Eagle’s Glory

Time flies, and in a blink of an eye, it came to June 18, 1826, exactly eleven years later.

During these eleven years, Europe has entered an era completely different from the previous turbulent twenty years, with very few major events happening.

On May 5, 1821, after six years of confinement, Napoleon died silently on the desolate island of St. Helena.

And on September 16, 1824, the old enemy of the emperor, King Louis XVIII who restored the Bourbon dynasty in France, also died contentedly in the Tuileries Palace, and his younger brother, Count Artois, succeeded him. throne, Charles X.

Old Europe is revived.

The Bourbon Restoration, along with the three monarchies of the Holy Alliance - Russia, Austria, and Prussia - stood firmly for the orthodox monarchy, trying to make everything look exactly as it was.

The history of more than 20 years from 1789 to 1815 seems to have been written off, as if nothing happened, and nothing is no longer related to such annoying names as Robespierre and Napoleon.

It seems that nothing can affect the luxurious, peaceful and comfortable court life of Schönbrunn Palace anymore.

On this day, the warm wind of early summer gently reverberated in the garden of Schönbrunn Palace. In the wide garden, the geometric flower beds and lawns were as beautiful as usual.

On this intoxicatingly gentle and comfortable morning, a blond boy strolled among them.

He wore a plaid wool coat with a lapel collar, a turtleneck shirt, velvet breeches, and moccasins with silver buckles.

These exquisite clothes, coupled with his handsome face, are worthy of being a handsome and beautiful boy.

He walked slowly all the way, and finally came to the top of the high ground in the large garden, where there is a large building, which is the commanding height of Schönbrunn Palace - the Arc de Triomphe.

Standing under the tall colonnade, overlooking the entire palace and garden, the young man didn't say a word, as if he was meditating quietly.

Logically speaking, this is the most vigorous season of the year, and his age is also the most vigorous and radiant time in a person's life, but the expression on his face at this moment is too calm, making it difficult to see the young man. He should be high-spirited, but has a melancholy temperament that is not commensurate with his age.

However, if you are familiar with his identity, this will not be surprising.

He was the unfortunate man ousted from the French throne, the heir of the man who could not even be named, now trapped in the country where his mother had grown up, and he was rightly depressed.

However, no one could have imagined that the soul inside this thin and light body with excellent bloodlines had already been replaced once on that catastrophic day.

Now, after eleven years with a new identity, Chuying, or Aigron, has become accustomed to the era she lives in, relying on the historical knowledge she learned as a hobby while studying, and people's love for children. He perfectly concealed the secret that he came from another country and another era, and lived in this magnificent and beautiful Habsburg court with the title of "Duke of Lechstedt".

However, he couldn't get used to this life under house arrest anyway.

No matter how expensive the birdcage is, it is still just a birdcage.

Although it can no longer be compared with the extravagant ostentation when he was the crown prince of the French Empire, but in all fairness, the Habsburg emperor did not make much allowance for his life. He has everything here, with a manager and a family by his side. The teacher also has a group of servants, but alone lacks freedom of action.

He could only curl up in the palace of the Habsburg family, bathed in the glory of the royal family, and lived as a hostage.

In this unfree atmosphere, the poor Roman king in history only lived to be 21 years old.

Died of tuberculosis in 1832, and Chu Ying herself didn't know how long she could last, or was driven crazy.

In order to relieve this anger, from the early childhood when he acquired his new identity, he forced himself to find other entertainment, read various books and newspapers, and eagerly learned all kinds of knowledge, and finally survived.

When will this life end?

The young man raised his head again, looking at the blue sky and white clouds above Schönbrunn Palace, he didn't know how many times he asked himself.

No matter what, you must escape, not for the glory of Napoleon's family or France, but for the freedom you deserve. This luxurious palace must not be your destination. It should bury Ha The Busburg dynasty, not the successor to the French Empire.

"Your Highness—"

While he was still in a daze, a tall man in military uniform walked towards him while saying hello.

Aigron retracted his gaze, and then looked at the man approaching.

He was tall, with thick limbs and a square face, typical of a Germanic soldier. He was Captain Foresti, a member of his governess regiment.

After Aigron reached the age of education, His Majesty Emperor Franz educated his grandchildren according to the practice of royal family members, and prepared a whole set of education team for Aigron. This team has been around Aigron for several years. He taught him all he could, carefully educated him, and cultivated his knowledge and demeanor.

Of course, in addition to teaching him aristocratic education, this team also has the task of turning Aigron into a Germanized aristocrat and monitoring themselves nearby-this is tacitly understood by each other.

Ignoring the point that no one can change, he gets along very well with them. Except for occasional conflicts due to different ideas in class, he can be said to be their proud disciple—at least Aigron has This confident.

Under his gaze, the man walked up to him and bowed respectfully to the young man. "Are you meditating again? Shall we wait a little longer?"

