[Following Extras 1 and 8, living in seclusion with Teresa and becoming a literary giant in the world]
In March 1835, the cold wind of early spring came to the world with the clarion call of revival for all things, making the world originally covered by snow and mortar begin to rejuvenate. The buds springing up among the woods and grass tenaciously embellished the original loneliness and desolation.
of land.
Originally this was a season full of hope. However, in the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, there was no joy of welcoming spring at this time. On the contrary, it seemed a bit more depressing than in winter.
Because, not long ago, His Majesty Franz II, the last emperor of the Holy Roman Empire and the founding emperor of the Austrian Empire, passed away.
The death of the emperor shocked the whole country. This ruler, who had ruled the empire for nearly forty years, had witnessed the most turbulent moments of the empire. He may not have been a perfect or almighty monarch, but during his long reign he also became
He became a symbol of the empire, and his death inevitably left the empire in a temporary state of confusion.
Part of the reason for this confusion is reflected in the heir: as we all know, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Ferdinand suffers from severe epilepsy, often loses his mind, and his ability to govern the country has been questioned.
But since he is the crown prince, even if he is so uneasy, according to the ancient inheritance law, he will definitely inherit the throne. No one knows where the empire will go under his rule. Most people can only think in their hearts.
Secretly hoping that Prime Minister Metternich, who has always been in power, can continue to be trusted to assist the new emperor in governing the country and lead the empire smoothly into a new era.
No matter what happens in the future, according to ancient tradition, when an emperor dies, a grand national funeral must be held. The old man who ruled the empire during his lifetime must also show his majesty to the world after his death, so that people can remember the continuation of the Habsburg family.
Of course, this funeral was indispensable with various grand scenes. The empire's nobles, dignitaries and celebrities from all walks of life gathered in Schönbrunn Palace, making this originally lonely palace become lively again.
The emperor's coffin was now placed in the center of the reception hall, surrounded by flowers.
In order to let people see the emperor's last side, the coffin was not covered. People could see the emperor lying in it, as if sleeping peacefully, and as if he was rejoicing that this troubled empire was not here after all.
Now that my generation is over, I can finally go to heaven with a clear conscience and face my ancestors of all generations.
Those closest to the coffin were the emperor's blood relatives - that is, the most noble members of the Habsburg royal family in the empire. They had been notified as early as when the emperor was seriously ill and in a coma, and by this time they had all gathered.
They gathered in Schönbrunn Palace to give their patriarch a final farewell.
As members of the royal family, they have naturally undergone strict etiquette training. No matter what they are thinking at this time, their expressions are solemn and sad, and they appear to be deeply saddened by His Majesty's death.
As the grandson of the emperor, Duke Lechstadt is among this group of people. In front of him is his mother, Louisa, the Archbishop of Parma, and on the right is his father-in-law, Archduke Karl, and next to him,
It's his wife Princess Theresa.
The couple both wore black mourning clothes and blended into the solemn environment.
Standing in Aiglon's position, it was easy to see the tears in the corners of Louisa's eyes. She had obviously cried just now - although the royal family is destined to have weak family ties, after all, as a father and daughter, Louisa would naturally also respond to the death of her father.
Somewhat sad.
Compared to his mother, Aigron was the complete opposite. His expression was serious, but it was just a polite indifference. Although it was a day of national mourning and the deceased was his grandfather, he did not feel any grief and no one
It doesn't matter whether he is sad or not.
He is now considered a member of the Habsburg family, partly because of blood and partly because of marriage, but neither others nor himself think he is a real Habsburg.
The emperor did not trust him during his lifetime and never thought of re-employing him. He also had little interest in "supporting the royal family". Instead, after marriage, he chose to live in seclusion in the countryside with his wife, Princess Teresa, and spend their time together.
Used on pen and ink text.
Now, although they are only in their twenties, they have been married for almost 10 years and have formed a big family early. As members of the royal family, their children naturally attended the funeral and were at the end of the line.
Although he is standing here, he seems to be isolated. Although he grew up here and started a family here, he always seems like an outsider.
Eggron is not sad about this feeling of alienation. He has become accustomed to it. For him, it is much more interesting to live in isolation and immerse himself in the spiritual world of literature than to participate in the political life of this country. He has Teresa by his side.
