Make France Great Again-Chapter 811 - 802: Arrival in Vienna

The young Ludwig looked helpless as he watched the two shameless monarchs flatter each other. After a while, Jerome Bonaparte, using not disturbing Ludwig’s studies as an excuse, left Ludwig’s room together with Maximilian II.

Walking slowly down the palace corridor, Jerome Bonaparte suddenly thought of his adopted brother and sister-in-law, whom he had never met. He hurriedly asked Maximilian II, "Maximilian, where are my adopted brother Prince Eugene and Princess Auguste buried?"

Maximilian II was initially taken aback, then told Jerome Bonaparte that Prince Eugene and Princess Auguste’s tombs had been placed near Loychtenburg Palace. If Jerome Bonaparte wished, he could accompany him to pay his respects.

"Let’s forget it!" Jerome Bonaparte shook his head, smiling bitterly, "Our Bonaparte Clan owes Eugene too much! I don’t want to disturb their souls at this time!"

"Jerome, you’re mistaken!" Maximilian II shook his head and replied to Jerome Bonaparte, "When Prince Eugene was alive, he never felt you owed them! My aunt, Princess Auguste, was the same way. Even on her deathbed, she thanked the Bonaparte Clan for giving her an exceptional husband!"

Hearing Maximilian II’s words, Jerome Bonaparte’s expression darkened slightly; he did not expect Prince Eugene and Princess Auguste to harbor no resentment towards the Bonaparte Clan.

"If that’s the case, please lead the way!" Jerome Bonaparte replied to Maximilian II with a serious expression.

Jerome Bonaparte and Maximilian II rode on horseback, escorted by guards, galloping towards the outskirts of the city.

About half an hour later, Jerome Bonaparte and Maximilian II arrived in the vicinity of Loychtenburg Palace. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Under Maximilian II’s guidance, Jerome Bonaparte found two small mounds in a dense forest about a kilometer from Loychtenburg Palace.

The former Governor of Italy, heir apparent to the First Empire, and the previous Eldest Princess of the Kingdom of Bavaria were buried here, truly somewhat "unworthy of their status."

"Who chose this place?" Jerome Bonaparte asked, expressionless, as he looked at the small mounds.

"This was the burial place Prince Eugene requested before he died! Four years ago, my aunt Auguste also instructed me to bury her alongside Prince Eugene!" Maximilian II explained to Jerome Bonaparte, "If it weren’t for Prince Eugene’s request, we would never have buried him here!"

"I understand! Thank you very much!" Jerome Bonaparte responded calmly to Maximilian II, then slowly walked up to the two small mounds. He didn’t say anything, just bowed to the mounds, and then turned to leave.

The two rode again, returning to the Munich Royal Palace.

By the time they reached the Munich Royal Palace, it was already around 6:30 in the evening.

With less than half an hour until the dinner began, the two took the time before the banquet started to enter the banquet hall to prepare.

Time flew by quickly, and soon it was seven in the evening.

Jerome Bonaparte and Maximilian II first shared a dinner with the nobles present. After the meal, the dance officially began.

The two monarchs and their wives became the undisputed leaders of the entire dance, with everyone dancing gracefully to the elegant melody.

...

The banquet continued until about 11 in the evening before it finally ended. Jerome Bonaparte and Augusta, guided by the palace servants, moved into a bedroom within the palace.

Exhausted, Jerome Bonaparte yawned as he lay on the soft bed and quickly fell asleep.

Augusta, lying beside Jerome Bonaparte, watched him, already asleep, with a smile on her lips.

Then she blew out the candle on the bedside candlestick and drifted into sleep in the darkness.

Early the next morning, with Maximilian II’s escort, Jerome Bonaparte embarked on a train heading towards the Bavarian-Austrian border. They would take this train to the border area and then switch to a train leading into Austria to reach Vienna.

Before boarding the train, Jerome Bonaparte told Maximilian II that if he had time, he must visit Paris, where Jerome Bonaparte would prepare a grand welcome for him.

Maximilian II replied that he would certainly visit Jerome Bonaparte.

"Don’t forget to bring Ludwig!" Jerome Bonaparte "reminded" once more.

"I certainly won’t forget!" Maximilian II answered.

Once Jerome Bonaparte boarded, the train slowly began moving south, gradually picking up speed until it disappeared from sight.

