The Real War Within the Palace Walls
The morning after the tea party, Sophie Archduchess barged into my room without permission—again. I was just about to start breakfast under the watchful eye of Countess Esterházy-Lichtenstein. What now? I'd endured yesterday as expected, and since there'd been no consummation, she had plenty of ammunition. I quietly set down my fork and received her.
But her opening words were nothing like I'd anticipated. A tone laced with concealed contempt, almost like praise. "Finally having a breakfast befitting an empress, I see."
She scanned the table with evident satisfaction, as if yesterday's commotion had never happened. "Yesterday's procession in the afternoon was splendid. You've silenced those who whispered you'd collapse. You've shown at least a glimpse of why my son chose you."
With a glance at Countess Esterházy-Lichtenstein, the countess ushered all the maids out. The room was left with just me and Sophie Archduchess.
"But the cheers of the commoners are merely a fleeting mirage. The true war unfolds right here within these palace walls."
She settled gracefully into the chair opposite me and got to the point. "This afternoon, you must host a tea party for the ladies of the Hofburg."
A tea party? "The gathering postponed yesterday due to your health issues. These are the matriarchs of Austria's finest families. A single word from their lips becomes the court's opinion—and history itself."
Sophie Archduchess's eyes turned icy in an instant. "Moving the commoners is one thing; winning over the matriarchs of centuries-old houses is another level entirely. This will be your first true test as empress."
She rose, placing a light hand on my shoulder. "My son Joseph will protect you. But even an emperor can't shield you from the contempt in their hearts. You must earn their respect yourself."
She leaned in, whispering in my ear. "Word may already have reached them that you shirked your duties again last night. I wonder if you'll pass this test."
Sophie Archduchess left the room with a satisfied smile.
…Damn it, why does she always show up right before meals and ruin my appetite? And just drop her bombshell and leave—what country's etiquette is that?
After she was gone, I finished my meal and summoned Countess Esterházy-Lichtenstein. "Chief lady-in-waiting."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Fetch the Lord Chamberlain." Oh, and I need to figure out who's worth inviting to this tea party. "And I want to know about the ministers I must deal with."
As I reviewed the documents I'd been reading yesterday, Joseph Schoda arrived. "I'll conduct your regular examination, Your Majesty."
Perfect timing—thanks. "No particular issues, but is there anywhere uncomfortable?"
I hoped he'd read between the lines. "Even with the finest dishes before me, I taste nothing. My appetite's gone."
"It's a symptom that sometimes appears when adapting to a new environment. Your body isn't ill, so no need to worry, Your Majesty."
No, that's not what I want. I fixed him with a steady gaze, and he spoke. "…By any chance, how did you dine back in Bavaria?"
I don't know! I don't remember, but the answer's obvious. "Only with my attending maids."
"Understood, Your Majesty." Joseph Schoda called Countess Esterházy-Lichtenstein aside, and their conversation leaked through the door crack.
"Countess, Her Majesty the Empress is under extreme tension while adapting to her new environment. Loss of appetite is a classic symptom."
Yes, exactly. Now just the final clincher.
"In my medical opinion, to ensure Her Majesty's mental and physical stability, it's absolutely essential to avoid any mental stimulation or important discussions before or during meals. She must have a serene atmosphere to focus solely on eating. This is my earnest prescription for Her Majesty's health—and the empire's future."
Done! Even Sophie Archduchess won't invade my mealtimes now. Step one: slowly reclaim my room.
Once their talk ended, I pretended to focus on the list again. Countess Esterházy-Lichtenstein resumed her vigil at my side. As I turned to the next page, she spoke. "The matriarch of the Schwarzenberg family. A symbol of tradition and conservative forces."
What…? I flipped to the next.
[Gabriella von Auersperg Duchess]
"From Bohemia’s premier house, the Lobkowicz family. An important bridge between Austrian and Bohemian nobility, and a quintessential traditional lady."
Sophie Archduchess's person, right? Why's she giving me this intel…?
"Your Majesty, preparations for the tea party in two hours."
Ah, right. No time.
[Anna Apponyi Countess]
"Likely to represent the views of Hungary's great nobles."
[Rosalie von Lüchov Countess]
"At the center of Vienna's social scene. More than capable of spreading Your Majesty's intentions far and wide."
