The Fourth Mother-in-Law War...?
...I woke up only when the sun was high in the sky, thanks to all the morning commotion.
“Esterházy.”
“Her Ladyship is preparing for Crown Prince Rudolf's lessons.”
Oh, right...
So who's going to handle things for me now?
You are.
“Königseck.”
Esterházy's role wasn't just that of a chief lady-in-waiting attending to my needs. It was a position that combined secretary-general, protocol officer, security chief, and personnel manager—all rolled into one, shadowing my every move.
“What's on the morning schedule?”
“The 9 a.m. audience with the Hungarian delegation has been postponed to tomorrow morning, citing His Majesty's poor health.”
Good—I've kicked the biggest headache down the road to tomorrow.
“The 10 a.m. tea time with the diplomatic envoys' wives was hosted by the Lichtenstein Archduchess in your stead. I emphasized that Your Majesty is exhausted from nursing Crown Prince Rudolf.”
Important stuff.
She's got even more of a political bent than Esterházy.
“And the afternoon?”
“Over twenty official requests have been logged. Many are just curious noblewomen poking around.”
“Turn them all down.”
“Understood. But these two were hard for me to refuse outright.”
Königseck showed me the list.
“The Archduchess sent messengers three times this morning alone.”
“Really?”
It's a miracle she hasn't stormed in yet.
“Archduke Rainer wishes to inquire about His Majesty's intentions regarding Count Gondrecourt's court-martial. There's unusual unrest in the military.”
Hmm.
I got out of bed and stretched.
“Prepare the dress Franz Joseph gave me, and the diamond star.”
While the maids pinned the diamond star into my hair, I locked eyes with my reflection in the mirror.
“Tell Archduke Rainer that I'm more interested in loyalty than honors.”
“Understood.”
“And for the Archduchess, say I'll come see her personally.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Finally, where's Rudolf right now?”
“In audience with His Imperial Majesty.”
...With Franz Joseph?
He might be a good husband—at least sometimes—but I'm certain he's not a good father.
Though he does have a bit of a soft spot for his daughters.
“Hurry up and get me ready.”
I rushed through my preparations and arrived at Franz Joseph's office.
Today's look was straight out of Winterhalter's portrait—exact replica.
Hearing voices from beyond the door, I signaled the footman not to open it.
“Are your ears alright?”
It sounded like Rudolf replying, but faintly.
“Didn't the Empress fire a gun right next to your ear? No ringing or anything?”
What the hell? Why does it feel like the arrows are pointing back at me? And when did I ever shoot a gun next to his ear...?
“A man can't go through life so spineless. Look at your late grandfather—didn't he always demand his Marillenknödel no matter what anyone said?”
Is that what makes a man?
Don't most people see that as incompetence...?
One could interpret it as the dignity of an emperor who bends rules to his will, I suppose...
“You're the Crown Prince. You'll inherit my throne and become Emperor. How can you not stand up to someone who breaks the rules?”
“Are you expecting a seven-year-old to yell at a lunatic waving a gun around?”
I couldn't listen anymore and threw open the door.
“M-Mommy!”
Rudolf leaped off the bed like he'd seen his savior and clung to my skirts.
Franz Joseph flinched visibly at my sudden entrance.
“And Grandfather's dumpling obsession wasn't dignity—it was stubbornness. Kids shouldn't learn to throw tantrums.”
I stroked Rudolf's hair and met Franz Joseph's gaze.
“Your Majesty, punishing rule-breakers is the Emperor's duty, not the victim's. Don't push the responsibility onto the child.”
“It wasn't pushing—it was teaching him authority.”
“Authority comes from the belief of being protected. Once a child knows his father has his back, then he can stand tall and trust him.”
I looked into Rudolf's eyes.
“Rudolf, what did you think when Daddy burst through the door yesterday?”
“...He was cool.”
“Why?”
“He looked strong...”
“Ahem.”
Franz Joseph cleared his throat awkwardly, struggling to maintain a stern expression.
Acting all embarrassed.
I planted a light kiss on Rudolf's cheek.
“Rudolf, stay and talk with Daddy a bit more. Mommy's going to see Grandma.”
“My mother, you mean?”
Franz Joseph eyed me with concern.
“Don't worry. She'll understand.”
I didn't raid the scene at dawn for nothing.
“Sissi.”
He called after me as I turned to leave.
