The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1069: Chapter 84 19th Century Marriage Plot_2

As a man, especially one who considers himself in the upswing of his career, Louis feels he should focus on work rather than continuing the family line at this stage.

Secondly, whether it’s because he’s been in London too long and influenced by that rascal Disraeli, Louis also prefers older women.

While in London, he maintained a close relationship with a lady he met at the club, and upon arriving in Paris, the various social gatherings of late have especially dazzled him. The young man’s mind has wandered, and naturally, he temporarily does not wish to be tied down by marriage.

However, the trouble is that Louis’ mother is adamantly determined. She won’t hinder her son’s political plans and grand ambitions, but she also hopes he can combine his plans with a more romantic life.

“Sigh…”

Louis rubbed his head. It was clear he was quite troubled, to the point his hair was a mess.

A hat flew onto the table in front of him. Arthur, with his pipe in his mouth, glanced at his younger brother, took off his gloves, and asked, “What’s wrong? The last time I saw you with this expression, you were in prison.”

Louis stroked the beard on his chin, “Indeed, my mother is planning to personally send me to jail.”

“Hmm?” Arthur raised an eyebrow, “Is Madam Audance planning to imitate the Duchess of Berry and lead a revolt in France?”

“Not quite.” Louis leaned back in his chair, “Arthur, are you interested in noble ladies? Most of them love reading knight novels from the Middle Ages, and you are now a proper knight.”

“Oh, please.” Arthur ordered a cup of tea, “Never mind if these ladies imagine knights like me, even if they just want a title, I’m not a proper knight.”

“How are you not? Aren’t you a Junior Knight? That’s the oldest knight title in Britain.”

“Junior Knight is indeed the oldest in Britain, but also the most basic. This title doesn’t represent a proper knight but a knight’s retinue, essentially a squire.”

Arthur took a sip from his cup, “This title was awarded temporarily on the battlefield to boost morale. Imagine the scene, the King orders the knights to charge, and to make them fight bravely, anyone with a horse, who can ride, is granted the Junior Knight title. It’s like Covent Garden Market, where goods are sold wholesale.”

Hearing Arthur’s description, and recalling Arthur’s experience before being knighted, Louis couldn’t help but laugh, “In that case, knighting you as a Junior Knight is indeed sensible.”

Arthur put down his cup and nodded deeply, “Isn’t it? I was indeed on horseback and charged in.”

“And almost died.”

“No, actually did die. But because the Privy Council didn’t consent to my resurrection, that’s why I almost died.”

Upon hearing this, Louis laughed until tears came out, “Alright, Arthur, you can’t joke about everything. However, you can tell such stories to the noble ladies who have just come of age and are new to social circles; they’re the easiest to fool. After all, a squire is still a knight. Many in Britain ride horses, and the Scotland Yard has lots of mounted police, but the entire Greater London Police Department has only Charles Rowan, Richard Mayne, and you holding the Junior Knight title. Among you three, Rowan and Mayne were awarded in the army, and only you received the knighthood because of your role as police. Arthur, you’re the first in this field!”

Arthur added a sugar cube to his tea, “I would never tell this to the noble ladies. If she doesn’t believe it, she’d probably think I’m crazy. If she does believe it, things would get even worse. Who knows what kind of faith she has, and if she reports me to the Church, what then? Louis, don’t you think I have enough troubles already?”

“How could that be a trouble? That’s a fantastic opportunity.”

Louis cajoled, “Think about it, having an educated, lovely, considerate, wealthy lady, and many children, that’s what many people would dream of.”

“Oh.”

Arthur suddenly seemed to understand something, “Are you being set up for a blind date by your family?”

Louis pouted, “You truly can’t be fooled by anything, you really are the best detective in all of Britain.”

“Louis, don’t tell me that after I just got the subsidy approved from the Foreign Office for Young Italy, you’re leaving to attend a blind date instead? This kind of thing, I can’t explain to Mazzini and Garibaldi, you’ll have to explain it to them yourself.”

At that, Arthur made a curious remark, “Future historians would rack their brains trying to figure out that the greatest reason for the failure of the Italian revolution was because our Mr. Louis Bonaparte was eager to attend a matchmaking ball. I never believed the rumor of Napoleon losing the Battle of Waterloo because of a hemorrhoid flare-up, but now, I’m starting to believe it.”

Louis turned red with embarrassment and laughingly cursed, “Screw you, Arthur, I don’t intend to back down. The revolution failing because the leader was rushing to a matchmaking event, that’s absurd.”