I Am Louis XIV

  Chapter 370 The Shura Field of the Great Princess

Louis XIV could swear to God and the Virgin that he took Carlos II as seriously as he did with Karl XI of Sweden, but the problem is, at the first meeting, Carlos II exposed The problem is not very big, but after talking for a period of time, a sensitive person like Louis can detect all kinds of strangeness in Carlos II - this feeling is difficult to explain, Carlos II is in his speech and behavior. , reminded him of those horror dolls that were made lifelike. They were extremely similar to humans, but they were always a little bit worse. Even if he behaved very respectfully and amiably, it would still make Louis feel that he would always be there at any time. Peel off that ugly layer of skin on his body, revealing his **** essence.

He is not without thinking ability, but lacks ego. From his answers, Louis can hear the shadows of many people, ministers, bishops and a certain honorable lady, some answers are more like memorized, but - these memorizations The answer that comes down will make the French ministers ecstatic.

Some people may still remember that although they knew that Carlos did not have a holiday, he was ugly, and he was still a **** and a puppet. In France, there were still high voices for the grand princess to sign a marriage contract with him. After all, Spain is a huge camel, even if As early as Philip IV, he lost the glory that a powerful country should have, but its heritage should not be underestimated, and in terms of blood, the Habsburg blood in Louis XIV is also better than Bourbon. Bloodline - France and Spain have been married to each other for some time, and if the marriage contract between the Grand County Lord and Carlos II can be reached, the French will undoubtedly give Leopold I a slap in the face. Slap in the face.

   It can be said that for France, this marriage is beneficial but not harmful, and Spain is more willing to give up some important interests-that is, the instructors, soldiers and ships that the navy desperately needs.

But for Louis, he is not optimistic about this marriage. Spain and France have been married for a long time, but more often, it is acting as another arm of the Austrian Habsburg to restrain France; The wife is the eldest princess of Portugal, and what Spain can give, Portugal can give, after all, at that time the hegemons of the sea were these two; in addition, as far as he knew, the current situation of Carlos II is not stable - who I don’t know what kind of monster the dark wizard’s potion will create—his wizard and he admitted frankly that if the wizard’s potion can be so ingenious, the wizards will not have to sneak into the so-called so-called in order to avoid the encirclement and suppression of the church. The world is hidden.

   Specifically, you can refer to Protestantism. Why did the princes protect the Protestant leader Martin Luther, because he was good-looking? No, no, isn't it because Protestantism can be a dagger for the king to stab the church? This is war. On the other hand, if wizards could really resurrect the dead, cure chronic diseases, and turn a demented and disabled person into a healthy person, the current church would have ceased to exist.

Carlos II felt to Louis XIV like a freak that was stitched together by many hands, but he could make women pregnant, and having children made Louis XIV's biggest trump card useless. For ministers, What's wrong with being ugly, eccentric, and dull-headed? It’s enough to keep Bourbon’s blood in Spain. They also wish that Carlos II was a fool. As long as the grand county master can give birth to a Spanish heir, when the queen mother dies, she is the highest-ranking woman in the court and can be held hostage. Wouldn't it be a better deal for France to have her husband and children point fingers at Spanish politics?

The Sun King felt a rare tiredness, and he asked Bontang to lead the distinguished guest down to rest—the Palace of Versailles has always had three reserved suites, just to entertain this kind of uninvited guest. "Also, let the Duke of Orleans. Come see me, and I want to have dinner with him," said Louis XIV.

  ———

Louis planned to tell his brother about this at dinner, but as a secret agent in the court, the Duke of Orleans could not have been unaware of this matter. For a person like Prince Conte, in a marriage, the man looks at status and power, and the woman looks at the dowry, what does it have to do with appearance and figure? To put it vulgarly, even a donkey can endure when the curtain is lowered - history is more of a young king marrying an ugly fat old wife, or a cardamom princess marrying a grandfather. People, although Carlos II is ugly, he has a noble bloodline and has a huge empire. To be able to become the queen of Spain, to be honest, would be the dream of many noble girls.

   Some people even said that if Carlos II hadn't had such a defect, then he should have asked for the princess instead of the princess.

The distraught Duke of Orleans considered when to find an excuse to beat Prince Conti, and received the king's order to let him have dinner with him. It is common for the king to have dinner with the king, but today the king must be To discuss this matter with him, the Duke of Orleans knew that not only did he not want this marriage, but neither did Louis. It just depends on how they persuaded the ministers.

It was already a quarter to four in the afternoon. When there was no banquet, the king would have dinner at six o'clock in the afternoon instead of nine or ten. There was not much time left for the Duke of Orleans. Work, and with the heart of a worried old father ready to leave for the king's suite.

