In the chambers of Emperor Franz Joseph I, a solemn guard approached, bearing news of Crown Prince Edel of Romania's recent visit to Austria-Hungary. "Your Majesty, during his visit, the Crown Prince requested our assistance in acquiring the 305mm shore gun produced by Skoda," he reported.
The Skoda 305mm shore gun, a formidable piece of artillery, was among the largest and most advanced of its kind within the Austro-Hungarian arsenal. Developed from the earlier 305 models, this land-based weapon was significantly heavier than its naval counterparts, weighing in at 75.6 tons. It boasted a firing rate of 2-3 rounds per minute, with each shell weighing 412.5 kg and achieving a muzzle velocity of 867 meters per second. The gun's lifespan was estimated at 220 rounds, capable of reaching a maximum elevation range of 18,600 meters and an effective range of 15,400 meters. Its superiority over the German 305 model was undeniable, a fact that likely motivated Crown Prince Edel's keen interest.
Upon receiving this information, Emperor Franz Joseph I turned to his nephew, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, seeking his opinion. The relationship between the emperor and his heir had been strained in the past, particularly over Ferdinand's marriage to Sophie Schottke, a Czech civilian. The union had been met with considerable opposition from the Austro-Hungarian nobility, placing Ferdinand in a precarious position within the empire. However, as the years passed, the emperor had gradually come to accept his nephew's choices, recognizing the need to foster a better relationship with him as his successor.
"What do you think?" asked the emperor, genuinely interested in Ferdinand's perspective.
Ferdinand, aware of the delicate political dynamics at play, particularly in relation to Romania and its significance as an ally, responded thoughtfully. "Our relations with Romania have been strained due to the situation in Transylvania. It's imperative that we maintain a strong alliance with Romania to counterbalance Russian influence in the Balkans. Assisting them with this purchase could serve to strengthen our ties," he explained.
The emperor nodded, pleased with Ferdinand's assessment. He reflected on the dual monarchy's formation, a decision born of necessity that now seemed to bring more challenges than benefits, particularly with the Hungarian nobility's reluctance to address the grievances of other ethnic groups within the empire.
With a sigh, Franz Joseph I remarked, "We can certainly extend an olive branch to Romania, but the ongoing issues in Budapest could undermine our efforts there."
Ferdinand, understanding his uncle's concerns, suggested, "Perhaps I should visit Budapest myself to assess the situation firsthand."
However, he immediately regretted his proposal, aware of his popularity among the ethnic minorities and lower classes, and less so among the Hungarian elite who showed little interest in naval matters—a key area of his advocacy.
As expected, the emperor dismissed the idea. "This isn't the right time for you to go to Budapest. Let's focus on solidifying our relationship with Romania first, and address Hungary's issues gradually," he advised, though he harbored doubts about the feasibility of changing Hungarian attitudes.
"Does this mean you agree to Romania's request for the shore guns?" Ferdinand sought confirmation.
"Is there really any choice? Rejecting them at this juncture would only harm our relations further," the emperor conceded.
With the emperor's approval, the Austro-Hungarian government expedited the Romanian procurement, granting them the requested artillery at a favorable rate of 700,000 lei per unit.
Meanwhile, Crown Prince Edel, having spent delightful moments with Princess Sophie Marie, received the news of the successful negotiation from his chief guard upon returning to his residence. "Austro-Hungary has agreed to our terms?" he inquired, his spirits lifted by the confirmation of both the arms deal and his deepening relationship with Sophie Marie.
"Yes, Your Highness. They have offered us a very reasonable price," the guard informed him.
"Then let's increase our order. Add two more guns," Edel decided, seeing an opportunity to further strengthen his military without overcommitting to the Austro-Hungarian alliance, which he viewed skeptically given the empire's internal tensions and the looming specter of dissolution.
The deal was promptly adjusted, and Skoda confirmed the delivery of six customized 305mm shore guns to Romania within two years.
As the days passed, the time for Edel to return to Romania drew near. At the Vienna railway station, a poignant farewell unfolded between him and Sophie Marie. Holding hands, they exchanged promises and tender goodbyes, with Edel assuring her of his constant thoughts and imminent plans to formalize their engagement.
As the train pulled away, Sophie Marie stood on the platform, waving until the last glimpse of Edel disappeared. His visit had not only secured vital military assets for Romania but had also profoundly impacted his personal life, promising a future filled with love and partnership.
