Chapter 11: The Palace Guard

  Chapter 11 The Palace Guard

Standing in the spotlight, Franz was even busier, exhausted by the succession of social engagements. There was no way around it, this was the life of an aristocrat in Vienna.

The same in and out of these occasions brother Massimiliano, it seems to be easy, not only do not feel tired, but enjoy it, so that Franz envy.

Socializing has never been Franz’s strong point, especially in the face of a bunch of generous courtesy of the nobility, so he had to always be vigilant.

“Grand Duke, you still have to attend Grand Duke Louis’ banquet tonight, you can leave now!” Maid Jenny reminded

“Got it, call up Massimiliano and we’ll set off together!” Franz commanded

“Yes, Archduke!” Jenny replied

If it wasn’t for his mother’s strong intervention, Franz wouldn’t mind bringing his other two brothers along. When dealing with the noble maidens, they could at least share most of the firepower.

Unfortunately, the other two younger brothers were simply too young, Lady Sophie wouldn’t allow them to attend such occasions, and Franz didn’t want to pull down the age line of the banquet.

It was important to realize that their attraction to the noble ladies was much greater than Franz’s. Crown Prince status allows Franz to have a higher status, the same also doomed his marriage must be a political union.

In contrast, his several younger brothers in the marriage, to be much more free, and these big domestic nobles and marriage is no problem.

……

Looking at and a group of noble girls talk happily Massimiliano, Franz will pull him out and joked: “How is it, my brother has met the other half of the heart?”

Massimiliano shot back without a care in the world, “Dear elder brother, if I say there is, guess if you go back to Mrs. Sophie will ……”

Franz laughed, “Really? Dear brother, for the sake of your lifelong happiness, I don’t mind taking a scolding, it’s just that can you carry the pressure?

Today, the noble ladies in here can be much older than you, do you have an Oedipal complex?

Geez, Massimiliano you are just too surprising, actually ……”

“Stop, my dear brother, if you say any more, my entire reputation will be ruined!” Massimiliano hastened to stop it

This kind of small joke is not the first time that the two of them have done this.

“Hold off a bunch of flies for me later, I want to talk to Archduke Louis about something!” Franz said seriously

“Well, I knew there would be nothing good about you looking for me!”

Massimiliano made a lifeless expression, and Franz rolled his eyes in disdain.

How could the aristocratic banquet that Franz attended be a mere banquet? If it wasn’t for the sake of covering his ears, he wouldn’t bother coming out to socialize!

……

“Honorable Archduke Louis, I want you to support me in taking control of the Palace Guard!” Franz got right to the point

“God! My little Franz how could you even think such a thing? You realize that you are only 16 years old, not even 17 yet!” Archduke Louis said in surprise

As the Crown Prince it wasn’t hard to want the army to mingle, but to actually be in charge of an army wasn’t so easy, especially since Franz was less than 17 years old.

Therefore, he could only settle for the second best and take command of the Palace Guard. Although the number of this troop is not large, and the combat effectiveness is also a question mark, but this is the only possible Franz to get his hands on.

“Uncle Louis, you know I’ve always loved the military since I was a child, and my dream is to become a real general!

But it’s impossible for me to be in the army for a long time with my status, right now I can only take the palace guards to have a good time.” Franz explained

Archduke Louis shook his head and said, “That’s impossible, you have to know that the palace guard has a lot at stake, you haven’t proved yourself yet, if you really want to have a general’s addiction, you can enter the city defense army!”

Isn’t Franz aware of what the Austrian City Defense Army is? It was known to be a concentration camp for generals, and it was said to be the only Austrian unit with more officers than soldiers.

According to the tradition of the German region, nobles were all required to enter the military service after coming of age, or else they would be condemned by public opinion.

The Austrian Empire nobles were also from the German region, and this tradition was also preserved. But after all, the Austrian Empire has been corrupted, for this group of noble lords, everyone had to turn a blind eye.

In addition to the real aspirations in the army development of people except, most of the army into the army is for gold-plating, Louis Archduke let Franz go to the helm of this army, is absolutely uneasy good intentions.

Franz frowned and said, ”Uncle Louis, are you sure this isn’t a trap for me? Don’t you know what kind of goods the city defense army is? Even if Archduke Karl himself went into battle, he couldn’t do anything with them, do you think I can?”

The windowpaper was pierced, and the old and cunning Archduke Louis did not have the slightest change on his face.

“Franz, don’t be angry, isn’t this a test for you young people? If you can even handle the city defense army, then what else, is there that you can’t do?”

This may be useful to fool a middle-aged teenager, but unfortunately Franz has long since ceased to be, and won’t not know the heights of heaven just because of a few words of bragging.

“Uncle Louis, it’s not impossible, as long as you order all the gold-plated nobles inside to retire, I’ll go to the city defense army!” Franz pretended to gamble

“Franz, this is impossible, even His Majesty the Emperor has no way to make them get out!” Archduke Louis said helplessly

“So, I won’t be able to go to the city defense army, it’s still the palace guard that suits me, Uncle Louis you can’t be reluctant to part with it, can you!” Franz pretended to be angry and said

“How can that be!”

“Well, Franz you can enter the palace guard, but the position of commander-in-chief cannot be given to you. Right now you are still too young, you still have a few more years of training!” Archduke Louis retreated and said

“This damned age! Fine, then I’ll just wait a few more years!” Franz said with feigned helplessness

His purpose had been achieved, the Palace Guard or the Praetorian Guard, this force was different from other armies, they only owed allegiance to the royal family.

For Franz, to master this troop does not necessarily mean that he has to be the commander of this troop, normally the commander is the emperor himself or appoints a member of the royal family to be the commander.

Now that the force is in the hands of the Council of Regents, with Archduke Louis as the commander-in-chief and Franz entering it as the Crown Prince, there will naturally be people who will take the initiative to defect to it.

He has shown his attitude, iron will to enter the palace guard, Louis Archduke even if the heart is dissatisfied, but also can not really prevent Franz to enter.

(End of chapter)