Henrietta's laughter did not relax Aigron, of course he could hear what it meant.
Although he was not touched by his sight, he could clearly feel that the entire restaurant was paused for him, and even the children sitting next to him seemed to be waiting for his answer.
"Teresa is really considerate." He nodded, and then replied, "Every time I talk to her, I feel very happy."
"Oh? Really? It seems that you are too young after all, and you still have too much to say." Henrietta still smiled, "It will be different when time passes. Like me...I have always been
Too lazy to listen to what the old guy is saying...hahahaha..."
Aegron glanced at Archduke Karl and found that he was still eating with an expressionless expression, pouring wine from the jug made of fine wood next to him from time to time, as if he didn't hear what his wife was saying at all.
If you pick up another newspaper, it will be even more appropriate.
A commander who once commanded thousands of armies was sitting quietly at the dining table, listening to his wife scolding him. Maybe this was the family life he was attached to.
"We are different." Just as he was thinking, Theresa suddenly refuted his mother's words, "Your Highness is a very good storyteller, and I like listening to stories. I think as long as there are new stories, there will always be topics to talk about.
chat."
"Your Highness can tell stories?" Her second brother, Ferdinand, who was only eight years old, asked in a dull voice, "Are they the stories in fairy tale books?"
"It's much better than that." Teresa replied with a little pride, "It's one of those stories that even adults find interesting."
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"I don't believe it." Her eldest brother, Albrecht, who had always been hostile to Aigron just now, looked suspicious, "You must be lying. You just want your parents to like His Highness, so you keep saying
Good words, from the beginning."
Teresa's face suddenly turned red, obviously her brother had been right.
"I'm not exaggerating. I'm just stating the facts I saw." She reluctantly replied. "What do you know, a kid like you?"
"You are only a few years older than me, do you know a lot?" Albrecht made a face with disdain, "Dad complained yesterday that you wanted to get married at such a young age and didn't care at all.
he."
These words that came out suddenly made the air in the restaurant freeze.
"Abbott, you damn thing, if you talk nonsense again, I'll throw you out of the window later!" After a moment, Teresa became so angry that she picked up her fork and shook it, threatening her brother.
"It seems like your family has spoiled you so much, how dare you do this!"
"When you change your surname, you won't be from this family anymore!" Albrecht looked a little panicked, but for the sake of face, he still held on and sneered in a low voice.
"That's enough!" Mother Henrietta was still watching the children's bickering jokes, but now she couldn't stand it anymore and scolded her son quickly. "Albert, shut up right now. After eating, go to the attic by yourself. It won't be until tonight."
Promise it!"
It seemed that his mother's threats had finally worked. Albrecht could only lower his head angrily and did not dare to say anything more.
Aigron couldn't help but laugh after witnessing this scene.
"Pfft hahaha..."
At first, his voice was very soft, but soon, the laughter became louder and louder. Finally, everyone's slight embarrassment was resolved in the laughter.
"Your Highness, I'm sorry for making you laugh." Henrietta smiled sheepishly, "Boys are really difficult to manage at this age! Oh, it would be great if all the children I gave birth to were girls."
"No, madam, I don't mind at all. In fact, I find it very interesting." Aigron shook his head, "I don't have any brothers or sisters - I mean, although my mother remarried Earl Naiper and gave birth to another child.
children, but I have never met them, let alone had any feelings or interactions with each other. Therefore, I have never experienced this kind of family quarrel, so when I watched, it actually made me a little envious, at least
You both value each other."
"You are right." Henrietta nodded with deep understanding, "Family brings troubles, but it also brings more emotional sustenance. As we grow older, everything we have experienced will be lost.
It will become a long-lasting memory, and in the end, we will only find our own destination in the family."
After a moment, she added in a comforting and encouraging tone, "The past things were beyond your control, and you have suffered enough; but now, you are still very young, and you still have many opportunities."
Build your own family... I think if you are willing, you will become a very happy parent, to put it shamelessly - as happy as us. And I am very happy to see this day come true."
