Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 039
Chapter Title: To Berlin (3)
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Regardless of the delicate relations between Prussia and Austria, the living conditions in Berlin were nothing short of delightful.
The Berlin Palace was a lavish structure completed by the previous king, Friedrich I, in emulation of France's Versailles, boasting over six hundred rooms.
But our miserly Wilhelm used only five of them, keeping his servants to an absolute minimum.
Thanks to that, we were assigned some of the finest spare rooms, with no bothersome hangers-on nearby, allowing us to rest comfortably.
Compared to the perpetually overcrowded Hofburg Palace, this place felt almost like a private villa.
Friedrich's fiery displays of filial piety made me flinch every time, but aside from that, everything was unfolding just as expected, proceeding smoothly along its natural course.
As time grew late and I yawned my way back to our lodgings, I spotted Secretary Bartenstein and Kaunitz, who had been waiting anxiously.
"Your Highness, were there any issues at dinner?"
"None at all. It was just a matter of both sides sizing each other up. Still, when I handed over the tobacco pipe I made myself, he seemed quite pleased with it."
"Loosening the mood never hurts. Well done."
In truth, considering Friedrich and Wilhelmina's sullen faces from start to finish, whether the mood had truly lightened was debatable. But if Wilhelm himself was satisfied, that was what mattered.
"The real game begins next. First, let's clarify exactly what they want. As you've heard from our discussions back in Austria, what they truly desire is the Duchy of Berg."
"That figures. This time, both sides have clear demands and room for compromise, so aligning our views shouldn't be too difficult."
"I agree. That said, every detail in the conditions—and diplomacy itself—is open to multiple interpretations with every single word. We mustn't let our guard down."
"Duly noted. By the way, Kaunitz. Don't you have something to say?"
He had been scribbling furiously in a corner of the room, but he snapped his head up when I called him.
"Pardon? Oh, no, sir. What weight could the opinion of a mere student like me carry? Just observing and learning is already an overflowing lesson in..."
"Spare me the flattery. Speak your mind—whatever pops into your head. Opportunities like this don't come often."
"Ah... yes, sir. In my humble view, both sides already know how the negotiations will play out, so there shouldn't be any major issues."
"Exactly."
"But if I put myself in their shoes, they might focus less on what we all already know and more on something else."
Bartenstein flinched but couldn't really refute Kaunitz's point.
He was right—our intentions were so transparent on both sides that they might probe in an entirely different direction.
"Such as?"
"If I were the Elector of Brandenburg, Your Highness, I'd be purely curious about the man named Franz himself. Not abstract traits like temperament or demeanor, but concrete things like his ambitions or goals."
"Your Highness, that's a possibility, but the core of the negotiations comes first. Don't forget that."
Bartenstein cautiously added his piece, but I found myself agreeing more with Kaunitz.
Truth be told, if Wilhelm didn't probe that way, it would actually be a problem for me.
Because if the talks stuck purely to procedural matters and ended there, all the groundwork I'd laid for this moment would be meaningless.
I hoped he'd come at me without holding back.
After all, I was ready. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Friedrich Wilhelm I.
A maddening figure who trusted no one, showed no kindness to any nation, and was endlessly harsh with everyone around him.
Our private audience unfolded in a disarmingly comfortable and secretive manner.
In a vast room large enough for twenty people, it was just the two of us. We sat facing each other in relaxed postures, pipes clenched between our teeth.
"Heh heh heh. Just as Your Highness said, this is a devilish thing. No going back to the old ways now."
"Isn't it? My pride and joy. I'm glad it suits you."
Whew. Taking a long-overdue puff felt like downing an energy shot—my mind sharpened instantly.
I'd sworn never to touch it again, but this was purely for diplomacy, so it didn't count, right?
Even in games, you pull out every unused trump card to beat the boss. Therese would understand. Yeah, of course she would.
"I wish that boy Friedrich would enjoy a pipe like a proper man. He could learn a thing or two from Your Highness."
