Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796.

Chapter 214 026 Archduke Karl's Secret Engagement Agreement

"Katya, do you like being fed like this?"

"Brother Mishka, this is just fun, and the meat is so hot."

Solovyov was good at taking care of children, but he could not imagine the little girls' evil intentions and tricks, so he took care of this girl as if she were Yulia. At such times, it was easy for him to be careless and fail to dodge.

Although Prince Vasily's eldest daughter has a simple mind and her purpose is easily exposed, it is normal for her to do so. After all, everyone likes to be with her handsome officer brother, Solovyov is not a dangerous man, and the child is too young, so she can only be spoiled as a younger sister.

This was the case when he made barbecue for Yulia at home, but when he fed Yulia, it was always because she had made herself look like a greasy cat before going to the girls' school, and Ekaterina was very well-behaved and she enjoyed the process of being fed.

Archduke Karl's journey went quite smoothly. At least Marie Therese and he had a deeper understanding of each other, and the two of them were watching such a scene.

“It would be great if my brothers were still here.”

"I also lost a brother, Alexander Leopold"

"When I didn't see him in Vienna, I knew something was wrong. I remember my mother always said that he was very smart and always liked to tinker with dangerous things."

"If I had another chance, I might have persuaded him not to do those dangerous researches himself, given the experts and servants, but he just wouldn't listen. In order to make the Empress's wife happy, the new fireworks he lit had an accident and were gone just like that."

"If you go to the battlefield, you must return safely."

"Theresa, it's dangerous on the battlefield. Bullets could hit anyone."

"You could wear a solid breastplate, at least it can stop the bullets. I don't want anything to happen to you."

"They can't shoot accurately. Not all soldiers are like that Russian sharpshooter who can shoot with one shot."

"He also likes children. You see, he is really good at entertaining children."

"We can have it too. I don't believe those rumors."

"The British like to spread rumors. My two uncles, the Count of Artois, and my younger uncle still care about me very much. He used to have a good relationship with my mother and he still cared about me."

"But I can't comment on Louis XVIII, the exiled Majesty."

"You've always had the virtue of humility, Carl, why do others find you boring?"

"Maybe it's because I only talk about military matters, hunting, and estate management. I'm not good at discussing topics that girls would pay attention to."

"I have nothing now. I may not be of any benefit to you and may even bring you trouble."

"Be your knight. If I am defeated by the French in battle and no longer lead troops, we will return to Teschen and live a quiet and comfortable life there. Theresa, I will promise you to do something, but if it fails, you must consider this possibility."

Archduke Karl spoke too seriously and he had also considered in advance the possible problems he might face.

"If you can agree to my request, I will propose to you, and I hope you can agree."

Marie Therese thought about it. Cousin Karl was a brave but weak warrior. After getting along with him for half a month, she felt that he had a character of gold and attached great importance to his promises. After all, he was the one who succeeded his deceased uncle as Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights, so he always had a bit of chivalry.

"I know that if I fail, it is God's arrangement."

"Then I propose to you, Theresa."

"I promise you, cousin, it's just us. We still have to keep it secret, and only those who are here can know about it."

Speaking of which, Anton and Maria Theresa are also suitable to be witnesses, as they were originally the owners of this place.

The eldest cousin and her husband were also willing to see their younger brother and cousin get engaged here, and Archduke Karl's approach was a bit sudden, like a surprise attack on the battlefield.

Then they stayed together and whispered a lot of intimate things to each other.

"Teresa, our engagement must be kept secret. It is now the summer of 1802, and it will be a year from now."

"You still need to take good care of yourself. I get scared when I see you sick, Carl. Fortunately, you look fine now."

Carl's epilepsy symptoms were indeed under control, which he himself did not expect. Although the previous attacks were not as frequent as those in his teenage years, the symptoms were always very severe. This time, under Theresa's careful care, his body's reaction was not so severe, and he was clear-headed during this period.

Under such circumstances, the two parties already had some affection for each other, and since they each had their own needs, engagement seemed to be a natural thing.

Waiting for a year is also the future relationship between Austria and France. If the relationship between the two countries improves, the Archduke's marriage will naturally not affect the relationship between the two countries. At that time, it will only take Marie Therese to make a declaration, and it can even continue to promote reconciliation. Austria does not want to go to war, and has always been timid in strategy.

If the relationship deteriorates, then Archduke Karl's marriage will more or less represent Emperor Franz's attitude and a warning to France. Even an emperor as timid as Franz knows the many interests involved.

The French cousin also asked the nanny to check her body while she was taking a bath, which proved something different from what was rumored outside, that is, the exiled French princess still maintained her innocence, so she could rest assured.

"Your Highness is in good health and has a plump figure, just like Her Highness Antoinette."

As she spoke, the old lady began to cry, and she was sobbing that she couldn't speak and was unable to talk about her subsequent test results.

This also reassured Emperor Franz. At least his cousin's health was certified to be fine and her bones were well developed. Apart from a period of malnutrition during her imprisonment in the castle, there were no major problems.

Another issue that needs to be worried about is probably the Habsburg ancestral disease.
Soloviev did not know that the Duchess of Angoulême had in fact been pregnant, but during her marriage to her cousin.

This time the cousin was replaced by the cousin. Although Archduke Karl was not in good health, his branch later flourished. However, there is still a risk of inbreeding, and the Archduke's mother is the daughter of King Carlos III of Bourbon Spain.

Solovyov spent a long time trying to figure out the arrangements and combinations. He then began to draw a family tree and started to investigate.

"Baron, what are you doing?"

