Paris Exposition: Corsets, Lights, and Diplomatic Dances
"It would have been nice if the kids had come along too."
Our train jolted into motion, heading toward Paris.
"It's been ages since we've traveled alone together."
"The children are still so young."
"I was doing military training at their age."
This jealous guy over the kids—is he really a thirty-something emperor? He didn't seem all that different from when we first met.
"You're a battlefield soldier type, while Rudolf feels more like a staff officer. Gisela hates going out unless it's horseback riding... and Sophie will just bury herself in books as usual."
"The children take after you."
"Me?"
"They don't like outdoor activities."
"Hmm, if anything, they seem more like you to me."
In my view, I enjoyed indoor pursuits, and the book-reading was something Rudolf got straight from Joseph.
I leaned my head lightly on Joseph's shoulder and gazed out the window.
"We'll be there soon."
The train came to a stop, and we switched to a carriage. Paris buzzed with the excitement of the exposition, the whole city alive with energy.
"They say Baron Haussmann tore the city apart and rebuilt it—not an exaggeration."
"It's so different from last time."
Back then, construction had been in full swing, dust everywhere. Now it looked remarkably like twenty-first-century Paris.
'Minus the Eiffel Tower.'
"I still find the Ringstrasse more charming."
Joseph's shoulders straightened at my praise. He must really love hearing that. I smiled inwardly at the sight.
And finally, as the carriage entered the Champ de Mars...
"They've built a Gaston."
"Doesn't it look like the Colosseum?"
We offered our differing impressions.
"...It does resemble the Colosseum."
Joseph was trying to match my mood for the official events, so I had to play along.
With resolve, I stood before the Tuileries Palace. I stepped down from the carriage on Joseph's escorting arm after he alighted first.
"There are quite a few guards."
More than at the last Paris Conference.
"Napoleon wants to show off."
No army had a reputation like the Imperial Guard.
"But even that Guard fell to us."
Joseph couldn't hide his pride, recalling how the Austrian Imperial Army had held firm for over twenty-five years during the Napoleonic Wars.
"Why do you love the military so much?"
"Well, maybe because it's the one thing I'm any good at."
Joseph glanced at me and added softly,
"...Choosing you was my own decision."
Was he embarrassed? He avoided my eyes.
Sudden sweet talk like that...
"Guess we really are in France."
Who knew such cheesy lines could come from Joseph's mouth? The French air must be getting to him.
A footman guided us to our rooms.
'Fancier than before.'
"I'll return when it's time for dinner."
Once the footman vanished, I finally relaxed and let out a deep breath. I already wanted to go home.
Right side for Joseph's bedroom, left for mine, it seemed.
"I'll just change and be right out."
I returned to my room, where the maids helped me change.
"When will this fashion trend end?"
"You still look beautiful, Your Majesty."
Hunyadi was trying to cheer me up. Corsets and crinolines—the fashions I hated—felt so uncomfortable. But better than the dinner gown? That one was completely off-the-shoulder, with a bit of cleavage showing...
"Hunyadi, loosen the corset a little."
It was hard to breathe. As the maids eased the laces, I slowly inhaled and exhaled.
"That's better. Not so suffocating now."
Back in the sitting room, Joseph was waiting, already changed.
"...?"
He fidgeted with his cuffs as I stared silently.
"Do I look strange?"
Yeah... really.
Where was his usual uniform? In a frock coat, he looked like any upper-class gentleman—totally different. The man who insisted on military shirts even for bed, in a frock coat? Unbelievable.
"It suits you."
Even accounting for the frock coat being military formalwear, it felt oddly unfamiliar.
"...You look a bit strange too."
"It's the new bustle style trending in Paris lately."
I sidled up to Joseph and slipped my hand through his arm.
"At least the skirt doesn't catch when I'm beside you."
"True, but... the front is so flat, it looks like you're half-dressed."
The conservative emperor found the drastic silhouette change awkward.
"Get used to it. Parisian women dress even more outrageously."
