In the early summer of cicadas, a few horse-drawn carriages galloped along the modest avenue leading from the London Docklands to the city, towards the heart of the British Empire.

Although many carriages passed along the way, the carriages they were riding in were unimpeded and with the help of police and administrators, they were speeding forward in the order of highest priority.

Because this is a carriage specially sent by the royal family to pick up and drop off guests, the two de Trevilles, as the guests of Her Majesty the Queen, are preparing to attend the wedding of the eldest princess of England, and they must not be lazy.

However, it was precisely because he was attending the wedding in a private capacity that it was a member of the court who came to receive the couple, not a government official, but Charles did not care about the difference.

The English Channel is not wide, and after a short half-day voyage from the French port of Calais, they disembarked in the port of London and set foot on the land of the island nation.

Even after experiencing it firsthand, the Shire still can't imagine that such a narrow strait could forever change the face of Europe and the world.

From afar, under the morning sun, the soot and other dust in the air are refracted into a golden mist, which permeates the whole city, making the metropolis like a mirage built in the midst of illusion, full of unreal colors.

It's nice to look at, but ......

"Ah...... Sneeze! Charlotte wiped her already reddened nose with a handkerchief, she had said this many times along the way, "Charles, we're really in the wrong place!" It would have been nice to know that you had rejected Bonaparte's mention! ”

Because of the stimulation, her nasal voice has now become very heavy. There was also a smell of boredom inside.

In the midst of this sneezing, the excitement of the first departure has disappeared, and only the unbearable discomfort remains.

"Don't do that. My dear. Charles took Charlotte in his arms and gently wiped her reddened forehead, "It's very foggy here in the morning, so it's really uncomfortable, but it's much better by noon. ”

"I don't think it's much better at noon!" Charlotte muttered under her breath, then looked up at the outskirts of the city, which had quietly become bustling, "This place is so bad that these Englishmen can live in it!" ”

And Charles didn't say anything. Just smiled and stroked Charlotte's hair.

Although the air quality in Paris was not good at this time, it was not as unpleasantly smog as London, and the closer it was to the city. The smog with the dust grew thicker and thicker, so much so that Charlotte felt a little unbearable.

The haze of dust lingers for a long time, and navigating through it is a difficult experience for everyone, especially those who are new to the city.

At the same time of creating incomparable wealth. The Industrial Revolution is also transforming the world in a terrifying way. And at this time, no one took it as a matter of life and death.

However, just then, the carriage suddenly stopped.

Is it so soon?

Charles looked outside in amazement, but found that his group was still on the street, not reaching their destination.

"Did something happen?" He poked his head out of the carriage and asked the person in front of him in English.

"Sir," Mite, who was in front of him, turned around. Respectfully replied to him, "We have just received an order from the Queen's messenger...... We want us to take you somewhere else. ”

"The Queen's Messenger? Another place? Charles was amazed. Could you please let that gentleman come and see me? ”

"Yes, sir."

Soon, the Queen's messenger was taken out of the carriage, and Charles politely stepped out of the carriage.

"Greetings, Monsieur de Treville," said the man who came, tall and thin, gray-haired, dressed in a gown and with nose-pinched glasses, and with the appearance of a gentleman of goodness, and speaking French in a round, as if he were an official of the court who was in charge of such receptions. "I am James Summer, and I have the honour of being appointed by Her Majesty the Queen to receive you...... We apologize for any inappropriate hospitality. I hope you don't make a bad impression of Britain because of my negligence. ”

"Hello, Mr. Summer." Charles stretched out his hand and shook his hand in a friendly manner, "I love England very much, and I have a lot of respect for you, please don't worry. However, please tell me what happened, and why did I not know until now that I was going to change my accommodation? ”

As a guest of the Queen, the palace officials originally arranged for them to stay at the Leeds Hotel near Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace, but he didn't expect to suddenly receive a request for changes just after coming to London, which really surprised him.

Even if it's an unofficial identity, he's a big guy now, so he shouldn't be treated like this.

"Sir, I can understand your astonishment, but in fact we have only just received orders from Her Majesty the Queen—yes, it was a temporary decision made by Her Majesty herself." Mr. James-Summer's face was still calm, but there was some doubt in his tone, "However, if you listen to the new accommodation that Her Majesty has arranged for you, I think your mood will not get worse." ”

"Oh? Where is that? Charles asked with a smile.

"To make your trip to the UK more enjoyable." James Summerer straightened up, "Her Majesty the Queen intends for you and your wife to live at Buckingham Palace. ”

"Buckingham Palace?"

A moment of surprise made Charles speechless for a while.

Arrange for me and Charlotte to stay at Buckingham Palace, where the royal family is the permanent residence? That's a rare treat......

