African Business Chronicles

Chapter 47 – The Marriage Proposal

October 14, 1866 – Hexingen

Ernst had finally assembled his first personal fleet—a huge milestone for the Hexingen Consortium. As the fleet grew and routes stabilized, it would generate enormous returns. But profit wasn't the only goal—what mattered more was autonomy.

As the saying goes: "Rely on the mountain, and the mountain may fall; rely on people, and people may betray you." Depending on the Dutch was a risk that could blow up at any moment.

Owning his own fleet meant Ernst could now directly participate in global trade. In overseas colonization, everything revolved around ironclads and strong ships.

Ships were the arteries of global power in the Age of Sail. Every world hegemon had built their empires through maritime dominance.

Today, the Hexingen Consortium had launched its first fleet. It was not only a step forward for Ernst's business empire—but a leap forward for the East African colony.

Now, the population and materials needed in East Africa could be transported independently—especially cargo that was previously difficult, dangerous, or confidential. Ernst no longer had to trust the Dutch with sensitive goods.

Back from Venice, Ernst was reading the newspaper at home when Prince Constantin entered.

"Ernst," he said with a sigh, "you're already sixteen."

"What's wrong, Father?" Ernst asked.

"Nothing really," Constantin replied. "It's just… you've grown up and built a career. I guess I'm feeling sentimental."

Then he added, "You're no longer a child. It's time to start thinking about your future—your marriage."

Ernst understood immediately what his father meant.

In this second life, Ernst had long anticipated this moment. He wasn't the romantic type. His previous life had worn away any illusions.

Now a noble, Ernst saw love for what it was—especially in aristocratic Europe. Marriage was all about politics and benefit.

He'd been too busy to care much about it, but if his father had brought it up, then he probably already had a plan.

"Father," Ernst said with a knowing smile, "have you already picked someone?"

"Hah! That's my boy," Constantin laughed, pulling out a file.

"I'm getting older," he said, "and I want to handle this myself. Your mother passed early—I raised you alone. Of course I want to arrange the best marriage for you."

He laid out the documents. "There are three candidates:

Princess Heidi of Sweden—recommended by your aunt.Princess Masha of the Russian Empire.Princess Karina of Austria."

Ernst flipped through the files and was startled. "They're all so young! The oldest is twelve, the youngest only ten?"

Constantin tapped Ernst on the head. "And you think you're so old? You're only sixteen. I married at twenty-six. You'll wait a few years too."

"They're young now, yes—but in a few years, they'll be proper ladies. I want to secure a match while I still have influence. Don't underestimate how important it is to act early."

"But isn't this a bit rushed?" Ernst asked.

"You don't understand," Constantin said seriously. "These days, noble bloodlines are increasingly troubled. Every royal house is dealing with strange illnesses and scandals. People don't talk about it publicly, but it's true. In our time, it wasn't like this."

"I've checked everything—family histories, health records. These three girls are absolutely healthy, and their lineage matches the prestige of the Hohenzollern family."

Ernst understood what his father meant. He remembered poor Kaiser Wilhelm II, his nephew, born with a crippled arm due to birth trauma. Though he escaped hemophilia, he still bore a physical burden.

Hemophilia—a hereditary disease—was spread through Queen Victoria's descendants to the royal families of Germany, Romania, Greece, Croatia, Russia, and Denmark.

Ernst didn't know exactly how many children Queen Victoria had. It wasn't his place to meddle anyway. But it made him wary.

Looking back at the profiles: Sweden and Russia… those looked safe. The files clearly listed parental health and ancestry.

The third candidate caught his eye: Princess Karina—daughter of Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico. Age ten. Raised in the Habsburg household by her grandmother, Princess Sophie.

Wait… what?

Ernst was filled with confusion. This seemed a bit outrageous.

Wasn't Emperor Maximilian the younger brother of Franz Joseph I, the current Emperor of Austria?

Ernst had heard of him—how he had no children and adopted the former emperor's son as heir.

"Father, what's the story with this Princess Karina?" he asked.

"She's the daughter of Emperor Maximilian I," Constantin explained. "She was born in Europe before Maximilian and Empress Charlotte left for Mexico."

That didn't sound right. Even if Ernst's birth had caused some butterfly effect in history, there was no way this version of reality had changed so drastically.

"Father, I don't understand. Karina is the niece of Emperor Franz Joseph and raised by Empress Dowager Sophie. Her father is still reigning in Mexico. Why would they want to marry into our family?"

Constantin chuckled.

"Well, this is all Maximilian's own fault. The entire Habsburg clan opposed his journey to Mexico. They knew he was just being used by Napoleon III, but the fool ignored them—he even gave up his inheritance to take that doomed throne."

"Now look at him. France has pulled its troops out. Mexico's a mess. He and Charlotte have been begging European courts to intervene for months."

Ernst nodded. "But what does this have to do with marriage?"

"Princess Sophie is behind it," Constantin replied. "She doted on Maximilian since he was a child. When he left for Mexico, it nearly broke her."

"She took in Karina while her parents were away. Now, with Franz and Maximilian both disappointing her, she's desperate to raise a proper heir. She blames her sons' failures on their wives and is extra strict with Karina."

"She's looking for a strong, capable match—and that's you."

Ernst was stunned.

"My son, I know you. Your talents and achievements are already top-tier across Europe. You have a spotless personal record. You've never lived recklessly like many other nobles your age."

"And in terms of lineage? The Hohenzollerns are stronger than ever. Prussia and Romania are both in our hands. We're at the top of the social ladder. You'll inherit my title soon enough."

"Sure, Karina's father is an emperor—but in Mexico, that's little more than a fantasy. His only real value is his Habsburg bloodline, which he gave up. And everyone knows Mexico won't remain an empire."

📌 Note from the author: This version of Princess Karina is fictional, just like Ernst. Please don't take it too seriously!

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