Royal Hunt

7th Chapter

After my father's announcement that I was to be introduced to the court and the hunt for the groom would begin, my sisters began squealing and screaming and immediately made plans for which balls we would have to attend and how their own introduction to the court would work out. 

I went into shock. The sounds around me dimmed, my vision blurred. My initial impulse was to jump off the sofa and make a huge scene. There is no way my father, who had so much faith in my future, would give in to my mother and throw me into that pack of vultures. For God's sake, I'll have to marry the second Count Kounitz after all. 

My logical and rational self prevailed in the end. I can't do anything with screaming and hysterics, and I'll only confirm to my parents that I'm not mature enough to make my own decisions. 

"Will you excuse me, please?" I asked my father quietly. I ignored my mother and sisters, and they continue with their jibber-jabber. They didn't even notice me leaving the room. 

In my room, I threw myself on my bed and finally let go of the tears I had been holding back in the salon. I cried in rage, helpless at the fact that someone else was constantly making decisions about my life. I've never felt so helpless. 

In one day, I experienced the most amazing feelings of success at university and the worst feelings of hopelessness that now enveloped me. 

I don't know how long I cried. Dinner was brought to me on a tray. My father must have realized that I was in no condition to go down to the dining room and act like nothing. 

When my tears were dry and I was able to think rationally again, I sat by the window and thought. 

The situation is what it is. There is nothing to be done. I can't avoid an extended season in Vienna. Nor can I avoid balls and court shows. 

I can choose to act like a little kid and make a scene. Or I can take my wits about me and make the best of this unfortunate situation. 

The fact is, I'm gonna be a court debutant. The fact is, this season is supposed to result in my engagement. And if I don't let my emotions took over me, I might come out a winner after all. Mama doesn’t want me to be unhappy. So she'll definitely try to pick someone for me to be happy with. Money and status are of no importance, our family is well off and enjoys a special position at court. 

I looked out of the window at the overcast sky. I wanted to get married once. The moment had come sooner than I expected. And if I got it right, I might not end up with someone who would be annoying or disgust me 

"Marriage for love is for the poor," I said to myself. "I have obligations to myself and my family. Now it's time for me to find a husband with whom we can at least have something in common.”

I walked over to my desk and picked up a blank sheet of paper and a pen. 

What should my future husband be like? 

Intelligent and educated.

Handsome.

In good standing - ideally not a soldier, but with standing at court.

Tall and dark-haired. With a captivating gaze. 

I blushed as I wrote that last point. After all, I was as vain as my younger sisters. I shouldn't care about looks. 

I looked back at my reflection in the mirror behind me. I saw a young woman, seventeen years old, with chestnut hair brushed up, even though some of the unruly strands fell around my face, framing my big brown-greeny eyes, which were still a little shiny from tears. 

As far as I could tell I was pretty. Maybe not as pretty as my younger sisters, but certainly prettier than some of the other young ladies at court. 

And I deserve a little vanity. And I deserve a handsome husband. 

Margaret slipped cautiously into the room and found me examining myself. 

She cleared her throat. "Forgive me Countess, but we need to start packing. Your Mama wants to leave early in the morning."

I tore my gaze away from myself in the mirror and quickly folded the paper with my future husband's description so she wouldn't notice. 

"Okay. Start with the clothes and undergarments. I'll get the books ready."

Margaret opened the closet and began unloading shirts and petticoats. Meanwhile, two younger servants carried several trunks and chests into the room. 

"How long do we have to pack for?" I asked Margaret.

"Her Grace the Countess said at least two months." She replied as she folded the shirts into one of the chests and carefully interspersed them with lavender. 

I sighed. Two months. That's not going to be enough for my handy library. 

I pulled from the chest the carefully hidden medical books that Papa would definitely not approve of. I also added a few philosophy books that Ignatius had lent me to study so that we could continue my education in fields other than mathematics and physics. On the bed were stacks of the collected writings of Plutarch and Plato, as well as the memoirs of Marcus Aurelius. I borrowed this from my father's library when I decided to educate myself in political science and politics as well. 

I also added a considerable amount of blank notebooks and papers and plenty of writing utensils. Just because I've been thrown into the royal hunt for a husband doesn't mean I'm going to stay behind my interests. 

After I had gathered most of the books in my library that I intended to read into one pile, I crept out of the room and slipped quietly into the main library from which I intended to borrow several volumes. 

There was a commotion in the corridors as my sisters excitedly packed their gowns and tugged at sashes and hats. At least someone was happy.

In the library, I made my way to the shelves where my father collected his military books. As he told me about each war and campaign, I realized how much I didn't know about the subject. And I hated knowing that I didn't know something. 

I looked through the titles, mostly the names of great warlords and the names of famous battles. Some, on the other hand, meant nothing to me at all. 

"You might be interested in Cromwell." My father's voice echoed behind me. I startled at the sound of it.

 My father reached around me and handed me a thick leather-bound book. 

"His army reforms are inspiring in many ways, though I'd hate to end up like him." He smiled. 

I took the book from him but remained silent.

"I'm sorry I surprised you with that decision Marie Kristine. I am." My father stroked my cheek. "But Mama is right. You're seventeen years old and it's time for you to think about something other than university, especially since we both know it has no future for you as a girl."

"But I was at university today." I retorted, "I've been there and I studied and I was excellent."

"I know. And if we lived anywhere else, I'd be happy to enroll you in a degree program and watch you become a doctor of science. But since we live in Prague and at the Viennese court, and since we have obligations to both the court and the crown, you will therefore have to choose a more traditional path." Papa replied, looking at me sadly. His voice broke. 

I couldn't look at how unhappy my father was. I threw myself into his arms, tears streaming down my cheeks. 

"Okay. I'll go to the court, let you show me off like a bred heifer and marry whomever you choose. Just for God's sake pick someone I'll be happy with."