After solving the trouble of the secret police, Aiglon and Princess Sophie began to focus on the stage again. As the dramas were performed, they unknowingly arrived late at night - which also meant that it was time to leave.
It's time.
The two people walked out of the box, and then were escorted among the crowd of spectators and walked out of the theater.
After walking out of the door, the two of them looked back at the huge, brightly lit building behind them.
For some reason, Aigron felt that compared to him, there was more reluctance in the eyes of Her Royal Highness the Princess.
Perhaps, for her, this was not only a journey to fulfill a child's wish, but also an extremely novel experience.
Then they walked along the way they came, to the streets in the distance, and then got on the carriage.
"Aiglon, I'm sorry. Due to some reasons you know, I can't bring you here too often." Before the carriage started, Princess Sophie said to Aigron apologetically, "Maybe only once a week."
"It's okay. It's not easy to be able to do this. I can only thank you." Aigron replied respectfully.
He was not lying. After all, the frequency was higher than he originally expected. This shows that Her Royal Highness had indeed fought for him very wholeheartedly.
"I can see that you are a little tired. Why don't you take a rest on the carriage." Then, Aigron said considerately, "If you don't mind, you can lean on my shoulder. It will be more comfortable."
Her Royal Highness the Princess was stunned for a moment, then glared at him.
"Are you thinking about something else?"
"I just want to repay you a little bit." Aigron looked at her aggrievedly. "You have given me so many favors. If I can't repay you at all, it will not only make me pitiful, but also despicable, right?
...So, even if you let me do a little bit, it can make me feel at ease and make me feel that I am still a person of some use to you."
After hearing his sincere words, Her Royal Highness the Princess's eyes gradually softened.
"Humph. The French..."
In the end, she didn't agree or refuse, she just muttered something softly.
The carriage started slowly, then gradually accelerated, walking through the streets of Vienna along the way it came.
"If you continue like this, maybe it will be pretty good." After a long silence, Her Royal Highness the Princess whispered. "Don't be dragged down by the name and do what you want to do... Isn't this what many people dream of?"
"I admit that it does look beautiful. But...if all of this is based on relying on others, then there won't be much beauty at all." Aigron replied. "Others have given me everything, and they can also take away everything from me.
Everything, I...I can't live in the fear of being deprived of everything at any time, I must be my own master, not someone else's slave."
"Children always don't know how to cherish what they see, they imagine that they can do anything, and they don't regret it until they are hit on the head and bleeding." Her Highness the Princess complained softly, "Aiglon, I will give you what you want, stay here well.
Just be by my side..."
Perhaps because of sleepiness, her voice became longer and longer, with a thick nasal sound.
Just pretend you didn’t hear it? The topic seems a bit dangerous at this point.
But Aiglon still couldn't help but answer Her Highness the Princess's words. He had never been afraid to reveal his feelings to Her Highness, and there was no need to make an exception this time.
"You still treat me as a child, but I have grown up. You can't keep me at thirteen in your heart forever, and I can't do that either." Aigron looked out the car window with a little excitement, "I
I have my own way to go, so how can I rely on others for everything? Your Highness, I don’t know what I will become in the future, but I think I can grow into a person who can make you proud, so that you will never
Regret everything that has been devoted to me in the past and present..."
Then he stopped because he found that the princess had fallen asleep——
And she fell asleep on his shoulder.
Under the dim light of the lantern, Aigron could see her chest and abdomen rising and falling evenly due to her breathing. Her expression was quiet and gentle, which was completely different from the strong look she had in front of others.
Well, maybe it's a good thing to leave the subject here, he thought to himself.
Then, he remained motionless so that Her Royal Highness could complete the journey back to Schönbrunn Palace as comfortably as possible.
The night passed quietly, day came to the earth again, and Aiglon also returned to the real world from his wonderful journey at night.
This also means that he has returned to his usual rhythm of life.
As his body gradually recovered, the familiar rhythm of life returned, and he managed it all with ease, calmly accumulating useful knowledge and experience for himself in the future.
That afternoon, while he was still studying in his room, he suddenly heard an announcement that someone was coming to visit.
With doubts, Aigron followed the servant out of his room and came to the fountain, and then found that several people were already standing here.
These people were all wearing military uniforms, and he knew two of them - one was his teacher, Captain Foresti, and the other was his theoretical stepfather, Count Neipeg.
After seeing him coming, both of them looked at him, and Count Naipeg smiled at him and nodded.
Aiglon, who was full of doubts, continued to walk towards them, and then found that the posture of this group of people was quite particular - several people were surrounding a person in the middle.
