Metternich is probably going to assasinated or just thrown out of power at this point. At least, I hope so.
I am wondering how Metternich can order the arrest of Franz, when he is a) a close relative of the Imperial family and b) the designated regent of Austria. Only Ferdinand I could, in theory, order such arrest NOT Metternich. And I believe who such coup will fail and be the end of Metternich as Ferdinand and most of the archdukes had agreed on Frankie as regent and are unlikely to change idea.Soundtrack: Johann Wenzel Kalliwoda - Ouverture No.12 in D-major, Op.145
*Exterior* *Venice* *we see Frankie standing at the alrar of St. Mark's in full military uniform* *the doors of the basilica are open and we see the public spectating from the piazza* *we see the figure of the bride slowly - hesitantly even - afvancing up the aisle* *trailed by Karoline and Therese as her trainbearers* *the girls look alternately sad and confused as why the bride is hesitating* *finally though, the bride comes to approach the altar and the wedding service commences* *the bride's answers are muted* *even Frankie - to his credit - looks as if he is having second thoughts about this* *but finally the priest intones the words "in nomine Patri, et Fili, et in Spiritu Sanctae" I now pronounce you man and wife"* *the bride lets out a sob as she hears this* *Frankie - almost tenderly - lifts the veil from her face and we see that the bride is Auguste of Tuscany* *he kisses her cheek chastely *
*cut to the bedroom of the Palazzo Correr* *crowded with courtiers, diplomats and a clerical blessing the marriage bed* *Frankie sits next to Auguste on the bed and, with ill-concealed impatience, waits for the patriarch of Venice to finish the blessing* *then he takes a small scissors from the bedside table and cuts along the seam of Auguste's stocking* *then holds up the split garment to the room [1]* *they retire* *and Frankie climbs out of bed with a sigh*
Frankie: thank God that farce is over.
Auguste: *sitting on the bed* *still seems a bit deer in the headlights*
Frankie: everything alright, your Majesty?
Auguste: *fiddles unsurely with the split stocking* what is he like? The...my husband?
Frankie: a gentleman. Honourable. Intelligent. Curious. Nothing of the womanizer his father was. I could not have arranged a more worthy match.
Auguste: forgive me, Monsieur François, but you could just as easily be describing a painting or a statue.
Frankie: well let us hope you will not find him a man of marble, then.
Auguste: *smiles nervously*
Frankie: one last piece of advice-
Auguste: *as if reciting a creed* I know, I know...conform to their customs, never denigrate anything, find everything splendid, do not tell them "but we do this better in Venice", and [2]-
Frankie: be kind and respectful to your new mother-in-law. Her life has...not been easy. But it is the surest way of winning your husband's affections.
*Cut to the next day* *we see a barge full of luggage being loaded in front of the Ca' Rezzonico* *we see Auguste taking a wistful look at her home* *there are her fellow students practically hanging out of the windows, if not swarming her in a bid to say "goodbye"* *there are tears from some of the older girls as well, like la Belle Françoise* *finally, Auguste steps into the imperial barge with Archduke Friedrich at the helm* *she takes her seat opposite Frankie and the barge pulls away* *it rows out to a waiting frigate that is flying a white cross on a blue and gold ground, with the cross being stamped with fleurs-de-lis [3]*
*Cut to the ship's deck* *Auguste is welcomed aboard by the ship's crew smartly turned out to greet her* *at the head of the line stands the new admiral of France [4], François, Prince de Joinville and his wife, Janvière*
Joinville: *removes his hat and bows when Frankie and Auguste arrive in front of him* your Majesty, your Serene Highness. We of the Néréide are honoured to have you aboard for your journey.
Auguste: *starts to curtsey* *but Frankie forces her to remain upright* we thank your Royal Highness for your kindness and we are most looking forward to our journey.
*cut to a dinner held on deck* *it's about as civil as you can expect among people who don't know one another* *and in the case of Joinville and Frankie - have no reason to trust one another* [5] *still, we see Janvière's face light up when Auguste speaks Portuguese to her*
*cut to Frankie taking his leave* *we see Auguste being led off while he is standing at the railings waiting for his boat to arrive*
Frankie: take good care of her Majesty, your Royal Highness. She is as dear to us as our own daughter. And we would be...most distressed were we to hear that something untoward had happened.
Joinville: *clearly resenting the implication* of course, *disdainfully* your Serene Highness. *whatever his next words were, they're drowned out by the booms of the cannons firing a salute* *returned by the guns on land as Frankie climbs down the ship's side*
*cut to Frankie's office at the Ca' Rezzonico* *with Leopold, he walks over to a map of the world* *we see there are several figurines standing in various places like Vienna, Lisbon, Berlin, Paris, London, Madrid, Naples* *but rather a large amount standing on Venice* *in fact, they rather cover the whole Northern Adriatic* *he looks through them and selects a figurine wearing a red-white-red striped dress* then he gives it to Leopold*
Frankie: now, show me where's Bisceglie?