"Although I want to bless the two highnesses now, I remembered the terrible disease of Carlos II and the jaw of your ancestors."

However, these two do not have the Habsburg ancestral big chin. This chin last appeared on Maria Christina, but she is the cousin of these two and a member of the Bourbon family. Later, she became the Queen of Sardinia. The inheritance of the big chin has been transferred. If Soloviev knew about it, he might have to find a place where no one was around to laugh.

"What do you want to say?"

Archduke Karl knew that the other party had good intentions and had some knowledge of the family tree.

"Close relatives may have problems getting married. I can see this from the sons of the Duke and Duchess of Brunswick, but their overlap is too complicated."

Marie Therese was a devout believer. She believed that God would bless her and her cousin. She was still praying to the Virgin Mary, muttering about her parents, aunt, younger brother and sister, all of whom were no longer alive.

"I believe in the possibility you mentioned. After all, a similar tragedy did happen to our Spanish relatives. But Teresa is so pitiful, I don't think the world will be so cruel to her. If such an unfortunate thing really happened, I will always be with her."

Moreover, when they were chatting here, they didn't know that the last unlucky people of the Habsburgs were all from Franz's branch. In the other branches, even if there was inbreeding, serious genetic diseases were not so obvious.

Since the two parties are so deeply in love, so resolute and determined, Solovyov did not say more. After all, the story of this prince + warrior and the princess who escaped from the "devil's cave" is still eye-catching and tear-jerking.

In addition, Marie-Thérèse raised a counterexample, which was her good sister Alexandra who successfully escaped from marriage with her at that time.

"Alexandra, she also married her cousin! And the children are very healthy and much taller than other children."

This can be said to be unexpected. After all, Alexandra also married her cousin. The twin daughters she and William gave birth to were healthy and, compared with children of the same age, were too strong.

"This is because His Royal Highness William of Württemberg's family is tall. Think about the burly figure of King Frederick. Even the 'Giant Grenadiers' are not as tall or strong as him."

When he arrived in Stuttgart, Solovyov wanted to see the two "big girls" again. They looked like their mothers, otherwise they would really be the "King of the Golden Horn" and the "King of the Silver Horn".
"So, whatever happens, it all depends on God's will. If my cousin Carl and I can get married and become a couple, God bless us, we will have many children, and we want them to grow up happily and have the best life..."

Then she went back to the statue of the Virgin Mary. According to the idea of ​​this "fanatic" exiled princess, she would offer delicious cakes as sacrifices to the altar of the Virgin Mary and pray every day before the official marriage. Her piety was beyond doubt.

Karl saw it and smiled. His attitude was also very firm. Since his cousin was also determined, the relationship would be stronger. Moreover, when he returned to Vienna from Dresden, the communication would not be interrupted.

I also wish them happiness. Marie Therese will still live in seclusion in Dresden, which is very safe for her. After her engagement, her cousin-in-law Anton will often send doctors and attendants to visit her. Even when Prince Dolgorukov and his family leave Dresden to travel to Paris, there will always be someone to take care of and arrange for them.

"Sister Therese, you must take care of yourself."

When the family set out on their journey to Paris, Catherine held her hand and was reluctant to leave.

As for Sophia, she kept begging for a hug from her elder sister and was reluctant to leave Marie-Thérèse's arms.

"Sophia, I can't go to Paris with you. You have to obey the adults when you get there."

The prince and his wife also said goodbye to the poor princess and gave her their blessings.

"My child, if you ever run into any great trouble, you can come to Petersburg. The gates of my house and estate are always open to you."

After living together for several years, their feelings were still very deep, and now it was Marie Therese's turn to cry in the Princess's arms.

"I know you've been very good to me, and I'll always remember you."

After they had all shed their tears, it was Solovyov's turn.

"Your Highness, I wish you can find true happiness."

"Thank you, too, Mr. Major. You are also a kind-hearted person. I wish you a smooth trip to Paris."

"Would you like me to give a message to Madame Lebrun and Julie? A letter would do them no good."

After the "little cake" princess mentioned the lady, she suddenly realized that of the relatives and friends in the Palace of Versailles that she was familiar with, except for her uncle and cousin, her mother and her friends in the court, and her stepsister in the monastery, there was only this mother and daughter. Moreover, Madame Le Brun was a very close friend of her mother, and they had met again once in St. Petersburg.

"Just tell them that Marie Therese Charlotte misses them very much, but for various reasons, she cannot go to Paris. My heart will always be with them."

"Nothing else to bring?"

"No, I have nothing, but I..."

The princess remembered what she had written down while trapped in the castle:

Marie Therese Charlotte was the unhappiest person in the world.

She could not get any news from her mother, not even the chance to reunite with her, although she had asked her a thousand times.

Long live my dear mother, from whom I have loved so much, but from whom I have been unable to get any news.

My Father, please watch over me from heaven!
My God, please forgive those who killed my parents!

Her obsession with revenge doesn't seem to be as strong as the rumors say.

"Your Highness, take care of yourself too. Don't be too obsessed, it will only hurt your soul and body. Live a happy and strong life. Every relative and friend around you cares about and loves you."

"Thank you. If you complete your mission in Paris, I hope you can bring news about your wife and Julie when you pass by Dresden. I also hope that they can have a happy and peaceful life."

Solovyov said nothing, but saluted the poor exiled princess.

"Michel, if Russia and the usurper met on the battlefield, what would you do?"

"I will fulfill my duty as a soldier, wield my sword and fight my enemies!"

This answer actually satisfied the girl. During the time Solovyov lived here, he actually felt that war was inevitable and the important thing was to obtain intelligence.

(End of this chapter)