Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace.
"Prince Metternich has a new mistress!"
Franz was already used to Thalia's gossip, but this time he couldn't keep his cool.
"Prince Metternich is already sixty-three, and you still won't leave him alone, Thalia?"
"What do you mean, I won't leave him alone? Then can you explain why a sixty-three-year-old man is still so keen on finding new mistresses?" Thalia shot back.
"Oh? How old is Prince Metternich's mistress?" Franz was a little curious too.
"Twenty, maybe even younger. How could a woman's age possibly be revealed just like that?"
"That's an old bull eating tender grass. But I suppose there's nothing unusual about that among the nobility!"
"Heh-heh," Thalia said, feigning mystery.
"But there's something even more explosive!"
"What?" Franz asked.
"Count Kolowrat has also found himself a mistress," Thalia replied.
"I told you to investigate the situation. How did you end up collecting nothing but gossip?" Franz said helplessly.
"Don't rush me. Listen to the rest."
"Fine." Franz had no choice but to listen patiently.
"Prince Metternich and Count Kolowrat have the same mistress," Thalia whispered.
"...Aren't they sworn enemies? I guess they still agree on some things."
"My esteemed Archduke, perhaps you should broaden your imagination a little."
"No, I just think that woman's asking for trouble. Metternich and Kolowrat are hardly easy to deal with. If even you know about this, how could those two not know?" Franz said with a laugh.
Thalia spread her hands.
"Anyway, that woman is thriving in Vienna's high society right now. She's even sparked several duels."
Austria was a very strange country. Duels were forbidden in its army: starting with Joseph II, any soldier who took part in a duel while in the military was put to death.
But here was the bizarre part. As long as