Holy Roman Empire

Friedrich’s first visit to the countries of Europe filled him with extraordinary excitement. However, this good mood did not last for many days before he began to grow weary of it.

Every day was banquet after banquet. Had he imagined discussing matters of national fate with the monarchs of each country?

Sorry, but that was not the case. The accompanying officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had already taken care of everything, and as the Crown Prince, he only needed to make up the numbers.

Even if Franz wanted to use this opportunity to train his son, he wouldn’t dare gamble with matters of state. If something went awry, the loss would be no small matter.

Politics allows no room for sloppy mistakes; one misstep could even cost an heir his inheritance.

Therefore, Friedrich’s mission on this visit to the European nations was, aside from securing a marriage with the Baden royal family, simply to mingle and share bonds of kinship.

Almost every heir to the throne in Europe would take a tour across the European Continent upon reaching adulthood. Officially, it was to see the world and broaden their horizons, but in truth, it was to make their presence known and to informally assess the developmental situations of other nations.

Franz was one of the few exceptions; the Great Revolution had elevated him prematurely to the throne, robbing him of the opportunity to interact with his contemporaries.

What seemed like a mere tour was actually laden with intense political implications.

Initially, this kind of exchange was intended to foster personal relationships between future monarchs to mitigate conflicts between nations.

By now, it had been proven far too idealistic. Personal feelings of a monarch were insignificant in the face of national interests.

Of course, it was not without its positive side. In situations free of conflicting interests, friendships between monarchs could sometimes transform into friendly relations between countries, to some extent reducing potential disputes and conflicts.

The most crucial aspect was that it added a layer of insurance; if one had many friends, one could count on help in times of trouble. For example:

In the case of defeat in war or a political coup, international pressure could be used to maintain the throne, and at the very least, provide a place of refuge during exile abroad.

Before the decline of monarchies, these were effective strategies. If not for the lack of a suitable opportunity, Franz would have been ready to launch a "Monarchy Preservation Movement" across Europe.

Friedrich’s situation was rather tragic; with a full schedule every day, he was swamped with social engagements, leaving no time for leisure or sightseeing.

This was the downside of having many relatives; upon arriving somewhere, one couldn’t simply avoid seeing people, and the hosts were obliged to hold welcoming feasts.

Face was something that had to be mutually given, and as part of Europe’s social elite, reciprocal flattery in business was inevitable.

To earn a good reputation, Friedrich needed to visit the homes of these important figures, and meet with local society leaders, who would then help build his image.

Due to familial relations, Friedrich had to offer face even to those of a slightly lower status, adding significantly to his workload.

He simply couldn’t neglect these duties, as these were tasks set by Franz. Having a network of connections is something you’d rather have and not need, than need and not have.

The First World War in the original timeline was a classic example. Defeated monarchs from the Allied Powers could go into exile abroad; the Tsarist, however, had nowhere to flee.

It wasn’t that Nicholas II didn’t want to run. The provisional government planned to send him to the United Kingdom for political asylum, only for George V to refuse to receive him.

Not only did the British refuse him, but other European nations also weren’t welcoming to Nicholas II. It seemed Wilhelm II expressed a willingness to receive him, though that likely was more about enjoying the spectacle.

Franz didn’t think the Habsburg Family would end up so woefully. With the resources currently at his disposal, as long as future monarchs didn’t commit follies, the family could remain stable for centuries.

The main purpose of having Friedrich get along with everyone was still to create a good reputation for his son - which required collective support.

Looking at an invitation in his hand, Friedrich morosely asked, "Cole, how many more banquet invitations are there?"

Cole replied solemnly, "Your Highness, I cannot give you an exact number. Preliminary estimates suggest that before your itinerary ends, you’ll have to attend at least a hundred more banquets.

This is after declining most invitations; in reality, there could be even more. Those with closer relationships could potentially host several more feasts."

In an era with scarce entertainment, nobility were particularly keen on holding banquets, usually two to three times a month, and those with deep pockets possibly two to three times a week.

Even without a reason to hold a feast, they would concoct one. For instance: the family pet giving birth necessitated a celebratory feast; the blooming of fruit trees in the orchard demanded a celebration...

The reasons for banquets were diverse and sometimes quite imaginative. The cost of banquets was one of the nobility’s most significant expenses in this era.

Friedrich massaged his forehead, almost developing a phobia of banquets. In this moment, he finally understood Franz’s aversion to hosting them.

"Is it possible to decline a few more? For example, I could hold one and invite them over, getting it all done in one go."

Cole rejected the idea sternly, "That won’t do, Your Highness. Representing the Habsburg Family, it is noble custom that you may only host a thank-you banquet after the host has held a welcome feast.

At most, you can decline invitations from those ranking below a duke. Even so, it would be extremely rude. This time, you need to visit each state in the German Confederation, many of whose monarchs are not even dukes."

Friedrich’s face fell with despair; if the Germany Region was known for anything, it was its multitude of small states.

Locked into political necessities, he simply could not avoid them, even if some states were no bigger than a single village, he still had to visit.

This was about showing respect for the governments of the various states on behalf of the Habsburg Family, and simultaneously, an opportunity to spread the idea of Greater Germany.

After a moment of hesitation, Friedrich capitulated to life’s demands, "Fine, let’s proceed with the original plan. If it impacts the big picture, I can’t shoulder that responsibility."

Friedrich wasn’t lacking in political acumen; he was quite aware of Franz’s intentions for this arrangement. Following the plan without deviation would earn him many accolades.

If he were to botch something so simple, it was likely Franz would have to reconsider his heir.

There was no room for improvisation. The next Austrian Emperor needed to be someone who could continue Franz’s policies, someone cautious and stable. What was most undesirable was boundless greed and an appetite for glory.

In these respects, Friedrich did well, meeting the aforementioned criteria. Generally speaking, he followed the rules and was able to fulfill the tasks set by Franz without overstepping.

Lacking extraordinary talent, he possessed sharp political insight. Perhaps he couldn’t make Austria shine brighter, but he wouldn’t let the Empire fall into decline either.

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