Eagle’s Glory

"Your Highness?"

Aegron's sudden action caught Teresa off guard at first.

Because of her shyness, she instinctively wanted to step back, but after just a moment, she gave up her subconscious resistance, closed her eyes, and welcomed His Highness's active kiss.

The touch from her lips and tongue made it difficult for her to breathe, and then her legs became weak. She reached out and hugged the boy, in order to gain the strength and courage to continue standing.

So, under the brilliant lights, the boy and the girl kissed together.

It was so quiet around them that no one was here to interrupt their time.

However, no matter how good the time will pass, I don't know how long it will take for the two to separate again.

Agron looked at Teresa, who happened to be looking at him, looking at the blushing white face, and he regretted his rash action a little bit.

"Teresa, I'm sorry... I just got hooked."

"It's alright, no need to apologize, Your Highness." Teresa shook her head lightly, expressing that she didn't mind, "Anyway... There will be such a day anyway, there's nothing wrong with coming early."

When she said this, her eyes were shining, and she was obviously looking forward to and imagining the future life of the two of them.

Aegron's heart couldn't help but hesitate again.

What exactly did I do? In a few days, how will Teresa be hit and how will she survive it?

He didn't know how to face these problems, so in order to ease the anxiety in his heart, he took the initiative to speak.

"Teresa, I really appreciate you, your favor with me has given me a lot of courage and a lot of help, making me finally believe that I am not without a way out. It's like in the dark night when a storm comes The lost merchant ship finally saw the solitary light of the lighthouse in the distant skyline." He whispered, "I finally decided that God will send a great order to me... I must do something worthy of being remembered by human beings. , so as to live up to my name."

His tone was deep with a little emotion, and Teresa, who didn't know the inside story, hurriedly continued to encourage him.

"His Royal Highness, don't be confused anymore, close your eyes and rush forward! I will accompany you. I am also very happy to walk hand in hand with you to help you complete the mission given by God, no matter what difficulties and obstacles are in front of you, I believe there is nothing we can't overcome...I just ask you to always trust me and take my advice to heart. You will come to a new stage in your life and I will be the one who will help you out! "

"Yeah... I'm about to enter a new stage in my life, so I have to say goodbye to too many things." Aigron nodded and smiled, then changed the subject, "In two days, I will go to the theater to meet Sophie Highness. , where I will formally say goodbye to her, and I can no longer maintain my previous relationship with her."

Although she was very happy about this, Teresa chose to back down when she saw the young man's slightly depressed expression.

"If you feel uncomfortable, you can wait a little longer, it doesn't have to be so fast." Teresa lowered her head and replied in a low voice, trying not to let her annoyance and resentment leak out, "I understand your feelings for her, so I will not force you, at least there is still time, I... I will endure it, after all, Her Royal Highness Sophie has the right to take back a little of what she once paid."

"No, sometimes since a decision has been made, it must be done as soon as possible. Delaying the time will only make everyone troubled and miserable." Aegron shook his head stubbornly, "Teresa, I'll wait. No, I don't want to let myself hesitate anymore, I have to have the courage to do what I think is right - no matter the cost."

Your Highness will stay by my side wholeheartedly!

Teresa was instantly filled with joy, excited and grateful for His Highness's "decision".

But she also knew that His Highness must not be feeling well at the moment, so she did not show joy, but just leaned on His Highness's shoulder and used herself to add a little warmth to His Highness.

"I testify to God that you will not regret it..." She solemnly promised, "No matter what she has given to you, I will give it to you tenfold and hundredfold. God makes us respect and love our own Husband, the rest of my life will be used to fulfill this obligation. So, Your Highness, please don't be so sad, because I will feel uncomfortable watching it."

After a pause, she added another sentence. "You can take the time to say goodbye during the festival. I'll deal with it here, and it won't disturb you. You can make it clear to her, and tell her my apology by the way... although she will definitely hate me."

Although she said so, Theresa had no apology for Sophie in her heart. After all, in her opinion, Sophie was just spoiled since she was a child, so she acted willfully, only caring about her own happiness and holding the future of His Highness. Just kidding, she managed to reverse the situation and didn't let His Highness ruin her future because of Sophie.

However, now that things have come to an end anyway, it's okay to give in appropriately and be generous.

Sophie may get revenge on herself in the future, but so what? She will not be afraid.

As the two roamed hand in hand in the palace, time passed little by little, and finally night fell and came Christmas Eve.

Aigron and Teresa returned to the hall of the palace together, and at this time, the rest of the family members of Archduke Karl's family had already gathered.

They are all dressed in formal attire, and several children, old and young, are also very formally dressed to welcome the arrival of the most important festival of the year.

In the center of the hall, a Christmas tree has been visited. The Christmas tree is covered with various gift boxes and decorations, and it gleams against the bright light of the chandelier.

"Did you have a good time shopping?" Grand Duchess Henrietta asked with a smile when she saw the two children coming back.

"It was a lot of fun, Your Highness," Aegron replied.

"Yes, at your age, you are always happy when you are alone." Henrietta nodded lightly with a look of understanding, "Although I have to interrupt your fun now, it doesn't matter, you will have time in the future. Tired of being together..."

"Mom!" Teresa was a little shy and couldn't help protesting to her mother.

"You know I always say what I think." Henrietta smiled and winked at her daughter, "I suggest you do the same in the future, Teresa, it will make your life a lot easier. ."

Then, she walked to the Christmas tree and waved to the children, "Okay, everyone, come here!"

The children responded to their mother's call and walked under the Christmas tree one after another, then raised their heads and looked at their father and mother with expectant eyes, waiting for their mother to give Christmas gifts - Aigron and Teresa of course also stood there. There, but he doesn't care about these, it's just for the occasion.

But he got an unexpected treat.

