In the early morning, His Excellency Metternich, Prime Minister of the Austrian Empire, rushed to Schonbrunn Palace despite his busy schedule.
Different from usual, after meeting with His Majesty the Emperor today, he did not leave directly as usual. Instead, under the leadership of his attendants, he went to the princess's dormitory to meet with Her Royal Highness Princess Sophie.
At this time, Sophie had just woken up and was still dressing up under the service of the maid.
The attendant informed her of the Prime Minister's visit. Almost immediately, Sophie, who had an indifferent expression at first, saw a fierce and almost ferocious expression flash across her face in the mirror.
But she knew that she had no right to refuse at this time.
So she just nodded calmly. "Let him wait a moment."
She looked at the mirror again. The young woman in the mirror was as beautiful as ever, with the mature motherhood she had just after giving birth. She was so radiant.
However, this beautiful face always has a frown, as if it contains too much pain, and there is always a bit of sadness in the eyes.
Since returning to the palace, she has regained her former status and dignity. Everything seems to have remained unchanged, but beneath the surface, everything has changed beyond recognition.
The glorious ceremony couldn't make her feel excited, and the flattery around her couldn't anesthetize her either. The two people she was worried about now had no news, so how could she be happy?
May God bless you all...
She sighed in her heart, then ended her dressing and received the Prime Minister.
Under the leadership of the attendant, Metternich walked into the room, and immediately saw His Highness Sophie sitting on the sofa with an expressionless face.
With the usual etiquette, he walked up to the other party, and then bowed respectfully.
"Your Highness, I am very happy and relieved to see that you have returned to your former glory."
Metternich opened the conversation between the two people with cold politeness.
"Sir, I am very happy to see that you have aged a bit compared to the last time we met." Sophie replied with a gentle smile.
Metternich couldn't help but feel displeased with her obvious provocation, but because he had been mentally prepared before, he didn't get angry at all, and his expression didn't change at all. He just thought it was a breeze blowing on his face.
"With all due respect, your attitude toward a loyal minister of the empire is not consistent with your status." He just said calmly, "Especially, this loyal minister still respects you and works hard after you committed such a mistake. Maintain your status and reputation.”
"You not only safeguarded my status, but also protected my daughter... I am grateful to you from the bottom of my heart!" Sophie's smile remained unchanged, but there was a piercing cold light in her eyes.
Since giving birth to her daughter, she has never seen her daughter again. Apart from giving her the name "Crystal", she can't give her anything. She doesn't even know whether her daughter is alive or dead. Nothing.
As a first-time mother, she couldn't help but feel heartbroken every time she thought of her daughter, and this pain turned into incomprehensible hatred.
However, her hateful gaze made Metternich feel happy. He knew that this newly born baby was the tool to make this arrogant woman lower her head.
"I really didn't expect that you had the nerve to mention this?" He looked at the other person with interest, and then replied with a smile, "You ignored your obligations, were unchaste, violated God's will, and Him What a humiliation it is to the Habsburg royal family to give birth to an illegitimate daughter! You have tarnished your reputation, and I spent a lot of effort to suppress this matter and clear it for you. I have suppressed the rumors so that you can continue to stay in this palace. It’s fine if you don’t thank me. You actually hold a grudge against me... How ungrateful is this?! Alas, my loyalty and good intentions have been betrayed in this way. My heart is broken. But I was all hurt by you.”
Sophie was ashamed and angry at the sudden insult from him, and her whole body started to tremble. She held the ivory folding fan tightly in her hand, almost breaking the poor object.
Seeing that she was about to burst out of anger, Metternich finally stopped with full enjoyment.
"Well, the past is in the past. Since His Majesty has chosen to let things go, we can only look forward." He made his voice gentle again, "Your Highness Sophie, I didn't come here with the intention of quarreling with you. , but I want to tell you some good news——"
"Huh, good news?" Sophie frowned, and then glared at the other party, "You disappearing from me immediately is the best news."
"Are you sure you don't want to hear it? This is news about that little bastard." Metternich smiled.
Sophie's eyes suddenly lit up, and even the angry look on her face disappeared inadvertently.
But the pride deep in her bones prevented her from begging the other party, so she forced herself to calm down, and then looked at the other party coldly, "You can just say what you want."
Metternich didn't intend to keep it secret from her anymore, so he said it directly. "According to the urgent news we received, His Royal Highness the Duke of Lechstadt recently appeared in Mesoni, Greece. He claimed that he came for the liberation of Greece and would use his wealth and life to fight for the independence of this nation. And fight..."
Sophie listened carefully to every word Metternich said, until finally, she closed her eyes.
"Aiglon..."
Thank God he is still safe.
However, it is really unexpected that he would go to Greece for adventure...
She was immediately worried about his future safety.
However, now she is in the deep palace and cannot help at all. She can only pray to the Almighty Lord to continue to bless this poor child and make everything go smoothly for him.
"Are you okay, Your Highness?" Just as she was still immersed in her own thoughts, Metternich across from her asked abruptly.
Sophie forcibly interrupted her thoughts, and then looked at Metternich again.
"What is your purpose in telling me this? I don't believe you will be merciful to me."
"Even I will have some sympathy for you. After all... you are the one who suffered all the tragic losses, and he is enjoying himself outside." Metternich said with a smile. "Your pain is just something he can show off later."
"If you think this boring provocation is useful, then you are naive." Sophie replied stubbornly, "I am reluctant to let him leave, but I also know that his heart is not here! So I am very happy that he can be here Spreading his wings and flying high outside is not only because this is what he deserves, but also because only in this way can he live comfortably and for a long time! The decadent and corrupt air here will only make Aiglon age prematurely, and will destroy his heart and his body. Our ambitions withered together... So if one of us has to bear the pain, then I would rather it be me, because I can live here, I can live until the day we meet again, and I can live until the day there is no more of you in the world! I will wait patiently!"
