My Commitment

The next morning, Josef went to Hadrian’s room where he saw Marianna lying asleep on her brother’s stomach, but Hadrian woke up.

‘I’ll come back later,’ Josef whispered but Hadrian waved for him to come in.

‘How is everything?’ Hadrian asked in a low voice.

‘Everything is fine, though I’m just not used to it.’ Josef answered in an equally low tone as Hadrian slowly sat up trying his best not to wake Marianna up. ‘The aristocrats are debating heavily about your proposal on the division of taxes.’

‘Just as I expected,’ Hadrian laughed. ‘But are you alright?’

‘I’m fine, though a little tired. I was just taking a break from the morning court session.’ Josef answered. ‘I have to admit, what you’re going through is no joke. I’m surprised that you could endure it.’

‘If it’s something you do from the heart, you will not feel tired at all,’ Hadrian answered smiling at his brother. ‘I’m sure you’ll see what I’m trying to do someday.’ He said making his brother look curiously at him as Marianna woke up.

‘Good morning, brother.’ Marianna said groggily wiping her eyes as Josef patted her head.

‘You’re still sleepy,’ he said as she sat up. ‘You should sleep some more.’

‘I’m alright,’ Marianna answered after yawning. ‘Good morning, big brothers.’

‘Good morning, little princess.’ Hadrian answered smiling kindly at her as the guard informed them that Anton is coming.

‘I’ll be going then, brother we don’t want to keep the officials waiting, do we?’ Josef said as he stood up.

‘Alright then,’ Hadrian answered.

The whole day, Josef experienced more hardships facing the officials but despite the mental pressure, he could not help but think about the plans his aunt laid out to hasten Hadrian’s death by putting more and more pressure on him. He felt the shooting pain in his chest again, no longer wanting to take part in his aunt’s plan.

‘Your Highness,’ an official called noting his absent-mindedness.

‘I’m sorry, please go on.’ Josef answered clenching his fists.

‘And where are you going, Your Majesty?’ Anton asked while Hadrian is sneaking from his room.

‘Ah, you noticed me huh?’ Hadrian answered laughing and scratching his head. ‘I was getting bored so I thought I could get some fresh air in the garden.’

‘The doctor said that you need complete bed rest, Your Majesty.’ Anton answered.

‘I know, but I’ll get bedsores if I stay in bed for too long.’

‘Bedsores?’ the butler asked.

‘What don’t you know that?’ Hadrian asked. ‘It’s that horrible smelling wound you get from lying in bed for prolonged periods of time, usually it has pus on the wound itself and might result to amputation of extremities. I believe the doctor called it pressure ulcer.’

‘Alright! You can go out but not for long Your Majesty.’ Anton exclaimed not being able to stomach the description his master told him, and Hadrian walked away with his tongue sticking out joking without his butler noticing it.

Instead of going to the library like he usually does on his day off, Hadrian went to the Privy Council Room of the palace only to eavesdrop on the on-going court session. He listened eagerly and took notes in his mind as he heard someone clearing his throat.

‘What a long way you took from taking a fresh air to breathe, Your Majesty.’ Anton said looking at him as Hadrian stood up surprised.

‘You found me; I didn’t expect it to be so soon.’

‘Don’t give me that, Your Majesty I know you from head to toe!’ Anton answered with his hands on his waist. ‘Now, please go back to your room.’

‘Alright,’ Hadrian answered. ‘By the way, Anton. I need you to prepare for a general audience tomorrow.’

‘But isn’t that two days from now?’ Anton asked.

‘I just wanted to know how the civilians are doing, oh and make sure the court officials and aristocrats are present.’ Hadrian answered as he walked back to his room.

‘What’s that for?’ Anton asked himself not knowing what his master is thinking. Hadrian sat in his table beside the veranda as he reads one of his favorite books as Marianna came in and hugged him from behind.

‘Good afternoon, big brother!’ Marianna greeted cheerfully.

‘Good afternoon, little princess.’ Hadrian answered and let her sit on his lap, but she did not look so happy. ‘Aren’t your classes over?’

