Three Deaths
Rudolf does get too emotional, you're right.
What am I supposed to do about it?
The subjects want an emperor like Joseph right now—not an emotional one like Rudolf.
"Is that all you wanted to say?"
"It'll be easier for you if he stays put."
"You're worried about Rudolf, then."
Was I that obvious?
"If that were the case, you shouldn't have stopped it in the first place."
"Then the boy really would've died."
"I've heard you've been making a lot of donations to asylums lately."
"It's psychology."
I don't get why she keeps equating psychology with asylums.
The moment I realized Rudolf's mood swings were too severe, I invested in psychology.
"Do you think the crown prince can become a good emperor?"
"Who knows. I just hope he can become one who comforts his subjects."
I have no intention of denying Joseph's absolutism.
"Right now, the philosophy you taught him is correct. I don't deny that."
...What will she say to that?
Mother just stared at me in silence.
"The empire can't take the same path as Britain or France."
The empire has barely survived the Hungarian Revolution, the Italian uprisings, and the Bohemian revolt.
Any radical reforms now would lead straight to dissolution.
Joseph's genius lies in balancing power. The problem is he's only using it to maintain the status quo.
"Rudolf will sit on the throne someday. Things will be different then."
If my predictions hold, Rudolf will become emperor after the Great War.
After the Great War, subjects will inevitably become citizens.
Joseph, emperor of the subjects. Rudolf, emperor of the citizens.
"Tell me what you want for Franz."
"Joseph...?"
Didn't we just spend the whole conversation talking about Rudolf?
"Yes, what would you have me tell the emperor."
"Nothing."
Joseph is already pushing reforms within the limits he's judged safe.
He's promoting industry, reforming the military, expanding public education...
Prussia just put a temporary brake on it.
"I can't bring myself to ask more of Joseph when he's already shouldering so much."
"The emperor means he'll help you build the empire you want."
"I'm already satisfied with the freedom I've gained in my own chambers."
If I'd craved more, I wouldn't have the leisure to sit here chatting intimately with Mother like this.
"It's good you have no greed. Though a lack of it might be the scariest thing of all."
Mother set down her empty teacup, signaling she wanted no more conversation.
"Now I finally understand completely why Franz chose you."
I'd suspected as much, but hearing it straight from her felt different.
I was rising to leave when—
"Your Majesty, a letter has arrived from Bavaria."
From Bavaria?
I paused, puzzled, and picked up the letter from the silver tray the footman offered.
From my family in Possenhofen? Or from Ludwig II in Munich?
But the moment I saw the seal on the envelope, a chill ran down my spine.
This crest belongs to the Thurn und Taxis family.
Where my sister Helene had married. I'd barely smoothed over the resentment by passing on Joseph's permission in her stead.
Normally, Nene would've written it herself, but this was an unfamiliar hand. Neat, but with traces of hasty dictation.
I carefully tore open the envelope.
With profound grief, I inform Your Majesty the Empress. The Hereditary Prince of Thurn und Taxis, Maximilian Anton Lamoral, has returned to the Lord's embrace.
"What news has you so shaken?"
Ah.
"...Sad tidings from Regensburg."
"Karl already...? So soon."
"No."
"...You're talking about Nene's husband."
I nodded in lieu of words.
My sister was now a widow.
I'd thought she'd finally found happiness after the hurt from my marriage to Joseph, but to lose her husband in under ten years...
"Don't go in person. It won't be too late after the funeral."
"Yes, I suppose. Being empress and all."
I replied with a bite of sarcasm.
It's all because of imperial protocol and politics.
"If you, the empress, go, it becomes a state funeral."
I know. That's why it pisses me off.
"Visit unofficially after the funeral, once Nene has composed herself. It'll be better for both you and Helene."
She repeated it, so it must be that important.
"...Thank you for the advice."
Back in my room, I leaned against the sofa.
"Everyone out."
I dismissed all the maids and stayed alone.
Helene was doing well, though.
That's what I'd heard when I checked. So I'd congratulated her sincerely.
Nene wasn't in the Number Opera either.
Maria von Wittelsbach, queen of the fallen Two Sicilies.
Maximilian von Habsburg, emperor of Mexico, shot dead.
Ludwig von Wittelsbach, drowned in a lake only knee-deep.
Duchess of Alençon Sophie, lost to flames.
Mother of Belaria.
...And finally, Rudolf of the Mayerling Waltz.
