The Diet of Royal Hungary

Hadrian looked at the windows as they set forth for Pressburg, the capital of Hungary. The last he went there was his coronation as King of Hungary. He bit his finger, he hoped he was not being too rash about this. His heart was pounding in his chest – not because of the thought of being rash, but because of the thought of the children who were brought to Vienna. Those men intend to sell the children for a hefty price, but where does the money go? What do they need the money for?

‘This is getting complicated,’ he murmured and massaged his temple again. Remembering the children that he saw in the pub and the children that drowned in the river on their way to Vienna. Hadrian had seen the report in a Hungarian newspaper, a few days back. ‘So that was the news about…’ he murmured again as Catherine looked at him.

He looked out again and noted that the people are staring at him with cold eyes. With escorts like Albert and several footmen, everyone knew who was passing by. Could something has happened that he was not aware of? Going out just brought more questions than answers. He clicked his tongue as he goes deeper into his thoughts. Just as when he was about to drown, he felt a warm hand over his. He looked over and saw Catherine’s face looking worriedly at him.

‘Hadrian.’ she called. ‘Is everything alright?’

‘Cathy,’ he breathed. He just realized that he had been holding his breath for a while. He heaved. He did not know what to say to her. He just looked at her and mustered strength to speak. ‘I'm sorry, I was just thinking.'

‘It's that bad, huh?’ Catherine said again, guessing that something bad has happened. ‘Is that why you are rushing to Pressburg?’

Hadrian looked away. He could not really lie to Catherine. Not when his face tells the whole story. He thought of an explanation that excluded his going out of the palace.

‘I heard a report that children from Hungary were being brought to Vienna for sale.’ He answered.

‘Children for sale? How terrible!’ Catherine cried, flinging her hand to her mouth. ‘But why?’

‘That is what I intend to find out.’ Hadrian answered. From the moment he entered the pub, he knew that the traffickers have someone protecting them from above. He fell deep into his thoughts again. He did not want to point fingers at anyone, but there was one person that left an impression on him since his coronation as King of Hungary.

‘Géza Farkas.’ He said out loud. The said man was the only one against his coronation and was not present at the occasion.  The man was a member of the upper house of the Hungarian Diet. Since his coronation, he was sure that if something were to happen in Hungary, Géza would be a part of it. ‘I have no evidence in hand yet, but I must be sure.’ He said again and opened the curtain of the carriage.

‘Albert.’ He called and almost immediately, Albert on his horse came to him. ‘Do a check on Magnate Géza Farkas.’

‘Right away, Your Majesty.’ Albert answered and rode ahead of the procession. Catherine looked on as Hadrian issued his order to Albert, but she feared that he is stressing himself too much and an attack seems imminent. His subjects must not know that their King is ill or the morale of the people and the trust they have on their leader would crumble.

But an attack did not occur.

Instead, Hadrian heaved a sigh as he looked out the window, still deep in his thoughts. Catherine sighed inwardly in relief. She looked over again and saw Hadrian biting his finger. A sign that he is indeed stressed. She could not help but worry about him, she had wanted him to rest but she knows he will do his job no matter what; rest will come after he has done. She sighed, she needed him to rest and despite knowing that he will be stubborn enough not to listen to her, she had to tell him.

‘Hadrian, you should rest before we get there.’ She urged. ‘You’re tried.’

Hadrian looked at her. He did feel tired and stressed, both physically and mentally. If he were to be honest, he would fall asleep as soon as his head hits the pillow. He shook his head. For the children…he needs to see this case through, there is no excuse for him to sit down and wait for reports. As the highest in command of the Empire, he must work. He shook his head, if he does not feel well then, he cannot decide what is best for the Empire. He did not like the idea of resting in the middle of an issue, but he must listen to his subordinates.

‘Alright. I will rest a bit.’ Hadrian answered. Catherine's eyes widened; it is the first she is heard Hadrian agree about resting. She smiled and prayed that his illness would be healed.

