The Tsar's personal appearance caught most of those present completely off guard, Franz included.
Russia had given no prior notice. The originally designated representative had been Crown Prince Alexander.
No one would have questioned that arrangement. After all, Alexander had represented the Tsar at many important occasions before. His identity, status, age, and health all made him perfectly suited to the task.
But Russia itself had not known that Nicholas I would suddenly travel to Vienna. Historically, aside from Peter the Great and Alexander I, almost no other Tsars had records of traveling abroad.
Peter the Great had been a pioneer of Russia's westernization and personally fond of going abroad. Alexander I, on the other hand, had been forced overseas by the pressure of war; in truth, he preferred quiet solitude.
Though Nicholas I was deeply conservative, he was not entirely orthodox. On one hand, he wanted to emulate Peter the Great; on the other, he wanted to pressure himself as his elder brother had. He always felt that he had no choice but to do so.
Historically, Nicholas I's trip to London had left every side in an awkward position. Britain, and even the Russian ambassador, had been caught unprepared.
The situation now was equally awkward. In truth, most royal houses had guest lists in hand, because etiquette became particularly important at gatherings crawling with nobles and royalty.
A moment's carelessness could offend some great figure, so many people brought several attendants who specialized in etiquette, ensuring they behaved in a manner befitting their rank and station.
There were quite a few important figures present, such as Prince Albert, but he was ultimately only the prince consort, not the actual ruler of a great power.
Tsar Nicholas I was entirely different. He truly was Russia's supreme ruler, and Russia