As we chatted about this and that, we soon arrived at our destination.
It was still referred to as Eugène's summer villa, but this place held special significance for me.
After Eugène's death, no one other than Theresa herself had bought the palace and named it Belvedere, turning it into an imperial exhibition hall.
I could still vividly recall strolling through the flowerbeds where elegant blooms rose amid beautiful paintings.
Just as I confirmed that cherished spot with my own eyes, the carriage came to a gentle stop.
"We've arrived."
At the same time, the lined-up attendants hurried over and opened the door.
"It is our utmost honor to escort Your Highness Theresa. We sincerely welcome Your Highness Franz as well."
With precise yet graceful movements, the attendants helped Theresa down from the carriage first, and I followed suit.
As we passed through a short corridor to the banquet hall entrance, a small drum sounded once, and an attendant gestured smoothly while raising his voice.
"Her Imperial Highness the Archduchess of Austria, Princess of Hungary and Bohemia, the glorious daughter of the House of Habsburg, Maria Theresa enters!"
The hall, twinkling like stars transplanted from the night sky, fell silent in an instant as all eyes turned to the entrance.
Theresa stepped forward with a touch of tension but unwavering poise, and it was immediately my turn next.
"His Highness Franz Stefan, the glorious son of Duke Leopold of Lorraine and Bar, enters!"
I was aware of it, but being announced with this title at a banquet felt refreshingly novel after so long.
"Please enjoy yourselves."
I gave a slight nod and entered the banquet hall at an easy pace.
Theresa had already captured everyone's attention completely and was surrounded by a crowd.
Of course, these weren't just any guests—they were all standout figures at this banquet.
An elderly man, who had been conversing with Theresa with a kindly smile, turned his gaze toward me.
His angular, gaunt, wrinkled features couldn't be called impressive, even politely.
Yet the aura of unyielding strength and intellect emanating from him was anything but ordinary.
Facing that solemn presence made it sink in anew that the palace's master hadn't changed yet.
The host of this banquet and the Holy Roman Empire's greatest general, Eugène de Savoie.
Germans called him Prince Eugene, but that name felt more familiar to me.
Of course, as a Frenchman by birth, if I used that pronunciation here, I'd draw snide remarks like, "That French foreigner just can't help showing off even in a place like this." So I had to be especially careful.
"Heh heh, the boy I saw at the palace two years ago has grown so composed. I nearly didn't recognize you! It's been quite some time."
Eugène met my eyes, flashed a sociable smile, and took a step forward.
I'd been pondering the best way to greet him, but he saved me the trouble by mentioning we'd met before—how convenient.
"I apologize for not visiting sooner to pay my respects. Seeing you, the bulwark of the Empire, in such fine health puts my mind at ease."
"You've honed your silver tongue in the meantime. Bulwark of the Empire? What nonsense from an old fogey like me."
"Not at all. Who in this Empire could replace Prince Eugène? I didn't realize it before, but the more I learn lately, the more I personally appreciate your greatness."
This wasn't flattery or exaggeration—it was simple fact, so my tone stayed matter-of-fact.
Indeed, while Eugène lived, Habsburg Austria advanced triumphantly, emerging victorious in countless wars.
But after his retirement, without proper generational succession, Austria suffered unbelievable defeat after defeat in subsequent wars.
In the end, it spat out all the vast territories Eugène had secured, and the emperor's authority plummeted like stock prices during the Great Depression.
Charles VI's late-life struggles and the near-collapse of Theresa's succession were, at root, all because of this.
The emperor might think it's fine since no one in the Empire openly defies him now, but that's just because Eugène was exceptionally capable.
Without him, the emperor is merely stock in a corporation doomed to crash.
No, even worse—stocks can be cut at a loss before ruin, but here, you can't divest until death.
Unaware of such a future, Eugène chuckled and shook his head.
"Heavens, did His Majesty instruct you to gild my image extravagantly? And your aura seems a bit different from last time."
"Perhaps it's because I've grown accustomed to this place over the past two years."
"Indeed. The anxiety and tension you had before are largely gone."
The peerless general eyed me with interest before bringing over those watching us eagerly from behind.
"Since we have this fine opportunity, let's make introductions. This is Karl Albrecht, second son of the Elector of Bavaria. Here is Friedrich August, eldest son of Elector August of Saxony. Over there are Ludwig Georg of Baden and Karl Alexander of Württemberg, and finally, this fine young man is the distinguished guest from England, Charles Spencer. They're all such luminaries, I'm sure you've heard the names."
As Eugène introduced each one, I busily shook hands and exchanged pleasantries.
True to the deliberate grandeur of this banquet, every face gathered here was a future heavyweight.
Friedrich August, despite rumors of being a foolhardy ruler, would later become Elector of Saxony and King of Poland-Lithuania.
England's Charles Spencer would become the Duke of Marlborough and was the brother of John Spencer, direct ancestor of that Mr. Gallipoli, Winston Churchill.
All of them could have been the banquet's stars, but the one who drew my sharpest attention was, without doubt...
"I hear Your Highness Franz and Her Highness Theresa get along splendidly. Even Bavaria's abuzz with the rumors."
Karl Albrecht of the Bavarian Electoral family openly showed keen interest in my relationship with Theresa.
Though the second son, with his elder brother dying early, he'd become heir and likely ascend as Elector of Bavaria next year.
But my focus on him wasn't just for that background.
The name he'd later claim was Charles VII.
In other words, this man didn't stop at Elector of Bavaria—he eyed the throne of the Holy Roman Empire and briefly seized it.
