Chapter 6: House of Sigmaringen

Karl Anton, Prince of the House of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen together with Prince Friedrich of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen and the 5th son of my paternal grandfather, Prince Karl.

Prince Karl, seeing me approaching with my escort, breaks into a huge smile while my uncle, Prince Friedrich Eugen Johann, serious expression and overflowing with confidence, watches us as we approach.

Before I could make the distinctive aristocratic salute and introduce myself, my grandfather said:

"Little Frederick, how tall have you grown up! The last time I saw you, you were just a baby in your mother's arms at my poor granddaughter Maria's funeral. Thank God almighty you look healthy. I can't believe it has passed so many years" Laments Prince Karl Anton, while reminiscing with melancholy. He then comes over to give me a big hug and guide us inside the mansion.

My uncle just nodded, and we proceeded to sit on the couches. Alexandrei, Rudolph, and Oliver were escorted by servants to another room.

"Little Frederick, because of the letter I received from your father, he told us that you want to study in Berlin"

"Yes, Your Highness, it has been my dream to study at one of Germany's famous military academies."

Having said this, Prince Friedrich raises his eyebrows and interrupts:

"Would you like to be a general, nephew? You know, I am a General of the Royal Cavalry of the Empire. When you graduate, I can have you assigned to a unit under my direct command" My uncle said enthusiastically, he had heard from his brother the genius of his son, and surely you would be a great strategist.

Being a little stunned by the sudden offer, I go blank for a few seconds... Then my grandfather interrupts:

"Johann, you haven't even greeted your nephew well or asked how his trip has been and you already want to enlist him under your command?" said my grandfather annoyed.

Friedrich is a bit embarrassed but remains calm about his father's scolding and mumbles an apology.

"Little Frederick, I have heard from your father that you are a learning genius already managing to speak 6 languages ​​and complete all the necessary lessons for a family member, it is a blessing from the Lord that finally someone from the house of Sigmaringen can learn anything other than using a rifle and a sword," the prince said happily and continued:

"I understand you want to study at the military academy for 2 years and take classes in political science?" I asked my grandfather

"That's right, I would like to have previous knowledge of governance before learning under my father, he told me that he will speak with Your Highness to recommend someone who can be my mentor" I paused and waited for my grandfather's response.

Prince Karl Anton understood and thought for a few minutes until he said:

"I have to talk to my old friends in the government first, finding a Mentor for the genius of our house must be someone remarkable and with enough merits to develop your full potential," My grandfather said, again entering a contemplative state.

"If you excuse me, I need to go, I have to be on time at the barracks to set an example for my men. Nephew, don't forget my proposal" my uncle Friedrich announced as he quickly withdrew while my grandfather gave him a reproachful look.

'I think I'll be busy these two years in Berlin, so it was a good idea to form a group of confidants. I have to assign new orders to Alexandrei, I have left him to investigate the new technology of "Engine-powered Carriages" for now, I guess I'm not late for everything yet' I thought for a moment.

I talked for a long time with my grandfather about my life in Romania, my likes and if I was interested in anything else...

When we finished, only the moon could be seen in its full splendor, and the mansion was illuminated by electricity. When I asked my grandfather about this new technology, surprisingly he replied that it is a marvelous invention and that it is changing the world. I also discovered that, to my disappointment, they had already popularized alternative current, which if I remember correctly, can reach greater distances through AC transformers.

With all said, we said goodbye and my grandfather called a servant to guide me to my accommodations...

The next day, after having breakfast, I went directly to downtown Berlin taking advantage of the free days I had before entering the academy.

Reading old newspapers, I found out that the Triple Alliance between Italy, Austro-Hungary, and Germany was signed on May 20, 1882, I was also surprised because at that time hydroelectric power plants had already been invented, by general knowledge of my past life, the 20th century it was the one of rapid advance for humanity... It has been happening since the 19th century! It wasn't for all my 21st-century past self disinformation and ignorance, I wouldn't have known that this century makes gigantic advances in technology every year.

After a few days of waiting, Frederick entered to study at the Prussian Military Academy, It should be noted that thanks to his achievements in his studies, he will be studying in advanced classes with other students 5 to 6 years older than him.

Berlin, November 14, 1887

Alexandrei Ruhr, 19, is a man of good physical condition, tall and with a slightly somber expression. He is assigned by his highness, the crown prince, to investigate exhibition centers or events to the so-called invention of "engine-powered carriages", According to his highness these are equipped with "engines" similar to those used by locomotives but much smaller.

Alexandrei was walking through the picturesque (for the time) streets of Berlin after exhausting days with nothing to report. Alexandrei is more worried every day for not meeting the prince's expectations, Oliver and Rudolph arrive every day with new results while he continues without success. Just as it is the age of innovative inventions, so is it for scammers or useless or unrealistic inventions by crazy inventors, one false step and everything can be lost.

When walking to his destination, a company manufactures engines that are used for the manufacture of machinery. It is not what I have been assigned to, but if I have learned something is that these inventors are better informed of whether the damned engine-powered carriage exists or someone is still in the process of inventing it

After speaking with what he would assume is the receptionist, he went on to speak with Eugen Langen one of the founding partners of the company Gasmotoren-Fabrik Deutz AG.

'I have brought gifts worth £50, it is a bet I have made if I can get some information from his social circle about the damned engine carriages or some clues.'

'The prince is hell-bent on this, it seems he has come up with the idea from who knows where... As his servants it is our duty to obey and do our best to find what is asked of us' thought Alexandrei.

After a talk and letting him know my intentions, Eugen was a bit confused but quickly put himself in a pensive state, after all, it would be rude not to give a positive answer after such expensive gifts.

After what seemed like 15 minutes, Eugen said:

"If I remember correctly, I heard about a kind of vehicle that uses a water-cooled internal combustion engine, a 4-stroke petrol engine. It's an ingenious invention, I think it was patented last year but I haven't heard from it since."

Alexandrei's eyes widened and an expression of pure joy, which is rare to see in his serious face, he kept asking for more details...

Note: (1) Current energy / Alternative Energy.

(2) Prince Karl Anton has 6 children. The only ones relevant to the novel for now would be Friedrich, Leopold, and our protagonist's father.

(3) The motor is electricity-powered and the Engine is combustion-powered.