He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 144

144. Dancing with a Princess at the Italian Conquest Banquet

February 22, 1796. A grand banquet was held at Schönbrunn Palace for the first time in a while.

The hall, once frequented by the Habsburg royal family and the nobles of the empire, now hosted a different kind of power.

Now, it was a place where French soldiers were stationed.

However, after the negotiations were completed and even approved by Paris, a victory celebration banquet was finally held.

Being held in Vienna, the capital of the defeated, public sentiment outside the palace was quite negative.

However, Napoleon decided to push ahead with the banquet.

Perhaps it was his intention to clearly show everyone who the victor was.

Of course, Napoleon wasn’t the only one who didn’t care about public sentiment.

“Wow, just around this time last year, I was starving in Nice. The world has completely changed in just one year!”

Massená suddenly shouted, raising his glass from one side of the banquet hall.

The sound was so loud that the guests entering the banquet hall were quite startled.

However, Massená, completely unconcerned, raised his glass and winked.

After all, this was the capital of Austria, and not territory that France would annex.

Therefore, Massená calculated that there was no need to pay attention to the opinions of the Viennese people.

Suddenly, Augereau frowned as he drank his wine.

“The wine from Milan seems better.”

“Heh, you used to eat canned goods well on the battlefield. Are you also a gourmet now?”

“Are there any Frenchmen who aren’t gourmets? I think I’ll have to call the chef later and scold him.”

Conversely, some French generals were concerned about the attention the banquet hall was drawing.

Looking around cautiously, Laharpe slipped a piece of food into his mouth.

Seeing this, the middle-aged general, Sérurier, leisurely said,

“You won’t digest it well. Eat slowly.”

Laharpe chuckled and looked around Schönbrunn Palace with emotion-filled eyes.

“I’m actually coming to a place like this.”

“Why? Was it your dream to come to a palace?”

“Not really. But aren’t I a ‘Swiss’ man? The Swiss Confederation began with a revolt against Austria.”

‘Swiss’ is the French pronunciation of Switzerland.

Originally, Switzerland was land ruled by the Habsburg family.

However, Laharpe, who was from Switzerland, was now stepping into the palace in Vienna as a member of the conquerors.

It couldn’t help but feel surreal.

It felt even more significant as a result of the revolution.

“To come to the capital of those who were once oppressors as a conqueror. Life is truly unpredictable, General.”

Some generals didn’t care about the gazes of others, fellow generals, or the banquet.

“Your dress looks wonderful, Madame Visconti.”

Chief of Staff Berthier, whose eyes were entirely focused on his lover, Madame Visconti, whom he had brought from Milan, was one such general.

“Thank you, General. For bringing me all the way here.”

“I have no wife, and you are the only woman in my life. So, it’s only natural that I would bring you.”

“I’m so happy. I regret that I can’t fully reciprocate your feelings.”

The meaning of these words was actually simple.

Madame Visconti was the wife of the Marquis of Borgetto, so she was a married woman.

So, no matter how much Berthier loved her, he couldn’t marry her unless she divorced.

Berthier said with a blunt expression.

“It doesn’t matter. As long as you are with me. Someday, your husband may die first.”

Later, in history, Berthier was forcibly married to royalty because of Napoleon.

At that time, her husband had already died, but that was the reason why he couldn’t be with Madame Visconti.

Berthier couldn’t refuse Napoleon’s orders, but he didn’t abandon Madame Visconti either.

As a result, his legal wife and mistress lived together in the same house.

In a sense, Berthier, a lover of the century, kissed Madame Visconti’s hand.

In stark contrast, there was also a young general who flirted with the noble ladies and princesses who came to the banquet hall, even though he was newly married.

“Okay, then I’ll see you again when the banquet starts, pretty girl!”

Sending off one of the regretful princesses, Lannes proudly said to his adjutant, Bessières.

“Phew, did you see that? German beauties are really no less than Italian ones! They’re very passionate!”

“I feel compelled to remind you once again that you are a newlywed, General.”

“Don’t be like that, Bessières. No matter how much you love your wife, it’s polite to admire a beautiful woman! Haha!”

Lannes, who burst into a hearty laugh, looked around.

“But the two people who would be most panting over the beauties aren’t here.”

“Who are you talking about? One would be Murat, and the other would be the Commander-in-Chief?”

“Don’t say such a thing. Madame Bonaparte is here right now. Oh, come to think of it.”

Lannes tilted his head.

“Where did Brigadier General Eugène go? A friend who should definitely be here.”

While the generals of Napoleon’s army were in the banquet hall, Eugène was not in his seat.

***

In fact, Eugène wasn’t the only general who was absent.

“Now, let’s give a toast to our Freischütz [sharpshooter], who has turned 16!”

Junot, now promoted to brigadier general, shouted, raising his glass high.