"Some folks just can't stand the smell. Maybe that's his case?"
"That's what makes him so girly. Tsk tsk, he never fails to disappoint."
"His Highness Friedrich will open his eyes one day. The son of a lion grows into a lion."
Wilhelm and I exhaled plumes of smoke as we chatted idly. As Kaunitz predicted, the treaty discussion proceeded without friction, gliding along seamlessly.
"What Austria wants is for Your Electoral Highness to approve our Pragmatic Sanction. That's the only way the Empire can stabilize long-term."
"Our desires are equally clear. Confirm Brandenburg's priority rights over the Duchy of Berg—in writing. Do that, and we'll back the Sanction or whatever else on the spot."
"That won't be hard. Consider it done."
"...You're agreeing not just in words, but to a binding document with real force?"
Wilhelm's eyes brimmed with distrust, testament to how much Charles VI had tested his patience.
Father-in-law, sir—if you're going to play those kinds of diplomatic games, you need national power first.
"Of course. As you know, I believe Brandenburg and Austria can walk together for mutual benefit. The business proposal I added is proof enough."
"It was quite enticing, I'll admit. But its plausibility makes me uneasy instead."
"Does it? Then let's clear up any qualms right here."
"Since it's just us, speak freely. If we grow too strong, it harms your country. That's why even the Emperor keeps dodging, fearing we'll swallow Berg whole."
A frank, piercing fastball. Grateful he swung right into it.
I could spin something plausible here easily, but he already suspected our very intentions.
To convince a paranoid soul half-convinced we're digging traps behind the charm, I had to replace the grill entirely.
I drew a deep breath, held a lungful of smoke, then exhaled into the air.
And spoke.
"Your Majesty."
"...?"
"What I'm about to say is not to the Elector of Brandenburg, but to the King of Prussia."
"What..."
His poker face cracked for a split second—he clearly hadn't expected the sudden shift in title.
Prussia was a kingdom abroad but still tethered to the Electorate of Brandenburg within the Holy Roman Empire.
No one from the Habsburg court, which clung fiercely to such principles, could have imagined those words from me.
"Since we've agreed to speak openly, I'll be blunt: I harbor strong doubts about this framework called the Holy Roman Empire."
"...This is unexpected, to say the least."
"The Emperor begging Electors just to name a successor, and even that succession isn't settled. What kind of empire is this?"
"But that's precisely why Your Highness could become the Habsburg son-in-law."
"True enough. Still, this can't go on. Look at neighboring France—a unified nation under strong royal authority, flexing immense power. That fractured island across the way calls itself the Great British Empire and unites, advancing by leaps and bounds."
Wilhelm stared intently into my eyes, his face grave, neither agreeing nor denying.
His confusion was plain: Is this guy for real?
Time for the knockout blow.
"So, I intend to make this non-holy, non-Roman, barely-empire into something worthy of the name—at minimum."
"You're no Habsburg, that's certain. They'd foam at the mouth and chase you back to Lorraine if they heard."
"Austria has no choice but me anymore. You've essentially given up on siring a son, and Archduchess Therese is head over heels for me."
"But you're still the son-in-law. If you try steering the realm, plenty will push back."
"In the end, big decisions are men's work. How many women have ruled well? Queen Elizabeth of England is a rare exception; reality is more like Cleopatra, ruining nations."
It was a statement that would make even me question my sanity, but it reflected the average noble's mindset of this era.
Sorry, Therese. For this moment, let me channel the guardian of Salic Law, heir to the Salians.
Wilhelm looked stunned at first, then chuckled, exhaling a fiercer cloud of smoke.
"Heh heh heh, refreshing honesty. Indeed, what does a girl know of politics? She need only bloom there like a beautiful flower."
"Precisely. And I've already built massive achievements as a privy councilor. Even as Habsburg's rightful heir, could Therese shove me aside and rule alone? Would the high nobles I cultivate from now on stand for it?"
