While Pushkin was looking forward to sharing his joy with his friends, in distant Austria, several unprepossessing carriages were speeding along the country roads and finally stopped outside a small castle.
This castle is of ordinary style, because it is located in a secluded location and has a simple appearance, like a monastery.
Right next to it, a small river flows through it. Some stones are sparsely exposed in the river. The water waves hit these stones, scattered into tassels, and sparkling ripples flashing under the sunlight. Water lilies and rushes decorate both sides of the river like exquisite tapestries, and then gradually spread all the way around the castle, adding a bit of loneliness to it.
This scenic castle was a property of the Austrian government and was assigned to the War Ministry, which in turn opened it into an Invalides for soldiers who were wounded and homeless during the war.
In the silence, the carriage door was opened, and then Archduke Karl and several adjutants around him walked out.
After getting off the carriage, the Grand Duke did not approach the castle immediately. Instead, he looked at the building and the scenery next to it from a distance, and then he couldn't help but frown.
As a former army commander, even though he has retired now, he still visits his old subordinates everywhere. Naturally, he has been to the Invalides many times, gathering with disabled veterans and trying his best to satisfy their needs. Daily needs.
Every time he came here, his mood was quite complicated, and just last year, at about the same time as today, he brought that young man here with him.
A year has passed, and the scenery here is still pleasant, but my mood has not returned to the past.
Looking back, I took him to visit the Invalides and took him to toast with the veterans. His demeanor and performance at that time not only earned the respect of the veterans here, but also secretly recognized him.
That young man was not only smart and handsome, but what was rare was that even in situations he was not familiar with, he was able to remain calm and respond appropriately without losing his normal demeanor.
From that time on, he was ready to carefully train this future son-in-law, use his own prestige to support him, and make him a pillar of the next generation of the empire.
Who could have imagined that within a few months, he would repay his expectations in that way!
If only you didn't bother with so many things! When he thought of this, he couldn't help but curse in his heart.
Recently, everything about that young man has become a bleeding wound in his heart, and he can't help but get angry every time he thinks about it.
There's no point in just sulking secretly. He didn't come here specifically just to see things and miss people.
Archduke Karl took a few deep breaths to calm down, and then led his entourage to the castle.
Just like every time he came to inspect before, the management staff in the castle had already prepared themselves to welcome him.
Captain Ferdinand Henchy, who served as the dean of the Invalids, took the lead and came to the Grand Duke and saluted with a cool military salute.
"Your Highness, welcome!"
Although his limbs were intact, the captain had a shocking scar on his face, which spread from the back of his head covered in brown hair to the corners of his mouth, which looked really scary.
However, everyone present has been in the military for many years and is used to seeing all kinds of human tragedies, so no one felt uncomfortable.
The serious injury did not destroy Captain Hench's innate sense of humor. He smiled almost every day - even if his smile looked a little scary because of the scar.
"Long time no see, Hench." Archduke Karl nodded coldly to the other party. "Is everything okay here?"
"Thanks to you, everything is going well... If there is any problem, everyone is a little busy." The captain replied with a smile, "Even playing poker makes me a little unmotivated now. The thought of It will be very difficult for me to live like this for several more decades.”
Archduke Karl was noncommittal and just looked around, seemingly observing the operation of the facilities here and the mental state of the veterans.
"It's been a year since I last came here..." After a while, the Grand Duke seemed quite satisfied with the situation here, so he looked back again, and then let out a long sigh. "I've had too many things to worry about these days, so I can only take the time to come here today. If you need help with anything, just let me know."
Captain Hench had been observing the Grand Duke's expression, and he quickly answered. "For us, it is our greatest honor that you can come. Who can ask you to do more? We only hope that you can recover from the shadow as soon as possible."
After a moment, he whispered again, "Are you so unhappy because coming here reminds you of Duke Leichstadt? You brought him here last time..."
Archduke Karl did not answer, but glanced at the other party, and this sharp glance made the captain suddenly become silent, and he did not dare to say anything anymore.
The awkward silence didn't last long. Archduke Karl's brows widened, and then he said coldly. "Do you remember him?"
"That's natural! There are not many noble people who are willing to come to our place. How could we not remember it? What's more, he is that person's son." Captain Hench replied.
Then, he didn't dare to say any more.
Last time, Archduke Karl brought Duke Lechstadt with him. He was surprised and saw that the archduke wanted to get closer to the young man and them. Then he heard from people around the archduke that Lechstadt Duke Tate was about to become the Grand Duke's son-in-law... Although he was surprised, he couldn't help but think that this was a good thing, so he secretly blessed the young man.
Who would have thought, but things turned out like this in the end...
Although they were in such a remote place and the information flow was not smooth, they had heard about the explosive incident.
Naturally, they were all very shocked and disappointed. No one knew how poor Princess Teresa should deal with herself.
But now that things have happened, what can they do?
He felt quite sympathetic to the Grand Duke in his heart, but he didn't dare to say it out loud, so he could only smile awkwardly.
Of course, Archduke Karl could see what the major was thinking. He was very happy that the major knew what was appropriate, but the more he was sympathized with by the major, the more depressed and anxious he became.
"You seem to be very well-informed." Archduke Karl smiled coldly, "Then do you know what he is doing now?"
"I know, he seems to have gone to Greece, as if he wants to raise the flag of justice and help the locals win independence or something...Hey! This is really a child's trick! His Highness looked so mature that day, but I didn't expect that he was still a bit young. Human blood and blindness," Captain Henchy shrugged, then answered. "Don't get me wrong, we didn't deliberately inquire about this news, it's just that it has already spread outside. Even if we are isolated from the world, there will always be some news..."
