I was standing next to mein boss, waiting for the door to open. The daughter of the Holy Roman Emperor, King Francis, was coming and Fritz had… lectured… Frederick and I on the behaviors we were allowed to participate in with the guests. This was because despite everyone in the castle knowing who this girl was, Fritz still wanted to make a show of being the good guy. The man with no grudge.
You might have guessed, yes. The girl's name is Maria Elisabeth of Austria, daughter of Maria Theresa and Francis. Meaning Hungary and Austria were coming too! I knew Fritz hated her! I also knew I don't like her for that same reason! Nor do I appreciate Austria coming into my home! That is, if they even show up.
That was his idea however. They wouldn't show up and since we were the strongest country and we were trying to be courteous to Austria, it would make Austria look that much more of a bad person. Which is actually a great idea! Fritz is super smart! Of course if they did show, we would have to be on our best behavior and that means no fighting! Of course there's always the chance that bitch won't come but her husband would.
I could tell the hour was almost up by the Queen's distress. "Frederick, do you think they are coming? I told you this would be a bad idea."
"It's common sense to give them one more hour. We told them to come at eight in the morning and that it would be ending at six in the evening. It is only five in the evening. If you wish, you can go sit down." He told her, not even bothering to look at her. I sighed.
"Fritz, I don't think their coming either. I am hoping they don't come!" I told him.
"Henry, go see if you find any of them in the palace. They might be moving at a very slow pace." Henry nodded and left the castle. I gritted my teeth. "Be patient Gilbert."
"We've been here for an hour." I complained, crossing my arms.
"If they do attend, we will be getting the Prince of Prussia married to the daughter of the Holy Roman Emperor. He has good genes. He might be viable to become the next Holy Roman Emperor." I looked at him, as did Frederick.
"Are you planning on him becoming the Emperor? He's your only son, Fritz!"
"I am not planning on him becoming the Emperor but it is a good idea." I looked at Frederick. He seemed worried.
"What if I don't want to become Emperor?!" He pleaded with Fritz.
"If it is possible, you will become the next Emperor. It's all about politics, Frederick." He replied.
"Oh. So any bad behavior on our part could ruin your plans." I stated. He nodded.
"Yes, it would. That's why I talked to you two yesterday and reiterated myself this morning." Fritz had just finished his statement when Henry came back in. He smiled at Fritz.
"Their coming. Maria Theresa had caused a commotion and had gone back but the princess and her father are coming." He said, bowing to Fritz. Fritz smiled.
"Thank you Henry. Gilbert, get back into position." Fritz said. The Queen quickly came back in. I grudgingly obeyed my King. He gave a me a look and I knew he was warning me against any misbehavior.
"I saw them through the window." She said. She got back in her place before the doors opened and Hungary and Austria were holding the doors open for the royalty. I gritted my teeth again when I saw Austria stroll into my house.
"Gilbert." Fritz whispered, warning me to behave. I put a big smile on my face. The Emperor stepped in followed by his daughter. She was very pretty. I staid by Frederick's side to make sure he behaved and he seemed to move closer to me, probably to keep an eye on me.
When the welcomes were given, we were all ushered into the ballroom where people began to socialize. I welcomed Hungary and Austria to the castle. I suggested myself to Hungary for a dance if only to give Fritz what he wanted. I managed to behave myself pretty well in the dance, even if I was letting her lead. Which is to say, I let her lead the dance so I could pretend it was not even happening. If anything we should be hunting or something! Hungary was my friend. Not lately though because she hangs out with Austria more often than not.
When my dance with Hungary was done, I danced with Austria and I let him lead too. I didn't want to acknowledge that I was doing this. When that was done I walked over to the Princess to have a dance and I led that dance if only because it would be saying something about me if I didn't. When that was over I walked to the Prince.
"Have you danced with the Princess yet?" I asked him.
"No but we've talked. I don't like her." He said, looking at me. "She also doesn't seem to like me. If this keeps up, you know she can't stand my face, then she'll mess it up and that would make Austria and Hungary look worse right? Please say yes." He urged. I nodded.
"It would be worse if they came only to be rude to us if they had refused to even come at all." I told him. I mean, it's true! "You know you can't help her lose her temper though, right? That would make us look bad." He sighed.
"Damn it."
"In any case, go to her side and be sweet to her. It'll piss her off. I know because I've dealt with such ladies." He smiled at me.
"Thanks Gilbert." He whispered to me, smiling. He got up and went to go find the Princess.
