In the summer of 1789, a village boy, who had grown up with Edith, returned from the town, waving his arms triumphantly as he galloped on a speeding horse. "Folks! Folks! The people of Paris have stormed the Bastille!"

He tossed his hat into the air, laughing joyously, and rode his horse into every corner of the village, spreading the news.

Edith dropped her farm work and rushed into the Saint-Clemont Castle, embracing Raphael around the neck. By then, he had already inherited the title from his deceased father.

"The city and the countryside, all are celebrating," she exclaimed with abandon. "This is a moment that changes history!"

"Is that so?" Raphael was somewhat puzzled by her words, but still infected by her happiness, smiling as he gently caressed her disheveled hair.

"Why don't we celebrate in your castle, dear Raphael?" Edith's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Here?" Raphael hesitated; he was unsure if he belonged to the revelry, but he knew his father would never have done such a thing.

However, he would never go against her words.

As the day neared sunset, the villagers gathered on the grassy land in front of the castle, their faces filled with surprise and curiosity.

Most of them had never imagined that the young count would not only enthusiastically participate but also personally invite everyone to this place to host the festivities. After all, the previous old lord, while not a tyrant, was hardly known for his liberal ideas.

Therefore, everyone eagerly awaited, anxious to see up close the appearance of this new-fashioned young count.

"Everyone take your seats! Today, there is no high or low. All shall follow their hearts' desires!" Raphael leaned out of a high window, cupping his hands around his mouth, and cheerfully called out to the crowd below.

Then, he descended the stairs with swift steps and joined the villagers in their midst.

At first, there was still some restraint in the air at this special banquet. Some of the elderly folks still held awe for the lord, not daring to engage in direct conversation with Raphael; while some rebellious young men still harboured a certain wary hostility towards Raphael due to his status.

However, much of this hostility dissipated when Charlene appeared. Seeing this young and fragile Countess sitting in her wheelchair, personally attending to the guests without any airs, and wearing a humble and serene smile that they had only seen on the statue of Virgin Mary, the peasants were all visibly moved.

As the feast was in full swing, Raphael suddenly stood up from his seat. He appeared somewhat sheepish and awkward, yet unable to conceal his pride. With a resounding voice, he announced a piece of news to everyone present: "Edith Travis is already married to me."

If there had been any lingering doubts or animosity among the people before, they vanished completely at that moment. The commoners firmly believed that since the young count had married the daughter of a good peasant, he was setting an example by adhering to the new ideals of equality.

With joyous hearts, the people raised their wine glasses and wholeheartedly wished the newlyweds health and happiness.

After reveling in the wild game and fine wine, the guests gradually made their way into the grand hall of the castle. Men and women danced in pairs, stepping to the lively and rustic tunes, swaying their bodies with ecstatic delight, causing the entire majestic hall's floor to tremble and resound.

Raphael fervently played the violin, joining the ranks of the Gypsy musicians specially hired for the celebration. With exaggerated movements, he skillfully played exhilarating melodies, his eyes filled with excitement as he gazed at his beloved spinning and leaping in the centre of the ballroom.

"I can't bear this heat any longer!" Edith exclaimed when she took a break, fanning herself vigorously with her hands around her face.

"Let's go over there and have some time alone!" Raphael tossed the precious violin to the bearded Gypsy man on the ground and pulled her arm, rushing towards the nearby dining room.

The fiery spirits consumed and the festive revelry had cast a rosy hue upon Edith's cheeks. Supporting her chin with one hand, she gazed at Raphael's face with a slightly tipsy yet enchanting gaze, and suddenly burst into laughter.

"Take off that silly wig, Raphael! It makes you look like an old fogey!" she chuckled.

Embarrassed, Raphael quickly removed the bothersome wig, tossing it onto the floor. Edith leaned in closer, her fingers delving into his disheveled blonde locks, then tracing the contours of his features. "Hmm... your own hair is much more beautiful," she whispered.

"You think I'm handsome, Edith?" Raphael's breath quickened. "Do you desire me?"

"Hold on, Raphael..." Edith shyly interjected, trying to stop his reaching hand.

"I can't wait any longer!" he impatiently tore at her waistband.

"But what if someone walks in and sees us?" Edith nervously gestured towards the nearby curtain, reminding Raphael that they were only separated from the castle hall by a thin veil.

"What does it matter!" Raphael exclaimed. "We are husband and wife, lovemaking is a natural act!"

