"Lately, Theresia has been talking about you quite a bit."
"Yes, thanks to the Archduchess treating me so kindly, I've been having a wonderful time every day."
"Nothing out of the ordinary happen?"
A report disguised as casual dinner conversation.
"It seems the Archduchess wants to give coffee a try."
"Ah, yes. I heard about that. She drank it black without sugar and got a taste of the bitterness. Then you thoughtfully suggested drinking chocolate together to accommodate her? That was very aristocratic of you."
And with that, a praise sticker well-earned.
Charles VI shook his head slowly as he brought a cup of coffee laden with milk to his lips.
"I don't know who she takes after, but that child has a stubborn streak. Still, the servants say your personalities match well, so that's a relief."
The Emperor already knew most of what had happened between Theresia and me.
As the time we spent together increased, so did the detail in the reports that reached him.
He had permitted us to spend considerable time alone together, but surely he hadn't done so just for us to play around.
This was to judge more precisely whether I was fit to be the Habsburg son-in-law.
It was a process even my past self had gone through, one I had to pass naturally.
Though back then, it had happened a few years later. In that sense, this was closer to a positive sign.
No matter the reason, if I could stay by Theresia's side from a young age, I could exert a positive influence on her.
"The Archduchess is exceptionally bright and has a strong thirst for knowledge. Perhaps that's what comes across as stubbornness at times?"
"A thirst for knowledge... Come to think of it, I've heard she's been sharing what she's learned with you a lot lately. What do you think?"
"Pardon? What do you mean...?"
"Ah, I was too curt. I mean her education policy."
He asked nonchalantly, but this was more confirmation than a question.
This was about the education of the Archduchess, first in the line of succession—no way it hadn't been reported.
I'd anticipated it, so I wasn't flustered.
I'd planned to broach the topic anyway, so him bringing it up first was actually convenient.
The ideal response in such cases was already set.
Not overstepping, yet showing some conviction.
All while demonstrating my sincere care for Theresia.
"I'm still learning myself, so I can't say how accurate my thoughts are. But if the Archduchess has such a strong desire to learn, wouldn't it be better to satisfy that?"
"The servants hinted that you subtly want the same. Was that just to humor her, or sincere?"
"Yes. In my humble opinion, it is."
Charles VI narrowed his eyes in surprise at my honest reply.
"...Why?"
This wasn't just asking why she needed a ruler's education.
It was a reaction born from knowing such education brought me no benefit.
"Because I believe it's what's best for the Archduchess."
"Franz, I don't think you're some once-in-a-generation genius, but I do see you as a bright boy with solid judgment. That's why I don't understand."
He'd said it outright before, but Charles VI saw me as his top son-in-law candidate.
I knew it. The palace servants knew it. Even young Theresia could probably sense the atmosphere.
And naturally, the heads of households in this era had firm expectations of their wives.
Men led the family, while women complemented their husband's status and wisely managed the home.
This held true even for noble families, especially high-ranking ones.
A noble ruled by his wife?
Perfect fodder for whispers of being a spineless loser.
This was from personal experience, so I knew for sure.
No matter how much you try to ignore it, it stings.
"Is it to accommodate those being considered for marriage with the Archduchess?"
I asked tactfully, and the Emperor paused before subtly raising his hand, signaling the servants to withdraw.
The attendants standing by bowed and slipped away like the tide receding.
"Indeed, you're exercising good judgment. I'm relieved."
In simple terms: if the wife-to-be is too smart, men hesitate to marry.
Especially a Holy Roman Empire Archduchess trained as a ruler? And as a son-in-law entering the imperial family?
Only someone prepared to abandon all pride could accept that.
Theresia was still young, but candidates like Spain's Carlos or Portugal's princes were already in discussion, besides me.
Yet educating her as heir now would paint a certain picture to outsiders.
Whoever marries in would live stifled forever.
"Even if the Archduchess has strong convictions, she would never belittle or crush others."
"That's not the point. The mere impression that she might is the problem. Since the topic's arisen, beyond what you said—why do you think I haven't ordered heir training for Theresia? Give me your reasoned guess."
"...For one, Your Majesty is still in robust health."
"Yes. I haven't given up on having a son, nor have the other electors."
Charles VI had pushed through the Pragmatic Sanction to override Salic Law, but it was a expedient for Habsburg survival.
