In 1896, when I turned 9 years old, significant changes are taking place in our family. We welcomed a new member as my 8-year-old younger brother, Maximilian, was born.
Despite the strained relationship between our father and mother, they still felt obligated to fulfill their noble duty, and thus, another child was added to our family. In noble households, matters related to children were of utmost importance, so my father couldn't simply ignore them.
With the good, however, came the bad. Father had affairs outside his marriage, roaming around recklessly, eventually causing an incident. Rather than escalating the situation into a big fight, Mother simply sighed. In this era, it's quite common for wealthy and idle men to have a couple of illegitimate children.
During this time, my grandfather, Archduke Karl Ludwig, passed away from typhus, and the succession right passed to my elder brother, Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Our father became second in line for the throne.
This change in succession rights brought great anxiety and tension to the Emperor and the Imperial family. Understandably so, considering the Crown Prince's tragic suicide, the death of Maximilian I of Mexico, the previous Emperor's younger brother, and the passing of Archduke Karl Ludwig due to illness. With potential heirs passing away one after another, there was no way they could remain unconcerned.
Naturally, my father's and my value skyrocketed, and as a result, the Emperor summoned our family to Vienna, the capital of Austria. While our castle in the lush forest was charming, ultimately, one has to move towards the capital city, as almost everything is centralized there.
"From today onwards, this is our home."
Our family was graciously welcomed into the magnificent Augarten Palace in Vienna. If our previous residence resembled a fairy-tale castle in the forest, this palace represented the grand authority of the Habsburg dynasty, boasting an elegant facade with a central dome.
In the surroundings, a meticulously maintained French-style garden added to the splendor. Emperor Franz Joseph I generously provided and extensively remodeled it for our family. As expected of an emperor, it was truly majestic.
"How do you like it?"Father proudly asked, hugging me as if he had accomplished this feat himself.
Observers might assume he had acquired this palace through his own efforts. However, I smirked and gave him a thumbs-up. How many people in the empire's capital live in such a magnificent place?
Feeling special in such surroundings only strengthened my resolve. There's no way I'll give up on my mission to save this shaky empire. How could I resist such sweet temptation?
If I surrender, the palace before my eyes will slip away. If I become Emperor, places like Schönbrunn and Hofburg, along with countless other buildings and assets, will fall into my hands.
Ah, giving up is simply not an option.
And I must admit, there's an undeniable truth to acknowledge. Father's skill lies in receiving gifts from others.
While he may appear to be a clumsy nobleman in my eyes, he has managed to win the affection of the Emperor. His charming appearance and mischievous nature from a young age caught the attention of the imperial family. Thus, this majestic palace now belongs to us.
I've heard it's even larger than where the Crown Prince and heir, Franz Ferdinand, resides.
"Karl, you'll have to attend school this year, won't you?"
While my father and I admired the grandeur of the palace, my education-passionate mother expressed her excitement about my upcoming schooling in Vienna.
Of course, she had every reason to be thrilled. How could she not be? She'll witness her son, acclaimed as a prodigy by private tutors, attending school and surpassing other children. And it will be at none other than a high-level institution befitting a member of the imperial family.
I wondered what kind of school awaited me. Surely, there must be an institution that suits royalty.
Even there, I must embrace the duty of filial piety and be prepared to surpass my peers. I'm confident in outshining others. After all, I've experienced the incredible competition of the education system in the US, a fierce high-level hunting ground.
Young sprouts, wait for me! Having survived the educational madness that devours our country, I am ready to take on anything, having already overcome countless obstacles and challenges!
"Certainly, I'll work hard at school."
As the good son, I gave the answer my mother wanted to hear.
"As expected of my son."
Mother still looked at me with endless trust, just like before. She seemed to have no doubts about my ability to listen well and study diligently.
What I learned at school would surely complement the knowledge I gained from private tutors. My goal was to quickly advance and graduate from the lower grades. After all, I knew the peaceful period known as the "Bell Epoch" was coming to an end.
