Hofburg Palace, Vienna.
April 1st, 1836.
The same room had been chosen for a meeting.
The table had been cleared of unnecessary papers. Only the final documents remained, placed at the center, aligned, waiting. The terms had not changed since they were first presented. No revisions had been requested. No additional conditions added.
The decision had already been made.
Now it would be spoken.
Archduke Louis stood near the table, his posture unchanged from the previous meeting. Metternich remained near the window, hands behind his back, watching the room without moving. Kolowrat stood by the door, holding a thin folder that contained the formal response prepared the night before.
Emperor Ferdinand was already seated.
This time, his posture was steadier.
Not relaxed.
But settled.
There was no movement in the room beyond the occasional shift of weight or the quiet adjustment of a sleeve. No one spoke. There was nothing left to discuss among themselves.
