Heart-Pounding Kaiser Maker

The first to be called was Duchess Eleonore von Schwarzenberg. I opened my mouth with a soft smile.

"Duchess, I recently read in the court archives about the loyalty your family swore to Empress Maria Theresa. I was deeply impressed by the greatness of a house that upholds the empire's history."

The Duchess bowed her waist in response. "It is the greatest honor that Your Majesty knows of our house's history. The Schwarzenberg family has always been the Habsburgs' most faithful sword and shield."

Her voice brimmed with pride in her lineage.

Next came the rest, in order of rank. Following her was the queen of high society, Countess Rosalie von Lüchov.

"I've heard your salon is a beacon to Vienna's artists. Are there any noteworthy new plays or concerts lately?"

She seemed momentarily flustered by my question but soon launched into the latest Viennese performances. "I never imagined Your Majesty had heard of my humble salon. What an honor. Just last week, the new opera at the Kärntnertor Theater became the talk of Vienna. I'm sure Your Majesty would love it."

Please, just go home now and gossip about this refined conversation instead of badmouthing me.

Next was Lady Pauline Sandor. "I've long known of your father, the Devil's Horseman, even back in Bavaria. That passion seems to burn in your eyes as well, Lady Sandor."

"Does Your Majesty enjoy riding too?"

"Of course. When I was really into it, I lost track of time completely."

Esterházy seemed to hesitate for a moment but soon called the final guest. Did Sophie Archduchess want the Hungarian nobles ignored here? I had no idea. When Countess Apponyi stood before me with a tense expression...

What should I say? Diplomatically? Culturally? Or... with future knowledge? She might just be the best force to check Sophie Archduchess.

"Jó napot kívánok."

The warm atmosphere of the salon sank in an instant at my words.

From Sophie Archduchess's perspective, this tea party was less a trap to test Sisi and more an unavoidable political duty. A duty to show the nobles that the Habsburg Empress was not frail.

Back in her room, Sophie Archduchess recalled the Empress's performance at the tea party.

Is it as Esterházy said?

No learning, but quick to pick things up. That was Esterházy's assessment of Sisi.

The problem was her inability to shed her liberal tendencies.

The empire must not fall.

Sophie had once believed in liberalism herself. She resented the conservative reactionary regime of Metternich and hoped that when her son Franz Joseph became ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠emperor, he would reform the outdated system and breathe new life into the empire.

But after witnessing liberalism and nationalism engulf the Austrian Empire and threaten the very existence of the Habsburgs, she had done a complete 180.

To Sophie, liberalism was no longer a hope for progress but chaos and destruction that would topple the empire.

To protect the house and the empire, a strong, emperor-centered authority and order must be restored.

"Your Majesty, touching Hungary was too dangerous."

The moment we returned to the room after the tea party, Esterházy offered her admonition.

Dangerous? Of course I knew. But the Austrian nobles were Sophie Archduchess's iron fortress. No cracks to slip through head-on.

So I had no choice but to pull forces from outside the walls to my side. Hungary or Bohemia, for instance.

"Chief Lady-in-Waiting, dismiss everyone but yourself."

Once the maids had all left and only we two remained, I began testing her.

"Chief Lady-in-Waiting, the Archduchess gives me none of the Empress's duties. Charity work, patronage—all in her hands. Do you think I don't know that distributing vast funds in the Empress's name and planting my people is the greatest power of an Empress?"

Esterházy fell silent at my point.

"Today's tea party was the same. I was only notified this morning that it was happening. Yet my name was listed as host. Who to invite, who to exclude—all in the Archduchess's grasp, isn't it?"

"... The Archduchess likely acts so because she believes Your Majesty has not yet ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠fully adapted to her role."

The expected answer. She hadn't forgotten her role as the Archduchess's watcher yet. Unless I lobbed a total bombshell, turning a watcher into a tutor in just three days was already a huge win. No need to rush.

"If it was to educate me, she would have summoned me beforehand."

I said that much and turned away. A silent signal that deeper talk was premature.

Grasping my intent, Esterházy swiftly returned to her role.

"Your Majesty, such words and actions just now are dangerous. Please refrain from speaking so before other courtiers."

"What would His Majesty the Emperor think of me championing the Hungarians?"

I'd heard our marriage was decided because of a Hungarian attack.

Esterházy stepped closer, lowering her voice so no one else could hear. It was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠less advice and more a warning.

"Your Majesty. Have you seen the scar on His Majesty the Emperor's neck?"

Her chilling question left me speechless for a moment.

"It was just a year ago. A Hungarian nationalist's blade struck right there."

