Emperor Josef Hadrian of Austria

The next day, Hadrian woke up earlier than usual tending to the flowers in the garden of the palace. While doing so, his younger twin brother saw him.

‘Brother.’ Josef called making his older brother look at him.

‘Oh, good morning, Josef.’ Hadrian greeted standing up and dusting himself.

‘What are you doing so early in the morning?’ the younger male asked as his brother approached him.

‘I was just tending to the flowers; it seems as if the gardeners have been slacking for a while.’ Hadrian answered wiping the sweat from his forehead.

‘Why would you do that?’ Josef asked not knowing about his brother’s activities.

‘Flowers like these are like my family when I was in Laxenburg, if I do not take care of them, they will dry up and die. So, they need to be taken care of every day.’ Josef just stared not knowing what his brother meant. ‘Ah yes, I just picked some fresh leaves, and I was planning to have fresh tea this morning, why don’t you join me?’

‘Yes, of course.’ Josef answered and followed his brother to the kitchen where Hadrian busied himself preparing tea. His little brother just sat watching him as he goes about the kitchen. Then Hadrian finished and handed him a cup of tea.

‘Try it, its rose hip tea.’ Hadrian said sitting down in front of Josef and drinking from his own cup. Josef looked at it, it is aromatic, and he looked at his brother again doubting the taste of the said tea. ‘I picked them up myself. I assure you; it tastes great.’ The older male answered handing his brother some sweets. Josef unwillingly took the teacup and sipped from it. It surprised him that his brother makes great tasting tea.

‘It tastes great.’ Josef answered smiling at his brother. ‘This is better than what the maids make.’

‘I told you so.’ Hadrian answered and sipped from his cup.

‘You should teach the maids how you make this; our visitors and staffs would be delighted.’ Josef suggested and Hadrian smiled in realization.

‘You’re right.’ He answered. ‘I’ll do that. Thanks for your suggestion, Josef. Oh yes, I’m planning to do an inspection in the palaces, won’t you come along?’ he asked again after he sipped from his cup.

‘You’re going to do an inspection?’ Josef asked.

‘Yes, though it is more like an outing. It will be a great opportunity to catch up on things. I’ve wanted to hear from you and Marianna since I moved here.’

‘Alright, I will go with you.’ Josef agreed drinking from his cup as they heard someone yelling outside the kitchen. Hadrian immediately knew who it is and finished his tea.

‘Thanks for your time, Josef; but I got to go.’ The young Emperor said in a hurry and ran outside the kitchen just as Anton came in who saw him run away.

‘Your Majesty! You have to take your medicine!’ Anton shouted as he chased after Hadrian leaving a surprised Josef who is still figuring out what happened.

‘There must be a way to make that revolting thing taste better.’ Hadrian thought as he ran into the storage house, where he knew Anton would not find him. There he thought of different combinations but failed to reach a conclusion. But in his mind, his disease will never leave him, and those medicine the doctors gave him just lessen the signs and the pain he is feeling.

After a while, while Josef is walking around the palace, he saw Hadrian sitting on a ladder in the library with a medicine book in hand. He took another book but as soon as they heard footsteps, Hadrian kicked the shelf beside him to slide the ladder to a hidden spot where he can read quietly.

‘Why are you hiding from Anton?’ Josef asked partially hidden behind the shelf that was in front of Hadrian who is sitting on a step of the ladder.

‘I do not want to take that medicine, it tastes bad.’ Hadrian answered without any hint of shock in his voice. ‘Although it does alleviate the pain at some extent.’

‘Don’t you want to get better?’ he asked expecting him to answer yes. He must want to get better to be in power for a long time. He was confident that his brother thinks that way.

‘In my opinion, I won’t get better.’ Hadrian answered shocking his brother deeply. ‘I have been taking those revolting medicine since day one, and it hasn’t done anything to lessen the signs.’

