Eagle’s Glory

Until many years later, Crystal still could not recall how she came to the magnificent Palace of Fontainebleau - of course, she was only eight years old at the time and had no idea where it was.

She only remembered that she arrived there in a carriage and was escorted by cavalry along the way, but she had no memory of the journey, and the memory seemed to leave a blank in her young mind.

However, what happened next left a deep impression on her that she would never forget.

One fine morning, the carriage she was riding in drove into the palace garden under the escort of the guards. Then, when the door of the carriage just opened, a woman in a palace dress saluted her elegantly. .

She spoke in French, and Clestel had learned it, so she could understand it easily.

"Miss Crystal, welcome to France." With a gentle smile, she sent her first greeting to Crystal in her new home. "Thanks to the assignment of Her Majesty the Queen, I will be responsible for taking care of you next time." Please take more care of your life in the future."

After saying these polite words, she respectfully extended her hand to Crystal.

When she suddenly saw a stranger, Crystal felt a little uncomfortable instinctively, but she still remembered her mother's warning to her before.

"Kelly... you must remember that after you get there, you must be friendly and polite to everyone, and never tarnish your deserved reputation."

So, she overcame the discomfort in her heart and nodded friendly to the lady.

Then, with the help of the female officer, she stepped out of the carriage.

Looking around, there are people everywhere, including uniformed guards, maids, and other people in casual clothes...

There are so many people...

Crystal felt dizzy and almost vomited.

She grew up in an isolated manor since she was a child. There were only a few people coming and going around her, and she didn't have any playmates of the same age.

Therefore, when she actually sees a lively place, she will not feel surprised or curious, but will have an instinctive fear.

A sense of nausea made her already very pale face become even more colorless.

"Are you okay?

Miss? "The female officer saw something strange about her and asked quickly.

"Mom..." Crystal didn't answer her, she just let out a small whine.

The female officer understood something in an instant, so she didn't say anything anymore. She just looked at the little girl with compassionate eyes, her expression was very complicated.

As a close confidant of Her Majesty the Queen, she certainly knew the true identity of Miss Crystal - but, like Her Majesty the Queen, she did not hate this child.

Instead, she had too much sympathy for the child.

"I'll take you to rest first. Your Majesty will receive you tomorrow." After waiting for a while, she whispered.

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At this time, His Majesty the Emperor, whom the female officer spoke of, was standing in a corner of the garden, looking at Miss Charlotte de Treville in front of her.

This eight-year-old young lady, wearing a luxurious dress, looked back at him not to be outdone, as if she was not impressed by his power.

Because of her family background and her personal intelligence, she has always attracted much attention in the court, and she herself is also quite pretentious, and there is always a sense of pride in her gaze.

She is beautiful, smart, and has a natural acumen. There is always a scrutinizing look in her eyes, as if she can judge the world at a young age.

Sometimes she can appear quite arrogant and speak very harshly, but this subtle acrimony, combined with her soft and majestic appearance, actually makes people feel cute in a different way.

"Xia Lu."

"Your Majesty?" This child, who had just reached His Majesty the Emperor's waist, raised his skirt in a decent manner and saluted respectfully to His Majesty the Emperor. "What are your orders?"

His Majesty the Emperor looked at the child slightly. Even when she saluted to him, she did not seem to hide her arrogance.

She is indeed Alice's daughter... His Majesty the Emperor thought to himself.

People like him like children with character and brains. Even if they have a little temper, it doesn't matter - how can a person live without any pride?

"There is a child named Crystal who has arrived here today." After a moment of silence, he said softly, "This child means something extraordinary to me."

Xia Lu did not reply, but looked at the young emperor with curious and inquiring eyes, as if trying to figure out his thoughts.

"It's a coincidence that she is the same age as you, but she was born a month or two earlier." His Majesty the Emperor smiled bitterly, "Although I haven't seen her face yet, I think she will definitely grow up. very cute."

"What do you want to do when you tell me this?" Xia Lu asked softly.

The look in her eyes showed that she seemed to have guessed something, but it was just not convenient to ask.

