Gilded eagles gazed down from the walls as Wilhelm II reclined at the conference table, fingers idly toying with the silver chain of his pocket watch.
Opposite him sat King Albert of Belgium, elegant but visibly tense, flanked by the stolid Dutch Prime Minister.
They'd come to Berlin during the calm before the storm. Both knew that what lie on the horizon was likely another great war. And this time, they wanted to be on the right side from the start.
But beneath the silence lay question on everyone's mind.
At last, Albert spoke it aloud.
"Your Majesty, forgive my candor… but is it not unusual that His Highness the Grand Prince of Tyrol is absent from these proceedings?"
A mild smile curved Wilhelm's lips. His gray eyes glinted with faint mischief.
