With the snow falling continuously in the sky and the dim sky that is about to fall into the night, Christmas Eve in 1838 is coming.
This snow has been falling for several days, and the coverage is quite large, covering almost the entire Vienna and its surrounding areas. Naturally, the same is true for those manors located in the suburbs.
Snow covered the roads and forests everywhere, turning the entire land into a vast white ocean. Only a few manor buildings stood tenaciously in this ocean, like black rocks decorating it, and the snow also made
These unattractive buildings appear even more isolated from the world.
At this time, a blond young man wearing a black dress stood quietly in front of the floor-to-ceiling window of a country villa.
Behind him, a blazing fire was burning in the fireplace. The firewood brought warmth to the room, and the soft crackling sound also made the room no longer dead silent.
He remained silent, watching the tiny hexagonal elves falling from the sky in the shape of catkins and butterflies. His eyes were calm and slightly confused, as if he was lost, but he couldn't see much regret.
He has lived here for many years, and it is foreseeable that the rest of his life will start over and over again in this peaceful life.
Is this a cowardly escape from the ambitious ambition in one's heart, or is it a wise escape from the shackles forced upon oneself by fate?
He didn't know the answer, but he knew that he didn't feel painful about this kind of life, because...
Suddenly there was a warm and soft touch on his back, then a pair of hands hugged the young man's waist, and then there was a sweet call.
"Dear~"
Yes, isn't that enough? What is there to regret?
The young man turned around slowly.
And his wife, Her Royal Highness Princess Theresa, was looking at him with a sweet smile. Her eyes were shining with endless love for her husband and contentment with her current happy life.
According to the recent fashion, she wore fluffy curly hair on her temples and wore a fashionable skirt. Although she is already a mother of three children, she is only in her twenties now, and the charm of a young woman still remains in her.
On her body, the grace that belongs to a married woman is also more and more revealed due to good maintenance. The two completely different temperaments are integrated into her body, making Theresa look more and more radiant.
This is what young people think about my wife.
This is the marriage life that I would rather give up everything that I have thought about countless times in exchange for a married life.
Asking himself, he has no reason to regret.
It was on Christmas Eve twelve years ago that Agron was moved by Teresa's same smile. After a long period of thinking and inner self-struggle, he finally decided to live up to Teresa's love and choose
He decided to stay and become Archduke Karl's son-in-law, and he would stay with Theresa for the rest of his life.
According to the palace's plan, their engagement was officially announced in June 1827, and then the news spread to the entire European social community. A year later, in June 1828, the two of them officially entered the palace of marriage.
It was a grand wedding, and the Austrian court officials very much hoped to formally announce that the Bonaparte family had been integrated into this great royal family in this way; and Archduke Karl was also very happy to witness his daughter grow up with dazzling glory.
But for Aiglon and Teresa, all the so-called rituals are meaningless. They will stay together forever, and this is everything they want.
And since then, ten years have passed, and the happy couple has given birth to a happy family together. They already have three children, and according to Theresa's idea, she would like to have a few more so that this child can be born.
The glorious but troubled family was able to spread its branches and re-enter the royal families of Europe.
"Your Highness... it's time for us to go over." After the two looked at each other for a while, Teresa whispered, "I have prepared the gifts, you just need to deliver them one by one!"
Although the two have been married for so many years, Teresa still likes to call him that. Maybe for her, it is like commemorating the eternal first encounter between the two.
They will later take their children to visit the Grand Duke Carl's family not far away. Since they got married, they have done this every Christmas. The Grand Duke Carl and his wife insist on having their daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren gather together to celebrate.
No.
But to be honest, Aigron doesn't dislike this kind of big family atmosphere. If he really has any trouble, it's probably just that it's troublesome to deal with all kinds of human relationships... But Teresa thoughtfully solved most of the problems for him.
, he just needs to do things according to the procedures most of the time.
"Okay, thank you." Aigron nodded slightly, "Let's go to the study to tidy up."
"Study? Why?" Teresa was a little confused.
"I'm going to take some written manuscripts today and show them to your father." Aigron replied with a smile, "Because some of the passages involve past history, I hope to be able to evaluate them as a person involved. I think your father is
The best candidate."
"That's right! My dad is the best judge. He is even very strict with himself." Teresa couldn't help laughing after hearing this.
Archduke Karl once wrote a pamphlet under a pseudonym to discuss the command issues of the war that year. Some passages in the pamphlet severely criticized some of his own command errors when commanding the army. Austrian officials believed that this was someone with evil intentions.
After anonymously attacking the royal prince, the book was hastily suppressed, and it was not until Archduke Charles himself spoke that the book was published.
From this point of view, Archduke Karl was cold and pragmatic, ruthless, but not partial. He was indeed the best person to seek advice from.