"Yes." Archduke Karl nodded slightly and stopped Captain Hench.
His expression suddenly became a little unpredictable, and Captain Hench became a little nervous, fearing that what he had just said had accidentally offended this royal family member.
Fortunately, this strange silence did not last long, as Archduke Karl suddenly took the topic in another direction.
"Congratulations, Ferdinand Henchy," he whispered.
Captain Hench opened his eyes in confusion and looked at the other party in confusion, "What are you congratulating me for...?"
"From now on, you are no longer a captain, you are a major." Archduke Karl looked at the other party seriously, and then said flatly, "Congratulations on your promotion, major."
Captain Hench was stunned. He didn't expect that he, who was serving as the dean of the Legion of Invalids in a ghost place forgotten by the world, just waiting to die of old age with a group of disabled veterans, would suddenly be honored today when his career had long ended. Lift.
It's a good thing, but it's so good that it seems like a joke.
But since this came from the mouth of Archduke Karl, it must not be a joke.
Obviously, to be able to stay in such a ghost place and still get promoted, someone must have interceded behind the scenes——
As for who it is... there's no need to guess.
"Uh...thank you...thank you for taking care of me!" Captain Hench - of course, now Major Hench, broke away from the surprise, and then expressed his gratitude to the Archduke with a smile on his face.
"It's just that you have been promoted to one rank. There is no need to thank me like this." The Grand Duke shook his head calmly, "You just complained to me that life is too boring, then I have to say that after you become a major, your life will continue to be like this. "
The Grand Duke's words were like a basin of cold water, instantly dousing Major Hench's ecstasy.
Yes, let alone becoming a major, what would happen even if he became a general? It’s not like I can only stay in this place.
When he thought of this, he couldn't help but feel a little downcast, but he still smiled reluctantly and replied, "At least it will be more face-saving to speak out..."
"Then haven't you ever thought about finding some new fun?" Archduke Karl suddenly asked again.
This question stunned Major Hench again.
He was keenly aware of a strange aura - Archduke Karl came here for an inspection today, and his behavior was completely different from before. He also specially promoted himself to a military rank... No matter what, something was going to happen.
He is a straightforward person, even when facing Archduke Karl, he would rather be straightforward.
"I understand...then just tell me, what do you want to do?" Major Hench lowered his voice, and then moved closer to the Grand Duke, "Your Highness, you have taken good care of us for many years, and I have always been I’m all grateful for your kindness, and I will do whatever you ask me to do.”
"Okay." Archduke Karl also nodded and stopped following him in circles. "You, take a few more brothers you trust, go to the Duke of Lechstadt, and give him some help for the time being."
As soon as he finished speaking, Major Hench opened his eyes wide and looked at Archduke Karl in disbelief.
"This... this..." He was almost incoherent.
It took him a long time to digest this shocking order, but the doubts in his heart still drove him to ask, "Your Highness...why are you still helping him? Didn't he...didn't he abandon Princess Theresa and run away?" ?"
This question was like a sharp sword piercing his body, causing Archduke Karl's face to twitch.
"I really want to sever any relationship with him, but who asked me to raise a stupid girl? She doesn't care about the ridicule of others, she still insists on the engagement, and now she has gone to that little guy!" He said almost through gritted teeth. . "Teresa wrote to ask us for help. My wife is soft-hearted, so she keeps urging me..."
Major Hench was suddenly shocked again.
But he finally understood the situation.
"No wonder... no wonder..." He nodded and looked at his former commander-in-chief with sympathetic eyes, "I have always envied those men with families, but now it seems that each has his own troubles..."
This sentence seemed to touch Archduke Karl's heartstrings. "You're lucky, you don't have a wife or daughter to cause you trouble all day long."
After complaining, he returned to his normal seriousness. "Although you people are still in the military, no one has noticed you for a long time. Even if you leave here temporarily, no one knows. In addition, you and Duke Leichstadt have a relationship, I think Wait, if you want to send someone, you are the most suitable - Hench, tell me, are you able to accept this task?"
Major Hench lowered his head and did not answer immediately.
"Will Your Highness be an enemy of our country?" He then asked in a low voice.
"Who knows the future? But at least for now, he is not an enemy of our country, and he will not endanger anyone. He is just my daughter's favorite person now, and is my future son-in-law... If something happens to him, my daughter What should I do? Should I be a widow at such a young age?" Archduke Karl frowned, then gritted his teeth and said, "I have a lot of dissatisfaction with him in my heart, but at least he can't die now."
After finishing speaking, he looked at Major Hench again, as if waiting for the other party's response.
Major Hench was still hesitating. He was not prepared at all for this sudden request, so he was completely confused when it came to the matter.
Soon, he began to weigh intensely in his mind, hesitating about which choice he should make.
As far as his true feelings were concerned, he had been seriously injured in the previous war, and his many years of military service had already made him tired of war; however, on the other hand, Archduke Karl had been very kind to him, and he wanted to repay him. He was already tired of living in seclusion in this remote castle.
Maybe it would be nice to have some fun?
The sight of Archduke Karl made him finally make up his mind.
"I should obey your orders." He replied in a low voice.
And this answer also exhausted all his current strength, and he seemed to be exhausted.
"Very good." Archduke Karl nodded, "When everything is over, you can come back and continue to be your dean of the Invalids. Remember, none of this has anything to do with you and me."
"Yes!" Major Hench replied, holding out his chest.
Then he couldn't help but ask again. "If your Royal Highness's affairs are exposed, aren't you afraid that your reputation will be damaged?"
"Fame? Who cares!" Archduke Karl smiled coldly, "At this point, people who should know will always know. Let them do whatever they want. It has nothing to do with me. I just want my daughter to live well. !”
