449 Those Young Monsters (1/2)
In the Anglo Embassy, it was afternoon. The well-dressed ambassador wore his sword, looking a little agitated as the time passed by. Finally, when it was about six o'clock, he sighed and asked the secretary, ”How long has he been asleep?”
”About fourteen hours.” The secretary replied, ”I told the maid not to disturb him when he came back this morning, and then he never left the room.”
”Maybe he has already gone?” The ambassador looked to his side.
The old musician shook his head. ”He is still in the room but he seems to be transforming his musical theory. We'd better not to disturb him at this moment. Otherwise, if there is any problem, I am afraid the consequences will be unpredictable. ”
Hearing this, the ambassador sighed helplessly. ”It seems that he will be unable to attend.”
Before leaving the city, Maxwell had told the ambassador secretly that although Ye Qingxuan had no establishment and position in the embassy, they should treat him the same as they treated Maxwell. If anyone dared to disrespect him, he would be accused of disrespecting the royal family. As a result, Ye Qingxuan was able to eat for free in the embassy for such a long time.
Everyone here regarded him as the successor of Maxwell, the future cabinet minister. Moreover, Ye Qingxuan did have a crucial position in the Fifth Department and he also served temporarily in the Silent Authority. He might usually ignore trivial affairs but once something really happened, he was definitely a crucial figure. The ambassador would not have wanted to disturb him if it had not been for an invitation to an important party today and Ye Qingxuan was especially invited.
After another ten minutes, the ambassador sighed and got up to command the secretary. ”It seems that Mr. Ye is unable to come to dinner today. You choose a gift for him and I will bring it to the banquet. At least it won't be impolite.”
The secretary nodded and quickly prepared a gift that Ye Qingxuan would give for 'being ill' and unable to attend.
Two minutes later, the ambassador and his wife boarded the carriage to the Embassy of Burgundy. Soon the carriage stopped before another mansion in the embassy district. It was already late, but the Burgundy Embassy's lights were all on.
The traffic rushed before the Embassy of Burgundy. There were constantly well-dressed nobles and ambassadors getting out of the carriages and attending this party with invitations.
The ninth of December was the national day of Burgundy, as well as the 300th anniversary of the celebration. The Embassy prepared a lot to celebrate this day and many people were invited. Within a few short hours, rich businessmen and nobles from all over the world had gathered here. There were officials and saints from the Sacred City as well.
The carriage with Anglo's emblem parked in front of the embassy. The ambassador got off with his wife. Soon, a well-dressed attendant welcomed them and guided the two into the hall.
In the ballroom, Ambassador Bertrand, clad in a suit, seemed to have waited for a long time. Due to taking care of his body, there wasn't the slightest sign of aging in his appearance. He did not look like a man in his fifties at all but a middle-aged man in his prime.
Behind him stood a handsome young man, who seemed to be his nephew.
”Mr. Baird, welcome.” After exchanging greetings with Anglo's ambassador for a moment, Bertrand could not restrain his curiosity and looked to his side. ”Has Mr. Ye not come yet?”
Baird smiled wryly and sent the gift that had been prepared. ”Last night, it snowed. Mr. Ye had a cold and couldn't come tonight. He asked me to convey his regrets to you.”
”I see.” Bertrand sighed. ”It's our mistake. We should have sent the invitation to Mr. Ye earlier. Please let Mr. Ye know that the Embassy of Burgundy will always welcome his visit.”
After the two exchanged the pleasantries, the young man behind Bertrand left. Baird didn't care about it but looked to Bertrand. Both were ambassadors of foreign countries and had often met each other in the Sacred City. However, their rivalry did not damage the friendship between the two. They were even members of the same bridge club. Having such great ties, Baird did conceal any more.
”My old friend, don't you think it's inappropriate?” Baird looked at Bertrand and whispered, ”Although there is no official position for Mr. Ye in our embassy, he is distinguished at least. How could you be so careless to send the invitation the last day?”
”I did not intend to invite such a sensitive figure like Mr. Ye.” Bertrand forced a smile and shook his head. He took a glass of champagne from the waiter's hand. The two chatted while walking to the corner. ”This happened because someone wants to see him. I had to send the invitation on short notice.”
Baird frowned, immediately getting curious. ”Who is so powerful?”
”Who else could it be?” With a wry smile, Bertrand looked at the handsome young man in the crowd who was laughing with the other nobles.
