The Prince and The Painter (TL)

Prologue :

Vienna, Autumn 1908

Vienna, a city of culture, arts, beauty, love... hope... This picturesque city shines beauty as the riverside reflect the sparkles from the moon under the soft rain as if the sky cries, there is never a boring moment unworthy to be captured inside a canvas, under the shade of a tree, with oil color...

But still, for a struggling artist and art school reject like him, everything will stay routine and ordinary, a daily struggle to collect more coins to pay for lodgings as well as saving whatever he could to try the entrance exams once more. The standard of Vienna's Academy of Fine Arts is high, but having once rejected by them, Adolf Hitler, an aspiring Artist, have his optimism that this could be his first step toward artistic greatness as one of the greatest artists remembered by history. He tries to focus on his painting, but somehow, his grumbling stomach, hungry because he didn't eat anything since yesterday morning, demand him to fill it with some foods... If only someone bought his watercolor paintings resting inside his bag, he could buy some foods from that greedy Jewish vendor who caters for poor students and workers near the place of his lodging.

"What a solemn scene..." said a black veiled woman behind him.

"Indeed my dear Sophie, such a scene must be immortalized... At least as a reminder for us about our stillborn son." said a sad man who gently hold the woman's shoulder while they walk.

"Oh my... and a painter just happened to paint the scene... I hope that painting was for sale afterward..." said the woman called Sophie.

"Young man, how much did you want to sell that painting? After it was finished of course..." asked the man politely.

"I'm sorry sire, this painting I intend for the entrance exam into the Academy of Fine Arts. May I interest you in another..." said Hitler, turning toward the couple and slowly opened his bag, but the man already look closer into his newest, unfinished painting.

"You get good perspective over this... and the sad faces on the passerby are perfect..." said the man.

"I'm very sorry sire... but..." Hitler politely said, but the man cut him off before he could even finish his speech.

"Hmm, you want to enter Vienna's Academy of Fine Arts yes?" said the man. "Of course... you have the talent... I may help you with this too... You just need to finish this painting... and give it to me, I will personally assure your enrollment..."

"I... I'm sorry?" asked Hitler with disbelief.

"Trust me. I can do it, and for your problems now, here's two thousand Krones for your problem, think this as a forward payment for your painting." said the man while taking a checkbook and write down the amount of money it worth.

"But sire... this is too much..."

"No problem young man, I do looking for an aspiring artist to sponsor... Ah, I'm sorry if I didn't introduce myself yet, Franz Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria-Este..."

I guess it

I guess it under the circumstances and knowing in whom, the character in question it would become, I can ignore the little credible lack of aesthetic criteria of the Emperor and keep looking forward and see how it will develop this TL ...

* 1 *

Chapter 1

Vienna, Autumn 1908

"Mr Hitler, Adolf Hitler..." said the announcer of the interview queue.

Hitler strides into the examination room, proudly bearing his latest painting, simply titled as "Danubian Sadness" as per his patron's wish, with letter of recommendation sealed with Imperial seal tucked at the edge of the canvas. He is still nervous about their rejection one year ago, but still, the Archduke's encouraging words about this will be his first step toward greatness make him puffed with pride and gave him confidence, along with his unusually full stomach today, courtesy of the Archduke's generosity of course.

And as he steps into the examination room, he could see the faces of the examiners... Hitler involuntarily gulped a little before straightening his posture and politely stand by them, and soon, the examination interview begin.

...

"Congratulations young man, apparently the Archduke himself thought that you are worthy of his Royal Patronage... don't make his grace disappointed in you." said a gentle looking old man after the examination was finished.

"Your painting emit a sense of sadness, as well as blank looking stares from the human passerby depicted inside it, but still, I can take it as what make the Archduke interested in your style. You could keep painting in this style, but we suggest you to learn more ways about capturing human emotions, try to relax your grip over the brush, this will help you immensely in the future." said another examiner, this one is middle aged Hungarian.

"The perspectives and reflections are good, you do have talent in this... perhaps you should consider taking some credits in Architectures as well..." said the director of the Academy, who also present as one of the Examiner.

