The Emperor's Retribution
Grüne stood before the emperor's office, deep in thought. What should I present first? Based on the data so far, the Empress's letter was undoubtedly an affectionate missive laced with love. The other was the Hungarian report. A Hungarian matter arising where Her Majesty the Empress is... Of course, she wouldn't go on a personal tour like before. The moment she set foot in Hungary, given her actions thus far, she'd have to hold a coronation there, just like everywhere else. The emperor knew that, which was why he remained in Vienna for now.
Hungary was currently demanding, centered around Ferenc Deák, to restore the 1848 constitution and formally crown their king with Saint Stephen's Crown. It was different from other regions. Bohemia and Italy had no constitutions. If a coronation happened, he would become not just the Emperor of Austria, but the King of Hungary bound by the Hungarian constitution. That meant abandoning the centralization Franz Joseph had devoted his life to.
That's why even Her Majesty the Empress said nothing about it. Count Grüne gripped the doorknob to the office and took one last deep breath.
"Is that Grüne? News from Hungary?"
"Yes, a letter from Her Majesty the Empress has arrived."
Franz Joseph tore his gaze from the documents in an instant.
"Bring it here."
As Grüne handed over the letter on a silver tray, Franz Joseph carefully tore open the envelope. A faint smile spread across his lips at the first sentence. But as he read on, his eyebrows twitched.
How dare that Hungarian scum covet the affection of another man's wife? Veins bulged on the back of Franz Joseph's hand. Watching the emperor, Grüne thought, If he were always this easy to read...
Don't forget that you are my husband before you are the emperor of the empire... Your love remains the only sanctuary that lets me breathe.
Franz Joseph drew a deep breath. My husband.The only sanctuary. All the headaches of centralization, Hungarian constitutions, and political quandaries seemed to wash away with those few words. Franz Joseph always kept Elisabeth's letters neatly treasured in a dedicated drawer. Whether it was right to say he "treasured" letters like that, Grüne judged it so.
"...I'm glad to see your expression brighten, Your Majesty."
Grüne cautiously offered the remaining report. Franz Joseph's eyes snapped back to imperial steel in an instant.
"Speak. What nonsense are those Hungarian dogs up to now?"
"Well... it's the guard report from Her Majesty the Empress. A report on the incident in the Pest district. This morning, Her Majesty went out incognito and clashed with Austrian police."
Franz Joseph's hand froze.
"...Clashed?"
"Yes. A drunken patrol officer failed to recognize Her Majesty and was rude. The report states he even... tried to lay hands on Your Majesty's shoulder."
"Laid... hands?"
"Your Majesty, he was stopped."
"Being stopped doesn't make it the same as not doing it."
"The guards fulfilled their duty, as they said..."
"It sounds like saying treat them the same since Hungary failed at independence too. They took up arms in treason against the throne but failed, so let's pretend it never happened?"
"Your Majesty, that's not what they meant..."
Sensing the emperor's fury, Grüne instinctively bowed deeper.
"Police drinking and wandering the streets? In the heart of my empire? Is that the dignity of Austria to show the Hungarians?"
Franz Joseph turned slowly. There was no mercy in his eyes.
"Bring me the list immediately: Pest's police chief Tays, all responsible officers in that sector, and every policeman on duty that day. No omissions tolerated."
Grüne hesitated briefly. Should I tell him Her Majesty the Empress forgave them? The dilemma was short-lived.
"Understood."
As he left, Grüne wondered if he was paying too much heed to the Empress lately.
The moment Grüne touched the doorknob—
"One more thing. Trace everyone who recommended them, too."
"...Yes, Your Majesty."
Soon after, Count Grüne returned to find the usual Franz Joseph.
"Investigation complete. The list: on-duty Pest district sector 3 patrolmen, their superiors, and the recommenders who placed them."
Without lifting his eyes from the documents, Franz Joseph commanded,
"Read it."
"First, the one who blocked Her Majesty and was rude: patrolman Hans Müller. Drunk on duty without permission. Recommender: a baron from Salzburg."
"A baron. So a noble of the empire vouched for a drunken lout as police."
Franz Joseph jotted names one by one on a paper beside his documents.
"Grüne, what do you deem appropriate punishment?"
"By regulation, the patrolman faces dismissal and detention; the commander a reprimand or pay cut for negligence."
"Grüne."
"Of course, that's without Her Majesty present."
"For donning the uniform, getting drunk, desecrating the imperial sanctuary, and daring to threaten the Empress physically. Refer to military tribunal immediately."
"For discipline breach, dismiss from all posts effective now. Strip pensions, confiscate half their assets to the imperial treasury."
Franz Joseph's gaze lingered on the last entry: the Salzburg baron.
"A recommendation vouches for character and ability in my name. Vouching a drunkard as imperial police who dirtied the path of the Empress means the recommender shares the blame."
Franz Joseph drew a bold X over the baron's name. Closing the list, he added,
"Don't tell the Empress the specifics. Just say 'appropriately handled.'"
"If Her Majesty wishes mercy?"
"On safety, she never yields."
In Franz Joseph's eyes, Sisi was like that. Always checking surroundings first despite seeming reckless.
"Submit execution report by morning."
Grüne bowed deeply and exited the office.
"Your Majesty, a reply from Vienna on that unpleasant incident three days ago."
Already? Letters take two days... Must've wired from Vienna.
"What was the outcome?"
"Handled with dismissal from positions."
Huh...? That's not like Franz Joseph. Should I have stepped in?
"Esterházy. I thought we were 'us'."
"The Emperor's orders were clear: 'Appropriately handled, so Her Majesty rest assured.' Nothing more."
"Esterházy, where's the chief now?"
"Already removed from Pest to an appropriate place. His assets processed per imperial law."
Assets, huh.
"Did the chief have family?"
"No."
Good then. I'd have asked to spare assets for family.
This fiasco paralyzed Pest's security force. Vienna loyalists would fill the gaps, stricter ones.
Hmm, well played. My favoritism toward other ethnicities sometimes sparked Franz Joseph's jealousy, but this was for us both. Especially since Hungary exploding would topple his centralization tower.
Hungary wasn't the original plan. Sigh, came too soon. Bohemia, Italy—I'd birthed there, but none as exhausting as Hungary. What did the real me see to favor Hungary? Because they liked her, she liked them back? ...Can't rule it out.
But Franz Joseph? Our kid's a bit mama's boy, but good at heart. These Hungarians are picky, demand rights without paying taxes... Like entitled customers? Bohemia at least had manners; Italy was openly hostile, easy to counter. But Hungarians call me 'lover,' shower flowers, then cite 'ancient constitution and rights' when the bill comes, wallet shut tight. Who dates like that—declares love but pinches pennies!
"No customer this entitled."
I muttered bitterly, sipping Vienna's tea.
"My apologies, Your Majesty. Could you repeat that?"
Huniady, waiting beside me, asked with sorry eyes.
"No, just that Hungarians are so passionate. Sometimes... suffocatingly so."
I brushed it off, and pride lit Huniady's face—Hungarian born. Yeah, I get you love me, but that love feels like a dunning notice sometimes.
Anyway, they should be here soon.
"Your Majesty, Count and Countess Andrássy request audience."
Can't make 'em nobles. I chuckled inwardly.
"Let them in."