   But before he could see the Grand Canal outside the window, he heard a loud noise, and the sound of gold and iron knocking, and the duke who passed the battlefield immediately ran to the window to look out.

   He immediately saw his daughter, who was surrounded by several teenagers and faced a group of Spaniards.

  ———

Although Carlos II came to Versailles alone in written language, even when Charles II wandered the Europa countries as Duke of Cornwall, he still had a large number of servants around him. Louis XIV was in When the Fronds rebelled and were forced to escape from Paris, they were all surrounded by back and forth. As the King of Spain, Carlos II was also surrounded by attendants and servants.

Most of these servants and servants live in the buildings under the Palace of Versailles, just like the servants of the nobles, which has almost become the acropolis of Versailles. They leave every night and enter the palace in the morning to serve their masters, but there are also some Attendants, who have the right to live in the Versailles suite with their masters, among them José Patinho, the nephew of Juan Patinho, and Alberoni, who is Toledo Disciples of the archbishop, the two of them can be said to have "grown up" with Carlos II, and are deeply trusted by this moody king. Now one of them is standing in front of Carlos II, and the other is standing in the middle of the two groups. They are all anxious, but don't know how to deal with it.

Since the eldest princess got married, Marie, the daughter of the Duke of Orleans, the princess, has the highest status among the noble girls of her age. She and the eldest princess are the two jewels in the crown of France. When the eldest princess left, her brilliance became more and more attractive. Attention, in the court of Versailles, I don’t know how many wild bees and waves chasing the big county master—although the possibility of the big county master marrying out is very high, but who doesn’t want to try it, it is not in the name of a princess, but A lady with the realness of a princess!

The princess is also used to it. She is always surrounded by countless people with various purposes, but apart from the eldest princess, there are only a handful of them—her maid and queen, the king Like the attendants around her, she needs to see her status and status. The only exception may be Eva. This young lady came from a humble background, but because she made a lot of credit in the previous Dunkirk fight against the rebellion, she was able to be defeated by Louis. The fourteenth summoned, perhaps because of some of her qualities that moved the king, and the king made a special case for her to be the maid of the great county master.

This inevitably caused some waves, but Louis XIV was in power for 20 years. He was invincible on the battlefield, and he was also handy in politics. As he said, he can now be willful one or two. The Queen Mother doesn't care at all, the Queen was asked When I was around, she said there was a Tatar with my son, and the whispers slowly disappeared.

The root cause of the    conflict lies in this lady Eva.

Since a few years ago, the Spanish dress has subconsciously moved closer to the French fashion, especially after Louis XIV's scholars and craftsmen developed the latest dyes, which were called "frivolous" by the old-fashioned Spaniards. Bright colors have gradually occupied the entire court, but this private visit seems to be to declare the identity of the Spaniards. Starting from Carlos II, his attendants are all dressed in traditional black coats with external shoulder straps. I used a wig, and the shirt was decorated with lace and lace, but at first glance I knew it wasn't French.

Such a group of people is very prominent in Versailles, especially their king Carlos II, and even some of the ladies who were caught off guard paled, which made Carlos II's entourage very angry, although they should be considerate— They are used to seeing the face of their king, but the ladies of Versailles usually see the members of the Bourbon royal family as a landscape... As nobles and knights, they can't attack women, but their anger builds up like this.

And Eva, although she also received the education that a maid must have, but she is still very different from the noble girls who infiltrated day and night in Versailles. They were at a loss, but they could immediately guess the identity of the person who came and shy away from the salute.

In contrast, Eva, who met the Spaniards head-on, didn't think there was anything scary about such a person - don't forget that her uncle and father were also once privateer shipowners, and people who were injured in battle due to flames, swords or venom Not a lot, their faces may be even more hideous than Carlos II, but she doesn't know whether to salute - she has never seen this group of people...

Perhaps she only hesitated for a few seconds, but the Spaniards, who could no longer contain their anger, broke out. They did not embarrass the lady, but demanded a duel to her brother or husband if he did not want to ask the Spanish king. Words of apology.

Eva's husband has been executed for a long time. If possible, Eva would be willing to call him out of the coffin to apologize to the Spaniards, but then, the big county lord, who heard that his maid was kept by the Spaniards, hurried away. coming.

   Carlos II may never forget this wonderful sight in his lifetime. It was dusk at that time, and there were hundreds of marble and bronze sculptures standing beside them. Transparent water sprayed from the water bottles, bows and arrows in the hands of the sculptures, and even their mouths, and sprayed out from their chests, in the tulle-like golden light. Countless dazzling tiny light spots were reflected in the center of the light. Among the light spots, a girl in a long milky white dress walked towards him surrounded by a group of young girls.

Her face was surrounded by a holy soft light, and her long golden-brown hair had no jewels, combs or pins, but only budding gardenias and green foliage, and her neck and wrists were adorned with ivory and Pearls, but even those two were overshadowed by her white skin.

