Just as Ferdinand hesitated, dreadful news interrupted his thoughts. On August 4, 1909, his mother, Princess Clémentine, passed away.
The news came without warning. They had still lunched together at noon, yet by evening, a maid came running to tell him that Princess Clémentine was dead!
Ferdinand found it utterly abrupt. Princess Clémentine had always been in good health—how could someone simply be gone just like that?
He had originally believed that, having escaped the deadly ordeal of 1907, Princess Clémentine should have lived for many more years. Yet the world was unpredictable; two years later, she had still passed away!
Ferdinand was in a terrible mood. Although Princess Clémentine had only been the original owner's mother, after more than twenty years together, they had formed a deep bond. And now she was simply gone!
Queen Xenia comforted him considerately. "All right, darling, pull yourself together! Mother passed peacefully. She is still watching over us from heaven, isn't she?"
Ferdinand nodded with difficulty. Since his transmigration, he had seen plenty of storms and towering waves. He would not be so easily brought down by a single matter!
Princess Clémentine's death had a considerable impact on Ferdinand, and he became more conservative in his conduct.
In this regard, the Ottomans ought to thank Princess Clémentine. Otherwise, the Ottoman Empire might truly have been finished this time!
In fact, Ferdinand's adoption of a conservative strategy was precisely what Bulgaria needed now. Having eaten nearly its fill, it was time to properly digest what it had taken.
After more than twenty years of his efforts, Bulgaria was no longer the destitute little country it had once been. There was no need to keep walking a tightrope!
When building an enterprise, one needed the courage to fight and strive; when preserving one, one needed