Franz watched as the Austrian Empire was about to have no choice but to annex the Republic of New Granada, and he came up with a solution that was no solution at all.
Madrid, Kingdom of Spain.
"Smack! Smack!"
The former King of the Two Sicilies, now King Ferdinand II of Spain, slapped himself twice while seated upon the throne.
Yet none of the ministers around him stopped him, nor did any find it strange. They too wanted to slap themselves twice to make sure they were not dreaming; they simply lacked the courage.
"Did I hear that correctly? His Majesty Joseph I wants to help Spain return to South America?"
"To be precise, he wishes to recover New Granada. His Majesty Joseph I believes that you are more qualified than José Hilario López to rule New Granada.
"The Holy Alliance has always regarded the preservation of the world's legitimate order as its duty. Austria is willing to join Russia in sending troops to help your country recover its lost territory."
Habescu, Foreign Minister of the Austrian Empire, made the hearts of everyone in the Spanish court pound wildly. New Granada had twice the land area of metropolitan France and a population of nearly three million.
For the Kingdom of Spain, which was currently enduring hard times, this was undoubtedly a powerful shot in the arm. For Ferdinand II personally, it was an irresistible gift.
Although Ferdinand II had become King of Spain and brought over his trusted followers from the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, trying to govern the Kingdom of Spain using the framework of the Two Sicilies was little more than wishful thinking.
Before the Austrian Empire's troops and officials withdrew, Ferdinand II had barely managed to keep up appearances. But once they departed, the existing order