Romanian Eagle

Eder has a better understanding of Romania's economic and demographic changes after reading the survey report. I forgot to mention that the government revenue report was sent by the outgoing Prime Minister Stulier before. In 1910, the fiscal revenue was 531 million lei, an increase of 8% over the previous year's 492 million lei, which was generally good.

"I am very satisfied with the report of Carust." Edel said to the captain of the guard. Romania has never done such detailed statistics before, and this time it is a statistical report made by the crown prince himself. The royal family can't keep doing this kind of thing, Edel thought to himself. He intends to hand over the statistics to the government, which will also help them better understand the domestic situation. Anyway, the cost is not large, only about one million lei. However, it still has to wait for the new government election in February. Anyway, the new prime minister must also be approved by the royal family.

Eder now needs to prepare for work in Austria-Hungary, as he will be on the train to Vienna in a week. He thought about the purchase items again. This time he went to Austria-Hungary mainly to purchase four 305MM shore guns from Skoda, and by the way, buy some other items. Now Constanta is so important to Romania that the navy cannot guarantee security. In addition, the existing forts are aging, many of them were built around 1890, and they are completely unable to defend against modern dreadnought attacks, so they can only buy better shore guns for protection. In the previous life, Skoda's shore guns were well-known. Although the classic 350MM shore guns have not yet been born, it is still possible to use 305 to make up the number.

After making preparations for Austria-Hungary, Eder boarded a special train to Vienna on January 24, 1911. A state visit to the Austro-Hungarian Empire in name is actually a blind date event.

The train arrived in Vienna on the morning of the third day, and the captain of the guard came over and spoke to the crown prince in costume. "His Royal Highness has come to meet you, the Archduke Otto Franz of the Habsburg family."

When Edel heard that the future father-in-law greeted him, he quickly got ready to get off.

Archduke Otto Franz, who was on the platform, was arranged to meet his future son-in-law this time, which also felt a little strange, mainly due to the negotiation of the Habsburg royal family. Because this time the Crown Prince of Romania is mainly here for a blind date, it is not suitable for his brother Crown Prince Ferdinand to meet him, and the others are a little less important. Only the relationship between the Grand Duke Otto Franz should be considered as the relationship of the old husband.

"Nice to meet you, Your Excellency Archduke Otto Franz." Eder got off the train and greeted Archduke Otto Franz, who was standing at the leader of the welcoming team. As expected of the playboy of the Austro-Hungarian royal family, Archduke Otto Franz who looks like a talent. The Habsburgs were notorious for their profligacy and misbehavior. His wife and children seldom saw him, and he was unwilling to hold any position in the empire. Even though he married Princess Josepha of Saxony in 1886, his uncle, Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary, was dissatisfied and ended up giving up his right to the throne. Now that he can welcome him, it is probably because he is his future father-in-law.

Grand Duke Otto Franz saw how enthusiastic his future son-in-law was, and answered with relief. "His Royal Highness Eder, I'm glad you can come to Vienna." After that, he hugged Eder.

After the two were polite, Archduke Otto Franz sent Edel to the lodging, and he held Edel at the door and told him. "We have prepared a welcome dinner for you in the evening, be sure to attend."

"I will be there on time, Your Excellency." Edel said to the old man in front of him with a smile.

After sending off His Excellency the Grand Duke, Edel took the head guard and his party into the room.

"Carrust, I need to prepare for the welcome dinner." The crown prince said to Carrust, who was instructing the guards to salut.

"Okay, Your Highness." The captain of the guard replied when he heard the crown prince's order, and he pointed to a guard and shouted.

"Bick, go get the third white suitcase on the clothes cart."

"Okay, let's go right away." The guard named Piccolo answered. Immediately put down the work in hand and go to take out the dress that the crown prince needs.

European nobility etiquette is very cumbersome, especially the royal family. Edel prepared more than 20 sets of dresses for this trip, including attending dinner parties, luncheons, afternoon tea, traveling, hunting and so on. The dresses are made by well-known designers and cost thousands of pounds each. There were aristocrats who went bankrupt in order to buy clothes before, and the luxurious life of the aristocrats can be clearly seen.