The Emperor himself desperately wanted a son—what more needed saying?
The electors wished for a male heir to prevent disputes from the start.
Educating Theresia as heir in this climate risked signaling he'd abandoned hopes for a son.
Charles VI wanted no such implication, a perfectly valid reason.
In fact, the War of the Austrian Succession erupted from bypassing Salic Law.
And we effectively lost Silesia—20% of revenue, prime land—to Prussia's Potato King Frederick.
Not the sole cause, but undeniable as casus belli.
Thus, Charles VI's yearning for a son wasn't wrong.
"Also, if she were trained as heir and Your Majesty had a son, her position would become awkward."
"Exactly. She'd have to be married off abroad, and who would want a woman raised as Habsburg heir for a wife?"
Well... considering Theresia's future beauty, some might fall for her looks, but he wasn't wrong.
It wasn't just about the Empire or his face; genuine concern for his daughter's future shone through.
I hadn't realized it before, but Charles VI was a father who loved his child as much as he was Emperor.
Of course, I'd marry Theresia regardless, but saying that would be trouble, so I kept quiet.
The reason? Love, obviously. But that'd brand me a pervert beyond redemption.
"Seeing Your Majesty's great concerns, I feel ashamed for speaking rashly."
"Haha, no matter. As you say, I'm still young—plenty of chance for a son."
No, sorry, father-in-law, but you're fated never to have a son, or even another daughter.
Knowing the future, it was heartbreaking, but what could I do?
Speaking it would just sound like a curse.
While he clung to vain hopes, I'd prepare on my end.
"Your Majesty, this may sound presumptuous, but seeing you worry not just as Emperor but as the Archduchess's father moved me deeply. What if I helped with her basic education?"
"Helped? Teach her math or politics basics?"
"Yes. We already spend time together with snacks regularly. An hour or two of basics then would help greatly later."
Deep studies were beyond me, but Theresia was just eight.
Fundamentals were enough, and they'd benefit her immensely down the line.
"True... You could handle young children's lessons."
"Yes, and since it's during snack time, no one else needs to know."
The key wasn't her gaining heir skills, but keeping it from leaking.
If discovered, dismiss it as children's play.
If no son came, this education would prove vital; if a prince was born, pretend nothing happened.
"Not a bad idea... Franz, I didn't know you cared for Theresia this much. Honestly, I don't fully grasp why you're so good to her."
I couldn't say love, but I had a prepared excuse this time.
"It doesn't feel like someone else's business."
"Because you might marry her someday, so fulfilling your son-in-law duties?"
"Not quite. As Your Majesty knows, I wasn't meant to inherit. As a child, I believed my late brother would take the dukedom, but after his illness, I was thrust here."
"...That was a great shock to me too."
Charles VI sighed sincerely in mourning.
My brother, meant for Lorraine Duke, had studied in Vienna before succumbing to smallpox.
A hazy memory now, but a profound trauma for my younger self.
"I had contingency education, but deep down, I never thought I'd be heir. Hearing I had to lead the family felt utterly daunting."
Not fabricated—my past self's raw emotions.
"If the Archduchess one day faces heavy responsibility unprepared, I can imagine the pressure."
"..."
"Seeing her pure, innocent smile, I wish she'd never feel that despair. So I want to help, even a little."
Caught off-guard, the Emperor leaned forward, staring straight at me.
I met his gaze steadily.
A bit abbreviated, but pure truth, no lies.
Charles VI valued ceremony yet held boundless family love.
For such matters, appealing to emotion trumped logic.
"...Like looking in a mirror, eh? Yes, now I understand your kindness toward her. And with such passion, how could I not be moved?"
As expected from the father-in-law I knew.
Tilting his coffee cup happily, his face was that of a doting dad, not the Holy Roman Emperor.
"Somehow, I picture you in tears later, unable to handle her—she's no ordinary girl."
"Then I'll strive to become a man worthy of respect like Your Majesty."
"Heh, you rascal. Flattering to the end."
The talk ended amicably, the Emperor rising with an approving smile.
I returned to my room basking in the triumph of scaling a great peak.
Theresia would surely grow into an unparalleled empress.
But as the Emperor worried, I'd never fail to handle her.
Even if she became the grand roof sheltering the Empire's subjects.
I'd be the steadfast pillar upholding it.
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