So the couple walked to the study room.
The study room is very tidy, with paper folders, books, and furniture all neatly stacked together. There are only some signs of messiness on the desk, with a large number of manuscript papers scattered on it. It was obvious that the owner had just completed it not long ago.
Teresa carefully helped her husband organize these manuscripts, as if she were holding some sacred object in her hands.
When Agron was working, that is, when he was writing in his spacious study, Teresa would give strict orders not to be disturbed, so that the whole family had to walk on tiptoe.
In Teresa's view, His Highness's work is not a boring pastime for a prince who has no care for the world, but the greatest cause, imitating his father's use of pen to conquer the world.
Under Teresa's care, after marriage, Agron was hardly distracted by the mundane chores of managing the family and could almost devote himself wholeheartedly to the work he had decided for himself. He kept writing and has been writing for ten years. Constantly consuming his strong creative power and energy, his works include novels, scripts, various reviews, and even some historical monographs.
Thanks to his efforts, these works were copied in various European countries and accumulated many readers.
However, he also had a strange persistence. Every time he published a work, he would use a pen name instead of his real name. Therefore, although his writings spread throughout Europe, only a small group of people around him knew that these works were actually written by this famous His Highness. written by.
"It would be an insult to me if people read my work just because of my name," he replied when Teresa asked him why, and Teresa immediately accepted her highness's strange remarks. persistence.
However, Teresa also found it difficult to accept that her husband's reputation had been forgotten by the world, so after discussion, they agreed that in a few years, when Aigron had established his reputation and status in the literary world by relying on his own ability, the author's real name would be revealed. His identity was revealed, shocking his fans all over Europe.
Soon, the couple sorted out the manuscripts and put them into special bags.
Then, they walked out of the study and came to the living room of the villa.
At this time, their children, led by servants, were already waiting here.
Three children, the eldest is son Francois; then the eldest daughter is Emily; the youngest is daughter Charlotte.
These French-style names were not actually chosen by her father, but were the result of Teresa's insistence. She felt that since the Bonaparte family had been glorious in France, at least future generations should leave a mark when naming them, and Egger Of course, Long readily accepted this view.
Because of their strict family upbringing, the three children, although young, were all strictly polite and saluted their parents respectfully. Aiglon also walked up to them and patted their cute little heads affectionately.
"When we go to grandpa's place, don't make any noise, and no matter what gift you receive, you must say thank you, do you understand?" He told his children with a smile while stroking them.
"I know, Dad!" the children replied in unison.
Soon, the family entered the carriage. The carriage equipped with a sleigh moved forward in the light snow, and soon arrived at the country villa where Archduke Karl and his wife lived.
Then, they received a warm reception from Archduke Carl and Grand Duchess Henrietta.
The couple is much older than they were twelve years ago, but their care and love for their children and grandchildren has not diminished at all, and their thoughts have become stronger.
As time went by, their children each had their own careers or started families. Except for the eldest son, Albert, who stayed with his parents, the other children were not guaranteed to attend. On the contrary, the Agrons often visited each other because they lived close by. Their children have also become the treasures in the hands of their grandparents.
"Merry Christmas." While Henrietta was playing with the children, Agron walked to his father-in-law and said hello to Archduke Karl.
Although Archduke Karl is still as serious as ever on the surface, Egeron knows that he has been silently doing his best to protect his daughter and son-in-law, so that they can live their lives the way they want without distraction, as it has been for ten years. So. He has always been grateful to his father-in-law.
"Well, Merry Christmas." Archduke Karl nodded coldly, as if that was all he wanted to say.
After being together for so many years, Aigron certainly knew his habits, so he didn't feel dissatisfied and continued to express his thoughts.
"I encountered some difficulties in writing and need your advice." He said to his father-in-law very politely,
"Then I'm afraid you've got the wrong person. I know nothing about literature." Archduke Karl shrugged, looking uninterested.
To be honest, Archduke Karl initially complained about his son-in-law not seeking power but preferring to study literature in his study. However, his daughter persisted, so he stopped interfering and allowed his son-in-law to complete his own hobbies.
However, as time passed, Archduke Karl slowly accepted his son-in-law's choice, especially after he demonstrated his talents and won praise.
Unconsciously, he actually became one of his son-in-law's book fans, but he never wanted to admit it.
"What I need is not literary advice, but military advice. Especially your experience can provide me with a lot of help." Aigron still insisted on his opinion.
"Okay then." Archduke Karl spread his hands and agreed to his son-in-law's request.
Then, Aigron handed his manuscript to his father-in-law.
With the help of bright candlelight, Archduke Karl glanced at it roughly and did not speak for a long time.
Aigron didn't bother him and just waited nearby.
