Chapter 111
Chapter 111
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 111
Chapter Title: Family Gathering
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Prussia's hope, Prussia's idol—Friedrich was staring at the documents before him, unconsciously humming a little tune.
His mood was especially good today, so even this court, which had always irritated him whenever his father's hand reached into it, seemed beautiful.
He had been growing bored stuck in Berlin, and now such a perfect excuse had fallen into his lap. How could he not act on it?
"I'm going to Vienna."
"...Yes?"
"...Your Majesty?"
"This major event wrapping up the whole affair is happening in Vienna. Of course I have to go. Since I started it, I should be the one to see it through."
Friedrich burst into hearty laughter, like a man who had everything in the palm of his hand.
Of course, the dumbfounded reactions were left to his ministers.
Heinrich von Podewils, Friedrich's trusted confidant, raised an objection while trying his best to hide his utter disbelief.
"If the treaty is being signed in Berlin, it would be natural for Your Majesty to make an appearance. But going all the way to Vienna in person..."
"Is there any reason I can't?"
"It's not so much a reason as... it's just not the usual course of things."
What was the very reason diplomats existed?
They were there to sign treaties and handle negotiations in the king's stead at times like this.
"Ah, of course I'm not saying I'll go negotiate myself. That would be beneath my station. I'm just going to Vienna to praise our hardworking ambassador, thank the emperor for selling us those weapons, and drop by to see my sister while I'm there—it's been ages."
"...Yes. However, if Your Majesty moves personally, the Netherlands and Britain are sure to react sensitively. You must keep that in mind..."
"No need for such worries."
That was the way of the world, after all.
When a cautious, inscrutable man acted out of the blue, everyone tensed up, racking their brains to uncover his hidden intentions.
But if a man who always acted on every whim did the exact same thing?
Most people would just shrug and think, Oh, him again.
"I guarantee you, even if I announce I'm going, they'll all just nod and accept it. I could make a bet on it."
"Er... now that you mention it..."
"If it's Your Majesty... yeah, that tracks."
Friedrich nearly felt a twinge of discomfort at his ministers' nuanced reactions, but soon he felt a surge of admiration for his own cunning.
This was calculated rascality at its finest.
"Haven't seen Highness in ages. Heh heh heh."
"Yes?"
"Didn't say a word."
Being king meant even a simple trip to Vienna required all sorts of excuses. It was exhausting.
But who could say anything when he himself insisted?
Friedrich simply acted true to his desires.
He always had, and he always would.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ England, Prussia, the Netherlands, and Spain.
Wenzel Anton von Kaunitz, tasked with the weighty duty of mediating between these four nations, was at a complete loss for words in sheer absurdity.
Not because he felt burdened by the critical mission.
The basic agreements were already in place anyway—this treaty was little more than a theatrical display of their formal unity.
Kaunitz had figured this debut stage of his would be so straightforward it might even bore him.
He suspected Franz had assigned him this role with the same calculation in mind.
This mad... what the hell is he doing here?
He had miscalculated. Badly.
Recognized by Franz since childhood, he had followed him around learning real-world diplomacy.
Having seen crowds of all sorts, he prided himself on his ability to read people's psychology and the motives behind their actions.
In his eyes, the biggest reason Friedrich had come to Vienna was obviously...
"Hahaha! So glad this dispute resolved smoothly. Truth be told, I had no desire whatsoever to make enemies of the Netherlands or England. Isn't everyone getting along the path to universal happiness?"
"Y-Yes..."
"Your Majesty's sincerity puts our hearts at ease."
It was pure trolling.
The Dutch ambassador Bartold especially looked like he was demonstrating full-body what happened when reason clashed with emotion—his eye twitching like a madman's.
England felt much the same, if not quite as intensely.
These were the very people who had once clung tight in the Hanover Alliance, and now here they were threatening to shove Hanover aside. How could their feelings not be ruffled?
Prussia had now clearly established itself as a great power not just within the Holy Roman Empire, but across all Europe—one no one could ignore.
Friedrich had come here to solidify that momentum and flaunt his authority far and wide.
What made it even funnier was how utterly transparent he was.
"Kaunitz, was it?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"They say Franz Highness has favored you since childhood. Must make you a true talent."
"You overpraise me. I merely strive to live up to the faith placed in my humble self."
As they exchanged formal pleasantries, he observed Friedrich's every movement and gesture with keen attention.
If he was truly here to troll, he would undoubtedly follow up with some jab at the Netherlands or England.
And high odds it would be the Netherlands.
As expected.
"Ah, right. Heard Archduchess Theresa had her second child."
"Yes, a healthy princess."
"Good, good. No health issues?"
"She's in perfect health."
For a moment, he wondered if this was a jab about failing to produce a son and having two daughters in a row, but Friedrich's tone was utterly sincere.
"Franz Highness must have breathed a sigh of relief. But... was he disappointed it wasn't a son? Just checking so I don't misspeak."
"...He wasn't disappointed. If anything, Archduchess Theresa seemed a touch regretful, while Franz Highness... I'm not sure."
He took pride in reading hearts, but he simply couldn't decipher Franz's reaction when Theresa gave birth to their second daughter.
Common sense dictated that any normal royal would feel at least a pang of disappointment at two daughters in a row.
An heir to carry on the line was that crucial.
Theresa had brushed it off boldly, saying she'd just keep having children until a son came along, but even she couldn't fully hide her inner turmoil.