As his words faded, the raw beauty within Edith's clothing was laid bare. Roughly, Raphael pushed her onto the dining table, causing a cacophony as glasses and plates clattered, leaving Edith breathless as she peered towards the direction of the curtain.

Just as she was about to reprimand him for his recklessness, he used his fingertips to explore her depths, transforming her complaints into a symphony of moans.

As Edith writhed on the table, feeling the heat within her ready to burst forth, Raphael abruptly withdrew his fingers, using the moist tips drenched in her essence to part her delicate buttocks. Her legs suspended in the air, he positioned his rock-solid lance towards her garden.

"Now, my love, I'm gonna ride you," he declared with a self-satisfied smile. "Hold your cries, don't startle the entire castle! "

Edith glared at him, barely given a moment to prepare before he penetrated her fountain's depths, causing her to hastily cover her mouth, suppressing the impending moans.

"Ah, gentler, Raphael, I cannot bear it!" she finally pleaded, turning her head to the side, her voice a low whimper as the youth surged within her. "I really will scream! The whole castle will hear!"

"They dare not interrupt us anyway!" Raphael continued the resounding collision of their bodies. "I would even welcome someone to hear, to let everyone know that you belong to me!"

As they propelled each other into ecstasy, the ceremony outside also reached its climax. Shielded by the deafening music and applause from the adjacent hall, Edith finally let out a scream of abandon, and Raphael growled, his countenance momentarily fierce.

After the peak of their joy subsided, the two young lovers nestled their burning cheeks together, whimpering like small animals. After some time, they looked at each other with regained lucidity, happiness and bashfulness intertwining in their giggles.

"Ah, Edith, we are truly great!" Raphael exclaimed, overcome with emotion.

He lifted her by her hips and spun her around twice in place, causing the girl's red skirt to gracefully flutter. Then, he carried her in his arms and strode briskly towards the bedroom upstairs.

For the next three days and nights, no one in the castle caught a glimpse of the newlywed couple.

----------------------

Perhaps the Fate unwilling to disturb this goodliness, the great Terror that shook the nation never invaded this tranquil countryside.

In the summer of ninety-three, an angelic little daughter was born in this castle, her cry filling the air.

When Raphael asked his wife what name they should give their child, Edith answered without hesitation, "Charlene."

"Little Charlene. Leni. What a beautiful name!" Raphael grinned.

For the following weeks, he would often burst into silly laughter, spreading his arms wide while standing on the elevated terrace as if sprouting wings, poised to soar towards the winding mountains in the distance.

Little Leni inherited Raphael's fair skin and soft, pale blonde hair, but her pair of amber eyes shone with the same brilliance as her mother's, sparkling like torches. It seemed as though they were telling the adults that this tiny vessel contained a rebellious soul, destined to lack the meekness and composure of her aunt with the same name.

Charlene was undoubtedly a best little aunt, but even she couldn't always control this naughty girl. Raphael had been overjoyed by Leni's birth, but this mischievous daughter soon became his greatest source of trouble.

Since Leni learned to toddle around, the once inseparable couple had practically no moments alone. Even in the vast castle, little Leni, who had just mastered walking, could always find her mother in no time.
　　
One day, Raphael finally managed to find Edith alone in her room, then eagerly pounced on her on the bed.

"I'm dying missing you!" he exclaimed, planting haphazard kisses all over her face, neck, and bosom. At the same time, he roughly undid the buttons of her blouse, ready to take advantage of the moment.

Unfortunately, just as he thought he had timed it well, a little mushroom emerged from seemingly nowhere, interrupting their intimacy.

"Mama?" Leni proudly trotted over, her short legs carrying her to the side of the bed, burying her head in her mother's embrace. "Play with me!"

"Leni, please, papa is begging you, go play with Auntie, okay?" Raphael held his daughter's chubby little hands, looking at her with pleading eyes.

"No. I only want mama to play with me. Papa out." The little sprite resolutely refused.

"Alright, you two play," Raphael sighed with a grimace, dragging his feet as he reluctantly walked towards the door. "But who play with me then?"

***Author's Notes***

①During the period of the Great Terror from 1793 to 1794, there were indeed a few rural areas in France that were unaware of what Terror was. That is, the survival of Edith's parents, through the butterfly effect, indirectly saved the lives of hundreds of people :(

②Someone in this parallel universe:

Andre (???-July 28, 1794)

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Vote/comment to give Edith and Raphael a minute to be alone!