[Archduke Karl seems to have a bit of a sense in history of "How can we take care of the family if the emperor is not destroyed". Although he was very old, he never got married. It was not until 1815 (exactly two months after Napoleon was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo) that he married Princess Henrietta of the Nassau-Welburg family married and had her first child in 1816, who was five years younger than Napoleon's son.
This work assumes that he got married a few years early, and his eldest daughter Theresa was born in the same year as the protagonist in 1811. She was only one month younger, which can be regarded as a small fluctuation in the historical line...]
"Nice to meet you, Her Royal Highness Princess Theresa."
Princess Teresa's expression did not change as she stared at the boy, but she also bowed slightly to him.
"Nice to meet you, Prince Lechstadt."
Her voice was much more mellow than that of other girls of the same age, but it also conveyed a sense of indifference.
Then, her eyes moved to her father.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, father. I wasted too much time trying to draw some rare plants inside..."
"It doesn't matter, you can spend as much time here as you like." Archduke Karl looked at his daughter and smiled fondly, without any of the airs he had in front of everyone just now.
Then, he walked up to his daughter, then reached out and took the sketchbook in her hand, "Let me see my daughter's masterpiece!"
Taking advantage of the time when father and daughter were enjoying themselves, Aigron approached his stepfather, Earl Neipeg, without leaving any trace.
"Sir, although I have probably guessed a little bit, I still ask you to explain - what is going on now?"
"That's what you guessed." Earl Neipeg replied in a low voice, "Relying on my past friendship, I tried my best to plead with the Grand Duke, and finally made him agree to see you and let you know his daughter. However, We can only do this, so please work hard next.”
"Is this what is called compensation?" Aigron asked again.
"If you are willing to understand it this way, then that's okay." Earl Neipeg nodded, "In addition, your mother is also very supportive of this matter and works very hard to speak before His Majesty the Emperor. In fact, this is why we are on this trip. And she came back. I tell you this because I hope you can calm down the resentment in your heart a little. She is not so unconcerned about you. "
She thought that being able to become in-laws with Archduke Karl would satisfy her vanity... Aiglon wanted to complain but didn't say it.
A man should have a clear distinction between grudges and grudges. Since she took the initiative to plan for herself this time, the objective motives are no longer important. She should really be grateful.
"Then I appreciate her kindness and thank her very much for her help." Aigron replied after a moment of silence, "However, I don't think I need to think about this kind of thing now. I am still young."
"You are indeed still young, but it's time to think about the future. Your situation also requires you to seek a better future as soon as possible instead of getting used to the current life." Earl Neipeg replied in a low voice, "Archduke Karl Inheriting the Duke of Cieshen's property, the wealth of this ancient family made him one of the richest nobles in our country. Although his daughter is destined not to inherit the family business, he who loves Princess Theresa so much will definitely prepare for Her Royal Highness the Princess. A large dowry is enough for her and her son-in-law to live a rich and worry-free life - and, with Archduke Karl's status in the Habsburg family, if you really become a son-in-law, your other treatment will definitely be the same It makes a big difference.”
Yes, in this era, or in all eras, when elders consider marriage for their younger generations, they first base it on such realistic considerations - after all, love always has a shelf life, and it will fade after it expires; gold does not last forever. It's so sparkling.
"Your Highness, please don't forget the advice I gave you last time." At this time, Captain Foresti, who had been silent, also spoke. "This is definitely a good opportunity for you. You should act and do it quickly! Once you miss such an excellent and suitable partner, it will be difficult to find again. You have already seen that she is good-looking and so rich. Princess...why do you need to hesitate any more?"
Aigron remained silent, quietly listening to his stepfather and teacher's persuasion in turn.
He knew that they said these words purely out of consideration for themselves, and he should be grateful for this kindness both emotionally and logically.
But this doesn't mean that he has to do what they say.
If he considers staying in Austria for a long time, it might actually be an excellent choice. After all, what Earl Neipeg said is reasonable, and he can get better treatment by getting married.
However, things in the world are not so wishful thinking - who stipulates that Princess Teresa will definitely favor her? Maybe all his efforts to be courteous were just in vain.
Besides, I had never thought about staying here, let alone trying this path.
However, he buried these thoughts deep in his heart and did not express them.
"Thank you for your kindness - I will consider it." He replied calmly to the two people, "However, I think some things cannot be forced. For the Grand Duke, I am not a very ideal son-in-law candidate. After all, I can say I have nothing."
"You don't have to be so self-deprecating." Count Naipeg shook his head. "In my opinion, you have many lovable qualities. In addition, I can see that Archduke Karl was very satisfied with your performance just now. I know him. He is arrogant and arrogant, and there are not many people who can agree with him in his life. And Napoleon happens to be among them - and you, as Napoleon's son, are worthy of his high regard."
"Your Highness, as long as you work hard, I firmly believe that you can fulfill everyone's expectations." Captain Foresty nodded with deep understanding. "If Napoleon's son marries Archduke Karl's daughter, it will be a historic event, and I'm afraid the whole of Europe will be amazed."
