Agron's sudden move caught Teresa off guard at first.
Because of her shyness, she instinctively wanted to retreat, but after just a moment, she gave up her subconscious resistance and closed her eyes to welcome His Highness's active kiss.
The touch from her lips and tongue made it difficult for her to breathe, and her legs became weak. She reached out and hugged the boy to gain the strength and courage to continue standing.
So, under the bright lights, the boy and the girl kissed each other.
It was so quiet around them, no one disturbed their time here.
However, no matter how good the time is, it will pass. I don’t know how long it will take before the two of them are separated again.
Aigron looked at Teresa, and she happened to be looking at him. Looking at the blushing fair face, he felt a little regretful for his rash actions.
"Teresa, I'm sorry...I was obsessed just now."
"It's okay, no need to apologize, Your Highness." Teresa shook her head slightly, saying that she didn't mind, "Anyway... there will be such a day anyway, there is nothing wrong with arriving early."
When she said this, her eyes were shining, and she was obviously looking forward to and imagining the future life of the two of them.
Aigron's heart couldn't help but hesitate again.
What on earth did I do? What kind of blow will Teresa receive in a few days, and how will she get through it?
He didn't know how to face these problems, so in order to relieve the anxiety in his heart, he took the initiative to speak.
"Teresa, I'm really grateful to you. Your favor for me gave me a lot of courage and a lot of help. I finally believed that I was not without a way out. Just like in the dark night when the storm falls.
The lost merchant ship finally saw the lone light of the lighthouse in the distant skyline." He whispered, "I finally decided that God would give me a great destiny... I must do something worthy of being remembered by mankind.
, so as to live up to my name.”
His tone was deep and filled with emotion. Teresa, who didn't know what was going on, quickly continued to encourage him.
"Your Highness, don't be confused anymore, close your eyes and move forward! I will accompany you. I am also very happy to walk hand in hand with you to help you complete the mission given by God, no matter what difficulties and obstacles you face,
I believe there is nothing we can't overcome... I just ask you to always trust me and take my suggestions to heart. Your life will enter a new stage, and I will be the one who can eliminate difficulties for you!
"
"Yes... I am about to enter a new stage of my life, so I also need to say goodbye to too many things." Aigron nodded and smiled, and then changed the subject, "In two days, I will go to the theater to meet Her Highness Sophie.
, where I will formally say goodbye to her, and I can no longer maintain the previous relationship with her."
Although she was very happy about this, Teresa still chose to give in when she saw the young man's slightly depressed expression.
"If you feel uncomfortable, you can wait. It doesn't have to be so fast." Teresa lowered her head and replied softly, trying not to let her annoyance and resentment leak out, "I understand your feelings for her, so
I will not force you, at least there is still time now, I...I will endure it, after all, Her Highness Sophie has the right to get back some of what she has given."
"No, sometimes once a decision is made, it must be done as soon as possible. Delaying the time will only cause everyone trouble and pain." Aigron shook his head stubbornly, "Teresa, I'll wait.
No more, I don’t want to let myself hesitate any longer, I must have the courage to do what I think is right - no matter what the cost."
Your Highness will stay with me wholeheartedly!
Teresa's heart was suddenly filled with joy, and she felt excited and fortunate for His Highness's "decision".
But she also knew that His Highness must not be feeling well at the moment, so she did not show any joy. She just leaned on His Highness's shoulder and used herself to add a little warmth to His Highness.
"I testify to God that you will not regret it..." She solemnly promised, "No matter what she has given you, I will give it to you ten times a hundred times. God asks us to respect and love our own."
Husband, I will spend the rest of my life fulfilling this obligation. So Your Highness, please stop being so sad, because I will feel uncomfortable when I see it."
After a pause, she added another sentence. "You can take time to say goodbye during the holidays. I will take care of it here and won't disturb you. You can explain it clearly to her and convey my apology to her...
