Chapter 81 The unreliable Prince of Württemberg finally felt at ease

Chapter 81 The unreliable Prince of Württemberg finally felt at ease

Chapter 81 The unreliable Prince of Württemberg finally feels at ease
These swimsuits were meant to be seen on the beach, so they were made extra long, covering the knees and ankles. They were more conservative than the one Julianna wore the last time they saw her in the hot spring. The design was also more special since the material was lighter and thinner.

There was just one problem: when it was time to get into the water, it was obviously very heavy due to absorbing water.

The pool in this area is relatively shallow, so they have to step into the water in their dancing shoes, which is a typical way of going into the water in 1799.

The man from Mecklenburg actually knew something. The custom of wearing clothes when swimming and taking a hot spring bath started from the British. It was certainly not necessary in public baths in the Roman era, but with the progress of civilization after the 17th century, clothes began to become heavier, and it was actually very inconvenient to go into the water.

When they went into the water, they also felt that the captured wild dolphins were approaching them.

Anyway, the dolphins that have been caught and sent to the bay are all female, so there is no need to worry about that strange problem.

Although people still don't fully understand the habits of dolphins, such friendly characteristics can be "tested" with ultrasound, which can reveal the baby's condition.

The servants were asked to help Louisa into the shallow water. This section of the beach was originally a bathing beach commonly used by the nobles of the St. Petersburg court. Paul had been here before and was very familiar with the water conditions in this area. Asking the servants to accompany her was also for safety reasons.

The dolphins were just on the shore, and now that they see people coming into the water, they all come over to join in the fun.

The sea area was still very clean, and the four sisters could touch the dolphins in the water at close range. The dolphins were happy to be with people on the beach. The two brave sisters even leaned on the dolphins' backs, using them as horses. They were usually brave enough to ride horses, but this was in the water, and the sideways female riding method was not very effective. Instead, they lost their balance and fell into the water.

Alexander stood on the low seawall, looking at his wife and sisters playing, and felt that this scene was very much like a story in ancient Greek mythology.

However, what he was thinking about was the story of Hercules' beautiful young servant who was attracted by the water girls and appeared in the painting.

Seeing this scene, he also called his personal servant to invite the court painter from the Summer Palace.

This time Madame Le Brun was not invited, but she went to Prince Golitsyn's house, which was closer to Tsarskoye Selo and far away from the beach west of the Summer Palace.

However, the painting skills of these painters obviously also need to take into account their personal level. Alexander likes Levitsky, a full-time professor of portraiture at the Art Academy. His works can reflect people's appearance more realistically, unlike Madame Le Brun, who overdoes the "beautification" technology.

In addition, he did not like the Austrian portrait painter Martin Ferdinand Quadar who recently visited St. Petersburg. He actually painted Maria, who was only thirteen years old, looking very old, older than her two older sisters, like a middle-aged woman. It would be fine if he went to church to do religious paintings, but he didn't know how he did it.

Maria was the fastest among the sisters. She even stood in the water to play with the captured baby dolphins. When she saw Ekaterina falling into the water, she laughed at her sister for climbing onto the dolphin and then falling into the water.

"This is not riding, Catherine"

However, dolphins are friendly, and no matter whether it is shallow or deep water, as long as they have some experience, they can lift people out of the water, which makes Ekaterina, who has always been daring and can fall on land and in water, have more fun. This kind of excitement is no different from ordinary girls.

When the painters arrived, they had to follow Alexander's orders and paint this scene.

"Professor, you can handle the portrait part, and your students can paint the background. I hope to record this moment as a beautiful and sweet memory of this summer."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Louisa was surrounded by dolphins. She relaxed completely and let the dolphins rub against her body.

She is now also thinking about what to name the child and what kind of room to prepare for the child in the future. The eldest daughter's room is decorated with marine life toys, and this child, whether it is a boy or a girl, does not necessarily have to be decorated with dolphins and auks. This child's room should be decorated with bears.

She herself may not even know that this kind of thinking is more like a Russian than the ideas of her hometown in Baden.

As for a girl, she was named Maria. This was a step taken to improve the relationship between the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law, and she would have to endure less bullying in the palace. In the Summer Palace and the Winter Palace, she always felt suffocated and depressed.

But if you put a bunch of bears in the house, wouldn't that be "Masha and the Bear"? (This is a famous Russian parent-child animation in the 21st century)

If it was a boy, Paul would have already named him. Not after his father, Peter III, but Feodor, a transliteration of his grandfather, Prince Karl Friedrich of Holstein.

After all, Paul didn't want to ruin his relationship with the court officials. Although he had previously slapped the ministers in the face over the issue of Peter III's burial and humiliated many old ministers from the Empress's period, he was not a complete fool.

As for William himself, his focus is now on Alexandra. She is indeed very beautiful, and her figure will only get better in the future.

"I thought that I could not escape this time, so I hurried over here and became her prisoner in Petersburg."

"If you really think so, my cousin, then you should hurry up. I don't want my sisters to marry badly either. I hope that each of them can get their own happiness, even Anna."

"But if Anna is to be married, Alexander, I'm afraid your children are already talking about marriage, right?"

As a cousin, William could also ignore the level difference and talk to Alexander, especially in such a private occasion.

