Both Prime Minister Prim and Carlo could understand the intentions of Austria-Hungary and Franz Joseph I.
No matter the considerations, neither would refuse Franz Joseph I's request.
After all, the larger the scale of the Austro-Hungarian naval and land forces deployed, the more it proves Austria-Hungary's regard for Princess Sophie of Lorraine.
If Austria-Hungary places such emphasis on Princess Sophie, doesn't that also mean Austria-Hungary will value Spain as an ally?
Although there is no help on the national interest level, diplomatically it can still play a tiger's might. Individually, neither Spain nor Austria-Hungary is very powerful, but if the two countries unite, even superpowers like the UK, France, and Germany would have to carefully weigh the pros and cons.
This is why one must be thankful that the relationship between Italy and Spain is very good at this time, and the King of Italy is Carlo's father, Vittorio Emanuele II.
