There is no doubt that Napoleon was the brightest star of the era that began in 1789, he shook the whole of Europe, and people named the era after him.

However, he could not write an entire era alone, and beyond him, there was a group of stars that were a little fainter but still dazzling enough, and with him they decorated the starry sky of Europe, and wrote those legends that made people either excited or regretful.

Prince Metternich is one of the stars.

He was not a fierce warrior or a statecraftman, but he was worthy of stirring up the game of continental Europe with his diplomatic acumen and skill, as well as the utilitarianism and ruthlessness hidden beneath his graceful demeanor.

At the critical moment when Austria was successively defeated by the Emperor Napoleon, he was appointed as Minister of Foreign Affairs by the Emperor of Austria, using his flexibility to toss and turn in a limited space, first respecting Napoleon and then declaring war on France when Napoleon was defeated by Russia.

In recognition of his contributions, he held the post of Prime Minister of the Austrian Empire from 1821 onwards, and His Majesty the Kaiser placed enough trust on him that every word he uttered represented the ancient Habsburg dynasty.

At this moment, Aigron, together with his guardian, Count von Dietrichstein, was about to enter a suite in Schönbrunn Palace to meet the Prime Minister.

As before, Aglon had been expressionless, unhurried, and had no fear of seeing such a big man.

Although I was a little excited when I saw a well-known historical figure at first, after seeing it a few times, I no longer felt like this.

Even if it were Metternich, he was only a mortal—albeit an outstanding mortal.

What's more, he wasn't much of a friendly presence to Agron.

Soon, the door was opened.

The room was very empty, except for a thin man standing with his hands in his hands, looking out the window.

Led by the squire, Aglon and the Count walked into the room, bowed to His Excellency the Prime Minister, and then the squire withdrew with the Count.

Aiglon stood in the center of the room, awaiting His Royal Highness's inquiry.

He didn't wait long for Prince Metternich to turn around and look at him.

And Aiglon also looked up at His Royal Highness.

He wore a court embroidered gown today, with a ribbon on his chest and a medal of honor around his neck, bejeweled enough to make one forget that he was fifty years old.

As usual, his pale, slightly wrinkled face wore a ceremonial smile, as if he were wearing a delicate mask.

"Franz, I haven't seen you for a long time, and you've grown a lot taller again - it's really gratifying." He greeted softly, gesturing for Aglon to sit down.

He was very gracious, and even though everyone knew he was not kind, His Royal Highness had to show kindness, and Aglon had to accept it and show enough respect.

On the realm of Schönbrunn Palace, no matter how many swords and swords there are, they must be covered with a veil of affection.

"You're as radiant as ever, too." Aiglon smiled slightly and replied with the same politeness.

"Fifty-three and fifteen, no matter how much you compare." His Royal Highness replied softly, "The moment you entered the door, although I had my back to you, I still felt vitality, a vitality that belongs directly to young people and is enviable......"

"At least you lived up to your youth, and I didn't achieve anything." Aglon replied.

Of course he knew that Prince Metternich had found him, of course, just to say such frivolous compliments, but since the other party was going to go around in circles, he could only continue to follow along.

"So what do you hope to achieve?" The prince asked suddenly.

Then he smiled again, "Dominate Europe?" ”

It sounded like a joke, but Aglon suddenly tensed.

In his current situation, he can't talk nonsense, especially when it comes to such dangerous topics.

"I don't have such fantasies, but I do hope to be a traveler and explorer in the future, and give myself the opportunity to see any interesting place in the world, and leave a manuscript for the world to refer to." Aiglon immediately replied, "For me, this is enough of an unattainable dream. ”

"You don't have to be so discouraged, it's not like there's no chance of realizing this dream." Prince Metternich spread his hands, as if to comfort the young man, "Although your special status will bring some concerns to all of us, I believe that with the passage of time, one day, the sensitive past will become history, and everyone will no longer dwell on those things in the past, and that day you will be able to travel to every corner of the world as a member of the Habsburg family in the eyes of all admirers." ”

Admittedly, these words were very beautiful, and they sounded even more touching under the soft voice of His Royal Highness the Prince, but Aiglon was unmoved in his heart.

Obviously, this is just a pie to perfunctory yourself.

When politicians say "one day", they mean "the foreseeable future is impossible".

But he was not disappointed, he had known these things for a long time.