The people around me are already satisfied.
He looked up again and looked at his grandfather who was sleeping with his eyes closed in the coffin.
Even now, Aigron doesn't have much respect for his grandfather in his heart, but since the man is dead, what's the point of worrying about the past with him?
May you have a safe journey, Your Majesty. Aigron thought silently in his heart, which can be regarded as fulfilling the obligations of a grandson at the last moment.
At this moment, Aigron suddenly felt his heart beating faster. He instinctively felt that he was being watched. He quickly turned away and looked in the direction of the gaze.
Then, he froze.
Right next to the coffin, there was a noble lady looking at him.
This look was both cold and gentle, both angry and tolerant, both reproachful and comforting, as if sighing and weeping. Aigron had never seen a person's eyes contain so many meanings at the same time.
He knew who she was and why she looked at him the way she did.
Although there was a distance between the two of them, her sharp gaze seemed to have cut through time and space and penetrated directly into his soul.
Under her gaze, his soul was trembling because of being pierced, and the memories buried deep in his mind spewed out crazily, dazzling him and making his originally indifferent heart
, suddenly started beating rapidly, and even breathing became rapid.
"Your Highness, are you okay?" Teresa asked her husband's condition in a low voice with concern. She pulled her husband's hand just right and turned his body to her side, avoiding distant sight.
"I'm fine, Teresa." Aigron woke up suddenly, knowing that he could never lose his composure in such an occasion. He quickly composed himself and answered his wife with a wry smile, "I'm sorry, the grief in my heart makes it difficult for me to control myself."
"Well, well!" Teresa nodded, fully accepting what her husband said, "This is an unbearable blow for us, but we should have the courage to face the future, just like this country. Your Highness,
No matter what happens in the future, with me by your side, you don’t have to worry about anything..."
The couple's intimate whispers completely fell into the eyes of the noble lady. She also turned away, but a disdainful sneer escaped from the corner of her mouth.
The funeral is still going on. During the lunch break, the participants got a rare respite. In the afternoon, the emperor's coffin will be sent to the mausoleum for burial, and the empire will formally bid farewell to its previous owner.
Aigron didn't have much appetite today, but it wasn't because he was sad, but because he was worried.
He is not worried about what the political situation of the empire will be like after the new emperor takes the throne - it has nothing to do with him anyway, and with his father-in-law here, he will not face any danger.
He just doesn't know what will happen to her in the future?
After he recovered from his worries, he found that he was almost full after eating the meal.
"I'm going to the bathroom." Aigron said softly to Teresa.
"Your Highness, come back soon." Although this was normal, Teresa seemed to take it seriously and specifically told her husband, "The children and I are waiting for you."
"Well, I know..." Aigron nodded.
Then, he stood up and left the table.
Under the guidance of his attendants, he walked out of the hall and walked between the halls.
He is very familiar with this place because he grew up here. Even if he moved out after getting married, he can still recognize every plant and tree here.
Everything familiar is still there, but inside it has changed beyond recognition.
The person who was by his side at that time and helped him selflessly had already left him - or, to be more precise, he had already left her.
Looking at the familiar scenes, long-lasting memories rolled in his mind, Aigron found that his chest was getting more and more stuffy, and he was almost out of breath.
It seems that I drank too much at noon...
The attendant did not take him to the bathroom, but when passing through a corridor, he opened a door next to him, and then bowed and invited him to come in.
Aigron did not move immediately. He took a deep breath, as if he was afraid and hesitating.
But in the end, he took that step and walked into the dimly lit room.
The door slowly closed, the light became darker, and just as the shadows floated, a figure quickly rushed towards Aiglon.
She was wearing a skirt, and during this movement, the skirt of the skirt also fluttered. The speed was enough to show how desperate she was and how impatient she was!
Aigron was caught off guard and was hit. He almost fell down. He finally managed to stabilize his balance by holding on to the short cabinet next to him. Then, a fragrant breeze penetrated into the tip of his nose. This familiar and unfamiliar smell
, made his chest suddenly throb, the corners of his eyes became sour, and he almost shed tears.
Then, he was hugged tightly.
