Eagle's Glory

After the defeat at the Battle of Wagram in 1809, although Archduke Karl was at a disadvantage, he still believed that he had the strength to continue fighting Napoleon. After all, the French army suffered huge casualties, and even Napoleon himself had lingering fears.

However, his elder brother, Emperor Franz, was tired of the war and finally chose to ask Napoleon for peace. Archduke Karl resigned angrily to His Majesty the Emperor, and was then frozen, unable to command the Austrian army anymore.

Later, Napoleon began to go downhill, suffered repeated setbacks in Spain and Russia, and was eventually wiped out by European countries. The commander-in-chief of the Allied Forces in the Battle of Leipzig was his former chief of staff, Prince Schwarzenberg. It is conceivable that without this The scene is turbulent, the commander-in-chief should be the emperor's younger brother.

Archduke Karl, who was idle, could only watch the most dazzling star of this era fall, but he did nothing in it. As a soldier and a commander, this is almost an unbearable torment.

Even now, more than a decade later, he still seems aggrieved.

Aigron could understand the Archduke's depressed mood, but with his complicated position, it seemed that something was wrong with him at the moment, so he simply chose to remain silent.

After all, to ask him to go on complimenting the Grand Duke that he was stronger than Napoleon or the Duke of Wellington would be a little too condescending, and might be met with contempt.

It's a pity that although he didn't want to take over, Grand Duke Karl continued to look at him.

"I know, from your standpoint, you may naturally be more inclined to Napoleon. I must admit that I hated him, but as a colleague, I also respect him very much, which is almost the same as the Duke of Wellington. We I used to be an opponent, but I can see the flashes of genius from him, and it is such an honor for this generation to fight against him. My only regret is that I have never been able to fight like him. He is the one and only master of a nation, The people follow him with eyes closed, he can squander the lives of the French - just as he did in 1809 - and I can only watch my honor being stripped from my hands, if It would definitely be different if I could be as free as he is!"

Seeing Archduke Karl's serious look, Aigron couldn't help laughing in his heart.

Although he is so old, he seems stubborn like a child when it comes to this issue - yes, men can be lenient on any issue, but they will never give up an inch on the topic they cherish most.

"I think it is a very naive behavior to put aside all the factors of war and simply discuss the level of the general's personal ability. War is not chess, and there is a king and queen. The vulgar opinions of the world cannot be used to judge you. Your peers will definitely recognize your abilities and talents."

Aigron looked at each other and replied seriously, "Objectively speaking, your record is not as good as that of Napoleon and Wellington, and their honor is beyond your reach; but as you said, the complicated factors There are too many, some of which are not your responsibility, and your formation and command on the battlefield have greatly admired them both, and your writings are equally valuable."

"Have you read my article?" Archduke Karl asked back.

"Yes, your "On the Tactics of Generals", my teacher once asked me to read it, which is part of my studies." Aigron smiled, "Also, I may need to thank you for your defeat in 1809, Because of that defeat, my grandfather decided to seek peace with the French, and finally agreed to Napoleon’s marriage proposal, so I exist—otherwise I would not have the honor to listen to your teachings today!”

Hahahaha... The Grand Duke was stunned at first, and then couldn't help laughing. "It's not bad at all."

"Are you his military teacher?" He turned to look at Captain Foresty. "You seem to be teaching him well."

"Your Highness is talented, and he is an outstanding student I have never met before." Captain Foresty lowered his head and replied respectfully.

"Yes, it's pretty good." He looked at Aigron again, and then nodded, "After all, that person is extraordinary, even the species left behind are a little different. It's a pity that he finished his empire, Otherwise, it makes people look forward to what you can do."

"It may be a good thing for me not to be an emperor. I am not interested in carrying the desire of a nation like him, and I don't want to squander the lives of a nation. Maybe I will live quietly in a corner as an old pedant It's more suitable for me." Aigron still smiled, and sank all his true emotions to the bottom of the heart lake, "The way to make achievements in the world is not just to be an emperor, do you think so?"

"Having said that, in my opinion, it's more enjoyable to be an emperor, let alone an empire, and my younger brother can also manipulate it at will." Grand Duke Karl muttered, and everyone pretended not to hear the phrase "slandering the emperor" .

At this moment, Grand Duke Karl raised his hand, beckoned from a distance, and then greeted. "it's here!"

Aigron subconsciously followed his gestures, and then found a light figure pacing out of the botanical garden, slowly walking towards them.

Soon, he discovered that it was a girl in a light blue dress, with long brown hair pinned behind her head with a butterfly-shaped jeweled barrette.

She looks to be about the same age as Aigron, with a pale complexion and a slender figure. The willow-leaf eyebrows and slender eyelashes make her eyes big and shiny. Her taupe eyes are looking at the group of people on the Grand Duke's side, examining them .

In her right hand she holds a sketchbook.It seems that there has been a lot of harvest in the botanical garden just now.