"T... thank you sirs..." said Hitler with joy etched on his face.

"Remember, that according to this letter, you will be enrolled under Royal Patronage, while you are indeed a beginner artist, there are no reasons to stay forever as a novice. Here, you must try all the possible styles that may suits you in the end, but still, the finality of your personal touch, is your choice, make it a wise choice... and look at our library, it is fully opened for a student with Royal Patronage like you." The Director said before ending his interview. "Afternoon then, Mr Hitler, see you next month, at the start of your study..."

...

And after all the fuss called Examination, Hitler gladly shakes hand with all the smiling examiners, deep down, he knew that he must be utterly lucky to have his talent seen by the Archduke himself. Oh well, he swears by God... as he remembered that his mother are gone... and so his father... and his sister is still struggling somewhere after their mother's unfortunate demise... the purpose of his life now is to be a great artist, and make Archduke proud of him.

Oh well, he remembered about his monthly allocations too, given by the Archduke in his recommendation letter. It should be enough for a family to live modestly near the Academy. And as he remembers it, he takes a note to write to his sister Paula, asking her to live with him here, so she could use their father's parts of pension solely for her education...

Yuelang said:

Oh well, he remembered about his monthly allocations too, given by the Archduke in his recommendation letter. It should be enough for a family to live modestly near the Academy. And as he remembers it, he takes a note to write to his sister Paula, asking her to live with him here, so she could use their father's parts of pension solely for her education...

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This seems a bit out of character for Adolf, but I guess being "wealthy" might change a person.

I highly suggest Hitler's Vienna for the character of the time.

Daewonsu said:

This seems a bit out of character for Adolf, but I guess being "wealthy" might change a person.

I highly suggest Hitler's Vienna for the character of the time.

Click to expand...

oh well, to care for the last member of his family is definitely in his character, because even young Adolf Hitler IOTL actually did spare his own part of his father's pension parts, as well as sporadically sent any money he can spare toward his sister while he lives as poor artists in Vienna after his mother's death.

He isn't our favourite to hate genocidal bastard yet...

Yuelang said:

oh well, to care for the last member of his family is definitely in his character, because even young Adolf Hitler IOTL actually did spare his own part of his father's pension parts, as well as sporadically sent any money he can spare toward his sister while he lives as poor artists in Vienna after his mother's death.

Click to expand...

Again, read the book I recommend, it shows the circumstances of that.

But to provide a summary, he was half-forced to give up that share of his father's pension.

*2*

Chapter 2

Vienna, Winter 1908

August Kubizek silently walked across the sidewalk toward his boarding house at Stumpergase. He just returned from the Vienna conservatory, and as he opened his room door, he can't help but remember what just happened not too long ago... It's almost Christmas, and he found himself alone, as his artist friend and roommate, Adolf Hitler, somehow managed to snag a royal patronage and decides to move into a small two bedroom house near the Academy of Fine Arts, with his sister. Of course, when he meet him just before he moves his belongings from their old room into his new house, August actually joked about what if he moves along with Hitler as well, but well, things are going totally awkward when Hitler told him that he intend to live with his twelve years old sister Paula. Of course he knew already that Hitler's parents was already dead, but still...

"Jesus Gust, My sister is off limit... but you're free to visit there..." August grinned remembering of what Hitler told him earlier.

A dent in the sidewalk went unnoticed by him, until his foot plunged into it and he falls unceremoniously to the ground. His musical sheets spilled from his bag to all directions.

"Ouch shit!" he exclaimed while grabbing his twisted ankle. Thinking about Hitler's sisters, be it the elder half sister that already married, or now the younger sister, always sent him into some sort of bad luck it seems.

A man in late twenty appeared to walked casually from the crossroad, some papers and folders tucked neatly under his arm, he twirled a lit cigarette between his thumb and index finger quietly, before settling the butt of the cigarette back into his lip, and calmly help collect the spread out and crumpled musical sheets.

