"The German Empire has indeed betrayed us this time," said Prime Minister Mario Weber, his face grave with concern. "Not only have they signed a peace treaty with France behind our backs, completely excluding us from the negotiations, but they have now secretly forged a peace agreement with Italy, aiding them in suppressing the Empire. This is a devastating blow to us!"
"How could the Germans do this?" Duke András, the Minister of Finance, exclaimed, his face twisted in anger. "We were their allies! When Italy betrayed the alliance, it was only we who upheld the pact and fought alongside them. Now, they treat us like this—it is sheer ingratitude!"
"The situation is untenable," said Duke Kasper, the Minister of the Army. "If we allow this to continue, the Germans will only take more. We cannot afford to compromise."
It was evident that nearly all of the Empire's senior officials were deeply disillusioned with the actions of the German Empire. Their behavior exceeded expectations and signaled a shift in the relationship between the two nations. What was once an alliance now seemed to be fading into rivalry, even enmity.
Emperor Franz Joseph I looked around the room, his gaze intense. "If we continue our offensive against the Kingdom of Italy, can we defeat them?"
"Your Majesty, Italy is no match for the Empire. Our military is more than capable of crushing them. However, this war will likely drag on, and if the Germans are secretly supporting the Italians, the cost to us will be even greater," replied Duke Kasper.
"Marshal, what is your assessment?" Emperor Franz Joseph I inquired.
"Your Majesty, if possible, I would advise against war. While the Italians are hardly formidable, with the strength of our Empire, defeating them is not out of the question. The costs may be steep, but victory is assured. However, the Germans have already made it clear that they do not wish for war to continue. They have signed a peace treaty with Italy, and if we destroy the Italians, the war reparations owed to France will remain unpaid. The Germans would not allow us to eradicate Italy. I fear that, if necessary, they may even intervene with their military, and that would be disastrous for us. Our forces would not stand a chance against theirs," said Marshal Herzendorf.
The senior officials of the Empire fell silent after hearing Herzendorf's words. Their faces shifted with unease, some even displaying traces of fear.
The might of the German military was well understood by all. No one had the courage to face Germany in open conflict. It was clear that engaging Italy in battle was no longer a viable option.
"It seems, then, that we shall not reap any great rewards from the Kingdom of Italy," sighed Emperor Franz Joseph I. He had hoped that the Empire could seize greater gains from Italy, using the spoils to address domestic issues and restore the nation's strength.
"Your Majesty, must we yield to German pressure? It is deeply frustrating!" Duke András cried.
"I too despise the thought of compromise," replied Emperor Franz Joseph I, his voice heavy. "But the Germans are relentless, and we have no recourse. Our military strength is far inferior to theirs. If we were to wage war with them, we have no chance of victory. Therefore, for now, compromise with Germany is the only course open to us."
As an emperor, to be forced into a position of submission before external threats was humiliating. But Franz Joseph I saw no other option. Had he been twenty years younger, he might have had the vigor to tackle the nation's issues, reform, and even confront Germany. But time was no longer on his side—his health was rapidly deteriorating, and his successor was wholly inadequate. Franz Joseph I had no idea how long the Empire could endure after his passing. In such circumstances, he was reluctant to make an enemy of Germany. To do so would only exacerbate the Empire's plight.
"Your Majesty, yielding to Germany is inevitable, but there is a silver lining," said Prime Minister Mario Weber. "The Italians have agreed to pay war reparations of fifty billion marks—this is no small sum. If we do not compare it to what Germany has received, this amount is quite substantial."
In the face of inevitability, the only comfort they could find was in this meager concession. Though fifty billion marks was a significant amount, it paled in comparison to the reparations Germany had secured. This disparity left many of the Empire's officials with a sense of injustice. Nevertheless, without the Germans' astronomical war indemnities to compare it to, the sum was still a welcome one.
"Telegraph the Crown Prince and instruct him to accept the German mediation and sign the peace treaty with Italy," Emperor Franz Joseph I ordered.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Prime Minister Weber replied, nodding.
"Your Majesty," Duke Kasper added, "the war has not yet ended, and already the Germans are seeking to suppress us. It seems our honeymoon with Germany has come to an end. We must now be on guard against them."
Emperor Franz Joseph I nodded gravely.
The might of the German military was undeniable. Their performance in this war had far surpassed that of the Austro-Hungarian forces. Moreover, with the two nations sharing a border, the Empire's situation was all the more precarious. If Germany decided to turn its aggression toward Austria-Hungary, the Empire would likely be unable to withstand the onslaught of the German military—there was no doubt of that.