Aiglon could only smile bitterly at their wishful thinking. After all, this kind of wishful thinking was meaningless.
At this moment, he found Archduke Karl walking towards him, so he interrupted the conversation and focused his attention on the Archduke.
The Grand Duke smiled and handed him the sketchbook that the Princess had just held. "This was drawn by Teresa. What do you think?"
Aigron took it over and looked through it.
There are plants drawn on every page, and the drawings are very detailed. It can be seen that each stroke is carefully drawn, and the basic skills are also very good.
"The painting is very good." He complimented casually, and there was no other answer.
"Then please give it back to me..." At this time, Princess Teresa suddenly walked up to him and stretched out her hand, "I'm sorry, Your Highness, I don't like being judged by others..."
Her sudden move made everyone present a little surprised, and then the atmosphere suddenly became awkward.
"What a coincidence, I am the same, so I can understand your mood." Aigron quickly regained his composure, and then handed the sketchbook back to the other party with a smile, "I hope I didn't disturb you."
"It doesn't matter." Princess Teresa shook her head, "Anyway, the painting is finished."
The two men were silent.
"Your Highness, let's go over there and take a rest?" Naipeg suddenly suggested to the Grand Duke, "I still have some questions I want to ask you -"
"Okay." Archduke Karl shrugged, "Old men, please don't disturb the young people, let them talk among themselves."
When the count left, he winked at Aigron, seeming to urge him to take action.
However, as they walked away, Aegron remained silent.
Firstly, he has no motive to please the other party; secondly, he has no idea how to please the other party.
Although it was only the first time they met, it can be seen from the few words the princess said that she is introverted and not so easy to get along with.
The two of them were speechless. The princess lowered her gaze slightly, unable to tell what was in her heart.
Staying in such awkward silence seemed to be no solution, so Aiglon had no choice but to speak.
"I'm sorry if you find this difficult. My mother and stepfather were overzealous in this matter, and even I was a little embarrassed as a result."
After he spoke, Princess Teresa finally raised her head and looked at him, "...You don't have to apologize. This is an inevitable experience for me. Even...even without you, I will always be there." There will be other arrangements, so I can understand you."
"Why do you say that?" Aigron was a little strange.
"My father is already very old, so he hopes to see that I have someone to rely on in the future as soon as possible, so that he can rest assured." Princess Teresa replied softly, "So I have already prepared for him to take him to see people. Mentally prepared, relatively speaking, it’s not my worst-case scenario right now.”
"That means it's already very bad, right?" Aigron asked with a smile. "I'm probably a little self-aware, too."
"I didn't mean that..." Teresa shook her head quickly, "I just meant... it's very embarrassing."
"It doesn't matter, you're not the only one who thinks so." Aigron nodded.
The conversation paused again.
"Actually, Your Highness, I admire you a little." After a moment of silence, Princess Teresa suddenly said.
"Why do you say that?" Aigron was surprised.
"I heard my father say that you refused to serve in the army because you preferred writing. He had some objections to this, but I... thought it was rare that you were able to persist in your will in such a difficult situation. ." Princess Teresa looked at the boy calmly, "Also, to be honest, because I follow my father and see guys in military uniforms every day, I have long been a little disgusted with military uniforms... I really don't understand why they are so interested in the smell of blood. Passion, compared with guns, I think words are more comfortable."
"Really...?" Aigron couldn't help laughing. "I'm glad you understand me."
He didn't expect that the actions he took out of the motive of seeking advantages and avoiding disadvantages would lead to such unexpected consequences. Life is really full of accidents.
"Are you really planning to make a difference in this area?" Princess Teresa asked.
"Although I don't have much confidence in my ability in this area, I think I will try." Aigron replied happily.
"How are you going to try it?" Teresa asked curiously.
"Please forgive me for keeping this a secret." Aigron smiled and shook his head, "If I failed, I would wish to bury myself in sand instead of letting everyone look at my failure with sympathy. "
"This is a very real thought! Maybe I am the same way." Princess Teresa was shocked at first, and then the corners of her mouth moved slightly. "Okay, then I wish you success. That may give me some encouragement and let me know that people like us are not just props."
"No, I am a prop, and you are destined to have a wonderful life." Aigron spread his hands gracefully, "You have everything, so there is no need to find ways to entertain yourself like me."
"You are too humble." Princess Teresa shook her head, "Well... if I say that we are exactly the same, it would be a bit too insulting to you. I am indeed much freer than you, but I will also be like your mother. It’s the same, and we have the same obligations.”
"Then I sincerely wish you better luck than my mother when you fulfill your obligations." Aigron nodded and said to the other party sincerely.
"Your Highness, I believe that your current situation is unfair and unreasonable. It lacks the generosity and generosity that the Habsburg family should have. Unfortunately, this is not something I can control... In short, no matter what the future holds, I wish you the best." All the best." Princess Teresa curtsied to him again to say goodbye, "The disputes of our ancestors have long since passed away with the wind, and maybe we can become friends because of our hobbies."
"I hope so." Aigron also waved goodbye to her.