Then, she quietly looked at Theresa, whose face was still blushing.
"Teresa, my daughter, don't take what Abbott said to you just now to heart. He just wanted to make you angry. No matter what happens, you are our daughter. No matter what surname you are given in the future, we will treat you
My love will not be reduced because of this, there will always be a place for you here——"
Although her words were simple and her tone was calm, Teresa was deeply moved.
"Thank you, Mom, of course I won't take his lies seriously."
Aigron felt very happy watching the warm interaction between mother and daughter.
If he were asked to use an adjective to describe this family, he thinks it should be "positive energy". Family members love each other. Although there are various complaints between each other, they are sincere to each other - whether it is the father or the mother,
They are all doing their best to protect their daughter.
Perhaps it was because of such a family atmosphere that Teresa developed a personality like hers.
But after a while, the young man felt something was wrong again.
Before the meal was finished, the topic suddenly turned to changing one's surname...
Wait, if you suddenly talk about it for this reason, does it mean that you have an imperial decree?
When he thought of this, he felt a little guilty again and did not dare to say another word.
Unfortunately, although he had the intention to dodge, it was absolutely impossible for Henrietta to ignore today's protagonist.
"Franz?" she greeted.
"Do you have any orders?" Aigron responded.
"Actually, Abbott has always said something right. Theresa has indeed been saying good things about you." She looked at the young man with a smile, "It is precisely because I believe in her guarantee that I have always said good things to you. The impression was very good - so good that I was even a little worried that I would be disappointed when I actually met the person. But to my relief, my worries were in vain. I am very happy to have a guest like you in our home."
"This is also my honor." Aigron put down the tableware and thanked his wife.
"You'd better smile at me." Henrietta said with a smile, "Young people have to smile to look good."
Aigron could only forcefully pull the corners of his mouth to make himself smile happily.
"That's right!" Henrietta clapped her hands gently, "You still have several decades to kill in your life. It would be too difficult if you keep looking sad all the time, so be optimistic in everything."
"What you said is completely reasonable, but everything I have encountered so far has made me less optimistic." Aigron replied in a low voice, "But in the future, I will try to do what you say."
"Teresa -" Henrietta greeted her daughter, "In a sense, this is also your responsibility... You volunteered to be His Highness's best friend, so you must also help him smile. , isn’t it?”
Although Teresa felt a little shy, she still nodded. "Mom, I will."
When he said this, Aigron was already a little on tenterhooks, fearing that the Grand Duchess would suddenly ask when you plan to get engaged——
Fortunately, she seemed to feel that this matter did not need to be rushed, so she finally did not mention the last step, allowing Aigron to take a breath and finish the delicious lunch.
After lunch, the family members either went to take a nap or came to the living room to chat. However, after a while, after digesting the food, Archduke Karl, who had been silent, suddenly walked up to him.
"Young man, let's do some exercise after dinner."
"Of course." Aigron was a little surprised, but immediately agreed, "But - what do you mean?"
"Captain Foresti has always praised you in front of me, saying that you are his rare student who has completely learned the essence of his swordsmanship... Therefore, he successfully aroused my curiosity." Archduke Carl Shrugging, "I want to know if what he said is true or if he is exaggerating."
"...You..." Aigron shook his head hesitantly, "Why don't you try some other sports?"
It wasn't that he was afraid of showing cowardice, but that he was really afraid that something would happen if he didn't stop. He had never experienced Archduke Karl's skills before and didn't know about it. However, at the age of fifty-five, his body functions were very limited. Degeneration is inevitable.
Therefore, if he accidentally injures the Grand Duke, things will be in big trouble, and he might become a wanted criminal in advance...
"You seem to have forgotten that I am the master here, and I have the right to decide how to entertain the guests." Archduke Carl raised his head slightly arrogantly, "Besides, instead of worrying about hurting me, you should worry about losing yourself. What to do if you get angry, that is directly related to my evaluation of you..."
