Eagle's Glory

"Hmm." Archduke Karl nodded slightly, stopping Captain Hench's words.

His expression suddenly became a little unpredictable, and Captain Hench began to feel a little nervous, for fear that what he said just now would accidentally offend the royal family.

Fortunately, this strange silence didn't last long, and Grand Duke Karl suddenly led the topic to another direction.

"Congratulations, Ferdinand Henchy," he whispered.

Captain Hench opened his eyes in puzzlement, and looked at him suspiciously, "What are you congratulating me for...?"

"From now on, you are no longer a captain, you are a major." Archduke Karl looked at the other party seriously, and then said flatly, "Congratulations on your promotion, major."

Captain Hench was stunned. He didn't expect to be the chief of the Invalids in a ghostly place that was forgotten by the world, and he was waiting for his own old death with a group of disabled veterans. Lift.

It's a good thing, but too good to be a joke.

But since it was said by Grand Duke Karl, it must not be a joke.

Obviously, to be able to stay in such a ghostly place and get a promotion, someone must have talked behind the scenes——

As for who it is... there is no need to guess.

"Uh...thank you...thank you for your attention!" Captain Hench—of course, now Major Hench, broke free from the astonishment, and then expressed his gratitude to the Grand Duke with a smile on his face.

"It's just a one-level military rank promotion, so there's no need to thank me like that." The Grand Duke shook his head indifferently, "You complained to me just now that life is too boring, so I have to say that after you become a major, your life will continue to be like this. "

The Grand Duke's words were like a basin of cold water, and instantly extinguished Major Henchy's ecstasy a lot.

Yes, let alone become a major, what if he becomes a general?It's not the same as just staying in this place.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel a little downcast, but he still smiled reluctantly and replied, "At least it's more honorable to say it..."

"Then you haven't thought about finding some new fun in the past?" Grand Duke Karl asked again suddenly.

This question once again stunned Major Henchy.

He was keenly aware of the strange aura—the Archduke Karl came here for inspection today, and his performance was completely different from before, and he even specially promoted himself to the military rank... No matter how you look at it, something is about to happen.

He is a straightforward person, even in the face of Grand Duke Karl, he would rather go straight.

"I understand...then just tell me, what do you want to do?" Major Hench lowered his voice, and then moved closer to the Grand Duke, "Your Highness, you have taken good care of us for many years, and I have always I am grateful for your kindness, I will do whatever you ask me to do."

"That's good." Archduke Karl also nodded, not going around in circles with him anymore. "You, take a few more trusted brothers and go to the Duke of Reichstedt, and help him for the time being."

As soon as he finished speaking, Major Hench opened his eyes wide and looked at Grand Duke Karl in disbelief.

"This... this..." He was almost incoherent.

It was hard for him to digest this shocking order, but the doubt in his heart still drove him to ask, "Your Highness...why do you still help him? Didn't he...hasn't he left Princess Teresa and ran away? ?"

This question was like a sharp sword piercing his body, causing Grand Duke Karl's face to twitch.

"I want to sever any relationship with him, but who asked me to raise a stupid girl? She doesn't care about the ridicule of others, and she still insists on her marriage contract. Now she has run to that little guy!" He almost gritted his teeth and said . "Teresa wrote to ask us for help, my wife is soft-hearted, so she has been urging me..."

Major Henchy was stunned again.

But he finally understood the situation.

"No wonder... no wonder..." He nodded, and looked at his former commander-in-chief with sympathetic eyes, "I have always envied those men with families, but now it seems that each has its own troubles..."

These words seemed to touch the heartstrings of Grand Duke Karl. "You are lucky, you don't have a wife and daughter to trouble you all day long."

After complaining, he returned to his usual seriousness. "Although you people are still in the military, no one has paid attention to you. Even if you leave here temporarily, no one will know. In addition, you still have a relationship with the Duke of Reichstedt. I think Now, if you want to send someone, you are the most suitable—Henky, tell me, can you accept this task?"

Major Hench lowered his head and did not answer immediately.

"Will your Highness be an enemy of our country?" Then he asked in a low voice.

"Who knows in the future? But at least for now, he is not an enemy of our country, and he will not endanger anyone. He is just my daughter's favorite now, and my future son-in-law... really want something to happen to him, my daughter What should I do? Be a widow at a young age?" Grand Duke Karl frowned, then gritted his teeth and said, "I have a lot of dissatisfaction with him, but at least he can't die now."

After finishing speaking, he looked at Major Hench again, as if waiting for the other party's response.

Major Henchy was still hesitating, he was not prepared for this sudden request at all, so he was completely at a loss when the matter came to an end.

Soon, he began to make intense trade-offs in his heart, hesitating about how he should choose.

As far as his heart is concerned, he was seriously injured in the previous war, and his years of military service had already made him tired of war; but, on the other hand, Archduke Karl had a great favor for him, and he wanted to repay him. He was already tired of living in seclusion in this remote castle.

