My Kingdom for a Protector
In 1867, Austria has signed an agreement with the Hungarians to grant them self-determination. This allowed the Hungarians to attain Parliament and rights, ruling under the Dual Monarchy of Austria-Hungary. This was said to be a step back for Austria, in order to make such concessions… not that he ever had a choice in the matter.
Roderich Edelstein, better known to allies and foes as Austria, was once among the greatest nations of his time. He hailed from the line of Germania, and was expected to do greatly. In his prime, Austria lorded over fellow Germanics and other countries via his Empire.
However, Austria's conquests of various peoples would be his downfall.
Austria had only simple hobbies in life, usually playing on his piano or violin. As usual, Austria would spend the days on his piano he loved to play so much.
As an aristocrat, Austria wore a navy blue coat and white jabot over him at all times. Seeing the scores from his bespectacled eyes, he graciously played the piano with Beethoven's Third Symphony. However, loud thumps on the next room were disrupting his music and a door crashed down.
Austria turned around and saw several members of his Empire standing there. Amongst them, there was a young blonde haired girl (Czech), an older brunette male (Slovakia) and the eldest of the group, a pale-skinned man in a black jacket and cape (Transylvania). All of them were holding pitchforks, torches and were obviously angry.
"You three better fix that mess you had created!" Austria demanded, "The duster is in the kitchen."
"Austria, we're on a strike for self-determination," Slovakia said.
"The others and I were thinking that we should no longer be lorded and bossed around by you," Transylvania explained, "give us independence now or we'll fight you for it. In the name of…"
Suddenly, Transylvania was hit by a flying object. As it landed on the floor, it was identified as a frying pan. A young lady walked out of what that seemed to be the kitchen; she wore a green dress with apron as a maid of the household. She was called Elizabeta Héderváry, or Hungary, and a member of the Austrian Empire.
"Transylvania, you're such a troublemaker," she said firmly, "Everyone will be given their rights in due time, and violence is only something dogs resort to."
"You are the same as us…" Transylvania said, "You should be on our side inst…"
But before Transylvania finished his lines, he was doused a pail full of a murky sort of water. Upon another view of Hungary, she had a wooden pail in her hand and similar water was dripping out.
"Clean up your mess now, before things get ugly here," Hungary warned.
As such, Slovakia quickly dragged Transylvania away by his cape up a flight of stairs. Czech also went away, towards the kitchen.
That incident was only one out of the many during the Spring of Nations in 1848, where rebellions shook all of Europe and her empires. Austria took one of the most rebellions and had been so over the years to come, second only to the Ottoman Empire.
However, Austria also found times for a break with his allies. However, the situation in Austria had forced him to be a guest instead… in the Swiss Alps.
The Swiss Alps were property of the nation of Switzerland, a mercenary and trigger-happy neutralist. However, its complex vast home had made invasion nearly implausible by most military advisors to the nations and thus a safe haven.
By a balcony on the mountainside, a tea session was underway with the Swiss flag mounted. Up there, Austria stared out into the beauty of the Alps from his chair. With him, there were also the host Switzerland and Spain.
Switzerland had a deep tradition in terms of weaponry, amounting in the military green uniform with the Red Cross embedded on both shoulder pads. His beret was placed on the table, along with a long rifle leaning on the table.
Spain was related to Austria under the House of Hapsburg, ruling both territories in the monarchy's prime before the Bourbons took Spain away. He wore V-neck white shirt underneath a red coat with yellow trimmings, with a red capelet draping the side of his left arm. An axe was placed by the side of the table as well.
"My friends, can you believe the anarchy that struck our lands?" Austria exclaimed, "That Romania is making trouble yet again, and those Slavic are playing along his dreadful game."
"Things on my end are also going wild," Spain agreed, "my colonies in the Americas are getting more rebellious. Now Mexico and Colombia have rebelled against me. Who's next, the Philippines or Cuba?"
"Say, where is the Vatican?" Austria wondered, "I thought I had sent my mail to him."
"He received it alright, but that old geezer has his own issues," Switzerland said, "he's been on the high since Sardinia declared his vow to reclaim the glory of his grandfather, Ancient Roma."
"And to whom we owe this revolution to?" Austria proclaimed sarcastically, "why France and the newly-independent America of course."
