Chapter 18 The Invitation

Berlin International University, German Empire

"Lin… do you and your family accept my invitation?"

"Uhmm... Yes… Justinian… Father agrees with your offer."

Currently, Justinian and Lin are together in one of the few classes that both of them can take together. They are seated both seated in the back row of the classroom.

Justinian knew that the chances they would agree is low, but still, he is hopeful that they would agree. He lets out a slight smile, his fists clenched and his heart at ease when Lin's family agrees.

"I will do my best to make your stay comfortable and at peace. I will make sure that your stay in Austria is worth it and you would not regret it."

"You don't need to do that Your Highness. It is already our honor to be invited by Your Highness."

With Lin already agreeing to come with him to Austria in a few days, Justinian let the tension flows out from his body, relaxing his body, mind, and soul. For days, he was tense if they would not agree to come. His plan to make Akira, Lin's father, to be a part of the deal would go bonkers.

"You are underestimating your value Lin. You are precious to me."

"Your Highness."

Tears are starting to fall from her eyes but she hides them from his view. She can't understand why Justinian treats her as precious and important someone. It makes her hopeful that even if there are large differences in their social stature, Justinian's feelings toward her are the same as what she has toward him. But she knew that it would be impossible, Justinian only sees her as a precious friend and nothing more.

Justinian is oblivious of what Lin is feeling right now towards him. He knows that he likes Lin and he feels something special towards her. Unfortunately, he is very busy making his plans into reality, he even had barely enough time for his study as he was busy traveling inside the city to meet people who can help in his goal.

Just last week, he met the representative of the Krupp company to finalize their deal regarding the purchase of a large number of artilleries and rifles for the Austrian army. The negotiations had taken days to finish as both sides tries to get as much benefit from the other side. In the end, Justinian was able to purchase the weapons and resources from the company for less than the normal market price but in return, the company would become the main supplier of weapons and arms for the Austrian army for ten years and after the duration, they can negotiate again to continue the deal.

"Your Highness"

"Karl"

"Lord Karl"

While the two are talking, Count Karl arrives and interrupts the two of them. He is looking at them very seriously, he is not really against Lin but lately, the Crown Prince is very busy but still meets with Lin, he is worried that his liege is not resting properly.

"Your Highness, there is an imperial invitation from the German Chancellor for us to attend the military parade for the anniversary of the Emperor's coronation."

"Where would it be held?"

"It's still the same as last year."

"They always want to show the world their military might in these fancy parades. It is really unnecessary, their armies are also spread around the world like tentacles."

Justinian always grumbled at these expensive parades that the German Empire conducted every year. He knows that he is just jealous to the German Empire has enough leeway to waste amounts of money, time, and resources to conduct such a large undertaking.

Every year, at least 20,000 German soldiers from all branches – the army, navy, and marines, participate in such an event and they're trained for weeks to make the parade a success. They had even included the army fleet of airships last year, a five airship formation that was flown above Berlin during the military, showing to the world that airships can be used in combat, adding the skies as part of a theater of combat.

He understands that in order for the German Empire to show its power as a world power, the military parade is significant and plays a vital role in maintaining its figure as a world power. This can also be seen as an assurance to its allies and a warning to its rivals and competitors.

In fact, it is not just Germany that had such military parades in Europe. Both France and Great Britain have their own military parades every year. For Great Britain, they would conduct a military parade on Trafalgar Day and the royal navy would have a large procession in the Irish Sea. The British would always showcase their new and modern ships to maintain the superiority of the Royal Navy as the most powerful fleet in the world.

The French would also conduct a large military parade in Paris during Bastille Day to show its military might. Thousands of French servicemen are called to participate in the parade wearing Napoleonic-era French military uniforms and the French Emperor would be led the military procession in the street, showcasing its history and the glory of the Bonapartes.

Russia would sometimes conduct large military parades in St. Petersburg during special events like an overwhelming and decisive victory against the Ottomans and coronations of the new tsar. Before the current Emperor Franz is in power, Austria would also sometimes conduct military parades, but after the current emperor come to power, he ends and discourages such activities that would use astronomical amounts of money that could be used in other important matters like modernization and industrialization of Austria.

Justinian supports his grandfather's decision to stop such activities for it would be costly but he can't help himself from being jealous of other countries that could do such endeavors.

"Send a letter that we would go to watch the military parade this year."

"Yes Your Highness."

Justinian decided to participate in watching the military parade organized by the German Government. This is beneficial for him to see if there are any new military innovations and weapons that could be used for further strengthening the Austrian military. Also, he can meet with other people in high power in participating for all important persons would be together to watch the parade. He can socialize with them and create new friendships and acquaintances that could be useful for future endeavors.

The military parade is also before the Christmas vacation of the university so they are still in Berlin when the parade would happen. It is better to do something like participating in the event rather than staying at the university.

"Would you like to come with me Lin?"

"Huh"

"Yes Lin should come."

"Ehhh Your Highness"

"You would come, right?"

Count Karl can just only shake his head due to his liege's antics and the two's interaction with each other. He is used already to Justinian's weird and crazy antics and decisions when Lin is in the equation. He already subconsciously accepted Lin as someone special for the Crown Prince as he started to understand and communicate with Lin, he even sees Lin as a friend. If only Lin is a person of high stature then there would be no problems if the Crown Prince decides to marry Lin. He can only just hope for the best and happiness for these two, his only two close friends in life.

"Yes Your Highness I would include Lin in the Austrian delegation for the military parade."

Count Karl agrees with the Crown Prince's decision to include Lin as one of the delegates in the Austrian delegation. He wants to let the public knows the closeness and relationship between the two. He knows that it would cause a massive backlash and chaos to the nobles but it would be better to introduce their relationship early to the public and starts bringing Lin to such events to make Lin accustomed to the noble world and the public. It is also beneficial for Lin's reputation to develop than to be introduced later.

Lin can not keep up with the conversation between the three of them. Slowly, she realizes that Count Karl is beginning to accept her presence together with the Crown Prince. He even started to join in their conversation and awkwardly joke sometimes. And right now, the Count even agreed with the Crown Prince's idea of including Lin in the Austrian delegation in the military parade. She was baffled on why the serious and rational Count would agree to such a decision. For her, the Count is the one who rationalizes and maximizes the benefits and advantages of every decision. She can't rationalize why she should be included in the delegation, she was not Austrian and not a noble.

Then the Count looks towards Lin and said.

"I know you are wondering why you are included in the delegation. But trust me… if you can pull this off then it would be beneficial to you."

Lin can only nod to what just the Count said. Justinian knowing that Lin would also be included in the delegation is very happy.

Sometimes my liege would act like a simple and naive person like right now, Count Karl thought. But at least this proves that my liege has a heart and can feel emotions, which eases his worries. A leader should also have a heart so that every time he would make a huge decision, he could understand and empathize that every move he makes would affect a lot of people.

A leader should not only be feared or loved but both.