Not because he outshone Theresa in ability.
Upon becoming Elector, he approved the Pragmatic Sanction justifying her Habsburg inheritance.
But when Emperor Charles VI died, he flipped like a pancake, declared war on us, and rallied other electors' votes.
Charles VI's late incompetence played a part, and with that potato overlord monster Frederick leading Prussia to invade Austria, he probably thought, "Why not me?"
Maybe he feigned compliance from the start planning betrayal—who knows. The point is, given a chance, he'd gladly stick a knife in our backs.
"It's a bit embarrassing that rumors about me have spread to Bavaria. If I'd known, I would've studied harder."
"Nonsense. You're already exceptional. Ah, and as you may know, my wife is from the House of Habsburg too. So I understand your position. Let's stay close—it's fate, after all."
Of course. His claim to the imperial throne stemmed from his wife Maria Amalia being the daughter of Emperor Joseph I.
Married to Habsburg royalty and warring over the throne later, one might call him my nemesis... but he's too low-caliber for that.
Without that Frederick, he'd have been crushed the moment he struck. No need for undue praise.
That said, his pedigree and backing demanded utmost vigilance.
"It would be an honor to build ties with Your Highness Karl, future Elector of Bavaria."
I yielded politely with a bow, gauging his expression.
Though a top contender for Habsburg son-in-law, I was still just a 17-year-old youth.
From Karl's perspective, eleven years my senior, I likely wasn't a serious rival yet—and his subtle demeanor confirmed it.
"Then, whenever I visit Vienna, I'll be sure to call on our Franz. If family matters trouble you, feel free to confide. I'll help however I can. Lorraine alone may struggle, but with Bavaria's aid, no problem's insurmountable."
Emphasizing his own Habsburg marriage while slyly asserting his house's superiority.
Childish tactics toward an eleven-year-younger boy, but the others had already turned back to Theresa, ignoring us.
Past-life me might've feigned nonchalance, but now? Utter indifference.
No emotional flicker, not even a blink.
Instead, I grinned amiably and seized his proffered hand.
"Oh, really? I'd be eternally grateful for your help. Sigh... Vienna's suffocating me with issues already..."
"Ah... is that so?"
No real intent to help, but if this lets me squeeze concessions, I'd drain him dry.
"Yes, yes. I've been losing sleep over nightmares. And now it's spread through the palace... I'm too ashamed to show my face."
"I see..."
Having heard the rumors, Karl's face twitched with faint derision.
As expected of an elector with imperial votes—he kept sharp tabs on Vienna's happenings.
So he knew Theresa and I had grown close lately.
This convinced me: for now, maintain the policy of acting utterly ordinary unless alone with Theresa.
I nodded along to Karl's words, peering past his shoulder at Eugène leading Theresa to the center.
Beneath the dazzling chandelier, he addressed the room with calm authority.
"Esteemed guests, I sincerely thank you for gracing this occasion. May blessings and prosperity light our paths, and may this gathering further illuminate our Empire's dignity and traditions. Moreover..."
He continued smoothly for another minute before turning to Theresa beside him and quietly saying,
"Next, a word from Her Imperial Highness the Archduchess, representing the imperial family."
Theresa drew a light breath and stepped forward with small but steady steps.
She calmly recited the lines we'd rehearsed several times on the carriage ride.
"First, I offer my heartfelt thanks and blessings to all gathered here. May this day remain a warm memory in our hearts for years to come."
Her voice trembled slightly, but her breathing stayed even, each clear pronunciation infused with noble etiquette and grace.
Karl smirked at me watching her in moved admiration.
"Our Archduchess must have practiced diligently?"
"She puts her all into everything."
Ah, this tactless fool picks now to chime in.
Your yapping's ruining Theresa's historic first public speech.
"I can guess His Majesty's intentions. Though young, he wants to show she has what it takes to bear the Habsburgs if no son comes."
Yeah, everyone here already knows that without you saying it.
The surrounding nobles eyed her appraisingly, after all.
Burdened by the mood yet pressing on flawlessly—truly admirable.
"...May we continue leading one another with steadfast virtue and affection."
As Theresa's brief speech ended, the hall erupted in generous applause, rewarding her effort.
Yet, amid the admiration, a subtle heaviness settled over the room.
Until now, they'd dismissed female succession as unlikely; now, they began accepting it as real.
Sensing the need to lighten the air, I swept all her favorite desserts onto my plate as a signal.
Her gaze, scanning amid the cheers, met mine perfectly.
"Aaah! Franz-nim! That cake was reserved by me! I was saving it to eat!"
Her timely, adorable outburst sparked laughter around us.
"Oh dear, Franz-nim! You must leave some for Her Highness Theresa, surely."
"Hahaha, Your Highness, this almond cake is quite popular too."
"Come now, that's not all—don't worry. How could those be the only cakes for Her Highness?"
The hall swiftly filled with warm mirth, and at Eugène's cue, cakes and desserts piled up like mountains.
"Wow! Franz-nim, you promised—no interfering with what I eat tonight, okay?"
Her innocent, joyous expression beamed.
I'd asked for extra childlike charm, but her acting was vividly spot-on.
I nodded with utmost delight.
"Yes, yes. Even if Your Highness devours every cake in the hall, I won't lift a finger."
Theresa beamed happily and scurried off at my confirmation.
"...Kids are still kids, after all."
Karl's mutter behind seemed everyone's sentiment, and the banquet reignited with its initial fervor.
A resounding debut success.
For me, and for her.
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