‘It was boring brother!’ Marianna complained pouting at him. ‘I don’t want to continue with these classes, I want big brother to teach me instead.’

‘Don’t say that,’ Hadrian answered. ‘Didn’t you say that you want to know about Austria? And to be of help to the people?

‘I do, but I want big brother to be my teacher!’ she answered. ‘But…’

‘But?’ Hadrian urged for her to continue. ‘What is it, Marianna?

‘Big brother is always busy with work,’ Marianna answered sadly. ‘And he must rest when he is not working, so., I know he does not have time to teach me.’

‘If you want, I can teach you things in addition to what your teacher teaches.’ Hadrian answered kindly.

‘Really?’ she asked excitedly but her smile turned upside down. Hadrian smiled and knew what she was thinking. He gently pinched her cheek and looked at her.

‘I can make time for our little princess, but with a condition.’ He answered making his sister look at him. ‘I’ll teach you more only if you attend the classes regularly.’

‘Really? Big brother would do that?’

‘Of course, if you be a good girl and listen to your teacher.’ Hadrian answered patting her head playfully as the young girl cheered.

The next day, Josef saw his brother tending to the garden. He wiped his eyes and yawned, the sun is just rising, and his brother is using a lamp to see his way through the garden.

‘Already up and working as soon as you can leave your bed?’ Josef mused leaning against a pillar.

‘This is not work,’ Hadrian answered standing up, wiping the sweat off his brow. ‘This is just a hobby of mine, pretty feminine huh?’

‘Seeing as you can’t do anything back then, I understand.’ Josef answered walking to his brother as the elder laughed. ‘I was expecting tea would be next.’

‘You really do pay attention, huh?’ Hadrian asked taking his basket with him.

‘No, I just got used to it.’ Josef answered walking with Hadrian to the kitchen.

‘You still look sleepy,’ Hadrian noted his brother’s constant yawning. ‘Did I wake you up?’

‘No, you didn’t. I’m just trying to wake up this early; I didn’t know you wake up so early in the morning.’

‘I got used to it since it’s too hot to work in the garden once the sun is high up in the sky.’ Hadrian answered as he started working on their tea.

‘I see I heard you’re doing a general audience today? What made you reschedule?’ Josef asked sitting down on a chair. ‘And you invited the court officials and the aristocrats too.’

‘Something that I wanted to make clear sense of.’ Hadrian answered vaguely. ‘Would you mind if I put peppermint with the tea?’

‘Yes, please.' Josef answered as Hadrian put the leaves in the tea. 'But why are you inviting the high-ranking people in the Empire?’

‘It’s something that you will understand when you see for yourself.’ Hadrian answered and served tea for the two of them. But Hadrian’s statement made Josef thoughtful about what his brother is really thinking. He looked at his brother who is peacefully drinking his tea, thinking deeply about what his brother really went through to gain such wisdom and experience. ‘Is there something wrong, Josef?’

‘I’m still amazed how your mind works,’ Josef answered looking at the young Emperor who sat right in front of him. ‘You always think about the little things first before moving on to something big, I can never think of anything like that.’

‘Don’t say that, I’m sure you can.’ Hadrian answered and remembered the time when he and his family went to an island in the Mediterranean. ‘Well, a grain of sand when piled together forms the beach by the sea, do they not? They are not much to look at by themselves, you can’t even see it. But see, the sand in the sea is beautiful to look at, isn’t it? Most to the time, it’s the small things that matter.’ Hadrian asked smiling at his contemplative brother who smiled upon realization. ‘See?’

‘But I have to admit, your ideas are on a wider and grander scale.’ Josef answered sipping from his tea again.

‘Please do not make me repeat myself, it’s embarrassing.’ Hadrian answered trying not to frown despite his falling shoulders.

‘I’m sorry.’ Josef answered turning away from his brother as his eyes widened as Anton suddenly appeared beside Hadrian.

‘Your Majesty, time for your medicine.’ Anton said uncannily. Hadrian almost spat his tea and looked at Anton.

‘What? Anton, you scared me.’ Hadrian said trying to escape.

