Thoughts in Motion
Imperial City of Vienna, Holy Roman Empire
Manfred von Risstelhoff rode in his affluent carriage through the streets of the diplomatic quater of the Imperial city convergying on the Imperial Foreign Ministy after his audience with the Empress and the meeting of the Imperial cabinet. As he passed the French embassy and the now empty Spainish one, he carfully studied his notes on what the cabinet had decided to try and pursue. Indeed the Empress was wise in the way she was requesting Manfred to go about the diplomacy of the Reich. In the space of a few years, the Reich had doubled in size and had secured friendships all around.
However the cabinet had decided that the following summer's campaigns would be the most audacious yet. The destruction the Spainish puppet Kingdom in Italy, and the unification of the Italian penninsula under Imperial control was considered of paramount importance for the continue growth of the Holy Roman Empire. Indeed as Rome gained in importance and became the second capital of the Reich, not having Spainish troops less than 50 miles to the south would be reassuring. Indeed his mind was running in circles just like the wheels of the carriage as it bounced along the cobblestone streets on how best to achieve this.
Eventually he came to a conclusion. Portugal. Indeed although Spain was now in virtual anarchy after the abdication of its Monarch after the British decleration of war, they could still pose significant problems in the Sicilian campaign. It was imperative that the rift between the Two Holy Empires be mended. How to do so however? A whie peace would be offered of course, but what was the carrot to dangle in front of Her Imperial Majesty's face to ensure her apporval of the program. She has been insulted by the Portugese remarks after all and honour dictated action be taken.
Ristlehoff was by now going up the stairs to his 6th storey office on the top level of the home of Imperial diplomatic and foreign policy making. Indeed he weilded much power and helped shaped the glorious future of the Holy Roman Empire but that was beside the point. He was lost in his thoughts on how to bring Portugal to the correct thinking as he passed office after office and finally unlocked the door of his own. Absent mindenly nodding to his secretary as he opened the door (she after several years was used to his moments of concentration and thought nothing of it) he entered and closed the door.
As he sat down he had an idea. Indeed this was the way to both save His sovereign's honour and to ensure that Portugal would fight against Spain not with them. What a brillant plan! His only hope that it would work...
To the Holy Empire of Portugal
From the Holy Roman Empire of the Second Reich
We will suspend our decleration of war upon you, and ask for an immediate apology to our soverign for your remarks regarding the reintegration of Rome into the Holy Roman Empire. We furthermore ask that the Queen of Portugal attend a confrence with the Empress and the Pope along with other Catholic leaders in the holy see of the Vatican City, which remains to this day under the auspices of the Pope and the Holy Roman Catholic Church. Once this occurs, I am sure we can work out a permanament normalisation of our relations between our two governments under God.
Although now the Swiss Guard has been disbanded and the Pope relies upon the Imperial Armed Forces for his protection we remind you he does remain independent.
Signed
Baron Manfred von Risstelhoff
Lord Chanellor - Imperial Diplomatic Corps
Vienna