‘Then, brother, wouldn’t you want to spend your life the way you like it?’ Hadrian raised an eyebrow at his brother like what his said is utter nonsense

‘What do you mean? I am living my life the way I want it. I want to spend my remaining time serving the people, because I was born in this family, and I have that responsibility. True, I never had freedom for the first half of my life, but who cares? This is what I want to do.’ Josef became more curious about the way his brother thinks, he knows that with the disease he has, he might die any time and yet he is willing to spend all his time left serving the people. The way he understood it, Hadrian’s definition of emperor is a servant.

‘I don’t understand, Hadrian. You’re the emperor, people should serve you not the other way around!’

‘Let me ask you one thing, Josef.’ Hadrian said seriously closing his book. ‘What is an emperor?’

‘Well, he is the leader of an empire.’

‘And what does it take to be a leader?’

‘Well, that’s…’ Josef began not being able to finish his answer.

‘That’s being a good servant.’ Hadrian answered. ‘Without knowing how the people think and without knowing what the people do, how can you move forward with your people? I am in this position to help the empire prosper. I told you that if I do not take care of my garden, the flowers will wilt and die, it is more like taking care of this kingdom, if I do not tend to the people, there is a big possibility that they will die.

‘It is not the emperor nor is the aristocrats that make an Empire, it’s the people. Without the people and without the trust of the people, there can never be an Empire let alone an emperor.  The emperor is just their guide, and without being a servant, the guide is nothing more than a blind helpless person. Do you understand?’

Josef just stared at his brother, not knowing what more to say. Just as Hadrian started to read again, Marianna came and, to the twins’ surprise, jumped to her elder brother who is sitting on the ladder.

‘Marianna! Don’t jump like that, it’s dangerous!’ Hadrian exclaimed worriedly holding his sister tightly and Josef supporting his sister’s back. ‘Is there something wrong?’

‘No.’ Marianna answered shaking her head and hugging her brother. ‘I’m just happy that big brother has a time off.’ Hadrian smiled and lifted his sister to sit on his lap.

‘So, what is on your mind today, little princess?’ the young Emperor asked standing up and walking out of the library with Josef. Anton was walking around the palace when he saw the siblings walking at the corridors. He decided to stop Hadrian but when he saw that they are talking peacefully, he decided to let the emperor off the hook this time.

The siblings talked for a good three hours under the gentle sun. Josef, telling him about what went on throughout the years he has been away some truths and some jokes which Marianna strongly snubbed. The afternoon was filled with laughter in the palace. Despite the laughter, Josef felt the pangs of guilt in his heart, he finally found out what kind of person his brother really is. Hesitating on doing his relatives’ deeds and doing harm to his brother and not wanting to press on his relatives whom he cared about most, Josef is now confused. Not long later, the conversation between the siblings ended as Anton summoned Hadrian to attend court session, Marianna refused to let her brother go but Josef held her off.

Hadrian waited in the back room reading the book that Anton lent him wearing his peasant clothes. He seemed to have been waiting for a long time since he read an extensive quantity of pages.

‘Your Majesty?’ Anton called cautiously coming in the room wearing the same clothes he wore in Lady Brigitta’s field. ‘Your Majesty.’

‘Took you long enough.’ Hadrian said standing at the darker part of the room.

‘Where exactly are we going, Your Majesty?’ Anton asked as Hadrian walked to the door that leads to the gate to the Vienna.

‘Vienna, to investigate about the chimney sweeps.’ Hadrian answered in an “as-a-matter-of-fact” way as they exited the palace.

‘In Vienna, my Lord?’

‘Well, seeing as we cannot go that far, this is the only city I can think of.’ The young Emperor answered as they started their search discreetly until they ended up in a pub hidden well inside the back alleys of the city. Upon entry, they pretended to be customers and they saw young boys on one side of the room and the drinking men on the other side. They sat before the bar as the owner served them a strong alcohol where Anton choked as soon as he drank it while Hadrian did not feel anything and continued drinking.

‘Are you looking for boys on sale?’ the owner asked immediately after Hadrian finished his glass.