"The writing is pretty good." After a long time, Archduke Karl finally spoke. "It seems like you have a pretty grand idea."
"Yes, I plan to write a group portrait novel. The protagonists are both French and German. I will use the experiences of all of them to show that bygone era and all the pain and happiness that people have experienced." Aigron replied, "This is possible.
It will take me a lot of time, but I think it's worth it, and I can't tolerate it having obvious flaws so I'm asking for your help."
Archduke Karl looked at the clock on the fireplace.
"There's not enough time today, so I'll just tell you a few points."
Then, he spoke incessantly, mentioning any aspects of himself that needed to be highlighted or changed. It was obvious that he was not as indifferent to his son-in-law's creation as he seemed.
Soon, with Henrietta's urging, their exchange could only be temporarily ended.
"Everything you said is very helpful to me, I will remember it," Aigron said to his father-in-law with a smile.
"It's not worth mentioning, and that's just my personal opinion. You can choose according to your needs." Archduke Karl waved his hand, "By the way, do you have a name?"
"Not yet." Aigron shook his head.
"How about calling it War and Peace? It's easy to understand." Archduke Karl suggested.
Aiglon was stunned for a moment.
"What, are you not satisfied?" Archduke Karl asked.
"No... I just feel a little strange..." Aigron quickly shook his head to deny it, but seemed dumbfounded. "However, it's not bad to think about it carefully. Okay, let's call it this name! I will work hard to push myself and devote all my energy.
It won’t live up to this name.”
"It's just a random name. Is it necessary to react like this?" Archduke Karl was a little confused.
However, he was not interested in continuing to argue with his son-in-law, so the two men returned to the center of the living room and to their respective wives.
"How are you, Your Highness?" Teresa asked her husband in a low voice.
"It went very smoothly." Aigron replied with a smile, "Your father is more involved than I thought."
"That's good~" Teresa also laughed happily, "At this age, he has to find something to do."
Then, the adults and children gathered together and came to the Christmas tree, and then gave each other gifts to celebrate another Christmas Eve.
Then, like every Christmas party, Teresa walked to the piano in the living room and started playing music, and this time she chose the well-known piano piece "Canon in D Major".
Amidst the melodious music, this family ushered in a new festival in an atmosphere filled with laughter.
"By the grace of the Lord!"
Then, there was another burst of cheers, and Teresa also stopped playing the music and began to have dinner with the whole family.
The cheerful atmosphere has always stayed in the room, and there are laughter and laughter everywhere. Both the elderly and children are immersed in the joyful family affection. They are looking forward to the arrival of the coming year and hoping that this happiness can continue forever.
After the meal, Aigron walked to the balcony of the villa, stood under the fine snow, and looked quietly into the distance.
The sky is dark and the light is dim. There are only a few candlelights flickering between the rocks in the snow sea. These flashes of light rush to the snow blanket on the ground, and then let it reflect light blue fluorescence. Standing on the balcony and looking around
Going there feels like you are in a fairy tale world.
Because he had drunk a little wine, Aigron's face was a little hot, but his consciousness was clearer and sharper than usual.
He stood in the cold wind and savored the air mixed with snowflakes.
This is your choice... this is your life for ten years and maybe for decades more.
What did you gain and what did you give up?
He already had the answer to this question.
Maybe it is a bit regretful, but he will never regret it, because... he lives with the person who loves him deeply.
In this world, he found people who could tolerate him and found his own place.
If this world is a cruel and cold snow country, then under the twists and turns of fate, he finally found his own rocks and fortresses.
That is also the home he must protect...
I'm not alone anymore.
"Teresa." He suddenly called softly into the void in front of him.
"Your Highness..." A low voice responded unexpectedly from behind.
Aiglon didn't have any surprises, because he knew that Teresa would definitely come to him and she liked to stay by his side.
He turned around and looked at his lovely wife in front of him.
And Teresa was also looking at him.
The dim light could not conceal her blazing gaze. Even after ten years, she was still the same as before.
"Your Highness, I once read a book that said that after marriage, a woman should not just limit herself to children and the kitchen, but should find the interest of life so that her husband can find novelty in her from time to time. Only
In this way, marriage can always maintain its original freshness," Teresa said with a slightly joking tone.
"Novelty?" Aigron felt interesting in his heart. "Every day I spend with you is my most novel experience."
"Your Highness..." Teresa walked up to him and hugged him.
Yes, even though his daily life seems to be repetitive like this, to this day, he still has a sense of novelty towards his wife.
"I don't regret it." Aigron said suddenly without knowing anything.
"Huh?" Teresa looked at her husband inquiringly. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Aigron lowered his head and ended his wife's questioning with his lips.
Fine snowflakes quietly fell on their hair and bodies, as if God was blessing them.