Engagement

With that, Ernst finally understood. Princess Karina was likely a butterfly effect from his own appearance, or perhaps this universe was simply a parallel one to his previous life's, not just a simple divergence. In any case, it was better to keep uncertain factors under his control.

Karina was the first person he'd encountered in this world who differed from history. Lenoir and the others didn't count, as Ernst had actively driven the changes in their fates.

Karina was born before his memories of his past life had awakened. This meant she was born when Ernst was six years old.

At six, he was still a little brat, a terror running wild in the manor. He couldn't have influenced anyone back then.

Moreover, Ernst had a premonition, deep down, that something terrible would happen if he didn't marry her in the future.

He thought about how much history he had already changed since his awakening. There was the Hohenzollern Conglomerate, the East African colony, and indirectly, the fates of a group of people.

Princess Karina of Austria held a significant position, and the 19th century was an era where anything was possible.

Could it be a scenario where Her Majesty the Queen returns to Mexico to avenge her father, or perhaps inherits the Habsburg throne to rebuild the Roman Empire? (It wasn't my intention, but think about how unlucky Emperor Franz was: his brother was executed by Mexicans, his wife assassinated in Italy, his son committed suicide, and his chosen heir was shot by a Serbian.)

Having said all this, Ernst also had his own interests to consider. He had been planning a colonial trade route from Prussia (German Empire) to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, passing through the Mediterranean, and finally reaching the East African colony.

Of these, Prussia was no concern; it was like his own backyard.

Italy was an ally of Prussia and could be useful before World War I.

The East African colony was even less of a concern, as he had participated in its planning and construction. His word was law there.

Only the Austro-Hungarian Empire was where he had the least influence. Now, if he could resolve the issue of political influence within the Austro-Hungarian Empire through a marriage alliance, that would be ideal.

Besides, the East African colony was poor! Prussia (Germany) alone couldn't support it; they needed the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which was equally large.

It was a waste that so many resources were lost when the Austro-Hungarian Empire disintegrated. Ernst was willing to be the one to take over.

"Father, let's go with Princess Karina of the Habsburgs! We truly have little influence in Austria. By using this marriage alliance, our family's businesses can spread more effectively throughout the Greater German region, enhancing the security of our industries from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean."

This was the truth. If this goal were achieved, no conflict on the continent would affect Ernst's grand undertaking in East Africa.

A navy solely from Germany or the Austro-Hungarian Empire would easily be crushed at sea, let alone a small commercial fleet.

The Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean were Germany's only two maritime routes. Germany was slightly better off, as it had the Atlantic to the northwest, but sailing out meant encountering giants like the British Empire.

The Austro-Hungarian Empire's overseas access was through the Adriatic Sea. Geographically, it seemed worse than Germany's situation, but the actual threat was less than what Germany faced. It wasn't that Ernst looked down on the Italians; it was just that the Battle of Lissa had been too embarrassing.

If the British wanted to blockade Germany's coast, it would be very simple. For the Italians to blockade the Austro-Hungarian Empire's coast would be a pipe dream, as the Austro-Hungarian Empire could directly threaten Italy from land. Moreover, Prussia, Italy, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire would form an alliance in the future, and with Prussia mediating, their relationship wouldn't be too bad.

"Hmm, alright. I'll head to Vienna to discuss it with the Habsburgs. You just wait for my news!"

With that, Constantin set off for Vienna.

Meanwhile, in Vienna, Austria, at Schönbrunn Palace.

"Mother, isn't it too early to be discussing marriage for Karina when she's so young?" Emperor Franz said helplessly to his mother.

"Hmph, what do you know? It's all because of you and your brother causing so much trouble after your marriages. I dare not let Karina follow in your footsteps," Empress Dowager Sophie said.

Mentioning his own marriage, Franz dared not speak. Mother-in-law relationships were a universal problem, and even an emperor couldn't escape it.

As for his brother, Maximilian I, he had gone to the black hole that was Mexico and was stubbornly pursuing his imperial dreams, refusing to believe his family's advice.

"This time, I will personally choose the marriage partners for the younger generation. It was precisely because I doted on you two brothers too much that all these troublesome matters arose," Empress Dowager Sophie declared.

