章節 7: Chapter 6 The Crown Prince and the girl

Berlin International University, Berlin, German Empire

"Your highness, for you, did Napoleon do the right thing when he accepted the Frankfurt Proposal? Maybe he can win the next battle after Austerlitz, can he, your highness?" Lin asks Justinian about a hypothetical situation during the Napoleonic war. They both are studying for their historical courses. Almost every day, both of them are studying together inside the library, and their study sessions make them closer to each other.

Like today, they're enjoying their interaction and studying where they can ask opinionated questions comfortably.

"I think Napoleon did the best option he can have at that time. France has already suffered for at least a decade during that time, war, famine, poverty, and chaos are rampant, especially after the failure of the Moscow campaign. The only he can do at that time is to consolidate what is left and secure the stability of the Bonaparte on the French throne."

While answering, Justinian remembered what happened to Napoleon in his past life. Where the Frankfurt Proposal was not pushed through, Napoleon lost his crown and his family. He closed his eyes, and this question reminded him that he remembers his past life and he is in an alternate world from one of his past life.

"But there are a lot of people saying, especially the French, that Napoleon should have not accepted the treaty. They believed that Napoleon would win the succeeding battles because it is closer to French soil and he is still invisible in battles. Also, there are still a lot of Frenchmen that could be called upon to serve in the war." Lin says that based on the consensus of the people. A lot of people believed that Napoleon can still win and achieve more success if he didn't give up after the Battle of Austerlitz.

"People tend to imagine what might have happened if this is what had happened in the past," Justinian replied, "but the decisions made during that time is what the people who make the decision, think are the best options they had. Napoleon that time had suffered a series of setbacks already – the Russian campaign, the Spanish campaign, and the Austerlitz defeat. Also, the people during that time had enough of the wars and conflicts that it had. Wives who lost their husbands, children who lost their fathers, a lot of people already lost someone and something during that time. Both sides suffered horrendously during that time…" Justinian stopped and think for a moment, then he added, "and when you think of it, the Russo-Prussian war of 1832 is just the continuation and finale of the Napoleonic war. Because the gains and compensation gained after the Napoleonic war can't satiate the destruction and damage the war had done, making the people dissatisfied with the result and pushing the war in 1832 to happen to get what they think is theirs."

Lin contemplates and digests the opinion and information Justinian had sadly said, she thinks that Justinian has a really good point of his opinion regarding the Frankfurt Proposal. She looks at him, then she realized that both of them are very close to each other, his blonde hair looks golden like the sun and his blue eyes are as clear and beautiful as a pearl. She blushed and look down to avoid his gaze. She was dazzled by his appearance and she realized that she is blushing, she can't face him right now.

Justinian looks toward Lin and sees that she is looking down under the table. He was curious as to what is she looking down there, so he also looks down in the direction where she is looking. Seeing nothing strange happening, he asks her why she is looking down. She was flustered and seems restless and her face is beet red.

"Are you sick? Your face is red? Do you have a fever?" Justinian asked, he was genuinely concerned about her wellbeing. She was his first friend that has no political or social reasons, and also his first Asian friend since he was born in this world.

"I'm fine your highness. It's just…" Lin replied but was interrupted, Justinian touched her forehead to check whether she has a fever or not, and she seems has a fever because she was hot when he touched her. This worries Justinian that Lin maybe is sick, but she was not sick it is due that her face being beet red and increasing temperature.

Lin was flustered and can't reply to his questions. Justinian thinking that Lin was very sick, stands up and says "Let's go Lin. I'll bring you home."

That statement ended Lin's absentmindedness and daze, and she tried to stop the Archduke to accompany her to go home.

But Justinian would not take her no as an answer. They both leave the Library and Justinian called one of his men to call a driver.

Justinian's men were shocked at what is happening, even Count Karl was shocked at the Crown Prince's action. They let the Crown Prince hang out with the Asian girl, thinking it might be due to curiosity and their relationship would not deepen more, but the actions the Crown Prince had done lately were something beyond acquaintances. But he can't make any decisions to stop the Crown Prince right now, for he needed the decision and approval from the Emperor or any person in authority.

