. He renovated it heavily, and it's not going to look the same as when Fritz lived there. Now I'm imagining Fritz demanding funds to re-renovate, lol.

Trufax: When SD visited Rheinsberg for the first time, after Heinrich had the renovating done and had moved in, and is very proud to show it off to Mom, she sighs in delight and says: "How beautiful! Your brother has such excellent taste!"

But Heinrich can build his own palace!

Since he'll send the first few years as Regent before young FW2 comes of age, he'll probably stick to the already existing Hohenzollern Berlin and Potsdam residences (minus Sanssouci). (His own Berlin town residence didn't get finished in rl until after the 7 Years War, too; today, it forms the core of the famous Humboldt University, which would have pleased him. ) After that, well, he's not going to move into Sanssouci, though I'm sure he found it beautiful, but that would be carrying the alter ego stuff too far. And not into Wusterhausen (still owned by Fritz as per FW's testament; Heinrich inherited it only after both Fritz and AW were dead and AW's heir on the throne, FW's testament was that detailed), either. Perhaps he decides to reopen Oranienburg (AW's residence that had been closed after AW's death).

The Chevalier gets to shine--oh, man, Heinrich is going to *hear* about that, Retired For Good to Rheinsberg (TM) or not-

No doubt. Fritz is probably going to assume the Chevalier learned about Joseph's very secret location either because of sex with Heinrich (as a man) or with Seydlitz (as a woman). In reality, the Chevalier found out via old school detective work (which place that can be guarded but has no ostensible military value suddenly gets sent top soldiers as well as good food and clothing?) but did admittedly have a one night stand with Heinrich just in case and for the hell of it, so while Heinrich (correctly) denies having said anything, Fritz will never ever believe him.


I like it, I like all of it. Fritz puts up some resistance and only agrees to the exchange once he's assured it meets all of his criteria, the Chevalier gets to shine--oh, man, Heinrich is going to *hear* about that, Retired For Good to Rheinsberg (TM) or not--Voltaire writes trashy tell-alls, Europe gets peace, Fritz gets his moderately happy ending, perfect!

It occurs to me that this could even save Isabella's life. Because though MT tries to protect him from it, Joseph will find out and will be heartbroken but have the first honest conversation with his wife he's ever had. And since he's just been through the experience of being a helpless prisoner (granted, he was never afraid for his life, but there were some uncomfortable moments when one of his guards turned out to have been someone who'd lost family due to the war, with his home village burned down), and does love her, he doesn't react by becoming now a deliberate tyrant to Isabella but by withdrawing from her entirely and agreeing to lead separate lives. (Divorce is out; even in this AU, they're still 18th Century royal Catholics.) Which means no more pregnancies after the first one (that daughter exists) for Isabella, which means a general better health, and even if she does get infected in 1763, she survives it.

Conclusion: Fritz getting captured in the 7 Years War is the reverse of the trope where one event causes a horrible dysfunctional AU - it improves everyone's lives, even that of Fritz! :) (Who now even has the option of eloping with Voltaire back. If he can ever forgive him for coming to his rescue. And if Voltaire can avoid gloating too much, which, err....)