Two hours earlier, Napoleon and Talleyrand strolled down the hallway making their way towards Emperor Francis II's office in the Hofburg Palace.
Upon reaching the office's entrance, Napoleon casually moved towards the desk, his eyes fixed on a rolled parchment. Meanwhile, Talleyrand quietly closed the heavy wooden door.
Napoleon deftly untied the string securing the parchment and carefully unfurled it.
Talleyrand approached Napoleon, taking his place beside him as soon as he arrived.
Napoleon gently placed the parchment on the desk, revealing a meticulously drawn map of Europe, representing the state of affairs in the year 1802.
"Now, the Austrians have expressed a desire for peace," Napoleon began in a measured tone, his gaze locked onto the map. "And where there is a desire for peace, negotiations inevitably follow. And within negotiations, concessions must be made," he continued, his voice carrying an air of confidence, "Specifically, territorial concessions."
Talleyrand nodded thoughtfully. "You want to take lands from the Austrians again?"
Napoleon paused for a moment, his gaze lingering on the map, tracing the intricate borders of European nations with his finger.
"Yes," he finally replied. "Austria has declared war on us three times. It's only natural that they'd be punished for it."
"But…Your Majesty, if you plan on punishing them severely, it would send ripples across the European continent," he pointed out and continued. "They will fear France, and remain hostile to us."
Napoleon's eyes narrowed as he considered his response carefully. "They should fear us," he said flippantly, though the underlying seriousness of his tone was unmistakable. "Lessons shall be made so that others won't dare challenge us."
Talleyrand acknowledged the weight of Napoleon's words. "Understood, Your Majesty. So, what territorial concessions do you wish to secure from Austria in these negotiations?"
Napoleon's gaze remained locked onto the map as he contemplated the question. His finger traced the borders of Austria, France, and neighboring states. "First and foremost, the territories we gained in previous conflicts must remain under French control."
Talleyrand nodded in agreement. "Maintaining our recent acquisitions is a sensible demand, Your Majesty. What else?"
Napoleon's brow furrowed in deep thought. "We should also press for further territorial gains along strategic frontiers," he proposed. "We'll take this, this, and this. Divided it between our puppet states. Italy and Bavaria."
"If you do that, Your Majesty, you will strip Austria of access to the ocean. Are you sure?"
Napoleon nodded, he was determined to make Austria pay.
***
Back at the actual time.
The two representatives of the Austrian Empire, Johann I Joseph, Prince of Liechtenstein, and Hungarian Count Ignác Gyulay took their respective seats.
Napoleon and Talleyrand sat across the long negotiation table, their demeanor composed yet charged with intent.
Johann I Joseph, Prince of Liechtenstein, spoke first.
"Your Majesty, we come to these negotiations in the spirit of reconciliation and peace. We seek to end hostilities and establish a lasting understanding between our two great nations."
Napoleon leaned forward, his eyes locked onto the Austrian representative. "Peace is indeed our shared objective, Your Highness. But to achieve it, terms must be agreed upon that ensure the security and interests of both our nations. Now, my Minister of Foreign Affairs will recite France's proposed terms, which we believe are fair and just."
Talleyrand cleared his throat. "Your Highnesses, we recognize the importance of territorial integrity, and as such, we propose that the borders established by previous treaties remain unchanged. Reiteration of French gains from previous treaties of Campo Formio and Lunéville."
"Moving on to the territorial concessions. The Austrian Empire must cede the territory of Tyrol, Vorarlberg, Swabia, and Salzburg to Bavaria. Istria, Dalmatia, Veneto, and Illyrian Provinces to the Republic of Italy.
The Austrian Empire must also recognize the creation of the new state called the Kingdom of Germany, which would be composed of German states. Thus, the Austrian Empire shall renounce its claims on the German states, and an indemnity of forty million francs must be paid to the Empire of France. That is all. Accept the terms, and peace between our nations shall be secured," Talleyrand concluded.
Johann I Joseph and Count Ignác Gyulay exchanged grave glances. They both knew that the terms demanded by the Empire of France were harsh and unprecedented.
Johann I Joseph, Prince of Liechtenstein, took a deep breath before responding. "Your Majesty, Your Excellency. The territorial concessions that you are demanding, would make the Austrian Empire a landlocked country. This treaty is harsh and would have far-reaching consequences for our nation. It is not a decision that can be made lightly."
"Well, if you are in our position, I'd reckon you do the same to us," Talleyrand coolly remarked, maintaining the unwavering stance of the French delegation. "The terms are non-negotiable. You can either accept it or not. But should you not accept the terms, war will continue."
"Your Excellency, we understand your perspective. However, these terms would not only have consequences for the Austrian Empire but for the balance of power in Europe as well. We implore you to consider the broader implications of this treaty," Count Ignác Gyulay interjected, his tone firm yet diplomatic.
Napoleon remained composed. "Your Highnesses, we have outlined our position clearly. The terms on this parchment are the terms we seek. The choice, ultimately, lies with you."
Johann I Joseph, Prince of Liechtenstein, exchanged a final, somber look with Count Ignác Gyulay."
After a tense pause, Johann I Joseph spoke with a resolute tone. "Your Excellency, Your Majesty, we request a brief recess to confer and deliberate on these terms. We understand the seriousness of the situation and shall return with our response."
"Request denied," Napoleon rejected and added. "We are still at war with Prussia and Russia. You have to make your decision now."
Johann I Joseph and Count Ignác Gyulay exchanged another glance, a silent conversation passing between them. The French are forcing them to make a decision under intense pressure.
With a deep breath and a sense of solemn duty, Johann I Joseph, Prince of Liechtenstein, spoke once more. "Your Majesty, Your Excellency. In the interest of peace and to spare further suffering to our people, we accept the terms outlined in your proposal."
Napoleon clapped his hands together, a sign of approval. "Very well, Your Highness. The terms are accepted, and peace shall be secured. Let's sign the treaty and bring an end to the conflict between our nation."
With that, documents were quickly produced, and both sides prepared to formalize the agreement. Johann I Joseph, Prince of Liechtenstein, and Count Ignác Gyulay, on behalf of the Austrian Empire, and Napoleon and Talleyrand, representing the French Empire, signed the treaty with solemn expressions.
Since Napoleon was one of the signatories of the treaty, it was instantly ratified by the Empire of France.
"The ink is barely dry, but I expect the terms of this treaty to be honored without hesitation. Any deviation will be met with severe consequences."
Johann I Joseph and Count Ignác Gyulay nodded in acknowledgment.
"Now, let's focus our attention on Prussia and Russia."
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