"It's nothing, I just want you to take care of Kristel as a friend." His Majesty the Emperor simply told Xia Lu his order. "After all, I am an adult and cannot get involved in the children's world most of the time. Therefore, I need a peer to take care of her... She has been isolated from the world since she was a child, and her ability to deal with others is really lacking. This is fatal in the palace. shortcomings, but with your protection, it should be much better."

"You were just saying that although we are the same age, she is a little older than me, right?" Xia Lu did not obey the order immediately, but instead put forward her own opinion, "I'm afraid I'm not that capable of protecting Keli. Miss Stella."

"Now you suddenly remember that you are just a child? Aren't you always very capable?" His Majesty the Emperor couldn't help laughing, "I remember that you boasted in front of us many times that you are better than adults. Why, when When I just placed my trust in you, you felt guilty and flinched?"

After hearing this, Xia Lu's face immediately lost its expression. "That was not what I meant……"

She bit her lip, then raised her head and looked at His Majesty the Emperor, "I have been very interested in playing chess recently and wanted to find a master to learn chess, but my mother insisted that I learn piano... Your Majesty, if you can If mom changes her mind..."

"No problem, just leave it to me." Before she could finish speaking, His Majesty the Emperor agreed.

"Okay then..." Xia Lu had nothing to say and could only agree.

"Xia Lu, you are a good boy. I hope you can become good friends and help each other." The smile on His Majesty's face was gradually replaced by solemnity.

Then, he stretched out his hand and gently stroked Xia Lu's golden hair, "I owe Crystal a lot, and I want to make up for it, but I know that it is difficult to make up for many things once they are lost. Yes, I have made Crystal's childhood a mess. She is unsophisticated and has never even met a few strangers. The only thing that can be comforted is that her talent is good and she has received the treatment she deserves. Education. I can't make up for what happened in the past, but I can try to make her life easier in the future, and I'm willing to work hard for that."

As he spoke, he ruffled Xia Lu's hair, messing up her mother's carefully groomed curls. "You are the same age as her, and you have prestige among the children in the palace. With your help, her life before adulthood should be a lot more fun, and at least it can make up for some of the trauma in the past..."

After saying that, His Majesty the Emperor let out a rare long sigh.

As he spoke, he subconsciously messed up the hair on Xia Lu's head that had been carefully combed by his mother.

Xia Lu didn't like being treated like this by an elder, but the person who did this was His Majesty the Emperor, so she had no choice but to bow her head and endure it silently.

"Okay, okay, I understand, Your Majesty." She said softly, but her expression was quite serious, "I promise you, I will be her friend from now on, as long as she is willing."

"Then go." His Majesty the Emperor nodded to her, indicating that she could leave.

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Under the guidance of the female officer, Kristel walked along the corridor towards the residence where she was assigned.

And just as they were passing by the garden, they suddenly discovered that a little girl was running towards them.

At first she couldn't believe it, but after a while she dared to confirm that the other party's target was really her.

But...why?

The child in front of me has a flowing skirt, as if she is wearing a flower and a butterfly.

She is very beautiful, but I don't know her at all... No, it should be said that I don't know anyone in this huge palace, and there is no place for me.

She couldn't help but look at the female officer next to her, wanting to ask what was going on.

"who is she?"

"She is Miss Xia Lu, the daughter of the Treville family." The female officer replied softly.

Of course Crystal didn't understand.

"She is very powerful, even His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is afraid of her." The female officer said carefully in her ear.

"Even the crown prince is afraid?" Crystal blinked in surprise, not understanding the reason at all, "Why? Isn't the crown prince the future emperor? He should only be afraid of the emperor and queen, right... ?”

The female officer looked at the little girl with a smile.

The silver-haired little girl is so beautiful even with a confused expression.

"Logically speaking, this is true, but many things in the world do not follow common sense. Miss Xia Lu is one of them." Then, the female officer lowered her head and explained to her softly, "She is a young lady from the Treville family. This family She is one of His Majesty's closest favorites, and her mother has won the respect and trust of His Majesty the Emperor and Queen. Moreover, Miss Xia Lu is extremely talented, good-looking, and witty, and His Majesty also likes her very much, saying Although she is a woman, she will definitely achieve great things in the future."

Then, she lowered her voice again, "It is said that His Majesty plans to marry her and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince when they come of age... But it is just a rumor now. Who knows what will happen in so many years?"