Although she will definitely still hate me."
Although she said so, Theresa had no apology for Sophie in her heart. After all, in her opinion, Sophie was just spoiled since she was a child, so she acted willfully and only cared about her own happiness and the future of His Highness.
Just kidding, she finally turned the situation around and didn't let His Highness ruin his future because of Sophie.
However, now that the matter has come to an end, there is nothing wrong with giving in appropriately and showing a little more magnanimity.
Sophie may take revenge on herself in the future, but so what? She won't be afraid.
As the two people wandered hand in hand in the palace, time passed by little by little, and finally night fell and Christmas Eve came.
Aiglon and Theresa returned to the palace hall together, and by this time, the rest of the family members of Archduke Karl's family had already gathered.
They were all dressed in formal attire, and the children, big or small, were all dressed very formally to welcome the most important festival of the year.
A Christmas tree has been placed in the center of the hall. The Christmas tree is covered with all kinds of gift boxes and decorations. It shines brightly against the bright light of the chandelier.
"Are you having fun shopping?" Princess Henrietta asked with a smile when the two children came back.
"You had a great time shopping, Your Highness," Aiglon replied.
"Yes, at your age, you will always be happy when you are alone." Henrietta looked understanding and nodded gently, "Although I have to disturb your fun now, it doesn't matter, you will have plenty of time in the future.
Tired of being together..."
"Mom!" Teresa was a little shy and couldn't help but protest to her mother.
"You know I always say whatever I think." Henrietta smiled and winked at her daughter, "I suggest you do the same in the future, Teresa, it will make your life a lot easier.
.”
Then, she walked to the Christmas tree and waved to the children, "Okay, everyone, come over!"
The children responded to their mother's call and walked under the Christmas tree one after another. Then they raised their heads and looked at their father and mother with expectant eyes, waiting for their mother to give them Christmas gifts. Of course, Aigron and Teresa also stood there.
There, but he didn't care about that, he was just responding to the occasion.
But he received an unexpected courtesy.
"The first gift is for our Highness Franz, who is now the oldest child here." Henrietta continued to smile, then picked a gift box from the Christmas tree and handed it to Aigron.
, "Your Highness, please accept it."
"Thank you!" Aigron responded, then reached out and took the gift box.
According to custom, he opened the gift box in front of her.
Then he was surprised to find that there was actually a medal inside the box.
Then he quickly recognized it. It was the highest medal of honor in the empire - the Grand Cross of Maria Theresa, which was the medal that Archduke Karl wore on his chest when the two met for the first time.
This medal has a golden frame, and the four sides of the cross are inlaid with fine diamonds. In the middle is the red, white, and red Austrian flag inlaid with diamonds and rubies.
It can be seen that it has gone through years of precipitation, and there are some fine cracks on the surface, but it still shines under the light.
Although he didn't care whether the gift was expensive or not, he was still a little surprised at this time.
"This is our gift to you, Franz." Archduke Karl finally spoke, "For a person of my age, the honor I once had is meaningless, and I don't need to use it to remember my experience;
But it's different for you young people. You need to chase honors, and you need to always remind yourself to fight for the empire - I hope you will regard it as my expectation and encourage yourself all the time. Of course, this is not your medal.
, you can’t wear it in public now, but I believe that as long as you act as I expect, you will eventually have your own one - and at that time, you can give it back to me.
, if I still exist in the world."
Looking at the grand duke's face full of expectations, Aigron felt a little ashamed for a moment.
He lowered his gaze slightly to avoid the other person's eyes, and then nodded slightly.
"I will make myself worthy of your expectations, Your Highness. This is my unshirkable obligation. One day, I will amaze the whole of Europe. I have no doubt about it."
The corners of Archduke Karl's mouth moved slightly, revealing an unidentifiable smile. Then he raised his hand and patted the young man's shoulder heavily.
