Make France Great Again-Chapter 798 - 789: The Beauty Trap
After listening to Jerome Bonaparte’s explanation, Crown Prince Leopold hesitated for a moment before nodding to Jerome Bonaparte.
Seeing this, Jerome Bonaparte smiled and suggested to Crown Prince Leopold that they leave the remaining issues to be discussed with the Minister of Agriculture and Commerce, while he and Leopold could take the opportunity to enjoy an opera at the Paris Opera.
"I heard a newcomer has come to the Paris Opera House, Leopold, would you be willing to join me there?" Jerome Bonaparte asked Crown Prince Leopold in a refined manner.
"Of course, Your Majesty!!" Leopold responded immediately.
Jerome Bonaparte and Leopold took a carriage to the Paris Opera House, and when they alighted, they happened to see the former King of Bavaria, Ludwig I, getting out of another carriage.
The reason he’s referred to as the former king is, of course, due to Ludwig I’s heavy-handed suppression of German nationalists in Munich during the Great Revolution of 1848, which led to retaliation from the German nationalists. Under the spontaneous formation of a national militia by the Bavarian people, Ludwig I was forced to abdicate in favor of his son, Maximilian I, and from then on he began residing in Paris.
Since Jerome Bonaparte’s coronation, Ludwig I, the former king, has become a frequent visitor to the court.
Seeing Jerome Bonaparte and Leopold alight from the carriage, Ludwig I was momentarily stunned, then hurriedly ran towards Jerome Bonaparte.
The guards responsible for the safety of Jerome Bonaparte and Crown Prince Leopold did not stop Ludwig I.
Approaching Jerome Bonaparte, Ludwig I immediately saluted him, saying, "Your Majesty, I didn’t expect to see you here!"
"What!" Jerome Bonaparte jokingly asked Ludwig I, "Am I not allowed to come to the Paris Opera House?"
"Of course not!" Ludwig I shook his head decisively.
"Let’s drop this topic!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Ludwig I, "The performance is about to begin!"
The three of them, Jerome Bonaparte, Leopold, and Ludwig I, entered the Paris Opera House. During this time, Jerome Bonaparte introduced Leopold to Ludwig I, and the two formally got acquainted.
After entering the Paris Opera House, the manager approached Jerome Bonaparte.
"Is the box prepared?" Jerome Bonaparte asked calmly.
"It has been prepared for you!" the manager replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, please follow me!"
Under the guidance of the opera house manager, Jerome Bonaparte and the others were led to a box adorned with a scarlet carpet and rose-colored drapes.
Despite the lavish decoration of the box, its furnishings were rather simple.
There were only a few sky-blue cushioned chairs and a round stone table.
There was nothing else aside from these items.
Jerome Bonaparte and his companions sat quietly on the chairs, waiting for the play to start. After some time, the opera house manager returned to Jerome Bonaparte’s box.
This time, he brought with him a fruit platter, a plate of snacks, a pot of tea, and three teacups.
"The service is not bad!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded with satisfaction, then remarked lightly, "I hope your play is as good as your service!"
"We are honored to receive your praise!" the manager answered humbly to Jerome Bonaparte, "Rest assured, Your Majesty, our play will certainly please you!"
"By the way, I haven’t asked whose work your play is based on!" Jerome Bonaparte inquired casually.
"Your Majesty, this play is adapted from Mr. Victor Hugo’s ’Les Misérables’!" the manager replied to Jerome Bonaparte.
Hearing the familiar name of Victor Hugo, Jerome Bonaparte paused for a few seconds; it had been years since he last heard Victor Hugo’s name.
He never expected to hear Victor Hugo’s play at the opera house.
Have I been too harsh on Hugo?
Jerome Bonaparte started to reflect on whether he had been too inhumane in his past actions. After all, Victor Hugo had indirectly helped him.
Regardless of Hugo’s motivations, his stance at that time had indeed benefitted Jerome.
Amidst Jerome Bonaparte’s contemplation, a shout came to his ear, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty!"
Jerome Bonaparte quickly snapped out of it and asked, "What’s the matter?"
"Your Majesty, the play is about to start!" Leopold softly reminded Jerome Bonaparte.
