Make France Great Again-Chapter 790 - 781 Family Mediator
After finishing the visit to the Century Exposition, Jerome Bonaparte noticed that the children’s spirits were noticeably low.
It was evident that they didn’t quite enjoy the Century Exposition. However, out of respect for Jerome Bonaparte, not a single one of them expressed any dissatisfaction throughout.
"Let’s go! Let’s head back!" Jerome Bonaparte said to the children.
Upon hearing permission to return, their expressions immediately brightened, and then Queen Victoria, being the eldest sister, walked up to Jerome Bonaparte and softly asked, "Your Majesty, aren’t we going to the Paris Veterans Hospital?"
"No, we’re not!" Jerome Bonaparte shook his head and said to Princess Victoria.
Except for Albert Edward, everyone else had a smile on their faces; they had long wanted to return to the Louvre Hotel.
Thus, under the guidance of Jerome Bonaparte, Albert Edward and others boarded the carriage again to return to the Louvre Hotel.
After Jerome Bonaparte sent them to the lobby of the Louvre Hotel, he spoke again, "Edward, are you interested in taking a walk with me?"
Albert Edward hesitated for a moment and then nodded, leaving the Louvre Hotel with Jerome Bonaparte.
Walking on the road, Albert Edward delicately inquired where Jerome Bonaparte was taking him.
"The Paris Veterans Hospital!" Jerome Bonaparte said calmly.
Immediately, Jerome Bonaparte and Albert Edward walked together towards the Paris Veterans Hospital.
By the time they arrived near the Paris Veterans Hospital, it was already around 11 a.m., with only one hour left until lunchtime.
"Time is running out! We need to hurry!" Jerome Bonaparte urged.
The two quickly crossed the lawn outside the Paris Veterans Hospital, reaching the entrance of the Paris Veterans Hospital.
The two soldiers stationed outside the Paris Veterans Hospital immediately blocked Jerome Bonaparte and Albert Edward’s way, informing them that ordinary people couldn’t enter the Paris Veterans Hospital.
Jerome Bonaparte quickly removed his hood and smiled as he asked the soldiers, "Do you think this face of mine can enter?"
The two soldiers promptly saluted Jerome Bonaparte, exclaiming, "Your Majesty!"
"Hmm! Thank you for your hard work guarding the Veterans Hospital!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded and said to the soldiers, then turned to Albert Edward and said, "Let’s go inside!"
Knowing that he could see his idol, Albert Edward also showed an excited expression and responded to Jerome Bonaparte, "Yes!"
Jerome Bonaparte and Albert Edward entered the Paris Veterans Hospital and then walked down the intricate and patterned floor along the stairs, quickly reaching the second basement floor of the Paris Veterans Hospital.
Albert Edward’s expression gradually became devout, and as the two went further, Jerome Bonaparte and Albert Edward passed through a golden cross, eventually entering a cylindrical room.
In the center of the room were two coffins made of redwood, the final resting place of the Emperor Napoleon of the French Empire and Grand Marshal Surt of the French Empire.
"On the left lies my uncle Napoleon, and on the right is Grand Marshal Surt of the French Empire!" Jerome Bonaparte said, pointing to the coffins and introducing them to Edward VII.
After hearing Jerome Bonaparte’s introduction, Albert Edward slowly approached Emperor Napoleon’s coffin. To Jerome Bonaparte’s surprise, he knelt in front of Emperor Napoleon’s coffin, clasped his hands, and prayed earnestly.
Jerome Bonaparte quietly stood behind Albert Edward, watching. After a while, Albert Edward stood up again, turned to Jerome Bonaparte, and expressed his gratitude, "Your Majesty, thank you very much!"
"It’s nothing!" Jerome Bonaparte shook his head and said to Albert Edward, then reminded him, "By the way! Remember the next time you come with your parents, don’t kneel again!"
"Rest assured! I certainly won’t cause you any trouble!" Albert Edward nodded and said to Jerome Bonaparte.
[PS: Historically, Albert Edward, when accompanying the Victoria couple to visit the Paris Veterans Hospital, knelt before Emperor Napoleon’s coffin in public!
His action made Queen Victoria and Prince Albert feel annoyed.
After all, Emperor Napoleon, as one of Britain’s most formidable opponents, caused great harm to Britain.
Although Britain and France were getting along well due to the Crimean War still ongoing, the two countries had not reached the level of friendliness where the Crown Prince would kneel to the "enemy."
