With Christmas 1914 just over a week to go, the festive mood was already in full swing across Germany. Pen | fun | pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 infoFor all German citizens, the outgoing year was the most exciting year since the founding of the Reich, and although Germany not only did not add a single colony, but lost many overseas occupation areas, including Jiaozhou Bay, it defeated its strongest opponents on land and at sea, and the German army became invincible, and the country's prestige reached the pinnacle of history. In time, victory on the battlefield will surely turn into abundant fruits.

In Berlin, the German capital, the Prussian spirit of frugality and self-discipline still had a profound influence on all classes, coupled with the shortage of imported materials during the war, all kinds of supplies were given priority to the army, and people's preparations for Christmas seemed incompatible with Berlin's status as a cosmopolitan city, which was one of the important reasons why outsiders felt that Berlin was not atmospheric enough. The happy Berliners did not care about this, the invincible German army stepped on the blast furnace chicken, swept the Russian bear with their fists, and removed the last fig leaf of the British gentleman on the northern front, and the momentum of Germany's domination of Europe and the march into the ocean was unstoppable, and the officers and men of the three armies naturally became the most popular people in Berlin. When Natsuki's military sedan drove through the streets of Berlin, smiling faces were everywhere outside the window, but the people didn't know who was sitting in the car, otherwise the cheers would fill the city.

The car crosses the palace bridge over the River Spree and enters Berlin's Imperial Palace, where each building has the common characteristics of simplicity and grandeur, and this is another symbol of Prussia, with its unparalleled meticulousness in its roughness, and behind its martial arts is the national admiration for art and science, such a country is destined to become a combination of contradictions and a unique existence.

Natsuki got out of the car near the old Prussian palace, crossed a secluded gravel road, and quietly came to the balcony of Princess Louise's bedroom, stopping to listen, and sure enough, there was a light music in the cold air. Natsuki smiled knowingly, climbed into the corridor from the window that would never close, tiptoed up the stairs, the stove warmed the room, and in front of the piano by the window sat a woman in a beige gauze dress, the court-style shoulder-length curls were so familiar, the high nose bridge, handsome cheeks and cherry-like red lips, if it weren't for the unchangeable blood relationship, Natsuki might fall in love with the person in front of him.

After playing the song, Princess Louise, who was sitting alone at the piano, still did not notice Natsuki's arrival, her eyes looked out of the window, looking at the snowy scene with some distraction, and she didn't know who she was missing. After a while, the wonderful eyes moved, and the white and delicate fingers rested on the keys of the piano again, and the tone played was so familiar.

After the prelude, Natsuki began to chant along with the melody. Hearing this soft male voice, Louise turned her head in surprise, and the tune of "Hey, Girl" came to an abrupt end.

Natsuki's singing did not stop, but continued to sing until the end of the first bar, "If you find someone you love, go and love her, remember to love her forever, life will be better." He slowly opened his arms and smiled warmly in response to Louise's tearful embrace.

The princess hugged her brother tightly and sobbed like a child, "You scoundrel, you scoundrel, you said you should come back to see me as soon as possible, how can you delay coming back now?" ”

Natsuki gently stroked Louise's blonde brown hair, and the fragrance that penetrated her nostrils had her unique taste.

"Little fool, haven't I come back? I said we spend every Christmas together and never break our promises, right? ”

"Will this promise last forever?" Louise asked, bowing her head.

"Of course." Natsuki replied without thinking. Even when Charlotte is around, Natsuki will return to Berlin every Christmas and gather with his family, including Louise, as for the future Christmas, Natsuki hasn't thought too much, even if he becomes the king of Ireland, he should be able to continue to spend it with his family in this time and space.

After letting Louise get tired of being in his arms for a while, Natsuki said, "Come, look at the gift I brought you." ”

Louise reluctantly let go of her hand, the reason why she was so sad was the first factor in this cruel war. From Jutland to the Faroe Islands, Natsuki's fleet flagship was repeatedly charged, the "Frederick the Great" was almost scrapped, and the "King" was in danger, although the two German dreadnoughts had the ultimate level of protection, and the armor covering the command tower was particularly strong, but this could not guarantee the absolute safety of the commander, even if the command tower was not penetrated, the violent explosion close to the outer wall of the armor could cause serious damage to the command staff inside the bridge.

