Laszlo pushed open the door and entered the Empress Dowager's room, encountering Leonor who was about to leave.
He was about to greet her, but the Queen, as if preoccupied, simply said hello and then quickly departed.
If Laszlo hadn't been mistaken, the Queen's eyes were red when she left, and he had never seen such a pitiful look on Leonor before.
This situation left him bewildered. He hadn't even had a chance to discuss their daughter's marriage with Leonor, so why was she crying already?
After some thought, Laszlo gave up on trying to detain Leonor, watching her figure quickly disappear around the corner.
"Laszlo, you're here."
Empress Dowager Elizabeth leaned by the window, her face ashen, her eyes filled with grief.
Seeing his mother's expression, Laszlo's ominous premonition grew stronger, and he quickly walked to her side.
"Mother, what in the world happened?"
Elizabeth's lips trembled, and tears welled up in her eyes.
"A letter came from Burgundy. Your sister, Anne, she… she suddenly passed away a short while ago."
Laszlo felt as if struck by lightning, rubbing his dazed head, and asked incredulously, "How could this be? My sister has always been healthy; how could she suddenly…"
His voice choked. He felt some sadness, but more than that, he felt worry.
Without the marital bond, how would the alliance between Austria and Burgundy be affected? This was the question that concerned Laszlo the most.
Although the engagement between Christopher and Marie had been set, an engagement could be broken at any time before the marriage.
But Laszlo then thought, Burgundy was currently very reliant on his aid to counter the King of France, so breaking the alliance with Austria was almost impossible.
With this thought, his mood quickly calmed, leaving only a faint hint of sorrow.
"Fate is unpredictable, my child." Elizabeth slowly shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "But she was so young…"
Laszlo sighed lightly and comforted the Empress Dowager for a long while before she stopped crying.
In recent years, Empress Dowager Elizabeth's health had also been deteriorating, and now, having received such terrible news, Laszlo couldn't help but worry about her health.
At the same time, Laszlo also began to realize how fragile human life was in this era.
He stayed by the Empress Dowager's side, who was still recovering from the grief of losing her daughter, listening to her recount the little moments of her life with Anne.
Laszlo's memories of this period were quite blurry, and he hadn't personally experienced those years, but there was always an inexplicable sense of sorrow in his heart, perhaps influenced by the Empress Dowager's emotions.
After a long while, Elizabeth regained some of her spirits. She spoke to Laszlo about an idea she had recently, an idea that Anne's death had only strengthened.
"Laszlo, these days I keep dreaming of the Hungarian plains. Perhaps I should go back for a visit, or even spend the rest of my days there.
How long has it been since you last visited Budapest? Lately, I've been receiving petitions from Hungarian nobles much more frequently than before.
Those letters are piled up over there. Without even thinking, I know they must be complaints. You should have someone take all these letters away later.
Understand the Hungarians' demands more, don't let them always bear such heavy burdens. Consider this my wish."
As Elizabeth spoke, she secretly observed Laszlo's expression. She didn't want to anger her son over this matter.
Laszlo frowned slightly upon hearing this. He wasn't angry, but he truly couldn't make a decision on this matter lightly.
After inheriting the thrones of Hungary and Bohemia, he had, at the persuasion of his great-uncle, the Count of Cilli, strenuously avoided letting the Empress Dowager leave Vienna, especially preventing her from going to Hungary.
The purpose of doing so was clear: to prevent ambitious individuals from using Elizabeth's identity to disrupt the Hungarian political situation, and also to prevent Elizabeth from interfering in politics out of her own will.
Everyone knew that the Habsburg Family's Hungarian and Bohemian crowns were brought by Empress Dowager Elizabeth.
As the last bloodline of the Luxembourg Family, the sole daughter of Emperor Sigismund, she possessed stronger legitimacy to rule Hungary and Bohemia.
Moreover, examples of Luxembourg Family women interfering in politics were recent.
Empress Dowager Elizabeth's mother, Barbara of Cilli, was exiled to Bohemia for forming a faction in Hungary to contend with Albrecht II, eventually dying alone in a monastery outside Prague.
Laszlo did not want such conflicts to arise between him and his mother, and thus had kept the Empress Dowager under virtual house arrest in Vienna.
Once Empress Dowager Elizabeth returned to Hungary, she would immediately gain considerable influence.
