Eagle’s Glory

"I love you all!"

Teresa's true expression moved all the family members present, and even the wife burst into tears.

"My daughter...we all love you," she said, giving her daughter another warm hug. "Ever since you left, each of us has been looking forward to seeing you again soon. I didn't expect it to come true so soon. It's so blessed by God! It's a pity that His Highness still couldn't come, otherwise it would be more perfect... He will definitely It makes our place more lively.”

Teresa also felt very sorry that she could only take the child home alone, so she also comforted her mother, "His Highness has promised me that one day he will come to reunite with everyone, although he is staying here. The time that passed was short, but he missed being here very much..."

The lady didn't quite believe that this promise would come true, but of course she wouldn't pour cold water on her daughter, but smiled and nodded.

"Well, that would be the best, I'm looking forward to that day."

After saying that, the family walked to the restaurant one after another, and then sat down at their seats to prepare for the meal. In a daze, Teresa felt as if she had just had a dream and had just woken up.

Although she had been away from home for more than a year, Teresa found that she had just returned and reintegrated into the atmosphere of the family without any obstacles. Although she was married, there was still no gap between her and her family, that kind of warmth and harmony. Concern is still lingering in the hearts of family members.

However, time will eventually change some things. In the past year or so, Teresa has experienced so many ups and downs and given birth to a son. She is very different from the past - or, in other words, has matured. A lot.

This kind of maturity is not only reflected in the appearance of a wife, but also in the way she carries herself and has a bit more majesty - this kind of restrained and majestic demeanor cannot be faked, only by getting used to being Only by being admired by everyone and being obeyed by others can you develop such a magnanimous attitude.

The Grand Duke and his wife, who had been secretly observing their daughter, also nodded secretly.

It seemed that His Highness Franz had indeed not treated his daughter badly, and Teresa had not been wronged there. Knowing this, they felt relieved.

Although the Grand Duke and his wife noticed it, they did not say anything about it. Although Teresa's younger brothers and sisters were not very young, they were also keenly aware of their sister's slight affection because they had been with Teresa day and night for a long time. Variety.

"Sister, you seem to have changed." Teresa's third brother Ferdinand,

He is only ten years old this year, which is the age when Tong Yanwuji is outspoken. He spoke first, "It seems...it seems like he has become an adult."

"I have become a mother, of course I am an adult." Teresa replied with a smile.

"It's different..." Ferdinand shook his head, his eyes twinkling a little, as if he didn't know how to describe it because he didn't have enough vocabulary. "It's different from other adults, a bit like dad."

"How could I be like dad?" Teresa couldn't help but laugh, but she deliberately joked with her brother, "Dad has a straight face all day long, how could I be like this?"

Ferdinand suddenly got stuck and was so anxious that he was speechless, but he didn't know what to say.

"Sister, you are indeed different now. Just sitting here makes people feel in awe." At this time, Theresa's eldest brother Albrecht also spoke.

He is fourteen years old this year, and is the eldest son and heir of the Grand Duke, so he has been trained intensively since he was a child. Although he is young now, he already looks like a young adult. Compared with more than a year ago, his temperament has become more serious. many. "Mom said you might become a queen in the future. I don't know if that will be the case, but I feel like you are more like a queen than our queen."

"Our Queen" in his words is naturally the current Queen of the Austrian Empire, His Majesty the Emperor's fourth wife, and Sophie's biological sister, Queen Caroline.

Because this empress was a second wife, more than 20 years younger than the emperor, had not given birth to any children of her own, and had a low-key personality and did not like publicity. She had little political influence in the empire, so the subjects naturally had little impression of her.

As the eldest son of Archduke Karl, Albrecht visited the palace a lot and had a taste of the majesty of the Emperor and Queen. In his opinion, although his sister was younger, she was more beautiful and more magnanimous. .

He really didn't expect that the sister he had been with day and night would change like this after just over a year, and for a while he couldn't help but look forward to it.

At his age, he has naturally begun to learn the political and military knowledge of European countries. He also knows that his sister is the mistress of the Bonaparte family and that the Bonaparte family is plotting to restore the empire.

Although Austria once fought life and death with the French Empire and regarded the Bonaparte family as its most dangerous enemy, that is a thing of the past after all. Because of his sister, Albrecht actually hoped that the Bonaparte family would A dream come true.

In the past, marriage to the monarchs of major European countries was a treatment only available to princesses directly from the royal family - for example, His Majesty the Emperor married his eldest daughter Louisa to Napoleon. As a collateral princess of the royal family, if you can pick up a It was a blessing to be crowned the champion of a big country like France. Even for Albrecht himself, it was an honor.

However, Teresa did not seem eager about this and just nodded calmly, "Maybe. But who can tell about the future? For me, the most important and happiest thing is to marry His Highness. And I have a happy and happy family. Everything else is incidental. It’s not that important whether I have it or not. It’s great to be a queen, but it doesn’t matter if I can’t be a queen. I didn’t expect this anyway.”

After a pause, she added, "I don't know if you believe it or not, but for me, if His Highness had been willing to respond to my wish and stay here with me for a long time, I will be happier if I stay with my family and live every day peacefully without worrying about the world..."

"Shh..." The brothers booed in unison, obviously not believing what their sister said.

Teresa smiled bitterly, "I knew you wouldn't believe it, but I have gotten everything from my parents since I was a child. Even if I become a queen, will it bring me anything more? It will give me more power, but for me For me, this is just a burden and burden. It will damage my energy, make me anxious, make me uneasy, and affect my family... Compared with the price paid, what I get is really meaningless."