Hadrian leaned back and closed his eyes to sleep, and in about several seconds he was sound asleep. Anton, who was silent in the whole exchange put a shawl over his master. He could not explain the rage Hadrian felt when he returned from the streets of Vienna, and he had failed to inquire Albert about what happened. He looked at Catherine and he was sure that she felt it too. Luckily, she was one of the few people that Hadrian listens to. He was relieved that his master allowed Catherine to come along, otherwise he had come up with endless excuses to keep working.

‘Thank you, Your Highness.’ Anton said, looking at Catherine with a serene smile. Catherine looked at him in return and smiled back. She immediately knew what Anton meant. She looked away and at the window as the carriage passes by the cities and towns, eventually crossing the gate into Hungary. Almost immediately, Catherine has taken in the scenes that pass by. Hungary seemed more down to earth than Austria is, she marveled at the simple buildings that line the road, a stark contrast to those of Vienna.

‘Your Highness?’ Anton called.

‘I never thought Pressburg would be so beautiful.’ She remarked, not taking her eyes off the sights. And Anton agreed, nodding his head slightly. Both he and Hadrian thought so as well. He looked out the window and voiced out his agreement.

‘Yes, Your Highness. Hungary is indeed beautiful.’ He said, Anton closed his eyes and remembered his childhood days in the streets of Pressburg.

‘How I wish we would have more time to look around!’ Catherine cried, making Anton look at her.

Much of the Austrian Imperial family disliked Hungary altogether, and so did the Hungarians for Austrians. But the late Emperor Franz, Hadrian’s father, was well-loved by the Hungarians for he granted its territorial rights, a separate parliament and more rights to its citizens. For several decades before Emperor Franz, Hungary has served as an income-generating territory for the Empire’s territorial ambitions but in those years, the Kingdom did not benefit from its economic growth as the magnates took the income as their own. Fortunately, Emperor Franz called out the magnates and sacked those who were found guilty, giving their lands to those who were most worthy of it. However, with the death of the late Emperor, news of the same event started to be heard in the Royal Court Chancellery of Hungary in Austria which Hadrian had presided. The magnates have returned and imposed heavy taxes on the people and when questioned by the public, the pointed their fingers at the Imperial Family in Vienna.

Clearly, the officials of Hungary think lowly of Hadrian as he never appeared before them. They had hoped that Josef would inherit the throne since, like his father, he is loved by the people; a fact that the Duchess Alexia frowned upon. And since Hadrian never met the people of Hungary, they assumed that he, like his ancestors, have a disdain for Hungary. The plummeting popularity rate of Hadrian in Hungary is an opportunity Duchess Alexia has grabbed, despite not liking the idea and made the Hungarians believe that Hadrian imposed the high taxation for the war effort against Germany. While the Austrians would believe that it was a lie, it is the complete opposite for Hungary. They readily believed the ruse and brought their complaints up to the Diet, wherein the magnates and representatives saw as a chance to revolt against Austria.

‘Maybe His Majesty has finally caught wind of the ruse?’ Anton thought, still trying to figure out what made Hadrian go on a trip to meet the magnates of Hungary.

Inside the Diet, the magnates are talking amongst themselves, speculating as to why the emperor called for a session when it is scheduled the following year.

‘What can a youngster like him do? All he does is make trouble!’ A magnate said to another.

‘Indeed,’ another agreed. ‘I have heard that he caused troubles for the last King.’

‘That troublemaker is up to no good, I tell you! Clearly, he didn't know that the session is supposed to be held next year!’

‘He will just milk our country just like his grandfather did, he will just wage wars with our neighbors.’

‘Do you really think that?’ A man asked, his face covered with his hat. ‘What made you think the King would do that?’

‘We have several evidences that point to him.’ Another magnate said. ‘That young King is no good! We shouldn't have let him take the crown of St. Stephen!’

‘Now, now…that would begrudge the late King Franz. We all know how much he loved his son despite the mischief.’

‘Mischief? What has the King done to cause such statement?’ the man with the hat inquired again.

