Chapter 438: Countdown
"Hmm, why do I feel like your outfit doesn't look much different from usual? Nothing particularly eye-catching," Archduke Ferdinand remarked as he observed Ernst.
Because Constantino was stationed in East Africa, the arrangements for the wedding mainly fell to Archduke Ferdinand.
"Looking the same as usual is one of the highlights. Doesn't it just show that my everyday fashion sense is on point?" Ernst said as he stood before the mirror.
Ernst's daily attire consisted almost exclusively of suits; he rarely wore anything else. So when he donned formal wedding attire, the look didn't differ much from usual.
It wasn't that Ernst particularly liked suits—it was just that clothing in this era wasn't as comfortable as in his previous life. Suits were the most fitting and comfortable option. Military uniforms were also quite wearable, but since Ernst didn't command troops, he had no need to wear them, except for a brief period in South Africa during military operations.
Wearing the groom's formalwear, Ernst still looked decent. That was more than enough—after all, in political marriages, looks are never the primary concern. Politically, economically, in terms of status and strength, Ernst was a top-tier match for the Habsburg family.
If this had been a daughter of Emperor Franz himself getting married, the Habsburgs would have been far more selective. But as it was Archduke Ferdinand's daughter, the level of attention was understandably less.
Internationally, this marriage didn't make a huge splash, though it was well-publicized in Austria. After all, 1873 had been plagued with mishaps and bad news, leaving the Habsburgs and the Austrian government overwhelmed.
Now, Princess Karina's wedding served as a rare joyful event—a fitting way to wrap up a dismal year.
To host this wedding, Ernst spared no expense. After all, this was the first time in either of his lives that he was getting married, so he allowed himself the luxury of extravagance.
Vienna, which had just concluded the World Expo, maintained its heightened police presence to ensure public order. The streets remained clean and tidy.
Hechingen Electric Company had installed decorative lights throughout the city to dazzle Viennese citizens at night.
East Africa's armed forces had also completed training at a nearby garrison—one of the highlights of the wedding, showcasing the strength of the East African Kingdom.
In Europe, although it didn't appear as fragmented as in Ernst's past life (due to events like the Austro-Hungarian and Yugoslav breakups or the Soviet collapse), there were actually more nations now.
Take Germany, for example. It was still home to numerous constituent states. While these had lost sovereignty, their titles remained. The Austro-Hungarian Empire was no different.
Three kingdoms, seven duchies, one principality, plus various regions and provinces—all held together by Franz, who wore many hats, serving as the linchpin of the Habsburg Empire.
Of course, these states owed their current status to their ancestors' support of the Habsburgs. Take Hungary, for example—they opposed Austria, but not the Habsburg family.
It's also worth noting that the current Habsburg family isn't the same as the original one. Technically, today's dynasty should be called the House of Habsburg-Lorraine.
On October 20, 1740, the original Habsburg male line died out. Archduchess Maria Theresa inherited the Austrian, Bohemian, and Hungarian thrones, while her husband, Duke Francis of Lorraine, lost the election for Holy Roman Emperor. Thus, today's Habsburgs are patrilineally Lorrainers.
The Lorraines' biggest contribution may have been genetic. Thanks to them, the Austro-Hungarian royal family turned out relatively good-looking.
More than a dozen German royal and noble representatives confirmed attendance at Ernst's wedding. From abroad came delegations from Sweden, Romania, Russia, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and others. Austria, of course, would be heavily represented. Yet no major monarchs attended in person, except for Franz himself. However, many crown princes were present—Prussia sent Crown Prince Friedrich, and Russia sent Alexander III.
Aristocratic weddings serve as both social platforms and minor political forums. The three crown princes—already informally allied—gathered to strengthen their ties. Of the three, Rudolf was the youngest.
To be honest, Friedrich was the only one whose capabilities were beyond question. As a key political figure in the empire, he had long assisted Wilhelm I and held deep roots among Prussian officials and the military.
Alexander III, on the other hand, was less impressive. He wasn't originally supposed to be crown prince, but his older brother Nicholas died unexpectedly in 1865 after falling from a horse and succumbing to illness. Thus, Alexander moved to first in the line of succession.
Rudolf had it even worse. Only Ernst knew how far he was from actually ascending the throne.
Despite his youth, Rudolf held his own in discussions with the other crown princes. The three launched into a heated debate about global geopolitics.
"Today, Britain and France are the most powerful nations in the world. The international order they established still holds sway. While our three countries are strong, our geography puts us in a rather awkward position," Alexander III said confidently.
"It all boils down to geopolitics. The European continent is too cramped, and we happen to sit in its heart. We have far less room to maneuver compared to the wider world. Meanwhile, the seas are already controlled by Britain and France. From that angle, even the Americans are in a better position than we are. They're just being held back by Britain for now. But once someone cuts them loose, the U.S. will become the enemy of all Europe!" Rudolf declared, casting a shadow over America's future role—perhaps under someone's influence.
At this point, the seasoned Friedrich finally spoke: "Heh, today is Ernst's wedding day—let's not dwell on such heavy topics. Changes in the international order follow both logic and chaos, and these matters are still far off for us."
"Besides, the three of us mustn't let foreign opinion sway our alliance. We need to stand together—only through unity do we stand a chance. None of us can dominate Europe alone. Britain and France will never allow any one of us to become too powerful."
Despite his words, Friedrich was the only one deeply involved in international affairs. He knew very well that the current size and strength of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia were already at the edge of what Britain and France could tolerate. Any further ambitions would have to be backed by brute force.
Friedrich concluded: "In this hostile external environment, competition among ourselves is pointless. We must set aside disputes and stick together."
He also hoped that Austria-Hungary and Russia could reduce their tensions—especially in the Balkans. While strategically important, the Balkans could easily lead to mutual ruin if the two powers clashed, benefiting only third parties. Though Alexander III and Rudolf were still just heirs today, Friedrich hoped they would remember his words when they became emperors.
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