The Youngest Prince Of The English Royalty House [EN]: Chapter 142

142. Well, That’s Just the Germans (2)

—England, Aquitaine—

If one country is blessed with happiness, the way of the world dictates that another suffers misfortune.

While England contentedly dreamed of a secure ‘future,’ the Holy Roman Empire, a Central European superpower, was as chaotic as Poland before its late 18th-century partitions.

The Holy Roman Empire was a realm of Germanic peoples. Perhaps inheriting the temperament of their ancestors, they promptly mobilized their forces and plunged into conflict.

Thus began the war of would-be emperors, a leaderless free-for-all.

I penned a letter to Otto, brimming with sincerity and sorrow.

It was a tearful plea from his uncle, explaining that while dispatching troops was currently unfeasible, he would provide support.

The Duchy of Aquitaine, which I governed, boasted a robust economy and thrived as a bustling commercial hub with vigorous trade.

Moreover, it possessed the trifecta of agriculture, animal husbandry, and diverse industries. In essence, Aquitaine was an ideal base for producing military supplies.

Furthermore, it teemed with readily marketable inventions, and its roads were well-maintained, with established sales networks.

From Ireland to Aquitaine.

Naturally, the series of processes that achieved this feat was not easy. But as with any historical endeavor, capable individuals ultimately accomplished the task.

“Peter, you’ve done a great job.”

“Your Highness, I only had seven years to spare.”

Peter feigned humility, but considering his accomplishments during those seven years, it was evident that he had achieved something remarkable.

“Now, summon the ambassador of Venice. I have a deal to make.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Indeed, our Peter, despite the meddling of those treacherous French bastards, stimulated the economy by leveraging the connection between Ireland, Mortain, and Aquitaine.

‘Of course, that’s not all.’

He also equipped this territory with the supply mobilization capabilities he had honed since his time in Mortain. This meant that everything destined for sale to Venice was already prepared.

“I anticipated it, but I didn’t realize you were this prepared.”

I said to Raniero Dandolo with unwavering confidence.

“Do you see this? All of this will become your weapons and food.”

“All of it?”

“This quantity of military supplies represents only a fraction of our total reserves.”

I couldn’t suppress my smile. This was genuine confidence.

Even after setting aside what our people would require, ample surplus remained for sale. Aquitaine, the land of plenty in Europe, had become my magnificent warehouse.

The astute Venetian nodded and affirmed.

“Our Venice stands as a staunch ally of Prince John.”

“Of course.”

The Venetian friends, who would inevitably conclude that supporting Otto was the most advantageous course after careful calculation, would undoubtedly require supplies.

‘Well, I don’t trust them unconditionally. History has taught me that these Venetian friends will stab me in the back if circumstances turn unfavorable.’

I am aware that Venice has recently extended feelers to the French market as well. Given England’s ascendancy following the civil war, they must have initiated trade with France as a contingency plan. That contingency being the possibility of severing ties with us, England.

You might wonder, why would Venice sever trade with England, a prime customer? However, considering the European propensity to unite against those who prosper, they will be poised to betray England as soon as we falter.

Of course, that remains a future concern, and presently, Venice and England are each other’s VVIPs [Very, Very Important Persons].

However, dispatching mercenaries was a different matter entirely.

I couldn’t risk depleting our human resources in the Holy Roman Empire, and I hadn’t secured permission from my brother Richard, so Aquitaine couldn’t independently deploy troops, but we had plenty of goods to sell.

The initial transaction with Venice proved satisfactory. Venice may be unaware, but they were acquiring surplus products that could be sold at a bargain price.

“Where is James?”

“He went to the hunting grounds.”

Having concluded the deal, I immediately set out to find James.

‘Giddy up. I’ll catch them this time!’

‘We’ll help you.’

James and his close companions were enjoying a lively hunt, and upon spotting me, they dismissed their subordinates.

‘Greetings, Your Grace.’

‘Yes, you are James’ hunting companions. Thank you for being a source of strength to my son.’

The young nobles greeted me, and I graciously acknowledged them.

‘Hunting is the most efficient way for nobles in the Middle Ages to become close.’

Of course, I was more impressed by James’s ability to effortlessly command the nobles of his age than by the hunt itself. My son, how did he mature so admirably?

“Son, let’s continue hunting with your father.”

“Yes, Father.”

“It’s a wild boar!”

“This time it’s a deer!”

Rather than immediately addressing the matter at hand, we continued hunting.

After bagging a few animals for the day’s meal, James initiated the conversation as we dismounted.

“Father, what’s wrong?”

“I came to hunt with my son.”

James smiled at my casual words.

“Didn’t you come all the way here because you had something to say to me?”

“Yes, that’s right. James, my son.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Are you dissatisfied?”

“Dissatisfied? I am eternally grateful for my father’s grace in bestowing upon me the status of eldest son. I am Safe James.”

‘This cute guy.’

He attempted to conceal his true feelings with a wave of his hand, but I could discern them. This kid knows exactly what he’s doing.

My son James resembles his mother; he independently manages his affairs.

I haven’t yet bestowed any titles upon James. However, I will gradually entrust him with military authority and wealth in stages.

“Don’t worry. Instead of granting you a title, I will progressively delegate authority to you.”

“Really?”

I gently stroked James’s head and reassured him. I won’t prematurely inundate the ambitious eldest son with power, nor will I allow him to languish and descend into madness.

Because I witnessed all manner of dysfunction within a 막장 [makjang – Korean term for extreme, over-the-top drama] family.

‘Power turns sons and fathers into enemies.’

