#(and by fiction writers I mean the screenwriters of die kaiserin)

[archduchessofnowhere]

Oh Sophie and Franz❤️. Their friendship was very sweet and they might have had romantic feelings, but I'm not sure if logistically they could've actually carried on an affair (like do we know of any chances they could had to be properly alone?). They were close enough for people to wonder tho, that Prokesch had to come out and state that the Duke of Reichstadt had absolutely not banged his aunt is quite telling lol

About Maximilian, personally I think that the theory has such a hold in people's imagination because it provides a sort of continuation for Franz's short (and honestly, rather uneventful) life. It helps that Max's fate was so attached to the Bonapartist empire. But him actually being his son just doesn't seem likely, and the only evidence of this that exists are rumors (in defense of this theory tho I'll say we shouldn't forget that Franz's mom was the most Habsburg looking woman ever and that genes can skip generations).

I've also read that quote paraphrased, I don't know the source but given that they were each other's first friend at court, I can believe it.

Moritz von Dietreichstein to Empress Marie Louise, then Duchess of Parma, November 27, 1824:

He [Napoleon II] is quite beloved at the Courts of Bavaria and Saxony. He devotes his most particular attentions to the Princess Louise [of Bavaria], to the great amusement of her sisters and their ladies. After the ball I had the honor of dining with him at the table of the Queen of Bavaria. Her Majesty talked with me at length and her one topic was the prince. She adores him. In brief, it is the general opinion that he has the making of a most accomplished gentleman.