African Business Chronicles

Chapter 48: Engagement

At this point, Ernst more or less understood what was going on. This Princess Karina must be a result of the butterfly effect caused by his appearance, or perhaps this universe isn't simply a parallel version of his past life's universe. Well, either way, it's best to keep unpredictable variables under control.

Karina was the first person Ernst had encountered in this world who didn't exist in the history he remembered. People like Lenoir didn't count, since their destinies changed because of Ernst's own actions.

What made Karina different was that she had been born before Ernst had even awakened the memories of his previous life. In other words, she was born when Ernst was just six years old.

And back then, he was still just a brat wreaking havoc around the estate, far from capable of influencing anything or anyone.

Moreover, Ernst had a strong gut feeling—if he didn't marry her, something major would go wrong.

Thinking about it, how much history had he already altered since his awakening? There was the Blackstein Consortium, and the East African colonies—he had indirectly changed the fates of many people.

Princess Karina of Austria held a high status, and the 19th century was an era where anything could happen. Could it be a case of "Her Majesty the Queen returns to Mexico to avenge her father"? Or maybe she would inherit the Habsburg throne and rebuild the Roman Empire?

(Not that I'm trying to exaggerate—just look at Franz's tragic life: his brother executed by Mexicans, his wife assassinated in Italy, his son committed suicide for love, and the heir he chose for the future got shot by a Serb.)

All that aside, Ernst also had his own interests to consider. He had long been planning a colonial trade route that would run from Prussia (the German Empire) through Austria-Hungary, across the Mediterranean, and finally to East Africa.

Among these, Prussia was as reliable as his own household.

Italy, an ally of Prussia before WWI, could still be useful for now.

The East African colonies—those were built with his direct involvement, and in East Africa, his word was law.

The only place where he lacked influence was the Austro-Hungarian Empire. If he could solve that political gap through marriage, that would be ideal.

Plus, the East African colonies were poor. Relying solely on Prussia (Germany) wouldn't be enough—they needed support from a partner as large as Austria-Hungary.

So many resources were wasted when Austria-Hungary dissolved—it was such a shame. Ernst was willing to be the one to pick up the pieces.

"Father, let's go with Princess Karina of the Habsburgs! We really don't have much influence in Austria. Through this marriage, our family's businesses could spread throughout Greater Germany, from the Baltic to the Mediterranean. That would greatly improve the safety of our assets."

He was being honest. If he could achieve that, even continental conflicts wouldn't affect his East African ventures.

Neither the German nor Austro-Hungarian navies were strong enough on their own to resist pressure at sea—let alone small commercial fleets.

The Baltic and the Mediterranean were Germany's only sea routes. Germany was a bit better off, since the northwest corner opened to the Atlantic—but right there stood the colossus of the British Empire.

Austria-Hungary's access to the sea was through the Adriatic, which looked worse on a map, but actually faced fewer threats. It's not that Ernst looked down on Italians, but the last time—at the Battle of Lissa—they had been thoroughly humiliated.

If the British wanted to blockade Germany's coast, it would be easy. But Italy trying to blockade Austria-Hungary? Only in dreams. Austria-Hungary could always threaten Italy by land, and in the future, Prussia, Italy, and Austria-Hungary would form an alliance. With Prussia in the middle to mediate, their relations wouldn't be too bad.

"Alright then, I'll head to Vienna and negotiate with the Habsburgs. Just wait for my news!" said Prince Konstantin as he departed for Vienna.

…

Meanwhile, in Vienna, Austria, at Schönbrunn Palace—

"Mother, isn't it a bit early to be talking about marriage for Karina? She's still so young!" Emperor Franz said helplessly to his mother.

"Hmph, what do you know? It's because you and your brother have been so reckless after your own marriages. I won't let Karina repeat your mistakes," replied Empress Dowager Sophie.

Mentioning his own marriage shut Franz up. The tension between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law was a global issue—even emperors couldn't escape it.

