Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796

Chapter 214 026 Grand Duke Karl's Secret Engagement Agreement

"Katya, do you like being fed like this?"

"Brother Mishka, it's just fun, and the meat is too hot."

Soloviev is very good at taking care of children. He didn't expect the little girls' tricks and routines, so he took care of this girl as Yulia. At this time, it is easy to be careless and not dodge.

Although Prince Vasily's eldest daughter is very simple-minded and her purpose is easy to be exposed, it is normal for her to do so. After all, everyone likes to be with her handsome officer brother. Soloviev is not a dangerous person, and the child is too young, so he can only spoil her as a sister.

He was like this when he made barbecue for Yulia at home, but when feeding Yulia, it was always because she made herself look like a little cat with oil stains on her face before going to the girls' school, and Ekaterina was very well-behaved and she enjoyed the process of being fed.

Archduke Karl's journey went quite smoothly. At least Marie Therese and he had a deeper understanding of each other, and the two of them were watching such a scene.

"It would be great if my brothers were still here."

"I also lost a brother, Alexander Leopold."

"I didn't see him in Vienna, and I knew something had happened. I remember when my mother mentioned him, she always said that he was very smart and always liked to tinker with dangerous things."

"If I had another chance, I might have persuaded him not to do those dangerous researches himself, with experts and so many servants, but he just wouldn't listen. In order to make the empress-in-law happy, the new fireworks he lit had an accident and he was gone."

"If you go to the battlefield, you must return safely."

"Theresa, there will be dangers on the battlefield, and bullets may hit anyone."

"You can wear a strong breastplate, at least it can block bullets. I don't want you to get hurt."

"They can't shoot accurately, and not all soldiers are that Russian sharpshooter who can shoot two shots with a raise of his hand."

"He also likes children. You see, he is really good at teasing children."

"We It's possible, but I don't believe those rumors. "

"The British like to spread rumors. My two uncles, the Count of Artois, and my younger uncle still care about me. He used to have a good relationship with my mother and still care about me. "

"But I can't comment on Louis XVIII, the exiled majesty. "

"You have always been humble, Karl, why do others think you are boring? "

"Maybe I only talk about military affairs, hunting and estate management, and I am not good at discussing topics that girls pay attention to. "

"I have nothing now, which may not be of any benefit to you, and may even bring trouble. "

"Be your knight. If I lose to the French on the battlefield and no longer lead troops, we will return to Teschen and live a peaceful and comfortable life there. Theresa, I will promise you to do something, but if it fails, you must consider this possibility. "

Archduke Karl spoke too seriously, and he also considered the possible problems in advance.

"If you can agree to my request, I will propose to you, and I hope you can agree."

Marie Therese thought about it. Cousin Karl was a brave but weak warrior. After getting along with him for half a month, she also felt that he had a golden quality and attached great importance to promises. After all, he was the one who succeeded his deceased uncle as the Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights, and he always had a little chivalry.

"I know that if it doesn't work, it's God's arrangement."

"Then I propose to you, Theresa."

"I promise you, cousin, but we still have to keep it secret, and at most only the people here can know it."

Speaking of which, Anton and Maria Theresa are also suitable as witnesses. They were originally the owners here.

This eldest cousin and her husband are also willing to see their younger brother and cousin get engaged here. Archduke Karl's way is also a bit sudden, like a surprise attack on the battlefield.

Then they were still together and said a lot of intimate whispers.

"Theresa, our engagement must be kept secret. It's the summer of 1802, and it will be a year later."

"You still need to take good care of your body. I get scared when I see you sick, Karl. Fortunately, you look good now."

Karl's epilepsy symptoms have indeed been controlled, which he himself did not expect. Although the previous attacks were not as frequent as those in adolescence, the symptoms were always very violent. This time, under Theresa's careful care, his body's reaction was not so severe, and he was clear-headed during this period.

Under such conditions, the two sides already had some good feelings for each other, and each had their own needs, so the engagement seemed to be a matter of course.

Waiting for a year is also the relationship between Austria and France in the future. If the relationship between the two countries improves, the archduke's marriage will naturally not affect the relationship between the two countries. At that time, it only needs to let Marie Therese issue a declaration, and it can even continue to promote reconciliation. Austria does not want to fight, and has always been timid in strategy.

If the relationship deteriorates, then Archduke Karl's marriage will more or less represent the attitude of Emperor Franz and a warning to France. Even an emperor as timid as Franz knows a lot of interests involved.

The French cousin also asked her grandma to check her body while she was taking a bath, which proved something different from the rumors outside, that is, the exiled French princess still maintained her innocence, so she could rest assured.

"Your Highness is in good health and has a plump figure, just like Your Highness Antonette."

As she was talking, the old grandma started to cry. She couldn't even talk about the results of her next examination because she was so weeping.

This also reassured Emperor Franz that at least his cousin's body was certified as having no problems and that her bones were well developed. Except for a period of malnutrition while being imprisoned in the castle, there were no major problems.

Another issue that needs to be worried about is probably the ancestral problems of the Habsburgs.

Solovyov did not know that the Duchess of Angoulême had actually been pregnant, but only during her marriage to her cousin.

This time I replaced the cousin with a cousin. Although Archduke Carl's health was not very good, his family later became prosperous, but now there is still the risk of incest, and the Grand Duke's mother is Spanish Bourbon. , daughter of King Carlos III.

Solovyov had to follow the arrangement and combination for a long time. He began to draw a family tree and began to investigate.

"Baron, what are you doing?"

