24 Arriving at Vienna
The train arrived in Vienna to almost a whole parade of a soldier in the Austrean Empire’s uniform, standing at attention at the train station.
The station is huge and is much bigger than the one in St. Petersburg.
A group of soldiers is standing in front of the train. They are wearing a red and black uniform while holding a flag with the emblazoned emblem of the Ruthenia Empire.
Alexander and his siblings alighted the train along with their personal guards, the guards including Rolan and his team.
The soldiers, who stood at either side of the red carpet, held the flags high as an individual loomed earnestly towards them.
He’s 6 feet and 2 inches tall and has a broad physique. He is wearing an elaborate white military uniform adorned with a red sash and some burnished medals pinned on his chest.
The man is in his late thirties. He has a relatively long face, a wide mouth, and a long straight nose. His eyes are blue and clear. His thin eyebrows are drawn together in a frown, giving him a serious and concentrated appearance.
He had black hair, parted on the left side, with a fair complexion.
“Your Imperial Highness, Your Highness,” the man glanced at them as he formally said those words. “Welcome to Austrean Empire, my name is Licht von Hapsburg, pleased to meet you,” his voice carried power and magnificence, sounding grand and imposing.
“Thank you, Your Excellency,” Alexander returned with the same magnitude, living up to his title as the imperial prince. “This is my sister, Anastasia Romanoff,” Ana gathered up both ends of her skirt, bowing courteously upon his brother’s introduction. “I’m honored that you personally came here to welcome us.”
“Hmm…” Licht furrowed his brows as his gaze flickered to the young lady. Ana, he remembered that name. “Isn’t she the one who got afflicted with tuberculosis?”
Before Alexander could answer his query, Ana stepped in and answered his curiosity right away.
“Indeed Your Excellency, but I’m fine now. Brother helped me…ghghhh…!”
Suddenly, Alexander gagged Ana with his hand, stopping her from speaking.
“Oh my…I apologize, my sister doesn’t know the customs yet…hehe…yes it’s not like she recovered completely from the disease, her symptoms just lightened up thanks to the therapy,” he reasoned embarrassingly, lying through his teeth as he hid his achievement of developing an incurable disease of this era.
Ana let out a muffled tone as she tries to speak, but Alexander won’t let her.
This act confounded the Prince of Austrea, who just cocked his head to the side.
“Hmm,” Licht furrowed his brow, not convinced by the young man’s explanation. “In any case, I’m glad she’s doing well now,”
“Thank you, Your Excellency,” Alexander bowed down again, thanking him.
Licht stared at Alexander and looked at him up and down as he observed the young man.
Too young was his first impression of him. To think that he’ll become the emperor of the world’s largest country in the world at the age of 19 is something that is unheard of unless something happened. He was well-versed in the news about his neighbors. Alexander Romanoff was on a trip along with the late emperor and empress then met with a tragic fate. An assassination that took the life of his mother and father. Alexander survived, making him the de-facto ruler of the Ruthenia Empire.
A huge responsibility was bestowed on his young shoulders. He doesn’t know whether he’ll be able to handle the pressure as he probably still doesn’t know what it means to be a ruler of a country. Nevertheless, he is grateful that the head of state of the Ruthenia Empire visited Austrea for his coronation tomorrow.
Licht cleared his throat before speaking. “I’ve already prepared accommodation for the both of you. I hope it is to your satisfaction.”
“Of course! Thank you very much for your generosity and hospitality,” Alexander replied gratefully as he bowed down again and then turned to the man standing on his right.
“Rolan, we’re heading out. Are our things ready?”
“Yes, Your Highness..” Rolan answered as he bowed down. “All are accounted for.”
“Then let’s get going,” Alexander motioned for Ana to get up and walked towards Licht. “Lead the way, Your Excellency.”
As they were walking towards the exit of the train station, Licht led them towards the cars awaiting them. A few soldiers were holding flags of the Ruthenia Empire on the right, while on the other side, an Austrean flag.
“What a warm reception,” he commented under his breath.
They entered the car and sat on the seats and the doors were immediately closed behind them.
“Let’s go,” Licht ordered the driver.
On the other hand, Alexander had his eyes closed as he leaned back in his seat. His hand tapped the armrest as he contemplated his situation.
Truth be told, he doesn’t want to visit foreign countries yet as he would like to focus more on domestic affairs. But since it has something to do with his own coronation, where he will have to make contact with his future wife takes precedence over everything else.