She came to Carlos II, curtseyed, and what she said, Carlos II could hardly hear, but not even an angel's song could have been more beautiful, his eyes were wet--since he After "healing", there are no less maids around him who are of age, but none of them can be like this... He can't describe, his time is not enough to study poetry, but he wants to recite a poem, eagerly , warmly, he stared blankly at the big princess, his heart seemed to melt in the last afterglow.

Jose Patinho was also looking at the Grand County Master. His uncle supported the king to change his marriage contract and chose the Grand County Lord of France as his wife. One of his reasons was very important, that is, the Grand County of France. The Lord is already fifteen years old and can have children as soon as they get married. The daughter of Leopold I is seven or eight years younger than the Grand Princess, and it will take at least five or six years for her to give birth to a child.

Although Juan Patinho did not say the final word, but the clever Jose Patinho also thought - maybe the situation of Carlos II is not as optimistic as people think - he can't wait for Leopold I's Daughter Antonia...

Not long ago, Jose also met the princess with his uncle, Antonia of the Habsburg. She has a typical Habsburg face, which is completely incomparable to the grand princess of France. She is short in stature and weak in voice. , the eight-year-old child looks like only six years old, four years later, or six years later, it is difficult to say that there is any possibility of change - in addition, the wizard they brought also said that Princess Antonia's vitality is not as good as it is now The Carlos II is exuberant, they are together, it is difficult to say whether they can have children.

   As for the big county lord... After the initial throbbing, Jose immediately obscurely observed the county lord's... chest and buttocks...

This kind of observation would be considered obscenity and harassment by people hundreds of years later, but at this time, especially when Jose is equivalent to half an envoy, it is quite reasonable - in later novels Unlike in the movies, people are surprised and incomprehensible when they see a queen directly asking a thirteen-year-old girl if a possible candidate for a prince or concubine is having her period, but in the seventeenth century, it was usually the case. Neither kings nor princes will personally go to another country to visit their future wives, and vice versa, all they know about their husbands (wife) is from the portraits, and the second is the return of the envoys. Generally speaking, it will be a very long letter.

If these people were describing a king or a prince, they would describe whether he was tall, whether he had broad shoulders, whether his voice was rough or graceful, and whether his nose was big enough (people with big noses in those days thought people with big noses had a stronger need) , if the other party is an adult, they will ask his lover, or the famous Shu he often visits, to ask some more private questions...

If they were looking at a princess or a princess, as Jose did, they would look at her figure far more than her face, because a queen, whether the crown princess can give birth is far more than whether she has one. Pretty face, they'll savor the way she walks, peeping from under the folded skirt to see if she has a plump butt, if her bosom is big enough for a baby or more, They'd even bribe her maid to have a doctor sniff her belongings to see if she's ready to be a mother...

Don't laugh, everyone, don't condemn, in the seventeenth century, the true meaning of marriage was still as God said, for the reproduction of human beings, which is far more than love or politics, which is why, once a man or a woman Determined to be infertile, no matter what the reason, their marriage contract is not established.

And in a marriage, even if a marriage contract has been concluded, as long as there is no intercourse, it can be dissolved - Louis XII used this as a reason to declare his marriage contract with his first wife invalid, even if Jeanne of France cried They slept in the same bed three times in one night - well, it's better not to continue this topic, but Jose, this thirteen-year-old boy did come to see the big princess with a serious and upright attitude.

When the    Grand Princess turned his head, the unpleasant gaze disappeared immediately.

"I'm Carlos II, King of Spain, Countess," said Carlos II, controlling his trembling hands, taking off his hat, and saluting the Countess, who had never been so happy—he was He said that his epilepsy had been cured, otherwise he would have fallen ill because of the throbbing emotions just now, rolled around on the ground, foaming at the mouth: "I didn't expect to see it so quickly. You, Your Highness, what a blessing and joy this is, as if the dove had landed before Saint Isidore (the patron saint of Madrid) and brought him the light of beauty and wisdom."

The princess was a little surprised, perhaps because her impression of Carlos II had fallen to a low point. Although his overly direct praise seemed vulgar and rude in Versailles, he did seem to be the same as the twin who was relying on him. Dementia who can't walk with legs is a world of difference: "I feel very honored by your words," because she knew that the maid Eva was intercepted by the Spaniards, and with preparation, she could look directly at Carlos II calmly: "But Your Majesty, please allow me to repeat what I said earlier. Eva is my maid. She has only been in Versailles for more than a month. She doesn't recognize everyone here. I apologize to you for her recklessness and ignorance," she shook hands. He raised his hands: "Your Majesty, if you are willing to accept it, please return her to me."

   "Of course." Carlos II replied without thinking. He was about to say something when he heard a sneer.

