Schönbrunn Palace.
Today, Schönbrunn Palace seemed exceptionally grim and desolate. Dark clouds hung over Vienna, and the Empire's officials and court attendants all wore chilly, sorrowful expressions.
In the Emperor's study, a domestically produced Austro-Hungarian tabletop radio crackled. From its speaker came the voice of an unfamiliar announcer.
The announcer was clearly no professional. His wording was hardly refined; like a factory worker, he read out an impassioned speech in a loud, forceful tone.
"Dear listeners, this is Budapest Radio. Today is February 2, 1926, twelve o'clock in the afternoon."
"On behalf of the Budapest Labor Party government, I solemnly issue the following proclamation to all the people of Hungary and the Austro-Hungarian Empire."
"Our Budapest Labor Party government is the government of all oppressed workers, representing the interests of the common people... The criminal Budapest government has now been overthrown."
"This is without question a victory for the broad masses of working people. A new era is about to arrive, and before then, our Budapest Labor Party government solemnly reminds everyone."
"Reform has only just begun. The reactionary forces remain powerful, and their influence fills every corner of Hungary and the entire Empire."
"Therefore, to overthrow the reactionary forces led by the House of Habsburg, whether Hungarians, Serbs... or Austrians, all should actively join the movement to topple Habsburg's reactionary rule."
"The House of Habsburg is a great mountain pressing down upon the Hungarian people. It colludes with Hungary's nobles, exploiting and squeezing the blood and sweat of the great Hungarian workers... All workers, peasants, and laborers of Hungary and the Austro-Hungarian Empire should rise together and oppose the tyranny of this evil empire."
"Habsburg is a pack of war profiteers..."
Rudolf turned off the radio at once, lest the Labor Party on the broadcast continued and angered his