"Thanks" August said as the man handed him half of his fallen musical sheets, some already splat with whatever wet liquid adorn the sidewalk, he simply cannot bring them back into the conservatory without enticing scolds from his superiors, so he silently resigns himself with a sigh to the fact that he must copy them by hand before tomorrow's practice.

"No problem, I'm just walked here to look for a boarding... I'm T... Bronshtein, Lev Bronshtein..." said the man while offering his hand as a polite introduction gesture. August can't help but notice that these man speak in Russian accent and definitely look Jewish.

"Kubizek, August Kubizek." said August while shakes his hand with the man. "So you look for a boarding room here? Are you a student or..."

"I'm just a poor journalist working for a relatively new bulletin... money is tight, and I was evicted from my previous boarding house, so I look for the cheap accommodations, my colleague said that the Stumpergasse boarding house have a vacancy for one person in their two person boarding room." said Bronshtein politely.

"Oh, you just have your luck, the vacancy was caused by my former roommate moving into a better house due to him getting the Royal patronage." August smiled. "In fact, it was me who asked my friends to help me to find potential roommate, my allowances is also tight so a roommate will help immensely."

"Royal... patronage?" said Bronshtein with a small sense of... disgust... evident in his voice.

"Yeah, my former roommate is a lucky street painter who somehow catch the attention of the Archduke of Austria himself, enough for him to enter the Academy of Fine Arts as well as earning him generous allowances, so he decides to rent a house and living with his sister, they are orphans." said August.

"Oh... so he wasn't merely an impoverished aristocrat?" said Bronshtein half jokingly. "How lucky of him... to get... ah, forget it... may I ask about the monthly rent?"

...

Before long, both of them entered the boarding house while chatting about their lives and such trivial things. From what he talked, Bronshtein actually did come from Russia, has been married in the past, and involved in the workers' solidarity movement. As August think himself as more or less apolitical, he could accept if his new roommate is a socialist as long as he doesn't cause any ruckus in the room. And as Bronshtein look at the room, he could see that the former occupants of this room still leave some effects inside, such as a painting that now adore the wall near the window.

"Are you sure... your painter friend... really get the Royal patronage? Those human expressions... feels empty..." said Bronshtein while looking toward the painting that was given as a parting gift from August's former roommate.

"Why not? Artists and Royalty, as I myself is a musician, I did know that my friend could actually follow the new movement in painting. Well, I've heard about the Spanish artist Picasso, and when I see his paintings, I just can't understand why those things are... cashable... but still, artists cater toward specific segments, and as far as I know, Adolf's style must be attractive for the Archduke to land him a royal Patronage." said August.

"Indeed... indeed..." said Bronshtein solemnly.

"So, what is your decision? If you want to look for a cheaper room, I can recommend my friend who lives in..."

"Thanks, but I think this room should suit for my needs, here's my initial payment and please tell the Landlord, I will move my belongings next sunday..." said Bronshtein, but suddenly the next room neighbor already barged in bringing a note to August.

"Adolf was here earlier Gust, looking for you, he intend to treat us for free eat next Sunday and introduce us to his little sister." said his neighbor.

...

Daewonsu said:

Again, read the book I recommend, it shows the circumstances of that.

But to provide a summary, he was half-forced to give up that share of his father's pension.

Click to expand...

yeah, that was a good read in Kindle too thanks for suggesting that

Yuelang said:

yeah, that was a good read in Kindle too thanks for suggesting that

Click to expand...

Not a problem, as long as people are enlightened to the real Adolf Hitler instead of the misleading fables you see about his becoming antisemitic because a girl he admired was Jewish and all those things.

This seems very interesting, given you've not only made Hitler but also Trots– erhm, Bronstein – and Kubizek main characters. I wonder what else you have in store for others...in particular a certain Ioseb B. Dzughashvili, a notorious bank robber from Gori working for the Bolsheviks at this time.

