Chapter 415: Austria's Best Diplomat
Joseph immediately nodded, saying, "Alright, as long as it gives you peace of mind, I'll go wherever needed."
It worked out perfectly because he was already planning to visit Vienna.
He then looked at his mother. "Mother, what exactly has happened to make you so worried?"
Marie Antoinette wiped her tears with a handkerchief, her voice choked with emotion. "From the moment I was born, Madame Delvaux has taken care of me. She gave me unconditional love."
In 18th-century European aristocratic tradition, children were often handed over to wet nurses immediately after birth. Marie Antoinette's mother, the previous Austrian ruler Maria Theresa, had all seven of her children raised by wet nurses and tutors.
So for Marie Antoinette, Madame Delvaux was almost like her mother during her childhood, and their bond was incredibly deep.
Because Marie Antoinette had experienced a lack of maternal affection, she didn't want her children to suffer the same way. This is why she embraced Rousseau's idea of "natural mothering"—that mothers should nurse their children themselves. She was one of the first European royals to practice this, and from her time onward, it became increasingly popular among French women.
As a side note, Rousseau, who advocated that mothers should personally care for their children, actually sent all five of his own children to an orphanage (even though his wife, Thérèse, was still alive) because he believed in being "absolutely free."
Marie Antoinette continued, "Madame Delvaux's letter says her health is failing badly... and she has a little granddaughter.
"That poor child lost both her parents to a fever when she was very young, so she's been raised by Madame Delvaux."
Marie Antoinette rambled on about Madame Delvaux's granddaughter, finally saying, "That child has grown up to be even more beautiful than her grandmother. Many young nobles have pursued her.
"But her beauty has also brought trouble. A year ago, a scoundrel named Walter started harassing her. Even though she refused him many times, he wouldn't leave her alone."
Joseph frowned. "Is the Viennese sheriff not handling this?"
"The sheriff dares not touch Baron Walter," Marie Antoinette said, glancing at Madame Delvaux's letter. "He's the cousin of Maria Vittoriosa, the Grand Duchess of Tuscany."
Joseph blinked, connecting the name to the correct identity. "Leopold II's brother-in-law?"
No wonder no one dared to confront this Baron—Leopold II was about to be crowned Holy Roman Emperor.
Marie Antoinette continued, "Baron Walter has a terrible reputation. Madame Delvaux fears that no one in Vienna will stand up to him, so she hopes to send Camellia—oh, that's her granddaughter—to Paris, where I can protect her.
"You know, I can't easily leave Versailles, so I hope you can go to Vienna, deliver my blessings to Madame Delvaux, and bring poor Camellia back."
Joseph nodded seriously. "Alright, leave it all to me."
...
Two weeks later.
Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace.
As the band played solemn music, Joseph walked down the aisle lined with guards, accompanied by Leopold II.
"I didn't expect you to come personally," Leopold II said warmly, gesturing toward the main entrance of Schönbrunn Palace. "I've prepared a grand banquet for you."
Joseph politely thanked him and exchanged a few pleasantries before turning to the matter at hand.
"Uncle, what pressing issue made you summon Archbishop Talleyrand?"
Leopold II gave a polite smile. "Haha, over the past half-year, France has provided enormous support to us on the Silesian and Southern Netherlands fronts. His Majesty has asked me to express Austria's deepest gratitude to France."
Joseph inwardly wondered, If you want to express gratitude, why not give us some florins? Why summon the French Foreign Minister?
As the banquet continued, Leopold II suddenly raised his glass and announced loudly to everyone present:
"Thanks to the help of our French allies, General Leo has secured a decisive victory in the Southern Netherlands! I believe it won't be long before the rebels are crushed and order is restored."
He smiled at Joseph.
"And the brave French soldiers will soon return to the homes they've longed for."
Amid the cheers of the Austrian nobles, Joseph also raised his glass with a smile, but internally, he was frowning. Leopold II seemed very confident that the rebels in the Southern Netherlands would be defeated. But Joseph hadn't received any such reports from the front lines, except for some recent Hanoverian troop rotations—there hadn't been any decisive battles.
Leopold II continued with rising enthusiasm:
"In Silesia, our army has severely punished the Prussians. In several battles near Legnica, Field Marshal Lacy annihilated nearly ten thousand Prussian invaders. His cannons have turned the enemy's positions into scorched earth!"
The Austrian nobles burst into another round of cheers:
"Long live His Majesty the Emperor!"
"Field Marshal Lacy leads us to victory!"
"To the heroes on the Silesian front!"
Joseph grew even more puzzled. Austria had made no significant progress in Silesia, yet Leopold II spoke as if they were on the brink of victory.
The banquet ended amid a charged and joyous atmosphere, followed by a ball that lasted until 11 PM, when Joseph finally returned to his room.
Shortly after, Talleyrand knocked and entered, quickly bowing, his expression grave.
"Your Highness, the situation seems concerning. Count Kaunitz wishes to see you immediately."
Joseph nodded, signaling Émon to help him change into casual attire, and followed the two waiting servants out of Schönbrunn Palace.
In the carriage, Talleyrand, frowning, reported:
"Your Highness, from what I've gathered in Vienna, it seems that Karl II will soon withdraw to Hanover, and the Prussians will announce they are no longer involved in the Southern Netherlands."
Joseph was shocked. "How is that possible?"
"It's said to be orchestrated by Count Frentz, who persuaded Karl II and Wilhelm II with minimal incentives," Talleyrand said. "He was recently commended by His Majesty Joseph II."
Joseph sneered. The idea that Karl II could be swayed by diplomacy was hard enough to believe, but how could Prussia, engaged in a national war with Austria, agree to a settlement in the Southern Netherlands so easily?
"What do you think?" Joseph asked Talleyrand.
"It's definitely not Count Frentz acting alone. There must be someone else pulling the strings. But if the rumors are true, our military presence in the Southern Netherlands will become extremely precarious."
(End of Chapter)
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