"In that case, you have to hurry up. God knows how many years I have left to live. Wouldn't it be a pity if I couldn't see that day with my own eyes!"
"Dad! Why do you keep saying things like this on a wonderful Christmas Eve!" Teresa couldn't help but protest, "You are still very young, and we still need your care and guidance for a long time!"
"What? You still want me to protect you all the time? Please spare me." Archduke Karl shrugged. "If you really want to let me live a few more years, just let me worry less. Don't bother me anymore."
, I just want to rest.”
Even so, how could he let go of his beloved daughter?
"Okay, Theresa, this gift is for you." Henrietta picked up another gift box and handed it to Theresa.
Teresa took the gift box, opened it, and found a gem pendant inside.
The pendant's chain is inlaid with rubies and sapphires, arranged in alternating order, and at the bottom of the pendant, an emerald.
This emerald has been carefully carved and displays a deep and gentle dark green color under the light, making people's hearts flutter at the first sight.
"This is the jewelry that your great-grandmother Queen Teresa once used. She gave it to her daughter, the Grand Duke's adoptive mother, and then it was passed down to us." Henrietta explained to her daughter with a smile, "Now
You have grown up, and we decided to give it to you - although you are not lucky enough to be the queen, we wish you to be as kind and happy as her in the future. Theresa, we hope you will not live up to this name.
, work hard.”
"Thank you, Mom!"
Girls are naturally fond of jewelry. When she heard that it was such a big deal, Teresa felt even more joyful.
Her face was full of energy and her eyes were full of girlish charm. Today can be said to be the happiest day in her short life.
She glanced secretly at the young man next to her.
His Highness is handsome, versatile, and no worse than the Duke of Lorraine, so... although there is no throne waiting for him, what else do he need to be demanding? As long as two people manage the future with their heart, they will definitely be able to live the same life as that person.
The great-grandmother of the same name lived a happy life.
That queen married the Duke of Lorraine, and then her descendants continued to use the Habsburg surname; but I am more happy to be the matron of the Bonaparte family and continue this great surname with His Highness...
The girl thought about the future and was as fascinated as if she was drunk.
While she was wandering away, Henrietta also gave gifts to her other children one by one.
Then, everyone came to the dining table together to prepare for dinner.
In order to celebrate Christmas, the table has already been filled with festive food, including cakes, Christmas puddings, mince pies, etc. There is also red wine on the table. Because the other children are still young, they only have juice in front of them.
.
The family members sat down one after another, and then looked at Archduke Karl on the main seat.
The Grand Duke picked up his wine glass and shouted.
"By the grace of the Lord!"
"By the grace of the Lord!" Others also shouted, then picked up the cup and drank the drink in their mouths.
Then, the children headed by Teresa began to sing Christmas mass songs together.
Although it is a little out of tune, the voices of girls and children are mixed together, and it sounds full of sacred and ethereal spirit.
Aigron didn't sing, he just responded with his mouth open, but at this time he couldn't help but be immersed in this family atmosphere.
This was an experience he had never had in Schönbrunn Palace.
This is how Archduke Karl has been getting along with his children for many years - to be honest, it's really enviable.
So, it would be great if I had so many children in the future... He thought to himself.
While he was meditating silently, Henrietta suddenly looked at the young man sitting upright.
"Children, not long after, His Highness will officially become one of our family members. This is your honor, because you have a talented brother to rely on." She said, smiling and nodding at the young man.
, motioning for him to stand up. "Although His Highness has just entered our lives now, from now on, you must respect him as you would your elder brother, without any disrespect. Do you understand?"
"Understood!" The children looked up at the young man standing in front of them, and then answered one after another.
The young man felt that these innocent sights full of admiration were more dazzling than the bright lights, and for a moment he couldn't open his eyes.
Fortunately, he didn't have to endure it for too long, and Henrietta soon gave him another look, indicating that he could sit down.
"Well, Merry Christmas." Father and mother raised their glasses.