Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 048
Chapter Title: The Reversal of Marriage (3)
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"Little brother, there are a few things you absolutely must keep in mind if you're going to stay in Vienna."
Before entering the Hofburg Palace, the first thing I did was thoroughly rearm this guy's mind, which still hadn't fully shaken off its French influences.
"From now on, your name isn't Charles Alexandre—it's Karl Alexander. Lorraine is never 'Loraine,' and you can't call Duke Franz Eugen just 'Duke Eugène.' Got it?"
"Of course I do. You think I came here without memorizing that stuff?"
"Don't make me laugh. You were pronouncing people's names the French way just a bit ago. Others might get a pass, but we have to be extra careful since everyone assumes we're French-blooded from the start. One slip-up, and you're shipped back to Lorraine."
"Fine, fine. I, Karl Alexander, brother of Franz Stefan, swear to speak only German no matter what."
Yeah, if we nail the first impression, we're more than halfway there—so please, just get through the first day without a hitch.
Of course, despite my words, I wasn't seriously worried.
That was because, even in my past life, I remembered this guy being a master at managing his image.
"It's an honor to meet you, Archduchess Theresa. I'd heard the flowers of the Hofburg were especially beautiful, but it must be because of the sun that is Your Highness, making them bloom all the brighter."
"Oh my, the pleasure is mine. I've heard so much about you from Franz."
"Please, speak comfortably. As the one who will become my brother's wife, you're like an elder sister to me. Age doesn't matter."
"Franz, your brother is so charming."
"He's always been like that."
Hmm. His social skills are as astonishing as ever.
Theresa was helplessly swept up in Karl's barrage of flattery from their very first meeting.
You know those people who seem like completely different persons at home versus in public?
My proud little brother Karl was exactly that type.
A man more ambitious and career-driven than anyone, yet sweet and humorous the moment he stepped outside.
That's not why he managed to hold onto his position for so long despite getting skinned alive by Friedrich like a rat.
No matter how much Theresa or I wanted to protect him, he couldn't have kept his command of an army if his reputation among the nobles was trash.
He would've been sacked the instant they lost.
"Even if my brother seems like a man of great talent, every family knows their own flaws, don't they? I was worried, but seeing him with Your Highness Theresa puts my mind at ease."
"Really? Is that true?"
"Of course. To be specific—and I don't say this lightly—someone like my brother, who takes on so much, needs a stable and reliable wife. The moment I saw you, Theresa..."
It wasn't just Theresa who fell for his smooth talk.
Even Emperor Charles VI couldn't stop smiling during their first meal together with my brother.
"Ho, is that so? So you're saying you don't mind marrying into Brandenburg?"
"Yes. I judged it to be the path not just for my family, but for Austria and the Empire."
"Franz didn't put you up to this, did he?"
"No. In fact, brother said if I truly didn't want to marry, he'd stand by me no matter what. However, I, Karl Alexander, as the brother of Franz Stefan—who will become the son-in-law of the Habsburg court—how could I care only for my own safety?"
"Ha ha... Leopold raised his sons well. For brothers to think so deeply in unison."
Just moments ago, he'd been asking if Wilhelmina was pretty, and upon hearing she looked just like her portrait, he'd turned into a runaway locomotive with broken brakes.
Of course, on the surface, it was all for the good of the nation, and he firmly declared his resolve to lay the foundation for it.
Charles VI glanced at me as if to ask if it was okay, and I sighed, nodding.
"If that's my brother's will, I'll accept it as his elder. I'll make the Prussian match happen myself."
"Good. I've already spoken to the Privy Council as you asked, so it should be fine. Friedrich and Wilhelmina arrive in three days, so I'll leave their reception to you. Think you can handle it?"
Before I could respond, Karl shot his hand up and bellowed.
"I shall uphold Your Majesty's will! I, Karl Alexander, will devote myself to winning Princess Wilhelmina's heart! Rest easy, Your Majesty—believe in my brother and me!"
"How can brothers inspire such trust alike? Franz, with a brother like this in Vienna, your mind must be at ease. Do as you wish."
Yes, yes.
I'm grateful you find him reliable, but please don't lump me in with him.
It feels like I'm getting swept up in the wholesale discount.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Charles VI truly trusted me without reservation.
Friedrich and Wilhelmina arrived exactly three days later, and as the emperor said, entertaining them was entirely up to me.
What can I say—siblings who get along famously. Friedrich never left Wilhelmina's side for a moment.
Still, their reactions differed noticeably.
Wilhelmina looked a bit tense, her face slightly stiff, while Friedrich was just beaming without a care.
You're not the one getting married, so why are you more excited than the bride? Spend that energy cheering up your nervous sister.
Anyway, since we're not strangers and have no taboos left unsaid between us, maybe skip the awkward probing and get straight to the point.
To avoid awkwardness, a group dinner is the best icebreaker, right?
With that in mind, we held a small gathering with me, Theresa, Friedrich, and the two betrothed: Karl and Wilhelmina.
