The hesitance of Countess Lacroix had long been anticipated by Jerome Bonaparte.

Today’s Paris differs from the rapidly developing Paris of a few years ago; the contradictions hidden beneath the wave of rapid development are gradually surfacing, and various demonstrations are appearing one after another.

In this broader context, anyone with a bit of political foresight knows that the Guard Army stationed near Paris bears the heavy responsibility of suppressing the entire city.

And the commander responsible for directing the entire Guard Army system inevitably must bear the primary responsibility of assisting the Emperor in suppressing Paris.

If the suppression of Paris fails, the commander responsible for the suppression surely will face severe criticism.

Considering these factors, Countess Lacroix did not choose to immediately respond to Jerome Bonaparte.

Of course, another reason is that, before the establishment of the Second Empire, MacMahon pledged allegiance to Prince Juaneville of the Orléans Dynasty, meaning he was marked by the Orléans Faction from the start.

Even though MacMahon has now washed away the Bourbon Faction marks to become a member of the Imperial Faction, no one can guarantee that there won’t be commanders attacking MacMahon’s past history.

Countess Lacroix also fears that her husband, upon becoming the commander of the Guard Army, may face attacks from some commanders within the army.

After all, serving as the commander of the Guard Army is tantamount to standing at the highest level in Paris.

Even Nie’er, the Chief of Staff, must pay attention to the suggestions of the Guard Army commander.

"Madam, you needn’t respond to me immediately!" Jerome Bonaparte kindly replied to Countess Lacroix, "The reason I want you to help appoint General MacMahon to this position is precisely out of my respect for you!

You are the most trusted Lady-in-Waiting of my wife, as well as the most trusted wife of MacMahon!

Therefore, I am willing to respect your wishes!"

Although Jerome Bonaparte’s words were filled with respect, if one thinks carefully, it becomes clear that the Emperor did not provide Countess Lacroix with a choice.

Countess Lacroix also understands that her position as the most trusted Lady-in-Waiting to Empress Augusta is due not only to her own efforts and loyalty, but also to her husband’s closely related connections.

After all, there are countless people with effort and loyalty in the world; why must it be her?

Isn’t it because MacMahon is trusted in front of the Emperor, allowing the Empress to accept her?

If she (Countess Lacroix) refused the Emperor’s request, although he would say something, in his heart he would certainly discount his trust in both her and MacMahon.

At that time, whether she can keep her position as Lady-in-Waiting would become uncertain.

Without the position of the Empress’s personal Lady-in-Waiting, she and MacMahon’s son would find it difficult to remain in the palace, and the MacMahon family’s career in the Empire might come to an abrupt halt.

Thinking about this, Countess Lacroix quickly bowed to Jerome Bonaparte, saying, "Your Majesty, I am willing to represent my husband in agreeing to you taking over Marshal Canrobert’s position!"

"Surely you don’t need to discuss this with General MacMahon!" Jerome Bonaparte continued to ask Countess Lacroix in a kind tone, looking as if he was considering the couple’s interests.

"I believe my husband, knowing this matter, would certainly gladly agree!" Countess Lacroix replied immediately to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Indeed!" Jerome Bonaparte showed a knowing expression, then praised, "Your loyalty and that of General MacMahon to the Empire, I have seen clearly!"

Subsequently, Countess Lacroix left the camp, boarded the carriage parked at the entrance, and returned to Fontainebleau Palace.

After Countess Lacroix met with Empress Augusta, the Empress immediately asked for the Emperor’s response.

Countess Lacroix relayed the words spoken by Jerome Bonaparte at the villa to Empress Augusta verbatim.

"I understand! Thank you for your hard work!" Empress Augusta smiled and spoke to Countess Lacroix.

Looking at the virtuous Empress before her, Countess Lacroix resolved to persuade her husband to take on the task of defending the Empire.

"By the way, Lacroix, could you please convey the Emperor’s words to Mr. Ismail?" Augusta again opened her mouth to issue an order to Countess Lacroix.

"As you command, Your Majesty!" Countess Lacroix bowed and departed from Empress Augusta.

Guided by the servitors of Fontainebleau Palace, Countess Lacroix soon arrived at a large door.

After Countess Lacroix pushed open the door, a young man appeared before her, dressed in a black suit, his jaw fringed with a thick black beard, incorporating features characteristic of both Arabia and Turkic.