As for his brother Maximilian I, he had thrown himself into the quagmire of Mexico and stubbornly refused to listen to his family. He was still chasing his imperial dreams.

"This time, I will personally choose the husband for the next generation. Back then, I spoiled you two brothers too much, and look how that turned out," Sophie said, handing Franz a dossier on Ernst.

"Take a look. What do you think of the man I picked?"

Franz looked over the file and said, "His looks are just slightly better than mine in my youth, but isn't his status too low? Karina wouldn't be marrying beneath her even if she wed a prince from any royal family."

"What do you know? Do you think there are that many princes to choose from? And I haven't found any among Europe's royal houses that I like. This Ernst may have a lower title, but he's from the legitimate Hohenzollern line. Plus, Prince Konstantin only has this one heir—he'll be a prince in the future."

"His mother died early, so there won't be mother-in-law issues if Karina marries him. And Ernst is great at managing businesses—his enterprises rank among the top thirty in Europe. If Karina marries him, she'll live in comfort as a princess."

"What about his character, Mother?" Franz asked.

"Rest assured, I've investigated him thoroughly. He's already sixteen, focused on his work, and hasn't been involved in any scandals. I've even reviewed his routines—he's a hardworking young man. He recently went to Venice to organize a fleet and then returned home."

"He has no bad habits, lives a disciplined life. A young man like this should be snapped up early."

"But Mother, are you really not going to consult my brother and his wife?" Franz asked cautiously.

"Hmph, don't mention them—especially Charlotte. She kept egging Maximilian on. If not for her, our family would be happily together now. If anything happens to your brother, I'll never forgive her."

And so, the Emperor and Empress of Mexico were stripped of their rights to decide their daughter's future. Meanwhile, Empress Carlota was still in France, crying and making scenes to urge Napoleon III to send troops back to Mexico.

After discussions between Prince Konstantin and the Viennese royals, both families agreed to a formal engagement. Ernst would marry Princess Karina once he was in his twenties.

On November 3, 1866, the two families officially announced the engagement between Prince Ernst and Princess Karina. (Later generations referred to this event as the renewed union between the Hohenzollern and Habsburg families.)

Ernst and Princess Karina attended the ceremony and, in line with European tradition, exchanged tokens of betrothal. From then on, Karina of the Habsburgs was Ernst's fiancée.

Having lived two lifetimes, Ernst didn't have high standards—just someone who wasn't ugly would do. But Karina had a very solid foundation; she would surely become a great beauty. At least in the eyes of people at the time, they were a perfect match.

…

Now that his future bride was confirmed, Ernst couldn't just sit back and let his future father-in-law perish. Maximilian I had truly drawn the short straw. That imperial throne was a trap laid by Napoleon III. The French had dumped all the blame for their colonial fiasco in Mexico on Maximilian I.

The real issue was that the Mexican people no longer trusted the monarchy. Influenced by the Iturbide dynasty and incited by the Americans, Maximilian couldn't even govern outside his palace. He had to shoulder all the blame.

Mexico's various warlords didn't even acknowledge Maximilian's authority. Among them, the republican Juárez saw him as a thorn in the side.

Next year—when Maximilian would be captured and executed—Juárez would become notorious for defying all the European monarchs and insisting on executing a Habsburg.

Ernst wondered if he could save his doomed future father-in-law. Maybe he could handpick some top students from the Blackstein Academy, disguise them as Native Americans, sneak them into Mexico, and smuggle Maximilian back to Europe...

There really might be a chance. If the plan failed, he'd lose nothing. But if it succeeded, the rewards could be immense.

Even if nothing else, the Habsburgs would definitely owe him. And monarchs across Europe would start viewing him in a new light.

If Ernst wanted to develop East Africa, he couldn't avoid dealing with various countries. When the great powers began dividing Africa in the future, being unprepared would be a joke.

Right now, building an image of a noble defender of monarchy would ensure that European royals would speak in his favor in their respective governments, and those governments would think twice before acting against him.

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