Franz and Olga had just left the secret chamber of the Throne Hall, a faint, bashful flush still lingering on Olga's face. Both of them knew perfectly well that their greatest task now was to produce an heir.
This was important to them both, especially Olga. Her age had made her the target of much criticism; if she had not been born into the House of Romanov, such voices would have been even more brazen.
A letter lay on Franz's desk—a handwritten letter from Tsar Nicholas I. The long-awaited message from her homeland made Olga somewhat excited, though she knew such official correspondence would not mention her, so she simply leaned against Franz's side.
Franz did not avoid her either. After all, Olga was now the Empress of the Austrian Empire, and given Nicholas I's character, he was unlikely to mention anything beyond official business.
After reading Nicholas I's letter, Franz's expression could not help turning grave. Nicholas I wanted to drag Franz into the mire—something Franz had anticipated long ago.
Russia's advance force had suffered setbacks in Dobruja, while reinforcements and supplies from the rear had been unable to arrive for a long time. They had now reached the end of the road, with mountains and rivers exhausted.
It had to be said that the commander of the Russian advance force was a hard man. Even in such a desperate situation, he had still refused to surrender, somewhat overturning Franz's understanding.
By the standards of this era, even if this Russian advance force had surrendered, no one could have faulted them for it.
Nicholas I's actions also struck Franz as somewhat unusual. Once the Austrian Empire entered the war, Russia would lose its chance to feast alone.
Even if Franz were willing to give it up, the people and