Throughout history, fathers in the ruling class scrutinize and fear their sons.

In our Angevin family, Henry II not only monitored his brothers but also ridiculed them.

The title of ‘co-king’ that my father bestowed upon my brother Henry as a mere gesture, devoid of any actual authority, remained a source of amusement.

‘I shouldn’t follow in my father’s footsteps.’

Generally, characters who vow not to repeat their parents’ mistakes invariably replicate that life, but I was confident that I wouldn’t.

Firstly, I have already prepared for the worst-case scenario, and my wife Mary is assisting me in that endeavor.

And above all, my wise son will never act foolishly, and even if a tragedy were to occur, I possess several hidden trump cards.

“I won’t emulate King Henry II’s actions. Once you trust your son, the principle is to entrust him with as much responsibility as possible. Of course, you are performing far better than my brothers ever did.”

“Thank you for your kind words, Father. But I am still not adequate to lead the Angevin family. Rather, I am grateful that you are not granting me power at this moment. It was already challenging to manage my younger siblings and close aides, so assuming additional burdens would have been difficult.”

James displays the Eastern-style humility he learned from me, but I am already well aware of his capabilities through the information I have gathered.

‘He is already perfectly controlling his other siblings.’

‘The young master has subdued all the nobles of his generation.’

‘He is already building an economic foundation with the allowance he received from the Duchess.’

This child already possesses the brilliance to surpass the era of James I of the Stuart dynasty of England (James VI of Scotland, 1566~1625) that I knew.

I’m not making this assessment solely because he’s my son. James is genuinely a remarkable talent.

“James, if you are lacking, then everyone in Europe is deficient.”

“Father, I am not feigning humility. I am wary of the cross in my path [referring to potential obstacles and challenges].”

Look at him now.

My son James declared to me with an even more resolute expression than anyone else.

“But don’t worry. I am constantly contemplating and preparing for the ‘future.’ For the safety that Father desires. I will become a fortress to safely protect Anjou from the Eastern heretics, the French in front of us, and all those who aim at us.”

I trust the words of my son, who not only speaks eloquently but also demonstrates ample ability.

“Yes, that’s my son.”

Unlike the foolish son of the German king, James is the real deal! Yes, that’s right.

* * *

—England, Anjou—

The armed conflict that erupted in the Holy Roman Empire.

The latest news that one of the German king’s vassals had betrayed his lord reached Crown Prince Richard with a bitter taste.

“The rules of the Holy Roman Empire established by the late emperor will be shattered.”

Upon hearing the Count of Champagne’s words, Crown Prince Richard mused.

‘No matter how many achievements you amass, it’s futile if the descendants don’t sustain them, but I have a capable brother and nephew, so that’s unlikely to occur.’

After all, succession is paramount.

After a brief contemplation, Richard declared.

“First of all… the weakening of the Holy Roman Empire is welcome.”

Frankly, it’s preferable for the Holy Roman Empire to be weak rather than strong. Of course, it would be advantageous for the major powers in Western Europe if it weakened just enough to serve as a buffer against the Eastern Roman Empire.

The empire of the Germanic people was already in decline. The imperial election, the legitimate method for selecting an emperor, was disregarded. The significant incident of the assassination of the powerful next emperor, Duke Leo, triggered enormous repercussions.

Once a rule is violated, it loses its sanctity. Consequently, the Holy Roman Empire, the unified order that the late Emperor Frederick I had established, had lost its significance.

Externally, it appears to be a conflict between the new Elector of Saxony, Otto, and the German King Henry, but internally, powerful individuals will emerge to vie for new power.

However, it was crucial to support one of those strongmen.

“Ultimately, we must make Otto emperor.”

I wasn’t particularly close to my sister Matilda, but if feasible, it was prudent to assist my nephew Otto, who shared the same family lineage, in becoming the true power within the Holy Roman Empire.

As the next King of England was contemplating the grand strategy.

“Your Highness, King Henry has arrived.”

“What?”

Frankly, Crown Prince Richard was not on amicable terms with his father. While he appreciated being granted the position of crown prince, he found these unannounced visits unpleasant.

But Henry II, an uninvited guest who arrived in the Anjou territory without prior notice, instead wore an aggrieved expression and lamented.

“To have to endure this ordeal to see our formidable crown prince. In my old age.”

Henry II, oblivious to the fact that he had been betrayed by Prince Richard and met a miserable end in the original timeline, complained.

“What brings you here, Father?”

“Does a father… need a reason to see his son?”

It was a perfectly natural statement, but Henry II’s response carried a subtle twist.

“….”

When Richard conveyed an unspoken message urging him not to ‘bullshit’ with silence, Henry II revealed the truth.

“Ha, your mother instructed me to.”

* * *

—England, Aquitaine—

It was a peaceful day. If it weren’t for the unexpected arrival of my brother Richard.

My brother Richard, arriving in our territory with a large contingent of knights, was truly intimidating. Still, I am a safe zone with nothing to be ashamed of, so he won’t harm me recklessly.

I went out to greet my brother directly, accompanied by my vassals.

“The Crown Prince has arrived.”

“Brother, have you arrived?”

“Yes.”

Did he come to check on his son-in-law? Or his daughter? As I pondered the reason for this intimidating brother’s visit to my territory, Richard informed me.

“But it’s not just ‘me’ who came.”

“Yes?”

Soon, additional knights entered our territory, safeguarding one individual.

Upon examining the flag, it was Henry II. Our father.

My father dismounted his white horse and swiftly approached me, embracing me and exclaiming.

“My beloved youngest son John! Your father has come!”

What prompted my father’s visit to our territory?