As the distance got closer, he finally recognized the man surrounded in the middle - he was the younger brother of His Majesty the Emperor and the former commander-in-chief of the Austrian Imperial Army, Archduke Karl.
This Grand Duke has a dignified appearance and has always presented himself as a soldier, and today he is no exception.
He was wearing a white military uniform with a red sash, and on his chest was the Order of Honor Grand Cross Marie-Therese, the highest honorary medal of the Austrian Empire.
With his vigorous and vigorous steps, the diamonds on the medal also shone brightly, emitting a dazzling light.
There are many people in the world who are not worthy of their reputation and who deceive the world. There are especially many people in the royal family who are not worthy of their reputation, but this Archduke Karl is worthy of his full glory.
He was one of the best military commanders in the Austrian Empire and even at that time. He defeated the generals of the French Republic many times during the Revolution. Later, he was not frightened even against Napoleon. Under his command, the once weak Austrian army
He almost overthrew this arrogant emperor in 1809.
Although Austria was defeated by Napoleon many times, so Napoleon looked down upon the Austrian army, but he had a very high opinion of Archduke Karl himself, which shows his quality.
At this time, the Grand Duke also saw him, so his eyes fell on him.
This was a stern look without any ferocity, just like a commander reviewing his soldiers.
The two of them met very rarely. Because of his young age, Aigron didn't even have the chance to talk to him. At most, he was just an acquaintance.
But even so, Aigron did not have any stage fright. He walked calmly in front of the group of soldiers, then bowed and saluted the Grand Duke.
"Nice to meet you, Your Highness. Is it you who is calling me?"
The Grand Duke did not answer immediately, but looked at each other and nodded at the people around him.
"Yes, it's me who wants to see you." He replied in a serious tone, "Earl Naiperg said a lot of compliments to me before, which made me wonder if you are really worthy of him.
Congratulations, I happened to be here to meet His Majesty today, so I stopped by to take a look."
"Archduke Karl was once my commander-in-chief, and I followed him from life to death." After he finished speaking, Count Naipegg explained in a low voice, "Every time I return to Vienna, if there is a chance, I will look for an opportunity to visit him..."
Although the causes and consequences have been explained very clearly, for some reason, Aigron suddenly felt something subtle.
The last time I saw this "stepfather", they had a fight, and the count ended up saying a lot of incomprehensible words. And today he introduced Archduke Karl to see him. What is the meaning of this?
…
Of course, although he was confused in his heart, Aigron would not show his feelings on his face, but calmly faced this prestigious commander.
"Your Highness, as you can see, I am just an ordinary young man and I don't deserve much praise from others."
"For your age, it is extraordinary to be able to keep your composure and know how to be humble." The Grand Duke seemed to be in a good mood today and complimented him casually, "Of course, considering that you have that father, you just do this.
I’m afraid it’s still not enough at this point.”
"Thank you for your encouragement. I will work hard to become a person worthy of others' pride, Your Highness. But please forgive me, I don't live in this world to be worthy of being someone's son." Aigron was respectful but not lost.
Answered with dignity, "I respect my father, but that doesn't mean that I am a copy of him and I will live my life."
The Grand Duke was a little surprised and looked at him again.
"Oh, he is really a good, ambitious young man."
Then, he inadvertently changed the subject, "I heard that you have some resistance to serving in the Austrian army?"
"No, Your Highness, I am willing to do whatever it takes to defend this country." Aiglon shook his head heavily, "I just don't like to show my feelings by joining the army, and there are more ways than this in the world."
"Saving everything to defend Austria...?" The Archduke couldn't help laughing, and then looked at others, "God, I never thought I would hear this from a Bonaparte!"
"Your Highness, although I am a Frenchman, I am also an Austrian. I will never forget the favor I received here, nor will I forget the upbringing of the Habsburg family." Aigron looked at Karl.
The Grand Duke replied without changing his face or heart, "Because of this feeling, I can't imagine the day when Austria becomes unknown. Even becoming a second-rate country is unacceptable. The great Austria must be protected by God."
I have a place in the courtyard forever—and I, if necessary, will do my best to get it."
His tone was low, full of emotion and enthusiasm, so much so that he almost didn't know if he was lying.
Such emotional words quickly infected everyone around them. Although they were all sophisticated adults, everyone could not help but be moved by it at this moment.
Although they have different identities, they all went to the battlefield to defend the Austrian Empire. They were born in the hail of bullets and died. What they pursue is not only their own glory and wealth, but also for "Austria", a country that carries too much of their emotions. Therefore, in
On this topic, it is easier to get emotional.
"It seems that at least on this issue, we still have some consensus." After a moment of silence, the Grand Duke nodded, "Sir, no matter how sincere you are in saying these words, in short, I am very happy.