After finishing speaking, she sighed again.

Although she had always been looking forward to living a life of seclusion in the countryside with His Highness, now that the deal was done, she could only go on with His Highness.

His Highness will never accept failure, so she must help His Highness succeed.

"Teresa, I believe what you say. I know you very well." At this time, the lady smoothed things over at the right time. "But, having said that, there is nothing wrong with you becoming a queen. Mom will be proud of you."

At this point, she shook her head again, "No, it should be said that my mother has been proud of you since she was a child. You are much better than those ladies! You should be the queen, you deserve it. I don't care what others think, But I wish His Highness success.”

Teresa could only laugh it off helplessly. Out of her own defensive mentality, her mother would of course feel that her daughter was born to be a queen, but how could things in the world be that easy?

Let’s not talk about how to become the queen. Even if she does become the queen, whether she can continue to be the queen is still a question - after all, that is France, the unpredictable France, if nothing else, her great-aunt Antoine Nate and his cousin Louisa, one was beheaded and the other was driven home. Those are two living examples.

There are too many difficulties and obstacles in the road ahead. She can only take it one step at a time. As long as she can be with His Highness, she can face it no matter what the consequences are.

"Teresa, I don't know what the future will bring, but you'd better put away all your teenage dreams and throw them out of the sky." At this time, Archduke Karl, who had been silent, finally spoke, his tone still serious. , "Everything in the world is fickle. I have seen too many dramatic events. I am not sure who will have the last laugh, but no matter what, since it is your own choice, you should have the courage to go to the end. Before I opposed you because I was afraid that you would not be able to bear the weight of fate, but since you choose to bear it yourself, I can only ask you to muster up the courage to do your best.

Retreat to the countryside? Don't think about it if it's impossible. Your husband will never accept it. He can either control his fate or be destroyed by it. So if you don't want to see the worst result, then you must become the toughest person. Defeat everyone who stands in the way of you and your husband, only then will you have a chance to live longer than me..."

"On a day like this, why are you speaking so unpleasantly?" Madam quickly interrupted the Grand Duke.

"Just speaking from the bottom of my heart." Archduke Karl shrugged, "I want my daughter to live a better life than anyone else, so I have to tell her the real situation. There is not much fairy tale innocence in her world now."

The Grand Duke's words caused a moment of silence.

"I will help my sister." After a long time, Albrecht suddenly spoke loudly, "Although...although I am still young and can't do anything, when I grow up, my sister will need me. , I will definitely help, I am willing to be my sister’s knight.”

"Me too!"

"Me too!"

The younger brothers shouted together and made a loud noise.

Teresa looked at her brothers' impassioned looks, and tears suddenly appeared in her eyes again.

The younger brothers may not understand what they are facing now, nor do they know what they are capable of, but even if this beautiful feeling comes from "ignorance", it is commendable enough. This is the most precious brotherhood.

She suddenly thought that if His Highness and her wishes came true, then maybe one day, she, her father and her brothers would be on opposite sides, which would be the most tragic blow to her.

The most beautiful relationship, the bond with family, will be tarnished and torn apart.

Thinking of this consequence, she couldn't help but shudder. She didn't want to think too much about it, but her reason told her that it was indeed a possibility.

No! She couldn't accept it.

Therefore, she secretly made up her mind to make every effort in the future to help the two countries get rid of the horrific fighting that lasted for centuries and get along with each other in a friendly manner.

If there was anything she wanted from being Queen, this was it.

His family is on his side, so why wouldn’t he want to be on his family’s side?

She believed that this was the best of both worlds. After Metternich's maneuvers at the Vienna Peace Conference, France and Austria were no longer bordering each other - the lowlands were given to the Netherlands, the Rhineland to Prussia, and the Rhineland to Prussia. The two countries of Italy are separated by Piedmont - in her opinion, there is no life-and-death dispute between the two sides.

This can be done, and it is what she must do. Since the queen wants to have power, why doesn't she use her power in the direction she wants?

The family didn't know what Theresa was thinking, but they could all see that Theresa was already worried, so they stopped talking about such serious topics and focused on eating.

The dinner passed quietly on a solemn note, and Teresa, tired from the journey, asked for a rest - and her wish was certainly granted.

After she left, her original bedroom had been kept as it was. After receiving the news of her imminent return, Madam had it tidied up again, so she could move in immediately.

Teresa took her son back to her bedroom together. She looked at the very familiar furnishings, the books she had carefully sorted, and the excerpts that were put into bags for collection. She smelled the faint smell in the room. The smell of ink emitted, and the familiar feeling suddenly came to my heart again.

Nothing seems to have changed, this is my home.

However, she just stood there blankly for a while, then walked out of the room, and then walked along the corridor, passing a very familiar road, to the study.

At this time, her eyes were firm, and there was a bit more determination in her eyes.

Just now, she made a decision.

She walked to the door of the study and knocked gently.

"Who is it?" As expected, his father's voice came from inside.

"Dad, it's me," Teresa answered.

"Teresa? Don't you want to rest?" The Grand Duke was a little surprised, "Okay, come in."

Teresa opened the study door and walked in.

"Theresa, what's wrong with you?" Archduke Karl looked at his daughter with some confusion.

"Dad...I have something to tell you." Teresa said to him in a low but calm tone.

"Huh? What? Tell me." Archduke Karl nodded.

"I'm sorry, Dad, I lied to you..." Theresa took a breath, and then solemnly said to her father, "My coming back to see you is just a pretense, and I have other purposes."

In this way, on the afternoon she just came back, Teresa confessed her feelings to her father.