The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 871: Chapter 9 Parisian Officialdom

“Born in the Palace of Versailles?”

Samson was initially stunned, then his expression became excited. As a member of the Royalists within the Legitimate Dynasty faction, a rush of thrilling speculation flooded his mind.

“Are you… might you be a noble Bourbon?”

Great Dumas couldn’t help but laugh heartily and said: “Unfortunately, Mr. Samson, you guessed wrong. He is not aligned with the Bourbons but is one of the leaders of the Bonaparte Party.”

Upon hearing this, Samson’s face turned pale at once, and his hand holding the coffee cup trembled so much that the coffee almost spilled all over the table. “What… did you say, a Bonaparte?”

Victor scrutinized Louis’s appearance and instantly recalled the letter coconut trees sent him from London. He suddenly understood the true identity of the noble Bonaparte before him.

He humbly asked with a bowed head: “Are you the son of the ‘Queen of the Netherlands in Paris’?”

Samson couldn’t help but stand up and exclaimed: “Oh! My God!”

His exclamation immediately drew the attention of many patrons in the café.

Seeing this, Victor quickly pushed Samson back into his chair and reprimanded in a low voice: “Samson! Look at what foolishness you are doing! Don’t you know many die-hard faction members of the Legitimate Dynasty gather around Kaidao Sai Mansion? Or are you here today to cause trouble?”

Samson, finally regaining his composure from the shock, realized his behavior was inappropriate.

Embarrassedly, he removed his hat and softly apologized to Louis: “I… No, Your Excellency, I meant no offense. You should know, our Samson Family always performed their duties diligently during the Napoleonic Era and never caused any trouble in society. I… Oh, God! Forgive me, Your Excellency, actually, I dislike Republicans more than the Bonaparte Party.”

Great Dumas, who had been enjoying his onion soup while watching the fun, became somewhat displeased upon hearing this. He asked: “Why?”

Samson frankly replied: “Sir, you remember I mentioned before that I once wanted to join the army when I was young? At that time, I really did so. But not long after I joined the army, the Thermidorian Faction took over. These newly risen Hot Moon Party members suspected me of supporting Robespierre and thus imprisoned me.”

Louis became interested: “So, the reason you think Bonaparte is better than Republicans is because Napoleon later released you from prison?”

Samson shook his head: “No, they released me not for that reason. It was because later my father, as the Executioner, cleanly and swiftly executed Robespierre and Saint-Just. Hence, Hot Moon Party members believed the Samson Family’s political inclination should be reliable.”

Victor took a sip of coffee: “But I remember your father originally followed Robespierre’s orders and executed Dandong from the Mountain Faction, right? Didn’t the Thermidorian Faction trouble you after they came to power?”

Samson replied: “No, my father helped them execute Robespierre, which already gave them a sense of avenging a deep grudge. So, they didn’t pursue us father and son, and let me continue my work.”

Great Dumas couldn’t help but jest: “Dandong, Robespierre, and Saint-Just, along with Louis XVI and Mary Antoinette. Louis, the Samson Family really showed mercy to the Bonaparte, since people from both Republicans and the Legitimate Dynasty died on their account, but none from the Bonaparte.”

Samson defended: “Sir, I mean no offense, but I hope you understand, those people didn’t die by my father’s or my hands, but by the machine.”

“Machine?” Arthur asked: “Are you referring to the famous guillotine?”

Seeing this kind gentleman ask, Samson smiled and nodded: “Yes, but I prefer to call it a machine; guillotine sounds too bloody.”

Hearing this, Arthur suddenly had an idea: “May I make a bold request? If it’s convenient, could you show me the machine? I’d like to know how it operates.”

Surprised that the Duke from Britain showed interest in his work, Samson said: “Your Excellency, I can’t refuse your request. If you and Mr. Victor set a date, just send someone to notify me in the alley near the Monastery on Mare Road. I am willing to serve you and lead you and your friends to see the machine at my home.”

Arthur asked in amazement: “Do you usually keep the machine at home?”

Samson nodded: “Yes, the machine is our tool of production and part of the private property of the Samson Family. How can an Executioner fulfill his duties without the machine?”

Victor joked: “Perhaps if my Detective Agency goes under, I should consider buying a machine to play with; after all, it’s a profitable heirloom, the most stable job in Paris.”

Samson protested: “Mr. Victor, the positions in this trade are fixed, and the skill is not as simple as you think. You may be a good detective, but it’s hard for you to become a good executioner.”

Arthur shifted the topic back to Victor: “By the way, I almost forgot to ask. What exactly happened over at the Great Paris Police Hall, why did they suddenly dismiss you?”