Edel rested until four o'clock in the afternoon, got up to eat something, and prepared to put on his black evening dress.

"Carust, are you okay?" Edel asked, standing in front of the mirror, looking at the attendant who was working on him for half an hour.

"Okay, Your Highness."

The attendant, who is more proficient in clothing, replied.

Edel looked at himself in the mirror who was obviously wearing retro clothes, and was afraid of dressing for the first time. In the mirror, it was like returning to the eighteenth world, which made Edel, who was influenced by the minimalist style of later generations, feel strange.

In the evening, Eder rode a carriage on the road to the Hofburg Palace. It's off-duty time, and the streets are full of traffic. Edel looked out of the window. Cars were driving fast on the road, most of them were Model T cars, and there were also other models dotted among them. Workers who got off work on both sides of the road also rode their bicycles on their way home, most of which were classic 28 bars, which also shows the recognition of this bicycle by people from all over the world.

It looked like Bielesky was doing a good job at the bike factory, Edel thought to himself in the carriage. Edel hasn't cared about Bielesky's work for a long time. The stubborn Pole is only seen on every earnings report.

"His Royal Highness, we have arrived at the Hofburg Palace." The captain of the guard said to the contemplative crown prince.

"Then let's go down."

The captain of the guard opened the door first, and led the crown prince out of the carriage. Standing at the gate of the Hofburg Palace, Eder looked at the huge palace in front of him. The history of this palace can be traced back to 1279. Almost every generation of emperors has remodeled or expanded their own palaces. Therefore, the Hofburg Palace is a witness to various architectural styles in Europe. Whether it's Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, or late-century faux-classical styles, the Hofburg Palace brings them all together.

It records the prosperity of the empire under the enlightened rule of Queen Maria Theresia, and also records the brilliant achievements of Joseph II in inheriting the mother's business and implementing reforms. Of course, it also records that Emperor Franz I married his daughter in order to quell the dispute with Napoleon. shame. Of course, in the era of Emperor Franz Joseph I, the multi-ethnic state was booming and declining.

When Eder sighed at the palace, Archduke Otto Franz saw him come forward and ask. "Edel, are you shocked by this palace?"

"Yes, Your Excellency, I am amazed by the size and long history of this palace." Edel replied to his future father-in-law.

"Okay, let's go in. You are the protagonist today."

Archduke Otto Franz took Eder through the gate, passed through Heroes' Square to the ceremonial hall where the party was held. Archduke Otto Franz briefly explained to Eder in Heroes' Square, Prince Eugen, who was invincible in the Turks War, and Archduke Karl, who successfully resisted Napoleon. It can be seen that Austria-Hungary still attaches great importance to Eder, and held a welcome dinner for him in this 1,000-square-meter ceremonial hall, which is usually the place where the emperor ascended the throne and held balls.

When Archduke Otto Franz took Eder into the ceremonial hall, the guests who had already arrived knew that the protagonist of the night had arrived.

"Edel, you have to have fun today, this is specially held for you." The playboy and future father-in-law teased Edel.

"His Majesty is here." Just as Edel was about to answer, the officer on duty made a notification that everyone stood up. Then a gray-haired old man walked in, and Edel and everyone hurriedly saluted. "I have seen Your Majesty."

After everyone saluted, the 80-year-old man walked up to Edel and said. "I mainly came to see my niece-in-law this time. She is indeed a talented person and a good player in running the country. I am very relieved to hand Mary to you."

Edel responded politely. "Your Majesty, you are overrated."

"No" Franz Joseph I waved to stop Edel's speech and continued. "I have carefully watched your performance in Romania over the past few years. Whether it is in terms of internal affairs or the military, your achievements are the best of your peers in Europe. Over time, Romania will develop and grow under your leadership."