People around him have long been used to his state of deep thought from time to time, and some even think that the melancholy Highness is more attractive than usual.

"No, I'm just staring at the scenery in a daze." Aigron shook his head, "Let's start at the scheduled time."

"Okay." The captain nodded.

Foresty is an officer in the Austrian Imperial Army. Although his rank is not high, he has considerable military experience. He is responsible for Eggron's military education.

It is worth mentioning that in 1809 he participated in the Battle of Wagram where France and Austria fought, and was seriously injured and almost died there.

However, the captain never hated Napoleon or Aigron because of this. In his opinion, it was only natural for soldiers to be injured when fighting. He even had some vague admiration for Emperor Napoleon—of course, it was just the admiration of soldiers for soldiers.

The captain spread his hands, revealing the two practice swords he was holding.

Then he handed the hilt of one of the swords to Aegron.

Yes, today, as usual, they will be here for fencing practice.

For several years, in addition to teaching Aigron strict military knowledge, he also taught swordsmanship. He is a very good swordsmanship master in the army.

Learn swordsmanship from him, which Eggron himself strongly requested a few years ago.

He knew that the Roman king in history was weak and sick since he was a child, and his early death was also related to this. Therefore, in order to avoid this bad luck, he decided to exercise from the beginning of his education.

In order for the court to accept this request, he decided to use swordsmanship as an excuse - after all, this is more understandable and approved by the court than doing gymnastics or other fitness methods.

His innocuous request was quickly agreed by the court, and from then on, he practiced with the captain who was proficient in swordsmanship every one or two days.

Although the captain had already paid great attention to restraint, in the beginning, the young him almost fell all over his body with cuts and bruises every time.

However, Aigron didn't have any complaints. Every time he fell down, he would grit his teeth and get up again, continuing the strict relationship without any slack.

As time passed, his height grew little by little, and his movements began to become lighter and more powerful. Even when two people were fighting, he was able to parry and counterattack, which made great progress.

The astonishing willpower of His Highness the Duke amazed the people in the palace.

Aigron casually took a sword from the captain's hand, and as usual, the two of them took two steps back each, then saluted, and made a gesture of raising their hands.

Eggron narrowed his eyes slightly, stared at his opponent, and lowered his upper body slightly to adjust his breathing; while the captain seemed quite calm, just stood still and looked at his honorable student, signaling him to attack.

Aigron leaned forward, then took a lunge, raised his sword and stabbed straight at the opponent's chest.

The captain swung his sword to block, then twisted forcefully, and then slashed diagonally.

Aigron moved sideways, dodged the captain's attack, and then stabbed at his shoulder again in the gap between his movements.

In this way, the two fought together with swords, and Aigron kept using his own pace to attack the opponent continuously while moving.

Captain Forresty, on the other hand, blocked his attacks calmly, and launched counterattacks from time to time, so that the students learned how to deal with them.

The two kept moving, circling between the colonnades, and Aigron became more and more comfortable fighting. In this state of ecstasy, he didn't need to think about any troubles anymore, he just needed to enjoy the thrill of competing with others.

However, it is impossible for the troubles in the world to leave him, even for this moment.

"Can you stop for a moment, Your Highness?" The two who were in the midst of a fierce battle heard a greeting from the side.

Captain Foresty was the first to stop his movements, retreating quickly, and Aigron had no choice but to end his practice.

He turned his head and found that the person in charge of education who interrupted him was Count Maurice von Dietrichstein, the real guardian appointed by His Majesty the Emperor.

The count was thin, with a rather long face, and he appeared to be a rather serious man.

He was knowledgeable and personable, and was even a close friend of Beethoven.

When he was in charge of Aigron's education, he was very strict and abided by his duties, but the relationship between the two was not bad.

"What's the matter?" Aegron asked impatiently.

"Your Highness, I'm sorry to disturb your elegant mood—" the earl also bowed slightly, "but now there are important things that make me have to interrupt your practice early."

"Well, it doesn't matter." Eggron replied with a clearly displeased expression, "What the hell is that?"

"His Royal Highness Prince Metternich would like to see you—" replied the count.

Metternich.

The name, and his position as prime minister, were certainly enough to break Aegron's mood.

His Royal Highness has no obligation to wait for him.

"Okay then." Aigron didn't have any expression on his face, and he didn't show his emotions to anyone.

He handed his sword to Captain Foresty, "Thank you for your guidance."

"Your Highness, you have made great progress. Although you are not my opponent yet, I believe that you will be able to surpass me as long as you are given a little more time." Captain Foresty had an unconcealable pride on his face. , "Although I only have you as a student, I think the judgment I make should be very objective."

Eggron looked at the captain.

It is always very pleasant to get along with pure soldiers.

What's more, who doesn't like to hear compliments?

"Thank you." He replied lightly.