February 24, 1862, German.
In the deep of night, drunken stars cast faint glimmers in the bleak and cold sky.
The perspective shifts to southern Germany, where the early winter wind fiercely blows against the branches and leaves of the ancient city's trees in Heixinggen, making the leaves rustle.
The decayed wood-colored street lamps form patches of light and shadow, illuminating streets paved with dark blue stone, where pedestrians are sparse, and an eerie, hollow sound emanates from the black alleys.
Through the unevenly intertwined windows of the houses lining the street, it seems as though the whispers of people can be heard.
The citizens of Heixinggen are enjoying their dinner, while the light and shadow from the candle flames flicker within the dark, decaying window frames, dancing like natural-born dancers.
Following the road forward and leaving the district behind, a road leading out of the city opens up. Along the low incline, a luxuriously decorated carriage slowly exits the city, progressing toward the distant hills, where a solemn ancient castle stands atop.
Before long, as the carriage reaches the front of the castle, armed guards recognize the visitors and open the gates, allowing the carriage to slowly enter the castle.
Inside the carriage sits none other than the ruler of the Heixinggen region, Prince Konstantin of the Kingdom of Prussia.
Heixinggen was originally a small country in southeastern Germany, the birthplace of the Hohenzollern family, now part of the Prussian Hohenzollern Province.
The decision-maker who pushed Heixinggen to join the Kingdom of Prussia was none other than Prince Konstantin himself, full name Konstantin von Hohenzollern.
After a day of exhausting work, Prince Konstantin finally returns home, ready to retire to his room to rest.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps echo from the corridor—the arrival of the old butler, Kino.
"Master, something's wrong, something big has happened!" Kino reports to Konstantin in panic.
"What happened, Kino? Don't rush, speak slowly," Konstantin responds calmly.
"Today, while the young prince was riding, he suddenly fainted. The doctor is diagnosing him now. Sir, please go take a look!" Kino quickly explains.
Upon hearing it was his son in trouble, Konstantin's authoritative composure failed him. He put aside his exhaustion and quickly followed the butler to his son's bedroom door.
The servants were waiting outside, not daring to breathe heavily, cautiously awaiting the master's arrival.
Konstantin, with nothing to say, opened the bedroom door on his own. Walking in, he saw Ernst lying on the bed.
Seeing the now "awakened" and unharmed Ernst brought relief to Konstantin. Looking at the waiting physician, Konstantin inquired, "Doctor, how is he?"
The doctor, not daring to neglect his duty, respectfully replied, "Honorable Prince, the young prince is currently out of danger, but the cause of his fainting is still unknown. It's most likely due to over-fatigue. It would be wise to ask the prince himself later."
Konstantin cautiously approached the sickbed, holding his son's small, tender hand as he inquired, "Ernst, how do you feel?"
...
Ernst felt completely bewildered, a heavy feeling in his heart. Suddenly, hearing someone speak, he dared not appear too deliberate, and quietly said, "Uh, my head feels a bit confused, still somewhat unclear."
"Do you still remember who I am?" Prince Konstantin urgently asked.
"Of course, father. It might be a side effect of fainting; it shouldn't be much of a problem."
Konstantin turned to the doctor, who quickly responded, "Your Highness need not worry too much. The young prince's previous health checks showed he's very healthy. For now, let him rest, and we will observe him. If anything arises, I'll immediately proceed with treatment."
Gazing at the pitch-black night outside the window, Prince Konstantin thought for a moment and said, "Alright, everyone, leave now! Let the prince rest."
Everyone quietly exited the room, with the old butler closing the door behind him. It was only then that Prince Konstantin realized he was drenched in cold sweat, placing his hand over his chest and devoutly stating, "Thank the Lord for his protection!"
Prince Ernst, being the sole heir of Heixinggen branch of the Hohenzollern family, had always been the apple of Konstantin's eye.
Konstantin had this child at the age of fifty. Shortly after Ernst's birth, his mother Ozenni de Beorne passed away due to a cold, which is why Prince Konstantin doted on Prince Ernst all the more.
Of course, historically, Konstantin had no offspring; from Ernst's birth, the timeline of history shifted, sprouting a new branch from the main trunk.
At this moment, Ernst dared not breathe heavily, lying on the bed like an ostrich, because only he knew that he was actually a traveler from another time. Today's fainting was due to the sudden awakening of past life memories. In his previous life, he was a "national man," not quite a workhorse but dedicated until the end, occasionally reading novels to pass time, venting emotions in groups.
Of course, Ernst had been here for twelve years, only realizing today that he was a time traveler, which feels like living a new life—a bit like Zhuang Zhou dreaming of being a butterfly.
Fortunately, the knowledge and common sense from the previous life didn't deceive him, coupled with corroboration from historical events, such as the now-deceased, continent-dominating Emperor Napoleon, the fragmented German Confederation, the still-developing Prussia, the mighty Austrian Empire, and his identity as a member of the Hohenzollern family…