Albert Edward’s behavior brought disgrace to the entire Royal Family!]
"Hmm! I believe you!" Jerome Bonaparte once again patted Albert Edward on the shoulder with a solemn tone and asked whether Albert Edward wanted to see other rooms.
"Alright!" Albert Edward responded.
Jerome Bonaparte, accompanied by Albert Edward, visited the resting places of other famous generals (including Marshal Saint Arno) and thoughtfully provided explanations to Albert Edward.
However, Albert Edward’s interest in these generals was clearly not as great as his interest in Emperor Napoleon.
Therefore, he only nodded slightly during Jerome Bonaparte’s introductions.
After Jerome Bonaparte and Albert Edward had toured all the rooms, they stepped out of the Paris Veterans Hospital together.
At this point, it was less than 15 minutes until lunchtime, and a carriage "just happened" to be waiting in the vacant lot at the entrance of the Paris Veterans Hospital. The coachman was none other than Taylor.
"Let’s go!" Jerome Bonaparte and Albert Edward entered the carriage, and Taylor promptly waved his whip to move forward.
Inside the carriage, Albert Edward once again expressed his gratitude to Jerome Bonaparte, saying that Jerome Bonaparte had made him feel a respect he had never experienced before.
Jerome Bonaparte looked at the Crown Prince in front of him, sighed once more, and reiterated: "Edward, do not resent your father! Albert’s love for you is second to none!"
"I know!" Albert Edward responded to Jerome Bonaparte with a bitter smile, "Your Majesty, I understand what you are saying! It’s just that I really don’t know how to face him. My father and mother’s expectations for me are too high. The more I want to live up to their expectations, the more I feel an unprecedented pressure.
This pressure is about to overwhelm me!"
"You should talk to Albert!" Jerome Bonaparte suggested once again to Albert Edward. "There’s nothing that can’t be solved through conversation!"
"But I don’t know how to talk to him!" Albert Edward said to Jerome Bonaparte in a slightly choked voice.
"Just speak frankly!" Jerome Bonaparte shrugged his shoulders at Albert Edward. "It’s not like he can eat you!
I believe Albert will understand you!"
The most difficult realization in life is admitting the ordinariness of the next generation upon having them. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂
Especially for someone as extraordinary as Prince Albert, acknowledging the ordinariness of his child is even more challenging.
However, Jerome Bonaparte believed that Albert would ultimately be willing to accept this.
Wait! How did I become a mediator for family disputes!
Jerome Bonaparte suddenly realized that he seemed to have become a figure similar to a community committee aunt or a teacher.
Damn! This annoying habit of being a busybody must change!
Jerome Bonaparte inwardly blamed himself.
Just then, the carriage slowly came to a stop, and Taylor, from the driver’s seat, said to Jerome Bonaparte: "Your Majesty, we’ve arrived at Louvre Hotel!"
"Let’s go!!" Jerome Bonaparte pushed open the carriage door and stepped out, with Albert Edward following closely behind.
When Jerome Bonaparte met Albert again, he noticed that Albert seemed much more spirited than before.
As they met, the two shook hands, and Albert immediately expressed his gratitude to Jerome Bonaparte.
"No problem!" Jerome Bonaparte shook his head in response to Prince Albert, "Edward is fine, I don’t have to worry about anything!"
"Listen to you, you almost sound like my child’s father!" Prince Albert teased.
"I wish my child could be as obedient as Edward!" Jerome Bonaparte replied in kind.
Prince Albert and Jerome Bonaparte continued to walk and talk and soon entered the restaurant.
This restaurant was somewhat different in structure from their previous one; its style leaned more towards the Empire period, exuding a simplicity yet elegance in its decor.
As usual, Jerome Bonaparte and Prince Albert first enjoyed a glass of red wine, and then Emile Pereire once again brought out the dishes.
Today’s dishes were a bit different from yesterday’s, with a few French dishes being replaced by some famous British ones.
Jerome Bonaparte and Prince Albert continued to eat while engaging in lively discussions about the situation in Russia.
Jerome Bonaparte took the opportunity to talk about providing some support to Duke Golitsyn, to which Prince Albert expressed his agreement and assured Jerome Bonaparte that the Kingdom of Britain would certainly assist the French Empire in achieving this (implying that they wanted to share in the benefits).
