15.1) THE ILLS OF ROYALTY
October 4th, 1753
Dresden, Saxony
The room was dark, and death hung in the air. The elector lay in bed, pale and clammy. For days he had been feverish, and clinging to life by a thread. It had begun several days earlier, after Fredrick Augustus [1] had gone on a walk through the palace grounds. Upon returning, he said he felt unwell, and it had all gone down from there. Medicine given to the Duke had only made him worse, and it seemed as though death was on his doorstep.
In the turn of events, no one had been more impacted than his son, Fredrick Christian, who sat just outside the room, waiting. ‘I must take matters into my own hands. It’s the only way.’ He wanted to assure his election as King of Poland, but he knew he needed help on the inside. ‘That Brühl [2] has done nothing but hurt our country, and if my kingdom is to reach its rightful place in the sun, I must secure power over Poland. I can at least count on Austria to back me, but I would need to gain confidence of some szlachta [3] to secure his win. Perhaps the Czartoryskis [4], since they are considered influential in the Sejm [5]. Brühl must be removed though. He runs Poland like he was the true king, and father has done nothing about it. Once he is gone, the plagues of corruption will be gone.’ As he sat near his father’s room contemplating these things, a doctor left the room with a somber look on his face. The prince rose to his feet, and the doctor took a bow. “Your highness, the Elector is no longer with us.” He took a pregnant pause while everyone in the vicinity bowed before their new elector. “We did everything we could but-“
“There you are! Please come quickly.” It was a servant, who seemed to be in quite a panic. “The Electress has collapsed, and it seems that she is coming down with the same illness the Elector has.” The servant suddenly realised what had occurred, giving a courtesy so the new elector and insisting the doctor come immediately. Elector Frederick Christian was now left alone to his thoughts. ‘Time is of the essence. I must get messengers, diplomats, and spies out immediately! Poland cannot be lost. But first, I must find Brühl and eliminate him.”
15.2) A DARK OMEN
“Тень страха потребляют все люди, особенно, когда войны маячит на горизонте [6] –Chancellor Bestzuhev
September 26th, 1753[7]
Peterhof Palace, Saint Petersburg, Russian Empire
She was surrounded by darkness, unaware of where she was. The empress felt as though something was calling her, almost pleading for her. Suddenly, there was a flash of bright light, and she became aware that she was staring at the ceiling of the throne room, surrounded by servants, and a worried Chancellor Bestzuhev [8] keeping a respectful distance. Her servants quickly helped her up.
“What on earth happened? Why were we [9] on the ground?” Empress Elizabeth did not seem amused at what had just happened.
“Your majesty, if I may,” began the Chancellor, “You were expressing your frustration that work on Tsarkoye Selo [10] was not advancing fast enough. I was about to deliver important news to you, but you fainted.” She looked perplexed as this had never happened before, but dismissed what had just occurred.
“We are fine aren’t we? So then Chancellor, what was the important news you wished to deliver?”
“A member of the secret police [11] confirmed that though King Louis XV of France is dead, as you already knew, the alliance between France and Prussia is not being annulled, but has been reconfirmed by the new King.”
“This is grave news, Chancellor. I believe we need to seek out an alliance with Austria and Britain to counteract this rising threat. Chancellor, I wish you to use all your diplomatic channels to arrange this alliance. If there is no further business, I must go prepare myself for this evening’s Métamorphose [12] Ball.” As she rose, she felt very light-headed, and once again, the ground was rushing up to meet her.
[1] A.k.a Augustus III of Poland, elected king; elector of Saxony
[2] Augustus’ first minister; rules Poland mercilessly, and is the real power behind the King
[3] The Polish Nobility that elects/participates in the Sejm
[4] Powerful szlachta family (also known as Magnate)
[5] The Polish Parliament; notoriously inept due to squabbles and the power of Liberum Veto (right by any Sejm member to block any legislation by saying I freely object)
[6] “The shadow of fear consumes all people, especially when war is looming on the horizon” in Russian. I cannot in anyway guarantee that is the right way to say it, or if it is grammatical gibberish. If anyone knows the correct way to say it, please tell me.
[7] Julian Calendar; October 7th, 1753 in Gregorian
[8] Minister of Foreign Affairs to Empress Elizabeth of Russia; instrumental to keeping up an alliance between Britain, Austria and Russia
[9] Royal ‘we’. Not entirely sure if the Russian Autocrats used it, but is referred to if one uses full title.
[10] Summer residences of the Tsars/Tsarinas; being rebuilt by Elizabeth in 1753
[11] Yes, Russia had secret police, abolished by Peter III in 1763, but reinstated by Catherine II upon her ascension to the throne
[12] Infamous ball held by Elizabeth where she would ask her guests to attend as dressed the opposite sex (yes this is OTL).
