For Jerome Bonaparte, General Difuer’s letter represented the signal that he had obtained the Cavaignac government’s approval to return to France.
The arrogant General Cavaignac clearly did not consider himself a worthy opponent.
In that case, don’t blame me for pulling you down from the position of Dictator!
My respected General!
A hint of a sneer appeared at the corner of Jerome Bonaparte’s mouth.
The fate of the proud Republican General was sealed the moment this letter was received.
"Percy, my friend! You have truly brought me an unexpected surprise!" Jerome Bonaparte grasped Percy’s hand and promised, "I assure you, once I become President, you will be the Secretary-General of the Elysee Palace!"
Jerome Bonaparte’s promise made Percy’s heart race, a warm current surged from his heart to every corner of his body.
All his hard work for the restoration efforts of the Bonaparte Clan was not in vain, all for the hope of someday becoming a key minister to the Emperor.
"Willing to serve Your Majesty!" Percy changed his address for Jerome Bonaparte from "Your Highness" to "Your Majesty."
Jerome Bonaparte smiled slightly, releasing Percy he called out to Letty, "Letty! Letty!"
"Your Highness!" Responding to the call, Captain Letty appeared at the door.
"Quickly! Pack up! Tomorrow we set out to return to France!" Jerome Bonaparte instructed Letty.
Letty also beamed with joy; he had been away from France for a long time and it was indeed time to return.
Captain Letty immediately moved to help Jerome Bonaparte tidy up the room.
Wanting to help Captain Letty pack while also gaining some favor from Jerome Bonaparte, Percy was instead asked by Jerome Bonaparte to head out with him.
Reluctantly, Percy put down the coffee he was halfway through drinking and followed Jerome Bonaparte out.
The two rode in a maroon convertible carriage, heading south along the Ancient Roman Colosseum until they arrived at Piazza Venezia.
After disembarking at Piazza Venezia, the two walked for two or three minutes and arrived at the gates of Bonaparte Palace.
At that moment, Lucien Louis, holding a book of theology, was about to leave and saw Jerome Bonaparte and Percy at the door.
"Uncle Jerome!" Lucien Louis greeted Jerome Bonaparte warmly.
Percy, who had never seen Lucien Louis before, showed a look of surprise just like Letty.
Introduced by Jerome Bonaparte, Percy also understood Lucien Louis’s identity.
"Your Highness!" Percy humbly greeted this member of the Bonaparte family.
"Hello!" Lucien Louis, not knowing Percy’s name, could only reply with basic courtesy.
"Lucien, is your father home?" Jerome Bonaparte slightly tiptoed, looking over at the courtyard behind Lucien Louis.
Guided by Lucien Louis, Jerome Bonaparte and Percy entered Bonaparte Palace.
Looking at the Cross and portraits of successive generations of the Bonaparte Clan decorating the walls of Bonaparte Palace, Jerome Bonaparte’s eyes filled with reminiscence, he couldn’t help but sigh, "Nothing here has changed at all from those days!"
"After Great Grandma died, Grandpa (Lucien Bonaparte) ordered everything here to remain unchanged! After Grandpa died, Father didn’t want to change anything either!" Lucien explained as he walked.
The three soon arrived at the courtyard, where Charles Bonaparte was pruning his bonsai with large scissors, with someone Jerome wasn’t sure to call cousin or sister-in-law, Julian Bonaparte, standing beside him.
"Jerome, you’re here!" Julian Bonaparte greeted Jerome Bonaparte warmly.
"Yes, Cousin!" Jerome Bonaparte decided to address Julian Bonaparte as Cousin.
"The last time we met, I remember it was 8 years ago, right! Back then you..." Julian Bonaparte gestured Jerome Bonaparte’s height eight years ago as she spoke.
Jerome Bonaparte listened attentively to his cousin’s reminisces, nodding in agreement from time to time.
Even though he hadn’t personally experienced those events, from the original owner’s memories, he could still feel the warmth.
"Enough with those bygone matters!" Charles Bonaparte interrupted his bonsai pruning abruptly.
"Alright! You brothers chat!" Julian Bonaparte sensed Charles Bonaparte’s anger and stopped reminiscing, retreating to the house.
"Father, I’m leaving too! I still have many questions to consult with my teacher!" Lucien Louis also quickly took his leave.
Only Jerome Bonaparte, Charles Bonaparte, and Percy were left in the courtyard.
"Are you leaving?" Charles Bonaparte continued pruning his bonsai, seemingly indifferent as he spoke.
But judging from the messier pruning actions than before, he was not so indifferent.
"Yes!" Jerome Bonaparte responded.
"How confident are you?" Charles Bonaparte asked again.
"Ninety percent!" Jerome Bonaparte confidently replied, "The moment I set foot in Paris, Cafenak was sure to lose!"
"Do you need my help?" Charles Bonaparte continued in his seemingly indifferent tone, saying warm words.
"No need! You’ve already helped us a lot!" Jerome Bonaparte responded to Charles Bonaparte, "If it weren’t for you, I might not even meet the Pope!"
"I don’t believe you don’t have other means!" Charles Bonaparte added while turning to Jerome Bonaparte, "Besides, I only did it for myself! If it wasn’t for you pulling Lucien into your restoration group, I wouldn’t have gotten involved!"
"No matter what, thank you!" Jerome Bonaparte continued, "I won’t forget your family’s kindness! The Bonaparte family always stands strong together!"
A hint of melancholy appeared in Charles Bonaparte’s eyes, and he whispered, "I hope you treat France well, that country can’t endure more turmoil!"
Jerome Bonaparte assured Charles Bonaparte that he would definitely lead France to prosperity.
Jerome Bonaparte bid a final farewell to Charles Bonaparte, then once again rode with Percy to the Vatican Palace.
With the guidance of the Vatican Palace bishop, Jerome Bonaparte once again met Pope Pius IX.
Pope Pius IX also offered his blessings to Jerome Bonaparte and assured him that Catholicism within France would surely support Jerome Bonaparte.