Just as the count said, a few days later, the banquet held by the palace to celebrate Archduke Karl's fifty-fifth birthday was held as scheduled.
Perhaps in order to ease the tension between the brothers, His Majesty the Emperor attached great importance to this banquet. He not only used his Schönbrunn Palace as a celebration venue, but also invited people from all walks of life to attend. Even foreign envoys stationed in Vienna
They also came to support this prestigious Grand Duke.
However, Archduke Karl is not a vain person, so the outside world has also speculated that the reason why he celebrated in such a high-profile manner this time was to allow his eldest daughter, Princess Theresa, to make a grand debut and step into the palace under everyone's gaze.
society.
For most people, the reason for holding the banquet is not important. The banquet itself is the focus. It is a rare honor for them to have the opportunity to enter the palace and meet the emperor and the grand duke.
In this way, Schönbrunn Palace, which was usually sparsely populated, suddenly became lively. Celebrities from all walks of life, cabinet ministers, and even bishops gathered together. The medals worn by men and the jewelry of women complemented each other in the candlelight, making the already already already beautiful scene.
The splendid hall is illuminated even more dazzlingly.
Seeing this situation, who would doubt that the empire's national destiny is declining?
Because of the large number of attendees, according to the long-standing tradition, the palace attendants kept important high-ranking guests in the hall, while other guests of lower rank could only stay in the long gallery. Even in the gallery
Inside, these guests who are not of sufficient level will also stand in separate areas according to their respective levels.
As a member of the royal family, Aigron was naturally placed in the hall; however, usually during similar events, he would just stand in an inconspicuous corner and act as a background to watch indifferently, and few people would take the risk.
Talk to him because of the political risks.
But today was different. He was placed in the front row, in a conspicuous position. The guests who knew him were all a little shocked by the special arrangements in the palace today. Only Aigron himself knew the purpose of this.
Today, he is wearing a traditional white military uniform. The slim-fitting uniform makes his figure slim and well-proportioned. His hair has been carefully taken care of and has been covered with hair wax. Even when he looks in the mirror, he feels that he is a handsome boy.
He said nothing as usual, while the guests nearby were chatting and looking forward to the arrival of His Majesty and the Grand Duke.
When the clock reached around 9 o'clock in the evening, there was a commotion in the distance. The protagonists of tonight's banquet finally arrived. Aigron clearly saw a large group of people walking towards him.
The leaders were naturally His Majesty the Austrian Emperor Franz I and His Majesty the Queen. Although he was already a little old, he was still walking quite calmly in military uniform, with a gentle expression and a sense of majesty, and he was striding towards the hall.
.
Behind him, followed his brother, Archduke Carl, the birthday boy at the banquet. The woman holding arms beside the Grand Duke was not his wife, but a girl wearing a white palace dress and floral ornaments - obviously, Princess Theresa.
.
Behind them was a long list of attendants wearing various uniforms.
The welcoming guests lined up on both sides of the corridor stood in awe, watching several of the empire's most noble nobles enter. His Majesty the Emperor did not pause at all, but looked around, nodded gently as a greeting, and then strode away.
Entered the hall.
At this moment, the band, which had been playing soft music, immediately changed its tune and began to play the majestic Austrian national anthem "God Save Our Emperor Franz" to congratulate His Majesty on his arrival.
The officials, courtiers, diplomatic envoys, and their wives who had been waiting in the hall saluted His Majesty the Emperor amidst the melodious music.
Aiglon, like the crowd, bowed respectfully to his grandfather, but he was thinking about something else in his heart.
Everyone in this hall is a big shot outside, with different titles and powers, but here they can only be an inconspicuous member, bowing to pay tribute to the indifferent old man opposite.
This is what power feels like.
Such strict etiquette and splendid pomp are showing off power and the bloodline that comes with power. The traditions accumulated by the aging Habsburg family for centuries have also remained here.
When seeing Qin Shihuang's pomp, Liu Bang and Xiang Yu both sighed, "This is what a man is supposed to be like" and "He can take his place." Aigron felt almost the same way.
One day, the same scene will appear in another country, and it will be me who enjoys all this honor.
Because, I also have an empire... He thought silently.
While he was meditating, the emperor and the empress walked to the throne and sat down each.
