Monarchy Over the Danube RE: Chapter 1

Monarchy Over the Danube: an Alternate History Tale of Austria-Hungary Retold through the Nations Themselves.

-CHAPTER 1-

Schonbrunn Palace, Vienna. 1 October 1935.

If Roderich Edelstein was frank about the proceedings, it still felt as though it what had just recently transpired was a surreal dream. One that was largely ignored by a world more fixated on other, far more immediate matters. Even so, he sighed quietly as he calmly drank a glass of wine. Far better this one than the Fuhrer's Third Reich.

The coronation of Otto von Habsburg earlier that day seemed like a throwback to another age, though it was of a smaller scale compared to the monarchs of old. The full pomp of ceremony after all was, like time itself a luxury in these austere days. And yet here he was, savoring an evening ball in the same halls Maria Theresa once walked in generations ago. Along with someone dear to me.

Here all around him, esteemed guests from across the country gave their toast to – and for some, suspicious glances at –the new sovereign of the Austrian monarchy, the first of his name by the Grace of God. Here were old nobility and self-made men. Politicians and activists. Socialists, Fascists and all sorts of folk in between. Even the Archbishop and Grand Rabbi of Wien were in attendance, the brown-haired aristocrat still surprised at how they managed to make the entire affair quick yet reverent. A magnificent tinderbox if there ever is one. All were here either to get in His Majesty’s graces or plot his downfall. Or at least that was how this would play out in most days. But if there was any certainty to be had, it was that most everyone present knew of the difficult road ahead.

Stranger things have happened. Slipping away, he found a quiet spot away from the celebrations. The old gardens stretching out before him, he found it harder to ignore more painful memories from the past. After all, the last time he had attended an Imperial ball, let alone one held in this place, it had been alongside his dear, spirited wife. Ja. Stranger things have happened…

“I’m surprised to find you here, Roderich. Tired from the proceedings already?”

He wearily turned to find his liege, still wearing the old white dress uniform he had worn during the ceremony. “I just needed some privacy, Your Majesty. And bitte, I am but your Nation.”

“Nonsense. Human or not, you’ve always been close to our family,” he chuckled warmly. “And I can assure you that we intend to stay this time.” The man’s smile turned into a more solemn one however as he noticed Roderich’s behavior. “Do you still miss her? ”

Austria was taken aback, finding it hard to slide back to his normal tone as memories of his, or rather their Dual Monarchy came back. “M-Mein Kaiser…It’s been too long. How c-”

“The Great War should never have happened, ja? Sarajevo, Russia, Italy, the trenches, everything. Kaiser Karl – my father was right trying to stop it, pointless as it was by then. Of course, you’ve seen what the price was for seeking peace.”

“Perhaps.” The Nation gritted more forcefully that he would have wanted. He could almost see it unraveling in his mind all over again. The bloodshed tearing though his, or rather their peoples’ morale. His household crumbling in one nationalist and ethnic uprising after another until even Hungary herself couldn’t take it anymore. All of that coming to a bitter end little less than 20 years earlier. Versailles should have been a mercy kill. “Beg my pardon. But I suppose there really was nothing that could have been done, my liege. We’ve all made our mistakes. Certain regrets that weigh deeply, as much as I would rather not bear them.” He could almost feel tears breaking through his façade, just barely able to repress them.

A moment of awkward silence followed as the mingled sounds of people and an orchestra playing continued echoing from the hall. Shrugging ever so slightly, the monarch was about to return to the festivities when he turned back to the Nation.

“There is another matter I wish to discuss with you as soon as you’re able.”

“Bitte, you have my undivided attention right now.” It took much discipline for Roderich to keep up his stride by that point as Otto glanced once more at the gardens.

“Speaking candidly, this restoration was never just about my family’s honor. The lands of the Danube deserve much better. It doesn’t make sense sticking to these arbitrary borders if we wish to make our Empire.” He smiled. “And it would be an injustice to you, my Nation if we do not offer – Nein, welcome back a certain neighbor to share it, is it not?”

“Are you really suggesting that-”

“What God has brought together, man cannot separate,” the monarch mused cryptically. “My parents taught me those words. No doubt you must have heard them as well back during your wedding. But please be patient. For now, we celebrate the beginning of a new age.”

Austria was, for once in what seemed like a long time, speechless. A faint, almost inaudible chuckle left his lips, at once worried and relieved as he watch his liege return to the festivities. He couldn’t help but wonder how the years to come would play out. Or whether the Ausgleich might come alive again.

But whatever happens, I look forward to seeing you soon. Elizaveta…