"Miss Charlotte Hill, I have heard of your name for a long time, and I thought we would meet on a formal occasion in Berlin or London, but now it is ...... It was really unexpected. Pen %Fun %Pavilion www.biquge.info"

The current mother of the Second German Reich, Empress Augusta Victoria, sat with her daughter Princess Louise, her eldest daughter-in-law, Crown Princess Cecilia, and Charlotte Hill under a large white parasol.

Because it was the first time they met, Charlotte returned to the cramped posture she had when she first arrived in Brandenburg, and Queen Victoria's cold expression and stiff tone added to her restrained mood.

In order to help Charlotte get out of this embarrassing situation, Louise smiled and said, "Queen Mother, I have known Miss Hill for more than five years, she is a very shy person, and it is only after getting acquainted with her that I will slowly discover all kinds of good qualities in her. ”

Cecilia also said: "Yes, after a few days of getting along, even I already like this English girl!" ”

The queen slowly picked up the teacup: "Well, if it's not likable, how can we make our always steady Joechen so reckless?" ”

Charlotte looked up at Queen Victoria in some surprise, and her eyes suddenly showed a look of grievance. After taking a leave of absence from Elizabeth Girls' College, she lost contact with the outside world, receiving neither letters nor contact with Natsuki, and day after day, she gradually developed the idea of resigning herself to her fate in the torment of loneliness. If Natsuki had come a little later, she might have accepted Wellington's proposal, and once the wood was ready, she would have to bury this unforgettable love deep in her heart, and not do anything to break her marriage vows.

"As far as I know, Jochen has made a pretty careful arrangement this time, it seems to be risky, but in fact it ......" Louise was interrupted by her mother before she could finish speaking.

"There are some questions that I think need to be clarified. Like, Miss Hill, do you like the country of Germany? ”

Charlotte could not avoid the Queen's direct question, and she spoke in a soft voice in German, which was not yet fluent: "Germany is a country with a long history (since the Holy Roman Empire, also known as the First German Empire), it is beautiful, its people are hardworking and creative, and it has a world-class military tradition...... I truly love Jochen, so I will truly love his country. ”

The queen did not say anything about whether she was satisfied with such an answer, and she continued to ask very unceremoniously: "What about your parents and your family?" What do they think of Germany? ”

Because she was able to communicate with Natsuki in English, Charlotte was still at the stage where she could understand German but could not express it freely. The more words she spoke, the more mistakes and stumbles were inevitable, but fortunately, with the help of Natsuki and others, she prepared in advance for all kinds of questions that the Empress might ask, so she could basically make the Empress understand what she was trying to say: "The Hill family is a naval family, and the duty of a soldier is to defend his country." As far back as I can remember, the elders admired Prussia's fighting spirit, and I heard them say that in the early years the cooperation between the two navies was very close, and both sides learned a lot from each other. ”

"But they don't like Germany now, do they?" The queen asked unrelentingly.

Charlotte's answer was still ingenious: "It's not that they don't like Germany, it's just that they don't want to see two European powers compete too fiercely, and they don't want to be enemies on the battlefield with their former friends." ”

The queen's face did not continue to be cold, but there was no obvious relaxation, she calmly held the teacup and looked at Charlotte calmly: "If war really breaks out between the two countries, you ...... Will he persuade Jochen to stay out of strife for the sake of his country and family? ”

Although the question was worded in a relatively euphemistic manner, the spearhead pointed at a sensitive direction, which was Charlotte's real motive for coming to Natsuki's side.

Charlotte once again showed a look of surprise and grievance, for a 17-year-old girl like her, who grew up in a privileged environment, frustration, humiliation, and grievance are very unfamiliar words, and when they hit her head, tears did not come out of her eyes It is already full of strength.

Although she knew that she would upset her mother by speaking for Charlotte at this time, Louise still spoke: "I really hope that the terrible war will never come, otherwise, it will be a great pain to choose either side." ”

The Empress said-for-tat: "War is not something we can decide, not even His Majesty the Kaiser and the whole people of Germany!" We can only pray and respond, what do you say, Miss Hill? ”

Charlotte picked up the teacup and took a sip of the tea at just the right temperature, and the waves in her heart calmed down a lot.

"Yes, Your Highness, we can only pray and prepare at the same time." She said, "I really don't want Jochen to go to the front, because I've seen the pitiful life of war widows, and I'm afraid to be one of them, but if you were to ask me which side I would support in a possible war between England and Germany, I can only tell you truthfully: I don't support the war, and I don't support either side in the war." ”

The queen calmly picked up the teacup, calmly drank the tea and pondered, and the content in her eyes gradually changed a little.

