Eagle’s Glory

[Following Extras 1 and 8, living in seclusion with Teresa and becoming a literary giant]

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 sprouting among the woods and grass tenaciously embellished the original loneliness and desolation. of earth.

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 a 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, a grand national funeral must be held when the emperor dies. 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 for various grand scenes. The nobles, dignitaries and celebrities from all walks of life of the empire gathered in Schonbrunn 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. After his generation is over, he can finally go to heaven with a clear conscience to face his ancestors.

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 the emperor was seriously ill and in a coma, and by this time they had all gathered. Gathered in Schönbrunn Palace,

A final send-off for their clan leader.

As members of the royal family, they have naturally undergone strict etiquette training. No matter what they were thinking at this time, their expressions were solemn and sad, and they seemed 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. Next to him, It was 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 that was just 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 cared whether he was 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 all his 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 formed a family here, he always seems like an outsider.

Agron was not sad about this feeling of alienation. He had become accustomed to it. For him, it was 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 had Teresa by his side. The people around me are already satisfied.

He looked up again 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. Aiglon thought silently in his heart, which could 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 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 thought of him the way she did.

Although there was a distance between the two of them, her sharp gaze seemed to cut through time and space and penetrate 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 beat 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 on 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, and during the lunch break, the participants get a rare respite. In the afternoon, the emperor's coffin will be sent to the mausoleum for burial, and the empire will officially bid farewell to its previous owner.

Aiglon didn't have much appetite today, but it wasn't because of grief, but because he was preoccupied.

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 came to his senses from the 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 was too familiar with this place because he grew up here. Even if he moved out after getting married, he would still be able to 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 familiar scenes and long-standing memories rolling through 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, then bowed and invited him to come in.

Aiglon didn't move immediately. He took a deep breath, as if he was afraid and hesitant.

But in the end, he took that step and walked into the dimly lit room.

The door slowly closed, and the light became darker. 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 hit unexpectedly and almost fell down. He finally managed to stabilize his balance by holding on to the short cabinet next to him. Then, a scent of fragrance penetrated into the tip of his nose. This familiar yet unfamiliar scent , 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 was trying to make the two of them melt together.

She buried her head in his arms, breathing greedily to make up for the time she had lost.

"It's finally over, the ten years of torture!" the lady said, shedding tears. "The torture that I thought had no end in sight turns out that it will end after all, Aigron... we will be free soon! "

Aigron knew in his heart that she was indeed qualified to say that.

She was the daughter-in-law of the late Emperor Franz and the mother of the Emperor's only grandchild.

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 your suffering, 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 Aigron in disbelief, as if she had seen some ghost.

"Grief? Have you ever been grieved? This old guy should have died a long time ago. He died too late! He has tricked us into being like this. I wish he would go to hell as soon as possible!"

After she finished 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 increasing area in the realization, and Aigron's heart beat wildly.

Even after so many years, her body still had a great attraction for him.

But, just outside, Theresa is waiting for you, and the children...

A voice suddenly occurred to his 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 madam froze for a moment. She seemed to have 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 that? You...!" She raised her eyebrows, and then glared at Aiglon 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's a chain that binds you, but it's 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 very little.

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 the peaceful life now." 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 does the future in your mind place me? You plan to take me as the price with peace of mind, and then Are you going to enjoy your own leisurely seclusion life, Mr. Great Writer?"

"No! I never thought about it that way." Aigron quickly denied. "I just think... it's good for both of us now, and we shouldn't add more danger 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!"

With this announcement, the tenderness, helplessness and pleading that were painted on her skin at the beginning have all faded away. Her frowning brows, glaring eyes, and the realization in her eyes 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 them. I know you too 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, obviously 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 brain suddenly go blank. After he came 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 devoted himself to it.

After a long time, their lips separated 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.

"Aigron...come on, let's enjoy our time alone."

Aigron 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, "Aiglon, 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 wear down her will. On the contrary, it only caused her to accumulate more resentment in her repression. After the day she got catharsis, 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 a lot of 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 darling, 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 burning in her eyes.

Since time is running out, what are you waiting for?

He suddenly picked her up, and then threw her heavily onto the bed amid 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.