Dinner, the most lively and culminating part of Maria's birthday party, but also the end...... When the next sun rises, everything will return to the past, and the protagonist of St. Petersburg will be Nicholas II instead of Archduchess Maria.

On the way to the banquet, Ernst smiled at anyone who greeted him, and he saw that Mary was still so lovely and beautiful, and that Archduchess Maria also saw Ernst and looked at Ernst with the same smile, very sweet and warm.

Behind the sweetness and warmth, Ernst did not know what the Grand Duchess of Mary had paid, and the smile was not forced, but behind the smile there was indeed pain.

"Lateness is not recommended at banquets in Russia, Ernst."

The words of the Archduchess Maria had a great impact on Nicholas II, and by the way, it was not so kind for him to look at Ernst, who was the enemy and the one who had taken his precious daughter.

"But I am the royal family of Austria-Hungary, His Majesty Nicholas II!"

I don't know why, there was a sudden irritability in my heart, Ernst couldn't help but push back the words of Nicholas II, seeing that the two had a conflict, Maria came to Ernst, she didn't open her mouth and just looked at Ernst quietly, but in an instant Ernst chose to compromise.

Ernst couldn't bear to make Maria sad, Nicholas II as a father was naturally the same, the embarrassing scene was silently resolved by Maria, if it was usual Nicholas II or Ernst would say something, but today they are not in the mood, Nicholas II is in the mood because of Maria's decision and not in the mood because of the inexplicable irritability in his heart.

"Maria has decided to follow you back to Moravia."

At this moment, Mikhail passed by Ernst's side on the Great Highway, and the soft words passed from his mouth to Ernst's ears, and Ernst, who was stunned when he heard the words, could not help but look at Nicholas II. At this time, Nicholas II also looked at Ernst, and he saw the complexity in Nicholas II's eyes clearly.

Why did she do it? She's only a teenager, she's not an adult, she knows what love is? What does she know what her decision means? If she knows everything, then why did she do it? Although they have known each other for a long time, the total contact time is only ten days. Is it because he's her fiancé?

Nicholas II's heart was very complicated at this time, but Ernst at this time was far more complicated than Nicholas II in terms of complexity, because he didn't understand or understand what Mary was thinking at this time.

Although they are engaged, it is really unclear what the future of their marriage will be. Everything that Nicholas II can do has been done, how can I trust him not to interfere too much in the future, even if Maria does not want to marry Ernst in the future, it is not without chance, after all, the war is approaching.

Some people sit at the dining table in a daze, communicate with the people next to them in a daze, eat a sumptuous dinner in a daze, end the birthday party in a daze, and return to the resting place in a daze.

"Lord Earl, the train is tomorrow at 9 o'clock, and the time is ......."

"Wait a minute, we'll leave after a day."

Thinking of what Grand Duke Mikhail had said, Ernst instantly sobered up, but his words made Cosimo very puzzled, wasn't Ernst anxious to return to Moravia before?

"Do you have questions?"

The frowning look was still so sunny, but Cosimo didn't dare to say anything, bowed his head and hurriedly left to prepare Ernst's arrangement, but his inner doubts were even greater.

The next day, Nicholas II and the others learned that Ernst had postponed his departure, which made Nicholas II breathe a sigh of relief and at the same time regain his attitude towards Ernst.

On the streets of St. Petersburg, Maria accompanied Ernst on a walk through the ancient city, where she was born and where she grew up, and she was familiar with every plant and tree, every street and alley, some of the shops, old people, legends.

"We are generally not allowed to go out without permission, but Ou Jia doesn't like to stay in the Winter Palace all the time, she said that she wants to be free, and we often go out to play secretly, so you must not tell my father!"

Jumping up and down Maria talked about her childhood, and the moment she turned back made her look like an elf, even if there was still that fairy-like Jewish girl in her heart, but it was undeniable that Ernst was really tempted just now.

Ernst smiled lightly and said, "Naturally, I won't tell anyone else, I will stand with you, no matter when ......"

Ernst said the latter words in a very low voice, and it seemed impossible for Ernst to hear this sentence, but when he turned around unexpectedly, the corners of Maria's mouth were lightly raised and her eyes were a little moist.

It was all worth it, she began to crave love at the age of 13, she fantasized countless times about what her future husband would be like, an elegant gentleman, a noble nobleman, a straight general, or a literary writer......

Compared with the heart, Maria was actually very satisfied at this time, because Ernst had the nobility of the nobility and the elegance of a gentleman, although he was not as good as the imaginary soldier, but compared with other nobles, Ernst's body seemed to be so straight and strong, literary and ...... She had overheard Ernst's soft hum, a strange but wonderful tone.

"Ernst, what was your childhood like?"

Just as Ernst was slightly distracted, Maria's crisp voice suddenly came, but this question made Ernst delay in answering, because he did not know what to say.

Unable to get an answer, Maria was a little disappointed, and just as she was about to keep Ernst from reluctant, Ernst spoke slowly...... It was by the river in the city, and the two sat down like this, and Maria listened to Ernst's half-this, half-before-life childhood with her chin on her chin.

"Did Leo XIII really give you the money?"

Archduchess Maria opened her mouth, she looked surprised, but Ernst nodded without hesitation: "That's right, he sent 100,000 pounds to my room the next day, he is a man of commitment, do you have something to say?" ”

Suddenly, seeing that Maria was a little speechless, Ernst couldn't help but ask, and Maria hesitated and said, "Leo, what is the handle in your hands under the crown of Leo XIII?" ”

Maria did not hesitate, because this involved some secrets within the Holy See, and she did not know if it was because she asked, and many times it was not a good thing to know too many things.

Mysteriously smiled, Ernst shook his head: "This is a secret between me and Leo XIII, if there is a secret between the two of us, I believe you don't want me to reveal it to others!" ”

Although a little disappointed, Maria nodded quickly and said that she didn't want anyone else to know, in fact, it was okay to completely cut off some of her knots and curiosity.

"It's almost noon, let's go back!"

Patting the dust on his trousers, Ernst glanced at the guards who had been quietly following not far away, picked up Maria and proposed to go back, but Maria clearly did not have the same idea.

"There is a roast goose shop on the side of this street, and my second sister brought me here to eat before......"

How could Ernst, with that pitiful look of Mary, refuse? Shaking her head and smiling bitterly, she could only obey her opinion, for which Maria was very happy, and jumped up and down with Ernst in her arms.

Sure enough, it's best to live in a teenager, don't think too much, don't worry too much, although you know very little about things, but the smarter and more mature people are, the greater the pressure on their backs, and it's rare to be confused This sentence is not just empty words.

The owner of the roast goose shop, the Eastern European man, had clearly forgotten the beautiful little girl he hadn't been there a few times, but he was still enthusiastic, even if he recognized Ernst by his accent as from Austria-Hungary. Maybe because of the time, there are not many customers in the roast goose shop, so the roast goose comes up very quickly, and Ernst didn't have a very good appetite, but he couldn't help but have a big appetite when he saw Maria looking like she wanted to drool.

The view from the window, the quiet roast goose shop, the enthusiastic owner, the faint view of the Winter Palace and the royal family living there, the servants, if I can still come here next time, then I believe that everything will be different, different identities, different streets, different scenery and even ...... A different state of mind!