Chapter 467 Family Banquet
Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace
It was rare for Franz's family to get together today. It was not because it was difficult for them to meet, but because they were restricted by the upper class and some rules in the palace.
For example, children were required to stay in the royal children's room before the age of six, and after that they would get their own room and exclusive attendants, servants and annuities.
As for the difference between husband and wife, there was also a difference between personal property and common property, and it was not uncommon for them to sleep in separate rooms or even not live together at all.
In fact, Mrs. Sophie and Grand Duke Franz Karl were usually "busy people", one was enthusiastic about politics, and the other was obsessed with making trouble.
So this gathering was a rare "happy" family time for Franz Joseph. But it was very difficult for Maximilian, because the latter felt that the former occupied the position that should have belonged to him.
In fact, children's vanity and self-esteem are often much stronger than adults, and this is even more so for a nobleman like Maximilian who was born in the royal family and had a golden key.
Whatever he wanted would be satisfied immediately since he was a child, and over time, he formed a self-centered personality and judgment logic.
Until one day, Maximilian met Franz. There was no interaction between the two, but the former felt ashamed because the latter ignored him and did not pay attention to him.
So Maximilian wanted to snatch the book that his elder brother was reading, but he was not his opponent at all and was pressed under the book.
Maximilian complained everywhere, but in return, everyone advised him, "The other party is the elder brother, you are just the younger brother.
You need to learn to obey, this is the admonition of the Habsburg family."
Even his grandfather and mother, who loved him the most, told him not to provoke Franz.
And the play in the mirror hall when he was a child deeply hurt Maximilian's heart. He was very eager to try to sit on the throne one day, and he also wanted to enjoy the feeling of looking down on the mountains.
But Franz II did not even allow his grandson to step onto the steps, and then the former placed Franz, who looked reluctant, on the throne and ordered the court painter to paint his portrait, which the latter saw and remembered.
From then on, Maximilian was determined to defeat Franz, but the strength of the two was completely different, whether in terms of physical strength, intelligence, learning ability, or even the number of supporters... every time the former was unilaterally beaten.
So facing a table full of delicious food, Maximilian still put on a stinky face and glared at his brother.
The latter did not want to ruin the atmosphere of the banquet, so he stopped looking at each other, which made the former feel that he had won.
But these foods were all related to Franz, Maximilian said with his chin raised.
"These dishes are too rough, not suitable for me."
At this time, the royal chef standing by with a smile twitched his mouth. He was the best chef in Bohemia. In the past, even a big man like Winster had to send someone to invite him to eat authentic Austrian meals. When did it become the turn of a little kid to point fingers at his cooking skills?
It's just that this little kid is a member of the royal family, and now he works for the royal family, so the famous chef can only smile and ask.
"Respected Archduke Maximilian, if you are dissatisfied with anything, I will improve it until you are satisfied."
"Too salty." Maximilian casually pointed to a bowl of soup and said.
The chef frowned at the bowl of soup, but still slowly persuaded the other party.
"Your Highness, that bowl of soup is sweet, and there is no salt."
"That's sweet and salty, pour it out and make it again." There is always a reason to make trouble, and Maximilian's arrogance makes people a little disgusted.
Franz was about to speak when his father Franz Karl spoke up.
"Maximilian, wasting food is not a good habit. It's a pity to throw away such delicious soup. Give it to me. I'll drink it."
The chef was very moved and felt that the most mysterious grand duke of the royal family was wise and well-intentioned.
Because the actions of Grand Duke Franz Karl neither embarrassed Grand Duke Maximilian nor hurt the dignity of the chef, and more importantly, the former did not live up to the bowl of soup.
"How can such a great man not be respected!" The chef and the servants around were moved to tears as they kept imagining.
But in fact, Grand Duke Franz Karl simply thought that the bowl of soup was delicious and abided by the ancestral precepts not to waste food.
In fact, he rarely spoke, so Maximilian was a little overwhelmed for a while. Although he had no feelings for this dull father, his identity could not be changed.
At this time, Maximilian's favorite lemon goose liver was placed on the table. He was about to start eating when little Maria took it away.
"I'll help you eat this, brother Maximilian, don't thank me!"
His face turned red and white at his sister's behavior, but his series of actions had attracted the attention of Mrs. Sophie, who was looking at her son with disapproval.
Maximilian naturally didn't dare to lose his temper with his mother, because the latter would really beat him. So he could only watch the little glutton "waste" his food.
"Maria, eating too much goose liver will make you fat."
Franz couldn't help but kindly remind her that Mrs. Sophie doted on her only daughter, while Franz Karl simply thought that being able to eat was a good thing. After all, according to his previous experience, it seemed that once a person couldn't eat, it meant that he was not far from death. This was the case with his grandfather and his father.
So Archduke Franz Karl thought that people who loved to eat would not have bad luck, so how could he stop the little guy from eating?
Maria swallowed the food first and then cleared her throat to retort.
(In fact, nobles are not allowed to talk vaguely with a mouth full of food, which would be considered impolite. Maria, who repeatedly committed suicide at a dangerous distance, was very experienced. Her mother would tolerate her once, but never a second time.)
"Brother, didn't you say that girls who are too thin are unhealthy?"
"But if you eat like this, you will become a piglet sooner or later. My sister."
"Brother, you see I have neither a double chin nor a small belly. I am a fairy who can't get fat!" Maria proudly showed off and turned around twice.
Madame Sophie finally spoke.
"Enough, Maria! Stop fooling around. A princess showing off her belly to others at a banquet is not something a lady should do. Finish the food on your plate, then go back to your room and don't eat again at night."
Maria pouted and quietly came to Franz.
The latter glanced and said.
"What do you want to do again? You little glutton, do you want your brother to bring you food at night?"
"No, look."
Maria took out two rabbits from nowhere, and Franz felt familiar with them.
"You just ate the great auk, and now you are thinking about my rabbits?"
"No, look, there are so many rabbits!"
Maria asked someone to bring a large cardboard box, which contained about 20 rabbits that were the same size as adult rabbits, and the fur color was actually slightly different from the hybrid Angora rabbits Franz gave her.
This is just over two months. The growth cycle of this kind of rabbit is very short, even shorter than that of the modern German Angora rabbit. It looks very strong and its meat production should be considerable.