Although her words were very unpleasant, there was such a touching charm and courage in her expression and eyes that Metternich couldn't help but secretly admire her.
So he stopped being sarcastic this time.
"Well, since you are happy to sacrifice, what can I say?" He shrugged, and then spoke again, "According to our information, the little guy took out a large amount of jewelry and money in public. According to his own statement, this was what Napoleon secretly asked his supporters to stay for him before the empire fell... This story is quite touching, but to be honest, I don’t believe it, so please tell me, is it secretly yours? Sponsored him? If so, how much?"
"It's a pity that because of the rush of time, I only had time to give him the pendant I brought with me. It was given to me by my mother before I got married. It was very valuable to me, but it would definitely be beneficial to his career. It's a trivial thing, so it has nothing to do with me." Sophie replied calmly, "Of course, if there is time and opportunity, I will be happy to give him my money, as long as he asks."
Sophie's answer made Metternich suspicious. He didn't quite believe what Sophie said, but judging from the other party's expression, it didn't look like he was lying.
"Instead of doubting me, it's better to doubt another person." At this time, Sophie spoke again.
"Who?" Metternich asked.
"Who else could it be? Of course it's the good fiancée you found for him..." Sophie replied with a sneer, with a sarcastic and unwilling smile, "When I just returned to the palace, she found me during the banquet, and then Tell me that she plans to go to His Highness. If others say it, I will just think it is a child talking nonsense, but she is probably different. She can really do it, so at the moment, she must have run to her sweetheart. Bar……"
When Teresa had just spoken out, Sophie did not choose to tell the truth. Now that it was at this point, Sophie felt that there was no point in keeping the secret any longer, so she simply spoke out.
No reason, just to see Metternich’s expression at this moment.
Sure enough, just as she expected, Metternich's expression suddenly became extremely ugly.
Shock and anger made his already aging body tremble.
"Huh!?" He snorted menacingly, and then began to pace anxiously in the room.
Princess Teresa has rarely appeared in the public eye since Duke Lechstadt escaped. However, Metternich did not feel anything unusual. He just thought that she could not bear the humiliation and did not dare to appear in public. So No further attention was given.
Who would have thought...
"There is such a stupid girl in the world!? She has suffered such humiliation, but she still... ran to suffer again helplessly? Stupid! Confused!" Metternich couldn't help but cursed while pacing, "It's really He is a spoiled child who only knows how to act willfully and has no sense of the royal family at all!"
Cursing and cursing, he cursed Teresa's father again, "And the Grand Duke is also completely confused! As a royal younger brother, he has no sense of the overall situation and actually allows his daughter to behave like this! They don't know what they have done to her. How much trouble has the empire caused?"
Of course he thought that Archduke Karl would never let his daughter run away alone, and would definitely prepare a large sum of money for her.
Even if this is not all the wealth in the hands of Duke Lechstadt, it is enough to arouse suspicion.
So if other countries learn the news about Teresa, they will certainly reasonably speculate whether the Austrian royal family is secretly playing a conspiracy with him. How much trouble will this bring him?
After cursing for a while, he finally calmed himself down again.
He walked back to Princess Sophie and looked at her with gloomy eyes.
"Your Highness, your willful behavior has brought immeasurable disaster to our country, so I think you have an obligation to make some amends."
"I don't think I've caused any trouble." Sophie replied with a sneer, "It's you who should have the headache, what does it have to do with me?"
"Do you want to see your daughter?" Metternich suddenly asked, "She is a very cute child and is very healthy now."
When it came to her daughter, Sophie could no longer maintain her composure.
"You have been in a high position for decades, and now you threaten others with a baby. Isn't it embarrassing? I'm ashamed of you!"
"Threat? No, I think this is a deal." Metternich replied coldly, "Tell me first, do you want to see her?"
"Is there a mother in the world who doesn't want to see her daughter!?" Sophie shouted back.
"Okay, then we have something to talk about." Metternich nodded gently, "Although Miss Kristelle is destined to be an illegitimate child who cannot see the light of day, let a mother be with her forever. It is indeed against humanity to separate our daughter, so if you are willing, I can make it easier for you to see her regularly."
The sudden excitement made Sophie suddenly breathe quickly.
But she knew it would never be a free lunch.
"How long is the period?" Sophie reluctantly calmed down and asked.
"Once a month, no more." Metternich thought for a while and then answered.
Then, he added, "In addition, this young lady will grow up in an environment where she has no worries about food and clothing. She will have people to serve her, and of course there will be people responsible for educating her - although we cannot give her the title of princess. , but it is not difficult to give the princess the education she deserves."
The more Metternich talked, the more excited Sophie became, and she could hardly control herself.
She knew that this was the best condition she could get for Chrisette under the current circumstances.
Her poor daughter would at least not become an ignorant waif.
Moreover, if I can see her regularly, no matter how short the time is, I can witness her growth...
Of course, she knew better that Metternich's promise was definitely not out of sympathy or respect for her, but must have his purpose.
"Okay, you just mentioned the deal, then tell me... what is the price? What do you want me to do?" She gritted her teeth and asked the other party, "If you want me to cooperate with you to murder Aigron, then I'm sorry. I will never agree."
"It's not that harsh. I don't like cruelty, my dear lady." Metternich spread his hands, and then replied quite coolly, "There is nothing I need you to do now. Let us wait quietly and see. Let’s see what happens next.”