The Count can only look helplessly at the Crown Prince and the girl ride the vehicle provided by the Austrian Empire for the Crown Prince's transportation. There are also two cars following the Archduke filled with guards and security personnel for the heir to the Austrian throne.

The Count would write a report to the Capital, asking if the actions of the Crown Prince regarding the Asian girl should be stopped or not. He can only look as the cars become smaller as it goes farther.

** ** **

Lin can only look down inside the car, she was very nervous about what the Crown Prince is doing right now. As the car travels toward the city, her heart is beating so fast, she wants to say to him that she was fine and he can drop her off there, but no voice would get out of her mouth. She was very shy and nervous right now, it would be a few blocks and they would be already in her home.

What would be her parents' reaction if they see that she was accompanied by the Austrian Crown Prince? Would they be angry? Shock? She was squirming inside the car, and Justinian noticed it. He deduced that she might be nervous and he wants to tease her more.

"Lin, can I go inside your house? I want to meet your parents." Justinian says it like it was nothing. But deep inside, he was enjoying every bit of teasing her. The driver upon hearing it was shocked, it was already shocking when the Crown Prince accompanied a girl going home, but meeting her parents? That would escalate into a very large scandal for the Austrian Royal Family.

The Crown Prince is not just a regular existence in Austria, he would soon become the next the Emperor of Austria, and now he was here together with a commoner girl, a foreigner in addition to that.

If this would be in the news the next day, it would send shockwaves across the entire European continent. A future emperor is in a relationship with a foreigner commoner girl. Every relationship of the Royal family is pre-arranged and the Crown Prince is no exception, and if he has a scandalous reputation now, it would tarnish his reputation and honor. But it seems the Crown Prince doesn't care about that.

The damage might not be so profound now because he is still not engaged to somebody, but shortly soon it would cause long-lasting consequences. The driver can't understand what is currently running at the mind of the Crown Prince and he can only observe and report this to his higher-ups.

For Lin, what just the Crown Prince said only makes her more nervous. She can't utter a single word and she was blushing so much that her face is as red as an apple. Her white smooth skin further exacerbated the contrast of the blushing of her cheeks and she can't respond to the Crown Prince's question.

Justinian, finding this situation pleasing, really plans to meet her parents. Based on the information gathered from his men, Lin's parents were prominent individuals from Asia. Her father is a Japanese businessman who was a descendant of a powerful noble family in Japan while her mother is a daughter of also a prominent Chinese family.

Also, her father is a skilled businessman who had businesses across Asia and Europe. He was influential, especially in Asia, and with his business acumen was able to succeed in growing his fledgling company into a powerful trading company. He was able to bring his family here to Germany and have his children school in prominent German schools and universities, which means he had the connections and means to make it happen.

Justinian wants to build rapport with Lin's father for his plan and he was planning to meet now. "Is your father home?" Justinian asks her.

"I don't know. Why?"

"I just want to talk to him," Justinian says. "We're already here." Justinian opened the door and Lin followed him silently inside her home. Lin's heart was beating so fast that you can hear her heart as she slowly approached the door.

She knocked on the door twice, then a male voice was heard inside. Lin's father was at home, and she was happy for her father is at home, he was rarely home and if he is, it is only for a few days. But her happiness was short-lived for she is with Crown Prince, time seems in slow motion, the door was slowly opening, and the meeting between her family and the Crown Prince is inevitable.

Lin's father, Akira Miyazono, was shocked when he sees that his daughter is with an unknown young man when he opened the door. But seconds later, he realized that the young man is a noble from his attire and posture and a high noble. From a distance, he can see that two persons are acting as guards for the young man and he becomes flustered. A young noble visiting their home is a very big deal, they were foreigners of this land and if his daughter had done any trouble to the noble it would become a very big deal.

Justinian realized that the atmosphere becomes awkward, both Lin and his father are flustered, so he takes the initiative to break the ice. "Hi, sir. I'm Lin's friend, Justin. It's an honor to meet you. Lin spoke a lot about you." Justin speaks humbly and full of respect to Akira that it has woken his daze.

