In another corner of the banquet hall, Crown Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria was engaged in conversation with his younger brother, Prince Karl. As an important principality within the German Empire, the Bavarian princes held considerable status in the realm.
Crown Prince Rupprecht himself served in the German Imperial Army, having attained the rank of General, and was widely recognized for his exceptional abilities, often hailed as the finest military commander among royal family members.
"Brother, something remarkable has happened!" exclaimed Prince Franz, the third son of King Ludwig III of Bavaria, as he approached with palpable excitement.
"What is it, Franz? This is the Crown Prince's coming-of-age banquet; what could possibly transpire?" Prince Karl replied, somewhat displeased with his brother's impetuosity.
"The Crown Prince has invited Gundelinde to dance!" declared Prince Franz.
"What?" Both Crown Prince Rupprecht and Prince Karl were taken aback, clearly unprepared for such an occurrence. The overly proud Qin Tian had actually chosen their youngest sister.
"Brother, this is splendid news! If Gundelinde were to capture Crown Prince Oscar's affections, it would undeniably elevate the status of the Bavarian royal family within the German Empire!" Prince Karl chimed in, equally exhilarated.
It was evident that if Qin Tian formed a bond with Princess Gundelinde, they would be more than pleased with the outcome.
Crown Prince Rupprecht nodded, not opposed to the idea. In his view, Qin Tian was undoubtedly one of Germany's most outstanding youths—noble in status, exceptional in capability, and possessing wealth that even the Bavarian royal family could not rival. Given Qin Tian's immense influence in both the imperial navy and army, his eventual ascension to the throne seemed all but assured.
"Watch over things here; I will speak with Father," Crown Prince Rupprecht instructed.
He then made his way to seek out King Ludwig III, who, now in his sixties, had grown weary and withdrawn to the rest area shortly after the banquet commenced.
"Father, Crown Prince Oscar has invited Gundelinde to dance! Among all the noble ladies present, he chose her specifically. Does this signify that he has taken a liking to her?" Crown Prince Rupprecht exclaimed with excitement.
King Ludwig III was equally astonished by this unexpected news. Although the Bavarian royal family held a prestigious position and considerable influence in southern Germany, this very stature had made the imperial family wary, fearing rebellion, especially after the ambitious Wilhelm II ascended to the throne and initiated a crackdown on various royal families within the Empire to consolidate power for future conflicts. Thus, the Bavarian royal family had not been thriving under these circumstances.
If the Bavarian royal family could forge a union with the Hohenzollern family, it would undoubtedly draw the two houses closer together and potentially earn the trust of Wilhelm II, allowing them to navigate this crisis.
However, despite the numerous advantages, King Ludwig III was reluctant to sacrifice his daughter's happiness, particularly as Princess Gundelinde was his most cherished child.
"Rupprecht, let it be up to Gundelinde to decide! If she harbors feelings for Crown Prince Oscar, then let them be together. If she does not, we must not force her or exert any pressure!" King Ludwig III stated, revealing his deep affection for his youngest daughter.
"Of course, Father!" Crown Prince Rupprecht nodded. Nevertheless, he still believed this was an opportunity that the Bavarian royal family could not afford to miss. He considered Qin Tian to be the perfect match for Princess Gundelinde and resolved to subtly encourage her to seize this chance when they returned home.
Qin Tian's invitation for Princess Gundelinde to dance sent ripples through the entire banquet, drawing countless gazes towards them. Naturally, many of those expressions were tinged with jealousy. The noble ladies, who had meticulously adorned themselves for this coming-of-age celebration, had all set their sights on Qin Tian. Yet, he barely acknowledged them, completely captivated by Princess Gundelinde, which incited their outrage.
Of course, the lovely Princess Gundelinde also attracted the attention of numerous gentlemen. However, the fact that this blossoming flower had been claimed by Qin Tian before they could even approach her left them feeling somewhat discontented. Yet, what could they do? They lacked both the courage and the standing to compete with Qin Tian. After all, in terms of status, wealth, and talent, they paled in comparison to him.
Although Qin Tian had no prior experience in romantic relationships, he was no stranger to the ways of courtship. His current identity, status, and the accomplishments he had achieved in this life instilled within him a profound sense of confidence.
As Qin Tian danced with Princess Gundelinde, he conversed with her in hushed tones. Though she appeared a bit shy, he managed to glean her preferences before the music concluded, which would undoubtedly aid him in his next endeavors.
Indeed, Qin Tian had already determined that this beautiful and innocent girl was meant to be his future wife.
"Dear, it seems Oscar has an eye for talent! Princess Gundelinde is truly a remarkable girl. If she and Oscar were to unite, I would not oppose it," declared Princess Victoria, observing the couple in the center of the dance floor.
Wilhelm II nodded but refrained from elaborating. He may have been contemplating whether the union between the Hohenzollern family and the Bavarian royal family would ultimately serve the Empire positively or negatively, or if it would bolster the Hohenzollern family's rule.
Certainly, he would not interfere with Qin Tian's choice. This son was exceptionally gifted, and he was reluctant to jeopardize their relationship over such matters, as that would be an unwise trade-off.
As the dance drew to a close, Qin Tian addressed Princess Gundelinde, "Beautiful Princess, may I have the honor of inviting you to explore the palace gardens? The blossoms have begun to bloom, and they are truly magnificent!"