Sitting in the private carriage, Jerome Bonaparte gazed out the window and asked Mokar, "Mokar, when will this train reach the border?"

"Your Majesty, it will take about 2 to 3 hours!" Mokar immediately replied.

"How long does it take from the Austrian border to Vienna?" Jerome Bonaparte asked again.

"It also takes 2 to 3 hours!" Mokar responded once more.

"So, from Munich to Vienna is roughly 60 leagues (240 kilometers)!" Jerome Bonaparte scratched his head and said to Mokar.

"Your Majesty, in fact, the distance from Munich to Vienna is only about 33 leagues! (134 kilometers)" Mokar hastily explained, "It’s just that there’s no direct train between Munich and Vienna, which is why it’s like this!"

"Ah!" Jerome Bonaparte shrugged and sighed: "I didn’t expect that the Austrian Empire still hasn’t forgiven Bavaria for its actions back then! (Referring to the Napoleon era, when Bavaria relied on France to exert certain pressure on the Austrian Empire, but due to Napoleon’s defeat, Bavaria was forced to give up some of its acquired benefits.)"

"Your Majesty, although Bavaria and Austria are in-laws, they are still in a competitive relationship within Germany!" Mokar explained to Jerome Bonaparte.

"I understand that!"

...

After a long journey of nearly more than 3 hours, Jerome Bonaparte and Augusta finally arrived at the train station closest to Austria from Bavaria.

As they got off the train, before leaving the station, they were invited to take a carriage by the highest local official, who had received orders from Maximilian II to personally escort Jerome Bonaparte to the Bavarian-Austrian border.

Thus, Jerome Bonaparte and Empress Augusta wasted nearly another hour in the carriage before reaching the border area between Bavaria and the Austrian Empire.

This time they did not switch carriages again but proceeded directly into the Austrian Empire in the carriage, accompanied by a joint escort of Austrian and Bavarian troops, and arrived at the nearest Austrian train station to the border.

Getting off the carriage, Jerome Bonaparte simply stretched lazily, breathed the fresh air, and then immediately boarded the train to Vienna without stopping.

...

Three hours later, the train slowly pulled into the Vienna Railway Station.

By this time it was already around 4 pm, and the sky over Vienna was still sunny.

As Jerome Bonaparte stepped off the train, he was immediately welcomed by Emperor Franz Joseph of the Austrian Empire and Empress Elisabeth.

"Welcome to Vienna, my brother!" Franz Joseph said with a smile, embracing Jerome Bonaparte.

"My brother! This journey truly left me feeling physically and mentally exhausted!" Jerome Bonaparte whispered a complaint in Franz Joseph’s ear.

Franz Joseph’s expression turned slightly awkward; he understood that Jerome Bonaparte was complaining about the lack of a direct train between Munich and Vienna. At present, he could only respond diplomatically, "Once you arrive at the Hofburg Palace, you can rest! I believe the scenery at the Hofburg Palace will surely cure your fatigue!"

"I look forward to it!" Jerome Bonaparte said as he released Franz Joseph.

Thus, Jerome Bonaparte and his wife, along with Franz Joseph and his wife, took a carriage together to the Hofburg Palace.

On the way to the Hofburg Palace, Jerome Bonaparte keenly noticed that Empress Elisabeth... also known as Princess Sisi, appeared somewhat sullen, quite different from the Princess Sisi he had seen before!

Has the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law conflict begun so soon? Jerome Bonaparte couldn’t help but speculate in his heart.

Seeing the atmosphere inside the carriage becoming increasingly dull, Jerome Bonaparte began to take the initiative to steer the conversation.

He first inquired of Franz Joseph about the current situation of the Austrian Empire.

Franz Joseph immediately replied that the Austrian Empire, with the help of France and the planning of Prince Metternich, was showing signs of revitalization.

Thus, Jerome Bonaparte and Franz Joseph chatted all the way, soon reaching the area near the Hofburg Palace.

Stepping down from the entrance of the Hofburg Palace, the two monarchs ascended the steps lined with guards on both sides, entering the Hofburg Palace.

Once Jerome Bonaparte and Franz Joseph had stepped side by side into the Hofburg Palace, the waiting band, upon the indication of the palace steward, struck up the "Hymn to the Emperor," symbolizing the anthem of the Austrian Empire.

At the same time, the gathered dignitaries and loyal subjects lined up in two rows within the hall turned their gaze towards the two monarchs at the entrance.