Marriage Arrangements

October 14, 1866, Hechingen.

Ernst had finally assembled his first fleet of his own. This was a major step for the Hohenzollern Conglomerate. As the fleet continued to expand and its routes grew increasingly stable in the future,

it would bring Ernst enormous profits. The purpose of building a fleet was not merely a question of whether it would turn a profit, but whether one could stand independently.

As the saying went, lean on a mountain and the mountain might collapse; lean on a man and the man might fall. Relying on the Dutch would lead to a crushing loss sooner or later—if not today, then tomorrow.

But with a fleet in his own hands, he could personally take part in global trade. Overseas colonization depended on sturdy ships and powerful guns.

Ships were the hub connecting the world, the most important means of transportation after the Age of Discovery arrived. Several successive world hegemons had all risen by controlling maritime supremacy.

The Hohenzollern Conglomerate's establishment of its first fleet today was not only the first step in Ernst's own career, but also a major step for the entire East African colony.

The population and supplies needed by the East African colony could be transported more effectively through its own fleet. This was especially true for certain items that had once been troublesome—the Dutch would not carry them—and for supplies requiring strict secrecy. If the Dutch handled those, Ernst would not be at ease either.

Ernst, who had returned from Venice, was reading the newspaper at home when the elderly Prince Constantin entered from outside.

"Ernst, in the blink of an eye, you're already sixteen!" Prince Constantin said with emotion.

"What is it, Father?" Ernst asked in confusion.

"Nothing. I simply saw that you had grown up and built a career of your own, and it stirred some feelings in me," Prince Constantin replied.

"Ernst, you're no longer a child. It's time you gave some thought to the great matter of your lifelong marriage!"

Hearing this, how could Ernst not know what the old man had in mind? Having lived another life, Ernst had long been waiting for this day to come.

Having lived through two lives, Ernst was not someone who made decisions based on feelings. The grinding of his previous life had long since worn away his sharp edges.

Now that he was a nobleman in this life, even Ernst himself found the notion of free love rather ridiculous. He now placed interests first as well.

And marriage, especially marriage alliances among contemporary European nobles, was all about the exchange of interests behind the scenes. Usually, busy with work, Ernst had no mind to think about such matters.

Now that Prince Constantin had spoken of it himself, he must have already prepared a plan. Ernst might as well go with the current and see what his father had in mind.

"Father, have you already chosen someone?" Ernst deliberately asked.

"Hehe, worthy of being my son. You even figured that out." Prince Constantin chuckled as he pulled a document from behind his back.

"I'm getting old. I still want to personally keep watch over your marriage. Your mother left early, and I raised you with my own two hands. Naturally, I must arrange your marriage properly."

As he spoke, Constantin spread out the documents in his hand. "This time, there are three candidates. One is Princess Heidi of Sweden, introduced by your eldest aunt; one is Princess Martha of the Russian Empire; and the other is Princess Karina of Austria."

Looking at the documents, Ernst asked in surprise, "Why are they so young? The oldest is only twelve, and the youngest is only ten!"

Prince Constantin rapped Ernst on the head with his hand. "Are you that old yourself?"

"Ernst, you're only sixteen. You don't think you're already an adult, do you? I was twenty-six when I married. Naturally, you'll have to wait a few years too."

"These princesses may be young, but in a few years they'll be fine young ladies. Of course we must strike first while the iron is hot. While these old bones of mine still carry a little weight, I must find you a good match," Constantin said.

"Is there really any need to be in such a hurry?" Ernst asked, puzzled.

"What do you know? Over these past years, there have been more and more crooked melons and cracked dates among Europe's nobility, especially within the royal families of various countries. I don't know what is going on, but something always happens. Others may not dare say it, but my heart is as clear as a mirror. There were not so many problems in our day. I'm only telling you this—you must never mention it to anyone else."

"So, I'm looking for a healthy daughter-in-law. I even investigated the medical histories of their parents before finally finding these three, who are absolutely healthy and whose status matches our House of Hohenzollern."

Hearing his father, Ernst understood what he meant. His poor nephew Wilhelm II was one such victim. Although he had escaped hemophilia, he had still suffered from a form of paralysis at birth that caused his left arm to atrophy.

At that thought, Ernst shuddered all over. If he remembered correctly, due to marriage alliances within the British royal family, hemophilia, this hereditary disease, had been carried by Queen Victoria's descendants into several European royal houses, including Germany, Romania—the House of Hohenzollern was suspected to be the greatest victim—Greece, Croatia, Russia, and Denmark...

Ernst did not know how many children Queen Victoria had. After all, he had not carefully looked into it, and it was not something an insignificant nobody like him could interfere with.

Still, he could not help worrying about the royal families of the countries above. Looking at the two candidates on the documents, Sweden and Russia... well, they should be fine!

