Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 040
Chapter Title: Berlin Secret Pact
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“Y-Your Highness! What on earth did you discuss with him?”
The next day, Secretary Bartenstein came rushing in, completely out of breath.
Anyone would think he’d seen a ghost. His emotions were plain as day, which was unlike a seasoned diplomat.
“What are you talking about? Weren’t we supposed to iron out the treaty details today? Did it get pushed to tomorrow?”
“...It’s done. It ended so cleanly and anticlimactically that I can hardly believe it.”
“That’s great news. Doesn’t it mean they want to get along with us?”
A natural smile crept across my face.
Heinrich, the old man in charge of Prussia’s diplomacy, was no pushover.
What reason could a man who’d spent decades maneuvering on the chessboard of diplomacy have for agreeing to everything we proposed?
It meant orders had come from above.
“The Elector turned out to be far more reasonable than expected. We agreed to work together for the Empire’s future.”
“If that’s the case... that’s fortunate.”
“You can’t fight the tide of history. Prussia’s momentum is growing by the day, and trying to suppress it by force will only provoke a massive backlash.”
“You’re right. But if they grow even stronger from here, they might become truly uncontrollable.”
Anyone listening might think we could control them now.
If even parents can’t rein in a rebellious teen, how could anyone dictate a nation’s course?
Whether Prussia grows strong or weak, bending them to our will was never possible in the first place.
“Secretary, you must swear never to breathe a word of this outside these walls.”
I shared part of the plan I’d discussed with the Emperor, and Bartenstein sat there dumbfounded, mouth agape, blinking blankly.
“...You mean to use Prussia as our bullet? Is that even possible?”
“Bullet? Careful, someone might misunderstand. It’s cooperation. Friendship, cooperation, and victory.”
“You’ve spoken with the Elector of Brandenburg yourself, so you know he’s incredibly cautious. We must always consider the risk of them turning the tables on us.”
“That’s exactly why we emphasize cooperation. His Majesty and I concluded that we can mutually benefit for at least 10 to 15 years.”
I assured him this wasn’t my reckless scheme but the meticulous calculation of the wise and great Charles VI, so there was no need to worry excessively.
Surprisingly, at this point in history, Charles VI was seen as a brilliant ruler who had won a great victory against the Ottomans and successfully navigated the War of the Spanish Succession.
No one in Austria could defy the Emperor’s command.
And if the War of the Polish Succession went according to plan, we could wield this immense power beyond Austria’s borders too.
We’d cleared the massive hurdle of Prussia. Now it was time to push forward relentlessly.
“In any case, Secretary, your contribution was enormous. Even with their cooperation, wrapping up the treaty in a single day would’ve been impossible without you.”
“Pardon? No... I just got lucky.”
“The benefits Austria gains from this treaty today are incalculable. As the nominal lead, you’re naturally the top contributor.”
“...Top contributor? Me?”
He looked stunned, like he’d never had merits heaped on him before—though snatching credit was commonplace.
But this was the logical next step.
Officially, Bartenstein was in charge, and if word got out that I—a mere youth—had negotiated directly with Wilhelm to seal the deal, it’d reek of suspicion.
Better to chalk it up to Secretary Bartenstein’s brilliant diplomatic skills resolving the debates swiftly.
To sell the illusion of prolonged deliberations, staying in Berlin another week or two would paint the perfect picture.
“Even if I tried convincing the Elector, I couldn’t have done a thing without someone as experienced in the details as you. We’ll be working together in the Privy Council for His Majesty from here on, so I look forward to it.”
“No, Your Highness. If anything, I should be the one asking for your favor.”
In my past life, Secretary Bartenstein had been one of the key figures pushing for my marriage to Theresia.
She’d placed great trust in him afterward, and until Kaunitz rose to prominence, he’d faithfully led the diplomatic corps.
Since I’d rely on him for at least 15 years, boosting his goodwill now—using this opportunity—was ideal.
When Theresia and I ascended, we’d fill key posts with our allies, but we couldn’t purge the late Emperor’s loyalists.
It was the duty of new rulers to gracefully pave an honorable exit for nobles who’d served the realm.
Using capable young ones like Bartenstein as bridges between old and new eras was the best approach.
I couldn’t let my guard down just because things were going smoothly.
Especially now, I needed to earn admiration with humility while quietly expanding my enterprises to build power.
After all, the authority I’d seize depended on my contributions to the coming wars.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Afterward, Wilhelm kept summoning me under the pretense of smoking sociable pipes.
But even hospitality tobacco has its limits. Spending all day puffing away would worry anyone, young body or not.
A modern person might suspect Wilhelm was plotting to give me lung cancer.
Of course, he firmly believed tobacco was harmless, which explained it... Still, after every meeting, I’d run laps in the Berlin palace gardens until I dropped.
It might not heal damaged lungs, but exercise had to be better than nothing.
Thanks to building rapport with Wilhelm, I could now chat freely with Wilhelmina and Friedrich without suspicion.