The magnates looked at him and inspected him closely. He was a young man of around twenties, and he was, as far as they could see, dressed in a black cloak and a white shirt underneath. They do not recognize him, and from his accent he is not Hungarian, either. Immediately, they went on the defensive.

‘Did the King send you? Are you, his emissary?’ a magnate asked.

‘I was asking you first.’ The man said which sent flares on the magnates.

‘How dare you speak to us like that?! We govern this country; you are powerless before us!’

‘Wrong.’ The man said and stood up removing his cloak and hat revealing his formal uniform and emblems on his chest tell the magnates one thing, but the Herald-at-Arms tapped his rod on the floor twice and announced a name they dreaded to hear.

‘Presenting, His Imperial and Royal Majesty, Josef Hadrian, Emperor of Austria and Apostolic King of Hungary!’ the pageantry followed behind Hadrian with the crown of St. Stephen carried by a nobleman following him. The Herald-at-Arms tapped his rod again, to the surprise of the people present.

‘Presenting, Her Royal Highness, Princess Catherine Dagmar of Denmark!’ Catherine entered behind the crown of Hungary, revealing to the magnates of her position as the fiancée of their monarch.

‘Y-Your Majesty...’ the old magnate called. Everyone’s eyes widened in surprise complete with their gaping mouths. Obviously to them, their King is never expected to arrive unannounced, and this move proved that Hadrian is an unorthodox King. They could not believe they were caught red-handed in talking behind the King’s back, and the deed can be judged as treason and is punishable by death. They gulped, the young King clearly heard every word they said and hoped against hope that the King will not put them to death. Some were trembling, some were preparing themselves for the King’s verdict and some were ready to flee.

The magnates stood silently bowing as Hadrian passed in front of them. Hadrian took his place in the front and stood before the throne. He looked them in the eye one by one, as if scrutinizing them as the guards took their places around the hall.

In their eyes, he could see their doubt in him and their doubt about his ability to rule both Hungary and Austria effectively. Hadrian shut his eyes and breathed in quietly.

‘My lords may be seated.’ Hadrian said as the magnates took to their seats. ‘You must be wondering why we’re opening the Diet this early, my lords.’

‘It is very early to be precise, Your Majesty.’ The Speaker said, not trying to hold back his chuckle.

Anton was appalled by their attitude towards his young master. It has never been heard of that a nobleman answered back to his monarch in any country, it further resolved him to advise Hadrian to either sack the Speaker or charge him with treason. But as he looked at Hadrian, he was even surprised. The young Emperor has a smirk on his face, as if he is expecting the man to do such a thing.

‘Indeed, it is as you say, my lord.’ Hadrian said in a loud and clear voice. ‘But an issue has come to my attention. I have had my men investigate the case, and I saw it fit that I should take action, myself.’

The Speaker’s eyes widened. Their suspicions were right. Hadrian was on to them or to one of them. He stole a glance at his colleagues, and his colleagues with him. Hadrian saw this action and his smirk widened; he is getting close to cornering them.

‘Therefore, I have called to open this session and lay out my plans for this country, which must be enacted upon with immediate haste.’ Hadrian added, his voice becoming stern by the minute and not taking his eyes off the magnates. He sat on the throne as a nobleman gave him a piece of paper.

‘It shall be so that my government in Hungary shall continue to enjoy the rights placed upon it by the late Emperor Franz. Therefore, I make no changes to the Compliance the late Emperor had laid out.’ He began, surprising the magnates. ‘And so, it is of utmost importance that my government shall impose education available for all the children of the country, and as a country ruled also by the Emperor of Austria, I call on the ministry of both countries in charge to see to it that it shall be done so.

‘The people of Hungary shall reap what it sowed! And it must be shown as is! Furthermore, it has come to my attention of the disappearance of Hungarian youths in the villages, I order this House to immediately put a stop to this act.’ Hadrian paused and threw a sharp glance at Géza Farkas.