‘I’m sorry Your Majesty but the doctor strictly told me that you should take your medicine regularly.’ Anton answered.

‘If I were you Hadrian, I’d listen to him.’ Josef mused. ‘There’s no way you could escape from Anton now.’

‘Josef, you too? Gosh, I seem to have no one on my side these days.’ Hadrian said burying his face on his arms in defeat.

‘You have no choice, Your Majesty.’ Anton said as Hadrian reluctantly took the medicine and drank it.

‘Tell me something Anton and be honest with it.’ Hadrian said firmly looking at his butler.

‘What is it, Your Majesty?’

‘This medicine I’ve been taking, this is just tea, isn’t it? Not an ordinary tea but it is a tea I have never tasted before, am I right?’ Anton and Josef’s eyes widened as Hadrian took their silence as their answer. ‘I guess I’m right then.’ He answered and stood up.

‘Your Majesty.’ Anton called.

‘You don’t have to hide it from me; I’m not that stupid Anton.’ The young Emperor said gritting his teeth.

‘I’m sorry, I appreciate your worries. .I really do, but please I’d appreciate it even more if you stop lying to me.’

‘I understand, Your Majesty.’ Anton answered.

‘I’m the one to blame, Hadrian.’ Josef answered as both the young Emperor and the butler looked at him. ‘The doctor told me that some time ago, but I decided to keep it hidden from you. I apologize.’ Hadrian closed his eyes and smiled.

‘It’s alright, just don’t do it again.’ He answered and turned away. ‘Well, I better get ready for the general audience today.’

‘Of course, Your Majesty.’ Anton answered massaging his temples.

‘To think that he would get worked up after someone worried for him.’ Josef said as Anton sighed.

‘Well, he’s not accustomed to anyone worrying about him,’ Anton answered. ‘He is not the type that we could worry about.’

‘I guess so.’ Josef replied placing his cup on the table.

A while later, Hadrian heard the grievances of the people with the attendance of the aristocrats and the court officials, with that they knew the real state of the country is not as they thought it is. In truth, it is a lot worse than they even imagined. There is a man who came with dried wheat and told Hadrian of the drought that plagued their land. As everyone prepared to leave the hall, Hadrian looked out to look for a person who’s from Carinthia when a woman cried out.

‘Your Majesty!’ she shouted stopping Hadrian and the others on their tracks. ‘Your Majesty, please wait!’ She tried to get in, but the guards stopped her at the order of one of the officials.

‘Restrain her!’ A court official commanded, and the guards snapped into action only to be halted by a more powerful voice.

‘Hold your positions! Don’t lay a finger on that woman!’ Hadrian shouted standing up from his throne.

‘But Your Majesty,’ the official retorted as the young Emperor waved his hand at him.

‘Let me hear her story.’ Hadrian answered as the guards let her pass to reveal that she is a pregnant woman. She came closer and kneeled in front of Hadrian.

‘I beg you, Your Majesty to please help us.’ the woman pleaded and started crying. ‘Food in our region is scarce, a mysterious disease plagued our people, and our children are suffering. The people are being worked with little to no income!’

‘Where is your region?’ Hadrian asked kneeling in front of the pregnant woman.

‘Carinthia, Your Majesty.’ The woman answered as Hadrian glanced at his aunt, the Duchess Alexia.

‘Very well, I will see to it that the needs of the people are attended to.’ Hadrian answered never removing his glare at Alexia. ‘Anton, have this issue investigated now. And upon confirmation, send the best doctors in Vienna and food to the people, and see to it that we find who the source of this poverty is, I will personally look over this issue.’

‘Right away, Your Majesty.’ Anton answered and left in a hurry.

‘Rest assured; I will personally see over this trouble.’ The woman looked at Hadrian and cried tears of joy.

‘Thank you, thank you very much Your Majesty.’ She answered crying.

The officials expressed their rejections about his decision, but the young Emperor’s mind has been set and would not concede to the court’s appeal.

‘You seem tired, Your Majesty.’ Anton said placing a cup of tea on the coffee table as Hadrian sat on the chair massaging his forehead.

