush because I really have nothing to tell you.”

Such a stern and unreserved answer made Crown Prince Alexander stunned for another moment. In the end, he could only laugh awkwardly and waved his hand gently to resolve the embarrassment.

"Hey, I don't know where you are thinking! I just asked you casually. After all, there are not many opportunities to talk to you. Of course you don't have to answer my question, and I don't mean to offend you."

Then, he looked at Fran again, "In that case, I won't beat around the bush with you... I think, even if you don't care about politics and diplomacy, you also know that the relationship between France and Russia is not very good now. Bar?"

"I did hear people say that...but I don't think it will affect my view of Russia." Fran replied with a smile, "I still have a good impression of this country."

"Yes, the current dispute is only at the government level. In my heart, there is no reason for the people of our two countries to be hostile, especially us Russians, who like the French the most." Crown Prince Alexander also smiled, " And as the Crown Prince of Russia, I believe it is my duty to make efforts to ease the tension between two countries that have great friendship in themselves..."

Read the original text in Liu#9@书/吧!

Fran didn't speak now, but looked at the other party in confusion.

"Well, you know, I am the crown prince, but after all, I still have my father, who is the owner of all power, so I cannot conduct official activities against his will, because that will make people think that the royal family is at odds." Crown Prince Alexander continued to explain to her, "But as far as I am concerned, I very much hope to ease the relationship between the two countries, and I hope to work with you." My brother has become a friend... So, if you don't mind, can you serve as a bridge between us and make some contribution to the great friendship between our two countries? For example, send me some oral messages and some handwritten letters to your brother—— Of course, this is all private, does not involve any official form, and does not represent a formal diplomatic statement between the two countries.”

No wonder he keeps testing me!

Fran finally understood that unlike the Tsar who chose to be tough on the Bonaparte family, the Crown Prince had a good impression of France and hoped to ease the tense relationship between the two countries in some way. However, he suffered from the restrictions he was subject to. There are too many, so I can't move freely, so I hope there can be some unofficial way to carry out such efforts, and I hope the French will think the same way.

He must have thought that as the imperial minister's sister, he could bring some kind of message, so he kept hinting to himself, but in the end... he did not receive any diplomatic message at all, and could not give him a satisfactory answer.

Now he probably plans to take the initiative himself.

"I understand what you mean..." She looked at the other party seriously, "I am happy to do this for you. No matter what you ask me to take back to France, I will take it with me, sir."

"What a smart girl!" Crown Prince Alexander sighed in a low voice, and then he was obviously relieved, "Okay, no doubt you have done me a big favor... I have to thank you."

"No, this is what I should do. I have received such warm hospitality from you and your countrymen, so I should do something to repay you," Fran immediately replied, "and this is what I am happy to do."

From her true heart, she really didn't want the two countries to go to war, but she also knew that it was inevitable.

At this time, the prelude of the waltz had already sounded.

"Can I ask you to dance with me? I'm very happy tonight." Crown Prince Alexander asked again.

"Okay... sir, but I rarely dance with people, so I'm afraid it won't make you happy." After hesitating for a moment, Fran finally agreed.

"By the way, since you are staying at Count Bezukhov's house, have you seen Miss Natasha from their family?" Just as he stretched out his hand in front of Fran, Crown Prince Alexander suddenly asked, "I haven't seen her for a while, we miss her, she dances very well."

"She is at home, but I haven't seen her." Fran answered without hesitation, "I heard from the servants that she seems to have a serious cold, so it's inconvenient for her to see me. This is really a pity."

"So that's the case..." The Crown Prince sighed. (~^~)