Jerome Bonaparte glanced at the actors gradually appearing on stage, then turned to look at the persistent manager in the box, waved his hand, and said, "Thank you for your hard work!"
The manager bowed to Jerome Bonaparte and then left the box.
As time passed, Leopold and Ludwig I became increasingly engrossed, while Jerome Bonaparte’s face slowly showed signs of weariness.
To be honest, this play can’t compare to the popcorn movies that came later.
In this era, there really aren’t many other interesting entertainments, so people spend their time on theatre.
Just as Jerome Bonaparte’s eyelids kept drooping, the whole venue suddenly burst into cheers.
The sudden cheer banished Jerome Bonaparte’s sleepiness, and he immediately turned his gaze to the stage.
At this moment, a young girl in a white gown appeared on stage, and at the sight of her, Jerome Bonaparte was slightly dazed.
"Oh God! She’s like an elf living among humans!" exclaimed the "Old Rogue" Ludwig I, sitting beside Jerome Bonaparte.
"That’s right!" Crown Prince Leopold also nodded in agreement with Ludwig I’s opinion.
The play continued on, and Jerome Bonaparte gradually got absorbed into it.
Time quickly passed, and the play slowly drew its curtain.
Seeing Ludwig I and Leopold’s expressions of lingering admiration, a thought slowly surfaced in Jerome Bonaparte’s mind.
Perhaps I should learn from Cavour?
With this in mind, Jerome Bonaparte found an excuse to leave the box seat.
He then instructed the plainclothes guards near the box, "You, bring the manager of the Opera House to me immediately!"
"Yes!" The plainclothes guards dared not delay for even a moment and hurried into action.
A short while later, the manager of the opera appeared before Jerome Bonaparte.
"Your Majesty, may I ask what orders you have!" the manager inquired of Jerome Bonaparte.
"What is the name of that actress from earlier?" Jerome Bonaparte asked about the actress’s name.
"Your Majesty, which one are you referring to?" The manager hesitated for a moment before responding.
And then the second act began, featuring Shakespeare’s play "Romeo and Juliet".
The "elf" from the previous act appeared on stage once again, and her reappearance brought cheers from everyone present.
"That’s her!" Jerome Bonaparte pointed to the stage in the distance.
"Your Majesty, she is called Marie Margaret Monroe!" The manager responded to Jerome Bonaparte with a proud smile.
"Monroe?" Jerome Bonaparte’s face showed slight surprise, which made him think of Marilyn Monroe.
But that sensual goddess was born in 1926, while now is only 1855.
"Your Majesty, is something the matter?" The manager curiously asked Jerome Bonaparte.
"No, nothing!" Jerome Bonaparte shook his head, then asked the manager if he could arrange for a meeting with Miss Marguerite after the play.
"If it were someone else, we might have to seek Miss Marguerite’s opinion, but for you, Your Majesty, I assure you Miss Marguerite would be very willing to meet you!" The manager flattered Jerome Bonaparte, saying, "Miss Marguerite’s most admired person is indeed you, Your Majesty!"
"Hmm! I understand!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded.
At this moment, he felt a pang of guilt, knowing he was exploiting an admirer.
Soon after, Jerome Bonaparte returned to the box.
Before the end of the second play, the manager found Jerome Bonaparte.
"I’m stepping out for a moment!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Ludwig I and Leopold.
"Your Majesty, Miss Marguerite is now waiting backstage for your esteemed presence!" The manager whispered to Jerome Bonaparte.
"Then let’s go!" Jerome Bonaparte followed the manager backstage.
Here, he saw Marie Margaret Monroe.
"Your Majesty!" Marguerite looked at the Emperor in front of her with eyes tinged with adoration.
"Miss Marguerite, hello!" Jerome Bonaparte feigned a casual demeanor as he responded to Marie Margaret Monroe.
However, the burning intensity in his eyes immediately betrayed him.
Jerome Bonaparte could bet that the appearance of Marie Margaret Monroe was top tier in the entire opera circle! 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺
"Your Majesty, if you don’t mind my humble identity, you can address me directly!" Marie Margaret Monroe fervently said to Jerome Bonaparte.
