Make France Great Again-Chapter 812 - 803: Elizabeth’s Gloom

"His Majesty Emperor Franz of the Austrian Empire and Her Majesty Empress Elizabeth, arrive!"

Accompanied by the voice of the Royal Palace steward echoing throughout the hall of Mei Quan Palace, Emperor Franz Joseph of the Austrian Empire and Empress Elizabeth slowly stepped onto the red carpet and proceeded toward the end of it, while the nobles and ministers on both sides of the red carpet curtsied to Franz Joseph and his wife upon seeing them.

Upon reaching the end of the red carpet, Franz Joseph and his wife quickly turned to face Jerome Bonaparte at the other end.

Immediately, the Royal Chief Steward declared once again: "His Majesty Emperor Jerome of the French Empire and Her Majesty Augusta, arrive!"

As soon as the steward’s voice fell, the band swiftly changed the tune from Austria’s "Hymn to the Emperor" to the French Empire’s "Song of Departure."

Amidst the majestic melody, Jerome Bonaparte, holding Empress Augusta by the hand, advanced toward the direction where Jerome Bonaparte stood.

The surrounding ministers and nobles also curtsied to them. During the time when all the guests were bowing in salute, Jerome Bonaparte sneakily glanced at the nobles and ministers standing on both sides of the red carpet.

Some of them had already dealt with Jerome Bonaparte before (Count Baur, Prince Metternich), while others were meeting for the first time yet had heard about him (Marshal Radetzky, Admiral Albrecht), and some Jerome Bonaparte did not know at all (Prince Windischgrätz, Minister Bach).

It could be described as a gathering of prominent figures.

When Jerome Bonaparte reached the end of the red carpet and faced Franz Joseph again, Franz Joseph smiled once more and shook hands with Jerome Bonaparte, saying, "Jerome, my brother! Welcome to the Austrian Empire!"

"I am honored to receive the invitation from the Austrian Empire (although indeed there was none) to come here, where I feel the unique ancient aura of the old Royal Family! It’s a different kind of charm from Paris, which truly makes me envious!" Jerome Bonaparte once again praised Habsburg in an official tone. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Jerome Bonaparte’s praise made everyone present involuntarily smile, although only Empress Augusta knew that Jerome Bonaparte was subtly implying the decadence of the Habsburgs.

Her husband had never been fond of what was called the old Royal Court life; he believed those strict rules and regulations only served to dull people and had no other positive role.

So how could he possibly envy such a life?

"But Habsburg’s social events are far less than those in Paris; I hope you won’t feel disappointed because of this! Wishing you a pleasant experience!" Franz Joseph responded to Jerome Bonaparte.

The older the Royal Family, the more their social activities are restricted by rules and regulations, which results in losing the true essence of socializing; on the contrary, emerging empires like the French Empire, with no such restrictions, can socialize more freely.

Jerome Bonaparte had only one requirement for social events at the Tuileries Palace: that was to be appropriately dressed.

Other than that, there were virtually no other requirements at all.

"In fact, Parisian social life is not as good as you imagine; in some aspects, we still have a lot of deficiencies!" Jerome Bonaparte paused for a moment and turned his gaze to Elizabeth, half-jokingly saying, "At least no lady with such unique charm as Elizabeth has appeared in the court of the Tuileries Palace!"

Facing the sudden compliment from Jerome Bonaparte, Empress Elizabeth showed a slight expression of being at a loss. She subconsciously glanced at Empress Augusta.

Standing beside Jerome Bonaparte, Empress Augusta seemed to be jealous of this comment and also subtly poked fun at Jerome Bonaparte, saying, "My husband has a unique eye for the appreciation of women!"

"That’s all thanks to having a dignified wife accompanying me!" Jerome Bonaparte also praised Augusta.

Watching Jerome Bonaparte and Augusta sprinkle their affection freely, Franz Joseph felt a bit awkward.

He had never encountered such a situation before; none of the ministers meeting him dared act like Jerome Bonaparte.

However, Elizabeth showed a hint of envy on her face, and she promptly replaced Franz Joseph in replying, "Thank you for your praise, but I believe the most important thing between husband and wife is mutual understanding and support!"

"You’re right!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded in agreement and praised Empress Elizabeth, "You are more beautiful and wiser than before your marriage, Your Majesty the Empress!"

"Your words truly make me feel flattered!" Elizabeth calmly replied to Jerome Bonaparte.