There was no time for playing around. A world war of unprecedented scale was on the horizon. The empire's future depended on what I gained from Vienna, the capital. In any case, this country couldn't do without me.
Theresianum, originally a summer residence of the Habsburg family, now stands as a prestigious educational institution with Empress Maria Theresa's sponsorship, aimed at grooming young individuals for public service.
Among the nobility, aristocracy, and wealthy upper class, it holds significant influence and produces graduates who take prominent positions in the Austrian-Hungarian public service, earning a stellar reputation. However, one particular figure stands out the most at Theresianum.
"How can someone be so impressive at such a young age?"
"I am very eager to see what you will become as an adult."
"You'll become a great ruler, won't you?"
"Shh. Let's not discuss sensitive topics right now."
Even the teachers and staff at Theresianum couldn't help but be amazed by him. Karl Archduke, also known as Karl von Habsburg-Lothringen, a noble bearing the prestigious Habsburg name, naturally drew people's attention.
His courteous demeanor and elegant appearance stood out to everyone. Moreover, he entered Theresianum at a young age and achieved excellent grades, earning a place in the top class, which further increased his visibility.
Though a prince, he ranked third in the line of succession, following Franz Ferdinand and his father, Otto Archduke, which meant he had possibilities within the imperial family.
Currently, rumors were circulating in Vienna that Franz Ferdinand Archduke might marry someone outside the noble lineage. If that were to happen, he could ascend to the imperial throne, setting him apart from other ordinary nobles and drawing even more attention.
This was what people at Theresianum were saying about me.
Well, to be honest, it wasn't easy. The world is vast, and there are many geniuses. Vienna, Austria, at this time, was by no means an inconspicuous city.
For centuries, it had been an important city of the empire, abundant with famous artists, writers, musicians, and philosophers. From the start, it wasn't possible for the capital of the empire to be insignificant.
The city offered such an excellent environment that a few years later, famous figures like Hitler, Trotsky, and Stalin would have resided there at least once.
Just thinking about it, one might wonder if all the terrible historical events were Austria's doing. Strange characters have passed through here.
Anyway, it's only natural for talented individuals to emerge in such a city, and many children showed promise from a young age. There were children with talents beyond my comprehension, but I managed to maintain the reputation of being the top student.
In this age group, it's not so much about being extraordinary geniuses but rather highly trained individuals like me excelling.
Isn't the curriculum at Theresianum designed to cater to geniuses?
It's an educational institution for noble archdukes, nobles, and the wealthy. Even geniuses like Einstein supposedly had poor grades in some subjects when they were young, so catching up to them is no easy task.
Einstein? Wasn't that young lord failing his university exams right now?
Once I gain a more stable position, maybe I should kidnap him.
Anyway, while a few brilliant geniuses may have received better grades and evaluations in some subjects compared to me, I completely overwhelmed them in the overall picture.
Within just two years of moving to Vienna, I have established the best image. And with achievements like this, appropriate rewards are necessary. I begged my father and mother for money.
"Please give me some money!"
"Are you looking to buy a painting?"
Whether in the past or now, spending money on art-related activities can be quite costly. I am not an unfilial child who drives my parents into financial trouble by going crazy for luxury goods, nor am I interested in such material things.
After all, could our household really be shaken just because I bought something?
Anyway, I need money.
Still, at heart, I am just an 11-year-old child. No matter how much trust I have gained as a child, money is a different matter. I must convince my parents how I will use the money.
No matter how exceptional a child may be, parents are bound to worry. When given money, one might have various fantasies about how to spend it or even become obsessed with it.
All parents with children are like that. That's why the first step is crucial, isn't it? The first time may be difficult, but the second time should be easier.
For the first time, I argued for something easy to convince my parents. If this is well-received, the next task will proceed smoothly.
"Sponsoring artists?"
"Yes, Mother. As a noble, I believe it's only natural to support them."
In this era, there are many aspiring creators but only some truly talented ones.
