"Thank you".
"You don't need any thanks." Teresa looked at the young man with hope, "As long as His Highness can grow up healthily, become a hero that people look up to, and get the glory he deserves, I will be satisfied."
"This is not as simple as it sounds. There will always be a lot of price to pay." Aigron shook his head.
"That's why it's interesting, isn't it?" Teresa still insisted on her opinion, "In life, you always have to make choices. As long as you recognize your goals and move on unswervingly, then the sacrifices you have made for it will All costs are meaningful and worthwhile.”
"You're right." Aigron believed deeply, and then smiled again inadvertently, "But why do these words sound so old-fashioned? You are only a teenager."
"Your Highness, aren't you like this yourself? If you want to tell me, you are more serious than me." Teresa couldn't help laughing, and then sighed, "Being born in our family, losing the joy of childhood early is also There’s an inevitable price to pay.”
Then, she looked at Aigron again, "Then let's talk about things that belong to our age!"
"What do you mean?" Aigron was a little surprised.
"Come with me."
Teresa waved her hand gently, then turned around and took Aiglon along the stairs of the living room to the second floor.
After walking through the corridor, Teresa came to a room door and opened it.
As soon as the door opened, the smell of ink mixed with incense hit his face, and Aigron immediately smelled it. The incense was the same type as Theresa gave him.
The smell suddenly cheered him up, and then he followed Theresa and walked in. He found that the room was very large, with rows of bookshelves inside, and all kinds of hardcover books were placed in different categories. On the bookshelf.
"This is our study room." Teresa explained in a low voice, and then she pointed to a closed door next to her, "That's my bedroom over there... I specifically requested it so that I can sleep without waking up my family. Wandering around here without any problem.”
Aiglon glanced around and said, "There are so many books here."
"Yeah, it's enough for me to watch for a long, long time to pass the time." Teresa nodded. "If you get bored here, you can take a look here."
Eggron casually took a thick hardcover book from the bookshelf, then opened it and found that it was actually the work "On the Pendulum Clock" by the famous French scientist Huygens in the 17th century. This book described in detail the production of In addition to the text, there are many exquisite illustrations on the mechanical components and mechanics principles of the pendulum clock. The whole book is worth a lot of money at a glance.
He looked at the bookshelves placed everywhere, and there were similar hardcover books everywhere. In terms of the value of the book itself, this is a lot of money...
After all, Archduke Karl is the younger brother of the emperor, and he has inherited the legacy of Duke Cieshen. Although their family does not like to show off, the wealth they possess can still be seen in many aspects.
"What kind of books does Your Highness like to read?" While he was still deep in thought, Teresa suddenly asked.
"Well... I watch a lot of things. As long as it's interesting, I can watch anything. Of course, it's not easy to meet the 'interesting' standard." Aigron replied.
"Then you must have read a lot of works by writers, right? After all, you can write it yourself." Teresa asked again.
"I have indeed seen a lot." Aigron nodded.
"Whose work do you like best?" Teresa asked curiously.
"Balzac." Aigron replied without hesitation.
"Balzac? Who is that? I have never heard of this name before." Teresa blinked curiously, "If even His Highness has heard of this name, it stands to reason that he should be famous by now... …”
That's natural. At this time, Balzac was still engaged in the publishing industry with the dream of getting rich. In the following years, he ran a printing factory, a type foundry, etc., but none of them succeeded. Instead, he was heavily in debt. It was not until the end of his life that he finally paid off those debts.
He wrote so many long stories in his life, and debt pressure must be one of the main reasons...
At this moment, most of his works have not yet been published, let alone known.
Aigron had no intention of responding directly to Teresa's question, but just muddled through it vaguely.
"He is not a well-known writer. I don't even know how old he is or where he is. I have only seen his works by chance - I have to say that he is very talented and awe-inspiring."
Seeing what Aiglon said, Teresa became even more curious, but she could also see that the boy didn't want to say more, so she stopped asking the question.
"Your Highness, I told you last time, I think what you wrote is very good." She walked to the desk and picked up the manuscript on it. "The characters are vivid and the lines are full of emotions. I am very Love this romantic style.”
"Thank you for the compliment, I think I got more motivation from it." Aigron replied with a smile.
Although this was not his goal originally, people always feel better when they are praised.
"Have you ever thought about sending it to a theater for release?" Teresa suddenly asked again, "It would be a shame if it were just left to gather dust. It should be loved by more people."
Aiglon hesitated for a moment, and then decided not to tell her what happened between him and Sophie in private, so he shook his head slightly.
"I haven't decided what to do yet, so... let's leave it like this for now. Anyway, with my current situation, it's not easy for me to spread it everywhere."
Sure enough, you still have to hide it from me.
Teresa felt a little disappointed, but this was something she had expected, so she didn't show any signs of it.
"Your Highness, can you tell me that you returned the script to someone other than me?" Her expression suddenly became serious.
"Why do you ask that?" Aigron was a little confused.
"I recently heard that a new play was released in a theater in Vienna, and the response was very good -" Teresa blinked and continued to look at the young man, "Although I haven't watched it myself, I heard from the news that , the plot is almost exactly the same as your script. I thought you had already thought of a way to get the script released, your highness, but it turns out you haven’t? Then this is such a coincidence..."
Aigron was speechless immediately, but looked at Teresa suspiciously.
Although Teresa didn't say it explicitly, he could understand the implication - she had obviously guessed what she had done.
Why did she know the news so quickly? Did someone leak it to her? Or is it really just that he is relatively well-informed about the news in the city?
The most critical question is, how much does she know and what does she plan to do?
In any case, it was no longer interesting to play guessing games now, and Aiglon could only shrug.