"We should declare war on them at once," Spain said, "they took away Louisiana and Florida from my do…"
Suddenly, the sound of a gunshot silenced the ranting session of the two nations. Switzerland held out his long rifle out towards the Alps, with the end steaming smoke from a recent shot.
"Okay, time out here!" Switzerland cried, "I am sick and tired of having to deal with you two losers here!"
"Switz, you're taking way too much French influence, have you?" Austria inquired.
"I don't care about Spain, but you Austria have disappointed the Germanic lineage to the core," Switzerland yelled, "we Germanics are supposed to be warriors as fierce as Germania himself, yet you engage in music and let your empire run wild!"
"That's why I believe a declaration of war would be in my best interest," Austria said, "I shall show the world of the might of the Germans."
"You forgot the Congress of Vienna that ended the Napoleonic Wars; fighting France now will solve nothing," Switzerland said.
"I am not referring to France," Austria debated, "I will ruling out Prussia, or maybe Russia, or even th Ottomans."
"There you go again; get this message in your head: you can't just anyhow go to war like your type of attitude here," Switzerland scolded, "you can barely fend off an internal rebellion, let alone unite your people in the face of a common foe."
"May I propose an alliance with my dearest allies?" Austria said.
"Why sure…" Spain said.
"Spain, your interests are in your little colonies an ocean away," Switzerland stated coldly, "I am still and always gun for hire of the Vatican, and Austria has no established naval forces being landlocked. Therefore, we are of no use to your interests."
"I guess you are right," Spain said, "I can still try Portugal for a shot at it, hope the Iberian Union holds out."
"Switz, you're getting rid of a potential ally!" Austria exclaimed.
"Austria, that ally you are seeking is already by your side," Switzerland declared, "I will no longer bail you out of another war, so make wise choices. You must strengthen that alliance with your true ally. Now leave this place, or I can fire you two across the Alps."
Dejected by the betrayal of his allies, Austria returned home on a sorry note. This emotion was even captured in his playing of the piano, mostly of low notes and generally no melody in the sounds.
"Who is this ally Switz has spoke of?" he thought intensely.
Suddenly, a young maid of the Empire barged in.
"Lord Austria, we have a problem!" the maid exclaimed.
"What is it now?" he cried with fist smashing the piano keys, "is Romania causing trouble again?"
"No milord, it's the Prussians," she said, "They are ravaging the backyard and heading here as we speak."
"That hooligan, I have no time for him…" Austria said, grabbing a broadsword settled on a table nearby.
Austria marched outside to his yards, only to see it reduced in flames. A vast army of knights were marching towards his mansion, and they were led by a man on his horse. That man was known as Prussia, known by his grey hair, evil red eyes and the back coat with tricorn hat. The flag he hoisted was the Black Eagle flag of Prussia.
As the Prussian forces surrounded Austria, Prussia himself got off his horse and walked towards Austria on his own. There, he removed his hat and threw it in the air.
"I am so awesome today, I have marched into the Austrian Realm and looted it," he boasted, "my posse, am I awesome or even more awesome?"
"Awesome and even more awesome!!!" his army exclaimed excitedly.
"If not the fact you had paid us beforehand, we would not say such blatant lies…" they thought while shouting out their praises for Prussia.
"I am awesome above awesome today, as I have reached deep into the vital regions of Austria and will render that disgrace impotent!" Prussia declared, "The fate of the Germanic lineage shall be decided here and now!"
He quickly pulled out his sword, and dashed to attack Austria with it. Austria almost would've failed to receive the first strike, but he held Prussia off. Prussia then punched into Austria's guts and forced him to grunt in pain.
"Thanks to Old Fritz as my boss, he has clinched a deal for Ottoman to teach me some tricks," Prussia proclaimed, "I will make Old Fritz proud by taking all of your regions as trophy, then I will be made Prussia the Awesome."
"You speak too much…" Austria said, trying to stand up and swiped his sword at Prussia.
However, Prussia saw that coming and pushed Austria aside and to the ground. Prussia then stomped on Austria's coat with his boots.
"I have done it; I have squashed the once-powerful Austria!" Prussia exclaimed, "Am I not the most awe…"
"Lord Prussia…" a soldier exclaimed.
But it was too late; a flying frying pan went on a collision course at Prussia's head and forced him to the ground. As Prussia looked up to see his attacker, a new combatant emerged from Austria's mansion.