The documents laid out their parents' circumstances and relationships in great detail. After all, marriage between close relatives was perfectly normal in this era.

None of the three candidates this time had anything to do with Britain. Ernst continued reading.

Suddenly, Ernst discovered something astonishing. To be honest, he had never heard of any of these three princesses.

The Swedish princess and the Russian princess were connected to his mother's side, which was why the arrangements had been made. For instance, Josephine, the former Queen of Sweden, was Ernst's eldest aunt, and she had selected the first candidate. The second Russian princess was also connected through the marriage between his mother's sister and a Russian noble.

But the third lay beyond Ernst's knowledge. Princess Karina, daughter of Maximilian I, Emperor of Mexico, ten years old, had lived with the House of Habsburg since childhood and been raised under the care of her grandmother, Princess Sophie...

????...

Ernst's mind filled with question marks. This Princess Karina was far too outrageous!

If he remembered correctly, Maximilian I was the younger brother of Franz, the current Emperor of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, within the House of Habsburg.

He had heard of this Emperor of Mexico, but he did not recall him having descendants in history.

If he remembered correctly, because Maximilian I had no heirs of his own, he had even specifically adopted the descendants of Mexico's former emperor as his sons.

"Father, what is the story with this Princess Karina?" Ernst asked in confusion.

"This Princess Karina is Maximilian I's daughter, born when Maximilian I and Queen Charlotte were still in Europe."

That can't be right, can it? Ernst began to doubt himself. Even if his birth had caused a butterfly effect that changed history, how could his family possibly have become connected to the Habsburgs?

"Father, I don't understand. Princess Karina's standing within the House of Habsburg is not low. She is Franz's niece, was raised by Empress Dowager Sophie, and her father is still the Emperor of Mexico. Her status and position are both more illustrious than ours. Why would she be interested in approaching us?"

Constantin chuckled. "Isn't this all Maximilian I's own doing? Back then, the entire House of Habsburg opposed his going to Mexico to take office and carry the blame for Napoleon III. Yet that muddleheaded fool ignored his family's opposition. He would rather give up his inheritance rights within the House of Habsburg than go to that muddy ditch called Mexico and try to turn his life around."

"Now look at him. France has withdrawn its troops from Mexico, and I hear Maximilian I's circumstances have grown worse and worse. Not long ago, he and Empress Carlota were traveling through European countries, lobbying for them to intervene in Mexican politics."

Ernst nodded. "But what does that have to do with a marriage alliance?"

"Wasn't it Empress Dowager Sophie's own idea? When Maximilian I went to Mexico, he nearly angered Empress Dowager Sophie to death. She had loved Maximilian I most dearly since he was little."

"Before Maximilian I and Empress Carlota went to Mexico, Mexico's situation was turbulent, and Princess Karina was still young, so Empress Dowager Sophie took her in."

"After dealing with Franz and Maximilian I, her two troublesome sons, Empress Dowager Sophie was now frightened by the mere sight of a bow's shadow in a cup, terrified that her descendants would turn out as unsatisfactory as her two sons. So she became even stricter in their upbringing."

"For example, Maximilian I had been raised far too uselessly. He had originally been nothing more than a rice worm, yet Empress Carlota provoked him into dreaming of becoming emperor, and he ended up taking a terrible fall."

"Princess Sophie believed that her two sons had become what they were because of their wives, so when choosing a husband for her granddaughter, she now valued status and ability even more."

The moment Ernst heard that, he hurriedly nodded. Ability was indeed very important.

"It isn't easy to find someone like that in Europe. The House of Habsburg does not lack marriage candidates, but this time Empress Dowager Sophie placed even greater importance on ability and character. In the end, she chose you."

!!!

Ernst felt somewhat embarrassed by what he heard. How could he possibly be as good as that?

"My son, of course I know you best. There is no need to mention your ability, and your achievements are among the very first rank in all of Europe."

"Your character is even easier to speak of. You have never fooled around. You must know that many nobles lead improper lives. Ernst, for someone your age to have no scandals is a rare thing outside."

"As for status, our family is not lacking either. The House of Hohenzollern is at the height of its prosperity. Prussia and Romania now both belong to our House of Hohenzollern, putting us in the first rank on the continent. In the future, you will also inherit my position as prince."

"Although Karina's father is the Emperor of Mexico, that position is nothing more than the Mexicans amusing themselves! What truly gives him value is his identity as a member of the House of Habsburg, yet he insisted on giving up his inheritance rights. Now that Mexico's situation is becoming harder and harder to control, everyone understands that Mexico has no place for an emperor."

Understand clearly that this is a novel. Princess Karina is a fictional character, made up by me just like Ernst. Certain people should not get too outrageous.