"Wait a minute," the man crossed the Grand Princess and stood between her and Carlos II: "We should probably thank you for your tolerance, His Majesty the King of Spain," the young man folded his arms and held his head up. , said with a smile: "But your attendant said before that you would be willing to release this innocent lady only if Ms. Eva's husband, brother or father came to apologize to you, or accept your invitation to a duel..."

   "Who are you?" Jose asked.

   "I am Ferdinand de' Medici," said the young man. "My father is Cosimo III."

Cosimo III, the Grand Duke of Tuscany, the Duchy of Tuscany is not a powerful existence, but its position is critical, Jose quickly made a judgment, "You are not the father of this lady, then you are her husband?"

   "No." Ferdinand shook his head.

   "Then you are her brother?"

   "Neither." Ferdinand lengthened his voice and said slowly.

   "So in what capacity do you speak for this lady?"

"As a lover." Ferdinand said boldly, he winked at Eva, Eva glared at him, you know, she just planned to tell these Spaniards with practical actions, no need for a brother, father or husband. , she could duel with them, anyone—if she was the kind of ordinary girl with no power, she would have gone to see God long ago when the knife came.

She also saw the young men behind the Grand Duke. Although public duels had not been allowed in Paris since the time of Louis XIII, such dry rules could not hinder the young people with vigor and blood. They carried swords with them. , a musket, it's not for decoration, but it was Ferdinand who came out first, which was beyond her expectations, but she didn't feel that Ferdinand was interested in her at all. Ferdinand was like other boys. There is no one else in the house except the princess, let alone her, she is not belittling herself, but Jean Barr said when he saw her off, Paris or Versailles, even if you want to be a lover, it depends on your identity and status.

Eva's thoughts were also the thoughts of others present, Carlos II looked at Ferdinand, and then the other young man - of course he would feel jealous, although he is now considered a healthy person, but not really Perfect, he could tell by looking at the maids who shared his bed with him, and they tried their best not to look at him, his face, his sloping shoulders, his sunken chest, his slender legs...they Desires are the jewels and rewards of the morning. But at the same time, a confidence surged from Carlos II's chest, and he remembered what the Archbishop of Toledo and Mr. Patinho had said to him...

   He was the king of Spain.

His Majesty the King of Spain is destined to be one of the greatest men in the world. Those handsome, strong, and intelligent men and women will crawl to the ground for the crown on his head. He doesn't need to care about them. He was born Just aloof, his pity can make any noble or their wives, sisters, daughters happy, the power in his hands is better than a pair of healthy legs, the gold and silver flowing in his hands are more than fair skin. More dazzling, and the jewels of the palaces of Madrid and Toledo, enough to brighten his eyes—and strip away those things that would fade with the passage of time, any wise woman would choose him over any other man.

   "So, do you want to apologize to her?" he heard himself ask.

   "No, Your Majesty," said Ferdinand, "I choose a duel."

Then came the sight of the Duke of Orleans, before the servants of the Duke of Orleans slowly (the Duke suspected he was doing it on purpose) ran to their place and shouted the Duke's order for everyone to stop, the Spaniards Four or five have already fallen - Ferdinand is the first to come out, but his few partners will not let him specialize in the front, so the one-on-one duel has become five-on-five, one-on-one. The duel of the Spaniards may still have a chance to win, but five to five—these young men, from Frederick of Brandenburg, Anvo, son of the leader of the Tatars, to Ferdinand of Tuscany, they But they were all auditors of the French Royal Military Academy. The king sent teachers to guide them. The first thing they learned was cooperation, because when it comes to individual combat, they have had continuous and complete courses and experienced instructors since childhood.

The Spaniards suffer, they suffer from the fact that they still use the tactics of swarming up, and then choosing their opponents separately, and destroying them individually. The shameless French - they say this, but they spread out quickly, killing an enemy in the blink of an eye, the number of The advantage of the power quickly overwhelmed the advantage of strength and skill, and you don't have to look down to know how it will end.

Although the Spaniards scolded endlessly, no one else should help in one-on-one duels, but in five-on-five, friends and friends can cooperate with each other, and the Count of D'Artagnan and his friends participated After such a multi-person duel, he watched the whole scene, and even complacently whistled happily.

Fortunately, there are wizards. Except for one unlucky ghost who was pierced by Ferdinand's throat and had no chance of recovery, several other fallen Spaniards narrowly escaped death, that is, Carlos II's face is not very good-looking, but They were in Versailles, not in Toledo or Madrid, and they were the first to provoke, and the Spaniards had nothing to say.

  Eva looked at Ferdinand. She didn't know if it was her illusion. The person who was stabbed to death by Ferdinand was the first one who jumped out and scolded her and kept holding her.

   The addition is complete!

   (end of this chapter)