She pressed tightly against his body, as if she wanted to make the two of them melt together.
She buried her head in his arms and breathed greedily to make up for the time she had lost.
"It's finally over, ten years of torture!" the lady said, shedding tears. "I thought the torture had no end in sight, but it turns out that it will end eventually, Aigron... we will be free soon!
"
Aigron knew in his heart that she was indeed qualified to say this.
She was the daughter-in-law of the late Emperor Franz and the mother of the Emperor's only grandson.
After the emperor passed away, the crazy crown prince Ferdinand succeeded to the throne, and he was destined to be sterile, so this grandson was bound to become the heir to the Habsburg family and the throne.
Because of this, the moment the emperor dies, the wife's status will also rise. Now no one can suppress her in the palace.
With her character, she will do whatever she wants.
[Setting, in this world line, Crystal was born as a boy (so she is no longer called this name), and became the only grandchild of Emperor Franz I. After the Crown Prince succeeded to the throne
The only nephew, in other words, the destined future heir of the empire.】
Obviously, as long as you please her, you will have great influence in the court, and you may gain power or make a lot of wealth.
However, to Aigron, this doesn't matter anymore, he already has something more important than these - the most perfect family.
The familiar aura made Aigron unable to control himself, but he still managed to calm down.
"Madam, although it is not appropriate to congratulate you on this sad day, but...seeing that you have finally come to an end of all your hardships, I am happy for you from the bottom of my heart, and I wish you all the best in the future."
This sentence was said sincerely, but the lady did not feel any joy after hearing it. She raised her head and looked at Aiglon in disbelief, as if she had seen some ghost.
"Grief? How has there ever been grief? This old guy should have died a long time ago. It's too late to die well! He has tricked us into being like this. I wish he would go to hell as soon as possible!"
After finishing speaking, she raised her hand again and held Aigron's face, "My darling... no one can hinder us anymore... we are free!"
As if to prove her words, she pulled his head down with both hands and took the initiative to bring him closer to her towering peaks.
The familiar white peaks occupied an increasingly larger area in the process of realization, and Aigron's heart beat wildly.
Even after so many years, her body still has a great attraction for him.
But, just outside, Theresa is waiting for you, and the children...
Suddenly a voice came to mind, causing his movements to freeze.
"Madam, we can't do this..." He spoke in a weak voice, and then forcibly raised his head, away from the pair of snow-white peaks. Then he looked at Madam and reminded her sternly, "Don't forget, today is the Empire's.
It's a national mourning. If something unexpected happens, it will be a disaster for both of us."
The lady froze for a moment, as if she had never expected that when she hugged him again many years later, she would get such an answer.
The huge blow made her body tremble.
"How could you talk to me like this? You...!" She raised her eyebrows, and then glared at Aigron angrily, "Have you forgotten everything we had?"
"I have not forgotten, and I will never forget." Aigron shook his head, and then answered her helplessly, "But now, times have changed, and you have a glorious future, and the future will definitely determine the fate of this country.
; And I also have my family..."
"Family! Damn family! Your family is just a thing used by that old man to fool you. It is a chain that binds you, but it is just disguised as silk!" The lady interrupted him angrily, "You yourself
Isn’t it clear in your heart? How did they treat you and how did they treat me? Aigron, your real family is here... right in front of you. She is eager to reunite with you. Her dry heart needs
Your moisture...can't you feel it?"
Every word the lady said made Aigron feel a twinge of pain in his heart.
He knew that over the years, both of them had paid a small price.
But... on the other hand, what he got was enough, at least to satisfy him now.
"Perhaps, it is indeed a chain, but Theresa loves me very much, and my children are also very cute. They are enough to make up for the shortcomings in my heart, and I am not dissatisfied with my current peaceful life." Aiglon replied, "Mrs.
, for me, everything this country has given me is enough."
"Is it enough? What about me?" The lady sneered, and then asked him loudly, "What about me?! Where do you put me in the future in your mind? You plan to take me as the price with peace of mind, and then
Do you want to enjoy your own leisurely seclusion life, Mr. Great Writer?"
"No! I never thought about it that way." Aigron quickly denied. "I just think... this is good for both of us. We shouldn't add more dangers to each other."