Maybe it would be nice to have some fun too?

The sight of Grand Duke Karl made him finally make up his mind.

"I should obey your order." He replied in a low voice.

And this answer exhausted all his current strength, and he seemed to have collapsed.

"Very good." Archduke Karl nodded, "When everything is over, you will come back and continue to be your dean of the Invalids. Remember, all of this has nothing to do with you and me."

"Yes!" Major Henchy replied with his chest out.

Then he couldn't help but ask again. "If things about Her Royal Highness are revealed, aren't you afraid of damaging your reputation?"

"Fame? Don't care!" Grand Duke Karl sneered, "Those who should know will always know, and let them do whatever they want. It has nothing to do with me. I just want my daughter to live well. !"　　

145, personal gift

Seeing what the Grand Duke said, Major Hench also knew that there was no point in saying anything more, as the other party had already made a decision.

Although he had only met him once, he had a good impression of Duke Reichstedt. Even if His Highness later committed the "crime" of absconding abroad, his impression still remained unchanged.

After all, everyone knows that His Highness is called a member of the royal family, but in fact he is almost like a prisoner. It is only natural that he is resentful and wants to regain his freedom.

Grand Duke Karl asked him to help His Highness, and he didn't have any resistance in his heart-the Grand Duke is right, His Highness is indeed not an enemy of the empire now, even if he wants to do this, he has no ability, so helping him himself counts Not on treason.

Although everyone knows that he definitely wants to be restored, but right now he is still far away from the throne...

Even if his dream comes true one day in the future and he really wants to avenge the humiliation of the past, it doesn't matter if everyone decides the outcome again.

The safety of Her Royal Highness Princess Teresa is more important now.

After making up his mind, he no longer kept it, but looked at the Grand Duke sincerely and made a promise. "Your Highness, please rest assured. Since this is your request and since Princess Teresa needs help, then I am obliged to do so. I will arrange it now, and I will definitely fulfill your wish without compromise."

"Very good." Seeing his sincere expression, Grand Duke Karl was also slightly moved, "Then I will leave it to you. Hurry up and act, the sooner the better."

"Okay!" Major Hench whistled, his smile became more ferocious because of the pulling of the scar. "Okay, you go to lunch with me first, everyone is waiting for you to appear!"

"Yes." Archduke Karl nodded.

Then he sighed again, "It would be great if he stayed here, how much trouble you and I can save..."

After having lunch with the veterans, Grand Duke Karl ended his inspection and returned to his manor in a carriage.

And his wife, Princess Henrietta, has long been looking forward to her husband's return.

As soon as he got home, his wife walked up to him immediately.

"How's it going, honey?" she asked nervously.

"It's going well." The Grand Duke nodded lightly. "Henky was more eloquent than I expected. He agreed to my order after a little hesitation. He said he would select people immediately and leave as soon as he was ready."

"Great... The people you sent over must be veterans, so Teresa's side will be much easier to deal with." Madam let out a long sigh of relief, brows and eyes full of joy. "Your Highness will definitely appreciate us very much."

"Does it matter to me whether he is grateful or not?" Archduke Karl asked impatiently, "Okay, I've done what you asked me to do, so let me rest for a while."

After finishing speaking, he sat down on the sofa angrily, closed his eyes and meditated.

Knowing that her husband was in a bad mood right now, Henrietta let him rest while she walked to the desk, picked up a pen and paper, and began writing letters to her daughter who was far away.

She is so absorbed, smiling now and then, as if the tip of a pen can gather and pour out her own emotions.

It was this lady who was working in secret. While advocating for His Highness, she also tried her best to provide support for her daughter, strategizing like a real general. The mother's love for her children is really moving.

After writing the letter, she looked at her husband who was still resting with his eyes closed.

"Judging from Teresa's letter to me, His Highness's career is going well! While recruiting his own forces, he has established relationships with the locals... It seems that his abilities are not limited to poetry and swordsmanship. It is not easy for us to find such a son-in-law.”

Although he didn't want to admit it, Grand Duke Karl also knew that his wife was right. His prospective son-in-law was indeed hard to beat among his peers, and he was worthy of Teresa.

It's a pity that such a talent cannot be used by the empire... If he is willing to act according to his own ideas, wouldn't everything be perfect?

"I said before that our daughter might be able to become a queen." At this time, Grand Duke Karl heard the words of his wife again, and the tone was quite firm, "It seems that one day it will be fulfilled."

"Don't mention whether the queen is not a queen, let's talk about it now." Grand Duke Karl replied angrily, "That bastard is dreaming, don't you want to follow suit?"

"Can't you entrust even a little good wishes to our daughter?" The lady frowned, and she was about to scold her husband again.

Just when the couple was about to quarrel again, fortunately a servant knocked on the door and resolved this little crisis.

"Come in!" cried the lady.