Could it be that Her Majesty really treats us as relatives?

Such a ridiculous question suddenly flashed through his mind.

"Of course, sir, if you don't want to, I can also convey your opinion to Her Majesty the Queen, after all, she will not be strong......"

"Oh no, of course not!" Charles immediately regained his senses. He waved his hand again and again to indicate that he had no problem with the Queen's temporary arrangement. "Please go and tell Her Majesty the Queen, I am honored to receive such a courtesy!"

"So, can I ask my wife back then?" James Summerer looked up at the carriage.

"No need. My lady and I are of the same opinion, and there is no need to ask again," Charles shook his head, "she is not well and not in good spirits right now, so we had better not bother her any more." ”

"Oh, that's right." James Summerr bowed to Charles. "Then, please say hello to Madame on my behalf, I'll go back to my life first......"

"Okay. Please. Charles nodded, making a farewell gesture.

After watching James Summerle leave, Charles returned to the carriage and patted Charlotte's shoulder as she squinted and snoozed. Told her about the Queen's sudden decision.

"Your Majesty wants us to stay at Buckingham Palace?"

After hearing the news. Although her cheeks were still a little red, her spirits were much more uplifted. "Charles, Her Majesty thinks highly of us, doesn't she?"

"yes, though I don't understand why." Charles nodded, "Because I didn't want others to disturb you, I directly agreed on your behalf......"

"Of course I will agree, such a good thing, how can I not agree?" Charlotte replied without thinking.

And then. She suddenly seemed to think of something, and looked at Charles with some concern. "Charles, does this mean that we will have many opportunities to meet Her Majesty the Queen in addition to a few public appearances?"

"I guess so, maybe we'll have lunch or dinner with their family."

"Hey! Now that you know, why do you still look like you don't care? Charlotte pushed Charles reproachfully, then sat up and rearranged her slightly messy appearance. It is rare for Her Majesty the Queen to be so courteous to us, and we cannot afford to lose face in front of her. ”

Then, she glanced around disapprovingly, "Oops! We just got the news, and we haven't prepared for anything! If you make Your Majesty dissatisfied, then it will be troublesome! ”

"Don't be so nervous," Charles comforted Charlotte in a low voice as he straightened his clothes, "Judging from the information received from all sides, the Queen and the Prince are not such rigid people and will not care about such small sections. Besides, I've already told the messenger that you're not feeling well today, so even if you don't deal with it properly, I'm sure they'll understand......

"It's all your fault!" After calming down a little, Charlotte glanced at Charles with some resentment, "If you hadn't been there all the time, I would have been much better prepared!" ”

"Hey, didn't you just regret it all the time and want to go back? I'm comforting you! After being so baseless in Charlotte's accusations, Charles couldn't help but complain.

"It's not all because of you, that's why I ......"

In the midst of the almost accustomed bickering between the two men, the carriage passed along Trafalgar Square at an unhurried pace, past the magnificent buildings of unique shapes.

"This is St. James's Palace, where the kings of the past lived, but now it is only used as a place for ceremonies and ceremonies...... This is the Palace of Westminster, well, the seat of Parliament, the de facto supreme centre of power in Britain......"

To divert Charlotte's attention, Charles began to point from place to place, and did not stop until the carriage passed through a triumphal arch.

Charlotte thought that Charles was saying that he was tired and needed to take a break, so she didn't care, and just looked at the surrounding buildings, like every first-time visitor.

Little did she know that the marble arch, which was similar in the style of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, was built by the King in 1829 during the reign of George IV to commemorate the great British victories at Trafalgar and Waterloo...... Charles knew, but he didn't care.

The appearance of this arch here means more to him - he has reached his destination......

Sure enough, after a short period of driving, the carriage gradually stopped.

Charles, on the other hand, slowly walked out of the carriage with his wife.

Buckingham Palace in the distance is already in view.

At this time, the fog has dissipated, and the sun is shining on the earth, in, reflecting a dazzling light.

In front of the building, the guards in bearskin hats roamed around, watching vigilantly over everyone who approached it.

Buckingham Palace towered behind them, with an arrogant and indifferent air, as if it wanted to proclaim the majesty of the empire in this way.

The British state is in full swing at this time, and this momentum is truly unforgettable.

After all, this is an empire that has conquered almost the entire world!

A nation of only 25 million people occupies more than one-fifth of the Earth's land area and ushered in an industrial age that changed the course of human civilization, ahead of any other nation in science and technology.

What a terrible country it is!

It may not be morally appropriate or admirable, but it must be confronted and respected no matter what.

Yes, it should be respected.

He bowed slightly towards the court in the distance. (To be continued......)