Yes I finally got around to researching what I needed to update more than one post (that implies certain things
)
If anyone finds blaring errors or needs clarification please feel free to point out/ask
enjoy
October 4th, 1753
Dresden, Saxony
The room was dark, and death hung in the air. The elector lay in bed, pale and clammy. For days he had been feverish, and clinging to life by a thread. It had begun several days earlier, after Fredrick Augustus [1] had gone on a walk through the palace grounds. Upon returning, he said he felt unwell, and it had all gone down from there. Medicine given to the Duke had only made him worse, and it seemed as though death was on his doorstep.
In the turn of events, no one had been more impacted than his son, Fredrick Christian, who sat just outside the room, waiting. ‘I must take matters into my own hands. It’s the only way.’ He wanted to assure his election as King of Poland, but he knew he needed help on the inside. ‘That Brühl [2] has done nothing but hurt our country, and if my kingdom is to reach its rightful place in the sun, I must secure power over Poland. I can at least count on Austria to back me, but I would need to gain confidence of some szlachta [3] to secure his win. Perhaps the Czartoryskis [4], since they are considered influential in the Sejm [5]. Brühl must be removed though. He runs Poland like he was the true king, and father has done nothing about it. Once he is gone, the plagues of corruption will be gone.’ As he sat near his father’s room contemplating these things, a doctor left the room with a somber look on his face. The prince rose to his feet, and the doctor took a bow. “Your highness, the Elector is no longer with us.” He took a pregnant pause while everyone in the vicinity bowed before their new elector. “We did everything we could but-“
“There you are! Please come quickly.” It was a servant, who seemed to be in quite a panic. “The Electress has collapsed, and it seems that she is coming down with the same illness the Elector has.” The servant suddenly realised what had occurred, giving a courtesy so the new elector and insisting the doctor come immediately. Elector Frederick Christian was now left alone to his thoughts. ‘Time is of the essence. I must get messengers, diplomats, and spies out immediately! Poland cannot be lost. But first, I must find Brühl and eliminate him.”
15.2) A DARK OMEN
“Тень страха потребляют все люди, особенно, когда войны маячит на горизонте [6] –Chancellor Bestzuhev
September 26th, 1753[7]
Peterhof Palace, Saint Petersburg, Russian Empire
She was surrounded by darkness, unaware of where she was. The empress felt as though something was calling her, almost pleading for her. Suddenly, there was a flash of bright light, and she became aware that she was staring at the ceiling of the throne room, surrounded by servants, and a worried Chancellor Bestzuhev [8] keeping a respectful distance. Her servants quickly helped her up.
“What on earth happened? Why were we [9] on the ground?” Empress Elizabeth did not seem amused at what had just happened.
“Your majesty, if I may,” began the Chancellor, “You were expressing your frustration that work on Tsarkoye Selo [10] was not advancing fast enough. I was about to deliver important news to you, but you fainted.” She looked perplexed as this had never happened before, but dismissed what had just occurred.
“We are fine aren’t we? So then Chancellor, what was the important news you wished to deliver?”
“A member of the secret police [11] confirmed that though King Louis XV of France is dead, as you already knew, the alliance between France and Prussia is not being annulled, but has been reconfirmed by the new King.”
“This is grave news, Chancellor. I believe we need to seek out an alliance with Austria and Britain to counteract this rising threat. Chancellor, I wish you to use all your diplomatic channels to arrange this alliance. If there is no further business, I must go prepare myself for this evening’s Métamorphose [12] Ball.” As she rose, she felt very light-headed, and once again, the ground was rushing up to meet her.
[1] A.k.a Augustus III of Poland, elected king; elector of Saxony
[2] Augustus’ first minister; rules Poland mercilessly, and is the real power behind the King
[3] The Polish Nobility that elects/participates in the Sejm
[4] Powerful szlachta family (also known as Magnate)
[5] The Polish Parliament; notoriously inept due to squabbles and the power of Liberum Veto (right by any Sejm member to block any legislation by saying I freely object)
[6] “The shadow of fear consumes all people, especially when war is looming on the horizon” in Russian. I cannot in anyway guarantee that is the right way to say it, or if it is grammatical gibberish. If anyone knows the correct way to say it, please tell me.
[7] Julian Calendar; October 7th, 1753 in Gregorian
[8] Minister of Foreign Affairs to Empress Elizabeth of Russia; instrumental to keeping up an alliance between Britain, Austria and Russia
[9] Royal ‘we’. Not entirely sure if the Russian Autocrats used it, but is referred to if one uses full title.
[10] Summer residences of the Tsars/Tsarinas; being rebuilt by Elizabeth in 1753
[11] Yes, Russia had secret police, abolished by Peter III in 1763, but reinstated by Catherine II upon her ascension to the throne
[12] Infamous ball held by Elizabeth where she would ask her guests to attend as dressed the opposite sex (yes this is OTL).
Yes I finally got around to researching what I needed to update more than one post (that implies certain things
)If anyone finds blaring errors or needs clarification please feel free to point out/ask
enjoy
