Chapter 47: Marriage Matters
On October 14, 1866, Ernst had successfully formed his first fleet, marking a significant step for the Hechingen Consortium. This fleet was not just about profitability; it symbolized independence from Dutch control and the ability to participate in global trade.
Ernst understood the importance of having his own fleet for the development of the East African colonies. It would facilitate the transportation of both people and materials, reducing reliance on the Dutch. It also allowed him to participate directly in world trade, emphasizing the role of ships and naval power in this era.
Ernst was reading the newspaper at home when Prince Constantine, his father, walked in and commented on how quickly Ernst had grown up. Ernst, at sixteen, was now of an age to consider his lifelong commitments, including marriage.
Prince Constantine revealed that he had already selected three potential candidates for Ernst's future spouse. These candidates were young princesses from Sweden, Russia, and Austria. However, Ernst was surprised to find that all of them were quite young, with the oldest being twelve and the youngest only ten.
Ernst questioned the age of the candidates, to which his father replied that he needed to act early to secure a healthy match. He explained that in recent years, there had been health issues among European nobles due to intermarriage, and he wanted to ensure Ernst's future spouse was healthy and from a suitable background.
Ernst was aware of the hereditary diseases that plagued some European royal families, such as hemophilia. His father wanted to avoid such issues. Constantine had thoroughly checked the medical histories of the candidates' parents and believed they were in good health.
However, the last candidate, Princess Karina of Austria, caught Ernst's attention. She was the daughter of Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico and had been raised by the Habsburg family. Ernst couldn't understand why such a prominent family would want to connect with them.
Prince Constantine explained that Maximilian I's decision to become Emperor of Mexico had been met with opposition from his family. Now, with the situation in Mexico deteriorating, Queen Sophie of Habsburg wanted to secure a good marriage for Princess Karina. She believed that Ernst's character and abilities, along with his Hohenzollern family background, made him an excellent choice.
Ernst was taken aback but was also aware of his own achievements and character. He agreed to consider the proposal and acknowledged the potential benefits of such a union.
(Constantine did not mention that this was a novel, and Princess Karina is a fictional character created for the story.)
(End of Chapter 47)