"Assassination" (Part 1)

Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace.

Inside the education hall, a row of seals honked and squawked as they saw Franz approaching, hopping away in a panic, while several Great Auks let out harsh, alarming cries.

Maria, who had been playing in the water nearby, scrambled back to the classroom at top speed, followed by a flurry of rustling sounds that quickly settled into the drone of students reading aloud.

Franz could only sigh helplessly; through the window, he caught the disdainful gaze of his second brother, Maximilian, who seemed to hold a great deal of resentment toward his eldest brother.

Ludwig was as he always was, a dumbbell in one hand and a book in the other, though whether he could actually comprehend the text was anyone's guess.

The other study companions also put on a show of diligence; after all, Franz was effectively conducting an inspection, and they were all well aware that he would one day rule this nation. No matter what they did, as long as they remained in Austria, they would have to deal with him.

In truth, Franz hoped these individuals possessed some intelligence, for their starting points were incredibly high, and even Franz could not guarantee that they wouldn't hold high office in the future.

Yet, up to this point, Franz had not discovered anything extraordinary about them, even though the resources, connections, and perspectives they possessed were nearly unattainable for the average person.

If one were to ask who was the most hated person in all of Vienna, would it be the iron-willed and pedantic Sophie? Or Count Kolowrat, who had held the Ministry of the Interior for decades while mired in corruption and bribery?

Was it Lord Summer, the man who supposedly commanded a secret police force of one hundred thousand to monitor every