As usual, His Majesty the Emperor looked around at the important people in front of him.
When he saw his grandson, His Majesty the Emperor smiled slightly, and then nodded gently to him, as if to encourage him to behave well in the future.
"Thank you for the honor tonight." Then, His Majesty the Emperor spoke leisurely, "However, it goes without saying that you also know that the protagonist tonight is my brother, and I don't want to attract too much attention and dilute the glory he deserves.
.So, next, Archduke Karl will give a speech to you."
As he spoke, His Majesty the Emperor looked at his younger brother.
The Grand Duke did not give in. He stood next to the throne and spoke loudly to the guests.
"Everyone, thank you for coming to my birthday party. But from my personal point of view, fifty-five is not an age that deserves celebration. After all, it means that God will not leave me much time."
He looked up at everyone with a nonchalant and heroic look, "Like everyone around my age, sometimes I look back on this life and ask myself what God has given me and what he has left behind.
I thought hard several times and finally found the answer - that is, motherland, honor and family! This is all the content of my life. I am very happy that I can say without guilt that I have not let down these three.
word!"
His words aroused cheers from the crowd, and people paid tribute to the famous general. While cheering, he paused slightly.
After the cheers gradually subsided, he spoke again, "Now, there is a younger generation to defend the motherland, so I don't have to worry; I have already received enough honors, and I no longer desire them; the only thing that worries me is
They are my family members. I hope that your majesty will always be in good health and that the Austrian royal family will be blessed for a long time. I hope even more..."
As he spoke, he made a gesture to signal Theresa, who was standing next to him, to come closer.
Princess Teresa walked obediently to her father's side, which meant that she became the center of attention for a moment. She shrank her neck slightly, as if she was a little shy about the attention of the people, but she still maintained a calm attitude.
Facing the crowd.
The Grand Duke took his daughter's hand and spoke again, "I hope that my daughter, Teresa, can be happy even more. She is the most precious gift given to me by God. She has respected me for many years and has brought me countless blessings."
Joy, I am willing to give everything for her!"
After finishing speaking, he took the wine glass from the waiter's hand with his other hand, and then raised it to his chest, "Tonight, I hope you will not only toast to my age, but also to Theresa!"
The Grand Duke's words once again aroused enthusiastic responses, and people raised their glasses to celebrate the father and daughter.
From this moment on, the banquet officially began
The Grand Duke is a person who doesn't like red tape, so he stopped talking much after the opening speech. As usual, people in the hall began to gather in small circles in twos and threes.
Aigron did not belong to any clique, and no one talked to him, but he didn't care, because at this time Archjustice Karl walked towards him.
The Grand Duke stopped in front of him, and then looked the young man up and down again.
"Boy, did you dress up deliberately today? It's quite fashionable." After a moment, he joked. "It's just a little oily and powdery. It's too French."
"I don't always dress up like this." Aigron laughed awkwardly, "Because it is said...it is said that there are some special arrangements for me, so I dare not neglect it."
"It seems that I am worried that you are too enthusiastic! Don't think too much, it's still early." The Grand Duke curled his lips, seeming to be a little dissatisfied.
Then, he reached out and patted Aigron's shoulder heavily. Aigron didn't understand what he meant, so he didn't resist and just stood motionless.
"You look thin, but you're in good shape." The Grand Duke quickly retracted his hand, "It seems that Foresty didn't add water when giving you lessons."
"The captain is a very dedicated and responsible teacher, and he is very proud to have served under you." Aigron replied.
"I have said goodbye to commanding for so many years, so don't talk about these old friendships." The Grand Duke shook his head coldly, as if he was indifferent.
However, after pausing for a moment, he looked at Aigron again, his expression softened a lot, "Forget it, although he is oily and pink-faced, he is better than the younger generation of our family, at least he is a smart guy."
Then he muttered in a low voice that Egron couldn't hear, "Fuck it, that guy is dead, and he beat us again!"
Before Aigron could ask any more questions, he suddenly turned around and made a gesture.
Aigron followed his gesture and looked over, and then discovered that the girl in a long skirt was slowly walking towards this side.
Following her footsteps, the young man instantly became the focus of attention in the room, and all kinds of eyes including surprise, jealousy and even anger converged on him.
The young man seemed not to notice these strange sights, and he bowed slightly to them.