Outbreak of War: Joseph Stands at the Crossroads
Franz Joseph stood at a crossroads.
The path of war, or the path without it.
If he chose no war, the notion that "Austria is no longer the center of Germany" would gradually take hold.
That was why Vienna's liberals were clamoring that they must seize leadership of the German Confederation, even if it meant war.
'We've been catering to the tastes of the grand nobles until now.'
It was time to direct the liberals' fury somewhere.
Vienna's liberals had been flooding the newspapers daily with condemnations of Prussia over the Schleswig issue.
They scorned Bismarck as a barbarian who ignored the assembly.
Moreover, if war broke out, it could elevate Germany's internal issues to an international one.
That would heighten the chances of intervention from France and Russia, whose interests aligned closely.
'I need Ludwig to have a good talk with them in Russia.'
He had dispatched the devout and conservative Ludwig II on a condolence visit to Russia.
There was no guarantee of victory in war.
Rail mobilization, general staff organization, Dreyse supply capabilities.
Reports from the military kept confirming that Prussia's military system already surpassed Austria's.
"Your Majesty, General Benedek has arrived."
"Send him in."
Franz Joseph said to Benedek.
"Go to Lombardy."
Benedek had been inwardly fretting that he might be ordered north to Bohemia. The terrain there was unfamiliar, and the Prussians were a tough foe.
"Understood."
"I'm assigning you as commander-in-chief of the Southern Army."
"It is an honor, Your Majesty."
Franz Joseph decided to entrust Italy to Benedek.
The Lion of Solferino's reputation and the taxes that would vanish the moment Lombardy was lost mattered more.
Next came the Northern Army.
Unlike the south, this was a position to shoulder the blame for defeat.
Too risky to send Archduke Albrecht, who was imperial royalty.
"Hmm."
Franz Joseph sank into deep thought.
'Alfred von Henikstein, Heinrich von Hess, Ludwig von Gablenz, Chrzanowski, Ernst von Clam-Gallas...'
Franz Joseph shook his head.
'That's why I wanted to send Benedek north.'
He needed someone of decent caliber to buy time, yet whose prestige wouldn't make blaming them for defeat burdensome.
"Summon Albrecht."
The door opened, and Archduke Albrecht entered.
"Your Majesty."
Archduke Albrecht gave a crisp salute upon entering.
"I've sent Benedek south."
"A wise decision. He's familiar with Italian geography and enjoys the troops' deep trust."
Albrecht nodded as if it were obvious.
As field marshal of the empire, he knew Benedek's limitations all too well.
"Then whom do you plan to assign to the north?"
Franz Joseph slid the list of generals across the desk toward Albrecht.
"I'd like your opinion."
Albrecht reviewed the names one by one.
"Hess... he's too old now. Incapable of field command."
Franz Joseph answered with silence.
"Henikstein is diligent, but too slow to decide. Gablenz's reports say it could be fatal."
Albrecht pointed to the next.
"Gablenz... brave, but the blame would fall squarely on him in defeat."
"Isn't bravery a virtue in war?"
Albrecht grasped Franz Joseph's intent.
"He's Saxon. Even if the commander is brave, the troops won't follow. Besides... he's not yet ready for commander-in-chief."
"Next."
"Clam-Gallas has the prestige. The nobility would accept the name."
A man unable to prevent defeat, but suitable to bear its responsibility.
"Honest of you."
"The north demands honesty."
Albrecht neatly rearranged the list and set it back on the desk.
"What Your Majesty wants is someone to buy time, isn't it?"
"If it were you."
Albrecht didn't answer immediately.
That brief hesitation was answer enough.
"If I go, it becomes a matter for the House of Habsburg."
"That's why I'm asking."
"Which is why I mustn't go."
Franz Joseph gazed at the list for a moment, then slowly nodded.
"Yes. You're right. To buy time, the House must remain until the end."
"...Yes, Your Majesty."
"The north is a position we can afford to lose. I won't forget that, and you mustn't either."
"That's why I'm here."
Albrecht indicated Prague.
A position to stand by as firefighter in case Clam-Gallas collapsed too quickly.
"I'll send the appointment later."
Albrecht saluted and departed.
Franz Joseph double-checked the name at the top of the list: Ernst von Clam-Gallas.
Then he instructed Grüne to deliver the paper.
"Submit it as a petition."
"...Thank you, Joseph."
I hugged the Louis Vuitton bag and looked at Joseph.
"That pleasing, is it?"
"Of course!"
I lifted the bag once more and said.
Look at this!
Admire the sleek, flat body.
Perfect for stacking in a carriage. Old trunks would always roll around when piled up.
"Less bulk, but holds more."
