Chapter 4, Trouble Brewing

Vienna Palace

Franz's wedding had already been put on the agenda, and it was not up to him to decide anymore. More than fifty million people of the New Holy Roman Empire were eagerly anticipating it.

An auspicious day had to be chosen, for if the weather were gloomy with overcast skies and incessant rain, wouldn't it tell everyone that God did not favor the new couple?

In an ordinary household, encountering such weather would also be considered bad luck, and the fervently religious might even cancel the wedding. For the royal family, needless to say, it would be a huge political scandal.

Though the influence of theocracy had greatly diminished, feudal superstitions still prevailed in the conservative regions of Austria.

After much deliberation by a group of theologians doubling as amateur meteorologists, the auspicious day was set for March 12th, 1855.