Prologue - The Invitation
21st of November 1879 here in France, my beloved country, and I just received an invitation to Monsieur Clarmond's party. He wrote to me last week saying that he'll be arranging a party once he receives any news concerning my return to Marseille after I finished my studies. Probably, he has long ears to know that I graduated, even though that was three years ago.
There's no reason for me to stay in Paris anymore. I finished school, I worked hard for it, and I got my dream. It's high time I leave this wonderful city and go back home. Besides, I promised my friends that I return as soon as I finish college. You know how I see promises, that it is a dire sin to break one. Making promises is a sign of nobility. We all know how nobles act, therefore, promises are never meant to be broken. And if you'll simply break promises, then you're worse than those veggie-eating scums way back then.
Anyway, my coach would be coming sooner, so better yet I should be packing up.
My driver came an hour earlier than I thought, which means I had to bid goodbye to my dear apartment I lived for ten years since I first attended my higher education. Goodbye piano, my dear lover. Goodbye bed, another of my lovers. Goodbye dear restaurant next door. I will always love your exclusive Italian cuisines. Also goodbye, tremendous Eiffel Tower; may Gustave Eiffel's talents and passions be embroidered in your foundations.
After minutes of lamentations, I finally got into the chariot dad bought for me before I went to college and went off.
"Back to Marseille, monsieur?" said my coach.
"Yes, Raoul" I answered. "To Monsieur Clarmond's mansion."
"Your friends would be enthralled to meet you again, monsieur."
"I'm sure they would, Raoul. I'm sure they would."