He was Ismail, the nephew of Said Pasha, Governor of Egypt.

At the moment, Ismail upon seeing Countess Lacroix thought that the Emperor was willing to meet him, and his face immediately showed a bright smile.

Thus, Ismaël swiftly arrived before the Countess Lacroix, learning from European traditions, he bowed respectfully to the Countess Lacroix and then inquired.

"Honorable Madam, is His Majesty the Emperor willing to meet with me!"

The Countess Lacroix responded solemnly with a stern face to Ismaël, "Mr. Ismaël, His Majesty the Emperor is currently in the camp sharing glory with French soldiers, so he cannot spare the time to meet with you!

If your time is not too limited, you may leave first!"

Faced with the implicit dismissal from the Countess Lacroix, Ismaël felt a wave of humiliation, for no one in Egypt dared to reject meeting with him so blatantly.

However, this feeling of humiliation lasted only a few seconds before Ismaël expelled it from his mind.

Because Ismaël knew, the Emperor of the French Empire had this right, his army was undeniably the master of all Europe, and his navy was second only to the Kingdom of Britain’s navy.

Not only him, even his uncle Said had to act according to the face of the French Emperor.

Even in Egypt, his uncle dared not offend any guest with a French official background.

Thinking of this, Ismaël actually felt a twisted sense of excitement.

After all, he was personally rejected by the Emperor’s mouth, whereas his uncle didn’t even have the opportunity to meet the Emperor and was already frightened by the French officials.

While Ismaël was pondering, the voice of the Countess Lacroix reached Ismaël’s ear, "Mr. Ismaël, do you wish to continue waiting here for His Majesty’s return, or leave directly!"

Coming to his senses, Ismaël responded hastily to the Countess Lacroix, "Honorable Madam, could you convey to His Majesty!

I am willing to wait here for His Majesty’s return!"

"I understand!" Countess Lacroix replied blandly, then turned around and returned to the Empress’s palace.

"What did Ismaël say?" Empress Augusta inquired of the Countess Lacroix.

"Your Majesty, Ismaël is indeed quite ignorant!" The Countess Lacroix accused Ismaël to Empress Augusta, "Clearly, His Majesty has already issued a dismissal, yet he shamelessly expressed that he is willing to wait for His Majesty’s return!"

Hearing the Countess Lacroix’s response, Augusta also furrowed her brow, she likewise had never encountered a guest like Ismaël.

Generally speaking, once the Emperor speaks those words, it is akin to issuing a dismissal, and any guest with a bit of sense would choose to leave.

Ismaël had no such intention whatsoever, insisting on waiting for Jerome Bonaparte’s return.

"Alas! After all, he is a savage Arab, even if they learn our culture, they still cannot change that inherent savagery!" Augusta said with disgust.

The 19th century Europe was proud of its advanced culture and industry, which inevitably led them to look down on people from non-European regions.

Especially when the other party did something that did not meet their expectations, such blatant racial discrimination was even more evident.

Even someone like Empress Augusta was no exception.

"Your Majesty, Arabs are indeed a group of savages!" The Countess Lacroix also whispered to Empress Augusta, "Just now as I approached Ismaël, I could smell a strong scent of mutton from him, who knows how many days he hasn’t bathed!

These Arabs only learn the superficialities of us, but they still cannot change the tribal habits in their bones!"

Empress Augusta subconsciously nodded, then she warned the Countess Lacroix,

she must not show these emotions in front of Ismaël, they represented civilized Europeans, and could not behave discourteously like barbaric Arabs.

"Yes! Your Majesty!" The Countess Lacroix replied respectfully to Empress Augusta.

Following this, Empress Augusta and the Countess Lacroix chatted about some child-rearing experiences.

Upon hearing that the Countess Lacroix’s four-year-old son had mastered English and French proficiently, Empress Augusta couldn’t help but praise, "Your son is indeed fond of learning, unlike our eldest who is already five and still doesn’t focus his attention on learning. (Empress Augusta was already certain that Friedrich wasn’t unable to learn, but simply didn’t like studying.

In non-academic areas, Friedrich displayed exceptional talents.)"

"Your Majesty, when His Highness grows a bit older, it will get better!" The Countess Lacroix quickly comforted Empress Augusta.

"Alas! He is already five years old, how come he still doesn’t know how to study!"

Empress Augusta, like mothers everywhere in the world, sighed over Friedrich’s studies.