It has been said that every time news of victory comes from the front, thousands and tens of thousands of death notices are sent to various places, and while people cheer about victory, do not forget that many families are in deep grief.

Natsuki pulled out a glass bottle slightly smaller than a fist from his military pocket, containing fine white grains of sand and a small piece of red coral in the shape of antlers.

There was no shortage of treasures from all over the world in the Prussian royal palace, but Louise took the bottle with a happy face and examined it carefully into the light: "How beautiful! ”

Compared to expensive jewelry bought directly in the store, this small handmade gift, even if it is just a simple handicraft made from local materials, contains a strong sense of camaraderie.

"I'm going to keep it in store for my children, and tell them that it's a mysterious piece of sand from the far north that the great German naval god of war has collected, and that it hides infinite wisdom and power."

Hearing Louise's words, Natsuki smiled: "Oh, our little Louise suddenly glows with maternal light, it seems that she already has a crush, and she is ready to give birth to a bunch of children for each other!" Haha......"

Being teased by Natsuki like this, Louise suddenly blushed with shame.

Natsuki asked reluctantly, "Hey, who is that lucky guy?" ”

Louise blinked her beautiful watery eyes: "If I choose free love, and that person is just a very ordinary ordinary person, will you support me?" ”

Looking at the princess's serious expression, Natsuki immediately realized that this was not just a hypothetical question, but there was no standard answer to this question. In the 21st century, some people pursue what they once had, some people long for eternity, those who are in free love may not be able to get along with each other and stay together until they are old, and many of them live happy and loving days.

Natsuki deliberately kept a smile so that Louise wouldn't be disgusted by her next words.

"Life has taught me that there is no absolute answer to everything, and I should not take it for granted at any time. As members of the royal family of the German Empire, the road of free love must be full of hardships, but if this path is correct and can lead to the end of happiness, then we should go on with determination. ”

Louise stared intently into Natsuki's eyes, listening quietly and thinking quietly.

Natsuki continued, "People are not gods, they can't see through other people's hearts, and it is only after a long time together that it is possible to truly understand another person. During the time I was with Charlotte, I found a sense of happiness that I had never felt in my life, I was sure that she was the right person, and we were helpless because there were still too many bonds in our hearts, maybe we would not meet again in this life, and we would each have regrets for the rest of our lives. ”

"It's so pitiful to have such regrets in life." As soon as Louise finished speaking, she realized that it was inappropriate to describe her brother as "poor", but for a while she couldn't think of a more appropriate word.

Natsuki shrugged his shoulders senselessly: "Is there any way?" Everyone has their own role, and each role must be constrained, and no one can do anything as he wants. ”

"That'...... Are you really willing to lose Charlotte? Louise looked at Natsuki with curiosity.

"Of course not." Natsuki replied decisively.

The answer sent a twinkle in Louise's eyes.

"One day, I will set off an earth-shattering storm, break through the obstacles of the world, and stay with the people I love......" When Natsuki said this, he did not hold his head high, clenched his fists, nor did he show an invincible domineering, but only slightly increased the strength of his speech. He then explained to Louise: "This scene has been in my dreams countless times, but I am not sure that it will come true. ”

Louise took Natsuki's arm, leaned her head lightly on his shoulder, and said gently: "As a prince of the German royal family and an officer of the German Navy, this dream is difficult to come true, but if you have your own country and people who love you from all your heart, everything is a different matter." ”

Natsuki trembled slightly, and his words coincided with what he was thinking. As an ordinary person, when he learned that he was "designated" as the ruler of Ireland after independence, nine times out of ten he would rush to Ireland and try every means to earn enough impression points in front of the future people, but he went the opposite way, and when the defense of the Faroe Islands was properly arranged, he took the opportunity of Christmas to return to Germany, in order to nail the nail that had been nailed to the board, so as not to cause accidents and make the regret of parting become an eternal regret.

The brother and sister stood quietly in front of the window, and all the plants in the royal garden were covered with a thick layer of snow, without green leaves or flowers, and it seemed to be withered and desolate, and when the snow melted, it would be a scene of life.

After a while, Natsuki spoke: "I am very, very curious about how an ordinary guy can capture the heart of an imperial princess. ”

Louise smiled shyly and sweetly, just laughing.

(End of chapter)