‘How much are they?’ Hadrian asked as Anton sat up straight.

‘They’re around forty gulden each.’ the owner answered as Anton’s eyes widened.

‘So expensive for a boy?’ the young Emperor said in slight surprise.

‘Well, you see, since the new emperor ascended the throne getting the children here itself has become hard, the guards in the city inspect even the smallest carriage.’

‘I see, so where do these boys come from?’

‘They come from beyond the Alps in Tyrol. These bunch came from Buda.’  The owner explained preparing another drink for another costumer. As the owner went on to his work, a man stood up from the group and dragged a boy out of the pub. Hadrian was surprised that boys from as near as Buda, Hungary are being sold in the capital.

‘The nerve.’ He thought.

‘Come now, tomorrow we have to start cleaning chimneys!’ the man said.

‘I think we’ve come to the right place.’ Hadrian whispered to Anton, drinking another shot. ‘Let us go…’ he said as both stood up to follow the man who just came out of the pub. From time to time, they saw the man kick the little boy which reminded Hadrian of what Lady Alexia did to her maid. As they continued following him, just like in the novels Hadrian read, a lady suddenly appeared and bumped into Hadrian making him fall on the ground.

‘Your Majes…I mean, Francis!’ Anton called out coming to his master’s side. ‘Are you alright?’

‘Ouch…’ the young lady sat up and looked to see who she bumped into.

‘You?’ both exclaimed pointing at each other as Hadrian sat up only to find the young lady straddling him. As soon as the young lady realized it, she slapped Hadrian so hard that he fell on the ground again.

‘That—that is not going help, isn’t it? Miss von Westenholz?’ Hadrian said as Anya stood up and Anton helped his master up.

‘What are you two doing here?’ Anya asked looking at both males.

‘The question is what is a lady like you doing here?’ Hadrian asked dusting himself. ‘This is no place for a woman, and at this time!’

‘What do you care, you don’t have an idea how to cope in the city!’

‘Then, if you do not mind, miss, what are you doing here?’ Hadrian asked mockingly. Anya looked around and not knowing what to answer, suggesting she is lost. ‘Are you lost?’ Hadrian pressed on.

‘N-no, I’m not! Maybe you’re the ones who are lost.’ Anya answered crossing her arms and turning away from them.

‘I see,’ the young Emperor answered slipping his hands in his pockets and gestured to leave. ‘Well, then we’ll see you later, Miss von Westenholz.’ He said and walked away with Anton looking curiously at him.

‘A-are you sure about this, Your Majesty? She might get in trouble.’ Anton said.

‘Don’t worry, Anton. I can read her like a book.’ Hadrian answered walking to the alley where they last saw the man and the child.

‘W-wait!’ Anya called out running to them.

‘Is there something wrong, Miss von Westenholz?’ Hadrian innocently asked turning to her annoyingly.

‘M-maybe, I really got lost while I was leaving a bookstore.’ Anya admitted not looking at Hadrian.

‘Are you asking us for help?’ Hadrian asked.

‘Y-yes.’ she stammered as Hadrian walked to her smiling kindly.

‘That i’s all I wanted to hear,’ he said almost inaudibly but she heard it clearly. Hadrian chuckled to himself, noting how much she reminded him of a certain Catherine. Then, they heard men marching to their direction. Anya looked back and hid behind Hadrian. ‘So, you’re being chased? What’s the reason?’

‘I don’t know!’ Anya answered. ‘I was just walking past them when they came to me.’

‘I see,’ the young man answered and took the young lady’s hand and ran with Anton trailing behind them.

‘Did you see them, Anton?’ Hadrian asked.

‘No, Your Majesty.’ Anton answered, and Hadrian seemed to have forgotten their deal.

‘Your Majesty?’ Anya thought looking at Hadrian. ‘Just who is this person?’ suddenly, a muscular man stopped them with the other surrounding them.

‘You’re not going anywhere, missy.’ the man said snapping his fingers.