"Yes, my sisters, each one of them is a treasure in this world. William, and you, Ludwig, I hope you can cherish Alexandra and Elena. The two of them are always inseparable in the palace. I hope you can be like brothers. And they are both so tall, no wonder they all say they like you."

"Me too?"

"William, when we were sent away just now, the maids heard their whispers in the dressing carriage. Nowadays, these girls like tall and strong men wearing officer uniforms, not to mention that you two..."

Alexander gestured and saw that the crown prince was not short, but his two brothers-in-law, one of whom was his cousin, were taller and stronger than him, and William was also big in stature.

These cousins ​​from Württemberg have always been famous for their large size and service in various countries.

"Yes, William, you and Alexandra are a good match, and you have such a relationship. As for me, I came here from Mecklenburg, and I was worried that Elena would look down on me, the heir of a 'small' duke from a small country like Schwerin." "Don't say that. What the emperor values ​​is that your family is harmonious, so that he can treat Elena well."

Moreover, the current Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin is also a man of great integrity. He has arranged family and outside affairs very clearly. Not only does he take care of his daughter-in-law, but he also tries his best to provide hospitality to his son-in-law who comes to Mecklenburg. They are very hospitable.

"Yes, Elena is as radiant as our relative's Luisa, and she will definitely be like this in the future."

"Are you talking about Her Majesty the Queen of Prussia?"

"Yes, the King of Prussia. There are only three of us here. What I want to say is that King Frederick William III and his queen do not seem to be a good match."

Alexander thought his brother-in-law was really straightforward. As for his cousin William, although he was also simple-minded, he had served in the Austrian court for some time and was more cautious in his words.

"But some words should be said once and for all, so don't show them. Dear Frederick Ludwig, you know that Berlin is too close to you, and there is a layer of kinship there. And the Emperor has always been on good terms with Prussia, so some words should be kept in your heart. What you need to do here is to enjoy your happy time with Elena before you get married."

"Yes, I have to accompany her to dance class and painting class tomorrow."

"Ah, this can also enhance our relationship. In addition, Elena is still growing. Even my wife Luisa has such a well-proportioned figure. Once she has a child, it will be worrying during childbirth, especially for the first time."

Alexander doesn't usually speak like this. He truly loves each of his sisters, so when he was speaking here, he also specifically mentioned the issues of his two sisters.

"But that's all after marriage, Alexander."

"It's better to take precautions. There are many quack doctors in Germany."

Alexander's expression became serious again.

"There are quacks in France and in the Low Countries. It is inevitable. Doctors cannot necessarily master all the skills."

"But at least you have to pay attention to hygiene. You should have learned this when you went to the Little Winter Palace this morning. Also, if Württemberg or Mecklenburg are in danger, Russia will definitely not sit idly by."

Alexander actually knew that this kind of marriage was a guarantee that would make these German princes closer to Russia, and by then they would have many relatives.

The third sister Maria is the next one, but Paul and his wife haven’t considered her yet.

She should be fine. When the Queen was here, she called her a "Dragoon".

Now that the painters have come to this scene, they also need to do basic composition.

With the approval of the Crown Prince, they chose patterns similar to those in mythology.

"My wife and sisters, each of you is a fairy. Thank you, you have done a great job. Please be prepared to complete this great work. Although it will take time, don't be stingy with your talent!"

This can also be regarded as a promotion for the royal aquarium, and the girls all had a great time.

Louisa calculated the date of her birth to be August 1799, 8. Alexander was not quite sure what would happen on that day, so he arranged for the court to carry out these "air therapy" and "animal therapy" as much as possible according to the doctor's instructions.

At least Louisa was in a good mood. She was relaxed and not as nervous as last time. Moreover, all the interference factors were not in St. Petersburg, which made Alexander feel at ease.

In the palace, Queen Maria was also waiting for good news. Recently, she has been focusing more and more attention on the children at home.

William came to St. Petersburg today, and his behavior made his aunt very satisfied. At least he was not as frivolous as the rumors said.

As for William's academic problems mentioned by her brother, he could go to the Imperial Moscow University or the State Academy in St. Petersburg, both of which are currently the places with the highest level of cultural and scientific research in Russia.

He is a nephew and a future son-in-law, and this marriage can also consolidate Württemberg's position.

Of course, she did not know what would happen in the future between Baden, Württemberg, Russia, Austria and France.

At the same time, in the Alexandria area of ​​northwestern Italy, the Russian-Austrian coalition forces were conducting Suvorov-style military exercises during their rest period. This was also to test the combat effectiveness of the soldiers and provide demonstrations to each battalion in the coalition forces.

The old marshal didn't know what was happening in the country. He only focused on training his soldiers. Also, as for Genoa, if the French dared to come, he would continue to fight and drive the French army out of Italy completely.

But a magical warrant has now reached Archduke Karl.

"Damn it, who was it that bewitched my brother and issued such a stupid order?"

Karl couldn't believe that when the French were completely suppressed on several battlefields, his dear brother Franz would actually ask his Austrian officers to advance towards the Rhine River.

"Your Highness, please calm down. I am only following His Majesty's orders and came to the front line to convey them to you."

"The final outcome of the Italian battlefield has not yet been decided, and we are in Switzerland and can already make the final blow. Why do we do this?"

(End of this chapter)