* 3 *

Chapter 3

Vienna, Summer 1909

August Kubizek took his usual morning walk toward the Vienna conservatory, humming the tone of "Ride of The Valkyrie" along the way. His life is good now, his position at the Orchestra of Vienna is guaranteed. As a good viola player, he was often on demand to play in the shows of the Orchestra, and even if not, he was quite well versed in violin, piano, and oboe, that he also regarded as good replacement player in that aspects. But still, he always dreams about the time when he was given the conductor's rod to led the performance, preferably with a symphony that he arranges himself.

As he imagines himself twirling the conductor's rod, he remembered about his luckier old friend. Adolf often attend the opera despite his financial problems before getting the Royal Patronage. In his less fortunate days, he had brought starvation into a fine art, he can sustain himself on dry bread and milk to save money for theater seat, and when the money is particularly hard to come, he often chooses to not consume anything but plain water to save the money he needed for the Orchestra. He always tries to present himself in his best dress, meticulously ironing and cleaning his clothes to the point of appearing as if he actually come from a far better social background when coupled with his politeness. Of course, he did have heavily pent up temper when someone picked him from the wrong edge such as deliberately criticizing his artwork, but still, his outward appearance is always a well groomed, polite street artist striving for perfection. And today, he still appears as if he was the good old Adolf, with marginally nicer clothes and small studio in his living room, still often seeing the Orchestra, as well as frequenting the Theater, but at least now, he done that as part of the Archduke's retinue instead of a single man trying to sit silent and enjoy the performance.

The Archduke gave Adolf rather generous allowances for a single unmarried man, but he decides to invite his younger sister to live with him. Of course, August always known that while this maybe born out of familial duty, during his frequent visits on Adolf's humble yet clean house, he does catch a glance of Paula, Adolf's sister, doing her chores of domestic jobs such as cleaning the studio as well as ironing her brother's clothes. Well, as far as he knows, it is good for her to help her brother, as Adolf now often found himself socializing with Vienna's artistic communities as well as attending his duty as the Archduke's personal retinue. Of course, with the Royal Patronage well known, the price of Adolf's paintings rose spectacularly... while August himself will never sell the very painting of their own room, as well as the Vienna scenery painting given by Adolf as 'parting gift' toward his old roommate, August actually make quite a fortune from selling Adolf's old postcard and previously unsold street paintings left by Adolf after taking a select few.

As expected, his new socialist roomate, Lev Bronshtein, actually disregard that as bourgeois excess far better spent uplifting the social condition of workers or something. It's true that almost all the buyers of Adolf's artworks are either nobles trying to curry favor with the Archduke, or rich men trying to get their hands upon possible treasure who could only grew more expensive in time, but still, Bronshtein only give a somewhat disapproving look over the matter, and refused to discuss it in detail afterwards, he did accept when he got the parts of the sale in foods, drink, or tobacco given as part of friendship, but still.

...

"Hey Kubizek, how are you?" said Bronshtein who appeared to walk toward the opposite direction from the walkway, of course, August still remembered that last night Bronshtein is not sleeping there, as he often said Russians do need their drinks sometimes, but today Bronshtein did not have the hangover looks so.

"I'm fine Bronshtein, and you? No hangover? You Russians must be monsters when it comes to alcohol..." said August in half-joking manner.

"Okay I guess, and I must tell you that I'm not always drinking all the night when I'm not sleeping back there. In fact, I'm just arrived from my usual works about workers' rights and conditions, in fact, if you can read Russian, I recommend you to read Pravda." said Bronshtein while proudly pointing toward a neat stack of papers he tucked against his left arm. "As I said earlier, you should consider the historical struggle of the working class, Socialism is blind when it comes to racial background, as we strive toward making the worker's paradise free of bourgeois oppression."

"Ah well, what can I say Bron, you know that one of my best friend is counted among the Royal Courtier of the Archduke himself. How can I join you in overthrowing the grip of monarchist aristocracy and bourgeois capitalists?" August smiled, it was a good thing that Bron is a polite guy as well, even if he did not grow as close as Adolf yet (they still on last name basis), he always knew to treat their radical political differences as jokes instead of heated debate.

"Ah, Hitler the painter again, I see... well, for a starter, we all agreed that the Archduke must has a weird taste for his arts..." said Bronshtein with a grin.