"What am I supposed to do...?"
What's the point if the empire succeeds but everyone around me is miserable?
Look at Archduke Albrecht, the war hero.
This month, his daughter Archduchess Mathilde died in a self-immolation accident.
Charlotte's gone mad in Miramare, and idiot Maximilian rejected our last aid.
If there's a God, he must truly want to destroy the Habsburgs.
Knock knock.
"Come in."
"Your Majesty."
I could tell it was Königseck just from her voice.
"Emperor Maximilian of Mexico has met an unfortunate end..."
So that's how it happened.
Is an ideal ruler more important than his life?
I still couldn't understand Maximilian.
"Did he leave any last words?"
"Long live Mexico, shoot the chest but spare the face—Mother will grieve."
Stupid young master.
"Dying before his parents and worrying about their grief..."
What sin did the left-behind Charlotte commit?
"Prepare to go to Miramare."
"Understood."
I'm not going to tell Charlotte this news.
But she needs to know.
She can't believe Maximilian is alive until her dying breath.
Flandres the count greeted me upon arrival at Miramare.
"Your Majesty the Empress, thank you for the long journey."
He looked exhausted and resigned.
"How is she?"
Count Flandres sighed and led the way down the corridor.
"The doctors diagnose it as delusion. Charlotte still believes someone is trying to poison her. She barely touches food. Sometimes she laughs, then suddenly bursts into tears... She often doesn't make sense."
"Have you told her about Maximilian?"
"No. The whole family agreed to keep silent. If her brother knew the truth... she'd shatter completely."
We reached the garden at the end of the corridor.
Charlotte was walking alone in her dress, parasol in hand.
"What are the maids doing, letting her hold her own parasol?"
"Charlotte refuses anyone near her."
I stood silent for a moment.
Charlotte stopped at a rosebush, lifted her parasol slightly, and gazed at the flowers. Then, for no reason, she nodded slowly.
As if conversing with someone.
I glanced at Count Flandres.
"How long?"
"...Like this constantly since she returned."
Since she returned.
I drew a breath and walked toward Charlotte.
"Your Majesty, it might not be safe to get too close."
"It's fine."
I have to.
I approached and spoke to her.
"Charlotte."
She turned slowly.
"...Elisabeth?"
"Long time no see."
Had she forgotten our bad blood? She smiled and came closer.
"You brought good news, right?"
"......"
"Maximilian's coming back soon."
"...Who said that?"
"Everyone."
I opened my mouth to break the news of Maximilian's death but closed it again.
Charlotte stared at me silently, scrutinizing my face, then suddenly lowered her voice.
"Elisabeth, you know."
"Charlotte..."
"No. It'll be fine. Maximilian doesn't break promises."
She smiled again.
"Right, Cisi?"
"Charlotte, Maximilian was executed—"
"Don't make me laugh! No way! He's not the type to die like that."
I reached out carefully.
"Charlotte, no one's trying to deceive you."
"Shut up."
Her voice dropped.
"You know. Elisabeth. You've always known."
I swallowed.
"From the moment we went to Mexico—no, even before."
She began circling me slowly.
"Do you know what the doctors tried to make me eat?"
I gestured to stop Count Flandres approaching and signaled it was okay.
"Not medicine. Poison."
She folded and unfolded her parasol repeatedly.
"At first it tasted sweet, then my head spun, then people looked strange."
"Charlotte."
"Do I look crazy to you too?"
"No."
"No. Everyone says I'm crazy."
Muttering that she wasn't mad, Charlotte suddenly snapped back to normal and stopped.
"Elisabeth, he has to be alive. If he dies... then I..."
She dropped her parasol and grabbed my hand.
"Then I'm the one who killed him."
"Charlotte, you didn't kill him. It was Maximilian's choice."
"No, I was wrong. I put him there. It was God's will."
"Charlotte."
As I tried to hug her, she shoved me away.
"Shut up, shut up, shut up!"
Charlotte's body began to tremble.
"I can't hear his voice anymore... He talks to me every night..."
Count Flandres couldn't wait any longer and pulled me away from her.
"The Queen of the Belgians will soon take Charlotte away."
"...Understood."
I watched Charlotte disappear into the castle, led by Count Flandres.
She sent me here hoping I'd do something.
I picked up the parasol she'd dropped.
Stupid Maximilian. What's the point if America's insane?
You should've shouted your family's names—the ones waiting for you—not Mexico's.