"Frantz, this is my daughter, Teresa." After she came over, Grand Duke Karl glanced at Aigron, "You should have met a long time ago, when I brought her here—but I I guess you don't remember."

He really didn't remember either.

And judging from the other party's eyes, Aigron was also sure that he had never left any impression on her.

Aegron bowed to the girl.

"Nice to meet you, Her Royal Highness Princess Teresa."　　

28, Teresa

[The Archduke Karl seems to have the meaning of "what is the family if the emperor is not destroyed" in history. Although he is very old, he has never been married. Princess Henrietta of the Nassau-Weilburg family married and had their first child in 1815, five years younger than Napoleon's son.

In this work, it is assumed that he got married a few years earlier, and then his eldest daughter Teresa was born in the same year as the protagonist in 1811, only one month younger, which can be regarded as a small fluctuation in the historical line...]

"Nice to meet you, Her Royal Highness Princess Teresa."

Princess Teresa, who was staring at the young man, did not change her expression, but also slightly bowed to him.

"Nice to meet you, Duke Reichstedt."

Her voice was much more mellow than that of girls of the same age, but there was also a hint of indifference.

Then, her eyes moved to her father.

"Sorry for keeping 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." Grand Duke Karl looked at his daughter and smiled dotingly, without any airs in front of everyone just now.

Then, he walked up to his daughter, and took the sketchbook in her hand, "Let me see my daughter's masterpiece!"

Taking advantage of the time when the father and daughter were enjoying themselves, Aigron quietly approached his stepfather, Earl Nepeg.

"Sir, although I have probably guessed a little bit, I still beg you to explain-what is going on now?"

"That's what you guessed." Earl Nepeg replied in a low voice, "Relying on my past friendship, I tried my best to intercede with the Grand Duke, and finally got him to agree to see you and let you know his daughter. But We can only go so far, so please work hard on your own."

"Is this the so-called compensation?" Aigron asked again.

"If you are willing to understand it that way, then that's fine." Earl Nepeg nodded, "In addition, your mother is also very supportive of this matter and has worked very hard to speak before His Majesty the Emperor. In fact, this is why we are here. And came back. I tell you this, I hope you can calm down the resentment in your heart a little bit, she is not so unconcerned about you. "

She thought that being able to become in-laws with Grand Duke Karl would satisfy her vanity... Aigron wanted to complain but didn't say it.

A man should have a clear distinction between grievances and grievances. Since she took the initiative to plan for herself this time, the objective motive is no longer important, and she should really be grateful.

"Then I acknowledge 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 such things now, I am still young."

"You are indeed still young, but it is 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 Nepeg replied in a low voice, "Grand Duke Karl Inheriting the property of the Duke of Cieszyn, the wealth of this ancient family has 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 Teresa so much will definitely prepare for Her Royal Highness. A large dowry is enough for her and her son-in-law to live a rich and worry-free life—and, with the status of Grand Duke Karl in the Habsburg family, if you really become a son-in-law, then your other treatment will definitely be the same. Big difference."

Yes, in this age, or all ages, when the elders consider marriage for the younger generation, they are based on such realistic considerations-after all, love always has a shelf life, and it will fade after the expiration; gold is not, forever It is so shining.

"Your Highness, please don't forget my advice to you last time." At this moment, Captain Foresty, who had been silent all this time, also spoke. "This is definitely a good opportunity for you, you should act, and act fast! Such an excellent and suitable partner, once missed, it will be difficult to find again. You have seen that she is good-looking and so rich Princess...what else do you need to hesitate?"

Aigron remained silent, quietly listening to the persuasion of his stepfather and teacher.

He knew that they said these words purely out of their own considerations, and he should be grateful for the kindness in every sense and reason.

But that doesn't mean he has to do what they say.

If he considers staying in Austria for a long time, it might really be an excellent choice. After all, Earl Nepeg's words are reasonable, and he can seek better treatment by getting married.

However, things in the world are not so wishful thinking-who stipulated that Princess Teresa would definitely favor herself?Maybe my own gallantry was just a waste of effort.

Besides, I never thought of staying here at all, let alone try this way.

However, he buried these thoughts deeply in his heart and did not express them.

"Thank you for your kindness——I will consider it." He calmly replied to the two people, "However, I think some things cannot be forced, and I am not a very ideal son-in-law candidate for the Grand Duke, after all I can say nothing."

"You don't have to be so self-deprecating." Earl Nepeg shook his head. "From my point of view, you have many lovable qualities. In addition, I can see that Grand Duke Karl is very satisfied with your performance just now. I know him well. There are not many people who can agree with him in his lifetime. 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 approvingly. "If Napoleon's son marries the daughter of Archduke Karl, it will be a historic event, and the whole of Europe will be amazed."

Aigron could only smile wryly at their imagination, after all, such wishful thinking is meaningless.

At this moment, he found that Grand Duke Karl was walking towards him, so he interrupted the conversation and set his sights on the Grand Duke.

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 flipped through it.

Every page is painted with plants, which are very detailed, and it can be seen that each stroke is carefully drawn, and the basic skills are also very good.

