Chapter 997 - 220: Schönbrunn Palace

Chapter 997: Chapter 220: Schönbrunn Palace

Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace.

Crown Prince Carl has recently been in a foul mood, being the grandson of Duke Carl Ludwig, the brother of the old Emperor, and the nephew of Duke Ferdinand.

After his uncle Ferdinand’s unexpected death, he naturally became the Monarch of the "German United Kingdom" one of the most powerful countries in the world, inheriting the legacy of the ancient Holy Roman Empire.

Although he never received a proper monarch education, and the Debang he was about to take over was still mired in an endless war, Carl often worried about whether he could bring this storm-tossed, externally threatened, and internally tumultuous nation to a stable landing.

But this does not impede the position of Emperor of Debang from being the coveted throne that any member of the Habsburg Family dreams of.

Even the Emperor of Mexico, a title deemed worthless, has people scrambling to claim it, let alone the Emperor of Debang.

However.

Rudolf has returned.

His cousin, who had been missing for many years and was rumored to have committed suicide over a love affair, has returned.

Relinquishing this heavy burden may not be a bad thing, although he felt relieved, he couldn’t suppress some resentment deep down, wondering what right does someone who abandoned family responsibility for a mistress and disregarded family honor have to return and seize his throne?

He held his five-year-old son, young Otto, gently patting his back, trying to convince himself to prioritize the greater good and family, but when faced with the temptation of the throne, claiming to be unaffected would be akin to being a Saint in this world.

"Your Highness!"

The attendant came with small quick steps and whispered in Carl’s ear for a while.

Carl was somewhat astonished: "The Texas envoy is here? Does Your Majesty want me to enter the palace to attend court?"

His heart was lifted with joy, the old Emperor, on the throne for over sixty years, almost transformed into a political animal, never doing anything superfluous. Summoning him to court certainly didn’t mean a change in succession plans.

"Quick, hand young Otto to Princess Zita, we are entering the palace immediately."

When he arrived at Schönbrunn Palace, Carl was taken aback.

The red carpet stretched to the Mirror Hall, armed guards stood in ceremonial uniform, lining up to welcome as if receiving a foreign monarch of equal status.

"Wasn’t it said that the Texas envoy was coming? This scene looks as if Queen Victoria herself had arrived?"

Crown Prince Carl was a bit puzzled, Texas after all was just an overseas country, although acceptable in strength, it naturally ranked below European nations in their eyes, as the old European white flags.

Even if the Texas President, Juliano di Basilicata, came in person, such standards seemed a bit excessive.

The attendant didn’t know the inside story, merely saying, "Perhaps it’s because the Texans agreed to join the war?"

Carl frowned and said, "Even so, it’s not enough... Anyway, since His Majesty did so, there must be a deeper reason, we’ll find out by looking."

But when he arrived at the Mirror Hall, he found the visitors to be quite unfamiliar.

His grandfather, the old Emperor, reigning for over sixty years and viewed by Carl as a "political animal," at this moment had an extremely enthusiastic smile on his face, holding a lady’s hand and chatting casually.

He widened his eyes, glanced at the attendant, both feeling like they were dreaming.

Franz the Great Emperor, always serious and unsmiling, was surprisingly showing such a kind, grandpa-next-door smile?

"Carl’s here, sit next to Rudolf."

Franz saw Carl, merely waved his hand, and then ignored him.

Facing Carl’s curious gaze, Rudolf chuckled and said, "That’s Viviana, the legendary Candle Knight, when she became famous, you were just a little tot."

Carl’s expression was somewhat amazed, yet couldn’t help but wonder, "She is the Candle Knight? Truly living up to her name. However, you all look surprisingly young."

Rudolf shook his head, "Not young, it’s because we never experienced those years, after joining the Tower of Babel, time no longer holds much significance for us. So Carl, don’t worry about me taking your position, what you should do is quickly learn how to be a competent Crown Prince, instead of woolgathering."

Carl felt embarrassed, his mind exposed, he quickly said, "Yes, Uncle."

"Talk to me about your governance philosophy, Father’s always said I’m an unrealistic idealist, and I’ve always scoffed at his conservative obstinacy, maybe you can balance the two of us?"

Rudolf made a little joke, quickly bridging the gap between them.

He couldn’t stay long in this world, he didn’t even want to, his remaining affection for his country made him very willing to introduce his original loyalists and faction members one by one to this new Crown Prince.

Elsewhere.

The old Emperor was complaining to Losa, "Captain Losa, you are after all an ancestor of our Habsburg Family, why hand such a good opportunity to the Hohenzollern Family? Don’t you know how dangerous their planning is for this country?"

With the old Emperor’s skill, he clearly knew the danger of the Hohenzollern’s plan, merging the Knight Order Country with Brandenburg, and having defeated Tsarist Russia, the Knight Order Country’s territory was destined for significant expansion.

