African Entrepreneurship Record

Regarding the development of the domestic soda industry, Ernst although values it, cannot follow it comprehensively as he has too many responsibilities, especially during the period of the First Five-Year Plan. Frankly, every industry needs Ernst’s supervision, but today, Karina forcibly stopped Ernst’s work.

Karina: ”Darling, even if you are busy with state affairs, you shouldn’t work to the point of neglecting to eat and sleep. Have you forgotten an important matter?”

Recently, Ernst has been preoccupied with work, considering that the First Five-Year Plan has just started, combined with other national affairs, he truly didn’t realize, uncertainly asked: ”What important matter?”

Karina unhappily said, ”How old is Friedrich this year?”

Ernst: ”Twenty... three!”

At this point, Ernst realized that his eldest son, the Crown Prince of East Africa, is already twenty-three years old and has become an older single.

Karina: ”I’ve been suggesting since two years ago to find Friedrich a princess, but Friedrich always declines, and you’ve not given it the attention it deserves. If we don’t find someone soon, we might really not find a suitable daughter-in-law of equal status.”

Hearing this, Ernst also showed concern. This issue is indeed partly his fault, mainly due to the unsatisfactory selection among European royalty, where not only are the appearances mediocre but also there’s much drama, and most either don’t meet the age criteria or are not up to Rhein Royal Family standards.

East Africa is now considered a significant nation on the world stage, which has narrowed Friedrich’s selection among European nobility, ideally from direct royal bloodlines.

The matter is further complicated by Queen Victoria, spreading haemophilia carriers within various royal families across Great Powers, and Ernst does not wish for his grandchildren to be afflicted with haemophilia.

For example, in the Tsarist Russian royal family, Nicholas II’s wife is Queen Victoria’s great-granddaughter, also a haemophilia carrier, making Nicholas II’s three daughters directly eliminated. Otherwise, Ernst would have considered a marriage alliance with the Tsarist Russian royal family, as Nicholas II’s daughters have relatively high qualities among the royals.

In a past life, Nicholas II had only one son, who is Crown Prince Aleksey, diagnosed with haemophilia after birth, leading to frail health, and Germany’s William II also was a typical haemophilia victim.

If East African princes wed daughters of such families, the consequences would be unimaginable. Excluding the Great Powers, there’s also dissatisfaction with suitors from smaller countries according to Ernst’s standards.

Actually, when Friedrich was just born, Ernst had already been torn about Friedrich’s marriage because he once considered marrying Friedrich to immigrants with Far East bloodline, since East Africa advocated ethnic integration, and the royal family should naturally set an example.

To avoid further indecisiveness, Ernst decided to pass the responsibility to Friedrich, suggesting: ”Why don’t we call Friedrich over and ask his opinion?”

Seeing Ernst’s approach, Karina became frustrated: ”I’m the only one holding this family together, you heartless one! If the matter of our son’s marriage doesn’t resolve, watch how I deal with you.”

Despite saying this, Karina still went to bring Friedrich over. Facing the concern from both parents, Friedrich felt somewhat restless.

”Father, Mother, did you call me over for some big affair?”

At present, Friedrich is fairly handsome, which Ernst could not but attribute to Karina’s contribution.

Ernst spoke earnestly: ”Son, you are already in your twenties, by this age, many have started their families and careers. Hence, I wish to know what plans you have for your marriage?”

Friedrich thought inwardly, what’s meant to be has come. In fact, since he reached adulthood, Karina has not ceased urging him about marriage. However, Friedrich was busy with studies at that time, thus evading for a few years.

Indeed, Karina said: ”Your father has been busy with work, not paying much attention to your affairs. I have shown you the photos and profiles of European princesses before, and you’ve been to Europe and should have met many; is there someone you fancy?”

While urging marriage, Ernst and Karina are not proponents of arranged marriage. Ernst was influenced by his previous life’s ideology, while Karina was influenced by the romantic ideals of her parents.

Friedrich uncertainly said: ”Father, Mother, regarding the matter of marriage, I suppose I have no particular thoughts...”

In truth, Friedrich was somewhat insincere here, considering he framed his statement as a question.

Ernst thought this indicated something was up, and calmly said: ”Don’t worry, as long as your interests are normal, and the choice of your marriage partner isn’t outrageous, we typically won’t interfere, so you can boldly express it; I won’t blame you.”

Encouraged by Ernst, Friedrich cautiously tested: ”What if my future bride is a native of our country!”

Before Ernst could speak, Karina said: ”How could that be, your status is noble, your marriage partner certainly should be from the royal families, even if not from an Empire like Austria-Hungary’s royalty, she should be at least from a realm like the Baden Grand Duchy. Apart from our royal family and your grandparents, the highest rank in East Africa is a Duke.”

Ernst: ”Karina, don’t get agitated, actually given Friedrich’s status, he cannot find a noble more distinguished for marriage, so let’s first hear what he has to say.”

Although Karina is fairly open-minded, it is limited; her concept of free love is based on her parents as a model, who indeed married for love, yet it was also a noble alliance. Such fortunate occurrences are hard to come by within the entire noble system of Europe.

Ernst: ”Son, are you hiding something from us? Otherwise, you wouldn’t have mentioned marrying a fellow countrywoman.”

Ernst clearly understood Friedrich had a situation because given his age, and combining Ernst’s prior life experience, there might be a tendency towards ”early love.”

As to why prior life experience matters, mainly because Ernst is quite mature in this life, so he was fairly laid-back when marrying, and the outcome was still good.

Friedrich nervously said: ”I do indeed have some association with a local girl...”

Fearing it wasn’t merely association but rather a romance, Ernst had already discerned the truth but still relaxed his tone: ”Explain her situation; if she meets my standards, I’m not someone who would break up couples. ”

Under Ernst’s encouragement, Friedrich disclosed everything completely, indeed he fell in love early, and it started during school, with the girl being Sivert’s daughter, maintaining their relationship from school days until college graduation.

”Sivert’s daughter?” Karina asked: ”Is it Anna or Quilina?”

Karina was familiar with Sivert’s daughters as Sivert held a high position in East Africa, himself one of the few bestowed with the Grand Duke rank, and was one of Ernest’s confidants.

Given this, Sivert’s family was naturally quite familiar with the Rhein Royal Family, including his three daughters. Of course, Sivert’s youngest daughter was too young to be Friedrich’s romantic interest.

”It’s Quilina,” Friedrich replied.

”If it’s Quilina, it’s not impossible...” Karina said: ”She’s a sensible child and looks good, her status is barely adequate.”

In East Africa, a Duke’s daughter is already seen as someone noble outside the royal family, and regarding Quilina, the Rhein Royal Family had a thorough understanding, making Karina more accepting.