Chapter 106 Chapter 106 At this point, all the first generation members of the Vongola...
By the time the Duke's daughter, Elena, unexpectedly met Giotto, the Vongola Self-Defense Force had grown so large that she could instantly recognize the renowned "Giotto Vongola." It was clear he was cultivating connections, seeking to win friendships for his family and allies for his cause.
It was this latter point that attracted Elena, even though she couldn't say it explicitly.
So, while the other nobles smiled in public at this young man who looked like he'd stumbled into society by mistake, but sneered at him behind his back, Elena took the initiative and extended an olive branch to him. She easily tracked down Giotto and, pretending to meet him by chance in a bookstore, recommended Machiavelli's Discourses on the Roman History to him.
To a smart person, this is a clear enough signal.
Although Giotto had never read the book, he only needed to flip through it and see the chapter titles such as "The founders of republics and kingdoms are worthy of praise, just as the implementers of despotism are worthy of condemnation" and "Reform, Stability and Quelling Rebellion", and he understood what Elena meant.
Elena just stood there smiling, holding out her hand to Giotto. It wasn't a "you have the honor of kissing the back of my hand" gesture with the back of the hand facing up and fingers pointing down, but a "we should shake hands" friendly gesture with the back of the hand facing sideways.
She was dressed in riding clothes (the only privilege she'd earned to wear pants, even if she wasn't riding), followed by the necessary bodyguards, who guarded her with the same care they'd taken with jewelry. It was truly tedious. Elena had tried so hard to appear competent, upright, even authoritative, but the way they treated her still betrayed her aristocratic status.
Well, the embroidery on her coat, the lace at the collar of her shirt, and the obvious expensive fabrics gave it away, but Elena still didn't like them.
For example, right now, the bodyguards behind her were silently staring at her, feeling uneasy. But Elena smiled, as if she didn't notice. Giotto also smiled, extended his hand, and shook Elena's hand as if confirming his companion.
"Giotto Vongola," the young man said, his smile shining as brightly as his blond hair, "It's an honor to meet you."
"Elena Rossetti," Elena said, "I've heard a lot about you."
They pretended to discuss books and literature for a while, confirmed their shared aspirations in a way that no one else could understand, and finally agreed to meet again next time.
"I should introduce you to my fiancé," Elena invited directly. "He would be delighted to meet you as our mutual friend. Please make time to come to Rossetti's ball the night after tomorrow."
To ensure Giotto's successful admission, Elena even asked for his address, then promised to arrange for a servant to deliver the invitation as soon as possible. Having never met such a woman before, Giotto was almost sweating profusely at her questions. In his final farewell, he couldn't help but say, "You are truly courageous."
Elena raised an eyebrow. To the nobility, "bravery" was practically synonymous with recklessness and foolishness, but Elena preferred such compliments over words like "slender and beautiful" or "gentle and talented." And just as Giotto, sensing something and looking increasingly puzzled, Elena smiled and replied, "You too! Today is a very short day. Please tell us more about your militia. I'm sure Damon will be as interested in you as I am."
He will definitely become a legend, Elena thought.
She parted with Giotto happily, even happily enough to forget the bodyguard's advice. She was anxious to return to send a replacement invitation to Giotto's address and to share the good news with her fiancé, Damon Spedo - Elena always had too much to do and really didn't have time to listen to the bodyguard's advice.
This is also because she herself is not "content", because if she is held to the same standards as ladies today, everyone will only shake their heads at this beautiful girl who loves to change into pants and go out to see the world.
But what they didn't know was that Elena also scoffed at those people's outdated ideas. In fact, she was much smarter and more intelligent than all of them combined, and had a clearer and more sensible understanding of the entire society.
Of course, when she first realized this, Elena's young heart felt a sense of comparative pride. But soon, her equally broad, gentle heart began to worry about this bizarre society. She realized that the noble dukes shouldn't indulge in sensual pleasures and revel in song and dance; she realized that a raging war was only a matter of time; she realized that the entire structure urgently needed reform, but no one was willing to give up their own piece of the pie just to make life better for the "lower class"...
It's conceivable that in this era, almost no one could understand Elena's thoughts. That's why, when she tried her best to maintain her gentle smile at a boring dance earlier, while having to respond to the pedantic and stupid opinions of those "gentlemen" and implicitly scold them, the sudden chuckle from the corner became so eye-catching.
Elena immediately realized that someone had understood what she was saying. Her eyes lit up and she looked over expectantly.
