Palace Guard

Chapter 11: Palace Guard

Franz, now in the spotlight, was busier than ever. One engagement after another left him utterly exhausted. There was no helping it; this was the life of Vienna's nobility.

His younger brother Maximilian, who attended the same events, seemed perfectly at ease. Not only was he not tired, he was actually enjoying himself, much to Franz's envy.

Socializing had never been Franz's strong suit, especially when faced with a crowd of nobles fawning over him. He had to stay on his guard at all times.

"Your Highness, you're expected at Archduke Louis's banquet tonight. It's time to leave!" Jenny, his maid, reminded him.

"I know. Call Maximilian, and we'll leave together," Franz instructed.

"Yes, Your Highness!" Jenny replied.

If not for his mother's forceful intervention, Franz wouldn't have minded bringing his other two younger brothers along as well. At the very least, they could take most of the heat off him when dealing with the noble girls.

Unfortunately, his other two brothers were far too young. Lady Sophie wouldn't let them attend such events, and Franz didn't want to lower the banquet's age limit.

After all, they were even more popular with the young noblewomen than Franz was. His status as the heir to the throne gave him a higher standing, but it also meant his marriage was destined to be a political alliance.

By comparison, his brothers had far more freedom when it came to marriage. There was nothing wrong with them marrying into one of the great noble families at home.

Watching Maximilian chatting happily with a group of noble girls, Franz pulled him aside and teased, "Well, little brother, have you met your better half yet?"

Maximilian shot back without the least bit of embarrassment, "Dear brother, if I said I had, do you think Lady Sophie would, once we got home..."

Franz laughed. "Is that so? Dear brother, for the sake of your lifelong happiness, I don't mind getting scolded. But can you take the pressure?

The noble ladies here tonight are all much older than you. Don't tell me you have a mother complex?

Good heavens, Maximilian, you really are astonishing. To think you..."

"Stop right there, dear brother. If you keep going, my good name will be ruined for good!" Maximilian hurriedly cut him off.

This sort of joking between them was nothing new.

"Later, help me fend off that swarm of flies. I need to discuss something with Archduke Louis," Franz said seriously.

"Fine. I knew you had to be after something when you came to me!"

Maximilian put on an utterly hopeless expression, and Franz rolled his eyes in disdain.

How could a noble banquet Franz attended be just a banquet? If he weren't trying to keep up appearances, he wouldn't bother making small talk at all!

"Your Excellency, Archduke Louis, I want your support in taking control of the Palace Guard," Franz said bluntly.

"Good heavens! My dear Franz, what could have put such an idea in your head? You're only sixteen, not even seventeen!" Archduke Louis exclaimed.

As the heir to the throne, it wasn't hard to get a military post and coast along. But actually taking command of a force was another matter entirely, especially when Franz wasn't even seventeen.

So he had to settle for the next best thing: securing command of the Palace Guard. The force wasn't large, and its fighting ability was anyone's guess, but it was the only one Franz had any chance of getting his hands on.

"Uncle Louis, you know I've loved military affairs since I was a child. My dream is to become a real general!

But with my position, I can't build a long-term career in the army. For now, I can only settle for getting a taste of command with the Palace Guard," Franz explained.

Archduke Louis shook his head. "That's impossible. You have to understand, the Palace Guard is of great importance. You haven't proven your abilities yet. If you really want to indulge your general's ambitions, you can join the City Defense Force!"

Franz knew all too well what kind of outfit the Austrian City Defense Force was. It was known as a dumping ground for generals, and supposedly the only force in Austria with more officers than soldiers.

According to the German tradition, nobles were required to serve in the military once they came of age, or they would face public condemnation.

The nobles of the Austrian Empire were also largely from Germany, so this tradition had been preserved. But the Austrian Empire was already corrupt, and everyone had to turn a blind eye to these noble gentlemen.

Except for those genuinely intent on building a career in the army, most people joined just to burnish their credentials. Archduke Louis was definitely up to no good in suggesting that Franz take command of this force.

Franz frowned. "Uncle Louis, are you sure you're not trying to set me up? You know what the City Defense Force is like. Even Archduke Charles couldn't get them in line. Do you think I can?"

The cat was out of the bag, but the crafty Archduke Louis's expression didn't change in the slightest.

"Franz, don't be angry. Isn't this a test for you young people? If you can even bring the City Defense Force to heel, what could you possibly fail to do?"

That might have worked on some hot-blooded young fool, but Franz was long past that stage. A few flattering words wouldn't make him lose sight of his limitations.

"Uncle Louis, I might consider it, as long as you order all the nobles who joined just to burnish their credentials to retire. Then I'll go to the City Defense Force!" Franz said, pretending to sulk.

"Franz, that's impossible. Even His Majesty the Emperor can't make them leave!" Archduke Louis said helplessly.

"Then I can't join the City Defense Force. The Palace Guard suits me better. Surely you're not reluctant to let me have it, Uncle Louis?" Franz said, pretending to be annoyed.

"Of course not!"

"All right, Franz, you can join the Palace Guard, but I can't give you the commander's position. You're still too young. You'll need a few more years of experience," Archduke Louis said, compromising.

"Damn this age of mine! Fine, I'll wait a few more years," Franz said, pretending to be resigned.

He had already achieved his goal. The Palace Guard, or the Imperial Guard, was unlike other forces: it was loyal only to the royal family.

As far as Franz was concerned, he didn't need to be its commander to take control of it. Under normal circumstances, the emperor commanded the force personally or appointed a member of the royal family to lead it.

The force was now under the control of the Regency Council, with Archduke Louis as its commander. Once Franz joined as the heir to the throne, people would naturally come over to his side.

He had made his intentions clear: he was determined to join the Palace Guard. Even if Archduke Louis was unhappy about it, he couldn't really stop Franz from joining.