Eder did not expect Franz Joseph I to comment on him like this, and believed that the old emperor's words would soon spread in Europe. Right now Edel isn't quite ready to step up to the stage for everyone to study.

Eder immediately denied that "His Majesty's compliment made me terrified. Romania's achievements today are all due to the efforts of my father and all Romanian people."

After seeing Eder's denial, Franz Joseph I did not continue to speak, and took Eder to the steps of the hall and spoke to the guests who came to the dinner. "This time let us welcome Crown Prince Eder of Romania to Vienna. Let him feel the warmth and hospitality of Vienna."

The guests who heard Franz Joseph I raised their glasses and shouted together. "Welcome, Crown Prince Eder."

Edel also raised the glass of wine and finished drinking with everyone. Franz Joseph I was eighty years old after all. After the welcome dinner, he returned to the rest area of ​​his room on the grounds that he was tired.

After Franz Joseph I left, Archduke Otto Franz reappeared and spoke to Eder. "I'll introduce someone to let you know."

After introducing a few people to Eder, Archduke Otto Franz took him to a young girl. Edel could see at a glance that this was her main purpose this time, Princess Mary. However, he still pretended not to know, waiting for the introduction of Archduke Otto Franz.

"Edel this is my daughter Sophie Marie."

After hearing the introduction of Archduke Otto Franz, Eder smiled and said to the princess. "Nice to meet you, Princess Sophie Mary."

Sophie Marie looked at the Romanian crown prince brought by her father. He also said with a smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you too, Your Highness Edel."

"My biggest surprise today is to see Princess Sophie Mary." Edel praised the beauty in front of her.

"Your Highness is very kind." Sophie Marie replied shyly.

Archduke Otto Franz said to the two after watching the two gradually talk. "I have something else to do, let's talk."

After the two watched Grand Duke Otto Franz leave, they immediately got into the pile of women. Sophie Marie saw that her father was still a playboy, and said with a sigh. "I made you laugh."

Edel persuaded. "It's nothing, everyone has their own way of life, as long as they like it."

"Thank you for your understanding." Sophie Marie said to Edel next to her.

"Can I call you that, Mary?" Edel asked the princess beside her.

"Can."

"I'm here this time..."

Grand Duke Otto Franz watched the two chat happily among the women, and from time to time his daughter was amused by Crown Prince Eder and laughed. Knowing that his daughter has found a good home this time, Archduke Otto Franz has also known Edel before, knowing that he has only two maids serving the bed, and there are no other women outside. Although he is a playboy, as a father, he still wants his daughter to be happy.

At the dinner party, there were no blind people harassing the couple, and every guest knew who the protagonist of the dinner party was.

By the end of the dinner, the two were already like a couple who had known each other for a long time. Seeing that the time is almost up, Sophie Marie said. "Edel, I'm very happy to be with you."

"Me too, the only regret is that I have known you for too short a time." Edel said lovingly.

"It's getting late today, go back to rest early. How about we see you tomorrow?" Sophie Marie said.

Edel saw that it was almost ten o'clock in the evening, knowing that the dinner was almost over, and he also needed to go back to rest, and agreed. "Well then we will see you tomorrow, beautiful princess."

"Goodbye my prince."

After the two said goodbye, Sophie Marie returned to her room, and the maid Anna asked curiously. "Princess, how is your Highness Edel?"

Sophie Marie recalled the scene of chatting with Crown Prince Eder, and said with a little blushing. "He's handsome and gentle, and he's funny."

The maid Anna looked at her master's sweet smile and knew that she was in love.

After parting with Sophie Marie, Eder greeted Archduke Otto Franz and walked out of the Hofburg Palace. The captain of the guard who was waiting at the gate stepped forward and asked his crown prince. "How was this dinner, Your Highness?"

Edel, recalling her experience with Sophie Marie, replied. "Very well, this is a good start."

After he finished speaking, he got into the carriage and continued to talk to the captain of his bodyguard. "Call me at the lodging, I'm exhausted today."

"Okay, Your Highness."