The young man seemed to have a wide circle of friends. There were so many nobles, different circles, and different schools here, but he could manage all of them. He must be something.
Baird was stunned. He did not expect that the young man next to Bertrand, who seemed to be his nephew or a secretary of the embassy, actually had a powerful background. Soon it dawned on him when he noticed that the young man's ring.
”The Bourbon family? Which branch?”
”What else can it be?” Bertrand, sipping the champagne, said softly, ”The first in line for natural inheritance.”
The Bourbon clan, as the royal family of Burgundy, had many branches, but there were not many people who really had the lineages and rights. From Bertrand's reaction, one could tell that the young man must be someone distinguished. Moreover, the emperor of Burgundy was seriously ill. There were not many days left for him. In a few months, it was very possible that the young man's father would rule the country.
”Which son of Louis is he?” Baird asked.
Bertrand looked at him with a vague smile. ”My old friend, he is the only son of Louis now.”
Baird understood his meaning and suddenly fell into silence.
”Don't underestimate the young, my old friend. There are more and more monsters among the young, such as your country's new sword-bearer.” Bertrand put down the glass and looked at the figure in the crowd with more fear.
”He was an illegitimate son of the Louis family who was abandoned overseas. But half a year ago, he was welcomed back to the family and received recognition. Originally, they intended to use the young man as a bargaining chip but did not expect that the man they found back then was not an obedient puppet but a serpent.
”In less than six months, he turned from the underdog to a public leading figure. Those who had been in front of him are now dead at his feet, including his brother Louie. In addition to his own family, he also won the support of the Antonevate family. He has an engagement with the grand duke's daughter and they will get married next year.
”Now, he is my teacher Mr. Richelieu's favorite student, the future Cabinet confidential secretary... To tell the truth, during the days he stayed in the embassy, even I felt like there are thorns in my back. I can't sleep well. Thankfully, he is about to leave for home after the celebration. That's a relief.”
Baird listened to this wordlessly and felt a headache coming. ”Why would he be interested in our sword-bearer?”
”Who knows?” Bertrand smiled. ”Maybe he wants to be a good friend with your Mr. Ye.”
”That's not funny, Bertrand.” Baird shook his head, drank the champagne in the cup, and finally glanced at the young man's back. ”What's the name of the monster in your country?”
”Don Juan,” Bertrand said, ”Don Juan Dieudonne Bourbon.”
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Don Juan sat silently in the resting room of the embassy.
”What a pity, master,” the attendant at his side said. ”It seems that you are not seeing your good friend this time.”
”A pity?” Don Juan glanced at his attendant and laughed. ”Do you feel sad or are you glad? You know he is now a famous demon hunter in the countries. None of those dark musicians who met him had good endings. You must be overjoyed that he can't come, right?”
”Master, you overthink.” The attendant managed a smile. ”I have changed. It has been quite a long time since I've had contact with my past friends. Everyone probably thinks that the Rain Artist is dead.”
”That's the best, old man.” Don Juan glanced at him. Perceiving the sorrow in his eyes, Don Juan laughed with derision. ”Only you will take that title as a treasure. You only killed a few people and were chased by the Sacred City like a rabbit. Think about your bullsh*t friends' endings. Poor old Colbert, why can't you look further...”
He put his hands on the 'Rain Artist's' shoulder and whispered his original name. ”When my dad comes into power, the time for us will come! As long as that old man's life and death is in our hands, what can't we get?
”You want to kill someone? Just wave your fingers and there will be countless people to help you kill and take the blame! Do you want power? What about financial officer? The royal secretary of state? Navy commander or the prime minister of Burgundy?
”Compared to these things in sight, what the f*ck is the Originator? Is it worth risking your life to pursue? Is it worth your while to go through the hell for that d*mn spirit? Don't be ridiculous, Colbert. Your future is under your feet. As long as you follow me, everything is at your fingertips!”
After a while of silence, Colbert softly sighed. ”Young master, how can someone like you not degenerate into a demon? It doesn't make sense.”
”Degenerate?” said Don Juan, chuckling. ”I'm so much dirtier than you all. Go back and send a present to Yezi.” Don Juan fixed his bow tie and smiled pleasantly. ”I really look forward to seeing him again. Will Yezi be startled to see me like this?” He pushed the door open and walked into the ballroom.
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