Chapter 49: Chapter 48: Austrian Christmas Ball Party

Hofburg Palace, Vienna, Austrian Empire

The Hofburg imperial palace of the Austrian Empire is shining brightly in the middle of the night. The Hofburg Palace is filled with a lot of people wearing fancy formal suits and dresses. Lively music is played by a large number of musicians and a lot of different cuisines are served to the guests. This is a typical sight every time the Imperial Family would have an imperial ball.

This Christmas ball celebration is very important as aside from the Austrian nobles that are present, there are a lot of important guests that are present at this year's ball.

First and foremost, the Russian Empire’s Tsesarevich, Grand Prince Aleksandr IV, and the Russian delegation are present at this year’s celebration. The thirty-year-old Russian Grand Prince had captured a lot of eyes of the Austrian noble ladies as the Grand Prince is still a bachelor even at that age.

Even if there are rumors that he would be engaged with the British Princess, there are still some who are hoping that they could grab the interest of the Grand Prince, especially those who are nobles of higher ranks and power. Some of the fathers of these noble ladies are telling these ladies to try to grab the attention of the Grand Prince. Their greed can be seen in their eyes, they are already imagining being in-laws to the most powerful family in Eastern Europe.

There are also guests from France and Great Britain present at the imperial ball. Most are high-ranking military officers in the faction of the French Princess, Charlotte Bonaparte. With their presence, there is a lot of speculation of what is really the relationship between the French Princess and their liege, the Austrian Crown Prince. The French knowing that it would complicate things if they will converse with the Austrian nobles, they had formed their own circle in the imperial ball. They only talk with their acquaintances and friends, and only about topics and subjects that are not related to the French Princess and the Austrian Crown Prince.

The British are more open in political discussions as they talk to the Austrians that they are here to improve the bilateral relationship between Austria and Great Britain. They even share that the British are willing to side with Austria in the face of German and Ottoman aggression. The Austrian nobles also enjoyed talking with the British who are known for being good at making fun and interesting conversations.

But the most surprising is a large number of Asian people present at the imperial ball. These people are the delegations from the Qing Empire, Japanese Meiji, and the Kingdom of Siam who will be witnessing and part of the signing of treaties between their countries and Austria in a few days. It is the first time for the Austrian nobles to see a lot of foreign people in a setting and it roused their interest and curiosity.

But some feel disgusting or indifferent to these groups. The nobles believe that Europeans are superior to the people from other parts of the world. Their prejudice towards Asian can be seen in their faces and it didn’t go unnoticed. The Asian delegations feel uncomfortable but they need to keep amicable appearances as the treaties that would be soon signed would change the fortune of their countries. These small sacrifices can be endured in exchange for the good of their countries.

But even if there are such differences and issues due to a large number of foreign delegates and guests. There are no major problems and the imperial ball is still smoothly continuing. Some guests are even dancing with the foreign delegates while others are talking with their fellow guests about different things. Then a soldier entered and announced something that capture the attention of everyone at the ball.

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“His Majesty the Emperor and the Empress have arrived.”

The main door of the ball has opened and the two highest-ranked nobles have entered the ball. Everyone showed their respect with the men bowed and the women curtsied towards the Emperor and the Empress. The two continue to walk down the stairs as they approach the nobles and guests present at the ball.

The Emperor and Empress look regal and majestic wearing their imperial attire. The Emperor wears a white military uniform with all the medals and badges he received in his entire life. While the Empress wears a white Victorian dress with some new modifications adding more majestic feels. Everyone feels awed by their presence and the power they wield.

“We are glad that everyone was able to join our humble ball and celebration on Christmas eve. We know that a lot of you have busy things to do and you have to make some of your time free today to be able to participate in this simple occasion. I thank you all for coming here and I hope you enjoy your time here in our home, Hofburg Palace.”

The Emperor gives a short speech to formally start the imperial ball. As the host of this event, the Emperor has to give a welcoming and opening speech to everyone present. Just a short and simple speech is enough to make the imperial ball officially start.

The nobles and the guests then give a round of applause to the short speech of the Emperor. For them, it was an honor to be part of a such joyous and wonderful event that is hosted by the Austrian Emperor. The prestige and reputation of the Habsburg family are one of the greatest in the whole world, and being able to witness the Emperor giving his speech is a great honor for them.

Especially for the foreign delegates of the three Asian countries, it is already a great deal for being invited to the Imperial ball of the Austrian Empire which is one of the highlight events of the Austrian Aristocracy. Being invited to such an event is harder than fishing saltwater fish in a freshwater river or lake.

For them, this is the man who made the treaty into reality. Even if it is due to the effort of the Austrian Crown Prince and the Foreign Affairs Minister, it is still the Emperor who has the final say on the matter. He is the one who is giving them hope that in the future that they would also be seen as equal by European powers and not be taken advantage of. Having a European country see them as an equal partner rather than a colony, vassal, or inferior, is a big opportunity for them and they are willing to give everything they can just to gain such recognition.

Today it might be only Austria but, in the future, it would be the entire Europe and the world.

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