"Well, I'm sorry, Teresa, let me tell you the truth - the script that was released was indeed something I managed to get into the theater. You also know that in my situation, it is not appropriate to do such a thing. So I did it all anonymously...please keep it a secret for me."
"That's it! It seems that my worries were in vain." Teresa nodded in realization, and then showed a happy smile again, "His Highness seems to be unwilling to remain unknown. This is really touching... It’s a pity that I couldn’t help much.”
After a pause, she asked again, "Do you plan to continue performing your works in that theater?"
"Yes, if conditions permit." Aigron nodded.
"Then, do you mind if I also become a regular audience there?" Teresa asked carefully, "I would like to see what your script will look like after it is put on the stage. I can book a box there, every time you are there. Just go over and take a look at the program preview.”
"Can I still restrict your freedom?" Aigron felt a little frustrated, but on the surface he could only cheer up. "If you want to go there, you can go there at any time, but I hope you dress lightly and don't disturb other people."
It’s not that he dislikes Theresa, but as far as his plan is concerned, the fewer relevant factors the better, and the fewer people who get in the way, the better. If Theresa suddenly gets involved, he doesn’t know what will happen. Influence.
Although he didn't think Theresa had any hostility towards him, but if Theresa knew his true plan, would she help him or at least acquiesce to him?
He didn't dare to hope.
Teresa saw the boy's frustration, so she remained silent for a while.
She did not ask how he did all this. In fact, she completely avoided the name Sophie to avoid irritating him.
As long as she achieves her goal - as long as His Highness accepts her presence in the most important part of his life, then everything will be easy to handle. Everything needs a beginning.
But this does not mean that she is not angry. In fact, she is very angry. This was the treatment she should have enjoyed, but it was stolen by Sophie inexplicably. As a result, she had to be careful and painstaking to get a start. .
The young man's frustration also proved how unwilling he was to give up the time he spent with Sophie.
When she thought of this, her heart ached a little.
The inexplicable frustration made her lower her head in frustration, and she finally regained her energy.
"Your Highness, in your heart, am I still a person who likes to show off?" She replied in a joking tone, "Don't worry, I will come and go like a ghost, and I won't cause trouble to anyone. I just … I just want to witness a scene that you may not be able to see, and then write to tell you.”
After saying that, she invited Aiglon to continue walking inside, then walked around a screen, opened the door, and led him to the balcony.
There are several seats on the balcony and the view is very good, you can see the scenery in the distance.
It was afternoon, and the light was very good and abundant. Looking around, the green grass and various leaves were mixed together, making it as colorful as an oil painting.
"When I have free time, I will read here. When I am tired, I will look at the scenery in the distance and rest." Teresa introduced him with a smile, "Especially when the weather is suitable. Your Highness, please take a seat. ——”
After she finished speaking, she took Aiglon and sat down together. The two of them sat side by side, enjoying the wind and watching the scenery.
"It's really comfortable, isn't it?" After a while, Teresa asked with a smile.
"This is indeed a rare enjoyment of life." Aigron replied, "Sometimes I envy you."
"If you are envious, you can do it." Teresa closed her eyes slightly, "The door here is open to you at any time. Mom will be happy to receive you."
Aigron did not doubt Teresa's words. There was no doubt that he had become an honored guest of Archduke Karl's family.
Life here is indeed very comfortable and warm.
But that's not what he really wants.
He once again reminded himself that he was approaching this family just to use Archduke Karl to improve his treatment - in fact, he had already received this.
"Teresa, I'm very grateful for your warm hospitality to me. It's a pity that I can't reciprocate now. After all, I live in the palace and it's not under my control." He couldn't help but express his feelings, "If I have someone in the future, If you are a real home, I will treat you twice as much."
But what I want is to be in that real home. Theresa thought.
"This wish can be realized very easily - if you are willing, you can buy a piece of land nearby in the future and be neighbors with your parents, wouldn't it be nice?" She replied with a smile, "Or, directly Tell them and they will be happy to give you a piece of land from here——"
Teresa's words were almost clear, and Aigron didn't know how to interface.
"What, are you excited?" Teresa asked with a smile.
"Metternich won't be happy to see it." Aigron made an excuse.
"Metternich has no control over our family's affairs." Teresa replied nonchalantly, "No matter how tyrannical he is, he can't do anything to us, right? Besides, Aiglon, you are not a prisoner, how can he still You are not allowed to buy a family property for yourself? He can't always keep you in the palace, right?"
"Things are not that simple..." Aigron could only smile bitterly and continue to decline politely, "I am a very useful chess piece to him, and I will not let him go easily."
"Of course I know this. Everyone has times when they can't help themselves, especially Your Highness." Teresa also smiled bitterly, "But chess pieces also have different uses, don't they? I think for someone like Your Highness, it is better to Toughness is not as good as probation, and dad will agree."
"Your father doesn't behave like this. Although we have only met a few times, he scolded me louder than Metternich." Aigron shrugged.
"Dad is used to treating his family members in a military way, especially boys... But don't get me wrong, he already loves you very much." Teresa replied with a smile, "On your side, you were not merciful at all just now. "
"You shouldn't hold grudges about this, it's obviously your father who asked me to do it! I had no choice but to do so," Aigron protested.
"It's okay, I was just kidding, don't be nervous." Teresa reached out her hand, touched Agron's face, and then blinked and replied, "Your Highness, I have been looking at you just now... you are so handsome. , if it weren’t for your opponent being my father, I would have cheered for you long ago.”
When she swept her fingers across his face, Aigron's heartbeat suddenly accelerated.
And Teresa's eyes undoubtedly revealed her feelings.
"Your Highness, I will tell my father later. Since the empire wants to win over you, it is only right to give you a place." Teresa's eyes were a little misty, "And now, sit with me for a while. Aiglon, this is our time..."