"Who's there?" The gentleman, who didn't understand Elena's indirect criticism, couldn't wait to change the subject, trying to elevate himself by blaming others. "Eavesdropping on our conversation is not what a gentleman should do!"
"I suppose we have different definitions of 'gentleman,'" the deep voice replied. "Besides, this wouldn't really be eavesdropping, because if I had arrived after you, I would have walked right past all of you. Unless, of course, you all have vision problems, in which case I have no point in arguing."
A stylish young man in military uniform walked out, smiling, a smile that was just the right balance between politeness and contempt, but when he turned to Elena, his smile became much more sincere.
"Please allow me to apologize for listening to that brilliant debate just now." He said this, bowing to Elena, "But I believe that with your bright and intelligent eyes, you will be able to see the truth of the matter clearly."
He had the audacity to speak to Elena (considered extremely rude at the time), even complimenting her eyes! There was a sudden gasp, and some people almost fainted. Elena always despised such "fainting" performances, but she couldn't help but blush. For the first time, she even had the urge to look for smelling salts—it must be because her nanny had tied her waist too tightly before she left the house. That must be why she was suddenly breathless!
Perhaps he noticed Elena's embarrassment, the young man in military uniform did not continue the conversation. He just turned his eyes away from her and nodded to everyone perfunctorily but still gracefully, "Excuse me." Then he left.
Elena quickly grabbed the smelling salts from her female friend and took a sip. Her friend stared at her in shock, forgetting to pretend to be unconscious and put her arm around her, "Elena! Are you okay?"
"I couldn't be better!" Elena whispered. Her friend quickly covered her mouth and looked around cautiously and awkwardly, but Elena quickly grabbed her hand.
"Who is he?" Elena asked in her palm, her beautiful blue eyes sparkling. "Do you know the officer just now?"
Just as she asked this, the hostess of the ball came over to them. As a third party known to both parties and highly respected, the hostess's introduction was just right.
"Miss Rossetti," she said, smiling at Elena, "please allow me to introduce you to Mr. Spado. He is a distinguished gentleman and a friend of my family."
This is how Elena Rossetti met Damon Spedo, a man often considered a heretic but who was indeed of noble birth; this, along with his good conversation, his exquisite manners (when he chose to observe them), and his Bourbon military rank, served as a reason for others to tolerate him.
But this relative shortcoming was so shining in Elena's eyes. Their first meeting was like a reunion, and they understood each other with just one glance; their relationship was built on trust and ideals, a love at first sight for like-minded people.
This quickly led Spedo to agree to a meeting with Giotto. They chatted that evening, and Giotto, seemingly oblivious to his epaulettes, invited them to visit the Vongola estate sometime in the future. Spedo was deeply surprised by this and had to warn him, "I thought you knew I was an officer of Ferdinand II?"
Giotto certainly knew. This was the only possibility that the local regular army was involved. But the leader of the militia, whose ambition was to drive out Ferdinand and his dynasty, simply smiled and replied, "I simply thought we were like-minded companions."
This is a huge gamble.
Even Spedo, who was always eloquent and sharp-tongued, was speechless at Giotto's strangely tolerant trust, until Elena laughed. "Of course we will visit you, Giotto! Isn't that right, Damon?"
And so, Spedo, awkwardly elbowed, agreed. A few days later, Elena, wearing a formal three-piece suit, visited the Vongola Manor with Spedo on her arm. Giotto introduced them to Gatling, who was handling Giotto's business; Rambo, who was napping on the sofa while Gatling was busy with his work; and Elio, who was training new members of the Self-Defense Corps down the hill.
A few days later, a merchant ship from the East ran aground on the coast of Sicily.
The crew on board were rescued by the local townspeople, but they were unsure what to do with a strangely dressed Oriental man who spoke no language. Knuckle was the first to receive the news, using gestures and body language to communicate with the man, who wore a strange tall black hat and flowing white clothes. Next came Elio, who remained at the monastery, wondering why he hadn't returned for so long. He explained the situation of the nearly-disaster Japanese man in his broken Japanese, and learned from him that he was Ugetsu Asari, a noble samurai who had traveled from Japan to Europe.
Giotto soon heard the news and immediately decided to take in Asari Ugetsu, who obviously had nowhere to go.
At this point, all the members of the first generation of Vongola have gathered.
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The author has something to say: I just realized that I set the time wrong) crawled out)
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