HnH 2: Part 5: Chapter 9 - 10
Nov. 9th, 2009 10:44 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
caithionHabsburg no Houken, Book 2
Part V - Twilight on the Moldau
Chapter 9 - München Assault
Karl Albrecht succeeded in getting himself crowned king of Bohemia and then elected to the imperial throne. However, Field Marshal Khevenhüller's troops locked the allies up in Linz and he managed to take München.
Eduard (secretly disobeying his house arrest, now six month's old) went out to see the Hungarians and Franz Stephan and Franz's brother Karl off. There was a sense of distance between Eduard and Franz Stephan, as one gets left behind. Franz reassures Eduard that if all goes well Therese will reward him for his part in it. Eduard is politely skeptical.
Chapter 10 - Crystal Mirror of Venice
In Austria, Khevenhüller--once a political prisoner--is a hero. A ball is thrown, and Khevenhüller is rewarded. But Therese says nothing of Eduard. At dinner one night, Franz Stephan broaches the subject. He points out that everything is due to Eduard: the Hungarians, the allies being rerouted, Khevenhüller himself. Eduard should be rewarded. He should be titled and made an adviser. Therese replies that tradition is everything in Austria, and Eduard is not Austrian and has no roots there. "He promised to make me empress. He swore to look after the interests of Austria. I shall wait and see what he can do."
Franz points out that Albrecht is emperor, and likely to live a long time, which should free Eduard of that responsibility. Therese repeats that she shall wait, and see. Franz storms out. A long moment in Franz's mind. He gave up his closeness with Eduard when Eduard went to Turkey, and he had long, peaceful years with his wife in Tuscany. But after Therese's father died and she insisted that she intended to rule alone, he tried to be a good husband as an adviser to her. But she refuses to heed his advice. He has done everything that he can, he thinks.
Franz goes to see Eduard, and asks him to go to Tuscany, together. "But Therese? The queen of Austria can't very well live in Tuscany." "Therese will stay. We came here together ten years ago and became Austrians together. Let's go now, and become Tuscans."
Moving moment of manly friendship, as Eduard appreciates what the offer means, but he gently turns Franz down. "I will see Therese as empress." As Franz leaves, he adds: "Thank you, my friend. I appreciate it." Franz turns back but all he can see is a lone candle in the room and the reflection of Eduard's bare back in the Venetian mirror as he embraces Andrássy.
(Yesss! Franz Stephan backbone! Nooo, Eduard, leave the women~~)
Part V - Twilight on the Moldau
Chapter 9 - München Assault
Karl Albrecht succeeded in getting himself crowned king of Bohemia and then elected to the imperial throne. However, Field Marshal Khevenhüller's troops locked the allies up in Linz and he managed to take München.
Eduard (secretly disobeying his house arrest, now six month's old) went out to see the Hungarians and Franz Stephan and Franz's brother Karl off. There was a sense of distance between Eduard and Franz Stephan, as one gets left behind. Franz reassures Eduard that if all goes well Therese will reward him for his part in it. Eduard is politely skeptical.
Chapter 10 - Crystal Mirror of Venice
In Austria, Khevenhüller--once a political prisoner--is a hero. A ball is thrown, and Khevenhüller is rewarded. But Therese says nothing of Eduard. At dinner one night, Franz Stephan broaches the subject. He points out that everything is due to Eduard: the Hungarians, the allies being rerouted, Khevenhüller himself. Eduard should be rewarded. He should be titled and made an adviser. Therese replies that tradition is everything in Austria, and Eduard is not Austrian and has no roots there. "He promised to make me empress. He swore to look after the interests of Austria. I shall wait and see what he can do."
Franz points out that Albrecht is emperor, and likely to live a long time, which should free Eduard of that responsibility. Therese repeats that she shall wait, and see. Franz storms out. A long moment in Franz's mind. He gave up his closeness with Eduard when Eduard went to Turkey, and he had long, peaceful years with his wife in Tuscany. But after Therese's father died and she insisted that she intended to rule alone, he tried to be a good husband as an adviser to her. But she refuses to heed his advice. He has done everything that he can, he thinks.
Franz goes to see Eduard, and asks him to go to Tuscany, together. "But Therese? The queen of Austria can't very well live in Tuscany." "Therese will stay. We came here together ten years ago and became Austrians together. Let's go now, and become Tuscans."
Moving moment of manly friendship, as Eduard appreciates what the offer means, but he gently turns Franz down. "I will see Therese as empress." As Franz leaves, he adds: "Thank you, my friend. I appreciate it." Franz turns back but all he can see is a lone candle in the room and the reflection of Eduard's bare back in the Venetian mirror as he embraces Andrássy.
(Yesss! Franz Stephan backbone! Nooo, Eduard, leave the women~~)