"So that's it..." Crystal finally understood a little bit.

While they were talking, the little girl had already rushed over and arrived in front of Crystal.

Then, her blue eyes kept focusing on Christel's face, making her feel a little uncomfortable.

Although the two are about the same age and both are beautiful, they seem to have completely different temperaments. One has brilliant blond hair, and the other has cold silver hair; one looks high-spirited, and the other is a little timid because he came to a strange place.

"Miss Xia Lu..." At this time, the female officer spoke in embarrassment, "This is Miss Krister. She just came here as a guest. I want to take her to rest..."

Her implication was to tell Xia Lu not to get entangled.

But Xia Lu didn't seem to understand, and still looked at Kristel.

"It's really pretty..." She muttered softly.

Then, she laughed again, and then said hello to Crystal leisurely, "Good afternoon."

"Good afternoon." Crystal was a little confused, but she still whispered hello.

"Why don't you talk to me? Anyway, you have quite a lot of time today and will only use it to see His Majesty tomorrow." Xia Lu suddenly suggested.

"How do you know?" The female officer next to her was a little surprised.

"I was chatting with His Majesty just now. He asked me to come over and take a look." Xia Lu replied impatiently.

Once she heard that it was His Majesty's intention, the female officer did not dare to speak any more.

Then, Xia Lu looked at Kristel again.

"My name is Charlotte de Treville, and I am the daughter of a courtier. I would like to ask Miss Claire, why are you here as a guest? This is a courtesy that ordinary people cannot enjoy." Then she said asked with a smile.

"I don't know..." Kristel replied softly, "It's just that my mother told me that I should come here."

"Then let me ask, who are your parents?" Xia Lu asked, "Despite my young age, I have almost read all the famous surnames from various countries~"

"I only know that there is a word called father, but I don't know what father is. I have lived with my mother since I was a child, but I don't see her very often." Kristel replied. "As for my mother, she is very beautiful and loves me very much...her name is..."

As if being electrocuted, Kristel suddenly stopped when she said this.

What's your mother's name?

what is it call?

She desperately searched for every trace in her memory. She could clearly remember every warm moment her mother spent with her, but she couldn't find any proper name for her mother - she only remembered that everyone called her " "lady"

"Call Madam..." Finally, she said with difficulty.

Xia Lu's expression suddenly became very strange.

She probably understood something - this must be the result of His Majesty the Emperor's romantic affair, and I'm afraid the mother of this child must have a high background, maybe...

Then a sudden surge of sympathy surged through her.

This poor child seemed to have been isolated from the world for too long and didn't even know how to lie, so once someone asked her, she answered everything truthfully.

No wonder His Majesty the Emperor is so worried! If this kind of character was left alone, he probably wouldn't be able to stay in the palace for even a quarter of an hour - of course, Xia Lu believed that there wouldn't be many people who would be hostile to such a pitiful child.

"Okay, I'm sorry, I may have asked too much." Xia Lu calmed down, then apologized to Crystal.

"It's nothing..." Crystal shook her head, indicating that she didn't mind.

Indeed, how could she be angry when she talked to a peer for the first time in so many years.

While she was in a daze, Xia Lu took a few steps forward, and now the two girls got closer.

"Why are you here?" Xia Lu's tone had become much gentler and kinder.

"My mother sent me here. She said that when I come here, I can meet my father and then live with him." Kristel answered honestly.

After she finished speaking, she looked around in the garden for a moment, as if her so-called father would suddenly appear from the path.

"Then have you ever hated a father you've never met before?" Xia Lu asked again.

"No..." Crystal shook her head, "Until now, I don't even know how to face the reality that I have a father. Maybe... maybe I will know what I think after we meet him. "

Xia Lu narrowed her eyes.

Her gaze was a mixture of sympathy and helplessness, as well as a hint of heroism.

"Okay, I understand, thank you for being so honest with me... Then in return, I will give you the first piece of advice here - don't say anything you said to me again to the second person. Otherwise, God knows what will happen to others. You have come to a place where you can enjoy all the glory, but accordingly, you will have to bear some obligations from now on."

"..." Kristel just looked at Xia Lu blankly, not quite understanding why a child could say such a long list of words that she couldn't quite understand.