Franz, however...
How to put it? Relief? Anticipation?
I must have misread it. No matter how much Franz Highness loves Lady Theresa, he couldn't have been expecting two daughters in a row.
He truly had no idea. Which made it all the harder to explain.
"In any case... Highness wasn't upset. That's certain. But as for why... even I don't know."
"Hahaha! As expected, no prejudices there. Anyone can say it doesn't matter boy or girl, but truly matching words to heart? Rare stuff. Good to know. Keep up the good work."
Friedrich chuckled loudly and turned to leave.
What had that man come here for, anyway?
Franz, Friedrich—unfathomable minds.
Kaunitz shook his head, ruminating that he still had a long way to go.
No room for arrogance. He needed to strive harder.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Providing a guest from afar with at least one meal was a basic human courtesy.
Or, to correct that—since some places might not—a strong recommendation.
In any case, with Friedrich's arrival in Vienna, a family dinner doubling as a meeting and intel exchange was naturally arranged.
Attendees: Theresa and I; my brother-in-law Karl and his wife Wilhelmina; and Friedrich to top it off.
Wilhelmina, reuniting with her brother after so long, seemed happier than usual, and Friedrich's smile never left his face throughout the meal.
"Speaking of which, how's my niece doing?"
"Of course she's fine. But how do you ask about your own niece last?"
"Ahem! When you're a guest, etiquette demands you focus on the host first. Don't take it too hard. Anyway, glad to see you looking happy, sis."
"Of course. My man treats me so well."
Wilhelmina slipped her hand into her brother's, and his mouth split into a goofy grin.
Then our eyes met, and he awkwardly twitched his lips while scratching his head.
"Uh... bro, you're not upset or anything, right?"
"Seeing that ugly grin of yours is making me want to get upset."
"No... I was just worried it might look like I was lording it up after having a son."
"I already told you last time—I really don't care."
Granted, with Theresa having daughters back-to-back, Karl probably couldn't just celebrate his son outright.
But this wasn't a joke: I truly didn't mind at all.
If anything, it gave me a sliver of hope.
The first child? Sure, fifty-fifty odds.
But the second being a girl too? I couldn't help but wonder.
If the third was also a girl, and the fourth a boy... it'd match my past life exactly.
Truth be told, a small part of me was secretly hoping for a third daughter.
Of course, voicing that aloud would earn me a "What crazy talk?" so I kept it zipped.
But attitudes have a way of showing through regardless.
I showed zero anxiety, so Theresa visibly relaxed—and now she was burning with determination.
"Karl, stop being so considerate. At this point, I'm even starting to look forward to when God grants me a son."
"Thank you. But shouldn't Your Majesty Friedrich consider marriage now? Your ministers won't rest easy without an heir..."
It was meant to smoothly change the subject, but when Friedrich and Wilhelmina fell into an odd silence, a flustered Karl hurriedly added,
"...until they bring that up, I mean. But that's just prejudice, right? You marry when you find someone you like. Isn't that so?"
"Exactly. And a king's marriage carries heavy political weight, so it demands extra caution."
"Well said. Haha... ha!"
Listening in, it didn't sound like he had marriage plans at all—so proposing to marry our indefinite-future kids?
Absurd as my feelings were, the conversation flowed on into serious international affairs.
"Your Majesty Friedrich hitting the Netherlands this time must be tied to my brother-in-law, right? I know everything."
"Oh ho, my brother-in-law misses nothing."
"Of course! Who is he? The man who'll even topple His Majesty the Emperor to achieve his goals."
"It was a disguised tumble. Phrase it right so no misunderstandings."
And here we had two guys who'd actually dunked their opponents for real—not disguised—and they'd bat an eye?
"Haha, the Netherlands needed a poke anyway. Franz Highness agreed back then."
"...Hm?"
What fresh slander was this? When did I ever say to invade the Netherlands?
"Back when I wasn't king yet, Highness and I bonded in Vienna. For the Holy Roman Empire to become truly mighty! We must crush England, France—every nation in Europe and claim the top."
"Kuuh! Brother-in-law and Your Majesty. Just hearing it sets my ambitions ablaze. I can't take the field thanks to bro's ban, but I'll support from the rear with all I have!"
Was he talking about that time when just listening made his mustache seem ready to sprout overnight?
-But if we do that, other nations won't stand by. In the end, don't we need to unite the German sphere at least once to keep France and England in check? Maybe prepare to fight both at once...
A history buff like me couldn't help but freak out, but realistically speaking, all sorts of thoughts now crossed my mind.
If the Holy Roman Empire truly united—from Germany to Italy and the Balkans into a mega-empire—would Europe's other powers really sit idle?
Some destinies in this world could be delayed, but never escaped.
"Worry not, Franz Highness. England, France, Russia—none we can't crush if we join forces."
"Kyaa~! With Your Majesty Friedrich as family, it's so reassuring. Come, another round."
"Then shall we go all out today, drinking till we drop?"
So I'd have to fight the world with these guys?
"Franz Highness, join us. Bailing alone in this situation? No true man."
"Don't worry. My brother's not that pathetic."
Even so, with these utterly pathetic yet utterly reliable guys by my side, the whole world held no fear.
"Yeah. Let's eat and die!"
I laughed as I clinked glasses.
Until Theresa let out a deep sigh and smacked my back.