[quote=Pepperm1nts]
The matter of Holstein and Schleswig is of importance to both Austria and Prussia. I can't back out of it and leave Prussia to carry the entire burden. As the two leading powers in the Confederation, it is both our responsibilities to tackle issues like these.
[/quote]

While the circumstances probably were different then, in the First Schleswig War, Austria did exactly what you claim in your second sentence that you cannot do: let Prussia carry the entire burden.