After listening to Jero Bonaparte’s explanation, Crown Prince Leopold hesitated for a mont before nodding to Jero Bonaparte.
Seeing this, Jero Bonaparte smiled and suggested to Crown Prince Leopold that they leave the remaining issues to be discussed with the Minister of Agriculture and Comrce, while he and Leopold could take the opportunity to enjoy an opera at the Paris Opera.
"I heard a newcor has co to the Paris Opera House, Leopold, would you be willing to join there?" Jero Bonaparte asked Crown Prince Leopold in a refined manner.
"Of course, Your Majesty!!" Leopold responded imdiately.
Jero Bonaparte and Leopold took a carriage to the Paris Opera House, and when they alighted, they happened to see the forr King of Bavaria, Ludwig I, getting out of another carriage.
The reason he’s referred to as the forr 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 Jero Bonaparte’s coronation, Ludwig I, the forr king, has beco a frequent visitor to the court.
Seeing Jero Bonaparte and Leopold alight from the carriage, Ludwig I was montarily stunned, then hurriedly ran towards Jero Bonaparte.
The guards responsible for the safety of Jero Bonaparte and Crown Prince Leopold did not stop Ludwig I.
Approaching Jero Bonaparte, Ludwig I imdiately saluted him, saying, "Your Majesty, I didn’t expect to see you here!"
"What!" Jero Bonaparte jokingly asked Ludwig I, "Am I not allowed to co to the Paris Opera House?"
"Of course not!" Ludwig I shook his head decisively.
"Let’s drop this topic!" Jero Bonaparte said to Ludwig I, "The performance is about to begin!"
The three of them, Jero Bonaparte, Leopold, and Ludwig I, entered the Paris Opera House. During this ti, Jero Bonaparte introduced Leopold to Ludwig I, and the two formally got acquainted.
After entering the Paris Opera House, the manager approached Jero Bonaparte.
"Is the box prepared?" Jero Bonaparte asked calmly.
"It has been prepared for you!" the manager replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, please follow !"
Under the guidance of the opera house manager, Jero 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.
Jero Bonaparte and his companions sat quietly on the chairs, waiting for the play to start. After so ti, the opera house manager returned to Jero Bonaparte’s box.
This ti, he brought with him a fruit platter, a plate of snacks, a pot of tea, and three teacups.
"The service is not bad!" Jero 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 Jero 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!" Jero Bonaparte inquired casually.
"Your Majesty, this play is adapted from Mr. Victor Hugo’s ’Les Misérables’!" the manager replied to Jero Bonaparte.
Hearing the familiar na of Victor Hugo, Jero Bonaparte paused for a few seconds; it had been years since he last heard Victor Hugo’s na.
He never expected to hear Victor Hugo’s play at the opera house.
Have I been too harsh on Hugo?
Jero 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 ti had indeed benefitted Jero.
Amidst Jero Bonaparte’s contemplation, a shout ca to his ear, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty!"
Jero Bonaparte quickly snapped out of it and asked, "What’s the matter?"
"Your Majesty, the play is about to start!" Leopold softly reminded Jero Bonaparte.
Jero 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 Jero Bonaparte and then left the box.
As ti passed, Leopold and Ludwig I beca increasingly engrossed, while Jero Bonaparte’s face slowly showed signs of weariness.
To be honest, this play can’t compare to the popcorn movies that ca later.
In this era, there really aren’t many other interesting entertainnts, so people spend their ti on theatre.
Just as Jero Bonaparte’s eyelids kept drooping, the whole venue suddenly burst into cheers.
The sudden cheer banished Jero Bonaparte’s sleepiness, and he imdiately turned his gaze to the stage.
At this mont, a young girl in a white gown appeared on stage, and at the sight of her, Jero Bonaparte was slightly dazed.
"Oh God! She’s like an elf living among humans!" exclaid the "Old Rogue" Ludwig I, sitting beside Jero Bonaparte.
"That’s right!" Crown Prince Leopold also nodded in agreent with Ludwig I’s opinion.
The play continued on, and Jero Bonaparte gradually got absorbed into it.
Ti quickly passed, and the play slowly drew its curtain.
Seeing Ludwig I and Leopold’s expressions of lingering admiration, a thought slowly surfaced in Jero Bonaparte’s mind.
Perhaps I should learn from Cavour?
With this in mind, Jero 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 imdiately!"
"Yes!" The plainclothes guards dared not delay for even a mont and hurried into action.
A short while later, the manager of the opera appeared before Jero Bonaparte.
"Your Majesty, may I ask what orders you have!" the manager inquired of Jero Bonaparte.
"What is the na of that actress from earlier?" Jero Bonaparte asked about the actress’s na.
"Your Majesty, which one are you referring to?" The manager hesitated for a mont before responding.
And then the second act began, featuring Shakespeare’s play "Roo and Juliet".
The "elf" from the previous act appeared on stage once again, and her reappearance brought cheers from everyone present.
"That’s her!" Jero Bonaparte pointed to the stage in the distance.
"Your Majesty, she is called Marie Margaret Monroe!" The manager responded to Jero Bonaparte with a proud smile.
"Monroe?" Jero 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 sothing the matter?" The manager curiously asked Jero Bonaparte.
"No, nothing!" Jero Bonaparte shook his head, then asked the manager if he could arrange for a eting with Miss Marguerite after the play.
"If it were soone 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 et you!" The manager flattered Jero Bonaparte, saying, "Miss Marguerite’s most admired person is indeed you, Your Majesty!"
"Hmm! I understand!" Jero Bonaparte nodded.
At this mont, he felt a pang of guilt, knowing he was exploiting an admirer.
Soon after, Jero Bonaparte returned to the box.
Before the end of the second play, the manager found Jero Bonaparte.
"I’m stepping out for a mont!" Jero Bonaparte said to Ludwig I and Leopold.
"Your Majesty, Miss Marguerite is now waiting backstage for your esteed presence!" The manager whispered to Jero Bonaparte.
"Then let’s go!" Jero 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!" Jero Bonaparte feigned a casual deanor as he responded to Marie Margaret Monroe.
However, the burning intensity in his eyes imdiately betrayed him.
Jero Bonaparte could bet that the appearance of Marie Margaret Monroe was top tier in the entire opera circle!
"Your Majesty, if you don’t mind my humble identity, you can address directly!" Marie Margaret Monroe fervently said to Jero Bonaparte.
Reviews
All reviews (0)