The tall visage of Hungary stood firmly towards the Prussians, but not in the maid outfit she wore in the household. There was no doubt she wore an outfit of a warrior, a bustier top made of chain mail with a flowing cape. Her only weapons were a longsword and a bow, along with a shield on its left arm.
"You… you're that creepy guy, Hungary!" Prussia exclaimed.
"Prussia, I'm a girl," Hungary said, "While I too feel defiance under Austrian rule, I can't just sit here while you bully him. I shall be Austria's champion!"
She then leapt down and landed gracefully. Some of the Prussian soldiers were making catcalls at the female nation, only to be replied by a cold stare and her sharpened sword.
"Fear not my people," Prussia proclaimed, "this one will be easier than that wimp over there. By touching the weak spot on her chest is vital to defeat her, so the awesome me will strike his moves from there."
Prussia let out his cry as he dashed towards Hungary, but Hungary blocked Prussia's advances with her shield and he landed in K.O. Hungary quickly slashed against Prussia's sword and disarmed him. While Prussia laid on the ground, Hungary pointed her sword towards his groin.
"Now you leave Austria alone and we can settle this dispute diplomatically," Hungary warned, "or I can take your vital regions for my own?"
"Of course… this is a much better way of course…" Prussia agreed, "Guess we'll be on our way back. Eh, retreat!"
On the call, the entire Prussian army ran off to their homeland in retreat. Austria barely stood up, but he managed to see Hungary in action.
"Quite un-ladylike there, don't you think?" Austria claimed.
"I was trained by an old relative of mine; you would know him as the Hun," Hungary said, "back then, everyone thought I was a guy, so he taught me how to fight. It was through him that I learnt his speech and acts."
"The Hun, I have heard of him from Vatican," Austria said, "Vatican referred Hun as the Scourge of God."
"To the world, he was a barbarian," Hungary said, "but to me, he was my only kin."
"You could've gained freedom if you sided with Prussia…" Austria pointed, "Yet you helped me…"
Austria then stood up and faced Hungary face-to-face. In a surprising move, he knelt down before Hungary and held out her hand.
"Since Holy Roma has departed during the Napoleonic Wars, I fear everyday of my end," Austria said, "but you are now my light in the sea of darkness. I plead you to help me, bring me out of this mess."
"Oh Austria…" Hungary said.
She dropped her sword, and embraced Austria, who had broken down in tears. In the background, both Czech and Slovakia were watching over the couple.
"Young love…" Czech commented.
As such, the nations of Austria and Hungary formed their pact and union. This agreement was later known as the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867.
The Compromise was set in Austria's grandest ballrooms, spruced up to near perfection especially for the occasion. All the nations gathered for the event were those of Europe, though America and Ottoman had come as well. However, all were dressed in their finest and formal wear.
The most recent guests on the scene were the Russians, led by Russia himself. For the event, Russia still persisted with a greying winter jacket with scarf. Next to him, it was shockingly Poland… in a long Prussian blue dress. Seeing this sight, Prussia, in a black suit with cape, had quite a laugh at the Slavic nation.
"Okay Prussia, you can seriously stop laughing at me now," Poland said, "Russia forced me in this."
As for the host, Austria was in one of his best suits – a jet black coat over his white shirt. He was speaking to two other Germanic countries, a man with short messy blonde hair and attired in a sky blue suit and white capelet (Bavaria) and another blonde male with thick eyebrows and in a red suit (Hanover).
"So you submitted to some outside help," Bavaria proclaimed loudly, "the stubborn Austria has finally wise up! This is to be cheered of, long live Austria!"
"Long live the Germans," Hanover said softly, "if only I can join my fellow Germanics instead of that expansionist loser England."
"But who is that lovely bride you are wedded to?" Bavaria wondered, "I am anxious for her beauty to grace the ballrooms."
"The bride has arrived!" Slovakia declared, "everyone, please settle down."
From the hallways, all gathered for the event turned towards the door to see this mysterious bride. Hungary stepped out for all to see – her being in an elaborate green dress. Czech (in a black and white maid uniform) was leading her in as part of her role as the bridesmaid.
"That's Hungary…" Prussia exclaimed shocked.
"God, that's the heiress to the Scourge of God!" Bavaria cried, then turning to Austria, "You're wedded to her!"