There’s a tradition in Ruthenia Empire that the heir apparent can’t ascend the throne without his queen. So in order to legitimize his position and solidify the authority of his rule, he must opt for marriage. ρꪖꪕᦔꪖꪕꪫꪣꫀꪶ
A sigh escaped his mouth as he started to relax. He looked to his right where Ana’s head was pressing against his shoulder. Her eyes closed as she fell asleep.
One thing he learned about Ana is that she likes to sleep.
Alexander didn’t mind her sleeping on his shoulder. In fact, he finds it endearing.
Inside the vehicle, Prince Licht was seated right in front of them. Facing them as he watched a rather affectionate scene unfolding right in front of him.
“Before I forgot, Your Highness. Where are you taking us?” Alexander started a conversation.
“We’re heading to Grand Hotel Wien. Where you’ll be staying while you’re in Austrea,” he answered, “It’s the finest hotel in this area. I can assure you, you’ll love it.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Alexander chuckled and continued. “I do have a gift for your ascension to the throne. Have you heard of Fabergé egg?”
“Yes, I do. Are those the egg you used where you keep a miniaturized object inside?”
“That’s the idea.”
“Interesting,” Licht replied as he straightened his back on his seat. “I can’t wait to see what it contains tomorrow. Are there any places you’d like to visit while you’re here in Austrea?”
Alexander hummed in thought. “I would like to see the Schönbrunn Palace, the Hofburg, the Ring Road, basically every palace and churches Vienna has.”
“That’s great. I can have it arranged for you,” Licht nodded. “For our residence, I’ll be the one to tour you around in exchange that you’ll tour me around the Winter Palace when I visit it in the future.”
“You’ll visit Ruthenia?”
“Of course in your coronation.”
“Ahhh…I see I see. Speaking of coronation, I don’t have one yet.”
“Hmm? Why is it?” Licht cocked his head to the side.
“Well, it seems that I have to fulfill a prerequisite before I can claim the throne.”
“Prerequisite?” Licht repeated, he doesn’t know where Alexander is heading here.
“I have to find a queen,” Alexander answered candidly.
“Oh!” Licht’s mouth dropped slightly agape as he realized Alexander’s meaning. “And where is this queen live?”
“She’s from the Kingdom of Bavaria, she’s expected to attend your coronation so there is a chance for me to meet her tomorrow.”
“Kingdom of Bavaria?” Licht hummed in thought. “I do remember that there will be a representative from the Kingdom of Bavaria who will attend my coronation. What’s her name?”
“Her name is Sophie,” “Sophie?” Licht repeated and his curiosity peaked. “I don’t believe we have met so I apologize I can’t help you here.”
“It’s okay,” Alexander let out a chuckle. “I’ll just meet her tomorrow…” he paused for a moment before continuing. “I admit, I’m kind of nervous because I don’t know what she looks like.”
“I can’t say much, but I hope you two get along. Who knows, maybe you’ll like her.”
“I hope so too,” Alexander told a lie. He never intends to fall in love with some political tool.
“Anyways, how’s the home front? I heard that Ruthenia is in a bad shape. Losing the war, worker strikes,…Oh wait, you did some reforms.”
“Yeah, I have to give the people something to appease them. My father left me a country that is in shambles. I can’t say I’m not overwhelmed by what I see, but I’m grateful that the people are giving me a chance for redemption.”
“I’m happy to hear that. After all, where you lead, others follow. I do hear about your reforms though. I must say, you’re quite a progressive and liberal man…I’m looking forward to your country’s recovery.”
After having a long chat, they finally arrived at the hotel.
“Well, we’re here,” Licht announced.
Alexander shook Ana’s arm gently as he tries to wake her up. “Ana,” he said softly. “We’re here.”
“Huh?” Ana murmured sleepily and she slowly opened her eyes. “Ohh…we’re here,” she looked outside the window and saw a group of people waiting for them outside the hotel.
Grand Hotel Wien is the finest hotel in Vienna. It’s a grand building built in the Baroque style. It had a total of 200 rooms.
Alexander and Ana exited the car and the soldiers gave a salute as the couple walked toward the hotel’s entrance.
Both tilted their head upwards, gazing at the huge building of the hotel. It’s a majestic design that gave an impression of royalty.
“So this is where we’ll be staying,” Alexander commented. His trip to Vienna had just begun.