"The Austro-Hungarian Empire is, after all, the principal force in the war against Italy. Yet, the Italians have bypassed us and sought peace directly with the Germans. This is nothing short of a slight to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and it is an affront we cannot tolerate," said Crown Prince Karl.
The ministers, who had been listening intently, exchanged glances, their hearts heavy with indignation, though none expressed their anger as vehemently as the Crown Prince.
"Crown Prince, what are your intentions? Do you plan to forgo the talks in Berlin? Or will you confront the Germans openly, risking a rift with them?" asked Emperor Franz Joseph I, his voice calm yet probing.
Crown Prince Karl was rendered speechless. He had only dared to speak out in frustration, but the prospect of directly challenging Germany, of severing ties with them, filled him with trepidation. He well knew the immense military strength of the Germans. While the Austro-Hungarian Empire was indeed a great power in its own right, its military capabilities paled in comparison to those of Germany. In a direct conflict, there was no doubt that the Austro-Hungarian Empire would be no match for Germany.
Seeing the Crown Prince's silence, Emperor Franz Joseph I sighed deeply. The more he observed, the more he began to doubt the suitability of this heir to the throne.
"International diplomacy is ultimately determined by the balance of power. Although we are allies with Germany, can you not see that their strength has far surpassed ours?" Emperor Franz Joseph continued. "It is precisely for this reason that the Italians have bypassed us, seeking peace with the Germans. If the Germans were so inclined, they might well disregard us entirely. Thus, in a position of relative weakness, if we continue to demand too much, it will only lead to our disadvantage, plunging the Empire into even greater peril."
"Yes, Your Majesty," the ministers responded in unison, understanding fully what the Emperor meant. The message was clear: the Austro-Hungarian Empire must not press too aggressively for its interests, given its relative inferiority to Germany.
Crown Prince Karl's heart burned with resentment, but before the Emperor, he dared not voice his objections. Despite Emperor Franz Joseph I's advancing years, his influence over the Empire was still unchallenged. A single word from him could strip the Crown Prince of his title.
"Crown Prince," the Emperor said, "You and Baron von Berchtdorff should go to Berlin for the negotiations. I do not expect you to secure significant gains for the Empire, but I do hope you will cultivate a good relationship with Emperor Wilhelm III. That, above all, will be most beneficial for the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Though you and Wilhelm III are of similar age, his accomplishments far surpass yours. I hope you will learn from him."
However, what Emperor Franz Joseph I did not foresee was the Crown Prince's obstinate nature. The more the Emperor insisted, the more Karl recoiled inwardly. After all, he was a year older than Wilhelm III, and the suggestion that he should learn from him was not something he could accept easily.
Once he left Schönbrunn Palace, Crown Prince Karl immediately called out to Baron von Berchtdorff, who was preparing to depart.
"Baron, did the French also send representatives to Berlin?" Karl inquired.
"Yes, Your Highness. According to the latest reports, the French Foreign Minister is leading a delegation to Berlin, likely for peace talks. Having suffered a defeat at sea, the French have clearly lost all hope of victory and have opted for negotiations," Baron von Berchtdorff replied.
"Damn it!" Karl's expression grew dark and twisted with fury. "The Germans didn't even bother to inform us about the French talks—they clearly intend to monopolize the peace settlement!"
Baron von Berchtdorff remained silent, though he couldn't help but feel uneasy at the Crown Prince's outburst. The mission to Berlin, assigned by Emperor Franz Joseph I, was a delicate one. If Karl's actions jeopardized relations with Germany, the consequences could be dire. However, given Karl's notoriously stubborn temperament, there was little Baron von Berchtdorff could do to prevent it.
Seething with anger, Crown Prince Karl boarded the train bound for Berlin, accompanied by the Austro-Hungarian delegation.
By the time they arrived, the French and Italian delegations had already reached Berlin. The German Foreign Minister, von Kidderlin-Wachter, hosted a reception for both delegations. Though the soldiers on both sides still fought mercilessly on the battlefield, the upper echelons of the warring nations began their diplomatic exchanges, driven by a shared desire to bring the war to a close.
Emperor QinTian of Germany and his senior ministers, including Prince Bylow, refrained from attending. This negotiation, concerning France and Italy, had been entrusted entirely to von Kidderlin-Wachter, who, armed with Germany's bottom line, knew exactly how to negotiate to secure maximum benefit for Germany.
The atmosphere at the reception was cordial, with glasses clinking and laughter flowing. The veneer of camaraderie seemed to erase the enmity between the parties, as though they were no longer adversaries.
Yet the smiles of the French and Italian representatives were strained. They had come to Berlin as supplicants, desperate to end the conflict. It was clear that the Germans were poised to extract a heavy toll. The price of peace would be far steeper than they could bear, and in the face of Germany's overwhelming strength, neither nation had any choice but to accept their fate.
The reception ended swiftly, for the negotiations were set to begin the following day. Both sides needed time to prepare.
That evening, French Foreign Minister Théophile Delcassé and Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Boselli met secretly.
For both France and Italy, this was a moment of shared misfortune. The defeat in the war was now inevitable, and the subsequent dismantling of their nations by the Germans was equally unavoidable. Although no one wished to be at Germany's mercy, both countries knew they had no choice but to submit. Should they resist, the consequences would be far worse. After all, Germany possessed more than enough power to destroy both nations utterly.
In the coming negotiations, France and Italy hoped to form a defensive alliance, hoping that it would allow them to reduce the burdens of their surrender. Their countries had already suffered heavy losses, and they feared that if Germany's demands were too harsh, it might take decades to recover.