‘My government shall enforce and protect the rights of the Protestants, Jews, Muslims and other ethnic minority living in the country. They shall not be persecuted, harassed and be stripped of their properties be it private or collectively. They shall have the right to worship according to their beliefs and have their places of worship stand on lands that are legally owned or donated to them. They shall have the same rights as full citizens of Hungary. No one shall be obliged to convert to any faith and anyone who is found doing so shall therefore have criminal liability.

‘Both the Lower and Upper House shall be obliged to report to the Imperial Capital – at the office of the emperor every week.’ He continued. ‘Failure of compliance shall be met with just punishment. It is of the interest of the country to build more schools and train more teachers to be deployed in the farthest reaches of the country. With this, I make this statement: there will be no war effort taxation on the country of Hungary.’

The magnates’ eyes widened and were on the verge of standing up in surprise. The luxurious lives the magnates of the Upper House are thus, coming to an end with Hadrian’s speech. Not only that, but they also surely will not be able to hide anything from Hadrian since he had known such activities after having visited the country only once. The looked again as their King proceeded to speak in their native language fluently and without looking at the piece of paper he has in his hands.

‘Én vagyok Magyarország királya. Az Orszag ügyei az én terhem. Szent István koronájának földjei az én felelősségem. Az elmémben és a szívemben lévő emberekkel kívánok uralkodni. Aki megfenyegeti Birodalmam népét, megfizeti az árát! Én vagyok Ausztria császára; Én vagyok Magyarország apostoli királya! És ez az én álláspontom!’

(Translation from Hungarian: I am the King of Hungary. The affairs of the country are my burden. The Lands of the Crown of St. Stephen are my responsibility. I intend to rule with the people in my mind and in my heart. Anyone who threatens the people of my Empire shall pay the price! I am the Emperor of Austria; I am the Apostolic King of Hungary! And this is my stand!)

By this time, their jaws are left hanging. Many are wondering who their King is and how had he come to speak their language fluidly and without signs of struggle. Moreover, were they wrong in doubting the King of his abilities? Were they wrong that the King did not care about the country at all? Could he be a King that rules with a heart and not a fist, like his father before him? Questions after questions raced through their minds.

Anton, standing at the side with Catherine, looked proudly at his master. Little did these magnates know that even before being sent to Laxenburg Hadrian busied himself in studying the Hungarian language, and studied fervently about the country, reading books after books of Hungarian literature and history. To him, his master looked bigger than he ever thought he was. Standing tall before the lords of the land, Hadrian took his ground and made it his own.

‘This is just the beginning.’ Anton thought. ‘His Majesty is just preparing himself for something bigger.’

‘I order this Diet to do so as stated.’ Hadrian continued. ‘I, the King of Hungary, shall oversee the matters personally!’

Anton sighed. He knew Hadrian would say that. And it is the magnates’ turn to be appalled. They were used to just taking orders from the King and nothing more, but this time, the King is taking charge of the laws he wished to be passed which makes it harder for them to refute the said laws. Indeed, this King is no ordinary King. He intends to rule his Kingdom closely and will not settle for less. Contrary to what Duchess Alexia has said to them about Hadrian, he is a formidable foe, and he is far from weak. His voice, his stance and his aura tell them that Duchess Alexia was wrong in her description of Hadrian, he is the kind one would not want to make enemies of.

True to his word, Hadrian presided upon the session of the Upper House which lasted until late at night, not leaving until every issue has been answered. Thankfully, the magnates obliged to Hadrian's orders in exchange for the promises he made on his speech.

‘Anton, let us go back to Vienna.’ Hadrian said, tiredness evident in his voice; and it did not escape Anton's notice. He silently obliged and helped Catherine ride the carriage as he turned and saw a man staring at their direction. He narrowed his eyes but failed to see the likeness of the man, and when the person in question noticed Anton staring at him, he silently and casually left after adjusting his hat, further covering his face from Anton’s view.

‘His Majesty has left,’ the man said to a lady in the dark corner of the street. ‘Be sure to do your job, or we won't get paid.’

‘Come on,’ the lady said. ‘You're talking to the great Marie here.’ She said smugly but the man was far from impressed.

‘Just do as you're ordered.’ He said again and left.