The Austro-Hungarian ambassador's words successfully enraged the Kingdom of Italy's entire upper echelon, especially the House of Savoy, because he had completely denied the legitimacy of the Kingdom of Italy's existence.
Ever since the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the Italian territories had remained divided for more than a thousand years. Aside from the Papal States, they had mostly been ruled by countries such as France, Spain, and the Holy Roman Empire. Corsica, for instance, lay within the Italian territories, yet it was French soil.
Napoleon had burst onto the stage, awakening national consciousness in the German territories while also shaping national consciousness in the Italian territories. At its core, this had been local feudal nobles huddling together for warmth, because France under Napoleon's rule had then been a relatively progressive force.
Thus, the Austro-Hungarian ambassador's words were like pouring oil into a blazing fire. The two countries, whose relations had already been terrible, were now thoroughly locked in a fight to the death.
"Sir Christian, you must take responsibility for what you said. The Kingdom of Italy will absolutely not accept your country's humiliation," Victor Emmanuel II said.
"Of course. What I mean is what the Empire means. Unless the Kingdom of Italy promises to forever abandon its attempt to strip the Papal States of its right to independence and autonomy, we of the Austro-Hungarian Empire will not stand idly by," Christian replied.
"Very well! We, the Kingdom of Italy, will never compromise. No one can stop the Italian nation's determination to unite."
"Then wait and see!"
When words did not agree, even half a sentence was too much. The two sides parted on bad terms. The Kingdom of Italy immediately began strategic preparations to deal with Austro-Hungarian intervention, while Italy urgently appealed to the British Embassy for