War Palace and Knee Pillow, Austria’s Destiny

Vienna, Schonbrunn Palace

Today it is rare for the Franz family to get together. This is not because it is difficult for them to meet, but because they are limited by the atmosphere of the upper class and some rules in the palace at that time.

For example, children were required to stay in the royal children's room until they were six years old, and after that they were given their own rooms, exclusive attendants, servants and annuities.

As for husband and wife, there is also a distinction between personal property and common property. It is not uncommon for couples to even sleep in separate rooms or even not live together at all.

In fact, both Mrs. Sophie and Mr. Franz Karl are usually "busy people", one is enthusiastic about political affairs, and the other is obsessed with making troubles.

So this gathering was a rare "happy" family time for Franz Joseph. But it was very difficult for Maximilian, because the latter felt that the former occupied the position that should belong to him.

In fact, children's vanity and self-esteem are often much stronger than those of adults, and this is especially true for nobles like Maximilian who came from a royal family and held a golden key.

Whatever he wanted since he was young, he would be satisfied immediately. Over time, he developed a self-centered character and judgment logic.

Until one day Maximilian met Franz. There was no interaction between the two, but the former felt humiliated because the latter was indifferent and did not pay attention to him.

So Maximilian wanted to snatch the book that his elder brother was reading, but he was no match for him and was pinned under the book instead.

Maximilian complained everywhere, but in exchange everyone gave him advice, "The other person is an elder brother, you are just a younger brother.

You need to learn to obey, this is the Habsburg injunction."

Even his grandfather and mother, who doted on him the most, told him not to provoke Franz.

The play in the Hall of Mirrors when he was a child deeply broke Maximilian's heart. He is very eager to try out the throne one day, and he also wants to enjoy the feeling of looking at the small mountains.

But Franz II did not even allow his grandson An to step onto the royal steps. Then the former placed the reluctant Franz on the throne and ordered the court painter to paint his portrait. This was all seen by the latter. Eyes, mind.

From then on, Maximilian was determined to defeat Franz. However, the strength of the two was completely different. Regardless of physical, intellectual, learning ability, and even the number of supporters...every time, the former was unilaterally beaten.

So facing the table full of delicacies, Maximilian still put on a bad face and glared at his brother.

The latter did not want to ruin the atmosphere of the banquet, so he stopped looking at each other, which made the former feel that he had won.

But these foods are all related to Franz, Maximilian said with his chin high.

"These dishes are too crude for me."

At this time, the royal chef standing by with a smile twitched his lips. He was the best chef in Bohemia. In the past, even a big shot like Winster had to send someone to eat an authentic Austrian meal. Invite him over, when will it be a little brat's turn to point fingers at his craftsmanship.

It's just that this little kid is a member of the royal family, and now he works for the royal family, so the famous chef can only ask with a smile.

"Dear Grand Duke Maximilian, if you have any dissatisfaction, I will improve it until you are satisfied."

"Too salty," Maximilian said, pointing to a bowl of soup.

The chef frowned as he looked at the bowl of soup, but still persuaded the other party slowly.

"Your Highness, that bowl of soup is sweet and there is no salt."

"It's so sweet that it's salty. Throw it out and make it again." There's always a reason for looking for trouble, but Maximilian's arrogance is a bit off-putting.

Just as Franz was about to speak, his father Franz Karl spoke openly.

"Maximilian, it's not a good habit to waste food. It would be a pity to throw away such a delicious soup. Bring it to me. I'll drink it."

The chef felt very touched and deeply felt that the most mysterious prince in the royal family was wise and foolish and had good intentions.

Because Archduke Franz Karl's approach neither made Archduke Maximilian look bad nor hurt his dignity as a chef. More importantly, the former did not let down the bowl of soup.

"How can such a great man not be awe-inspiring!" The chef and the servants around him were moved to tears as they kept thinking about it.

But in fact, Archduke Franz Karl simply thought the bowl of soup tasted delicious, and he followed the ancestral precepts not to waste food.

In fact, he rarely spoke, so Maximilian was a little at a loss for a while. Although he has no feelings for this dull father at all, his identity cannot be changed.

At this time, Maximilian's favorite lemon foie gras was placed on the table, and just as he was about to take action, he was forked away by little Maria on the side.

"I'll help you eat this, Brother Maximilian, don't thank me!"

His face turned red and white with anger at his little sister's actions, but his series of actions had attracted the attention of Mrs. Sophie, who was looking at her son with disapproval.

Naturally, Maximilian did not dare to lose his temper with his mother, because the latter would really beat him. So he could only watch the little glutton on the side "spoil" his food.

"Maria, eating too much foie gras will make you fat."

Franz couldn't help but kindly reminded that Mrs. Sophie doted on her only daughter, but Franz Karl simply thought that being able to eat was a good thing. After all, according to his past experience, it seemed that once a person cannot eat, Going down means that death is not far away, his grandfather was like this, and so was his father.

So Archduke Franz Karl thought that people who loved to eat would not have bad luck, so why would he stop the little guy from eating?

Maria swallowed the food first and then cleared her throat and retorted.

(In fact, nobles are not allowed to talk vaguely with a mouth full of food. This will be considered impolite. Maria, who has repeatedly committed suicide at dangerous distances, is very experienced. Her mother will tolerate her once, but she will never There is a second time.)

"Brother, didn't you say that girls are too thin and unhealthy?"

"But if you eat like this, you will turn into a little pig sooner or later. My sister."

"Brother, look at me, I have neither a double chin nor a belly. I am a little fairy who can't get fat!" Maria showed off proudly and turned around twice.

Madame Sophie finally spoke.

"That's enough, Maria! Stop messing around. A princess shows off her belly to others during a banquet. This is not what a lady should do. Eat the food on your plate, then go back to your room and don't do anything else tonight. have eaten."

Maria pouted and quietly came to Franz.

The latter glanced and said.

"What do you want to do again? You little glutton, do you want your big brother to bring you food at night?"

"No, look."

Maria took out two more rabbits from somewhere, and Franz felt as if they were familiar when he looked at them.

"You just ate the great auk, and now you're interested in my rabbit?"

"No, you look at so many rabbits!"

Maria had a large cardboard box brought to her. There were about twenty rabbits in it that were no different in size from adult rabbits, and the coat color was actually slightly different from the hybrid Angora rabbits that Franz gave her.

This is more than two months. The growth cycle of this kind of rabbit is very short, even shorter than the growth cycle of modern German Angora rabbits. It looks very strong and the meat production should be considerable.