But Joseph's hand kept wandering to my waist.
"Joseph?"
"...No sword means I don't know where to put my hands."
Ah, that habit.
A lifetime in uniform had made it second nature to thumb his saber hilt with his left hand.
"Just hold my hand tight. I'll be your sword."
"That blade's too sharp—I might get cut."
Joseph chuckled and patted the back of my hand. He'd gotten better at joking.
The Tuileries Palace banquet hall lived up to France's nickname, the Empire of Light—a dazzling pinnacle of splendor.
Hundreds of chandeliers cast their glow, reflecting off jewels and gold-embroidered gowns until my eyes ached.
"Oh, Meine Liebe! Elisabeth!"
From afar approached Empress Eugénie, dressed like a flamboyant peacock.
My guess had been spot on.
Her gown's rear decoration was twice as voluminous as mine—like a peacock with tail feathers fully spread.
"Long time no see, ma chérie."
Eugénie lightly kissed my cheeks and smiled.
"I'm thrilled you've come to Paris. Emperor Joseph looks as dashing as ever?"
"Long time no see, Empress Eugénie."
Eugénie approached Joseph naturally, but he stepped back with a polite bow. In response, she extended her hand instead. Watching, Napoleon approached and shook Joseph's hand.
"Cousin, thank you for gracing us."
"Thank you for the invitation. Paris is as beautiful as ever. This exposition especially seems a fine chance to showcase the Empire's strength. I hope this gathering of France and Austria strengthens the bonds between our nations."
Napoleon smiled with satisfaction.
"Nothing more I could ask. I look forward to deeper talks over dinner tonight."
'Like they're reading from a script.'
Probably because of the eyes on them from Crown Prince Frederick and Bismarck over there.
It felt like every royal house in Europe was gathered: Russia, Prussia, the Ottomans and Egypt, Sweden, Denmark, Portugal, Spain, Sardinia, and...
"Sissi, nice to see you."
"Long time, Bertie."
England too. I noted Joseph's face stiffen at our nicknames, but that wasn't the priority now. We needed to show Prussia that England wouldn't unconditionally back German unification.
"Have you greeted the Crown Princess of Prussia?"
Bertie glanced at Bismarck before speaking.
"She couldn't make it—said she wasn't feeling well."
As if. More likely retaliation for her harsh criticism of Bismarck.
'Not so different from our family's future.'
"Please wait a moment. I'll fetch my wife for introductions."
After Bertie left, Crown Prince Frederick eyed us oddly.
Just a year younger than Joseph—one a burdened emperor, the other wracked by conflicts with his father and wife troubles.
I hid my mouth with my fan and whispered to Joseph,
"Keep an eye on Prussia. Just suppressing them by force leads to messes like that."
Our family's future was right there.
Usually just rumors, but here I could see it firsthand.
"Makes me envy Rudolf."
I pinched his arm lightly. What was with him today? Midlife crisis in his thirties?
"You weren't like this before."
"I've always been like this."
"If Mother and I fell in the water, who would you save first?"
"...What were the footmen and guards doing while you two were drowning?"
Classic Joseph. I'd half-expected him to waver.
He had work to do, so I sent him off.
"Go on."
Sipping champagne and heading to my usual corner, I saw Frederick approach with an uncomfortable expression for greetings.
"Pleased to meet you, Your Majesty."
"Glad to see you're well, Crown Prince."
He didn't seem here by choice, but time to make introductions.
"This is our kingdom's chancellor, Otto von Bismarck."
A giant of a man, over 190 cm. First time conversing in person.
"Pleased to meet you, Otto von Bismarck."
"An honor to meet you, Your Majesty."
So why approach me instead of Joseph? We weren't exactly chummy.
Bismarck stared straight at me with piercing eyes.
Worth enduring the high heels. Otherwise, I'd be looking up at him.
"Crown Prince Frederick, your chancellor exudes such vigor. The atmosphere here shifts from the softness of a waltz to the march of solemnity."
Before eyes turned to us, I needed to defuse things quick.