Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 028
Chapter Title: The Imperial Diet
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Regensburg was a week to ten days away from Vienna by carriage.
It was a long distance if you thought of it that way, but not so far that it was impossible—a precarious journey, one might say.
When Theresia heard that Franz was heading to Regensburg, she came running over and abruptly piped up.
"Can I come too?"
"No."
"Of course not."
The answers came out almost in perfect unison.
But Theresia didn't falter in the slightest. She stared straight at her father.
She had never expected instant permission from the start.
"Why not?"
"You're ten years old this year. Roaming around near Vienna would be one thing, but Regensburg is too far."
"That's true, but I have my reasons."
Theresia's real target wasn't Franz—it was her father.
No matter what she or Franz thought, the final say rested with the Emperor.
Simply whining that she wanted to go would get shot down immediately, so she needed logical persuasion here.
Theresia trotted out the arguments she'd painstakingly brainstormed.
"First off, if I go in person, it'll lighten Franz-nim's burden. It'll emphasize the legitimacy tied directly to the imperial line."
"Hmm..."
"And if I show everyone how much I really, really like Franz-nim, it'll naturally prove this isn't just some political union. It could even dispel any impressions that the imperial family is being too overtly political."
This time, her father seemed genuinely surprised and glanced over at Franz.
As if wondering if Franz had tipped her off beforehand—but Franz immediately shook his head.
"There's merit to it... but even so, sending you all that way feels like too much."
"No, there's one last, most important point! I'm young. You're right that it's a potential instability factor, but there's huge room for it to play out positively. Wouldn't it be adorable to see a mere ten-year-old archduchess working so hard to support her fiancé?"
This was a tactic Franz had used several times himself, and he'd advised her to leverage this strength well moving forward.
It was something she couldn't pull off once she grew up, and the opportunities were limited, so she had to be strategic—but didn't this feel like the perfect moment?
"...That's certainly... true enough."
"And one final, absolute last thing. If Franz-nim is coming, some of the electors might bring their wives or daughters along. Wouldn't it be smart if I built ties with them ahead of time?"
She even tacked on an excuse that had just popped into her head. Charles VI let out a laugh, looking impressed.
"Franz, looks like asking you to help with her education was the right call. I wasn't half this quick on my feet when I was her age."
"So you'll allow it?"
"...Yes. Seeing what you've accomplished, maybe piling on experiences will do you more good. But you have to listen to Franz and absolutely no causing trouble. Understood?"
"Yesss! I love you, Father!"
"...Hoho."
A leisurely carriage ride to Regensburg took about ten days.
Factoring in the stay, it was nearly a full month—so she'd get to stick by Franz's side the whole time.
Was this what floating on clouds felt like?
'This time, I have to make him play dolls with me. Hehe.'
Theresia couldn't hold back the happy smiles leaking out all day long.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The Empire had nine electors in total, along with countless princes ruling their own territories.
These princes wielded authority close to that of sovereigns, and in the Imperial Diet, both electors and princes held far greater sway than ordinary nobles.
Of course, the electors didn't see it as a privilege—just the natural rights granted to them.
After all, they were the ones with the power to elect the Emperor of the Empire.
As such, electors and major princes typically sent only proxies to the Imperial Diet, almost never attending in person.
But this time, some intriguing news turned that tradition on its head.
"...Not sending a proxy, but coming themselves? Franz Stefan and Archduchess Maria Theresia?"
"Yes. Franz Stefan expressed his wish to attend the opening session personally, out of respect for the Imperial Diet. The Archduchess seems to be tagging along to support her fiancé."
"I figured a kid who struck it rich young would be arrogant, but he's got the right attitude after all."
"Most who've met him in person give favorable reviews."
One of the Empire's nine electors, Elector Palatine Charles III Philip, couldn't hide his interest in this unexpected turn.
"Any other princes declaring they'll attend in person rather than send proxies?"
"The Bavarian Elector will likely attend. Regensburg's practically next door to Munich."
"Saxony?"
"Dresden's a bit farther, but it's adjacent to Bohemia. Plus, their porcelain and glass industries are in direct competition, so he's quite interested."
The Empire's nine electors were practically nine kings in their own right, entangled in a web of complex interests.
Archbishops like the Electors of Mainz, Cologne, and Trier served as the heads of the Empire's constitutional order in their clerical roles.
The Saxon Elector Augustus II also doubled as King of Poland-Lithuania.
The Brandenburg Elector Friedrich Wilhelm was King of Prussia, the Hanover Elector was King of Great Britain, and the King of Bohemia was none other than Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI.
The Palatine and Bavarian Electors, meanwhile, gripped key cities and rivers, wielding immense power.
Given the gravity of their roles, the electors rarely met face-to-face.
Yet Philip had a near-certain hunch that this Diet would be different.
"Bohemian glass is already flowing down the Rhine to France and the Netherlands. Depending on how the tariff talks shake out, we could be the ones hit hardest."
"Yes. Unlike the other electoral states, we have direct stakes in this."
"Guess it's not a bad idea to make a personal appearance for once. If the talks go well, I can tack on an extra order for one of those platinum bracelets while I'm at it."
Dealing directly with him instead of a proxy would let them hammer out tariff agreements for maximum gain.
Plus, it wouldn't hurt to gauge the mettle of the Habsburg son-in-law who might one day wear the imperial crown.
