"A true alliance is based on common interests." "The common enemies of the two countries are Prussia and the Ottomans, and the marriage is just a demonstration of their determination to be allied, but I don't think it's necessary," Holder said.

Holder's tone was full of resentment and a hint of helplessness.

France and Austria have been fighting for hundreds of years, and now they finally understand that neither can completely crush the other in terms of comprehensive national strength. Years of war between each other have not only caused human suffering, but also allowed other countries to profit from it. This is an outcome that neither side wants to see.

Since everyone understands this, it is the best thing to turn hostility into jade silk, why sacrifice an innocent little girl?

She's still an innocent child! In this cardamom year, I will take on the heavy responsibility of adults.

That group of selfish politicians actually wanted an innocent girl to pay for their sins.

"However, it is undeniable that our family has indeed solved one difficulty after another through marriage for hundreds of years." Holder continued, "But I don't think that's a glorious act at all. And even if this kind of weak diplomacy can be effective, I am afraid that it will become a laughing stock for future generations."

"Not necessarily." "Later generations tend to judge only by the results. Perhaps, as you say, they occasionally do some dishonorable acts, but there is no doubt that the status of the Habsburgs today was definitely not achieved overnight."

Just like the ancestors of the Medici family, in order to consolidate their power in Florence, they also used marriage to entrap the nobles, so that they could achieve their later achievements.

It doesn't matter if these methods are right or wrong, they are all different choices for everyone.

Whether it was Empress Teresa, who made the decision, or Princess Mary, who chose to follow the arrangement, they couldn't help themselves.

Bella doesn't understand any of this, and she doesn't understand politics. But she could also understand Mr. Holder's feelings.

If one day in the future, her sister Anna is forced to marry away from home, and the other party is still an unmasked person, Bella will definitely find it difficult to accept.

There is nothing more deplorable than sacrificing the lifelong happiness of a loved one.

It can be seen that Mr. Holder has a deep affection for his sister, otherwise he would not have taken her out to meet his playmates in the same year.

How can such an innocent sister be about to embark on a journey to a foreign country, and the road ahead is likely to be full of thorns?

However, this kind of political marriage never takes into account personal feelings.

In the face of family interests, feelings are superfluous, and personal wishes will only hinder the task.

Everything that cannot be turned into a profit is not needed.

This kind of thing has existed since the time when human society was divided.

As she spoke, Princess Mary had already stepped out of the theater, and the boy had sent her to the door.

"I'll take my sister back to the palace first." With that, Holder led Anthony into the carriage.

The coachman skillfully waved the reins, and the carriage slowly departed.

Sister Bella and Elena were not in a hurry to get back to their lodgings, they planned to wander around the city.

But Vienna is so big and there are no guides, where do you start?

The boy was still standing at the door of the theater, watching the princess's carriage disappear from view.

I was going to turn around and leave, but when I turned around, I found that the three ladies were still standing in front of the door, so I took the initiative to walk forward and say hello.

"Excuse me, are the three of them guests of His Highness?" The teenager asked politely.

"Hmm...... Sort of." Elena replied.

"Looks like you want to see the sights of Vienna?"

"I have this plan, but I'm just a newcomer, and I don't know where to start."

"If you don't dislike it." The boy bowed respectfully, "Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, willing to serve you."

The three of them also returned the salute gracefully and gave their names.

"I heard that Mr. Amadeus was the princess's childhood friend?" Walking along the road, Elena once again couldn't suppress her curiosity.

"Ah, sort of......" Amadeus looked a little embarrassed, "Speaking of which, things are a little more nuanced."

"Oh?" Elena was interested.

"I remember when I was six years old, I went to Salzburg with my father for the first time. I played my best piece in front of everyone, and the Queen was fortunate to appreciate it at that time. When the Empress asked me what I wanted, I casually said, 'I hope to marry your youngest daughter in the future,' which is Princess Marie Antoinette. The empress laughed back and forth at that time, and everyone regarded it as a child. It's just that Princess Mary seems to remember this incident to this day."

"So there's still such an opportunity!" Elena listened with relish, "And then? What happened?"

At this time, Bella tugged at Elena's sleeve and motioned for her not to continue the question.

The princess is about to marry someone else, and Amadeus must not feel good in his heart.

"Later." Amadeus said in a calm tone, "I toured all over Europe with my father and rarely returned to Austria. This time, when I heard that the princess was going to marry France, I revisited the old place, hoping to play a song at the farewell banquet so that she could marry in style."

In the same year, I can only stay in the memories of the past.

Even without this political marriage, the disparity in status between the two of them is very difficult.

"Haven't you thought about being with the princess?" Elena asked.

Amadeus was silent.

Bella felt that Elena's question was a bit abrupt, so she pulled her arm and motioned for her to stop.

But Elena is a free-spirited girl and never cares about this. She believes that if you really love each other, no matter how many difficulties you have, you can overcome them.

At the beginning, she also supported her brother in this way.

The Medici family was also of civilian origin, and it took several generations of unremitting efforts to get to where they are today.

In order to consolidate their power, the ancestors also married nobles more than once to improve the status of the family.

However, this kind of thing quickly led to bad consequences. Because not all ancestors were willing to accept the mercy.

By the time I got to my grandfather's generation, I already understood that if you want to have real strength, you must rely on your own continuous efforts.

All covenants are only bought and sold based on actual interests, and once the interests are not there, all promises are in vain.

From this point of view, Princess Mary's marriage was a deal in itself. France and Austria used a little girl's lifelong happiness as a bargaining chip in an attempt to exchange for a peaceful and prosperous world.

Like the value on which the deal itself depends, the trade is built on the basis that both countries will be able to profit from it.

Therefore, if one day, this foundation is subverted, the covenant will also be invalid.

At that time, the sacrifice of Princess Marie Antoinette will be meaningless.

However, in fact, such a sacrifice should not have existed in the first place.