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Hey all,

Let me preface this thread by stating that I don't really have much knowledge on the topic of the Austrian Empire and its successor state Austria-Hungary. Furthermore, I was born in Singapore, pretty much as far away from Vienna as one can get. So I might not be very familiar with the sights and sounds of eastern Europe. But I've tried this twice before- the first attempt was a rather long thread which I accidentally veered off course, and the second attempt was smothered at birth by my own crap writing.

I wouldn't call myself a fan of the Hapsburg family in general, but I do have a great deal of affection for the Austrian Empire, which occupied and administered so much of eastern Europe for so long. Honestly, seeing what came after, it should be pretty understandable. Living in a multi-national country myself, I also appreciate the diversity of religion and culture within the borders of the monarchy. It seems to me that a fair bit of the punishment that they received over the past few centuries was undeserved.

So yeah. Please be kind, and I do hope that you appreciate this TL.

AUSTRIA IN THE 19TH CENTURY

“It is good to see you back,” said Francis II, Emperor of Austria, haltingly.

“Likewise, father,” replied his son, Joseph Ferdinand, standing at attention as best as he could in front of his father’s desk. A fire burnt to their right, casting shadows over the room. It was nearly midnight in Blois; Joseph had been packed off to his father’s study the second he’d arrived from Vienna.

“There should be a congress,” Francis said. “In Vienna.” He cleared his throat, and his son and heir tilted forward attentively, trying to alleviate the pressure on his malformed right foot. “It will, I expect, return the old order. To Europe. No more of this radical, republican, nationalist- nonsense.”

“Of course, father,” Joseph replied. A sheen of sweat glistened on his forehead.

Francis struggled to come up with a scintillating conversation topic. “What… what are your thoughts on this?” he finally managed. “We are sending Klemens von Metternich. Very promising man… very promising…”

Joseph watched his father trail off, and, in contempt, his lip curled. But only a bit. “I think,” he replied slowly, “that it would be good for the whole of Europe that this congress be concluded quickly. Do you plan to restore the Bourbons?”

“Of course,” Francis snapped. Seeing that his son had nothing more to say, he steamrolled on. “And- what have you learnt at Napoleon’s court? He must have taught you much.”

I learnt a lot, about the people and about liberty, equality, fraternity, Joseph did not say. Instead, he replied, “I did not learn a thing, father. Napoleon is a boorish man; boring and inattentive. He is solely concerned with the business of war.”

Francis nodded, satisfied. “You may go, Joseph.” With a wave of his hand, Joseph was dismissed.
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