Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 277 A Duel Between Ladies
The situation instantly spiraled out of control!

The gentlemen rushed forward to dissuade them, while the ladies let out suppressed screams or gasps.

The Marquise de La Vernoy turned pale; she hadn't expected things to develop this way.

"Miss Shcherbatova, calm down!"

"Madam, this is going too far!"

"stop it now!"

However, Mrs. Rothschild, who was at the center of the storm, displayed remarkable composure.

She didn't even look at the glove at her feet that symbolized the challenge, but stared directly into Sofia's angry eyes.

Instead of fear, a mocking expression flashed across her face.

Amidst a cacophony of dissuasion, Mrs. Rothschild slowly said, "I accept."

The living room fell silent again, and everyone stared at her in disbelief.

Mrs. Rothschild raised her chin slightly: "Since Miss Shcherbatova has decided to uphold her honor in such a traditional way, then—"

I, Eleonore Adelaide de Rothschild, will naturally oblige.

She turned to a stunned gentleman beside her: "Tomorrow, I will appoint my witness."
Miss Shcherbatova, I also hope that you will appoint witnesses as soon as possible.

------

"So, you want me to be a witness to your duel with Sophia?"

Lionel looked at Madame Rothschild in front of him, somewhat speechless.

He felt there was something wrong with the beautiful lady's account, but since he hadn't been there in person, he couldn't tell which parts were true and which were false.

Even if Sophia were completely brainless, she wouldn't behave so rudely in the salon of a noble marquis.

Even if this doesn't completely destroy the Shcherbatov family's efforts in Parisian high society, it will at least significantly increase costs.

Lionel's intuition told him that Madame Rothschild was hiding something, especially the part about how she had angered Sophia.

Even the Marquis de la Marquis was involved.

But there must be a reason why she was so determined to keep Baroness Alexievna and her daughter out of Paris's high-society circles, one that he was unaware of.

Surely it couldn't be because Baroness Alexievna's chest hair was too prickly?

But Mrs. Rothschild just smiled at him and said, "What, you don't want to?"

Lionel thought for a moment, then didn't immediately agree. Instead, he asked, "Isn't dueling illegal? Don't the police care?"

France enacted laws banning dueling multiple times starting in the 17th century, and this was true for other European countries as well.

Not only because this method is too bloody and barbaric, but also because it causes many incalculable losses to the entire society.

Alexander Pushkin, Russia's national treasure poet, died in a duel for his philandering wife.

Évariste Galois, a French national treasure mathematician, also died in a duel at the young age of 21.

It is said that he wrote frantically for three days and three nights before his death, recording all his mathematical achievements, and occasionally writing "I don't have time" in the margin.

Ultimately, he was shot three times in the abdomen during the duel and died a few days later.

Madame Rothschild glanced at Lionel and said with a half-smile, "A duel is of course illegal, and even the witnesses are considered accomplices."

So, would our Mr. Lionel Sorel be willing to become my accomplice?
Or are you saying you want me to be a coward, to cancel the duel, and to bow down to Sofia?

Lionel was in a bind; according to Madame Rothschild, she had started the dispute to protect her reputation.

If one shirks this "responsibility," then in France today, one would essentially face social death immediately.

Whether it's Madame Rothschild or Sophia, whoever proposes canceling the duel will suffer social death—at least for a period of time.

This era still retained strong feudal traditions, and dueling was one of them, a matter of great importance concerning honor. Lionel struggled to find another reason: "Then...what about your husband? Didn't he stop you?"

Mrs. Rothschild's smile remained unchanged: "James... he went to America to handle some business matters and won't be back until Christmas."

And he has already expressed his support for me in the telegram!

Then she said considerately to Lionel, "Are you afraid that I might get hurt or even die in the duel?"

Lionel nodded eagerly, like a chicken pecking at rice: "Yes, duels are really too dangerous. Think of Pushkin, think of Galois..."

A strange light shone in Madame Rothschild's eyes: "Léon, I knew you cared about me!"

Lionel: "..."

Mrs. Rothschild lazily shifted her position, leaning back on the sofa, crossing one leg and revealing a breathtaking expanse of snow-white skin.

She comforted Lionel: "Don't worry, Lionel, no one will die in this duel, and no one will even be seriously injured."

That's why I need you to be my witness.

Lionel's face was full of question marks.

Rothschild explained: "In each duel, both sides must invite two witnesses and then discuss the time, place, weapons and rules of the duel."

The most important of these are the last two: weapons and rules. A pistol is, of course, extremely dangerous; but a sword allows for better control of the damage.

Which weapon would you choose for me?

Lionel was already numb; there was definitely no other answer: "Of course, it's the sword, madam."

Mrs. Rothschild nodded in satisfaction: "There are also rules. Sword duels are divided into two types: 'first blood' and 'incapacitation'."

'First blood' means that the duel ends as soon as one side is injured and bleeds, no matter how minor; 'incapacitated' is self-explanatory.

So, which one would you choose for me?

Lionel: "...Of course, it's the 'First Blood' rule."

Mrs. Rothschild nodded again with satisfaction: "I believe that Sophia, like me, has received rigorous swordsmanship training and knows how to use her skills."

Besides, there will be a doctor present during the duel, in addition to witnesses, so don't worry! My goal is not to kill her.

After she calmed down, she didn't dare kill me in Paris—it was just a special 'salon'.

Lionel was still worried: "But swords have no eyes... what if..."

Mrs. Rothschild gently raised her chin: "Do you want me to run away from this duel and lose all my honor?"

Since his rebirth, this was the second time Lionel had been so thoroughly manipulated, but he could only nod and say, "Alright, I agree to be the witness."

Then he remembered something and asked, "Didn't you say there were two witnesses? Where's the third one?"

Madame Rothschild replied with a smile, "Of course it's the esteemed Marquise de La Vernoy... It was a mistake on her part to invite her..."

Lionel looked at her in surprise, becoming even more certain that the conflicting version he had just heard was problematic.

At this moment, as if remembering something, Mrs. Rothschild added, "Oh, right, the doctor told us that to prevent clothing from contaminating the wound, I would take off all my clothes when I dueled with Sophia, all of them..."

Lionel finally lost his temper, spitting out a mouthful of coffee onto the coffee table and coughing repeatedly as he choked: "This...this...is this something I can 'witness'?"

Rothschild chuckled, her eyes sparkling with seductive charm: "That's why one of our witnesses is a lady—but would you like to be a 'witness'?"

……

Lionel was still in a daze when he left Mrs. Rothschild's mansion.

He only remembered Mrs. Rothschild's answer to his last question before he left:

"Deduction? I only saw the stableman downstairs with his skin torn and bleeding from her beating..."

(Bonus chapter for 1000 votes tomorrow. If you have any votes, please vote for me tomorrow. There will be double the votes.)
(End of this chapter)