Leopold: *looks for a moment then puts the figure down on the bottom of Italy*
Frankie: and now Catania?
Leopold: *unsurely moves the figurine down to Rome*
Frankie: *gently* that's Campagna. *guides his hand to Sicily* Catania is here. Then she goes to Livorno *moves his son's hand up the Italian coast* Genoa, Marseilles...you know where Valencia is?
Leopold: here *puts figure down on Spanish coast*
Frankie: then from Valencia they go to Seville, Lisbon. From Lisbon they take a jump *picks Leopold up* over the Atlantic* to Recife, and she should be in Rio de Janeiro by early June *puts figurine down on Rio de Janeiro*
Leopold: can we go visit Tante Gustl and Tante Melie [6]?
Frankie: I hope so.
*cut to a drawing room in the palazzo the next day* *Frankie is sitting there with Grand Duchess Charlotte*
Frankie: may I be the first to express my congratulations to your Imperial Highness on the birth of your first grandchild [7]. I'm sure that little Lolotte will have a bright future ahead of her.
Charlotte: it is hardly my granddaughter's future that concerns me at the moment. Rather my daughters'. Given the...lack of prospects, for the Grand Duchess Olga, the emperor has delayed answering on Lili [Elizabeth]'s match to the duke of Nassau. Inviting the boy to Russia in the hopes of pairing him with Olga, now that the prince of Hesse has decided on Adini [Alexandra Nikolaïevna]' rather than Olga...the empress is rather concerned about her daughter becoming an old maid.
Frankie: has the emperor made any response to the proposal from Dresden for Katenka?
Charlotte: there are concerns on his part, he doesn't wish to offend the Prussians by appearing...too eager.
Frankie: it's hardly as though he could marry Katenka there, surely...she's too old for Prince Wilhelm's son.
Charlotte: I suspect there is a large portion of anti-Polish sentiment to it as well. The emperor is afraid that the Wettins will start "getting ideas" about trying to reclaim Poland.
Frankie: is he not fortunate that the Habsburgs will like that idea no more than he does.
Charlotte: your Serene Highness or the Habsburgs? Since I understand that nowadays - since the bill passed in Hungary - that is not necessarily the same thing. They say you say one thing and Vienna does something else.
Frankie: Prince Metternich does something else. And I have no truck with his eagerness to restore good relations with Prussia.
Charlotte: but Austria and Prussia must come to an accord, surely?
Frankie: of course. But it is to be on Austria's terms, not Prussia. I have told my grandfather to refuse the offer of Prince Wilhelm's daughter [Luise] for the Archduke Franzi for the simple reason that Metternich wishes to agree that the Prussians cession of lands in Silesia be her dowry. Why would we accept to be paid with our coin then?
Charlotte: the emperor, the duchess of Weimar and the queen of Holland are all offended by that sentiment, they seem to believe that it is driven by your disdain for Russia.
Frankie: if I were as disdainful of Russia as Prince Metternich likes to spout, I would not be endorsing your Imperial Highness' daughters' marriages to Saxony or Baden. When I have more than enough archduchesses to offer for such positions.
Charlotte: but not Nassau?
Frankie: I think the emperor is right in that he wishes to wait, although, my sources tell me that it's not because he hopes to land something as trivial as Nassau for Olga.
Charlotte: who then?
Frankie: *sharkishly* France. The comte de Chambord is young, single and the most eligible bachelor in Europe. The tsar has always wished for a daughter to wear the crown of Marie Antoinette. For France it would be a major coup, given how the duc d'Orléans - *sombre voice* so sad what has happened to him. To lose his sight at this point in his life [7] - could not even land a Russian proxy in the current queen of Greece.
Charlotte: then your sources are wrong, since Madame Royal will never accept a Russian match for her nephew.
Frankie: as I said to the Swedish envoy when he wished to tell me that she would never accept a match with Sweden, never is an awfully long time.
Charlotte: she is willing to endorse a match to a Bernadotte?
Frankie: France has a traditional alliance with Stockholm after all. It would not be unthinkab-
*men wearing Austrian army uniform are shown into the room*
Frankie: is there a problem, gentlemen?
Commander: Franz, Herzog von Reichstadt, Graf von Pettau, you are hereby to be placed under arrest for treason towards the emperor and the empire, for actively and knowingly conspiring with the enemies of the state to ensure the fall of the house of Austria, for the senseless murder of countless Austrians.
