Edison didn't return immediately after the tense conclusion of the meal. He was no stranger to facing anger, having risen from the depths as a symbol of self-made success, a rarity in the world.
In this era, success often required seizing others' possessions, stealing, and ruthlessly climbing up while kicking down the ladder. Edison's remarkable abilities allowed him to overlook the emotions of insignificant individuals and trample over them without hesitation.
However, despite his resilience, facing the wrath of the Habsburg family sent a chill through his bones. Confronting the hostility of such a prestigious and influential noble family was a genuinely dangerous matter. A loss against them would mean gaining nothing.
Dealing with organizations within the United States might be a better choice; at least there, they could understand each other. It was the lack of familiarity that made them all the more formidable.
"I'm at a loss about what to do."
Edison met with Count Hangervar and expressed his grievances.
"This is your wrongdoing. Why did you have to steal Your Highness's film?"
"How can you be certain that Your Highness made the film?"
It was only natural for Edison to feel wronged. Among the countless films and creations, who could have anticipated that it belonged to the noble family?
Count Hengervar, understanding Edison's predicament, tried to assist him. His motive wasn't solely for Edison's sake but to appease the enraged Duke Karl. As a diplomat, it was his duty to show loyalty to the royal family.
"Your Highness, Duke Karl, garners much attention from the palace. As a diplomat, I have always listened to Duke Karl's orders attentively."
"Is that enough?"
"He has been rumored as a genius even before entering school. He has passed countless hurdles, whether among nobles, the wealthy upper class, or even in Theresian society."
"It seemed likely."
His demeanor and attitude were far from that of a typical young child, indicating an unusual maturity. His way of speaking resembled that of an adult man. If his grades are not good, that would have been the surprising part.
"And this is a secret..."
"A secret, you say?"
Count Hengervar scanned their surroundings as if about to share a piece of confidential news, then lowered his voice. "There are rumors that Franz Ferdinand Archduke, the apparent heir, will have a morganatic marriage."
Though it might not be a well-kept secret among Vienna's upper echelons, it was a novel story to hear all the way from the distant land of America.
"Hm, a morganatic marriage? But why discuss such rumors here?"
"The next heir after Franz Ferdinand is His Excellency Duke Karl's father, Archduke Otto Franz."
While it was customary for Franz Ferdinand to ascend to the throne and for the imperial prince to take the Emperor's place, a morganatic marriage would disinherit their children from the succession.
"And so?"
"Because of his age, after Franz Ferdinand Archduke, the next in line for the emperor's seat could be Duke Karl."
Edison let out a heavy sigh. It was as if he had stepped into something unpleasant, but even then, he had managed it with grace. It was not the kind of situation where he had stumbled into a tank full of waste on the street.
Of course, if Duke Karl became the Emperor, Edison might as well be considered out of the picture, but the fear of a person remained no matter what. Being close to the Emperor meant wielding great power. Moreover, Duke Karl's abilities were also intimidating.
Edison sensed it—the sense of camaraderie. Since such an individual belonged to the nobility, they were bound to grow significantly in reputation. Isn't it dreadful to face the wrath of such an existence? And one could not only think about the future. Nobles could exert their influence at any moment.
What if Duke Karl went through the embassy and protested to the US government? The US government wouldn't want to cause any inconvenience to Austria-Hungary over a single cipher.
After all, wasn't it merely a display of hostility towards the great powers? There had to be some benefits to antagonize, but if there weren't any, it would be a complete loss for the US.
To make matters worse, talks within the US government were already circulating about cracking down on trusts and cartels. Being targeted by the government's watchful eye was nothing desirable.
Moreover, JP Morgan was actively trying to eliminate Edison's influence within General Electric. If such a pretext presented itself, Edison could be easily wiped out entirely.
While Duke Karl might only suffer damages from illegal replication, Edison could potentially lose everything. Edison believed there was nothing to gain from confronting the nobility.
"Where has Your Excellency, the Duke, gone?"
"I'm not sure," Count Hangervar shrugged.
Duke Karl wasn't the type to inform others of his whereabouts. After all, he came to the US without any prior notice. Edison could confirm Duke Karl's movements through newspaper articles.
"The headlines read: 'Meeting the Young Nobility of the Noble Lineage!'
'Karl von Habsburg, 'I wanted to visit the United States first. It's the most potential country!'
'The great lineage of Habsburg recognized the United States! We can be proud!'
'Duke Karl, 'the hardworking Americans with their abundant potential and beautiful country. Soon, all nations will envy the US.'
'The New York Times raved, 'Duke Karl, a splendid gentleman, showed respect to everyone he encountered.'
"Duke Karl, 'Is this the great place where the Boston Tea Party and the American Revolution began?'"
"Immersing himself in the history of the United States, Duke Karl explored the wonders of Boston!"
The Boston Globe reported, 'Duke Karl admits! Boston is a proud symbol of the United States!'
The front page of The Boston Globe featured "Duke Karl's tour around Boston.'