‘I never expected their resistance would be that much.’ Hadrian answered.

‘I don’t mean to side with them, Your Majesty but are you sure that the issue about Carinthia is true?’

‘I’ve been keeping a close eye on that region for quite a while.’ The young Emperor answered.

‘I’ve been receiving negative reports about the region’s leaders especially the duke and his family.’

‘So, today’s General Audience today was...’

‘This is the push I need to investigate the leaders of Carinthia.’ The young man answered sipping from his teacup as a maid came and announced the arrival of Anya von Westenholz. ‘And as the Grand Duke of Carinthia, I cannot overlook this matter and leave it to those under me.’

‘Good morning, Miss von Westenholz.’ Hadrian greeted, standing up, with a smile despite his headache. ‘What do I owe this visit?’

‘Actually, I came to the audience in my grandmother’s stead.’ Anya answered.

‘Ah, I see. So you’re here to give me a piece of your mind too?’ Hadrian answered offering her a seat and she sat down on the chair in front of him.

‘No, I think what the woman said is true,’ she answered as Anton placed a teacup in front of her. ‘I have been to Carinthia, and I saw the region’s current state...are you alright?’

‘This is nothing, just a little headache.’ He answered smiling.

‘It’s not just a headache; the injury on your forehead isn’t healed yet.’ Anya answered grabbing her handkerchief and standing up and wiping the sweat that trickle to his wound.

‘It’s alright; it’ll be gone once I sleep.’ He said but she did not listen to him. ‘You don’t have to serve me.’

‘Let me see it.’ Anya insisted making Hadrian look at her. The man sighed and stood up and smiled at her.

‘If you insist, can you keep me company to the garden?’ he asked and she only nodded as a response, and they walked side by side to the garden while chatting. As they sat down on a bench, Anya saw the bush move and looked at Hadrian.

‘What is that?’ Anya asked tugging Hadrian’s sleeve.

‘What’s what?’ Hadrian asked looking around as Anya turned his face to the bush that she saw move. ‘That’s the little princess.’ he answered smiling.

‘Little princess?’ she asked looking at him again.

‘My little sister,’ he answered. ‘Come out of there, Marianna.’ He called as the little girl came out and ran to Hadrian.

‘Big brother, who is she?’ Marianna asked burying herself behind her brother.

‘Come here.’ Hadrian said leading Marianna to his lap and let her stand before Anya. ‘She’s Anya Therese von Westenholz, Baroness von Westenholz’ granddaughter.’ Marianna smiled at her and went to Anya to do courtesy.

‘It’s nice to meet you; I’m Marianna von Habsburg.’ The little girl said. ‘Brother, do you fancy her?’ she asked as both Hadrian and Anya’s eyes widened.

‘Marianna, she’s just a friend.’ Hadrian answered as he heard the little girl’s teacher calling.

‘Your teacher’s calling for you.’

‘I’ll see you later, big brother!’ Marianna answered running to her teacher.

‘Which reminds me,’ Anya added making Hadrian turn to her. ‘I also came to say I accept your invitation to the party, but…’

‘But?’ Hadrian repeated. ‘What’s wrong?’

‘I’m afraid I don’t know how to dance.’ She answered in a low tone, but he heard her clearly.

‘If that is your only problem, that is alright, I can teach you but how come you don’t know how?’ Hadrian answered.

‘I always run from classes like that when I’m young until the teacher gave up on me.’ Anya explained earning a laugh from Hadrian. ‘What’s so funny?’

‘No, nothing.’ Hadrian answered. ‘And here I thought I’m the worst idler here, it makes my mind at ease knowing there’s someone else.’

‘It’s nothing to be proud of.’ Anya answered bitterly.

‘You don’t have to be angry at me. Anyway, if you’re saying you can’t then I can teach you.’

‘Aren’t you busy?’ she retorted.

‘As of now, I don’t think so.’ He answered and stood up in front of her offering a hand to dance.

‘May I have the honor of this dance?’

‘Wh-what are you doing, Your Majesty?’