Meanwhile, in the woods on the outskirts of Brandenburg, men take a break from their hunting while Kaiser Wilhelm II, Crown Prince Wilhelm, Prince Oskar and Natsuki sit under the trees and talk in a manly manner.

"You've done something amazing." Wilhelm II said to Natsuki, "Not only did he steal the English girl, but he also stole the heart of the English girl." From a father's point of view, I should praise you and support you. But I am the ruler of this country, the emperor of the German people, and I must put the interests of this country first, do you know what I mean? ”

Without waiting for Natsuki to speak, Oscar interjected, "Trojan War, Jochen, you are Paris (Prince of Troy)." ”

Unsure of what this perverse guy was trying to say, Natsuki turned his head to look at Oscar, only to see him playing with a green apple in his hand, smiling and winking at Natsuki.

Crown Prince William continued: "We are countless times stronger than the Trojans, but the British do not have the absolute superiority of the Greek coalition in front of us, and we have nothing to fear in a modern Trojan war." ”

Wilhelm II confidently stated: "If there were only Germany and England in the gladiatorial arena, we would surely be the victors." ”

The pugnacious ruler then judged, with rare dispassion, that "though our great naval build-up has aroused the displeasure of the British, the main threat to Germany at present is not at sea, and the British government will never go to war with us for a woman who does not even have a title of nobility, but this will further worsen their political relations with us." Jochen? ”

"I understand what you mean." Natsuki replied without humility or arrogance, "Forgive me for not consulting you in advance, but the matter has come to this point, if we are forced to return Charlotte to them under pressure from the British, the strong man I believe in will be dealt a crushing blow, and the confidence of the army and the people will also be affected." ”

Crown Prince William chimed in: "In that case, the British will definitely treat us as soft eggs, and in the future, if there is a dispute over other issues, they will also use this method to suppress us." ”

"That's right." Oscar rubbed his green apple, took a bite, and ate it crunchy.

"Okay!" "Yesterday I received a personal letter from my cousin George, the Crown Prince of England. He said he admired your courage, but the incident had caused a very bad repercussion in the UK, and the people demanded that the truth of the incident be investigated and the kidnappers brought to justice. If they knew that the matter was related to the German royal family, the opposition to Germany would further influence the decision-making of the British Parliament. So, he suggested that we settle the matter in a decent way, and then he would personally match you and try to get the Hill family to give you Charlotte. ”

Crown Prince Wilhelm immediately objected: "Even if things turn out as he says, the Hohenzollerns will suffer great humiliation." Do we need the forgiving assistance of the British crown prince to marry an ordinary British aristocratic family? ”

At this time, Natsuki still kept a cool head, he thought about it, and said to Wilhelm II: "This letter itself is a contempt for the German royal family. ”

"Oh?" Wilhelm II was puzzled.

"First of all, he used the word 'kidnapping', ostensibly to quote a popular opinion, but in fact it was his own personal thought: our actions were rude kidnapping! In the self-righteous understanding of the Anglo-Saxons, the Germans would only do rude things! ”

"Secondly, the fact that I took Charlotte from Hill Manor, which was originally a private act in nature, and that in the absence of conclusive evidence or factual justification, he directly identified the incident as a national contradiction, which is a signal: the British authorities are deliberately directing public opinion to turn them hostile to Germany, so as to achieve certain inhumane ends!"

After listening to Natsuki's analysis, the Kaiser was already frowning.

Crown Prince William continued to stand on the side of helping Natsuki speak: "At this point, we must not send Charlotte Hill back to England, after all, her personal will is also to stay with our Joechen for the rest of her life." My opinion is this: whether the British put pressure on us by means of public opinion or diplomacy, the Reich neither recognized nor denied it, and we did not have to hide Jochen and Miss Hill, was a German victory and a testament once again to the incomparable charm of the Hohenzollerns. ”

When the Kaiser had basically an idea in his heart, Oscar added to the fire: "Let the whole world know this tortuous and touching love story!" In this way, they no longer felt that the Germans were just a cruel and indifferent military machine. In the pursuit of love, our persistence and romance are not inferior to those of any nation. ”

At the end of the conversation, Wilhelm II said: "I know that you are a dedicated and persistent man, and you have pleased us to see that your talent is not only in naval vessels, but also in other respects, such as careful strategy and extraordinary courage. It is often said that Count Bismarck and Marshal Moltke are the most precious gifts that God has given to Germany for hundreds of years, and I believe that as long as you maintain your present state, your future achievements will not be inferior to those two meritorious men. And you, Wilhelm, Oscar, I am glad to see that you are united and selflessly helping your brothers, and that you are very assertive, and I hope that Germany will truly rise to become a unique leader in your generation, when there will be no more people dictating to you, and the Hohenzollerns will be prosperous from you for a thousand years! ”

(End of chapter)