CHAPTER 537: CHAPTER 215 HAPPINESS

First Town Defense Army 101 General Hospital.

The Defense Army 101 General Hospital is East Africa’s most well-equipped medical institution in terms of facilities and personnel. Just hearing the name lends it an aura of awe, especially in East Africa’s veteran-friendly environment where the military enjoys excellent benefits, naturally making military-affiliated hospitals quite trustworthy.

In fact, the Defense Army 101 General Hospital also fulfills the functions of the Royal Hospital. Ernst didn’t directly establish a Royal (Imperial) Hospital, much like how the East African Defense Army isn’t called the Royal (Imperial) Army, although there is a Royal Army, which belongs to the Royal Guard Division, but technically it remains part of the Defense Army hierarchy.

Notably, ever since the small Rhine River renovation and the canal opening, the Royal Guard Division has had its own naval fleet, though it’s essentially a River and Lake Team, equipped with several advanced inland vessels imported from the Austria-Hungary Empire.

If the naval capabilities of the Austria-Hungary Empire are considerably inferior to the British Royal Navy, then in terms of inland forces, the situation is the reverse. The Austria-Hungary Empire’s mainland is much larger than Britain’s, located at the heart of Europe, with high-value rivers like the Rhine River, Danube River, and Letania River, making inland naval forces highly essential with substantial funding.

The Danube River and Rhine River are both transboundary rivers; the Austria-Hungary Empire has many such rivers, hence inland naval forces are indispensable, occupying a crucial place in the defense industry with ample funding.

East Africa imported several advanced inland vessels, which, alongside its own homebuilt inland vessels and coastal fortifications, stationed near the Bajamojo Port, the headquarters of East Africa’s navy. Thus, the naval force between Bajamojo and First Town is considerably powerful, fortified like a fortress.

Defense Army 101 General Hospital, responsible for the royal (imperial) and military’s key affairs, naturally doesn’t allow easy access, thus there’s also a First People’s Hospital in First Town to serve "civilians," though defining "civilians" is subjective. However, the medical level at the First People’s Hospital is no worse than the Defense Army 101 General Hospital, making them twin stars of East African medical institutions.

Providing royal (imperial) medical services, the Defense Army 101 General Hospital isn’t simply accessible to military personnel either. Nonetheless, carrying the Defense Army’s title, a few branches operate under the General Hospital specifically catering to military personnel.

Today is an important day for Defense Army 101 General Hospital, not just because the Crown Prince and Princess are visiting, but also due to a significant experimental result being conducted here, which garners considerable interest from the Crown Prince.

On the hospital’s third floor, Ernst, together with his family, is waiting for the Little Prince’s medical examination report inside the private suite reserved for the Heixinggen Royal Family.

"Look at this little fellow, he surely inherited your beauty; he’s so adorable!" Ernst playfully joked while holding the drowsy Friedrich Prince.

Karina, slightly bashful, replied, "I didn’t expect you to be so smooth-tongued."

Women love to be complimented; though Karina’s mouth showed disdain, her smile was harder to suppress than the recoil of a Kalashnikov rifle.

This amused Ernst, as Karina had grown up around Empress Dowager Sophie and thus possessed a rather stern demeanor at first, mostly offering fake smiles when first arriving in East Africa, as explained by Karina—it’s aristocratic etiquette.

Initially, Ernst was not quite used to it since it’s someone dear to him. Though Constantine, being a grand noble, tended to spoil him because Ernst was his only son and had fewer demands, allowing Ernst to remain as carefree as before his awakening.

With Ernst gazing affectionately at her, Karina turned blushingly and asked coyly, "What are you smiling at?"

"Nothing, just seeing your lively side makes you seem cute," said Ernst, who had naturally become adept at sweet-talking after marriage.

"So skilled, have you used that line on other girls before?"

"Not at all, haven’t you understood me by now? Each day is so busy; where do I find the time?"

On the topic of being busy, Karina understood her husband since much of the vast undertakings in East Africa were primarily established by Ernst himself.

In the past, Ernst was deemed a founding ruler, but he was never motivated by such superficial titles, preferring to let his father revel in glory.

"You’ve been busy with water management initiatives lately, isn’t that exhausting?" Karina asked with concern.

Though it was a political marriage, Ernst had originally met Karina personally, fostering mutual affection, thus their married life was quite happy, and their bond grew quickly.

"Water management does pull in more of my attention, as every country inevitably faces this issue, especially agricultural nations. However, rest assured, once subordinates find their footing, I won’t need to oversee everything constantly."

Ernst was honest; his previous life in Africa involved civil engineering, giving him expertise in engineering projects, thereby enabling him to master East Africa’s urban development, roads, bridges, water conservancy, and other infrastructure—the domain Ernst excelled at.

Precisely due to Ernst’s long-term work assignments in Africa during his previous life, he possessed thorough knowledge of the region, substantially contributing to East Africa’s development.

East Africa places significant importance on quality engineering, akin to the Soviet Union, setting it as a planned economy.

With Ernst’s penchant for civil engineering, East Africa’s construction receives notable dedication, laying the groundwork for the next century; hence, he keeps a close eye on it.

Ernst glanced at his concerned wife and said, "Once I’m free, we will give Friedrich more siblings."

Karina, who was earlier compassionate towards Ernst, suddenly showed a surprised expression, "Ah! How did this suddenly involve me?"

Slightly worried, Ernst took Karina’s hand and explained, "I know it might be awkward, yet it’s our duty; Heixinggen’s lineage ends with the third generation, so with East Africa being such a large empire, I wouldn’t want strangers to benefit from it in the future."

Karina wasn’t opposed to childbirth; it was just unexpected. Nonetheless, she agreed with Ernst’s reasoning since East Africa, having grown into a significant nation, should naturally be passed down to her descendants.

With embarrassment, she said, "I’ll follow your lead."

Seeing his considerate wife, Ernst set the tired Friedrich aside and sweetly embraced her, feeling grateful for Empress Dowager Sophie’s upbringing, detaching from the modern idea of independent women. Ernst didn’t fancy them; independence brings separation. Within family bonds, someone must relent as feelings are mutual, and measuring everything often leads to unhappiness, an example illustrated by Franz and Princess Sisi.

Ernst and Karina were both traditionalists, hence their cohesion, much like Karina’s parents. Although Karina’s parents were adventurous, they’ve settled now, living happily. Happiness remains elusive to aristocratic households.

Karina’s mother, Princess Charlotte, had a romantic mindset, albeit a little vain, her love for Grand Duke Ferdinand was unwavering. Grand Duke Ferdinand, despite his youthful indecisiveness, held strong responsibility, worked diligently, and respected Princess Charlotte deeply.

As for Constantine, undoubtedly a passionate man, raising his son alone without remarrying. His focus now lies in aiding his son with East African development; likewise, Ernst, being filial, enjoys harmonious father-son relations.

Thus, despite their high status, Ernst’s family is much alike regular households—a sentiment Ernst savors profoundly.