"Although I want to bless your two highnesses now, I think of Carlos II's terrible disease and the chin of your highnesses' ancestors."

However, these two do not have the ancestral Habsburg chin. This chin last appeared on Maria Christina, but she was their cousin and a member of the Bourbon family. She later became the Queen Ding.

The inheritance of the big chin has been transferred. If Solovyov knew about it, he might have to find a place where no one is around to smile.

"What problem are you trying to explain?"

Archduke Karl knew that the other party had good intentions, and he also had some research on the family tree.

"Relatively close relatives may have problems getting married. I can see this with the sons of the Duke and Duchess of Brunswick, but their overlap is a bit too complicated."

Marie Therese was a devout believer. She believed that God would bless her and her cousin. Then she continued to pray in front of the Virgin Mary, still talking about her parents, aunt, brother and sister, who were no longer alive. .

"I believe the possibility you mentioned. After all, similar tragedies did happen to our Spanish relatives, but Teresa is so pitiful, I don't think the world will be so cruel to her. If something like this really happened Unfortunately, I will always be with her."

Moreover, when they were chatting here, they didn't know that the last unlucky ones of Habsburg were all in the Franz branch. In the other branches, even intermarriage between close relatives, serious genetic diseases were not so obvious.

Since the two parties are so in love with each other, they are absolutely determined and have no hesitation. Solovyov will not say more. After all, the story of this kind of prince + warrior and the princess who escaped from the "Magic Cave" is still eye-catching and tear-jerking. of.

In addition, it was Marie Therese who provided a counterexample, that is, her good sister Alexandra who successfully escaped from marriage with her at the time.

"Alexandra, she also married her cousin! And the children are very healthy and much taller than other children."

This can be said to be unexpected. After all, Alexandra is also married to her cousin. The twin daughters she and William gave birth to are in good health, and compared to children of the same age, they are too strong.

"This is because His Royal Highness William of Württemberg's family is already tall. Thinking about His Majesty King Frederick's burly figure, even the 'Giant Grenadier' ​​is not as tall or strong as him."

When he arrived in Stuttgart, Solovyov still had to see the two "big girls", that is, their faces resembled his mother's, or else they were really the "Golden Horned King" and the "Silver Horned King".

"So, whatever happens depends on God's will. If my cousin Carl and I can get married and become partners, God bless us, we will have many children, and we will let them grow up happily and have the best life. …”

Then she returned to the statue of the Virgin Mary. According to the idea of ​​this "fanatic" exiled princess, she would offer delicious cakes as sacrifices to the altar of the Virgin Mary, and pray every day before the official marriage. , there is nothing to say about piety.

Karl looked at it and smiled. His attitude is also very firm. Since his cousin is also determined, the relationship will be stronger, and the communication will not be interrupted when he returns to Vienna from Dresden.

I also wish them happiness. Marie Therese will still live in seclusion in Dresden. It is very safe for her. After the engagement, her cousin-in-law Anton will often send doctors and attendants to visit her, that is, Dole When Prince Gorukov and his family left Dresden to travel to Paris, they were always taken care of and arranged by someone.

"Sister Therese, you must take care of yourself."

When the family embarked on their journey to Paris, Ekaterina held her hand and refused to leave.

As for Sofia, she was always begging for a hug from her elder sister and would not leave Marie-Thérèse's arms.

"Sofia, sister can't go to Paris with you. You have to listen to the adults when you get there."

The prince and his wife also said goodbye to the poor princess and sent her their blessings.

"Child, if you encounter big troubles in the future, you can go to Petersburg. The gates of my house and manor are always open to you."

After living together for several years, the feelings are still very deep. Now it is Marie Therese crying in the arms of the princess.

"I know you are very good to me. I will always remember you."

After they all shed tears, it is Soloviev's turn.

"Your Highness, I wish you true happiness."

"Thank you, Mr. Major. You are also a kind-hearted person. I wish you a smooth trip to Paris."

"Do you want me to take a message to Mrs. Lebrun and Julie? Writing letters will not do them any good."

After mentioning the lady, the "little cake" princess suddenly found that the relatives and friends in the Palace of Versailles that she was familiar with, except for her uncle and cousin, her mother and her friends in the court, and her adopted sister in the monastery, only had this mother and daughter. Moreover, Mrs. Lebrun was a very close friend of her mother and they met again in Petersburg.

"Just tell them that Marie Therese Charlotte misses them very much, but for various reasons, she cannot go to Paris. My heart will always be with them."

"Nothing else to say?"

"No, I have nothing, but I..."

The princess remembered what she wrote when she was trapped in the castle:

Marie Therese Charlotte is the unhappiest person in the world.

She could not get any news from her mother, not even the chance to reunite with her mother, although she had asked her mother a thousand times.

Long live my beloved mother, but I can't get any news from her.

My father, please watch over me from heaven!

My God, please forgive those who killed my parents!

Her obsession with revenge does not seem to be as strong as the rumors say.

"Your Highness, take care of yourself too. Don't be too obsessed, it will only hurt your soul and body. Live happily and strongly. Every relative and friend around you cares about and loves you."

"Thank you. If you complete your mission in Paris, I hope you can bring news about Madam and Julie when you pass by Dresden. I also hope that they can have a happy and peaceful life."

Soloviev didn't say much, just saluted the poor exiled princess.

"Michel, if Russia and the usurper meet on the battlefield, what will you do?"

"I will fulfill my military duty and wield my sword to fight my enemies!"

This answer made the girl very satisfied. During the time Soloviev lived here, he actually felt that war was inevitable, and the important thing was to get intelligence.