"Duke Karl, a genius who rose from Theresianum to Vienna."
"Duke Karl declared, 'Soon, the center of the world will be the United States, and Washington will hold sway the entire globe.'"
"The Washington Post headline, 'Suddenly turned into a great power! The whole world will watch, admire, and tremble!'"
"The excitement about the United States spread across the nation like wildfire in the 21st century."
In line with the era of sensationalism, the atmosphere across the United States grew fervent with my tongue-in-cheek remarks. As a relatively young country, its massive body seemed to elicit surprisingly lukewarm responses. Yet, many newspapers are now eagerly seeking interviews with me, driven by their uncertainty amidst the war against Spain.
I must admit, I didn't anticipate driving them this crazy. Nonetheless, I'll continue to spice things up with nonsensical statements and provocative elements adorning the front pages of newspapers. And the addition of the noble lineage of the Habsburg family will be the cherry on top.
Opportunities like this don't come daily, and securing a proper interview with the Habsburg family is quite an achievement. Perhaps, in a way, I'm contributing to cleansing America's journalism, emphasizing the importance of facts over manipulation and fabrications.
"Your Excellency, weren't you supposed to focus on dealing with Edison's matters?"
"I am, but why do you ask?"
Tressler couldn't understand English and wondered why I was praising the United States instead of going after Edison.
"Tsk. Just wait and see. Edison will eventually come begging for a settlement."
"And what if he doesn't?"
"Then it's their ignorance."
They might still regard me with suspicion. If Edison doesn't show up, it means my propaganda didn't work, and I'll have to resort to my last option – go to the Emperor and plead my case.
Regardless, I'll continue sharing pleasant stories even after this. I have no pang of conscience about it. I genuinely poured my sincerity into those stories. Honestly, they're not entirely fake, right?
In a few decades, the United States will undoubtedly stand as the true powerhouse, evoking awe, admiration, and watchful eyes from around the world. No other nation will be able to rival its strength and influence.
Unlike the yellow press, which resorts to manipulation and fabrication, my words are grounded in reality and sincerity. I believe I can strike a chord in the hearts of Americans with my genuine passion for their country. Who could possibly view a young child passionately praising America as anything but endearing?
When my popularity reaches its peak, I'll gradually start revealing my true intentions. With tears in my eyes, I'll emotionally accuse that scoundrel Edison of stealing my film. I'll emphasize that it's a personal creation meant to showcase European culture to the American audience, making the accusation even more compelling.
It's an ending fit for a movie, and I hope it works like a charm. Of course, there's no guarantee that Edison will suffer from this incident. Not all propaganda hits its mark, but the impact will be unparalleled if it does.
The yellow press will seize the opportunity to tear Edison apart, regardless of whether the allegations are true or not. In a democratic country like the United States, the government can't remain idle when citizens are clamoring for action.
Moreover, the U.S. government has shown a willingness to meddle in businesses, as evidenced by their stirring up of the Sherman Antitrust Act a few years ago.
Edison is a master at stealing and kicking others down the ladder, making him a prime target for the government. But even ordinary citizens disapprove of Edison's actions?
From the government's perspective, that's just perfect! They must be shouting with excitement and dancing for joy. They may have considered the delicate relationship with the Empire across the sea, so they'll probably handle it with some caution.
They might even tell the public, 'I have valid reasons and motives for this action! And the people support it too!' From a politician's standpoint, they'd be overjoyed and dancing with glee.
If this has any impact, Edison won't stand a chance. A real crackdown could set a precedent. Rockefeller and Morgan are already on the US government's radar, and Edison won't be able to escape either.
Besides, he has made many enemies, and people eagerly await his downfall. That's what the nobility can achieve—they generate intrigue and capture the public's attention. Who else can create such a buzz like the noble lineage of Habsburg? Who would even care about random passersby?
Nevertheless, they must prepare for the worst. They might have to resort to protests or objections if their plan doesn't work. Meeting Tesla was at least a change of pace. Now, all we can do is wait and see."
"Your Excellency, please! I need to clear up a misunderstanding. Please, just hear me out!"
Edison rushed in breathlessly, the ever-present reporter starting their coverage. To see the effects before it even properly began?
"Your Excellency! I have done something truly terrible to you. I should have returned the ill-gotten money immediately and begged for forgiveness!"
Edison realized my plan and hurried to the embassy, pleading earnestly. "Your Excellency, please, just listen to me!"
As Edison's words remained stifled, fear pushed him to act. Despite being a cipher for the United States, he pleaded relentlessly.
"That's precisely the problem with talented individuals. They're aware of how ruthless the yellow press can be in this era," he said abruptly.
"Why are you bringing this up all of a sudden?" she asked.
"Are you considering involving the media?"
"The media? I'm not quite sure what you mean."
"I'm just a young noble, an inexperienced child. What can the media do? How about we seek arbitration from the Federal Supreme Court?"
"No! I made a mistake; please forgive me and give me a chance!"
"Well, still, Edison is a US citizen. Shouldn't the government and the citizens be aware of it?"