Elector Palatine Charles III Philip dispatched a letter announcing his personal attendance at the Diet.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ This unusual development wasn't confined to the Palatinate Electorate.
The Saxon Electorate, raking in tidy profits from Meissen porcelain, reacted sharply to Franz's move as well.
The Saxon Elector Augustus II—the Strong King himself—announced he would attend Regensburg in person.
First the Bavarian Elector confirmed his attendance, now the Palatine and Saxon Electors too.
With three electors set to appear personally in this unprecedented spectacle, even Prussia couldn't sit it out.
"You've heard the talk—three electors showing up at this Imperial Diet?"
Crown Prince Friedrich nodded confidently at the question from King Friedrich Wilhelm I of Prussia.
"Yes! I'm aware."
"What's your take?"
"Saxony and the Palatinate will be directly impacted if the Bohemian glass industry expands. It's different for us, so there's no reason for Your Majesty to go in person."
"Hoo...?"
"However, if all the other electors attend and we send just a proxy, we risk losing ground in the debates. Why don't I go instead? I'll make sure to show Prussia's true mettle!"
Was this really the same son who'd been such a trembling mess just last year?
Wilhelm nodded in satisfaction at his son's far more manly gaze.
"That's the spirit. But you know as well as I do—the Bavarian Elector aside, those other two are seasoned old foxes. Think you can handle them?"
"Your Majesty, you've always taught me to approach every matter with the resolve of stepping onto the battlefield. When we march to war, do we hold back just because I'm young and the enemy has more experience? As Crown Prince of Prussia, I'll face them head-on. If I lose, I'll return with a lesson carved into my bones—one that ensures I'll never lose again."
"Kahaha! That's right, that's right. A real man needs that kind of fire. You must've taken something important away from your time in Vienna."
Boys in the thick of growing up probably did need real experience.
Wilhelm couldn't help bursting into hearty laughter at his son's noticeably tougher demeanor after just one trip.
He was probably feeling some rivalry toward Franz Stefan, the future Habsburg scion.
Boys that age tended to boil over with fighting spirit at the mere existence of a rival, didn't they?
Wilhelm quietly chalked up his son's remarkable progress to those emotions and decided to fan the flames a bit more.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Since the Imperial Diet had been established as a permanent body in Regensburg back in 1663, there had never been such a dazzling lineup of attendees.
Theresia and I had coordinated our schedule leisurely to ensure the confirmed VIPs could arrive on time.
We left Vienna and followed the Danube, lingering two days total in Linz and Passau.
In the meantime, I gave Theresia lessons or played dolls however she wanted, stacking up little memories and enjoying ourselves to the fullest.
"Franz! This one's the incarnation of Saint Martha. And this doll's the wicked dragon she's going to redeem—so you have to move it right."
"Yay, yay. Raaargh! Saint Martha, this Tarasque is gonna burn you to a crisp!"
"Nooo! The Tarasque fights by spewing poison gas!"
It suddenly hit me how even a simple trip like this was something I'd never properly shared with her in my previous life.
So I vowed to indulge her every whim on this journey.
Playing dolls her way, sharing delicious food, admiring the scenery, chatting away—and before I knew it, we'd reached the outskirts of Regensburg.
As the carriage slowly entered the city center, the townsfolk sent up enthusiastic cheers and applause our way.
Theresia waved back daintily, whispering in wonder.
"Everyone's so passionate! It's got this warm vibe totally different from Vienna—super interesting."
"These Free Imperial Cities earned their autonomy through their own grit. Makes sense the people are energetic and full of pride."
"Ah, got it."
Theresia was clearly taken by the atmosphere of her first Free Imperial City; she looked delighted straight through the welcome ceremony.
Waving to folks here and there, eyes going wide at unfamiliar sights—she was still every bit the child.
Yet she'd exchange a few mature words with the greeting nobles, her growth day by day filling me with an odd sense of pride.
Just as the welcome festivities were wrapping up...
"Your Highness Franz Stefan, I am Georg, servant to the Elector Palatine. If it pleases Your Highness, we'd like to invite you to a modest dinner this evening."
An invitation bearing the Elector Palatine's name arrived via the servant's hand.
"Will the Elector Palatine be hosting personally? Tonight's early bedtime for Archduchess Theresia anyway, so I'm free."
The Diet traditionally kicked off with informal huddles beforehand—electors among electors, princes among princes—to hash out positions under the table.
The Palatine Elector had probably called me early for exactly that purpose.
"Yes, just a light dinner—we hope Your Highness will join and enjoy."
"Understood. Could I get a list of attendees, by chance?"
"Of course, right here."
The slip of paper had only a handful of names, just as the servant had said.
- Elector Palatine Charles III Philip
- Saxon Elector Augustus II
- Bavarian Elector Charles Albrecht
Well now, just four of us including me—truly a modest affair.
Looks like the definition of "light dinner gathering" had shifted without my noticing.
A dinner ringed by three electors... How delightfully cordial and lively would that be? My heart was already racing.
Of course, I knew full well why these busy old-timers had come all this way personally—and what they expected from a green kid like me.
So I folded the invitation neatly, tucked it into my bosom, and replied in a voice trembling ever so slightly with tension.
"Understood. Please tell them I'll arrive promptly."
The main Diet sessions hadn't even begun—Regensburg's first day. I was ready to don my mask.