"Okay, thank you for your kindness." Aiglon bowed again and thanked him, "What do you have to explain to me?" ”

"Actually, it's not a big deal." His Royal Highness shook his head slightly, "Recently, I have paid attention to your studies, and the feedback I have received is very good, almost all your teachers are full of praise for you, saying that you have both understanding and willingness to work hard, and you have made great progress......"

"The teachers have taught me very hard, and I have no reason to disappoint them." Aiglon replied sincerely.

"You see, that's what I'm talking about—" interrupted the young man again, "to tell you the truth, this kind of hard work of yours is hard to see among the princes and nobles, because a life of too much wealth and comfort will always wear down their will, and they have no incentive to force themselves to work hard. Your Highness Franz, you are different from them, no one with no ambition would push you so hard. ”

Aiglon didn't answer for a moment.

In his situation, no matter what answer he does, it doesn't seem appropriate, after all, "having big ambitions" is really a somewhat dangerous assessment.

His Royal Highness did not urge him to speak, but continued to speak himself.

"I just like young people to have some ideals, rather than lying in bed and sleeping in a daze. But Franz, I think you need to build up a further foundation for your ideals. ”

"What do you mean?" Aglon had a sense of foreboding.

"How about going to military school? I think you have a good chance of being a good officer. Prince Metternich looked at the boy with a smile, "I think that in the Austrian Imperial Army, you will have the opportunity to serve everywhere, and then you will naturally become a good traveler and scholar, if you wish." ”

I see...... It dawned on Aglon in his heart.

It's finally here.

This is the trajectory of Roman kings in history.

The Austrian royal family was very eager to assimilate the exotic Roman king into their own, so in addition to giving the children of the royal family, they also brought him into the imperial army.

In 1822, Emperor Franz conferred the rank of corporal on the 11-year-old, making him officially a member of the Habsburg Imperial Army.

He was then sent to a military school to learn the skills expected of an officer.

Finally, in 1831, he took command of the 60th Hungarian Infantry Regiment.

However, this was not the beginning, but the end for the aspiring Roman king, who suffered a physical tear during his harsh military training and contracted tuberculosis in the barracks.

On December 27, 1831, during a military parade in the winter, he was found to have a terrible cough and had to return to live at Schönbrunn Palace, after which he became critically ill.

According to the records of doctors at the time, he coughed up blood so badly that he almost coughed up all the tissue in his lungs.

- This is definitely not the fate that Aglon wants to replicate once.

The sanitary conditions of this era were not very good, and living in the densely populated barracks and military academies with even worse sanitary conditions naturally brought more severe dangers, and if he followed the direction of this history, he was not confident that he would be able to avoid it.

"I thank you very much for your kindness, but ...... I didn't have much interest in joining the army. "After a moment's thought, Aiglon rejected the memories of His Royal Highness." I like pens more than swords. ”

"But even so, a military experience is very useful to you, and I suggest you try it."

Although His Royal Highness's tone was still very gentle, there was no smile on his face, clearly implying that this was not a suggestion but an order.

But when life was at stake, Aglon had no intention of changing his mind.

"Your words are also very reasonable...... Then I'll think about it carefully, and it's not too late to make a decision later. ”

"So I should understand it as a refusal?" Prince Metternich stared at Agron.

His gaze had the unquestionability of a man in a high position for a long time, and it was clear that he had no other answer for Agron.

This time, however, the young man shook his head.

"I'm sorry, but I can only go along with what I want now."

Instead of being angry, the prince laughed.

"A stubborn lad." He didn't know whether to praise or sarcasm.

"If groveling to you can be exchanged for your favor and improve my situation, then I will be very willing to please you, but—even if I do, you may not take it to heart, you have seen so many false sweet words in the diplomatic arena in your life, even if I say more, I will not be able to impress a veteran like you, so why should I do this?" Aiglon replied calmly. "I think it might be better to be honest with you."

There was silence.

No one was angry, but there was no reconciliation either.

Looking at the young man's clear gaze, the prince was thoughtful.

"Okay, I've already received your opinion, then you go back first, and I'll think about it later." While speaking, His Royal Highness waved his hand lightly, "I hope you have a pleasant afternoon." ”

"Goodbye, Your Highness." Aglon bowed slightly, then turned to leave.

"I don't want to see another person in you so soon, so please don't forget that this is Vienna and not Paris, that's my advice, Franz."

Just as he was about to step out of the room, he heard a gentle word from behind.

He paused slightly, but immediately stepped out of the room.