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Volume : 1
Chapter: 5[5]; Légion d'honneur
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"Okay...!!!" Aaryan shook his head, and smiling, he put his hand inside the pocket of his coat and took out a silver five-armed star, about 40mm wide.
It was enameled white, with a laurel and oak wreath around it, and he handed it to the steward who had come near him.
The steward looked at the token or medal in his hand, the one given by Aaryan, and began to examine it.
When the steward looked carefully and tried to read the words that were written in a circle in the middle of it, alongside the image of Marianne (the symbol of the French Republic), he read:
"République Française"
The star was suspended from a vivid scarlet silk ribbon, folded into a neat triangular shape, meant to be worn.
When the people from France; those who knew the value of the medal, saw it, they were stunned.
As soon as he finished speaking "République Française" and saw the unmistakable five-armed star of the Légion d'honneur, his eyes widened in shock.
He froze, not only him, but also the people from France and the diplomats seated near the center of the table. They stood up abruptly and looked at Aaryan in horror.
One of the French diplomats stood up and spoke hesitantly:
"C'est... la Légion d'honneur,""That is not just a token. That is France's highest civilian and military distinction."
Wow...!!!
As soon as he said this, there was another commotion in the entire saloon.
While the French diplomat continued:
"That medal is awarded by decree of the French President...""Even European nobility need years of service or political influence to receive it..."
The middle-aged couple who had accused Devika and Aaryan stiffened.
The arrogance they had suddenly dimmed, as if they were like candles in a strong wind, about to be extinguished.
The steward, suddenly aware of his abruptness, quickly bowed toward Aaryan.
His hands were trembling slightly as he held the medal.
He was no longer a man in charge of the first-class saloon of the RMS Titanic of the White Star Line, but a servant who had unknowingly overstepped before someone he could not afford to offend.
He stepped forward, lowering his gaze slightly, and said in a composed but respectful voice to Aaryan:
"Monsieur Yadav, please forgive my ignorance. I had no idea I was addressing a gentleman of such honor. This recognition is not worn by common men, it is earned through extraordinary merit."
Then, with both palms open and raised, he carefully extended the medal toward Aaryan, as if Aaryan represented a royal insignia.
"I return this, 'C'est... la Légion d'honneur', with the utmost respect. And on behalf of the White Star Line, please allow me to express our sincere apologies for the misunderstanding."
What followed was a moment of silence in the entire saloon.
It was known that the status of the steward was just below that of the captain of the ship, and at this time, he was also representing the White Star Line.
Aaryan smiled slightly and took the medal back.
He glanced at the middle-aged couple and gave them a slow, knowing smile.
Then he returned to his seat and rubbed Devika's head affectionately before sitting beside her, she had been frightened, but now felt comforted.
"Sit down, gentlemen and beautiful... ladies. The food is getting cold. I don't think there's any need to be stunned as if you've seen a ghost, I am human."
Glancing at the people who were stunned, Aaryan spoke softly, his voice carrying a soothing tone that could calm the hearts of the people.
After hearing him, many who had stood up also sat down.
Although the people present here were all of top status, Aaryan directly revealing the highest medal of the French Republic was a dimensional reduction blow to them.
At the center of the table, Daniel Rothmere looked at Aaryan with a strange expression, then called his assistant and whispered something into his ear.
Although Daniel didn't believe anyone had the guts to fake the "C'est... la Légion d'honneur," he still instructed his assistant to verify it, even though it would take some time, his family would be able to confirm it by the time the ship reached Cherbourg port in France.
After all, he had already told his assistant to contact the French government via Marconi's wireless telegraph.
And not to mention, when the Titanic docked at Cherbourg, a few high-ranking nobles and diplomats responsible for such honors were expected to come aboard.
"Alas... I hope, monsieur, your medal is authentic. Otherwise, not to mention being kicked off the Titanic, even the French government will hunt you down, should they find out you've faked such a distinction," Daniel finally said, after quietly arranging everything.
"What...? Does this guy even have the guts to fake the highest reward of the French Republic?"
The people present there, started to gossiping with each other.
Aaryan slowly placed his fork down, gently dabbing the corner of his lips with a thin, lined napkin.
He looked directly into Daniel's eyes with a calm look, as if he were admiring at a clown and his art.
"Haha... Monsieur, I would expect less haste and more grace. An accusation for a man, even if only implied, is still a blade. But it is best, if drawn must be with certainty, not the curiosity."
He reached with the left hand into his inner coat pocket, taking out a folded letter sealed with red wax, and with the official stamp of the French government.
Then Aaryan's gaze shifted to Daniel's assistant as he spoke:
"If your assistant wants to trouble the French Republic, then let him do so. After all, in the meantime, this letter, personally signed and sealed by Minister Joseph Caillaux himself, last year. I believe, this should suffice enough to keep your appetite intact until we reach Cherbourg, in the evening."
He pushed the letter lightly across the table, toward Daniel and gave a slight harmless smile towards him, as he spoke:
"As for being hunted... if France must pursue a man for honoring her, maybe the country of France has forgotten the spirit in which that honor was bestowed."
The room was silent, not because of the medal, but because of the weight of Aaryan's words.
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[End Of the Chapter, 5!]