"No. The honor is mine." Even though Akira doesn't know who Justinian is, he senses that this man is of a high noble and he responds with respect.

The young man is tall, with blonde hair, and blue eyes which is common to most Europeans, wearing the university's military uniform but has an Austrian medal on the uniform. Akira realized that this man comes from the Austrian Empire and is a man in a high position based on the guards he is with, both guards are in the uniform of the Austrian Imperial Guards.

"You're welcome to enter our humble abode my lord," Akira added. "Our home may be small but I hope it will be comfortable for you sir." Akira let Lin and Justinian enter the house. He also signals his wife to prepare snacks and teas for the visitors, as a businessman, he wants to make Justinian satisfied and comfortable during his stay. He also thought that this might be an opportunity for his business, having a good connection for

Justinian was led by Lin to the living room, he sits on the sofa together with Lin. He sees Lin's mother, Xue Miyazono, in the kitchen preparing food, and Lin's two siblings, Hajime and Xin, studying and making their assignments.

Justinian also observed a lot of eastern objects around the house, a mix of Chinese, Japanese and Western cultures are found – tea cups, Japanese paintings, and Chinese wares.

While waiting before the food is fully prepared, Justinian and Akira talked about a lot of common and simple things. On how Lin seems sick that's why Justinian bring her home today, how Lin's family was able to live in Berlin, and other daily things.

Justinian also told that he is an Austrian high noble, an Archduke, which makes the family nervous again about his presence. But he quickly dispelled it by saying that it was fine and you can treat him the way they treat other people. At first, the family was having a hard time doing it, but slowly they were able to do it but to a small degree there is still the respect and barrier. Nonetheless, it was slowly dissipating.

Justinian learned that Akira's business spread around the globe, from Asia to Europe and even North America. He also learned that both Lin's parents are from influential families in Asia. Xue is a daughter of a Qin governor in Southern China while Akira is a son of a rich samurai family in Central Japan.

Akira started his business in trade with the Qin Empire and Japan and it is where he met Xue after being arranged for marriage by both families they were wedded. Akira's business was also expanding successfully due to Japan's success in its foreign relation and its economic growth. As Japan succeeded, so is the scope of Akira's business.

As they continue talking, Lin and Xue were able to finish preparing the food and called the family together with Justinian to eat. At the table, Western foods and some Asian side dishes are present, which Justinian enjoyed eating, it was already too long since the last time he tasted Asian cuisine and he is very thankful for the chance of eating it again.

Xue was very happy with the positive reaction from Justinian, she knows how most Europeans view eastern culture as somewhat inferior and it includes the food. But for the first time, she sees a European who genuinely enjoyed the food she prepared and she was happy.

While eating, Akira and Justinian continue their talking, and Xue and Lin also joined their conversation. Justinian shared how he met Lin in the library and how they become close friends. Both parents were shocked when they learned that it is Lin who approached Justinian first. Hajime and Xin also formally introduced themselves to Justinian and the three become close to each other.

After the dinner, Justinian needed to go already for it is already too late. Akira tells Justinian that he is welcome to visit again to his home and they would prepare a grander meal for his return.

"I will certainly visit your home Mr. Miyazono. I hope we can talk more about businesses and stay in touch. I hope I'm allowed to invest in your businesses kind sir," Justin responded. "For a better friendship between the West and the East."

Akira nodded, "Yes… yes… A better friendship between our two people."

Justinian leaves the house together with his guards. Akira looks outside from his windows, watching the vehicles that Justinian rode slowly disappeared from his sight. He sighed and thinks that the Crown Prince had just sent him some signals that they would meet again but privately, he senses that this would be very large and would change his life forever but this only triggered his adventurous spirit filled with excitement and glee. An opportunity to make a big difference on a grander scale.

Lin watches his father watching outside and sees the changing expression of his father, from indifference, nervousness, excitement, and glee. She has observed the exchange of the conversation between his father and Justinian and there are a lot of subtle exchanges. She also knows that her mother also sensed the exchange but she didn't join in the conversation and just continue to observe.