"Your Excellency!"
Edison bowed his head deeply, and as I looked at him, a sense of regret washed over me. I had been curious to witness the potential impact of the synergy between the yellow press of this era and the Habsburg nobility on a single person's life.
I had entertained the idea of a tearful interview, followed by a barrage of citizen-led attacks, with the yellow press churning out articles and even the US government possibly getting involved. However, reality had proven different, and Edison had already crumbled before I even initiated my plan.
Despite my initial expectations, it was time to step back. I wasn't a heartless lunatic who reveled in destroying others. As a monarch, I needed to acknowledge when someone had reached their limit.
Pushing further now would only strain our future collaboration. I had been ruthless when Edison was my enemy, but now that he was my ally, I found him incredibly dependable. We needed him even more to establish a solid foundation in the United States.
"Seeing how far Edison has gone, I can't simply remain unresponsive to your actions."
"T-Then?"
"Let's put the past behind us and focus on working together for the future. The cooperation we discussed before still stands, right?"
I offered Edison a warm smile and extended my hand. I am willing to be generous.
"Your Excellency, I want to thank you for giving me this opportunity," Edison said with a smile.
Today, we sealed our contract, and I feel a sense of accomplishment, like achieving world peace. Crossing the ocean to catch a thief, I carefully addressed the concerns of the American people along the way. I managed to resolve the issues without involving the Federal Supreme Court. Everything turned out remarkably well.
Edison assured me he would return all the money earned from illegal replication. We reached an agreement where he would handle distribution and sales within the United States while we will supply the films. It was a deal that Edison willingly accepted, and we ensured fairness in the distribution for both parties to benefit in the long run.
Successful partnerships require mutual benefits. Providing Edison with ample incentives will motivate him to protect our rights and interests with utmost dedication. When I return, I must put great effort into perfecting the films. I should explore various techniques, including soundproofing to add voices or music.
Since Edison invented the phonograph, there could be significant synergy effects. However, I mustn't become complacent. Film techniques will inevitably be learned and imitated by others, so I should continue to work diligently to stay ahead.
Nevertheless, the US market holds the potential for substantial earnings. Edison isn't coveting it for no reason. With the money we earn, I can establish a base in the US and prepare for the upcoming war with Spain, whether investing in the arms industry or purchasing bonds.
The US is the land of opportunities. Nobody would complain if I took advantage of the situation. It truly offers the American Dream to everyone, regardless of age or social status. And…
With several tasks completed, I sat leisurely in the consulate, sipping on a fizzy drink – cola, to be precise. The taste was slightly different from the cola of the 21st century, but the refreshing sensation as it tickled my throat was quite welcome.
I held carbonated beverages in high regard, believing that a life without enjoying such a fantastic drink would be a loss. This wonderful creation needed to be restored and made available for more people to enjoy. After all, cola was a matter of human rights.
Currently, Coca-Cola is being sold across the United States, and naturally, the company holds significant value, translating to substantial wealth. However, I could still take advantage of this.
Therefore, I decided to wait patiently for a few months and then seize the opportunity to create Pepsi. Some might accuse me of straying from the original plan, but I aimed to gain much with little investment.
By earning enough before the inception of Pepsi, I planned to invest and acquire shares once the company was established. The taste of 21st-century cola would be recreated and spread worldwide.
Some might grumble about it not being Coca-Cola, but the real aim was to establish Pepsi more swiftly in Europe and make it the foundation there. In this era, blue cola would dominate the world. Honestly, at this time, red was somewhat off-putting. Who knew if the aristocrats of this age would detest the color red?
I could no longer stay abroad after finishing my work in the United States. It was time to return to Austria.
"Your Excellency, I must admit, I truly admire you," Tressler, who had once harbored doubts about me, now stood as a loyal follower on the departing ship.
"When we return, we must work even harder on making films."
"Leave it to me. I will make films until I'm completely exhausted!" Tressler vowed.
We knew we had to thoroughly dominate the market before our competitors caught up.
As I pondered over the screenplay, techniques, and sound, Tressler had to diligently handle the equipment and actors, fully committed to his responsibilities. Considering all the other tasks he had to manage, he would undoubtedly become swamped.
The dream of traveling to the United States in the near future seemed like an impossible fantasy. Perhaps only during national turmoil or when the nation's stability had been restored would I find the leisure to contemplate such a journey.
As I gazed at the receding United States, memories flooded my mind, and I began reminiscing.
Finally, after enduring the monotonous sea voyage, we arrived in Hamburg, the heart of the German Empire. As someone approached us, they bowed deeply, causing the guards escorting us to become wary.
"It's an honor to meet His Excellency, Duke Karl," the person respectfully addressed me.
I wondered, "Does he know me?" Then, I heard, "The Kaiser requests your presence."
"Oh, we've been caught, haven't we? Did we make too much commotion?" I murmured in response.
_
Author's Note
Hey there, wonderful readers. I'm thrilled to announce that you can now read the next 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.
You can click the external link below ~
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