Frankie: on the emperor's orders? My grandfather would never-
Commander: *grabs him roughly* *turns him around* *puts him in irons* the emperor is dead. *leads him out of the room* these are on the orders of the chancellor, Prince Metternich.
Charlotte: *watches in horror as she follows* *we see that they've already arrested a by now heavily pregnant Amalie, Karoline and Therese are watching fearfully*
*the rest of the pupils are looking worriedly at the procession*
Charlotte: *slaps one of the soldiers through the face after he brought the butt of his rifle down on Leopold's shoulder* *the little boy was trying to stop them pulling Eugène - who was biting another soldier's hand - off*
*fade to black*
[1] in a proxy marriage, this was regarded as a "symbol" of the consummation
[2] I could honestly see this as being one of the things that Frankie impresses on his "pupils". As for the difference between Auguste sobbing in the church and her attitude here, it's less that the tears were for show and more like "suddenly the pressure's off"
[3] basically this is what the French naval jack looks like
Angoulême's left the tricoleur in place, even though it isn't the king's personal standard - this was a compromise suggested but ultimately rejected in 1830. After all, having been restored by "force" and the recent rebellion of the National Guard, he might have a better leg to stand on to refuse the demands TTL. Since, obviously, there's going to be a debate about the French flag. The naval jack is "less touchy" and the ships that were anti-republican may have started flying something other than the tricolour anyway.
[4] this honour formerly belonged to the duc d'Angoulême, but the granting of the rank to Joinville rather than one of Henri's supporters may be a "test" of loyalty as much as a mark of favour. Joinville would likely know that one misstep and he gets permanently beached. It might also be because Henri doesn't have any "suitable" candidates - most of the royalist admirals would be well into their sixties, and any who fought with him are going to be a soldier/administrator rather than a sailor.
[5] the Orléanist relationship with the Bonapartes was always iffier than the Bonapartes relations with the Bourbons. I've never quite figured out why, but it predates the Second Empire/Napoléon III's seizure of their properties. I suspect that even without a seizure of their properties by a Bonaparte, Frankie's influence on Henri is going to make the Orléans equally skittish around him.
[6] Aunt Amelie [de Beauharnais]. Why is France providing the transport when Austria has a navy? This is a bit of a "good will tour" by La Royale. Joinville is appointed to lead it since a) he's admiral de France and b) he's the emperor of Brasil's brother-in-law. He was likely going on this tour anyway, so they just decided to ride-share with Auguste rather than fitting out a whole new flotilla to escort her. Which also makes the French government look good/generous to the Brasilians and Tuscans
[7] this would be the pairing of Charlotte's eldest daughter, Maria Mikhailovna, and the Hereditary Prince of Baden (future Friedrich I)
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Same here.Still I hope to see Metternich executed for his undeniable high treason against the House of Austria very soon
Metternich was known OTL for "getting creative". This might have been a "old" arrest warrant that he kept filed in a drawer somewhere "just in case" (for instance in 1830 when there was a very real fear that Frankie would go against Austrian interests) that Emperor Franz did sign (more just as a "sop to Cerberus" to placate French concerns). He's just updated (and maybe even published) the arrest warrant. As for how Metternich does this: this a man with his own secret police and rigid censorship, it's not impossible that he ordered news of the emperor's death be withheld and sent people to Venice to arrest Frankie before this. Alternately, it's not impossible that Metternich slipped the arrest warrant in among a bunch of other papers the Emperor had to sign and the man didn't bother checking to see what it is.I am wondering how Metternich can order the arrest of Franz, when he is a) a close relative of the Imperial family and b) the designated regent of Austria. Only Ferdinand I could, in theory, order such arrest NOT Metternich. And I believe who such coup will fail and be the end of Metternich as Ferdinand and most of the archdukes had agreed on Frankie as regent and are unlikely to change idea.
Still I hope to see Metternich executed for his undeniable high treason against the House of Austria very soon
It's still VERY infuriating.Besides, did anyone think after what Stephan said to Franzi (likening Metternich to Robespierre) that he wouldn't try something like this?
The point is who as soon Franz is dead, Frankie is the man in charge, meaning who Metternich can NOT order to arrest him (and if Franz had signed the order, that would be invalidated by his death and I am not sHRE who Ferdinand could sign the order to arrest his regent)Metternich was known OTL for "getting creative". This might have been a "old" arrest warrant that he kept filed in a drawer somewhere "just in case" (for instance in 1830 when there was a very real fear that Frankie would go against Austrian interests) that Emperor Franz did sign (more just as a "sop to Cerberus" to placate French concerns). He's just updated (and maybe even published) the arrest warrant. As for how Metternich does this: this a man with his own secret police and rigid censorship, it's not impossible that he ordered news of the emperor's death be withheld and sent people to Venice to arrest Frankie before this. Alternately, it's not impossible that Metternich slipped the arrest warrant in among a bunch of other papers the Emperor had to sign and the man didn't bother checking to see what it is.