‘Anya, you don’t have to be so formal with me. There’s only the two of us right now.’ He answered. ‘Your hand please.’ He said as she took it. He gently pulled her up. He laid her hand on his left shoulder and he placed a hand on her waist. He held her close.

‘Your Majesty...?’ Anya called.

‘Just follow my lead.’ He answered. As soon as they started moving, she accidentally stepped on him.

‘I’m sorry,’ she said looking at her feet.

‘Anya, look at me.’ He said but she refused.

‘But I might step on you again.’ She answered.

‘Have you seen anyone dancing while looking at their feet?’ he asked and gently raised her face to look at him. ‘Just look at me and follow my lead.’ The whole time, Hadrian is always keeping her in check and giving her points to remember, they danced to an inaudible music, both did not know when to stop but they did when dark clouds rolled in. He chuckled to himself, she reminds him too much of Catherine that he’s starting to see the Danish princess in her.

‘This is not good.’ He thought.

‘I’m sorry, Your Majesty.’ Anya apologized not looking at him.

‘No, I’m the one to apologize.’ Hadrian answered looking at her. ‘Anton, make sure Miss von Westenholz gets home safely.’

‘As you wish, Your Majesty.’ Anton answered as Hadrian stopped in his tracks making both Anya and Anton look at him.

‘Take care.’ he said. There was a long pause between them; Anya looked down and smiled.

‘Thank you, Your Majesty.’ the lady answered as Hadrian nodded and walked away. He shook his head; he must miss Catherine so much that other women seem like her to him. He shook his head once again and went back to work.

All day, Hadrian went to a meeting with the aristocrats regarding his decision with Carinthia, they tried to make him change his mind but Hadrian kept his stand. He refused to stop the investigations and the help from being sent. In the end, the aristocrats retreated leaving the young Emperor with another throbbing headache.

‘Your Majesty.’ Anton called while the young Emperor is sitting on a chair in the veranda just beside the garden. ‘Are you alright?’

‘The headache never left me.’ Hadrian complained.

‘Well, you’re the source of that headache.’ Anton scolded sharply. ‘Please go to rest, Your Majesty.’

‘Can I ask for a favor?’ he said again while massaging his temples.

‘What is it, Your Majesty?’

‘Can I have a cup of tea?’

‘Alright, but you have to rest once you finish it.’

‘I will.’ Hadrian answered massaging his forehead as Anton left the room to prepare his master’s tea. He stopped by the door before coming in and looked at the young Emperor who sat back on the chair with his eyes closed and seems to try to sleep. But to his surprise, he saw Hadrian raise his hands to invite him in and smiled.

‘This is the first night you spent without a book in your hand, Your Majesty.’ Anton said placing the cup of tea on the coffee table. He looked closer and he saw a correspondence addressed to Catherine Dagmar.

‘He’s still writing to Princess Catherine?’ he thought. ‘I guess he still has her in mind.’

‘Is that right?’ Hadrian asked sipping from the cup.

‘Yes, and I haven’t seen you read a book all day.’ The butler said as Hadrian placed the cup on its plate.

‘I know; I’ve been busy all day I haven’t had the time...now this...argh.’ Hadrian answered as his butler sighed.

‘Let me scold you again Your Majesty for neglecting your rest hours.’ Anton said taking the empty cup from the table.

‘As promised, I will rest now.’ Hadrian followed as he stood up from the chair. ‘Tell me one thing, Anton.’

‘What is it, Your Majesty?’

‘What do you think of Anya?’ the young Emperor asked making the older man’s eyes widen.

‘By that...you mean...?’

‘I don’t mean anything; she just reminds me too much of Catherine.’ Hadrian answered looking at Anton.

‘Well, at first I thought of her to be snobbish, mean and rude but when you got injured in Vienna, I thought that she does have a kinder side.’

‘Snobbish, mean and rude, huh?’ Hadrian laughed. ‘That is true...well then, I’ll retire for the night.’

‘Very well, Your Majesty. Have a good night’s sleep.’ Anton answered.

‘You too.’ the young Emperor answered as the butler walked out the room and Hadrian retired to his bed.