‘We said we only wanted to play.’ another said from behind.

‘Is that any way to talk to a lady?’ Hadrian asked shoving Anya behind him. ‘Real men should show respect to a lady.’ he said again which surprised the young lady behind him.

‘And who are you to talk back to us, runt?’ the man asked angrily as he lunged to the young Emperor. But Hadrian ducked and pushed the man to the wall beside them and punched him making him unconscious and another man lunged at him as Anton stepped in kicking and punching anyone who goes near. A man caught Anya as Hadrian immediately punched the man unconscious and another hit him with a paddle on his back, he fell on the ground bleeding as the other men started beating him.

‘Your Majesty!’ Anton shouted as the men stopped attacking. He went to his master who tried to stand up.

‘Di-did he just call that guy “Your Majesty”?’ a man asked as the others ran.

‘Francis!’ Anya shouted coming to his side.

‘I’m alright,’ Hadrian answered standing up with Anton’s help. After that, they went to Anya’s friend’s house to treat Hadrian’s injury.

‘Really, this is nothing.’ Hadrian answered sitting on a chair shirtless.

‘You just saved my life and expected nothing? My, you are so admirable.’ Anya answered and started cleaning his wounds as he winced in pain.

‘Please, be at the least careful.’ the young man said.

‘I’m sorry,’ she answered softly surprising Hadrian as she carefully cleaned his wounds. ‘Really, who are you? I’m confused.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Don’t play games with me! I heard Anton call you “Your Majesty” two times!’ Anya shouted.

‘Do you really want to know?’ Hadrian answered seriously looking at her eyes. ‘My name is Josef Hadrian von Habsburg.’ Anya’s eyes widened and dropped the towel in surprise.

‘Y-you are…his Imperial Majesty the Emperor?’ Anya said shaking.

‘So, does that make things different?’ Hadrian answered as she looked at him.

‘Not until you explain yourself, “Your Majesty”.’ Hadrian’s eyes widened and closed his eyes as he sighed. He chuckled inwardly at the similarities between her and Catherine piled up one after the other. He started explaining why he was pretending to be a peasant.

‘Even though you explained, I still don’t get it.’ Anya answered casually.

‘I don’t expect you to; even Anton finds it hard to believe.’ Hadrian answered.

‘What are you trying to gain by doing this?’ Anya asked covering his wounds.

‘Knowledge and experience.’ The young man simply answered. ‘You cannot expect me to gain profit from this, can you?’

‘In your status and your property, I don’t expect you to.’ Anya answered surprising Hadrian for her taking it so easily. But she twitched at her own tone and looked at him apologetically.

‘Thank you.’ Hadrian answered.

‘F-for what, Your Majesty?’ Anya asked politely.

‘For understanding.’ Hadrian answered smiling; the young woman suddenly stood surprised looking at the seated young man in front of her. She turned away only to trip on the leg of the table but was caught by Hadrian who covered her fall by turning around making him fall on the floor and Anya on top of him. ‘Are you alright?’ he asked as Anya scrambled to sit up only to see her face so close to his. For a second time, she slapped him making him fall on the floor again.

‘Like I said, that isn’t going to help.’ Hadrian answered as Anya stood up and offered a hand to help him stand up. He took her hand but stood on his own strength as Anton stepped in.

‘Oh, are you alright now?’ the older male asked.

‘Yes, Anton, thank you.’ Hadrian answered wearing his clothes.

‘Your Maj—’ Anton tried to call but Hadrian raised his hand at him

‘I told you, it’s Francis.’ The young Emperor insisted.  ‘We’re not in the palace.’

‘Well then, let me take this golden moment to scold you for being rash. You are hurt! Oh, what am I going to tell your brother and the other court officials? You better be careful next time we go out or, God forgive me, I will lock you up in Schönbrunn for the rest of your life, if not there then in Blauer Hof!’

‘Anton.’ Hadrian called smiling. ‘I understand; I’ll be careful next time.’

