Chapter 462: Charles' Girlfriend is Belgian
Lucia’s family encountered quite a few challenges on their way to Antwerp.
They first went to the train station, but the ticket seller politely informed them, "Sorry, sir. The earliest train to Antwerp will be tomorrow morning."
"Why?" Mr. Girard was confused. "I remember there used to be many trains."
It's only 59 kilometers to Antwerp.
"There are only two trains now, sir," the ticket seller replied. "You just missed the last one today."
"Only two?" Mr. Girard was stunned.
The ticket seller explained, "Antwerp is the frontline, sir. Charles is organizing a defensive line there, and we must prioritize military supplies to the soldiers. All other trains have been repurposed for transporting materials."
Mr. Girard had no retort. He looked back at the others, who were equally helpless.
It was reasonable, of course. During wartime, military supplies must take precedence.
After a moment of silence, Mr. Girard gritted his teeth. "We’ll call a taxi."
"But taxis aren’t cheap these days, Papa," Lucia hesitated.
"Even so, we have to go." Mr. Girard strode out of the station without looking back.
Outside the station, a few taxis were parked. Mr. Girard asked for the price and immediately looked shocked. "That’s impossible! It used to cost around 100 francs, and now it’s 500?"
Mrs. Girard approached and, after hearing the situation, questioned the driver, "The Germans have already surrendered. Why is it more expensive now?"
"And five times more expensive!" Steijn glared angrily at the driver. "This must be capitalists taking advantage of the situation!"
The taxi driver chuckled, displeased. "We’re hardly capitalists, kid. We’re just trying to make a modest living."
"The price is so high because, during the war, all the fuel was requisitioned for Charles’ troops," he explained. "Even now, the fuel we can get is scarce and outrageously expensive because it’s still prioritized for Charles’ tanks, armored vehicles, and military trucks."
"Do you have a problem with that?"
The group exchanged glances. This was also understandable.
Lucia sighed inwardly. Why was everything tied to Charles? He was like an inescapable nightmare, a shadow that, though absent, was always felt.
"I don’t have enough money," Mr. Girard said, looking at Lucia with a troubled expression. "I only have 270 francs. That’s all our savings."
"Then let’s take the train tomorrow, Papa," Lucia comforted.
Mr. Girard nodded; it seemed there was no other choice.
Just then, a voice called out from behind, "Hey, Lucia! Is that you, Lucia?"
It was a stylishly dressed blonde woman, holding a small suitcase in one hand and a coat in the other.
"Rost!" Lucia exclaimed, recognizing her. She was both surprised and delighted, greeting Rost and embracing her.
Rost was a middle school classmate whom Lucia hadn’t seen in years.
"Where are you heading?" Rost glanced at the nearby taxi.
"We’re planning to go to Antwerp, but..."
Rost immediately understood. "To see Charles, right?"
Lucia gave a bitter smile. More people knew about this than she had expected. Even Rost was aware.
But it wasn’t surprising. As long as one classmate knew, the news would soon spread to everyone they could contact.
The reason was Charles’ fame. Especially in Belgium, he was practically a savior.
Rost glanced around, seeming to guess the situation. She politely greeted Mr. and Mrs. Girard before pulling out some money and handing it to the driver. "To Antwerp. Keep the change."
As the driver took the money, Rost tilted her head and smiled. "You’re in luck, sir. That’s Charles’ girlfriend standing right there."
The driver’s eyes widened in disbelief. His hand froze mid-air as he looked at Lucia and then back at Rost. "No, that’s impossible..."
Rost’s expression didn’t change as she gave a slight nod. "Who would dare joke about that? It’s Charles! And why don’t you ask them their destination?"
Steijn stepped forward, puffing out his chest proudly. "We’re going to Antwerp Airport, sir. General Charles should be there."
The driver hesitated for a moment before hastily pushing Rost’s money back and jumping out of the car. He walked respectfully to Lucia, eagerly taking the luggage from her hands and placing it in the car.
"My apologies, ma’am. It’s an honor to serve you," he said.
"I promise to get you to Antwerp safely..."
"No, no, I’ll even wait to bring you back. It’s hard to find a car in Antwerp, and there’s no fuel, even if you find one."
"No, no, no charge... It’s my honor!"
As he finished, he murmured, "My God, Charles’ girlfriend, in my car! Unbelievable!"
...
At Antwerp Airport, the taxi slowed down and stopped at the entrance.
Before the car had fully stopped, Steijn jumped out, nearly tripping in the process as Mrs. Girard screamed and scolded him.
Unfazed, he craned his neck to look at the aircraft taking off from the airport, shielding his eyes from the sunlight. "Wow! That’s the Camel! The Camel fighter plane!"
He gestured excitedly at the sky and shouted to everyone, "That’s the fighter plane Charles invented! It has no rivals in the air! The Germans’ planes are no match for it!"
Mr. Girard cleared his throat disapprovingly. After stepping out of the car, he adjusted his suit and glared at Steijn with a frown. What an unsophisticated display! Did he not worry about embarrassing himself in front of Charles?
As soon as Lucia stepped out, a guard at the entrance recognized her and approached immediately. "Lucia, are you here to see the General?"
Lucia nodded.
"Please wait," the guard said. "I’ll inform the General!"
"Thank you," Lucia replied politely.
With those simple words, the group, along with the driver, gazed at Lucia with awe.
Mr. Girard nodded slightly in satisfaction, his eyes filled with pride.
Mrs. Girard was so excited she covered her mouth to stifle a scream, her chest heaving as if she couldn’t catch her breath.
Steijn swallowed hard, staring at his sister in a daze, seemingly contemplating how to curry favor with her.
Though they had believed Lucia’s words, they had found it hard to accept the truth. It felt too surreal.
However, the guard’s reaction confirmed it.
The driver, too, had initially worried he might have been fooled. Now it was clear—this woman named Lucia was indeed Charles’ girlfriend!
"My God, Charles’ girlfriend is Belgian!" the driver muttered incredulously. "Tomorrow, everyone will go crazy over this. I’m going to be a star!"