"Now that's quite a surprise," Ottoman, a masked man in full red regalia of a Sultan, remarked.
"So he has found that person I was speaking of," Switzerland said, sipping his Burgundy wine.
"Hungary, you traitor!" exclaimed Transylvania from the back of the room, "you used your charms to seduce Austria for your personal gains, and lea…"
Suddenly, two hounds pounced on Transylvania and stopped him from causing even more trouble.
"Thank you," Hungary said, "keep him on his fours, Ionescu and Vlad."
"Must you name the dogs after Romanians?" he demanded as one of the hounds was pressing its legs on his head.
"You should mingle with your lot instead," Hungary replied.
"You two, please! We are on a public occasion of joy," Austria intervened, "Transylvania; I will deal with you later."
Hungary then walked across the ballroom and met Austria at its centre. As Hungary could see, Austria had some uncertainty and glum on his face.
"What's the matter?" Hungary asked, "Put on a smile now, people are looking at us."
"Just a bit nervous, I just want the formalities to be done," Austria admitted.
Presiding over this Wedding, it was the Vatican. The Vatican was an old man of great age, turned from an outlaw of Ancient Roma's empire to a small empire bound by faith sponsored by the likes of Spain. Vatican donned a white hat, along with pure white robes with a red shawl draping his neck. In his hands, he held the Holy Bible, a book he would always hold in possession.
"Dearly beloved, we are all gathered here today under the sign of the Lord…" Vatican started off.
"That's your Lord, not mine!" Ottoman butted in.
"Fine then, under the sign of the Christian God…" Vatican cried out, "…to join together this man and woman in holy union. Therefore, do you Roderich Edelstein take her in as your beloved wife, and see her as an equal in your Empire?"
"I do," Austria quickly replied.
"And do you Elizabeta Héderváry take him as your beloved husband, and be the sword and shield for the Empire?" Vatican continued.
"I do," Hungary answered calmly.
"And thus, this Austro-Hungarian Compromise is declared before God and is officialised before all assembled here!" Vatican declared, "The Austrian Empire is therefore renamed as the Dual Monarchy of Austria-Hungary!"
Meanwhile, Slovakia was playing on the cello to provide music for the occasion. Czech held a serving plate in her arms, and handed Slovakia a glass of wine with a straw for him to drink from.
"Quite a romantic scene here," Czech said, "we should be like them too, protecting each other from enemies."
"Ah, interesting proposal…" Slovakia said.
The Austro-Hungarian Compromise would be made, but it did not stop the problems plaguing the Empire. In just 51 years, the Dual Monarchy would be torn apart by military defeat. In years to come, these two lovebirds would be split apart by the Iron Curtain. Eventually in 1994, they would meet again… but under the European Union.
Original Character Profile
Name: Tereza "Czech" Svobodová
Represents: Czech Republic (formerly Bohemia)
Age: 14
Gender: Female
Wedding Day: 28 October 1918
Appearance: A teenage girl with shoulder-length blonde hair, commonly in blue maid clothes with white apron. After independence, she opted for a blue dress with hat. Military uniform is similar to Belgium's, minus the tie.
Czech started off as Bohemia in her childhood; she would be owned by Austria under the Austrian Empire. During this period, she developed a desire for freedom and worked closely with Slovakia. After Austria-Hungary's fall in World War I, they both declare their independence as Czechoslovakia and taking away the Sudetenland as well. However, she would be courted by Germany and forcibly made a "Protectorate" in the Munich Agreement.
After the Axis Alliance's defeat, the two would be reunited under the Warsaw Pact. Eventually, they decided to break free of their union when their bosses had disagreements, rendered as the "Velvet Revolution". However, both states were still allies and went to the European Union in the end.
Czech generally loved Slovakia, and even has full custody of Sudetenland even after WWII and the Velvet Revolution. Her primary hate was diverted towards Germany, having taken Sudetenland away from her.
Name: Mojmír "Slovakia" Medved
Represents: Slovak Republic (formerly Great Moravia)
Age: late 30s
Gender: Male
Wedding Day: 28 October 1918
Appearance: A man with a full and trimmed beard and brownish hair, mostly attired in a white shirt and black vest. Military uniform is a black shirt and pants with boots, recycled from Austria's possessions.