"The first gift was given to our Highness Franz, who is now the oldest child here." Henrietta continued to smile, then picked a gift box from the Christmas tree and handed it to Aigron , "Your Highness, please accept it."

"Thank you!" Aigron responded, then reached out and took the gift box.

According to custom, he opened the gift box in person.

Then he was surprised to find that there was actually a medal in the box.

Then he quickly recognized it. It was the highest order of honor in the Empire, the Grand Cross of Maria Teresa, which was the medal that Archduke Karl wore on his chest when the two first met.

This medal has a golden border, then the four sides of the cross are inlaid with fine diamonds, and in the middle is the red, white and red Austrian flag inlaid with diamonds and rubies.

It can be seen that it has undergone years of precipitation, and there are some fine cracks on the surface, but under the illumination of the light, it still looks brilliant.

Although he didn't care whether the gift was valuable or not, he was still a little surprised at this time.

"This is our gift to you, Franz." Archduke Karl finally said, "For a man of my age, the honor of the past is meaningless, and I don't need to use it to remember my experience; It's different for you young people. You need to chase honor and remind yourself to fight for the empire all the time - I hope you take it as my expectation and encourage yourself all the time. Of course, this is not your medal , you can't wear it in public right now, but I believe that as long as you do what I expect, you'll have yours too - and then you'll be able to give it back to me , if I were still alive."

Looking at the hopeful face of the Archduke, Aegron felt a little ashamed for a moment.

He lowered his eyes slightly, avoiding the eyes of the other party, and nodded lightly.

"I will make myself worthy of your expectations, Your Highness. It is my undeniable obligation. One day I will amaze the whole of Europe, and I have no doubts about that."

Archduke Karl's mouth moved slightly, revealing an unidentifiable smile, then he raised his hand and patted the young man's shoulder heavily.

"If that's the case, then you have to hurry. God knows how many years I can live. Wouldn't it be a pity if I couldn't see that day with my own eyes!"

"Dad! Why do you keep talking like this on a good Christmas Eve!" Teresa couldn't help protesting, "You are still very young, and we still need your care and teaching for a long time!"

"What? You still want me to protect you all the time? Just spare me." Archduke Karl shrugged. "If you really want me to live longer, you should let me worry less, but don't bother me anymore, I just want to rest."

Having said that, how could he give up on his beloved daughter?

"Okay, Teresa, this gift is for you." Henrietta picked up another gift box and handed it to Teresa.

Teresa took the gift box, opened it, and found a gemstone pendant inside.

The chain of the pendant is studded with red and sapphire sapphires in alternating order, and at the bottom end of the pendant, an emerald gemstone.

This emerald has been meticulously sculpted to reveal a deep and gentle dark green in the light, making it a heartwarming sight.

"This is the jewelry that your great-grandmother Queen Teresa used to use. She gave it to her daughter, who is the adoptive mother of the Grand Duke, and then passed it on to us." Henrietta smiled and explained to her daughter, "Now You've grown up, and we've decided to give it to you—though you're not lucky enough to be queen, but we wish you the same kindness and happiness as her in the future. Theresa, we expect you to live up to the name , work hard."

"Thank you, Mom!"

Girls are naturally fond of jewelry, and Teresa was even more delighted when she heard that it was still so big.

Her face was bright, and her eyes were full of girlish charm. Today can be said to be the happiest day in her short life.

She secretly glanced at the young man beside her.

His Highness is beautiful, handsome, and versatile, and he is no worse than the Duke of Lorraine, so... although there is no throne waiting for him, what else should he be demanding? As long as the two of them manage the future with their hearts, they will definitely be able to live as happy a life as the great-grandmother with the same name.

The queen married the Duke of Lorraine, and the descendants continued to take on the Habsburg surname; but I am more than happy to be the mistress of the Bonaparte family, and to continue this great surname with Her Royal Highness...

Thinking of the future, the girl was so fascinated as if she was drunk.

Just when she was wandering, Henrietta also gave gifts to her other children one by one.

Then, everyone came to the table together to prepare for dinner.

To celebrate Christmas, the table has already been filled with festive food, including cakes, Christmas puddings and minced meat patties, etc., and red wine is also placed on the table. Because the other children were young, only juice was placed in front of them.

The family members took their seats one after another, and then looked at Archduke Karl on the throne together.

The Grand Duke picked up his wine glass and shouted.

"Receive the grace of the Lord!"

"The grace of the Lord!" The others also shouted, then picked up the cup and drank the drink in their mouths.

Then, the children led by Teresa began to sing Christmas Mass songs together.

Although a little out of tune, the voices of girls and children are mixed, and it sounds full of divine empty inspiration.

Aegron didn't sing, he just responded with his mouth open, but at this time he couldn't help but immerse himself in this family atmosphere.

This was an experience he had never had in Schönbrunn Palace.

That's what Archduke Karl has been doing with the kids for years - and it's really enviable, to be honest.

So, if only I had so many children in the future... he thought to himself.

Just as he was silently pondering, Henrietta suddenly looked at the boy who was sitting upright.

"Children, in a short time, His Royal Highness will officially become one of our family members. This is your honor, because you have an extra talented brother to rely on." She smiled and nodded at the teenager. , motioning him to stand up. "Although His Royal Highness has only entered our life now, from now on, you must respect him as you treat your elder brother, and no disrespect is allowed, understand?"

"Understood!" The children looked up at the young man standing in front of them and replied one after another.

The young man only felt that these innocent eyes full of admiration were more dazzling than the brilliant lights, and he could not open his eyes for a while.

Fortunately, he didn't have to bear it for too long, and soon Henrietta gave him another look, indicating that he could sit down.

"Merry Christmas, then." Father and mother raised their cups.

"Merry Christmas!" They got a neat response.