Joseph smiled. "Count Kaunitz and I haven't seen each other in a long time. Oh, has he been well lately?"
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness." Count Moses hesitated. "Yes, he is in fairly good condition."
In truth, Kaunitz was already a candle guttering in the wind, liable to breathe his last at any moment.
"That's good." Joseph did not expose it, and nodded. "If this is a private conversation, please tell him for me not to worry. The war will end very soon."
A flash of delight crossed Moses's face, and he continued, "Then, regarding the Ceasefire Agreement, what do you think?"
Joseph's expression was amiable. "Oh, Archbishop Talleyrand has not yet submitted the relevant proposal. After all, General Napoleon's corps still shows no intention of withdrawing."
Moses's expression immediately stiffened. "But..."
Joseph smiled and waved a hand. "Mm, I will do my best to persuade the Cabinet Meeting to formulate rather lenient ceasefire terms."
Before Moses could say anything else, he rose and said, "That will be all. Give my regards to Count Kaunitz."
"No, Your Highness, please wait." Count Moses instantly grew anxious. He wiped the sweat from his palm and laid everything out. "In fact, Count Kobzl has now taken over as State Minister.
"It was the political alliance formed by Count Kaunitz that pushed him into office.
"You know that Count Kaunitz's attitude toward France has always been very friendly."
Joseph stopped. "Mm, so?"
Moses lowered his head and said, "Your ceasefire terms will be conveyed by me to the new imperial government."
"And?"
"And I will advise His Majesty the Emperor to sign them."
Only then did Joseph sit back down. "In other words, this is not a private meeting?"
"Y-yes, Your Highness."
Joseph nodded. In that case, he did not have to