Also, Frankie's words to Charlotte - to not accept Silesia as the dowry for Luise of Prussia's being betrothed to Franzi but as a prize of war - would be enough for Metternich to portray Frankie as being the obstacle to making peace. Goodinand was characterized as a feather in the breeze, pulled this way and that by the factions at court, so it wouldn't be a far jump for Metternich to say "sire, your nephew is an obstacle to making peace" to "sire, your nephew doesn't want to make peace because he wants to usurp your throne". It doesn't hurt that Frankie is (outside of the Wittelsbach party at court) pretty much sans allies of influence in Vienna: he's pissed off his mother, pissed off Archduke Rainier who likely co-operated with Metternich, Archdukes Johann and Ludwig haven't been fans of Frankie's either, likely stepped on more than a few toes in the name of his "education ministry"...and the people who could defend him (Prince Dietrichstein and Prince Schwarzenberg) were likely sent packing or a flimsy excuse was used to get them out of town.
Metternich has been playing politics longer than Frankie has been alive, and after his reaction to that cartoon, it's not unthinkable that Metternich has come to the conclusion that "better to strike than be struck". He knows he's made too much of an enemy of Frankie over the years for there to be a "truce" between them.
Besides, did anyone think after what Stephan said to Franzi (likening Metternich to Robespierre) that he wouldn't try something like this?
The point is who as soon Franz is dead, Frankie is the man in charge, meaning who Metternich can NOT order to arrest him (and if Franz had signed the order, that would be invalidated by his death and I am not sHRE who Ferdinand could sign the order to arrest his regent)
I'm sure when people find out about it, they're gonna object. After all, it wasn't just his kids they arrested Frankie in front of, there was Francisca of Brasil, Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna, the queen of Spain's stepsiblings, the duc de Choiseul-Praslin's former governess, whose former charge is now the princesse de la Trémoïlle. Lots of people that Metternich can't touch who have a "pen and a phoneline" to some very important people (Nikolai I, Henri de Chambord, Prince Albert, Isabel II, Maria II) who are likely all going to be "lobbying" on Frankie's behalf. Not to mention Teschen/Palatine Joseph and Prince Esterházy's private army. I think much like Louis Philippearresting Henri, Metternich will likely realize that this was kind of a bad decision.It's still VERY infuriating.
Oh, no doubt, Metternich will have a shitstorm coming his way for this, every politicians worst nightmare come true.I'm sure when people find out about it, they're gonna object. After all, it wasn't just his kids they arrested Frankie in front of, there was Francisca of Brasil, Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna, the queen of Spain's stepsiblings, the duc de Choiseul-Praslin's former governess, whose former charge is now the princesse de la Trémoïlle. Lots of people that Metternich can't touch who have a "pen and a phoneline" to some very important people (Nikolai I, Henri de Chambord, Prince Albert, Isabel II, Maria II) who are likely all going to be "lobbying" on Frankie's behalf. Not to mention Teschen/Palatine Joseph and Prince Esterházy's private army. I think much like Louis Philippearresting Henri, Metternich will likely realize that this was kind of a bad decision.
This gets worse For Metternich by the minutes, the fallout Will be catasthrophic foto him! And i'm all For it!
Problem is Metternich is at this point now where if he turns back, there's no hope that Frankie will say "let's let bygones be bygones"Metternich will need to make a very bad end very soon for the good of Austria… His fixation/love for Prussia has put him on a road who can bring ONLY to execution block (or to the complete ruin of Austria) but he is too stupid for understand it
Now he could only to go to the execution block or he has DESTROYED Austria.Problem is Metternich is at this point now where if he turns back, there's no hope that Frankie will say "let's let bygones be bygones"
No kidding! The line was crossed and the point of no return breached, only one will be leaving the ring this time.Problem is Metternich is at this point now where if he turns back, there's no hope that Frankie will say "let's let bygones be bygones"
credit goes to @isabellaGOD! It felt so good to read about the downfall of the man dragging Austria and Frankie down! Frankie will be calling the shoots in vienna now! Yay!
And nice list of candidates for the future Queen of France.
i think it will. Since Frankie will have to deal with his great-uncles. But right now, Vienna's still in mourning so he can't rock the boat too much yet. He's first gotta "settle in" if Franz's death was as sudden as it was OTLGreat update!
Ngl, I thought the final showdown with Metternich would span more chapters. By any chance, will what went down be elaborated in some manner in the future?