Chapter 377 Siblings Bond Part 3
The siblings spent two hours in Le Bon Marché, filling their hands with bags from luxury boutiques. Tired from their shopping spree, they decided to take a break at a popular patissier inside the mall.
The place was known for its delicious pastries and had a cozy atmosphere. Francis picked a table in the corner, where they could sit and relax. Daphne, with a keen eye for sweets, quickly recommended the macarons. "They're supposed to be the best here," she said with a smile.
Aveline, looking for something to drink, chose jasmine tea from the menu, while Tristan decided to try the opera cake, attracted by its rich layers visible from the display.
As they placed their orders, the siblings began to unwind.
"Are you sure you can carry all that?" Francis asked Daphne, who was among the siblings who bought a lot.
Daphne, surrounded by her numerous shopping bags, laughed. "I might need some help, but it's totally worth it," she replied, her eyes glinting with satisfaction. "But you only bought a painting…that's too boring, brother."
"That's because I already have what I need so there's no need for me to buy things that I find unnecessary expense," Francis said.
Daphne pouted. "You are making me feel guilty for enjoying shopping," she said, half-joking.
"Uh-oh," Tristan interjected with a light tone. "Brother, Daphne felt hurt."
Francis raised an eyebrow, looking at Daphne. "I didn't mean it like that. Everyone has their own way of enjoying things," he explained. "It's just that for me when I already have something that is still functional, I won't buy unless it broke down or it's absolutely necessary."
"No, I'm mad. You made me feel that way…Hmph!" Daphne harrumphed.
"You should comfort her, brother," Tristan suggested.
"Good idea," Francis said as he rose to his feet and walked around the table to where Daphne was sitting. He playfully ruffled her hair. "Alright, alright, I apologize."
Daphne ignored him.
Francis leaned over and wrapped his arms around her neck, and poked her cheeks with his finger. "Come on, don't be mad."
Daphne tried to keep a straight face, acting tough.
Francis pulled her cheeks, making her smile, although Daphne tried to resist. "There, that's better," he said with a grin.
Finally, Daphne couldn't help but laugh. "Okay, you win," she conceded, shaking her head at her brother's persistent efforts to cheer her up.
Just then, their orders arrived, filling the table with an assortment of pastries and drinks. The macarons Daphne had recommended came in an array of vibrant colors, and the aroma of jasmine tea and freshly baked opera cake filled the air.
Aveline poured herself a cup of tea, the steam rising gently. "This looks fantastic," she commented, admiring the presentation.
Tristan, eyeing the opera cake, took a bite and nodded in approval. "You were right about this cake, it's amazing," he said to Daphne, who was already reaching for a macaron.
Francis, still standing beside Daphne, returned to his seat, content that the earlier tension had dissipated. He picked a small pastry for himself, enjoying the relaxed moment with his siblings.
As they ate, the conversation flowed easily, ranging from light-hearted banter to plans for their next outing in Paris. They discussed visiting other countries together.
For Francis, this moment was exactly what they needed—a strong sibling bond. It was rare for them to be able to go out in Paris with just the four of them. Most of the time, they were each in their own domain, particularly given Tristan's role as the King of Spain and Aveline's position as the Queen of Italy. Free time was a luxury they seldom had.
It's going to be busy in the upcoming months as France is planning on getting involved in the conflict between the revolutionary Greeks and the Ottoman Empire. Francis was certain that Spain and Italy would also be drawn into the action.
This was the reason why he had accepted the invitation the moment Daphne invited them all for this outing. Francis saw this as a precious opportunity to spend time together as siblings, away from the pressures of their royal duties.
As they finished their pastries and tea, Aveline spoke. "Where to next, the Bonaparte Tower?"
"Let's go," Tristan said, standing up first and picking up his shopping bags. The others followed suit.
Francis grabbed some of Daphne's shopping bags, helping her out. "Let's not overload you," he said with a chuckle.
Daphne thanked him with a smile. They all left the Le Bon Marche and walked over to the parked car.
Francis is still the one driving and they set off to the Bonaparte Tower.
The Bonaparte Tower, one of the iconic structures in Paris, was also one of the most crowded places in the city. As they approached, they could see the throngs of tourists milling around, taking pictures, and admiring the towering structure.
Francis found a parking spot not too far from the tower. The siblings got out of the car, leaving their shopping bags.
They walked towards the Bonaparte Tower, blending in with the crowd of tourists. The tower, standing tall against the Paris skyline, offered an impressive sight. They spent some time just looking up at it.
lightsΝοvεl ?οm After a while, they decided to join the line for the elevator to the top. They patiently waited their turn, and it took thirty minutes.
Once inside the elevator, they ascended to the top of the Bonaparte Tower. As the doors opened, they were greeted by a breathtaking panoramic view of Paris. The city's iconic landmarks, twinkled in the distance, and the city lights stretched out as far as the eye could see.
They spent some time taking pictures and admiring the view. It was a clear evening, and the city looked magical under the night sky.
Daphne pointed out different landmarks and shared some historical tidbits about Paris. "Look, there's the Louvre," he said, "and over there is Notre-Dame Cathedral."
The three looked at the landmarks Daphne pointed out and was impressed she was able to locate them.
They spent thirty minutes atop the Bonaparte Tower, and after that, they went down and prepared to leave.
"Thank you guys, it was fun," Francis said.
"Yeah…it was fun," Tristan concurred.
"It was the best," Aveline added.
"I told you, you are going to like it," Daphne exclaimed. "Now, how about we take a picture? Four of us together—" she paused as she noticed a photographer passing by. "Hey!"
The photographer passing by, a friendly-looking man with a camera hanging around his neck, snapped his head towards Daphne.
"What is it, mademoiselle?" the photographer asked.
"How much would it cost for you to take a photo for us?" Daphne inquired.
"Fifteen francs," the photographer replied.
"Okay, we'll take that," Daphne said, agreeing to the price. She reached into her bag and pulled out the required amount, handing it to the photographer.
The photographer smiled and gestured for them to gather together. The siblings huddled close, with the iconic Bonaparte Tower in the background. The friendly photographer took several shots, making sure to capture the moment perfectly.
"Merci!" Daphne said with gratitude as they received the printed photos from the photographer.
"Okay, this is a good photo," Daphne said. "We can go home now."
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