This was the back garden of Schönbrunn Palace.

While generals, nobles, and influential figures gathered in the central hall, here, officers and soldiers were holding a party.

Considering that this was enemy territory, it was quite a bold move.

Of course, sentries were posted separately to patrol.

Anyway, Eugène and Junot were in the back garden where the soldiers were partying.

The soldiers cheered.

“Drink! Drink! Drink!”

Eugène chuckled and subtly pushed his glass away.

“I told you, I don’t drink.”

“No, you’re a man! How can you not drink! What nonsense are you talking? Wait, are you still a virgin?”

“W-Well, I haven’t even had a wedding yet, so isn’t that obvious?”

In fact, Eugène, as a reincarnator, considers himself a minor.

In modern society, minors are not allowed to drink.

However, the fact that he is still a ‘virgin’ is more accidental than anything.

Anyway, if he wants to prevent his subordinates from violating the local residents, shouldn’t the commander set an example?

Of course, Junot, a man who lives as a libertine rather than a virgin, looked at Eugène with disbelief.

“Have you ever seen such a rigid friend! Hippolyte, what did you teach him?”

“Why is the blame falling on me, General Junot?”

“Well, you’re our Freischütz’s adjutant! Besides, you were playing around with the maids at the Serbelloni Palace just fine, weren’t you?”

Then, Hippolyte was startled and put his hand to his mouth, growling.

“Shh! Pauline is in Vienna! We agreed to play fair, didn’t we? Are you going to get ahead like this?”

The soldiers of Eugène’s grenadier brigade and the rank and file were chuckling as they watched.

“What’s wrong, aren’t you all coming to the banquet hall?”

Indeed, the soldiers stood up all at once.

Not all of the 60,000-strong Napoleon’s army expeditionary force was in the back garden.

Most were in the encampment outside Schönbrunn, enjoying their own festivities.

Those in the back garden were mostly Napoleon’s Imperial Guard and Eugène’s Grenadier Brigade.

That’s why they knew the woman who had come to the soldiers’ party.

A face they had often seen in Milan.

It was Napoleon’s sister, Pauline.

Junot hurriedly ran ahead and fawned over Pauline.

“Haha! Mademoiselle Pauline, we were all having a party with the soldiers!”

“Why, Monsieur Junot? I believe you have been promoted to brigadier general now.”

“Well, sharing the joys and sorrows with the soldiers is the iron rule of our [Bonaparte Legion]! When the Commander-in-Chief is too busy to be with us, the adjutants have to be with them! Isn’t that right, Marmont?”

Marmont, who had been busy drinking German beer among the soldiers, suddenly raised his head.

“Oh, that’s right. Pauline. Oh, Caroline came too?”

Pauline’s younger sister, Caroline, blushed and peeked out from behind Pauline.

So, Letizia, as well as Eliza, Louis, and Napoleon’s family had also arrived in Vienna.

It was something Napoleon had decided as a means of showing off his victory to the world.

He also wanted to show off his success to his family.

But Pauline had unexpectedly come all the way to the back garden instead of the banquet hall.

Seeing that she had come with Caroline, she was probably a little shy.

After all, it was a bit awkward for a woman to come to a place full of men.

Caroline blushed and greeted Marmont.

“Yes, Auguste. How have you been?”

“Well, I’m always doing well. Your brother is really good to me.”

“Mom wants you to come over to our house sometime. With Andoche, she’ll treat you to a meal.”

At that moment, Murat, who was drinking at the other side of the table, jumped up and shouted.

“Wow, who is that beauty? Won’t you dance with me today?”

The woman Murat pointed to was none other than Pauline.

Just as Junot and Hippolyte were about to block Pauline with glaring eyes,

Pauline smiled and shook her head.

“I’m sorry, but I have a prior engagement. Wait, want to go?”

At the same time, Pauline grabbed Eugène’s hand.

Eugène was inadvertently dragged by Pauline to the depths of the back garden.

Cheers, whistles, and jeers erupted from behind.

“Wow, Freischütz! The magic bullet works on women too!”

“Hey, Eugène! I’m telling the princess! Where are you going!”

“Ah, leave him alone, Hippolyte. Now that it’s come to this, how about we seduce a princess from the Habsburg family? This Junot will teach you a thing or two!”

Eugène smiled wryly and stopped among the trees in the back garden.

It was so deep that the noisy party sounds became quiet.

Looking at Pauline, her face was flushed.

She looked so alluring that his heart was pounding.

Swallowing hard, Eugène tried to speak calmly to Pauline.

“It’s nice to see you, but I can’t dance with you today.”

“Call me aunt, nephew. I know. My brother deliberately called you here, right?”

“Then?”

Instantly, ‘Aunt’ Pauline moved closer to Eugène.

“Even if we can’t dance, we can secretly taste each other’s lips.”