Then, a servant came in, first saluted the Grand Duke and his wife respectfully, and then respectfully handed over a letter. "Ma'am, this is just sent by the court."

The Grand Duke and his wife looked at each other, then let the servant leave, and then the lady picked up the envelope and opened it directly, then took out the letter paper from inside and read it carefully.

The content of the letter seemed to be quite short, and the lady read it all at once, but she seemed very surprised, and raised her head and stared blankly at her husband.

"Whose letter is this? What did it say?" Archduke Karl couldn't help but asked anxiously.

"Yes...it's a letter from Her Majesty Sophie." The lady came back to her senses, and then replied in a low voice, "She asked us to visit here tomorrow."

"What?" Grand Duke Karl was also very surprised, took the letter and read it carefully.

And the content is exactly as Madam said, she hopes to come and visit her.

Although he had never seen Princess Sophie's handwriting before, judging from the texture of the envelope and letter paper, as well as the words and expressions, it should indeed be the prince and concubine.

However, I have no interaction with her at all, what is she going to do when she comes to visit?

For the couple, it was a totally unexpected unfolding.

For a moment, both the couple were a little confused, and neither of them knew how to deal with it.

"I remember Teresa made a special trip to visit her before she left." After a while, Madam said suspiciously. "Although I didn't know what the two of them said at the time, they didn't seem to be having a good conversation..."

That's even more strange. Since the relationship between the two of them is not good, why should they come to visit?The Grand Duke is getting more and more strange.

"Maybe they have friendship." Madam guessed in a low voice.

"The two of them don't meet each other a few times, so where's the friendship?" Archduke Karl asked.

"How do I know, maybe our daughter has some kind of relationship with her in private?" Mrs. Henrietta shook her head. "Anyway, there's no point in guessing so much. Let's prepare."

Obviously, in her capacity as Princess Sophie, she was only asking for a visit, but as far as etiquette was concerned, she couldn't refuse - and they couldn't think of any reasonable reason for refusing.

-------------------------------------------------- -

The next morning, as a palace carriage slowly drove into the manor, Princess Sophie arrived as promised, and she was naturally received grandly by the Grand Duke Karl and his wife.

Under the guidance of the maid, Her Royal Highness came to the living room of the Grand Duke and his wife.

In the eyes of the couple, Her Royal Highness Sophie is wearing a light blue silk dress and a hat decorated with ribbons on her head. She is beautiful and elegant, but her expression is calm. With a little gloom, there seemed to be unrelieved melancholy between the slightly frowning brows.

Although the Grand Duke and his wife belong to the same royal family as her, their contact with each other is limited to various ceremonial occasions, and they don't have much contact with each other. Based on their previous impressions, this His Highness has always been in high spirits, and even a little arrogant , It is indeed a bit strange to become like this now.

I heard that she had a serious illness before, maybe it was because of this.

"Your Highness, madam, I take the liberty to come here to disturb you, I'm really sorry..." When she saw the couple, she gracefully raised her skirt and saluted, "Please forgive me."

"It's our honor that you can visit us." Grand Duke Karl replied politely, "I'm only worried that we didn't entertain you well, so that you won't be able to return happily."

"Happy..." Princess Sophie suddenly smiled wryly, "You don't have to worry about this, because I'm not happy anywhere, so it's definitely not your responsibility."

Before the Grand Duke and his wife asked her what she meant, she suddenly changed the subject, "I heard that you are a big happy family, can you let me meet your children?"

The Grand Duke and Madam looked at each other again.

Princess Sophie's sudden visit, and her sudden request, both seemed extraordinary.

Could it be that the court already knew Teresa was not there, so they came here to inquire about the crime?

"It really makes you laugh. Our children are still young and at the age of being noisy, so I let them stay in their own room so as not to disturb your interest." Grand Duke Karl replied calmly.

"Well... Maybe the other children are still young, but Teresa is old enough, I think we will have a lot to talk about." Princess Sophie replied with a smile. "Can I ask her to come and have a chat with me?"

Grand Duke Karl frowned slightly.

It seems that the court knew Teresa's departure.

Although from the beginning he didn't expect this matter to be hidden from the world for a long time, but when he really faced the reality, it still made him feel a little uncomfortable.

But this is not right, after all, logically speaking, even if His Majesty the Emperor wants to question him, there is no need for Sophie to come over.

Besides, even if you ask for guilt, what can you do to yourself?As Grand Duke Karl thought to himself, he looked at the other party proudly.

"I'm really sorry. Teresa was very depressed because of some previous events, so in order to let her relax, I arranged for her to travel elsewhere. It may take a long time to return to China, and I disappointed you." Since Having reached this point, he doesn't care about his attitude anymore, so although his tone is polite, his expression is no longer polite.

Contrary to the Grand Duke's expectations, Princess Sophie's expression did not show any anger, but was mixed with bitterness, helplessness and bewilderment.

"So... I have indeed gone. She really did what she said." She sighed softly.