"It's a joy to finally meet you, Princess Wilhelmina. I'd heard you were beautiful, but in person, you're far more elegant than rumors suggest."
Theresa gently took Wilhelmina's hand and smiled brightly. Wilhelmina returned the honest praise with a smile of her own.
"Thank you, Archduchess Theresa. I'm the one surprised to see such a cute and lovely lady as Prince Franz's fiancée. You're already so pretty— I can't wait to see what stunning woman you'll become in a few years. Prince Franz will have every royal in Europe green with envy."
Taken aback by the flood of compliments, Theresa blushed but beamed with delight.
Hmm, yeah, I did earn some envy.
Not that it came without whispers that I'd thrown away pride and guts just to hide under a pretty wife's skirts—but that was just jealousy from losers, right?
"You're too kind—I don't know where to put myself. But with your beauty drawing everyone's envy, won't Karl be Europe's luckiest man?"
As the two women's endless praise battle raged on, Friedrich sidled up to Karl across the table, eyes sparkling.
"At last, I meet Prince Karl Alexander in person. As Prince Franz's brother, you're as handsome and dashing as expected."
—Karl Alexander is my most capable commander.
"Pfft!"
The guy who'd just been schooling his brother and rubbing it in now said that? I couldn't help but cough awkwardly.
Karl shot me a glare, thinking I was mocking his compliment, but I ignored him breezily.
Real brothers cringe at over-the-top praise like that, you idiot.
"No, no. I've heard from brother that you, Prince Friedrich, are the truly impressive one."
"Really? Prince Franz praised me? What exactly did he say..."
"...Pardon?"
"Was it about my looks, or my character..."
"Now, now, Friedrich. Calm down."
Wilhelmina smiled and patted his shoulder gently. He smacked his lips in disappointment.
"Sister, isn't it natural to want details when he said you praised me?"
"Being too eager is rude. Look, even Duke Karl seems startled."
"Haha... Ah, no. Prince Friedrich, you're surprisingly approachable. Hahaha!"
Friedrich hadn't meant it that way, but it naturally opened the door for Karl to chat with Wilhelmina.
Theresa seized the moment to engage Friedrich.
"I lost badly to you at chess last time, but I've been studying hard since. Would you play me again while you're in Vienna?"
"Of course. I'd welcome a chess match with you anytime. With all your practice, it'll be a thrilling contest this time."
Friedrich accepted her challenge with a relaxed smile.
Good thing they're both sensible—no taunts or mind games like before.
Please, no outrageous demands after the game.
Soon, the three of us subtly stepped back, leaving Karl and Wilhelmina to talk freely.
Seeing the two chatting and laughing in the warm atmosphere, Theresa smiled too.
"I hope those two work out."
"Me too. Sister would be happier away from Berlin."
"Oh? You're supporting your sister's marriage too, Prince?"
"Naturally. Once she marries, we'll all be family, won't we?"
Theresa glanced quietly at me after his words, oddly emphasizing "family," and whispered.
"Family... Franz, what color do you think our child's hair will be once we're married?"
"Our child...? Well, obviously."
For a moment, I froze, at a loss for words.
Not because talk of children was premature.
What I'd reflexively almost said was the hair color of our precious first daughter from my past life.
Elisabeth, who left for heaven at three, forever buried in my heart.
I still dimly remembered the eye colors, hair, and smiles of our children from that life.
But even if we had kids far in the future... things were so different now from then.
Friedrich, who was once our mortal enemy bent on killing us, now sincerely wanted to be family.
Theresa was as lovable as ever, but brighter, less stubborn, smiling more than in that life.
Of course, no matter how she grew, she was still Theresa—no issue there.
But... what about our children?
"Our child..."
Even if we married, I'd never see those children from my past life again.
I was afraid to accept it. No, I didn't want to accept it.
But the time to face that truth was slowly approaching—I could sense it.
"Franz? Why the long face...? Oh, right, of course this is way in the future. Five years? No, ten? We're not even married yet..."
She must've read it on my face and panicked, adding hastily.
I shook my head, forcing a smile.
"No, just got lost in thought for a second. Like you said, it's far-off talk. Don't worry about it."
"Ah, got it. I thought I'd weirded you out."
She sighed in relief, seemingly buying it.
Suddenly, Karl's boisterous laughter with Friedrich drifted over—they'd rejoined us.
"The Empire's future will be led by Habsburg! Lorraine! And Hohenzollern together! Let's stand at the forefront!"
"Your brother truly gets it. Lorraine and Hohenzollern are family now—family! To the union of our three houses!"
"To the union!"
To the hearty family pledge from two men who'd never have mixed otherwise, I quietly raised my glass in response.
The wine rippled softly in it.
In those tiny red waves flickered small laughs that once swirled around me, soft hair, and tiny hands I'd never let go.
Even far in the future—or in yet another new life—these memories would never release me.
So our children weren't buried and gone with time.
From the moment they were born, they were etched into this heart.
Until now, and forevermore.