Even if her intention was not to undermine Laszlo's rule, those Hungarian nobles who had long suffered under Laszlo would not miss such a good opportunity to rally under her banner.
If they formed a new faction under the Empress Dowager's banner, Laszlo would have to deal with the trouble his mother brought.
"I am planning my next eastern tour, perhaps after the war in Landshut ends," Laszlo decided to temporarily appease the Empress Dowager, and then discuss it with his advisors. "At that time, you can return to Budapest with me.
As for living there permanently… Do you dislike Vienna?"
Elizabeth gently shook her head and stepped forward to link her arm with Laszlo's. Although a little disappointed, she did not press the matter further.
"It's not that I dislike it, it's just that Budapest is my hometown. Before you were born, your father and I lived there.
It wasn't until you were born that your father sent you and me back to Vienna, so you could grow up as an Austrian.
I know what you are worried about, and I can understand your difficulties, but I still want to tell you that my return is not to divide Hungary.
I want to tell those who are dissatisfied with you that the Danube River flows through both Vienna and Budapest, and your rule over Austria and Hungary is blessed by God."
Laszlo remained silent. After so many years of acquaintance, he naturally understood how doting the Empress Dowager was towards "Laszlo."
Historically, this Empress Dowager Elizabeth, in order to preserve Laszlo's throne, did not hesitate to steal the Hungarian national treasure, the saint stephen's crown, from the royal palace in Budapest, and later took it to Austria.
It wasn't until more than twenty years after her death that Matthias I redeemed the crown from Austria for one hundred thousand florins.
Perhaps, letting the Empress Dowager return to Hungary could help stabilize the local situation, but Laszlo still did not make a hasty decision.
"I will seriously consider this matter.
Speaking of which, I just saw Leonor leaving your room. She seemed to have something on her mind. Do you know anything about it?"
Laszlo truly did not want to continue facing the Empress Dowager's expectant gaze, so he could only awkwardly change the subject.
"Hmm, she has indeed been troubled recently, and it has quite a bit to do with you. I suggest you talk to her personally, to avoid any unexpected situations."
The Empress Dowager's tone carried a hint of worry. Recently, there had been too many sad and worrying facts in the court, and even she found it difficult to bear.
"Unexpected situations?"
Laszlo's brows furrowed, unable to fathom what kind of unexpected situation could occur in the court of Vienna.
"Alright, I'll go talk to her. I'll send an envoy to Burgundy to negotiate. Please don't harm your health from excessive grief. We still have to return to Budapest together."
"Go quickly, don't worry too much about me."
Laszlo was still a bit uneasy, but at the Empress Dowager's urging, he had no choice but to leave and search for the departed Leonor.
Meanwhile, in Paris, at the court of the King of France, Louis XI's spy brought him the news of the death of Anne of Austria, the wife of Charles the Bold.
Louis XI immediately summoned several confidants and important figures of the court for a council.
"Your Majesty, this is an opportunity for us."
After learning from Louis XI that the marital alliance between Austria and Burgundy had been severed, the first to offer an opinion was Louis XI's Secretary of State, Jean de la Balue.
He had recently been promoted to Cardinal of France, and his status in the King of France's court was also rising rapidly.
Louis XI was trying to build up his own power to escape his uncle's interference and control over the kingdom's government.
Standing beside La Balue was his political rival, Louis XI's uncle, Duke of Anjou, René.
After the Battle of Montlhéry, the Count of Maine, who had retreated from the battlefield, was kicked out of the court by Louis XI, and his territory was sacrificed to satisfy the ambitions of the Duke of Brittany.
The Anjou faction's power in the court had greatly diminished, and Louis XI's own team was gradually taking shape.
However, at this stage, Louis XI could not completely break away from the support of the great nobles like Anjou, Bourbon, and Foix, so he chose to maintain a delicate balance within the court.
La Balue's words immediately drew a cold stare from the Duke of Anjou: "What do you mean by opportunity?"
"Of course, it's a good opportunity to dismantle our enemies," La Balue ignored the Duke of Anjou's hostility and instead advised Louis XI, who was waiting for his next words, "Your Majesty, the marital alliance between Burgundy and Austria has been severed. Although the Imperial Prince and the Duke of Burgundy's granddaughter are engaged, this does not mean we have no chance to dismantle their alliance."
