If anyone in the British government was the most anti-Austrian, Viscount Stratford would dare claim first place—no one else would dare claim second.
After all, most British politicians had no real grievance against the Austrian Empire. Even when they acted against it, it was merely a matter of political necessity.
Unfortunately, Viscount Stratford had just received word that Maximilian and Ludwig were in Istanbul.
As Britain's Consul General to the Ottoman Empire, the authority in Viscount Stratford's hands could only be described as boundless.
Viscount Stratford sat behind his office desk, a secret letter freshly delivered from Vienna in his hand. Before him stood an Ottoman man whose face was alight with excitement.
The Ottoman before him was named Laust Parayev. Though dressed in traditional Ottoman attire from head to toe, he was a genuine graduate of the University of Cambridge.
"Mr. Canning, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The Austrians should pay for their carelessness! As long as two royal members of the House of Habsburg die in Istanbul, the House of Ottoman will have no way back! Your great vengeance can be avenged, the Ottoman Empire will welcome liberation, and our cause is just!"
Viscount Stratford's eyes swept rapidly over the letter. The information on it confirmed Laust Parayev's words.
There were many hot-blooded young men in Istanbul like Laust Parayev. It would not be difficult to plot an assassination without anyone the wiser, and there would be as many scapegoats as they needed.
Even if those people were made scapegoats, they would probably thank him in the end.
Killing two important members of the House of Habsburg would undoubtedly deal a crushing blow to the Austrian Empire's prestige and influence, while also letting him vent the resentment in his heart.
But Viscount Stratford was no madman. What would