Fonduta Diplomacy
February 13th, 1862
Turin, Italy
Theodore von Friedlitz was not accustomed to Piedmontese weather, but he could learn to live with it rather easily. Friedlitz arrived in Turin less than a month before, and he already preferred the climate to that of his family estate south of Konigsberg. Theodore was born into a wealthy Junker family, but prolonged illness as a child had kept him out of the military. In an effort to help his weakly son, his father had obtained a position for him in the Prussian foreign ministry. Theodore was nothing special, not particularly bright, and rather dull, but he did as he was told. He drifted up through the ranks over the years, and he was given the position of Prussian Ambassador to Sardinia in exchange for little over two decades of mindless and obedient service to His Majesty abroad.
Italy had not been recognized by Prussia, but Friedlitz had been told that it was really only a matter of time and that he would almost certainly receive the ministry to Italy afterwards. Prime Minister Bernstorff intended to milk as much from the Italians as possible in exchange for Prussian recognization. In fact, three days before, Von Friedlitz recieved a dispatch from the Prime Minister with instructions to present the Italians with an agreement.
Later in the afternoon, von Friedlitz arrived at a rather quaint establishment, Ristorante Violetta. Cavour was known to do most of his business at the dinner table, and Ristorante Violetta was a place Cavour frequented often. Von Friedlitz was a man of routine and simplicity, and he was just beginning to get used to Piedmontese cuisine, with its emphasis on wild game, mushrooms, and white truffles. Von Friedlitz had quickly grown fond of the ways goose, quail and other meats were prepared in Turin, but many of the mushrooms made the scrawny Prussian sick.
When Friedlitz was brought to Cavour's table in the back corner of the restaurant, he found the Prime Minister reading. Friedlitz had been warned that Cavour was a very tricky fish and that he should always be on guard. Cavour put the book down and bowed slightly as he spoke. "Good day Ambassador von Friedlitz, nice to see you again. How are you doing in this majestic city?” “Well, I must say that the climate here is superb. It is much milder than at my family estate south of Konigsberg. I can definitely say that I can live with it rather easily.” “Excellent. As soon as you are seated, I will call for our first course. How is the wife?” “Thank you for asking, Ingrid is very well. How is your wife?” “Oh, the Countess is splendid. I was told you had a dispatch from Prime Minister Bernstorff. Fantastic, the fonduta has arrived.” A waiter placed a bowl of the thick butter, cream and cheese sauce in front of the two with a long loaf of crusty bread. Two glasses of wine were also poured. “I hope that you do not mind the house Bariolo. I must say it is a fantastic wine and as you know, a specialty of Piedmont.”
“Thank you for your hospitality. The Prime Minister offers full recognition of the Kingdom of Italy and neutrality in the case of war between your kingdom and the Austrian Empire. In exchange, we ask for Italian neutrality should Prussia and France enter a state of war.” Cavour nodded. Friedlitz thought that this was going very well. ‘If he swallows this, I’ll be an ambassador to one of the Great Powers. If only Father was here to see this. He would be very proud, and finally I would receive more recognition than Reinhardt.’ Theodore’s brother was the first-born and was a minor member of the General Staff. Nevertheless, the Ambassador was very jealous of his older sibling. There was an awkward pause as Cavour digested the information and the fonduta while Ambassador von Friedlitz daydreamed.
Cavour broke the silence. “Obviously you know that such an agreement would have a negative effect on my country’s close relationship with Napoleon. The Kingdom of Italy and the French Empire enjoy a rare and special friendship that I will not betray. However, your Prime Minister’s offer does have merit. Is the matter negotiable?” “The dispatch I received from Berlin did allow a certain measure of discretion to the terms of any possible agreement.” Friedlitz took an unseemly drink of wine, as if he was very thirsty. “I suppose that we could meet tomorrow after consultation with my government for further negotiations.” “Excellent. We will meet tomorrow in my offices at Parliament at two o’ clock,” Cavour said. “In that case, I need to return to the Embassy to telegraph Berlin. It has been a pleasure as always and I will see you tomorrow.” “Good day, Prime Minister.”
Ambassador Theodore von Friedlitz walked out of Ristorante Violetta as a happy man. Friedlitz had Cavour right where he wanted him, and if he stayed on his toes, he would at last be an important diplomat and have bragging rights on his older brother.
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