1. Januar. 1870
As the clock struck midnight and December 31st, 1869 became January 1st, 1870, all the cathedrals in Munich began ringing their bells in joyous unison. Their melodious clang echoed throughout the city as brilliant fireworks exploded and lit up the starry night sky. Throughout the capital, people celebrated happily, singing songs of good tidings, enjoying fine Bavarian cuisine, and wishing each other good health and good luck for the coming year. To the carefree citizens of Munich, as well as in other cities and towns throughout the Kingdom, everything was right with the world.
Their king, Luwdig II, knew that it was not.
As he stared out the windows of his bedchamber at the Residenz, Ludwig could not help but be fearful of what was to come. All around, the world was changing, and it seemed that whatever changes would come were detrimental to the continued independence of the Kingdom of Bavaria. As things stood at the moment, Bavaria was in a unique position, as it held positive relationships with all of Europe's main powers: there were Royal ties with Great Britain, an alliance with Prussia, a historic bond with Austria and by default and honorary friendship with France. There could not possibly be a worse situation. All of these powers were inherently bickering, and if politics moved forward in the way that they were, Bavaria would have to pick sides in a bloody European war. No matter what side was taken, the kingdom doubtlessly would be swallowed up by one of the aforementioned powers.
King Ludwig II wanted Bavaria's independence to be preserved. But after the shoddy showing of the Kingdom's army in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866 (which represented not the quality of the troops, but of the idiotic generals! Ludwig mused to himself), Bavaria looked ripe for the taking. If a loss of independence could be avoided, Ludwig would do whatever was necessary. But all he could do now was wait to see how world events unfolded in the coming weeks.
Glancing out of the window at the fireworks dancing above the glorious city, Ludwig could not help but smile.