"Please convey my apologies to Marshal Biron and those French patriots fighting on the front lines! I would genuinely like to communicate with them, but as you know, given my current status, it might cause some unnecessary misunderstandings with the authorities!"
Jerome Bonaparte, after a moment’s thought, still refused this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Courting the military was merely Jerome Bonaparte’s secondary objective; his primary goal was to ensure a smooth passage through the upcoming elections.
The essence of the French Army is to support whoever wins, so he didn’t worry at all about finding people loyal to him after his victory.
This world is never short of opportunists; as long as he sits in the seat of the Elysee Palace, those opportunists will continuously flock to the center of power.
Always supporting the Elysee Palace, whoever is in the Elysee Palace, was still an universal truth in 19th century France.
"Is His Highness the Prince disrespecting the Marshal?" the Military Attendant asked with a disagreeable tone.
Anyone would be in a bad mood after being continuously refused, especially someone who has been following Marshal Biron in the camp for years.
"Mr. Attendant, I think I’ve made myself clear!" Jerome Bonaparte rebuffed with a firm attitude, paying no heed to the Attendant’s feelings: "The army of the Republic should fight to protect the interests of the Republic, not engage in underhanded activities behind the scenes! You must be worthy of the uniform you wear and of every penny the taxpayers spend on you!"
Jerome Bonaparte’s sarcastic tone completely angered the Attendant, who clenched his fist and stepped forward, while Jerome Bonaparte also subtly moved his left foot forward, adopting a confrontational stance, instantly filling the room with a tense atmosphere. Standing aside, Percy was also somewhat at a loss, but still gradually moved closer to Jerome Bonaparte, forming a two-on-one situation with Marshal Biron’s Attendant.
Time slowly flowed during this confrontation. After a while, the Attendant, releasing his hand, still spoke with hostility to Jerome Bonaparte: "If you were one of my soldiers, I’d use my boot to kick your ass hard!"
Jerome Bonaparte responded in kind: "If you were my aide, you would be dismissed on the day of your appointment! How can a person like you change!"
The Attendant, contemplating, had no intention to continue talking with Jerome Bonaparte. In his view, Jerome Bonaparte was just someone who acted recklessly, relying on his title as the Emperor’s nephew, a complete impostor.
"Since His Highness the Prince is unwilling, then I have no choice but to inform Marshal Biron of this news!" The Attendant turned to leave on his own accord after speaking.
"Who told you to leave!" Jerome Bonaparte shouted thunderously at the Attendant who was about to depart.
The departing Attendant was instantly stunned by Jerome Bonaparte’s booming voice, with his internal fury also stirred by the shout.
As the Attendant, filled with rage, turned to face Jerome Bonaparte, his anger was instantly doused by Jerome Bonaparte’s lion-like gaze.
This demeanor, this tone... it was exactly like the Emperor back in the day.
Having once been fortunate to see the Emperor set out on an expedition, the Attendant couldn’t help recalling the scene when the Emperor came to inspect his hometown; he was only 7 years old then, yet the Emperor’s appearance and enraged demeanor were indelibly etched in his mind, leaving an unforgettable impression.
"You... Your Majesty..." The Attendant involuntarily shouted to Jerome Bonaparte in a trembling voice.
The Attendant’s shout left Jerome Bonaparte stunned; he coldly said to the Attendant, "Sir, your words and actions earlier were offensive to me! I need you to apologize for your previous words and actions!"
"I..." The Attendant opened his mouth but couldn’t muster any rebuttal, as the Emperor-like appearance left him with no thought of resistance.
He couldn’t help but secretly regret, wondering why he lost his sense of position earlier.
"I’m sorry... I was the one who offended you, Your Highness the Prince!" The Attendant said to Jerome Bonaparte meekly, yet strangely, there was no resentment in his heart, perhaps even a bit of sly joy.
Maybe only the Bonaparte Clan can lead them back to the pinnacle.
In the eyes of the Attendant, the image of Jerome Bonaparte coincided with the Emperor’s influence from before, and there was a fervor in his eyes that only a believer could have.
"I forgive you!" Jerome Bonaparte said "magnanimously," then added: "Officer, please tell me your name!"
"Alfondo Beduo!" The Attendant stood straight, clearly enunciating his name, then continued: "Currently serving as Marshal Biron’s assistant and the commander of the First Division of the Italian Army!"
Jerome Bonaparte recalled the name Alfondo Beduo in his mind; it seemed like he had seen it somewhere.
After pondering for a few seconds, Jerome Bonaparte finally remembered.
This guy in front of him was the one who acted as Marshal Biron’s assistant to suppress Paris during the February Revolution, and it seems he and Biron were abandoned in Lyon by Paris.
Despite his internal disdain for Alfondo Beduo, this Parisian outcast, Jerome Bonaparte still feigned surprise as he looked at Alfondo Beduo.
"You can just call me Beduo!"
Alfondo Beduo showed a flattered expression, making Jerome Bonaparte wonder if this guy was secretly enjoying it.
"General Beduo, please convey to Marshal Biron! I regret being unable to attend the banquet, but next time I will definitely visit Marshal Biron personally! Marshal Biron’s stage shouldn’t be in Lyon; he should be in Paris!" Jerome Bonaparte openly made empty promises to Alfondo Beduo.
The thought of being able to return to the center of power in Paris made Alfondo Beduo internally excited. He hurriedly assured Jerome Bonaparte that he would relay his words to Marshal Biron.
After Alfondo Beduo left, Jerome Bonaparte summoned Eugène Roué and informed him about the matter with Alfondo Beduo.
"Your Majesty, you did very well! We cannot involve ourselves in matters beyond the elections at the moment!" Eugène Roué complimented and affirmed Jerome Bonaparte’s handling of the situation.