Dawn Duties and the Gunshot in the Square
At 5 a.m., in the Palace of Saint-Cloud, Königseck had finished all her preparations and greeted the morning. Breakfast should be light. She needed to double-check if the kitchen steward had properly noted the instructions the Empress had given the night before.
At exactly 6 o'clock, as she opened the kitchen door, the aroma of freshly baked bread wafted out, and the chef bowed his head. Königseck glanced over the tray and nodded in satisfaction. She headed to the end of the corridor where the Empress's bedroom was located.
"How is Her Majesty?" she asked Hunyadi, who was waiting by the door.
"She was coughing."
"How is her condition?"
"The same as usual. Though she retired late last night."
Königseck sat on the sofa in the antechamber and opened her notebook.
Today's official procession: Enter the exhibition hall from the central gate of Champ de Mars with Russian Empress Maria Alexandrovna and tour it. Morning courtesy calls: Otto of Bavaria, the Prince and Princess of Wales. Dress: Milanese silk, jewelry: Hungarian enamel and pearl set. Since it's a public event, subtly emphasize Her Majesty's affection for Hungary. Convey to Her Majesty when Bismarck and Crown Prince Friedrich are absent.
Even though Hunyadi said she was fine, the longer the procession lasted, the more she needed to scout rest areas in advance at the exhibition grounds. There was a small gazebo behind the Egyptian pavilion near the central gallery of Champ de Mars. Requesting it from the French side should be unproblematic.
Königseck closed her notebook and looked at Hunyadi.
"Good. Next item."
Moments later, the kitchen steward approached quietly and bowed.
"Breakfast is ready. Honey in her favorite herbal tea—one spoonful—milk warmed just right. The French chef tried to add too much sugar, but I stopped him."
Königseck merely nodded.
"Well done. Next."
"The Hungarian ribbon set is prepared."
"No, she'll go with garnet earrings and jade necklace for Hungary. She prefers ivory for the dress."
Ting-a-ling, ting-a-ling, ting-a-ling—the bell rang in the antechamber, and the maids immediately stopped what they were doing and entered the Empress's room.
"Your Majesty, were you coughing?"
"Yes, good morning."
Wearing a light silk robe, her hair still down. The Empress turned slowly and smiled.
"Let's hurry today. It's an event day."
First, Pani stepped forward, lightly misted the Empress's hair, and began styling it.
"Keep it light today. Curl the ends just a bit to match the Hungarian enamel set and create some volume."
Many maids still mourned the Empress's shortened hair. The Milanese nobles' faces back then are unforgettable. Even the noblewomen who stirred nationalism had teared up at news of the Empress's hair going to auction and felt compelled to auction theirs too. Though the value was worlds apart. Rumors occasionally surfaced that Rossi's drawing room 'treasured' a lock of the Empress's hair.
After an hour of hair styling, the Empress closed her English grammar book and stood.
"Lace it tight today. Make my waist look twice as slim as the Russian Empress's."
Her voice was calm, but the competitive edge within it was felt by all the maids. Russian Empress Maria Alexandrovna would stand side by side with Her Majesty during today's procession. The maids, not to be outdone, began tightening the corset.
Her Majesty's victory is our pride.
Once the dress was on, they checked each piece of jewelry against the mirror.
"That one's too bold."
"It's perfect for a Montmartre welcome."
"Young debutantes in society would adore this style."
After donning the last accessory, they checked the dress folds and finished up. Königseck confirmed the outfit and then went to meet the Russian chief lady-in-waiting during the greeting time.
"I have changes to relay."
"Changes?"
"Her Majesty will wear the jade necklace instead of the pearl one for today's procession."
"Understood."
They had yielded the seat of honor on the right in exchange for control over the dress code. Conversely, at banquets, when they sat in the seat of honor, the Russians dictated the dress code.
Returning to the antechamber without a moment's rest, Königseck received a summons.
"Her Majesty calls for you."
Standing before the mirror, checking for any flaws, she positioned herself in front of the Empress again.
"Königseck, which pose looks better?"
The Empress struck several poses and asked.
"Tilting slightly to the left is more elegant, Your Majesty."
"Rest your hand lightly on your lower abdomen rather than your waist for a more graceful line."
"Half-open the fan like this to highlight your delicate wrists."
The Empress nodded slightly, pleased.
"Good, we'll go with this."
The maids gave the dress folds and jewelry positions a final check, spritzed perfume once more, and completed the procession preparations. Then came the moment the maids anticipated most.
"My Empress, you're beautiful today as well."
"Thank you."
Rumors of the two Majesties' exceptional harmony had already spread throughout the Empire. They seem even closer lately... Unlike the married Königseck, most maids were unmarried, and the couple's love sometimes made them forget their duties.
"...How fares Countess Königseck?"
Count Grüne approached quietly and asked.
"Ministry of Finance matters?"
"A petition has arisen regarding the investment Her Majesty made."
"What are the details?"
"From peasants, and suspicions of speculation."
Königseck made a note. Ask about the Galicia-Lodomeria tour plans.Nobles again. She chuckled inwardly. More than speculation suspicions, the Empress would likely care more about the peasants.
"Schlacht remains unchanged."
As if they'd already forgotten the massacres inflicted on the peasants. Had the Hungarian compromise not collapsed, they had planned an eastern tour after the Paris Exhibition.
Watching the two board their carriage, Königseck climbed into the one following directly behind with Grüne.
"Why is Her Majesty so interested in black oil?"
"Who knows... I don't either."
A lady-in-waiting's virtue lay in executing what, when, and how precisely; she must not speculate on the Empress's political intentions or interpret policy meanings.
"Not for beauty treatments, I hope?"
"No, Her Majesty does not use petroleum for beauty."
"Lately, nobles at spas are drinking petroleum."
That was the point.
"Not for beauty. Her Majesty wouldn't use just any cosmetic."
I calmed my startled heart and signaled to Königseck that I was fine. The shots, aimed at Alexander or Joseph—who could say?—had mercifully missed.
"Who was the culprit?"
"Only that he's Polish."
The answer from a nearby guardsman was Poland.
"Empress Maria, what do you think the Tsar will do?"
Joseph would surely proceed with the event as if nothing happened. She glanced at the three emperors conversing in the distance and replied.
"I think he'll carry on as if nothing occurred."
As expected. They quickly reformed the procession and set off.
"Is the Crown Prince alright?"
"He has the Tsar's qualities, so he'll be fine."
...Am I the odd one? If Rudolf had been with us, I couldn't have brushed it off so indifferently...
We maintained composed expressions and waved to the crowd. The imperial family must not show fear.
France's future looks bleak anyway. Either Russia or Austria needs to check Prussia together, yet here in France, an exiled 'Pole' attempts assassination on the carriages carrying both.
Some things just aren't meant to be.
Conversely, Prussia couldn't ask for better luck.
"I hear you're close with the King of Bavaria."
"He's kind and gentle."
Ludwig, you sinful man.
"If you visit Bavaria next, leave word."
We have to save southern Germany, even if northern is tough. It's time to shake off the grudges from Nicholas I's era. We pulled them from the Crimean War quagmire, after all.
Maria merely gazed at me silently with eyes tinged in strange sorrow, offering no ready reply.