"Good or bad, it's up to me to decide now. I will have the final say in this empire from now on!" Madam replied decisively. "And my decision is... you have to be by my side!"
Along with this declaration, the tenderness, helplessness and pleading that were applied to her skin at the beginning have all faded away, the frowning brows, the glaring eyes, and the realization in her eyes that are so angry that they can almost burn everything,
All of them revealed the arrogance and arrogance of this princess in every detail.
Then, she stretched out her hand, grabbed Aigron's tie, and then pulled it down stubbornly, "Listen...Aigron, we have paid enough, and it was not easy to get where we are today, don't you think in your heart?"
Have you never had any resentment or regrets? I know you must have, I know you so well, I am the person who knows you best in the world! And now is the time for us to make up for our regrets. No matter how much we make up for it, it will not be enough... We
Don't waste any more time..."
As she spoke, she gasped slightly, and a blush slowly appeared on her face. It was obvious that she was starting to get emotional.
And as she performed, another person slowly fell into it.
Listening to this familiar voice, smelling this familiar scent, and looking at her face, all of this made Aigron suddenly confused and fascinated, and the pressure on his neck made his mind suddenly go blank.
After he came back to his senses, he had already kissed his wife.
The lady greedily asked for it, almost stopping her breathing. Although he felt helpless that he was once again "momentarily confused", he was soon carried away and threw himself into it.
After a long time, the two people's lips parted again.
"Hmph, you sound so cold, but I know you will never forget it." Madam's temples were messy, but she still looked at him triumphantly, as if she was showing off that her charm had conquered this bastard boy again.
Aigron looked away guiltily, admitting that he really couldn't forget it.
How many exciting and intimate memories they had left at that time!
Moreover, although this beautiful time has come to an end, it is far from over.
The lady looked at him with unfinished thoughts, and then pointed to a bed next to her.
"Aiglon...come on, let's enjoy our time alone."
Aiglon shook his head quickly, "We don't have much time... His funeral is about to begin!"
"We still have half an hour." Sophie replied stubbornly, "That's enough!"
Then, she curled her lips again and showed a smile full of resentment and cruelty, "Aigron, let's use this to say goodbye to the old man when he ascends to heaven, and thank him for taking care of us over the years. Wouldn't it be nice?
?"
Aigron knew that she was not only seeking physical needs, but also wanting to vent her anger and desire for revenge. She just wanted to trample on the dignity of the Habsburg family in this way to vent the bad energy accumulated in her heart for many years.
.
What an arrogant and impenitent woman...
Ten years of suffering did not weaken her will. On the contrary, it only caused her to accumulate more resentment in her depression. After the day when she was vented, this resentment would transform into an even more terrifying desire for revenge.
She has never repented and never will.
Of course, neither did Aigron - even to this day, he has never had any regrets about his affair with her.
But the remaining reason made him aware of the consequences if he was exposed, so he tried to persuade his wife.
"Your Highness... don't be willful. It's too dangerous now."
The lady did not answer him, but just stared at him silently. Her smile was a little more playful and full of charm.
"My sweetheart, it's just because of the danger that it's exciting, isn't it? Didn't you know the danger when you first seduced your aunt? Or have you said that these years have worn away your will and courage?
No...no, my Aiglon will not change. He will be the young man full of resentment and courage until his death. He will admit defeat, but he will even better take revenge! Maybe he will use many elegant manners and
I use sanctimonious words to disguise myself and deceive myself, but I know that Aigron is Aigron and will not change... Come, my sweetheart, don't you know that time is running out? Just let me love you...
My sweetheart..."
These calls were like a heavy hammer, hitting Aigron's heart, and seemed to be slowly breaking the shell that covered his soul.
Yes, I am me...and she is still her.
A fire slowly lit up in his heart, and that fire was also burning in her eyes.
Since time is of the essence, what are you waiting for?
He picked her up suddenly and threw her heavily onto the bed amidst her sweet laughter.
When he thought that this was the princess of the empire and the future empress dowager, he felt that the blood flow all over his body was accelerating.
Amidst the heavy sounds, the past and present seemed to overlap, as if nothing had changed. The emotional gap caused by their ten years of separation was shattered almost in an instant, and the two souls merged together again.