Joseph glanced down at the bag briefly.
"So thrilled over one bag."
"You say that because you've never packed."
I snorted and continued my pitch.
"Do you know how the maids suffer dragging six trunks each time?"
Now it's nearly halved.
"And the rumors will die down too."
My reason for heading to Italy is simple.
It's a signal that there's no war for now.
To the citizens, it's proof that with the empress away from Vienna, the world still turns as usual.
"I'll just check Italian sentiments and come right back."
Sending Archduke Karl Ludwig to Russia as a condolence envoy for the crown prince was the same.
Nothing signals diplomatic de-escalation like a member of the imperial family on the move.
"Travel safely."
"I'll write often."
"Your Majesty, we've arrived in Verona."
"Already?"
I must've slept deeply during that short stop on departure.
Verona is a strategic hub linking Lombardy-Venetia and the Alps.
'The nobles haven't changed.'
The citizens cheered me fervently, but not the nobles.
As the carriage turned along the Adige River, a red-brick fortress filled my view.
"Beautiful."
Castelvecchio.
One of Verona's oldest fortresses.
While unloading, I slowly surveyed the castle interior.
"Today's schedule?"
"Official audiences postponed to tomorrow. Today is rest and informal visits only."
I stood by the window, looking down at the castle grounds.
Citizens still lingered outside.
Some waved, others made the sign of the cross.
"Königseck, look over there."
In the distance, nobles and clergy were locked in a staring contest.
Italy's nobles were in a bind.
Sardinia cloaked it in unification rhetoric, but to the common folk, they were invaders of the Papal States.
With even the bourgeoisie turning from the court, popular uprisings seemed unlikely.
Lost in thought gazing out, a voice came.
"Your Imperial Majesty."
"Marie!"
My sister had arrived.
Marie glanced around.
"Sister, you said Milan."
"Plans changed a bit."
I'd aimed for Milan originally, but with Archduke Albrecht away in Vienna and war risks, better safe.
If Sardinia crossed the river in a surprise attack, I'd be captured.
"So, do I have a job?"
I shook my head.
"No, just stay here."
"Just stay?"
"Yeah."
In southern Italy, my sister held more symbolic weight than I did.
"You're the hero of Gaeta."
Icon of resistance against Sardinian invasion.
Her mere presence here would keep Sardinia on edge.
"So, what exactly?"
"Stay here."
"How long?"
"Long enough for Sardinia to notice."
Marie nodded.
"Banquet?"
"None."
"Official statement?"
"None."
"Not even to Milan?"
"Nope."
Marie let out a short sigh.
"No need to provoke them needlessly, Marie."
"I know... it's just frustrating."
"You can receive the nobles."
"Really?"
"But make no promises."
Marie nodded.
"No promises?"
"Right. On things like whether Austria plans to restore the Two Sicilies, just say you don't know."
"Don't know?"
"Yeah. Joseph's made no decisions yet."
"Then why send me here?"
"Because I need you."
"If Austria beats Sardinia?"
"It'll crumble on its own. Enclave territory."
Marie sighed again.
"During war, I've done riskier things than this."
"I know."
"But this feels different."
"You're a queen."
Being hailed a hero as queen, not king—odd, right?
"Everyone has their place. I'm not on the front lines because I can't shoot, not because I won't."
"You've changed, sister."
"Spend a month in Hofburg, and you'll see."
"That's why you call me Marie?"
"Sophie's a bit much now."
"You have Spatz for that."
"Gave that to our firstborn daughter."
"Can't argue with nieces."
"Where's the king?"
No way she came alone?
"Stayed in Rome."
"That man only knows prayer?"
"Yeah. His stubbornness."
Marie nodded and added.
"God hasn't decided yet, he says."
God'll feed us, huh.
"Joseph's not that devout."
"Francesco will probably pray his life away. He believes serving the Eucharist with His Holiness in Rome matters more than reclaiming the Two Sicilies."
Deep faith isn't a sin, but...
"Hard to believe he's a king."
I turned to the window.
Verona, Peschiera, Legnago, Mantua. The so-called Quadrilateral, Austria's core defense line in Italy.
"Sister, will war really come?"
"Bismarck wants it."
"Some mere Junker?"
"Not mere— he's prime minister."
"Still a Junker."
"I don't get why everyone dismisses him as ordinary Junker."
Never asked others, but Marie's my sister.
"You know how those Junkers end. Rough talk, dirty hands. Nobles will kick him out eventually."
That's why the underestimation.
Not wrong. Ignores assembly, spends budgets unchecked, crude speech...
But we'll end up dancing to his tune.
Back when we were doing charity in Italy.
Austria had ascended to its first proving ground.