Even with Britain eyeing them like a tiger watching its prey, Franz felt this war was unavoidable. After all, the British had no way to directly threaten the American South.
As for compromise? Franz considered it unlikely. The American Party he had built with his own hands was rapidly falling apart; he knew this civil war could not be avoided.
Naturally, the American Party controlled by the Austrian Empire could not oppose Austria. Its platform was anti-colonialism, anti-infiltration, healing domestic conflicts, and opposing Britain on every front.
The largest party during the war crumbled after it ended, while the Republican Party was rising at breakneck speed during the same period.
As night fell, Fanny von Arnstein, the Austrian Empire's beautiful economist, laboriously climbed over to Franz's side.
As a royal adviser, her formerly immaculate bun was now a complete mess. Sweat had plastered several loose strands to her forehead, and she asked between heavy breaths.
"You seem to harbor an indescribable malice toward America."
Franz rubbed his forehead, but seeing her disheveled state, he still said, "You're perceptive. But when dealing with an enemy, must I really show goodwill?"
Miss Arnstein clearly found Franz's words somewhat difficult to understand.
"Weren't Austria and America allies? You helped them so many times, and they obeyed your every word.
At worst, you were exploiting one another. Why would they be enemies?"
"An enemy is an enemy. That is an unchangeable fact. From the moment of its founding, America was destined to be the Austrian Empire's enemy."
Miss Arnstein was no fool. She knew what Franz meant, but the urge to show off rose in her nonetheless. She began tracing circles on Franz's chest with her slender fingers.
"Then the destruction of the French Second Republic was also your handiwork?
Whether Lamartine, Dan Gira,