How many artists are genuinely appreciated during their lifetime? Most artists go through a process of reinterpretation and rediscovery after their death and receive recognition.
Artists don't simply favor nobles for no reason. They acknowledge their work and even provide financial support.
As a member of the Habsburg family, sponsoring artists is not an unfamiliar practice. It is instead an obligation as part of our noble lineage. After all, isn't Vienna the city of arts? It was where the greatest artists, such as Beethoven, Mozart, and Schubert, were active.
Even in 21st-century America, even if people may not know them in detail, those names are well-known to anyone who received compulsory education.
Throughout history, the Habsburg family supported artists, so what's strange about me doing the same? Anyway, I don't plan to sponsor many artists. It's just an excuse for me to spend the family's money. Amidst such thoughts, I was fortunate to find a goal to sponsor.
"Are you well-prepared?"
"Yes, Your Highness. I have made sure there will be no faults in my considerations."
A middle-aged woman approached, bowing politely as she offered greetings. Her eyes seemed slightly moist, conveying a sense of deep emotion.
Her name was Johanna. Although she was currently remarried and bore a different surname, in the past, she was known as Johanna van Gogh.
The surname surely rings a bell, doesn't it? Yes, she was Vincent van Gogh's wife. Encountering her here was truly a coincidence.
As a member of the Habsburg family, language studies were mandatory for me. I had to be proficient in the official language of the empire, German, as well as internationally essential French.
Considering the multi-ethnic nature of the empire, I also strived to learn various languages like Hungarian and Czech. To achieve this, my study method involved reading newspapers diligently.
Finding enjoyment in one's studies is crucial to grasp the era and its context. During my research, I stumbled upon an article about her. Though not lengthy, its contents made me shout "Eureka" as soon as I read about her situation.
Vincent van Gogh had already passed away, and at that time, he was a relatively unknown artist. However, Johanna, his widow, was putting in tremendous effort to promote his artworks, facing numerous challenges along the way.
His true recognition as an artist would only come much later, so Johanna had to endure considerable struggles. Understanding the future value of van Gogh's work, I didn't hesitate to act.
Money was at the heart of it all! Johanna had been organizing an exhibition near a wealthy neighborhood in the Netherlands to showcase the artworks when my message reached her, prompting her immediate travel to Austria.
To elevate an artist's recognition, you must target the upper class. When a noble from the Habsburg family sponsor you, it changes the game entirely. It's unlike dealing with the nobility and the middle class.
I confidently informed Johanna that I intended to purchase as many of Van Gogh's works as possible and arrange an exhibition at our family's Augearten Palace to promote him.
At the time, I hadn't received my parents' permission, but later, they readily agreed, impressed by what I had accomplished until then.
Sponsoring an artist is a respectable endeavor for a noble, and who would oppose such an act? Johanna didn't reject my proposal; instead, we came to an agreement to hold the exhibition at the prestigious Habsburg family palace located in the cultural city of Vienna.
It proved to be a win-win situation for both Johanna and me.
As van Gogh's reputation soared, she would achieve her goal, while I would augment the value of the artworks, thus bolstering my wealth.
Of course, this endeavor would take time, but regardless, van Gogh's artworks were a bargain compared to their future worth.
I knew Johanna's presence would speed up the reviews and draw investors even faster as I walked in. She didn't spare any time in bringing hundreds of her husband's creations, along with letters and early sketches. Her goal is finally within reach with the Vincent van Gogh exhibition's debut today. How could it not move someone? I was quite happy about the idea. My support was motivated not by monetary gain but rather by the desire to remove my parents' psychological barriers, which I thought would have considerable advantages in the long run.
A couple more little projects have subsequently been started after I realized how satisfying it felt to spend money for the first time. I am certain that my end objective is great; that is the choice I have taken.
Author's Note
Hey there, wonderful readers. I'm thrilled to announce that you can now read the advance three chapters right now on Toodat!
If you're a fan of thrilling adventures, compelling characters, and exciting twists, head over to Toodat and read those chapters.
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