"Okay, in short, just talk less to others!" Xia Lu could only say helplessly, "Remember, if you are not a trustworthy person, just nod more and talk less, that's all."

She seems to have tacitly accepted that she is a "trustworthy person"... Kristel thought to herself.

However, it does seem to be the case.

"Why did you come to me?"

"Because we want to be friends." Xia Lu replied matter-of-factly.

"Friend...?" Crystal asked.

"It seems that we are similar in one thing - we have both lost the most precious things since we were young." Xia Lu's usually cheerful face suddenly seemed a little melancholy.

"What have you lost?" Crystal asked.

"Of course I mean father's love~" Xia Lu laughed again.

Kristel was speechless for a moment. She always felt that Xia Lu was very quick-witted, clever and cunning.

But it’s so unexpected that it makes people want to trust it.

While she was thinking, Xia Lu suddenly stretched out a hand to her.

Looking at this white and delicate little hand, Crystal looked confused and didn't know what she meant.

"Shake hands with me. After shaking hands, you will be my friend - in other words..." Xia Lu deliberately paused for a moment, then shouted loudly, "I will protect you from now on." ! Let alone in this court, even in the whole of France and all of Europe, if anyone bullies you, I will make that person miserable!"

If these words were spoken by a tall and imposing man, they would certainly be powerful and powerful. However, when an eight-year-old girl puffs out her cheeks and speaks them, it actually looks a bit ridiculous.

However, in the eyes of Crystal, the other party's flowing blond hair was extremely dazzling at this moment.

She wanted to believe it was true.

friend? She said she wanted to be friends with me?

Friends... these were just words she had learned in books before.

Growing up, she had no peers around her

Crystal suddenly felt her heart pounding and her mind became dizzy.

Is this what "friends" feel like?

Although she couldn't explain exactly what this feeling was about, she was very happy.

So, she reached out and took Xia Lu's outstretched hand.

So the two eight-year-old girls held hands like this, and their lace skirts touched together.

Then, Xia Lu continued to hold her hand, and then pulled Kristel forward.

"follow me."

"Where are you going?" Crystal asked quickly, but her footsteps followed her involuntarily.

Xia Lu did not answer, but quickly led her along the corridor. The weak Kristel was soon out of breath, but even so, she did not let go of Xia Lu hand, because she could feel the warmth of her friend from the palm of her hand.

Fortunately, her suffering did not last long. Xia Lu took her to the small green square in the garden.

There are a group of children gathering together in twos and threes to play games here. Among them are teenagers and children, with different looks. However, to be able to play in the Palace of Fontainebleau, they are naturally the children of high-ranking officials and elites in the empire.

They soon noticed the presence of two little girls.

Seeing them flying towards them, these people were stunned, looking at each other with their eyes wide open, no one knew what to say.

Soon, Xia Lu finally stopped and stood in front of everyone with the panting Crystal.

Then, she let go of her hand, raised her head, and looked arrogantly at the children in front of her.

"Listen to me, all of you!" Then, Xia Lu's blue eyes narrowed slightly, then she pointed at Kelistel next to her and shouted loudly, "From now on, Kelistel is She is my friend, if any of you dares to bully her, then you will have trouble with me, and I will never forgive him! Do you hear that?!"

Who is Crystal? Almost no one present had heard of this name, but the children in front of them all seemed to have lingering fears about Xia Lu, so they all kept silent when facing her gaze, and could only nod their heads, saying that they would never dare to bully this newcomer. child.

No one dared to speak, partly because they were afraid of Xia Lu and partly because they were confused, so the scene became embarrassingly silent for a while.

Crystal also felt this subtle atmosphere, her face flushed, feeling embarrassed and ashamed for the first time in her life.

However, she also really felt that the friend she had just made was trying to protect her.

Standing in front of so many people, she seemed to feel uncomfortable all over. She shrank subconsciously, took a step back, and stood behind Xia Lu.

From this angle, she could see Xia Lu's side face, her golden hair shining brightly in the sun.

Maybe this place wasn't as scary as she imagined - she suddenly began to look forward to the future life.

Unknowingly, tears suddenly filled her eyes, but she stubbornly refused to shed them. She looked at the child of her own age in front of her with eyes like clear water and a deep lake.

"Thank you." She whispered to Xia Lu.