"Fair enough... I see your point. But how does that relate to ties between our realms? For a true empire, wouldn't you want us weakened?"
"Your Majesty, my mind works like a merchant's—cold calculus. Honestly, do you think this Holy Roman Empire could ever unify all Electorates under Habsburg? Zero chance."
He nodded, not refuting my conviction this time.
"Better to pick the next-best path than chase impossible dreams. Enter Prussia."
"...So, divide the Empire?"
"Divide sounds crude... We'd take the lion's share, naturally. Emperors gonna emperor."
Everyone modern knows offering "half the world" for alliance has a 0% success rate—like the Demon King's ploy.
But for someone like Wilhelm, baring raw desire like this might breed more trust.
Indeed, interest was dawning on his face.
"Servants say you're close with Friedrich. Part of the plan?"
"Yes. We can give each other what we want. So I'm sincerely building friendship with His Highness Friedrich."
"But there's no such thing as eternal alliances. Even if we split the Empire into two giants, war would reunite them eventually."
"Maybe. But that's distant future. First, we'll face Britain or France—not fellow Germans."
Our gracious British and French brothers won't sit idly while German lands strengthen.
Conflict is inevitable, one way or another.
"Hmm... Not without merit."
Fact, fiction, assumption, prophecy—all tangled. Even I struggle to parse truth from ploy now; what of him?
As my vision took shape in his mind, he set down his vigorously puffed pipe momentarily.
"Unlike my father-in-law, I don't equivocate. I'll show through actions. Duchy of Berg? Annex it when ripe. I'll aid your Baltic trade, making Prussia its hub. In return, help me when I need it. Mutual benefit."
"No loss there if true. But long-term, how can we trust you?"
"Don't. International diplomacy is a jungle where the weak get devoured. It's not faith—it's profit. Stab me in the back anytime you deem me useless. Conversely, if another Electorate outgrows Prussia, I'll ally with them."
"Ha, hah hah ha."
Evidently spot-on, as a genuine smile finally graced his lips.
Instead of replying, he relit my extinguished pipe with his own.
Perhaps from the long hiatus,
it was an exceptionally fine day for tobacco. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Franz erased all trace of the beastly demeanor from moments ago, offered a deeply courteous bow, and departed.
Even after he left, Wilhelm continued smoking the pipe Franz had given him, inhaling the smoke with his whole body.
A truly fine gift.
Smoking such quality tobacco cleared his thoughts and sharpened his mind.
Moreover, the just-concluded meeting was as valuable as the pipe itself.
—International diplomacy is a jungle where the weak get devoured. It's not faith—it's profit. Stab me in the back anytime you deem me useless.
Those final words convinced Wilhelm he could trust Franz.
Not personal trust.
Rather, because Franz was untrustworthy, Wilhelm could believe in his ambitions.
A man who, even as Habsburg son-in-law, harbored desires to devour the Empire.
Dismissing him as mere merchant or imperial lackey was an underestimate born of never seeing his true face.
"Heh heh heh, Charles VI let a starving lion into his house."
Who could imagine the guard dog meant to watch the home was a cunning predator?
Even if Wilhelm cried "hypocrite!" now, no one would heed him.
So Franz had laid bare his innermost thoughts here, unfiltered.
"Make the Empire an empire, eh..."
If Austria pursued that alone, mere delusion. But with Prussia's covert aid, not impossible.
Assume, purely hypothetically.
If Habsburg seized the Empire and Prussia became undisputed hegemon of North Germany, as Franz claimed.
France and Britain would inevitably extend claws of containment.
Well-positioned, they could maneuver to inflict heavy losses on Habsburg.
That could extend Prussia's sway from northern to eastern Empire, birthing a new empire centered on Prussia.
"...A German Empire."
Even if not in his lifetime, someday.
The swirling tobacco haze swelled as grandly as his ambitions, leaving thick traces throughout the room.