“Come on, eat up, Your Highness. It’s nothing compared to the treats at Hofburg Palace, but I made sure they went all out today.”
“It’s fine. This is more than enough.”
I returned Friedrich’s beaming smile and proffered coffee cup with a nod. Then my eyes caught the jewelry draped over Wilhelmina beside him.
Noticing my gaze, she smiled and bowed with utmost grace.
“I’m wearing this jewelry so happily. And with you looking after my brother too, I don’t know how to repay such kindness. On behalf of our late parents, thank you.”
“Not at all. I did it because I wanted to.”
“Even so, he’s truly brightened up thanks to Your Highness. Lately, he only talks about you to me—his eyes sparkle so much, I almost got jealous.”
“Sis! Don’t say unnecessary things!”
“Oh? What’s gotten into you? Did I say something wrong?”
Unlike most siblings, Wilhelmina and Friedrich were a rare model of deep brotherly love.
I’d heard harsh family environments could forge unbreakable sibling bonds, and they seemed the perfect example.
Wilhelmina was actually a year younger than me but came across as remarkably mature.
“I mean, you say things that don’t need saying!”
“Oh, really? Looks like your big sis slipped up.”
Wilhelmina brushed off Friedrich’s pout with relaxed laughter, smoothly shifting the mood.
Even if they were close, hosting a party right after their father’s death showed she was tougher inside than she appeared.
A classic case of gentle exterior, iron will.
“I’d heard how well you two get along from Your Highness already, but seeing it firsthand drives it home. Giving you the platinum jewelry was definitely the right call.”
“It really turned out to be a huge turning point for us. Friedrich’s learned so much from meeting Your Highness that Father scolds him far less now. Poor August bears the brunt instead...”
“Ah, I heard about that. He’s too young for military drills...”
“Exactly. That bastard... Oh, forgive me. Our wise Elector of Brandenburg has his reasons, but as a sister, I can’t help worrying about my little brother.”
Wilhelmina looked a bit embarrassed at her slip, but Friedrich calmly nodded and set down his cup with a clink.
“Don’t worry, Sis. His Highness Franz and I have already had deep talks. He’s vowed to stand with us.”
“Really? That’s incredibly grateful, even if it’s risky.”
What exactly had we vowed to do together? I didn’t recall crossing any dangerous bridges with them.
Had they conspired with some other world’s Franz?
“Ahem, Your Highness? What exactly did you...”
“Of course, when I ascend the throne someday, Austria and Prussia will be as staunch allies as blood brothers.”
“Ah~ That’s it. Naturally, it has to be that way. Father agreed too, actually.”
“Impressive. How did you convince that lump of distrust? Explains why he grumbled to me today: ‘Prince Franz trains his stamina daily with runs to become a sturdy man—why do you just loaf indoors?’”
I’d just been desperately trying to clear nicotine from my lungs, but it’d sparked an odd misunderstanding.
From Wilhelm’s view, mistaking it for a ingrained jogging habit wasn’t unreasonable.
“You saw how I lived in Vienna, so you know it’s not true. I exercise a bit for health, but daily runs like that would wreck my knees.”
“It’s fine. Father roasting me isn’t new.”
He spoke nonchalantly, but the fury deep in his eyes was plain. Wilhelmina gently squeezed his hand.
“It’s okay, Friedrich. It’s okay. Like you always say, you’re the next Elector anyway. Just grit your teeth, and your era will come.”
“I know. I’m fine. I just hope August’s young heart isn’t scarred.”
“Sigh... Exactly. Venting like this in front of an outsider is like spitting in our faces, but that’s our family reality. Father’s too healthy for our liking.”
“That’s fine too, Sis! Prince Franz gave me a great idea. You know tobacco’s bad for you? Meaning...”
No, wait. I shared knowledge, not a plan.
I couldn’t predict he’d twist “tobacco’s harmful, so I avoid it” into “keep smoking to kill him faster.”
“Your Highness? There might be some misunderstanding in how you phrased it...”
“Good heavens... How could this be. Truly, Your Highness is our benefactor. Now I see why Friedrich talks of you nonstop.”
“I didn’t give you a method—just that tobacco might be unhealthy, so I avoid it as much as possible.”
“Oh dear? Sorry. We didn’t consider your position. Don’t worry—I keep a daily journal, but I won’t record today’s events. Not Operation Tobacco either, so rest easy.”
Knowing the details now scared me more.
What if future conspiracy theories claimed Friedrich and Franz Stefan assassinated Friedrich Wilhelm I with cigarettes?
“Sis, you absolutely must. Prince Franz and I are in the same boat now. True comrades never draw blades on each other. This burden is ours alone.”
“Right. We can’t burden our benefactor further—it’d be inhuman. Prince Franz, we’ll never utter your name, no matter what.”
I keep telling you, I never joined your cause.
The more we talked, the more my head throbbed.
Teresia... I miss you.