Three days after the announcement of the new Ehrenfeld-Austrian Parliament, the heart of Vienna beat with political tension rather than military dread. For the first time in centuries, the Empire would not be ruled solely by bloodline or blade—but by voice.
Inside the grand, glass-ceilinged Assembly Hall—formerly a war room now turned parliament—rows of representatives took their seats beneath the gilded eagle of the Empire. The flags of Czechia, Austria, and Slovakia stood side-by-side behind the Speaker's podium.
The Parliament was divided into four main factions, each granted official status under the Ehrenfeld Act:
1. The Reformists –Led by Minister Anika Weiß, a former bureaucrat turned ideologue, and backed by guild technocrats and civic leaders. Their doctrine: "A New Empire for a New World."They advocated for civil liberties, decentralization, and a written constitution binding the monarch's powers to an elected Council.
2. The Sovereigns (Monarchists) –Centered around General Engelhardt and many of Hans's old officers, the Sovereigns believed the throne was the sacred heart of stability. Their slogan: "Unity Through the Crown."They pushed for a strong imperial executive, limited Parliament, and expanded security powers.
3. The Moderates (Federation Bloc) –Formed mostly by former Danube Confederation delegates and pragmatic Czech-Slovak leaders. Their belief: "Balance, Not Blood."They supported parliamentary oversight but with strong military integration and regional autonomy.
4. The Loyalist Traditionalists –A splinter group of nobles and former Iron Crown ministers who remained skeptical of both reform and centralization. They held little power but still carried weight with old money.
The Speaker's gavel struck.
Hans did not preside—he had made it clear that the Emperor would not rule Parliament, though he reserved veto power over military and imperial integrity matters.
Instead, the first Speaker, Helena von Merkenstein, a respected neutral academic, stood to open the session.
"On this day, by order of His Imperial Majesty Hans Ehrenfeld Adler, Sovereign of the Ehrenfeld-Austrian Empire, we convene the First Assembly of the Imperial Parliament."
"Let the voices of our Empire be heard."
Silence gave way to debate.
Early Clashes
Minister Anika Weiß rose first, sharp-voiced and confident.
"We can no longer afford to rule by decree. The Old Guard rose because there was no lawful channel for dissent. We must draft a constitution immediately—one that binds the Emperor's wartime powers, protects speech, and builds civil resilience."
Engelhardt countered, thundering:
"The Old Guard rose because they believed the Empire weak! If we bind Hans too tightly, we will tie the hands of our only shield. We need action, not ink!"
Boos and cheers split the chamber.
The Moderates proposed a middle road—an emergency protocol clause giving Hans wartime powers during declared crises but mandating regular elections for local assemblies.
Hans Watches
From a private balcony, Hans and Eliska watched in silence. She leaned toward him.
"You've made something dangerous."
Hans replied, "I know. But it's alive. They're fighting in words, not bombs."
She rested her hand on his.
"Still… keep your sword close."
He nodded.
Outside the Chamber
In the cafés of Vienna, citizens gathered around radios. For the first time, Parliament was being broadcast live. No censors. No edits.
Hope stirred—but so did resentment.
In the shadows of Graz, underground channels buzzed with Old Guard transmissions.
A message spread:
"They pretend unity. But it's rot behind marble. The Karling Standard will rise again. Prepare for the Second Fire."
And in the eastern forests near the Czech border, a black-hooded figure whispered into a phone.
"The vote to restrict the throne passes. Begin the Vienna Contingency."