Faced with Sophie's lecture, Maximilian did not immediately argue back. He felt that his mother was somewhat different from usual.
After all, Sophie was a staunch believer in stick-based education. Whenever faced with people who opposed her or things she disliked, she would usually reach for a stick first and crush them outright.
Seeing Maximilian remain silent, Sophie continued.
"Maximilian, you are intelligent and outstanding. I have always been proud of you, but you are too arrogant. When you become king, you must listen more to the opinions of others."
Maximilian immediately retorted.
"How am I arrogant, Mother? I have always followed your teachings."
Sophie's eyelid twitched.
"Then do you know why your elder brother has been so gloomy lately?"
Maximilian grew somewhat impatient.
"Can we not mention him? Isn't he gloomy all day because he lacks ability yet refuses to relinquish power?"
Sophie sighed. Arrogance and prejudice toward one's family could accomplish nothing but intensify internal strife.
Those who constantly criticized and suppressed their family members would be regarded as "bad blood" in a family like the Habsburgs.
Back then, no matter how badly the old emperor and his younger brother had fallen out, both sides had exercised tremendous restraint.
Fortunately, there were hardly any normal people in her family—either coldhearted as stone or dense as dead wood. Otherwise, she would fear a repeat of the tragedy of John the kinslayer.
It seemed Franz had been right.
"You really are beyond saving. This matter is entirely because of you."
"Me?"
"That's right. You should not have taken over that batch of slaves—at the very least, not before you were fully prepared.
"Now Franz is demanding that the Ottoman Empire honor the provisions in the Flower Hall Declaration concerning the prohibition of the slave trade. He is also demanding that