Esterházy paused, staring out the window into the darkness.

"His Majesty ascended the throne after crushing their rebellion and rebuilding the torn empire. Your husband's rule is built on Hungarian blood, so to speak."

She looked me straight in the eye. There was no pity in her gaze.

"To His Majesty the Emperor, Hungary is not an object of forgiveness or reconciliation. It is a symbol of rebellion that threatens the empire's order and challenges his authority head-on."

She bowed deeply one last time.

"For Your Majesty the Empress to champion such Hungarians... to His Majesty, it would wound deeper than any political opposition—a profound betrayal. Please, consider this carefully, Your Majesty."

Sophie Archduchess's opposition could be rallied against, but isolation in the palace? Well...

"I have no intention of meddling in politics anyway."

Why bother with such exhausting work? I'm no masochist.

"But they are my subjects to rule, aren't they? From now on, during dressing time, I want teachers for Bohemian and such languages."

Children raised by strict parents can never voice their own opinions. At least I needed a place to vent stress.

"If His Majesty is to be the stern father, I want to be the merciful mother to the subjects. For that, we need to communicate."

Honestly, to me, Austria-Hungary Empire felt more familiar than Habsburg or Austrian Empire. If I couldn't crush the Hungarians' resistance...

Even if they rose again, it had to be with minimal bloodshed.

"Chief Lady-in-Waiting, I'm not talking about reforming the military or changing the imperial budget."

Only then did Esterházy bow.

"I shall obey, Your Majesty. I will procure a language teacher proficient at once."

I flashed a bright smile and took her hand. "Thank you."

"Your Majesty. You must not break protocol."

Oh, we're not that close yet.

How do I turn this mama's boy fully to my side? In the musical, he falls for me just breathing... but real hearts aren't that simple. One sure thing: there must be a reason I was chosen over sister Nene.

"Chief Lady-in-Waiting. A good phrase came to mind."

Esterházy promptly prepared paper and quill for me. Impressive. Reading my intent isn't easy.

"Your Majesty, emotions must not show on your face."

...Come to think of it.

She hadn't taught etiquette for writing, it seems. Well, if trouble arises, she'll rein me in.

I slowly wrote the first letters. Writing leaves records, which could be a weakness if discovered.

Esterházy tilted her head at my writing. Probably worried about messy handwriting or dangerous ideas, but how likely was she to know Hangul?

"Your Majesty, if you wish to draw, shall I fetch paints and paper?"

"No need. It's just my secret diary."

At sixteen, even Esterházy wouldn't pressure me after official duties. To others, an Empress this age would crave a secret diary. Even for the Archduchess, privacy is a line not to cross.

Caught peeking at the Empress's diary? ...That would be nice. I'd gain more freedom.

"Youngest maid, fetch the diary for Her Majesty the Empress."

They even provide a diary? Did I write here for nothing?

Moments later, Esterházy handed me a book stamped with the double-headed eagle. The edges were gold-leafed, the cover smooth velvet.

"After writing what you need, lock it like this with the clasp."

Oh, a real secret diary.

I copied what I'd written before.

"... Chief Lady-in-Waiting. I want to change the aperitif for tonight's dinner menu."

"Your Majesty, such directness—"

I know. Vulgar, you're dying to say.

"Everyone out."

With only Esterházy and me left, I made my request. "Chief Lady-in-Waiting, your mother first said she was ill."

"Ah."

...First time seeing the Chief Lady-in-Waiting crumble like this.

Esterházy quickly composed herself and bowed. "I shall change the aperitif, Your Majesty."

Joseph had finished his day's work, but his head still ached. The words spoken by his Empress Sisi at the afternoon tea had already spread through the court.

How do I clean up this mess?

The Hungarian nobles were hopeful, the Austrians furious. Joseph knew the title of Empress didn't hide her youth.

It's not even a week yet. She didn't mean it.

"His Majesty the Emperor!"

Before entering as the door opened, Joseph resolved. To protect her from Mother and the nobles, I must speak first.

He didn't want Sisi looking sad.

Entering the room, Joseph looked around but saw Sisi alone, drinking strong liquor, no maids in sight.

"Empress, where are the maids—"

The thought that she hadn't done the coucher didn't cross his mind. He simply turned where her slender arm pointed.

He confirmed the maids in the corridor paying him respects.

Thud.

Before he could speak, the door closed, and "Your Majesty...."

Sisi slowly headed to the bed. "You have work left to do."

Perched on the bed, arms open to Joseph.

Seeing her, Joseph was no longer the Emperor.