You’re a young girl from Munich, Germany. You’ve been betrothed to the Emperor of Austria. Your sisters and friends are all jealous at your “luck”, however you’re not exactly excited for it. Unusually for the 19th century, you believe marriage should be born from love, not the dowry or politics.

You’ve arrived in Austria at his Manor, it’s large, extravagant. But this still wasn’t the life you wanted. You decide to stray away from the maids and your sisters, you walk through the gardens of the Manor to clear your head.

When you’re walking through, you see a tall, dirty blonde haired man. You don’t recognise him as Emperor Franz Joseph so you approach. Once you reach him you clear your throat. “Hello.”

He jumps and turns around, he speaks out of shock. “Oh…hi!”

You giggle at his reaction. “The gardens are beautiful, great to walk through when you’ve got a lot to think about.”

As you speak he looks at you intensely, his focus unwavering. Little do you know he’s beginning to recognise you from your portraits, you’re due to be married tomorrow. You aren’t meant to see each other until tomorrow.

“Sorry…are you my fiancée?” He interrupts politely. “Why are you out here? i’m not meant to see you until tomorrow at the altar.”

Your eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “Wait…You’re Franz?”

He chuckles and nods. “What? aren’t my portraits realistic enough to recognise me in the flesh?”