Immediately afterward, Jerome Bonaparte and his wife, along with Franz Joseph and his wife, began to proceed to the main hall of Mei Quan Palace.

Here, Jerome Bonaparte met Franz Joseph’s mother, Grand Duchess Sophie, and his father, Franz Karl.

"Welcome to Vienna!" Grand Duchess Sophie greeted Jerome Bonaparte and Empress Augusta.

"Thank you for your hospitality! No matter how much time has passed, you still shine as always!" Jerome Bonaparte once again praised the fifty-year-old Grand Duchess Sophie and then turned to Grand Duke Franz Karl, saying, "You are as wise as ever!"

"Thank you for your compliment!" Grand Duchess Sophie replied to Jerome Bonaparte.

Then Grand Duchess Sophie and Grand Duke Franz Karl left, and Franz Joseph introduced Grand Duke Carl Ludwig of the Lorinian Duchy to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Your Majesty, it is an honor to meet you!" Grand Duke Carl Ludwig replied to Jerome Bonaparte with a slightly wooden expression.

Looking at Carl Ludwig in front of him, Jerome Bonaparte found it hard to believe that this guy was the great-grandfather of Grand Duke Otto (grandfather of Emperor Karl).

It seems that character is indeed something cultivated over time!

Jerome Bonaparte silently remarked in his heart, then nodded and replied to Carl Ludwig, "I hope you can govern the Lorinian Duchy as well as your two brothers."

Grand Duke Carl Ludwig nodded and then left.

Afterwards, Jerome Bonaparte, alongside Franz Joseph, went into the hall to meet the influential ministers of the Austrian Empire.

Empress Augusta and Empress Elizabeth remained where they were, first finding a table in the corner to sit down and converse.

"Augusta sister!" Empress Elizabeth warmly addressed Empress Augusta as "sister" after leaving Franz Joseph.

"Elizabeth, what’s the matter?" Empress Augusta asked, taking a sip of brandy from the table.

"I..." Elizabeth paused, then showed a hesitant expression and shook her head saying, "Nothing!"

Seeing Elizabeth’s expression, Empress Augusta immediately understood her meaning. She quickly moved her chair closer to Elizabeth and quietly asked her, "Is Franz Joseph being cold towards you?"

"No! He’s not!" Elizabeth shook her head responding to Empress Augusta, "He truly loves me!"

"Then why do you seem so down?" Empress Augusta asked Elizabeth once more, holding Elizabeth’s hand with concern, "Living so gloomily in the court, I’m really worried about your health!"

Elizabeth then told Augusta that she was down because of Franz Joseph’s mother.

Since Grand Duchess Sophie had always been resentful over her son not marrying Princess Helena, Princess Sisi’s sister, she showed little kindness to Elizabeth.

Adding to that, Elizabeth’s own personality was not as "obedient" (listening) as her sister’s, hence she suffered greater suppression by Grand Duchess Sophie.

Currently, she not only faced open and covert sarcasm from Empress Dowager Sophie, but even her only daughter was named by Empress Dowager Sophie without permission and taken away from her side!

And Franz Joseph showed no response to this at all.

"Alas!" Empress Augusta also sighed, realizing that the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law was indeed a big problem, "By the way, have you sought Metternich’s advice on a solution?"

"I asked Metternich!" Empress Elizabeth replied to Augusta, "Metternich told me that if I can give birth to the Crown Prince, my situation will improve!

Before giving birth to the Crown Prince, Prince Metternich wouldn’t dare say anything!"

"That Metternich, honestly!" Empress Augusta criticized Prince Metternich.

"Augusta sister, how are things in France?" Empress Elizabeth inquired about Augusta’s current situation once more.

"Still, not bad!" Empress Augusta casually replied, not wanting to dishearten Elizabeth.

"I truly envy you for having such a husband!" Elizabeth responded to Augusta with a look of envy.

"What’s there to envy!" Empress Augusta waved her hand, incidentally revealing scandalous details about Jerome Bonaparte’s mistress and illegitimate children.

Elizabeth asked Augusta in surprise, "Since you know, why not stop him?"

"Stop him?" Empress Augusta shook her head and said to Elizabeth, "How to stop? The Emperor has supreme power, and as long as he wants, we can’t stop him! Could I just bind him to my side 24 hours a day?"

"That’s true! History is written by men, and we women only guide them, then are forgotten!

If we’re not careful, we’ll end up being blamed as disaster-causing women!" Elizabeth sighed helplessly.