Slovakia was first known as Moravia, and a powerful state in Central Europe as Great Moravia. However, his reign would end with his absorption to Hungary and later on, Austria. There, he encountered Czech, whom he worked with intensely for independence. This was achieved after World War I, where in they became Czechoslovakia.
The Munich Agreement by Germany, however, split the union and forced Slovakia on his own. During World War II, he would be forced to join the Axis. After WWII, he was reunited with Czech under a new Czechoslovakia. In the Velvet Revolution, Slovakia opted to split up with Czech due to their bosses. However, they would still meet again under the European Union.
Slovakia was once united with Czech, though that was only done in Czech's wishes for independence. He held a great rivalry against Hungary, whom had ended his prime as Great Moravia. He maintains stable ties with Austria, having trying to moderate the rebellions of the minority states.
Name: Gyula "Transylvania" Báthory
Represents: Transylvania Region
Age: Seemingly in his 20s
Gender: Male
Birthday: Unknown
Appearance: A pale-skinned male dressed in black business suit and lengthy cape.
Transylvania was one of the heirs of Dacia, who once fought against Ancient Roma. He would be defeated by hand of Hungary, and subjected to Ottoman rule. Eventually, it was admitted into the Habsburg Empire, where he met Hungary again.
Like many nations, he fought to join his brothers as a united Romania. This was achieved after WWI, where they declared Romania. Since then, Transylvania has left affairs to Wallachia, who has inherited the right to represent Romania. However, Transylvania did begin investing into media of monster horror genre.
It is noted that he shared a hate of Hungary like fellow Romanian countries, and was especially vocal in breaking away from Austria-Hungary. He lived inside a large castle in Wallachia's house, and only come out during the night.
Name: Adolph "Bavaria"
Represents: Bavaria
Age: 20s
Gender: Male
Birthday: Unknown
Appearance: Male with short messy blond hair, wearing a sky blue suit with white capelet.
One of the offspring of Germania, Bavaria was known for its beer even amongst fellow Germanics. He also invested much into knowledge, and accumulated a library of various philosophical texts. Compared to other Germanics like Prussia and Germany, Bavaria was known to be jolly and optimistic.
Under discretion from Otto von Bismarck, Bavaria surrendered affairs to Prussia and subsequently Germany himself. However, he still holds distinction amongst German states, most notably by not agreeing to the West German Constitution, though it still implemented them. It was known that Czech harbours hate for him, perhaps due to the Munich Agreement whom he hosted in Munich.
Name: George "Hanover"
Represents: Hanover
Age: 20s
Gender: Male
Birthday: 12 October 1814
Appearance: Blonde male with eyebrows similar to England's, wearing a red suit.
Hanover was also one of Germania's offspring, though it came under the rule of England. It was said that there he gained the thick eyebrows of England.
After the Napoleonic Wars, Hanover was convinced to break off with England and join his German brethren in the German Confederation. During the Austro-Prussian War, the Peace of Prague was negotiated, where in Prussia annexes Hanover among others. Since then, Hanover had been quiet on things.
It was noted that Hanover was credited with the invention of the gramophone, spending most of his days dancing to himself. If guests had arrived, Hanover would invite them for a round. Thus, he could be found in the ballroom of Germany's estate.
Name: The Venerable Petrus "Vatican"
Represents: State of the Vatican City/Holy See (formerly the Papal States)
Age: Generally not spoken of
Gender: Male
Birthday: Generally not spoken of
Appearance: An old man in a white hat and white robes; a red shawl was draped over his neck.
The Vatican started out as an outlaw within Ancient Roma's empire, but he was relieved of all charges when Constantine the Great acknowledged him. However, following the Great Schism, he resided in Avignon where in he was influenced by France. Via the likes of Spain and Portugal, the Vatican was able to grow exponentially and opt for self-rule.
The French Revolution would prove disastrous for the Vatican, as it came under the thumb of France again. However, the French Revolution inspired an heir of Ancient Roma – Italia Sardinia. He would embark on a conquest of Italian states, even capturing the Vatican. The Vatican stubbornly refused annexation and thus stayed inside his Papal Palace, marking the period, "Prisoner of the Vatican".
Years later, the Lateran Treaty acknowledged the Vatican as sovereign and signed by all Italian countries and the Vatican. Since then and with secularism underway, the Vatican opted to the sidelines of world affairs.