"The painting is very good." He praised casually, and there was no other answer anyway.

"Then please return it to me..." At this time, Princess Teresa suddenly walked up to him, and then 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 smiled and handed the sketchbook back to the other party, "I hope I didn't disturb you."

"It doesn't matter." Princess Teresa shook her head, "Anyway, the painting is finished."

The two were silent.

"Your Highness, shall we go over there to rest?" Naipeg suddenly suggested to the Grand Duke, "I still have some questions to ask you—"

"Okay." Archduke Karl shrugged, "Don't bother the young old men, let them talk by themselves."

When the earl left, he gave Egron a wink, as if urging him to take action.

Yet Aegron remained silent as they walked away.

First, he has no motivation to please the other party; second, he doesn't know how to please the other party at all.

Although it was only the first time we met, from the few words the princess said, it could be seen that she was introverted and not easy to get along with.

The two were relatively speechless, the princess lowered her eyes slightly, unable to see what was in her mind.

It seems that such an awkward silence is not a solution, so Aigron had to speak reluctantly.

"I'm sorry if you find this embarrassing for you. My mother and stepfather were overzealous in this matter, and 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 There will be other arrangements, so I can understand you."

"Why do you say that?" Aigron was a little surprised.

"My father is very old, so I hope to see that I have a future to rely on earlier, so that he can rest assured." Princess Teresa replied in a low voice, "So I have already prepared to be brought to see people by him. Mentally prepared, relatively speaking, it's not my worst scenario right now."

"That means it's already very bad, right?" Eggron asked with a smile. "I'm probably a little bit self-aware, too."

"That's not what I meant..." Teresa shook her head hastily, "I just said...it's embarrassing."

"It's okay, you're not the only one who thinks so." Aigron nodded.

There was another brief pause in the conversation.

"Actually, Your Highness, I admire you a little bit." After a moment of silence, Princess Teresa said suddenly.

"Why do you say that?" Aigron was surprised.

"I heard my father say that you refused to serve in the army because you prefer words. He has some opinions on this, but I... I think it is rare for you to persist in your own will under such a difficult situation "Princess Teresa looked at the boy calmly, "Besides, 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 disgusted with the smell of blood. Enthusiasm, compared with guns, I think words are more comfortable."

"Really...?" Eggron 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 regard?" Princess Teresa asked.

"Although I don't have much confidence in my talents in this area, I think I will try." Aigron replied happily.

"How are you going to try?" Teresa asked curiously.

"Forgive me for keeping this a secret." Aigron shook his head with a smile, "If I fail, 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." Princess Teresa was shocked at first, and then the corner of her mouth moved slightly. "Okay, then I wish you success, maybe it will give me some encouragement and let me know that people like us are not just props."

"No, I'm the prop, and you are destined to have a wonderful life." Aigron spread his hands openly, "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 with your mother Same, same obligation.”

"Then I sincerely hope that when you do your duty, you will have better luck than my mother." Aigron nodded and said sincerely to the other party.

"Your Highness, I believe that your current situation is unfair and unreasonable. It lacks the magnanimity 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 All good luck." Princess Teresa bowed to him again to show her farewell, "The disputes of the ancestors have long gone with the wind, and maybe we can also become friends because of hobbies."

"I hope so." Eggron also waved her goodbye.　　

29, plan

As the two people saluted each other and bid farewell, their first encounter ended lightly and happily.

Aigron watched Teresa leave with a smile, and then found that the group of seniors in military uniforms had returned.

"The disputes of the ancestors have long gone with the wind." Princess Teresa's words just now are still in my ears, but have they really disappeared?

Unfortunately, as far as he is concerned, there are still too many people who can't forget him. Depending on their standpoint, they either hate and fear, or they are full of expectations.

As long as these fears and longings remain, the name Bonaparte is not yet politically dead, and he has room to change everything.

"It seems that you two had a pleasant chat." Grand Duke Karl's words interrupted his thoughts, "Sir, what's your impression of Teresa?"

"She's very cute." ——Aigron originally wanted to give such a compliment politely, but under the scrutiny of the other party, he found it difficult for him to fool people with this kind of scene, so he said it Bian changed his mouth again.

"She's special."

"Yes, Teresa is a bit special." The Grand Duke nodded, and then seemed to have a headache, "I don't need others to tell me, she is a bit introverted, and sometimes what she says is quite embarrassing. Too pampered and spoiled... But I can proudly say that she is a good child."

Yeah?Every spoiled kid gets told that by their parents.

But on Teresa's point, Aigron agreed with the Grand Duke very much.

"Your Highness has a very good heart and treats people with sincerity. He may sometimes say something unscrupulously, but I don't think it's a fault, it's just that he is not good at communication." He praised Teresa cautiously and politely.

"That's right, I think so too." Grand Duke Karl agreed with his evaluation and nodded again and again.

After finishing speaking, he suddenly reached out and patted Aigron on the shoulder.