This move, which might split Debang into northern and southern parts and even shake the Habsburg family’s throne, seemed more detestable than external enemies in Franz’s eyes.

However, he could only grumble a bit. The grand welcoming ceremony this time was mainly meant to welcome Losa and show goodwill.

The power showcased by the Tower of Babel in this Eastern Front operation, with its Giant Dragon Legion, in the subversion activities at Saint Petersburg, falling on any of the participating countries would be a disaster.

"Therefore, I had Prince Rudolf remind you. I think, with your wisdom, you’ve already devised a method to deal with it."

Franz smiled bitterly and said, "There is always a way, but achieving a definitive solution is simply impossible."

Losa chuckled, "No choice, the old Elector gave his daughter to me, I have to offer some bridal gift."

The Habsburg he belonged to wasn’t the same as the Habsburg of this world.

The old Emperor was willing to accept kinship; the saying "When poor, relatives are distant; when wealthy, relatives come from afar" truly applies here.

"Ha, where does old Frederick get the face to accept..."

Seeing Viviana’s helpless expression, the old Emperor could only say, "Alright, let’s not talk about this. Losa, the family currently has many suitable young ladies in the court, do you want to meet them? I don’t need Frederick’s generous dowry, you can take them away directly."

Losa quickly waved his hand, "That won’t be necessary."

Looking at his "little granddaughter" Anna’s angry expression, the old Emperor couldn’t help but laugh heartily, "There’s no need for you to refuse, little Anna wouldn’t agree anyway. How long can you all stay here? If time allows, I’d like to host a royal wedding befitting your status."

This time, before Losa could refuse, Prajna spoke.

"No need to trouble you, Your Majesty. If you have spare time, host a wedding for Prince Rudolf and Lady Mary first."

The smile on the old Emperor’s face faded a bit, and after a long sigh, he said, "If he has the face, what harm is there in hosting a wedding for him? After he abandoned Stephanie and young Elizabeth, he didn’t even have the courage to meet them upon his return."

The atmosphere became heavier for a moment.

Lady Mary also returned to this world, but unlike Rudolf, as Losa’s representative, Franz, no matter how displeased with his only son, had to fulfill his duties as an Emperor.

Regarding Lady Mary, the old Emperor found her completely unpleasant to even glance at.

Rudolf abandoning his wife and daughter to elope with a rural noblewoman, disappearing for over a decade, was even more disgraceful than the legend of Rudolf and Lady Mary’s supposed romantic death.

On the other side.

Cherina, Lavinia, and Venezia were already chatting with the Texas envoy.

The leader of the Texas envoy was an old acquaintance of Losa’s, Centurion Leon.

In these years, Texas had developed step by step according to Losa’s plan.

Recruiting immigrants from Europe, assimilating the natives, developing education and basic industry, after a decade of golden development, Texas finally managed to barely squeeze into the ranks of the second tier powers.

At the very least, they were qualified to deal with the enemies from the French Colony.

Hence, this time Texas sent an envoy to Europe, summoned by Losa, to join in this most opportune moment in the ’war to end all wars.’

With the outbreak of unrest in Tsarist Russia, the defeat of the Allies was inevitable, and no matter how strong the Fasci Federation was, they couldn’t possibly simultaneously contend with the Anglo-German Alliance in Europe.

Participating now maximized Texas’s potential to acquire enough interest.

Given the Fasci Federation’s vast sphere of influence in America, even if Texas only received a third, it would be an extremely lucrative gain.

"How is my father’s health?"

Leon smiled and replied, "He’s doing well. Although he’s been quite lax in personal Martial Arts over the years, given his constitution, living another hundred years shouldn’t be a problem."

"That’s good. How are Valentina and her Saluzzo Family doing?"

"Speaking of Miss Valentina, her vision and resolve are truly remarkable. Ten years ago, Miss Valentina overcame opposition and abandoned the Saluzzo homeland, relocating the entire family to Texas, and built a city named ’New Saluzzo’ on the other side of the Rio Grande River. No longer engaged in the assassination trade, they are mainly involved in armed escorting of goods, shipping, and mining industries."

Leon sighed, "Nowadays, the Saluzzo Family’s business is spread throughout the New Continent. From the Thirteen Colonies to French South America, who doesn’t know that the Saluzzo Family’s bodyguards are the most reliable?"

"With the Saluzzo Family so dominant, what about the rest of the Wolf Race families?"

Compared to Cherina, Lavinia, and Venezia were clearly more concerned about the state of Texas.

Numerous Wolf Race families migrating to the New Continent not only strengthened Texas’s Power but also diluted the original influence of Basilicata, coupled with immigration issues and ethnic tensions between the Wolf Race and humans.

To govern such a nation, just thinking about it made Lavinia feel overwhelmed.