Cilli

At dusk, the setting sun filtered through the carved windows, casting its light upon the ancient floor of the Belgrade Royal Palace.

Ulrich lay on a soft armchair, his face pale and his expression haggard, yet he still felt some comfort in his heart.

Across from him sat Laszlo, Elizabeth, and Leonor, three distinguished guests.

They conversed and chatted intimately, just like other relatives who hadn't seen each other for a long time.

However, as they talked, the conversation unconsciously turned to a sad topic: Ulrich's affairs after his death.

The Cilli Family had been passed down for over a hundred years by the time of Ulrich.

The family's territory, the County of Cilli, was sandwiched between Hungary and Austria; any other family would have been completely devoured.

However, the ancestors of the Cilli Family were also masters of noble politics, skilled at preserving and developing their family.

Through various marriage alliances, they ensured that the royal families of Austria, Hungary, Bohemia, and even Poland were all related to the Cilli Family.

Ulrich's great-grandfather had married a Polish princess, and his aunt, who was Laszlo's maternal grandmother, Barbara, had married Sigismund.

In addition to marriage alliances, successive counts of the Cilli Family were also very loyal to the Emperor and always did their best to assist the Emperor.

This was another important reason for the rapid development of the Cilli Family in Central Europe. In 1322, Frederick I, the founder of the Cilli Family, acquired a large amount of land from the Count of Haimburg through a marriage alliance, taking advantage of the count's lack of heirs.

Through this, he acquired large estates in Carinthia, Carniola, Styria, and Cilli.

These estates were widely distributed in the Austrian states of Styria, Carniola, and Carinthia, as well as the still independent County of Cilli.

In 1341, Louis IV, the then Emperor, officially enfeoffed Frederick I as the Count of Cilli, granting him a seat in the Imperial Diet, and thus the rise of the Cilli Family officially began.

Through multiple marriage alliances, the Cilli Family quickly accumulated vast wealth, controlling over twenty castles, and even formed a kinship with Kazimierz III the Great, King of Poland.

The second important turning point in the development of the Cilli Family was in 1396.

In that year, during the Battle of Nicopolis, Count Hermann II of Cilli fought bravely, risking his life to rescue Sigismund from the encirclement of the Ottoman.

To repay his life-saving grace, Sigismund bestowed a large amount of land in Croatia, including the royal castle of Varaždin, an important town in Croatia, upon the Count of Cilli.

Not only that, but in 1405, Sigismund also married Barbara, the daughter of the Count of Cilli, further elevating the Cilli Family's status.

By the time Ulrich ascended, the family already owned considerable properties in Austria, Croatia, Hungary, and even Bohemia.

During this period, they again expanded their territory through several marriage alliances, taking advantage of families that had no heirs.

Coupled with the land bestowed by the Emperor, the Cilli Family's strength was even comparable to that of the Hunyadi Family.

In 1436, Sigismund finally succeeded in being crowned King of Bohemia.

Afterward, considering Ulrich's outstanding contributions in the later stages of the Hussite Wars, he issued an edict elevating the Count of Cilli from an Imperial Count to an Imperial Prince (some say to a Duke), further raising his status.

In 1432, Ulrich, following the example of his ancestors, began another political investment: he married the daughter of the Despot of Serbia.

This was originally a failed investment, as Serbia soon fell due to invasions by the Ottoman and Hungarian.

Who knew that it would eventually turn around? After the Crusade repelled the Ottoman, Ulrich finally achieved his desire to become King of Serbia through this marriage alliance.

Those who enjoyed a good show ranked the four great nobles under Emperor Laszlo according to their strength and influence.

Topping the list was Ulrich II von Cilli, Count of Cilli and King of Serbia, who possessed vast territories and immense influence over various countries within the dynasty's domain.

Of course, his status as the Emperor's maternal uncle was equally significant.

Second on the list was naturally the chief noble of the Kingdom of Hungary, Hunyadi, son of the hero Janos, and Governor of Transylvania.

However, Hunyadi seemed to be facing suppression from the Emperor recently.

In third place was Ulrich II von Rosenberg, the chief noble of Bohemia.

As the leader of the Bohemian Catholic nobility who fought in both Hussite Wars, his current glory and status were well-deserved.

However, his eldest son died a year ago, and he himself was now critically ill and on his deathbed, so the future of the Rosenberg Family remained uncertain.

At the very bottom was the Emperor's "most trusted" cousin, Frederick, Prince of Tarnovo and Regent of Bulgaria.

No one could really assess this person's strength, as the Zurich War he led ended in a disastrous defeat against the Swiss, and subsequent wars had little to do with him.

However, as the only member of the Habsburg Family among the four great nobles, he must have been deeply trusted by the Emperor. This also showed that the Cilli Family was now a crucial member of the Habsburg Dynasty.

However, such a family, which rose by acquiring childless inheritances and pledging loyalty to the Emperor, ultimately fell victim to the crisis of having no heirs.

Every time Ulrich thought of this, tears would involuntarily stream down his face.

"Your Majesty, Cousin, in my life, I have campaigned with three Emperors, fought bloody battles in Bohemia, Hungary, and the Balkans, earning glory for my family and the Empire.

But now, such a vast family legacy has no one to inherit it. How can I not be saddened?"

He coughed violently a few times, and a maid quickly came forward with a cup of warm water, but Ulrich waved his hand, signaling that it was not needed.

Laszlo didn't know what expression to make; he was deeply moved by the fate of the Cilli Family's century of efforts, which would ultimately turn into spring mud to enrich the Habsburg Family.

The last family that nourished the Habsburg Family in such a way seemed to be called Luxembourg... *cough cough*, thinking that his mother was still there, Laszlo felt his little thought was somewhat impolite.

He straightened his face, feigned a sorrowful expression, and genuinely expressed his concern: "Maternal uncle, don't worry yet. Take good care of your health. I will handle the issue of the Cilli Family's succession with care."

Elizabeth also nodded gently, looking at her cousin with soft eyes, and said softly, "Ulrich, you have done well enough in your life.

I believe that your grandfather's spirit in heaven will surely be proud of you."

Ulrich managed a faint smile upon hearing this. He had indeed done better than all his ancestors—he had obtained the title of King, which all previous Counts of Cilli had dreamed of.

In fact, when he was young, he had almost obtained the title of King of Bosnia by forging Sigismund's will.

If not for the obstruction of the Hungarian nobles, especially Janos, he might have become king long ago.

However, losing Bosnia but gaining a large amount of Bosnian territory as compensation was not a loss.

After that, he struggled once more.

Finally, with the help of his good nephew Laszlo, he obtained the crown of Serbia.

In his life, he served three Emperors, campaigned extensively, and made achievements in administration, diplomacy, and military affairs, earning the recognition of the Emperors.

Such a life could truly be called splendid.

His only regret was not being able to leave behind any children to inherit this vast family legacy, to inherit this flourishing Cilli Family.