After a pause, he added, "Besides, don't worry, everyone here is a witness. If something happens, no one will hold you accountable."
"Dad! What are you going to do!" Teresa was a little startled and quickly stopped her.
"Teresa, don't be too fussy. I want to have a manly conversation with him. Let me make sure that everything you and I have done is worth it." Archduke Karl waved his hand, signaling his daughter to stop talking.
, and then continued to stare at Aigron, "How about it? Franz, do you dare to accept the challenge? Are you going to face it head-on, or are you going to hide yourself under the eloquent words forever?"
Teresa was anxious, but she didn't dare to say any more. She knew that her father was usually very talkative, but he would never tolerate being perfunctory when he was serious. So she could only look at the two people with anxious eyes.
The provocative eyes and words of the Grand Duke aroused the anger in the young man's heart.
In that case, let’s do it!
"Okay, Your Highness." He stood up and bowed to the Grand Duke, "I am very honored."
"Well, follow me." Archduke Karl nodded.
Then, the two people walked out of the mansion together, and then came to an open space outdoors. This open space was very flat, and there were soft grass on the ground. It was indeed a very ideal location.
Teresa kept following behind, fearing that something would happen between the two of them.
"Let me be the referee, Dad!" she demanded forcefully, "otherwise I won't allow you to mess around."
"Yes, as long as you are not partial." Archduke Karl shrugged and replied with a hint of sarcasm.
Then, the servant brought over two training swords. The swords had no edge and the tops were ground flat. They were like two iron rods.
Aiglon took one casually, and then waved it gently to find the feel of the sword and let himself adapt to the center of gravity of the sword.
"It seems that you have indeed learned well." After seeing his subconscious actions, Archduke Karl nodded. "However, how much real talent is actually learned needs to be verified in practice."
Then, the two men held swords and looked at each other a few steps away.
Aigron lowered his shoulders slightly, then adjusted his breathing.
He didn't know how far he should control it, so now he had to adapt to circumstances.
"Teresa, you can shout now." Archduke Karl greeted his daughter.
"Dad!" Teresa protested again.
But her protest received no response. In desperation, she had no choice but to look at the two people in front of her.
Hope they end it soon.
"Start!" Seeing that her father was determined to have his own way, she had no choice but to shout out with heartbreak.
At this moment, Archduke Karl suddenly moved his steps, then raised the sword in his hand and stabbed Aiglon's body.
His skills are very fast, which is not easy considering his age. It shows that he has always maintained physical exercise.
But...compared to the boy's teacher, this is not fast enough.
Aigron, who had already adapted to the teacher's rhythm, nimbly dodged to the side and avoided the blow.
However, the moment the thrust failed, Archduke Karl immediately slashed hard diagonally to the lower right. Aigron had no choice but to take another step back and at the same time deflect the blow with his sword.
When the two swords intersected, there was a metallic crunching sound, and the young man felt a slight numbness in his wrist. Unexpectedly, his strength was also maintained well.
But...it only goes so far.
Aiglon was sure that even when he was young, he was no match for him, let alone now.
But, how should everyone end it without losing dignity?
"What's wrong? Are you still hesitating?" Archduke Karl temporarily stopped and then shouted at him, "Do you still think you have everything? Still don't dare to fight! You are so wrong, fool!"
"What did you say?" Aigron was a little confused.
"It's good that you can keep your composure, but you also have to be able to use your hands!" Archduke Karl continued to look at him, "Bloodline will give you a ticket to enter the arena, but bloodline cannot guarantee your victory. No opponent will
Because whose son you are, let alone whose son-in-law you are, you will not automatically kneel down and surrender. If you want to make them kneel down, you have to use your fists!"
Then he raised his arm, clenched his fist, and gestured, "Only by knocking them down without hesitation, and then continuing to strike ruthlessly so that they can never stand up again, can you win - and only victory
Only then will you be compensated for the hard work you have put in and the pain you have endured, so tell me - young man, do you want to win? If you don't want to win, you don't deserve anything!"