Russia, Saint Petersburg.
Nicholas I looked at the news that had come in from Europe and felt as though he were reading fake intelligence.
Why had the Austrian Empire suddenly declared war on Spain? Hadn't the Austrian royal family just arranged a marriage with the Spanish royal family?
How had things suddenly come to blows?
Liberate Spain?
Nicholas I simply didn't believe it. The Spanish Civil War had been raging for years. Why hadn't Austria gone to save Spain sooner?
The Austrian Empire had even dared to snatch someone right under the Britishers' noses. How could it possibly have taken no action at all before now?
The main reason Nicholas I had so many questions was that Russia's intelligence service was even worse at gathering information outside the country.
It wasn't until a week later, when Nicholas I received an official announcement from the Austrian Empire, that he understood what had happened.
Though the whole affair still made little sense, the Tsar felt he understood Franz's actions.
After all, he was a man. How could he stand being humiliated by a woman—twice, no less?
If it had been him, he wouldn't have considered revenge complete until he'd skinned those two Spanish harlots and torn them limb from limb.
Unfortunately, Russia was being held back by its domestic situation and couldn't join this war of vengeance.
Russian officials, meanwhile, were greatly relieved. The Austrians wouldn't take advantage of the situation to expand into the Balkans, and if Russia could resolve its internal problems first, it might even be able to march into the Balkans.
But most people were simply baffled. The war between Austria and Spain had come out of nowhere. Their relationship had nowhere near reached the point where only war could settle things.
In the eyes of Russian officials,