"Gilbert, have you danced at all?" Fritz asked.
"Yes Your Majesty Fritz. I've had three dances. Hungary, Austria, and Princess Maria." He beamed at me, putting his hand on my head. I blushed, ducking my head.
"Good boy Gilbert, I suggest you dance three more times with some of these women and then you can come sit down and wait out the night unless asked to dance by one of these nice ladies. Am I understood?" I nodded, blushing deeper as he ruffled my hair before he turned to go back into the crowd.
I saw a woman smiling at me delicately. I smiled back before standing up and walking toward her. She seemed to be pleased by this so I bowed to her and she curtsied back. "May I have this dance, my fair lady?" I asked politely.
"You may. Fortunately I have two dances still to go." I smiled at her. I wrapped an arm around her waist and grabbed her other hand with mine before beginning to lead the dance. I gave her a smirk.
"So do you come here often?" She beamed, giggling a bit.
"Actually, I have thought about going on vacation here at least three times."
"Hm. It sounds like you haven't though. Why is that?" I asked, twirling her before bringing her back.
"Because my maidens never want to come and I don't have luck with finding a proper chaperon." She moved her arm that was holding my forearm up to my shoulder. She was enjoying herself. I was still smirking at her, however I put in a bit of mischief into my smirk.
"What if I were to be your chaperon? I know everything about Prussia." She giggled again. Quite a delicate bell jingling type of sound. I chuckled back at her.
"Oh but you couldn't possibly be my chaperon. Do you not live in Prussia?" She said, batting her eyes at me. This is getting quite awkward but I don't care. I'm having fun.
"I do."
"I suppose I should expect a Prince of Prussia to know everything about his country." That was the last thing she said during the dance. And that was the last thing I said during the dance too. So she thought I was a prince? She must know Fritz is the king. We had just finished our dance when we noticed something going on. I removed my hands from her and went to investigate. She tried to follow but she couldn't keep up.
When I got there I saw Austria and Hungary trying to keep the Princess to herself. Prince Frederick was feeling his face, looking abashed. Then it hit me what happened. I slipped into the center to talk to Austria and Hungary.
"How can I help?" I asked. Frederick pointed at Maria, looking straight at me.
"We were talking about foreign countries and I told her I knew some Spanish and she asked me to show her! So I told her she looked muy hermoso and she slapped me!" He complained. Hungary and Austria were talking to the Princess. I didn't know what to do.
"I'm sure…" That she didn't mean to slap you? Not likely. "… she didn't understand what you said." The crowd was broken apart as the kings came to the rescue. I looked behind me to see Fritz and the other king trying to decipher the situation. "Fritz, the Princess slapped the Prince." I told him.
I don't know what happened but the Emperor had dragged his daughter out of the castle and now they were all leaving. Hungary and Austria were staying behind.
"King Frederick, I'm sorry. I don't know what happened." Austria said. "I'm sure it was some type of misunderstanding." He turned and left. Hungary smiled at us.
"I'm so sorry King Frederick. Prussia." She curtsied before quickly hurrying off after Austria. The guards quickly shut the doors after themselves to escort them out of the palace. I looked at Fritz.
"What just happened?"
"Prince Frederick will not be marrying her. Thus he will not be made Emperor. Henry, in three days I want you to spread word of what happened here today. The Emperor will either apologize for this event or he will ignore it ever happened." I looked at Frederick. "Gilbert. Frederick. Go change into something more comfortable and go about the rest of your day." He said, turning around and heading toward the stairs.
The Queen came hurrying over and checked Frederick's face. "I don't know what was wrong with that girl. Slapping my poor Frederick. Are you okay dear?" She asked worried. Frederick nodded.
"Yes Mom, I'm fine."
"Henry!" the Queen snapped. Henry hurried over. "See if you can help his cheek heal. I don't want a bruise forming."
"Mother!" Frederick complained. I smirked at him.
"Gilbert!" Abelard called. I turned around to look at him. He motioned me over and I got one more look at Frederick before heading over to him. He was having his mother and Henry check up on him and leading him toward the doctor who lived inside the castle. "Come, have a change of more comfortable clothes before you have a walk in the garden. You'll have dinner and then it's off to bed."
"Bed? I'm not even tired."
"Yes but we have lots to do, lots to do." I rolled my eyes at him but obeyed my caretaker anyway. We still have one more ball to throw. With France being the next one to come over.