Suddenly, Eugène recalled the memory of Pauline ambushing him in Milan.

“Wait, so, um.”

Eugène had been using ambushes to outwit Austrian generals.

But this ambush was one that Eugène couldn’t handle properly.

Even the silver letters warning of danger didn’t come to mind.

Or perhaps, it wasn’t a danger.

“I haven’t given up yet, Eugène.”

With a sweet whisper, Pauline, who had taken her lips off his, disappeared into the back garden.

Eugène touched his lips.

The warmth remained intensely.

Eugène, who had been standing blankly for a long time, was startled and turned around.

“Oh, I’m going to be late.”

Because the time for the main event of the banquet was approaching.

***

Finally, the moment had come for the protagonist of the banquet to step onto the stage.

“Oh, General Bonaparte is coming out!”

Suddenly, Duke Serbelloni, the representative of Milan, shouted.

Melzi d’Eril, Count Berry, Councilor Parini.

In addition, Battaglia, who was from the Venice Verona garrison, was also there.

In other words, those gathered here were none other than the old nobles from Italy.

In the heart of Austria, at Schönbrunn, the Habsburg summer palace, Napoleon was holding a victory reception.

Gathering the old Italian nobles, the French generals, and his ‘family’.

Suddenly, Napoleon looked back at Josephine, who was standing next to him.

“Josephine, are you feeling alright?”

“So-so. I can’t dance, so you shouldn’t dance either, right?”

“I won’t.”

He had deliberately brought Josephine from Rome all the way to Vienna.

It was a spectacle created by a kind of vanity, to show the victors to the defeated.

Fortunately, the child seemed safe, and Josephine carefully embraced her swollen belly.

In fact, Josephine was no less vain than anyone else, so she was very happy to be here.

Because the daughter of a mere immigrant from the New World was making her debut as a [hostess] in the imperial palace.

Holding Josephine’s hand, who was very proud, Napoleon shouted to the guests.

“Those gathered here are all the main players of the new Italy!”

Of course, this statement was an exaggeration.

Right now, Napoleon and his adjutants, division commanders, and officers were all French.

There were also Austrian nobles who had been invited on purpose to show off.

However, it was clear that most of the guests had come from Sardinia, Milan, and Venice.

To those who were looking at Napoleon with complicated faces, Napoleon declared.

“Today, I declare for Italy. Italy has been liberated from the Holy Roman Empire!”

At that moment, a shout erupted.

“Waaaah!”

This was a legal declaration.

What that means is that, in fact, the Holy Roman Empire had the [Kingdom of Italy], a kingdom without substance, as its vassal state.

That’s only legally speaking.

But as the Holy Roman Empire was dissolved, the legal object called the Kingdom of Italy also disappeared.

Therefore, Austria could no longer have the justification to rule Italy.

It was literally a matter of documents, but the old Italian nobles who heard it took it differently.

Even if France ruled, at least they would no longer be ruled by Germans.

Here, French generals including Masséna, Augereau, Lannes, Sérurier, and Laharpe shouted.

“La Grande Nation! [The Great Nation!]”

“Great nation, France! Long live!”

“Viva Napoleon!”

As Eugène was watching the truly historic declaration, someone suddenly approached him.

“I see you now, Eugène.”

Eugène’s eyes widened.

He already knew she was coming.

But it was truly the first time he had seen her in a dress.

Looking at the former [Princess] wearing a pure white, neat dress and exposing her shoulders, Eugène blushed and smiled.

It was Marie Therese.

“Mademoiselle Marie, you look really beautiful like this.”

“You left that beauty in Milan and wandered around for a long time, didn’t you?”

“A soldier who goes to war can’t help it.”

At that moment, Marie turned her gaze away without smiling.

“Pauline came too.”

Of course, Eugène also knew.

The lips he had kissed just before the banquet started were still burning.

But the reason she was talking about Pauline wasn’t because she had seen that.

She was clearly talking about the time when Pauline had ambushed Eugène just before leaving for Milan.

Marie quietly opened her lips to Eugène, who had become completely stiff.

“I won’t ask about that kiss.”

“No, that’s…”

“But you have to dance with me. Because this is [Vienna].”

Vienna, a city ruled by the former Habsburg dynasty.

The nobles of this city all knew Marie Therese.

In other words, if Marie was refused a dance here, the humiliation would be known throughout Europe.

Looking at Marie, who was trembling, Eugène smiled again and held out his hand.

“Princess, would you give your knight the honor of a dance?”

Marie also smiled back.

“Gladly.”

Just as Eugène and Marie were about to hold hands, the Habsburg Imperial Orchestra began to play.

-Taan, ta-da-daan, taan-taan!

February 22, 1796, when Napoleon declared the liberation of Italy.

It was the day Eugène and Marie had their first social dance.

And it was also the day Pauline and Eugène reunited.