“What?”
“You'll come back, right?”
“Huh? Here?”
Why would I come to his office?
I've got a packed day.
“No, to the Leopold Wing.”
He doesn't like sleeping alone, huh.
“I solved this mess, didn't I?”
“...Very well.”
Rudolf's adoring gaze had just turned ice-cold.
All that talk about manhood moments ago.
Is the family head's dignity supposed to crumble like this?
To rub it in a little more, I headed straight to my mother-in-law without leaving any room for excuses.
A few nobles gave me odd looks, but I've got the magic words: Wittelsbach.
“Empress, I've heard the story.”
She didn't seem that angry.
“I was just on my way to confession and stumbled on the scene.”
“You?”
She set her teacup down with a sharp clink.
Is it that weird for me to go to confession?
“Most people would think the Empress has finally found some piety.”
“To me, it sounds like the Hungarians submitting to the Emperor.”
She'd been thinking that deeply about it?
“That's how miraculous it was. God showed me the way.”
“It really doesn't suit you. You're not like your sister—you take after me.”
Aunt Auguste and I are more alike, aren't we? She's so kind.
“Me, like you, Mother?”
I didn't hide my grimace.
“Tsk, jumping to conclusions again. Enough of that. Was assigning Esterházy your idea?”
“She's the most protocol-perfect person I've seen.”
“Good call. She'd just wither away alone in that apartment otherwise.”
Mother-in-law doesn't want her friend lonely, it seems.
“...Aren't you going to say anything about the court-martial for Gondrecourt?”
“Court-martial? I would've shot him on the spot. Toying with a 'feeble' Crown Prince from above?”
That's not the reaction I expected.
I figured she'd hate it since I drove him out.
“Strictness and contempt are different. The Crown Prince might flinch at gunfire, but some two-bit count lording over his head? That's treason. He forgot his place.”
Ah... so that's why she says I'm like her.
That ruthless streak when someone touches her kids or the family.
“You fired blanks, they say? Next time, load real bullets. That'll keep the rats in line.”
How the hell did that rumor spread...?
“It was already loaded.”
I just worked the bolt and pulled the trigger.
“...Vicious one.”
I'm not that vicious to hear it from you, Mother.
I swallowed the words rising in my throat.
“One last thing I must ask.”
“What now?”
Damn, slipped out snarky again.
“Return to the Kaiserin Apartment. Franz takes after his father—he hates sleeping alone.”
“He slept fine.”
Even drooled coffee grounds on his pillow.
“You...! Always one extra jab.”
“...I'll try.”
At my curt reply, she showed me an invitation.
“What's this?”
No way she's sending me to another salon.
“Can't you tell? A salon invitation.”
She clicked her tongue once.
“One you'll like.”
“Unless it's a hunting tournament, salons aren't my thing.”
“It's billiards. Physical enough for you.”
Billiards is physical, technically...
“What if I embarrass myself?”
I used to play, but this body's got no experience.
“Blame me and Esterházy for raising you that way.”
“My parents raised me.”
“Can't you just say 'Yes, ma'am' without the backtalk?”
“Conviction is essential for an Empress.”
“Who the hell do Sophie and Rudolf take after...?”
“Mother.”
“What?”
“You know it's only Franz Joseph for me, right?”
Just in case—I'm not cheating.
“You little—!”
She downed the cold water her lady-in-waiting handed her in one gulp.
“You'll be the death of me.”
...You'll probably outlive me because of the stress I cause.
In the Empire, only two groups badmouth mother-in-law: Hungarians or the Empress.
“So, you chased that fool out—who's next? You can't think Esterházy alone will do it.”
Esterházy was partly an excuse to plant my own person there comfortably.
“Major General Franz von John.”
“John? You mean Archduke Albrecht's chief of staff?”
“Commoner or not, he's conservative and rose that high on merit.”
“You're serious?”
“Dead serious. That's why Esterházy's there too— she'll cover any protocol gaps.”
“We'll see. Not sure Franz will stomach a no-name soldier.”
As she said, a commoner general taking the role is unlikely.
Franz Joseph actually likes competent soldiers, so it might score points.
The problem? With Prussia war prep looming, poaching Albrecht's chief of staff is absurd.
“I'll talk to Franz Joseph about it.”
In the end, nitpick flaws all you want, and he'll be the only one left standing.