After returning to Romania, Edel was promptly summoned by his eager parents. Like most parents, they were deeply concerned about their child's future spouse.
"How about the girl, Edel?" Queen Elizabeth asked with urgency as soon as Edel had settled down.
"Queen, you are too impatient. Let Edel speak," King Carol I interjected, his tone betraying his own concern about his son's choice of a spouse.
"I'm just concerned about my son's marriage," the queen replied, her rare rebuttal to the king taking Edel by surprise. In his 21 years, Edel had seldom witnessed his mother openly disagreeing with his father. It was clear she was particularly anxious about this matter.
Seeing this, Edel first cleared his throat to ease the tension before he began to describe Sophie Marie. "Mother, Sophie Marie is a wonderful girl—gentle, kind, and she loves riding..."
As he spoke, Edel carefully recalled his times with Sophie Marie, choosing his words meticulously to paint the best picture of her to his parents.
"Then do you plan to make her your wife?" his father, King Carol I, cut to the heart of the matter.
"Father, I believe she is the right partner for me," Edel confidently declared his intentions.
"And when do you plan to marry her?" the king asked next.
Edel understood that the timing of his marriage was not entirely his to decide. Judging by his parents' current mood, it would likely be sooner rather than later. "I leave that to your discretion. I have no objections," he responded.
His parents both laughed in satisfaction upon hearing his compliant answer. A week later, the Romanian royal family formally requested Prince Edel's hand in marriage to Princess Sophie Marie of the Austro-Hungarian royal family. Naturally, the proposal was accepted without delay, and after a series of telegrams between the two nations, the wedding was set for September 15.
While his mother busied herself with wedding preparations, King Carol I summoned Edel to discuss another pressing issue—the upcoming Romanian parliamentary elections.
"Edel, what is your opinion on the current election?" the king inquired.
The election was a significant event, with the Liberal Party and the Conservative Party vying for the Prime Minister's position. The Liberal Party had put forward I. Kang Bretianu, while the Conservative Party was supporting Tito Mayorescu. The competition was fierce, with debates raging over various national issues including people's livelihoods, industrial development, and infrastructure.
The outgoing Prime Minister, a member of the Liberal Party known for his alliances with Britain and France, had managed to maintain his position for ten years due to his ability to suppress dissent and promote industrialization in Romania. However, recognizing the growing discontent with his prolonged tenure and to preserve his reputation and the royal family's future, he had chosen to step down.
Both candidates knew that royal endorsement was crucial. Mayorescu, the Conservative candidate, had publicly advocated for stronger ties with Germany, hoping to secure more loans and economic benefits. His stance was supported by the German and Austrian ambassadors.
On the other hand, Bretianu of the Liberal Party argued for a balanced foreign policy. He believed that Romania, despite its progress, remained too weak to align itself exclusively with one power bloc. His views were supported by the ambassadors from Britain, France, and Russia.
After some thought, Edel expressed his concerns to his father. "The involvement of external forces in this election is troubling. It's not the right time to choose a side."
Edel knew his father favored Germany, but he also understood the potential dangers of aligning too closely with a country that might not prevail in broader European conflicts. He had maintained a facade of closeness with Germany primarily for economic reasons, but it was becoming a liability.
"What do you suggest we do then?" the king asked, looking for guidance.
"After careful consideration, I believe we should maintain our relationship with Germany but strengthen our ties with the Allied Powers," Edel proposed, hoping to balance the geopolitical scales.
King Carol I, though surprised by his son's stance given their family's German heritage, listened intently.
"Father, we are the Romanian royal family, and our duty is to the Romanian people. It's too risky to side with Germany at this point. We need to wait and see how the situation unfolds," Edel explained.
The king pondered this, eventually swayed by Edel's argument. He decided to support I. Kang Bretianu from the Liberal Party, who advocated for a more balanced foreign policy.
On February 15, Bretianu won the election with significant support, securing 95 of the 157 parliamentary votes. His victory meant the continuation of a Liberal government, which was seen as a move towards a more balanced international stance by Romania.
This shift in policy was closely watched by international powers. Germany and Austria expressed their disappointment quietly, recognizing the delicate position they were in. Meanwhile, Britain, France, and Russia viewed the election results as a positive development, hopeful that Romania would not become overly influenced by German interests.
As the new Romanian government took shape under I. Kang Bretianu, the world watched to see how these changes would influence the broader geopolitical landscape. The hope was that Romania, under its new leadership, would navigate its path carefully in the tumultuous waters of international politics.