As she spoke, she took Ernst's dossier from her hand and handed it to Franz.

"Take a look. What do you think of the person I've chosen this time!"

Franz looked at the dossier and said, "His looks are only slightly more handsome than I was in my youth. But isn't his status too low? Karina marrying a prince from any kingdom wouldn't be any worse, would it?"

"What do you know? Where are you going to find so many princes from kingdoms? Besides, there are only so many royals in Europe, and I haven't found anyone I fancy yet. Although Ernst's title is a bit low, he is a legitimate member of the House of Hohenzollern, and Prince Constantin has no other heir. He will start as a prince in the future."

"Moreover, his mother passed away early, so Karina won't have any mother-in-law issues if she marries him. This Ernst is also good at managing businesses; I hear his industries rank among the top thirty in Europe. Karina will live a life of comfort and security if she marries him. Being a prince's consort is quite good."

"What about his character, Mother?" Franz asked.

"Rest assured about that. I investigated thoroughly this time. Ernst is sixteen years old but is very dedicated to his career and has no scandalous rumors circulating. I've also reviewed his life trajectory, and he is indeed a practical person. He recently went to Venice to assemble a fleet and then returned home."

"He also has no bad habits and maintains a regular lifestyle. It's best to secure such an excellent young man as soon as possible."

"But Mother, don't you really want to discuss it with my brother and sister-in-law?" Franz asked cautiously.

"Hmph, don't mention them, especially Charlotte. She was the one who kept egging Maximilian on. If it weren't for her, our family would be perfectly happy and reunited right now. If anything happens to your brother, I will never forgive her."

Thus, the Emperor and Empress of Mexico were stripped of their guardianship rights over their daughter. At this time, Empress Carlota was still in France, throwing tantrums and crying, demanding that Napoleon III honor his promise and send troops to Mexico again.

After communicating with Prince Constantin, who was traveling to Vienna, the two families agreed to an engagement first. Ernst could then marry Princess Karina when he was in his early twenties.

On November 3, 1866, the two families announced the engagement of Prince Ernst and Princess Karina. (This event would later be known as the Rapprochement between the House of Hohenzollern and the House of Habsburg.)

Ernst and Princess Karina attended the ceremony and exchanged tokens of their engagement, influenced by European traditions. From now on, Princess Karina of the Habsburgs was Ernst's fiancée.

As someone who had lived two lives, Ernst didn't have high demands; as long as she wasn't too unattractive, he could accept it. However, Karina indeed possessed good looks and would surely be a great beauty in the future. At least in the eyes of their contemporaries, they were a perfect match.

Now that his future wife was decided, Ernst couldn't stand by and watch his future father-in-law suffer. Maximilian I had truly had a rough time. The throne he had stumbled into was essentially Napoleon III's mess. The French shifting the blame for their colonization of Mexico onto Maximilian I was one thing.

What was truly troublesome was that the Mexican people no longer trusted their emperor. Influenced by the Iturbide dynasty and fanned by the Americans, Maximilian I's decrees couldn't even leave the palace, and he was forced to take the blame.

Especially the various warlords in Mexico, who completely disregarded Maximilian I. Among them, Juárez of the Republican faction considered Maximilian I a thorn in his side.

Next year, the year Maximilian I was arrested and executed, Juárez was also a formidable figure, executing Maximilian I without hesitation, even at the risk of offending European monarchs and the Habsburgs.

Ernst pondered whether he could rescue his unlucky father-in-law. He decided to first select a group of outstanding students from the Hechingen Academy, disguise them as Native Americans, infiltrate Mexico, and finally smuggle Maximilian I back to Europe...

There was indeed a sliver of feasibility. If this endeavor failed, he would suffer no significant loss, but if it succeeded, the positive feedback would be substantial.

Putting aside other matters, the Habsburgs would owe him a favor in the future, and European monarchs would regard him with newfound respect.

Ernst intended to develop East Africa, which would inevitably involve interactions with various nations in the future. Otherwise, it would be laughable if he were blindsided when the great powers carved up Africa.

For now, establishing an image of upholding the aristocracy and supporting monarchical systems would ensure that royal families would speak favorably of him to their respective governments in the future, and governments would be hesitant to act against him.