"You mean, for me to marry into the Emperor's family?"
Louis XI immediately understood La Balue's meaning and his eyes lit up.
"If Princess Anne could be engaged to Maximilian, the Emperor's second son, regardless of whether this marriage ultimately materializes, it could severely damage the Austria-Burgundy alliance."
La Balue's suggestion greatly pleased Louis XI, but René on the other side could not sit still.
"Your Majesty, how can you marry into the Emperor's family?
Austria is our eternal enemy. Since the time of the previous king, the Austrians have been in constant conflict with us. Have you forgotten what happened to our Swiss allies?
And what about the recent events in Landshut? If you are to marry the Emperor, what should we do with Ludwig IX?"
Louis XI raised his hand, signaling his uncle to calm his agitated emotions, then calmly said, "An eternal enemy may not be unable to become a temporary ally.
If our territories directly bordered Austria, then marriage and reconciliation would be impossible.
But now, a gluttonous stray dog lies between us, having devoured Burgundy and Flanders, not to mention a good deal of the Low Countries and Rhineland.
I don't believe the Emperor can tolerate the Burgundians' encroachment on the Empire indefinitely, and this gives us an opportune moment."
René's weathered face showed anxiety. He was currently unable to calmly think and understand the meaning of the King's words.
The only thing he clearly understood was that once Austria and France formed a marital alliance, his plan to return to Naples with the help of the King of France would likely vanish into thin air.
La Balue, however, quickly grasped the King's meaning and immediately praised him, "Your Majesty is truly astute. If we can entice the Emperor with the condition of dividing Burgundy, and facilitate this marriage, we might just be able to resolve the long-standing problem of Burgundy in one fell swoop.
As for the Count of Landshut, may God bless him."
"Exactly," Louis XI toyed with his ring, full of confidence in this scheme. "The Emperor's eastern territories have expanded almost to their limit; he's just short of taking Constantinople.
Judging by his actions in attacking Switzerland to connect Outer Austria with his homeland, the Emperor now seems to have set his sights on expansion to the west.
But to his west is not France, but Bavaria, Swabia, and Burgundy.
Now he has defeated the Swiss and is moving against Bavaria, and Swabia is also under his control because of that 'Imperial Circle' thing.
It's quite reasonable for his next target of expansion to be the wealthy Burgundy, isn't it?"
"Your Majesty, do you really intend to hand over the imperial territories encroached upon by Burgundy to the Emperor?" René was still unwilling to give up. He had to stop his nephew's fanciful plan. "Those territories include the rich Low Countries, and perhaps you'd even have to promise Franche-Comté to the Emperor.
The Emperor, once he acquires those territories, will likely become even more formidable. Will you then be confident in defeating him?"
"The Low Countries are not that easy to rule, my dear uncle. The Duke of Burgundy himself couldn't govern the Low Countries well from Dijon, and the Emperor in Vienna would fare even worse.
Moreover, will the princes of the Empire just sit idly by as the Emperor's power gradually grows?"
Louis XI revealed a sinister smile, patiently explaining to Duke René.
"If the Emperor also believes he is as powerful as you think, then I have even less to worry about being unable to defeat him.
The Hungarian army is unwilling to fight us, and the Italians are the same; some of them even see us as saviors.
Considering Austria and Bohemia alone, they might be able to contend with us, but don't forget the princes of the Empire.
With enough money, we can incite rebellions in the Low Countries, internal strife within the Empire, and even rebellions in Hungary and Italy.
Once that young Emperor falls into the trap we've set for him, the Habsburg Family upstarts will soon reveal their true colors.
Rest assured, uncle, as soon as the Emperor shows signs of weakness, your chance and your family's chance to return to Naples will come."
The Duke of Anjou was stunned by Louis XI's scheme, his mouth agape, unable to speak for a long time.
"La Balue, immediately send an envoy with a valuable gift to meet the Emperor, clarify that what happened in Styria was just a misunderstanding, and while you're at it, discuss the marriage and the partition of Burgundy with the Emperor.
Franche-Comté and the Low Countries can be verbally promised to the Emperor. Oh, and Luxembourg too.
Our poor Emperor has so many real titles, yet he still holds the empty title of Duke of Luxembourg."
At these words, the King of France's close retainers burst into laughter, and the court was filled with a joyous atmosphere.