No matter what the outcome may be, from Carlo's perspective, a political marriage with the Austro-Hungarian Empire is undoubtedly one of the best options.
The Austro-Hungarian Empire is one of the traditional Five Great European Powers (UK, France, Germany, Austria, and Russia), with a strong foundation in both economy and industry.
Although defeated by Prussia a few years back, the powerful France also fell under Prussia's cannons. Comparing the two, it becomes clear that the Austro-Hungarian Empire isn't as weak as imagined.
As a matter of fact, considering the wars between France, Prussia, and the Austrian Empire, Prussia's powerful Krupp Cannons were not something they possessed from the start.
As early as 1859, the country with the most advanced artillery technology on the European Continent was France at that time. An Italo-French-Austrian War made the Austrian Empire realize the strength of French artillery, prompting them to start anew and build stronger cannons.