‘Of course, if you say so, Francis.’ Anton answered calmly. As Hadrian looked at Anya who is surprised at how Anton scolded Hadrian.

‘Oh yes, let me take this opportunity to invite you to a party at Schönbrunn palace next week.’

‘A party at the palace? Me?’

‘Why not?’ Hadrian answered.

‘I’m afraid I don’t have an escort for that kind of party.’

‘Alright then, I will escort you.’ The young Emperor frankly answered making Anya and Anton look at him surprised.

‘Excuse me?’ Anya asked raising an eyebrow.

‘I’ll escort you.’ Hadrian repeated smiling at her.

‘But Your Majesty.’ Anton said coming to them.

‘As far as I’m concerned, Anton I’m not yet engaged to any woman, and I’m not even married.’ Hadrian answered with his hand behind him while still smiling at Anton. ‘Now then, will you accept?’

‘I’ll think about it.’ Anya answered.

‘Alright, I’ll respect that.’ Hadrian said and motioned at Anton that they are leaving.

‘Where are you going?’

‘Where else? We’re going home, we’ll see you soon I hope…’ the young man said as they left without saying another word.

After a while walking, they arrived at the palace where Hadrian changed his clothes and went to the veranda to read the book Anton lent him, and he is already halfway to the end. While he is reading, he heard someone knock on his door. The young Emperor stood up and opened the door only to see his brother.

‘I heard from Anton, you hurt yourself, what happened?’ Josef asked as he came in.

‘Uh, nothing.’ Hadrian answered. ‘I just fell from the ladder in my study, that’s all.’

‘Really, you have to be more careful,’ Josef said sitting down in front of his brother who started reading his book again. ‘What are you reading?’

‘Das Erdbeden in Chili.’ Hadrian answered. ‘It’s something Anton lent me, and I promised to return it to him today.’

‘You really like reading, do you?’

‘Seeing as I cannot go anywhere when I was younger, this is the only thing I do to learn about things going on.’ Hadrian answered while still reading. ‘Oh, and newspapers help me as well. I have lots at Blauer Hof.’

‘Weren’t you able to go anywhere then?’ Josef asked.

‘No, Lady Alexia strictly forbade me from going out of the palace. So, I was literally a prisoner in that “gilded cage”, so I find myself constantly bored, almost doing nothing at all. Because of that, I always spend my time in the library or in the study reading anything that I lay my eyes on. Starting then I almost read all the books in that library.’

‘Unbelievable.’ Josef answered surprised, not believing his brother.

‘Seriously, go on say a title of a book and I’ll tell you what it’s about.’ Hadrian answered putting the book aside.

‘Alright then.’ Josef answered thinking of a title. ‘The Betrothed.’

‘A novel by the Italian Alessandro Manzoni,’ Hadrian answered instantly. ‘It’s a story about Renzo and Lucia who wanted to get married but was forbidden by Don Rodrigo. Why? Because Don Rodrigo has his eyes on Lucia.

‘The story fatefully ends with Renzo as an anointer and forgave the dying Don Rodrigo from the plague, and they returned to their village where Renzo and Lucia finally got married and started a silk-mill at the gates of Bergamo. The novel was well accepted by the Italians but not by foreigners though, such shame.’

‘Wow, you know you didn’t have to spoil the ending for me. I have not finished reading it yet!’ The younger twin scolded, and Hadrian just chuckled. ‘Alright, I’m going on but to make the time short just tell me the author and the date the book was published.’ Josef added, challenging his brother.

‘Just go on ahead.’ Hadrian answered accepting the challenge.

‘Ivanhoe.’ Josef answered and earned a laugh from his brother and started telling him about the book. Just as Anton is about to enter Hadrian’s room carrying his medicine, he stopped by the door when he heard Hadrian’s laugh and peeked.

‘Are you going in?’ the guard asked as Anton shook his head.

‘Maybe later,’ he answered. ‘His Majesty indeed needs a break.’ Anton smiled and walked away as the brothers continued their game.