Facing Franz Joseph's forced assignment, Count Baur could only accept the task with a bitter smile.
"Your Majesty, please grant me some time! I will do my utmost to persuade Empress Dowager Sophie!" Count Baur responded respectfully to Franz Joseph.
"How long?" Franz Joseph asked.
After pondering for a moment, Count Baur raised three fingers and replied to Franz Joseph, "Three days!"
"Alright!" Franz Joseph nodded in response to Count Baur, "Let the departure for Milan be set for four days from now!"
Count Baur nodded, with an involuntary hint of helplessness in his eyes; Franz Joseph clearly wasn't inclined to grant him extra time.
At this moment, Count Baur could only silently pray that Empress Dowager Sophie would be magnanimous, considering the Empress's pregnancy.
Otherwise, completing his mission would indeed be difficult.
...
After Bach and Baur left, Franz Joseph also departed the study, heading towards Empress Elizabeth's residence.