"And yet you already eat from his generosity. You do attend that December lunch alongside us after all, he was quite thrilled to learn that his replacement in his old room is a socialist Russian Jew." said August while politely looking toward the Conservatory. "And excuse me comrade, I do have appointments with my aristocratic oppressors today, they demand me to work with this viola again, I have a little time for pleasantry..." said August returning the mutual grin.

"He didn't talk much with me... But still, I do know he has a good talent upon oratory, his fiery speech about the generosity of the Archduke is weird enough, but still... if only he joined the Socialist first... he might be useful." said Bronshtein.

"And socialist communities will never land him enough money." said August, while politely bowing and excuse himself. "Good Morning then comrade, just make sure you did not disturb my study table as I still working upon my musical composition, if you're hungry you can have the milk I left in the bottle today."

"Thank you comrade Kubizek, have a nice day." said Bronshtein while he continues to walk toward their boarding room.

...

minor question because I try to write something but decides to ask if that was realistic or not...

Will Trot... I said Bronshtein able to betray socialism? Like get a good job in Austria and decides to fuck socialism, he get money and good friends here.

HongCanucker said:

This seems very interesting, given you've not only made Hitler but also Trots– erhm, Bronstein – and Kubizek main characters. I wonder what else you have in store for others...in particular a certain Ioseb B. Dzughashvili, a notorious bank robber from Gori working for the Bolsheviks at this time.

Click to expand...

Subbed! Please continue with this

Mixing these OTL famous (or should I say infamous) people is a great part of this TL. Keep on!

Yuelang said:

minor question because I try to write something but decides to ask if that was realistic or not...

Will Trot... I said Bronshtein able to betray socialism? Like get a good job in Austria and decides to fuck socialism, he get money and good friends here.

Click to expand...

All depends on the circumstances. If August can influence him with the success story of Hitler, then yes. If August turns socialist, then no.

I am just waiting that Hitler introduces Bronstein to the Archduke. FF might take some notes and use them for himself and in case of war send Bronstein as subversive agent to Imperial Russia...

When's the next update?

My God, you just fucked up history, you know?

I'm craving for more of this...

* 4 *

... Thanks to Daewonsu for his recommendation to read about Hitler's Vienna, that book REALLY help with the characterization!...

* spent more than two weeks to finish the book *

...

alright... updates... updates...

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Chapter 4

Vienna, Summer 1909

"It's not that easy, the laws to recognize whatever a marriage is valid or not for the purpose of inheriting titles lies squarely on the reigning Emperor at the time of the Marriage. And not even combined plead of His Holiness the Pope, Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany, and Tsar Nicholas of Russia is capable to budge my uncle from his position..." said Archduke Franz Ferdinand toward the painter who still focusing on his portrait about the seven years old Maximilian.

"I'm really sorry to said that before, your grace. A glance upon your eldest son make this humble painter could think about nothing but a future Emperor..." said Hitler politely while quickly focusing his attention toward the boy sitting in neat uniform in front of him.

"And I'm sure after me, the next heir presumptive should be Charles... and he is not married as yet. I swear if I be the Emperor and he wants to marry for love, I will recognize his marriage as valid even as I cannot turn my own marriage into one. I knew that Rudolf's death along with aunt Elizabeth's afterward took heavy toll upon my uncle's mind, but still, he is the anointed Emperor and his words is the law..." said Franz Ferdinand while sipping his cup of coffee. "And Maximilian, be a good boy and never tell anyone anything you've heard in this studio... you know how your granduncle feels about it..."

"Yes father..." said Maximilian while trying to sit still and look toward the young mustachioed painter in front of him.

"Truth to be told, I'm not really understand about how Royalty works your grace... There are never any books or tracts who explain them clearly, especially compared to those regarding Nationalism or Socialism..." said Hitler.

"You will have more luck knowing about British one instead of ours, and to be honest, so do I... I admit that Ausgleich merely confirm about the equality between the crown of Austria and crown of Hungary, but the exact power of the Monarch is a fleeting one. Uncle Franz Joseph is old, and a monarch's power only grew as he grew older... I did not think I could really succeed him as he wields his authority expertly, even the German Kaiser is his junior so..." said Franz Ferdinand.