Warning me about Rosalie von Lüchov Countess, huh. Sophie Archduchess's smears must spread from her.
[Pauline, Lady of Sándor de Szlavnica Countess]
"Daughter of Hungary's greatest noble and Moritz Sándor Count, the Devil's Horseman renowned across Europe. If Lüchov Countess shapes reputations among the ladies, she's the rising star of high society."
As I read each name, Countess Esterházy-Lichtenstein offered her commentary. Should I trust intel from Sophie Archduchess's ally? But it rings true enough. For now, I'll take it at face value.
Countess Esterházy-Lichtenstein was indeed a close friend of Sophie Archduchess, but no mere puppet. The order had been to craft Sissi into the Habsburg empress—not to isolate her.
'If Her Majesty the Empress is humiliated and defeated by the ladies at this tea party, it would prove my failure to educate her properly.'
That was unthinkable for Countess Esterházy-Lichtenstein. 'We cannot repeat the case of Archduchess Marie Antoinette in Austria.'
The Austrian archduchess who vanished at the guillotine. 'Her tragedy began when she failed to win the hearts of the ladies in Versailles' salons.'
With the 1848 upheavals still echoing across Europe, the empire's foundations were shakier than ever. Countess Esterházy-Lichtenstein judged that, in such times, a foreign empress unloved by both the people and nobility could become the empire's greatest threat.
Time was up. "Your Majesty, let us begin preparations for the tea party."
"The tea party hosted by Her Majesty the Empress is no mere gathering for tea."
It was to be held in one of the salons within my official apartments in the Hofburg Palace—the Kaiserappartements. "Today's salon is the Grand Salon, the largest and most magnificent. The perfect venue to assert Your Majesty's authority and cow the ladies."
Hmm, makes sense. First time leaving my rooms since arriving.
Soft music drifted from somewhere. Almost there.
Before the heavy doors of the salon, I held my breath. "Are you prepared, Your Majesty?"
"Yes."
At the precise appointed hour, the chamberlain bowed deeply and announced to the interior. "Her Majesty the Empress!"
With that, the firmly shut doors swung wide open. In an instant, every sound in the salon ceased—as if by magic. The music, the chatter, all gone.
Only the rustle of dozens of noble ladies rising in unison, turning toward me with wary eyes.
As I took my first step inside, Austria's finest ladies filled the room, curtseying deeply in perfect sync. The Schwarzenberg Duchess at the empire's heart, Lüchov Countess, even the bold-eyed Pauline Lady.
…This is power.
They all performed the Hofknicks toward me. I didn't need to prove my authority myself. The empire's rules, they had made me their mistress.
Yes—even the woman at the head table, Sophie Archduchess. But unlike the others, she still hadn't bowed her head.
And who was the one giving a light nod beside her? Countess Esterházy-Lichtenstein whispered just loud enough for me. "Dowager Empress Caroline Auguste, Your Majesty."
…No wonder.
I returned the nod lightly and headed to the seat of honor. Passing Sophie Archduchess, I stood before the dowager empress.
"Dowager Empress, it is the greatest honor that you grace my humble tea party today."
Bowing politely to the empire's elder statesman, satisfaction flickered in her eyes. After her brief reply, I finally turned to Sophie Archduchess beside her.
She was smiling. But her eyes felt even colder than before.
Think I'll play along? "Thank you for honoring us with your presence, Archduchess."
With greetings to both complete, I took my seat between them—the true center of the salon, the empress's chair—elegantly.
The music resumed, ladies returning to their seats. The formal tea party began.
I lifted my teacup, inhaling its aroma, saying nothing. It wasn't my role to speak first in their anxiety.
The circle. Originating from the French court of Versailles, with the sovereign at the center—standing or seated—courtiers approach in order of rank to pay respects and converse. But a courtier never speaks first to the sovereign.
That's where this came in. "Whom shall we call first, Your Majesty?"
The role of my chief lady-in-waiting, Countess Esterházy-Lichtenstein. "In traditional order."
We'd rehearsed it. How was I supposed to know court rankings in a crash course? Top-down's easiest.
My eyes met Sophie Archduchess's. Enjoying this, Archduchess? Thank you—for setting this stage for me.