"I know this must weigh heavily on your heart your grace..." said Hitler.

"Nein... I never regret my choice, whatever the consequence is. The most intelligent thing I’ve ever done in my life has been the marriage to my Soph. She is everything to me: my wife, my adviser, my doctor, my warner, in a word: my entire happiness. We love each others, we have a good family, and that is enough for my personal life..." said Franz Ferdinand. "I do realize that this is not the best choice for my political life, but still, it was worth it..."

"That's why those socialists hates monarchy and aristocracy... as they are the one who done the heavy lifting as a cover for the bourgeoisie to enslave the worker class..." said Hitler.

"As do the pan-German nationalists... while they tolerate the reasonably German blooded Hohenzollerns, they think us as spawn of incestous foreign blooded mongrels..." said Franz Ferdinand with a wry smile. "I'm not blind about the current views of the populaces, in fact, having you as my one of my confidant broaden my mind to see the bigger picture of the people. Your friend outright calling me as a reactionary force make me realize that our thrones is not quite as secured as it seemed..."

"Most still fear the Emperor... but yeah, I'm still quite surprised that you did not call the police to give that socialist Russian Jew a lesson." said Hitler.

"Tyranny does not suit my taste. And he does not directly spat that in front of me, what he has done is talking with you and your friends, never realize that the Archduke himself is enjoying the paintings inside this house." said Franz Ferdinand. "And to be really fair, socialism is not the greatest threat against the stability of our Empire, ethnic Nationalism is... too much bad blood exist between our subjects of different ethnicity, even Austrian German and Hungarians who supposed to be equal have their spats."

"That's not your fault your grace, those pan-German agitators really have something under their sleeve, you knew already that before I personally meet you, I do think that they might be right, but still..." said Hitler while Franz Ferdinand's smile turned sympathetic.

"And that's why I'm not quite as hostile toward this Socialism. I knew that great inequality do exist between our subjects, and that was the ultimate source of tensions. A hungry and penniless man is easy to anger, with full belly and knowledge that his life is secure, a man would be far calmer and amicable. Even the Ancient Roman empire is aware of this, thus the bread and circus." said Franz Ferdinand. "Speaking of which, your interpretative drawing of Roman architectures are excellent, the lecturers said that when I receive the report about your progress..."

"Ah, many thanks Archduke..." said Hitler politely while putting the palette and mixing another batch of oil paints.

"And so does your progress in capturing human expressions, early on, your paintings on human beings is dominated by sadness, and sadness is still your best aspect. Now, your arts have a notably happier undertones, I cannot blame you over this because deep down, I know that an artist's heart will be spilled upon the canvas... And you capture it perfectly as always..." said Franz Ferdinand. "That's why I asked you to paint the portrait of my son, Maximilian. He could be a lad with bright future, but still..."

"With a hint of sadness over his wasted potential. And we come again to the start of our little talks, your grace..." said Hitler solemnly.

"That's right, and that's how I want you to work for me not only as an artist under my patronage. I want you to be my eyes and ears toward the wider part of society, up to and including those who outright despise me. You will be seen as a mere curious artist, and every artists have their own quirks... As long as you don't speak wrong words and heard by my uncle, you have my protection..." said Franz Ferdinand.

"Thank you your grace..." said Hitler while continue on his painting.

"And speaking of which... yes, that socialist Russian Jew who live at your previous boarding house... my agents do recognize him as... something... but he has proven himself not as mad as those bomb throwing anarchists. Perhaps I would like a little chat with him later..."

A socialist, or at least quasi-socialist, Franz Ferdinand? Allied with Hitler and Trotsky?!

I think I'd better subscribe, just to see where this one goes. The Archduke has always been a favorite figure of mine, and I've thought many times over the years about what he might have done had he lived, but I never contemplated this particular scenario...

Holy POD, Batman! This has potential. Should we assume the butterfly nets have been burned?

Subscribed.