He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 276

(276) Eugene’s Women Take Action

The heyday of salons sometimes turns them into counseling sessions.

“Sob, sob! Hortense, what should I do? Eugene is going to Moscow!”

“It’s Saint Petersburg, Princess. Didn’t you learn that in geography class?”

“There or here! What to do? I can’t even stop this!”

Hortense sighed deeply, looking at Marie, who was covered in tears.

Of course, Moscow is also an old capital of Russia, so it’s not exactly wrong.

And either way, it’s a journey of over 3,000 kilometers from Paris.

But the reason Marie is so distraught and crying is probably not just because Hortense’s brother is going far away.

The shocking news that her lover is marrying another woman.

And the decision-maker is the most powerful person in France.

Moreover, Marie is a princess of the old royal family, and in fact, her life is still in danger.

That’s why she’s so lost and crying like this.

Hortense’s gaze suddenly turned to Marie’s attendant.

“Emily, haven’t you heard anything? There must be some news from Suresnes, right?”

“Wh, what are you talking about? You would know better, Hortense.”

“My brother never talks about outside matters. He doesn’t even come home often these days. And ‘Father’ wouldn’t tell me anything either, would he?”

Hortense glared at Emily de Beauharnais and pressed her.

“I know you’ve been seeing Rochejacquelein lately. Tell me quickly.”

Emily is originally a cousin of Eugene and Hortense.

After the revolution, when the royalist Beauharnais family fell on hard times, they became indebted to Eugene.

And what Eugene demanded in return was to serve as Marie’s lady-in-waiting.

Originally, she was a young lady from a royalist aristocratic family, so serving as a princess’s lady-in-waiting was not difficult.

Rather, it was an honor for the family.

The maids did the chores, so it should have been an easy job.

If only Emily hadn’t fallen for Rochejacquelein and gotten involved with Suresnes [likely referring to intrigues or secrets associated with the location].

Marie, who had been crying, turned to look at the flustered Emily.

“Emily, do you know something?”

“Well, I don’t know if the Patron [referring to Eugene] would be pleased to know.”

“Tell me, please! Russia, how can this be? How can Eugene live in that cold place? Eugene is very sensitive to the cold!”

Just then, a cold voice was heard from outside the door.

“He’s also very sensitive to the heat, isn’t he, Eugene?”

Instantly, the three women inside turned their heads.

This is Malmaison, soon to be the Bonaparte family’s residence.

There’s a reason why Marie ran to Hortense and cried.

For example, the mistress of the house, Josephine, has a generous nature, and in fact, she is connected to the old royal aristocracy.

Moreover, her eldest daughter, Hortense, has been friends with Marie since childhood.

But now, an uninvited guest has arrived who cannot be welcomed here.

Hortense hurriedly moved to block the door.

“Pauline, why are you here?”

It was Pauline Bonaparte, Napoleon’s sister and Marie’s rival, who had appeared.

***

Of course, from Pauline’s point of view, there was no reason why she couldn’t come here.

“I don’t think I’ve come to a place I shouldn’t. Malmaison is, strictly speaking, the Bonaparte family’s residence. Is there any reason why I, the homeowner’s sister, can’t come?”

“Grandma would hate it if she knew. Auntie?”

“Oh my, so you do know I’m your aunt?”

Hortense and Pauline glared at each other.

In fact, they are enemies in the original history as well.

Pauline spreads rumors about Josephine, and Hortense marries Pauline’s precious fourth brother.

Of course, they are not that close now, but they are not inherently compatible either.

Then, Marie, with her face still full of tears, stepped forward.

“You’ve come to form an alliance, haven’t you?”

“Huh? Oh, that’s… How did you know?”

“You wouldn’t like it either, would you? Eugene marrying some unheard-of woman from Russia!”

Marie, a royal woman who is truly a master of social atmosphere, exclaimed.

“Please persuade Consul Napoleon. Absolutely, this must not happen!”

Pauline frowned.

In fact, she was planning to talk about it after teasing her a little more.

But the situation is indeed urgent.

Pauline had also heard that Napoleon was rushing to send a special envoy to Russia.

None other than Napoleon’s personal physician, General Larrey.

With a slightly sulky expression, Pauline replied with a pout.

“I can put in a word or two. I can’t guarantee that my brother will listen to me, though.”

“Make it happen! Otherwise, Eugene will never return to Paris!”

“The Russian princess might come to Paris. Actually, I don’t care either way. I don’t necessarily have to get married.”

Pauline suddenly smiled coquettishly and whispered.

“Because what I want is Eugene himself. Unlike you.”

Pauline shrugged, amused by Marie’s trembling.

“But still, it’s annoying that some Russian woman is taking Eugene, isn’t it? And not even our French princess.”

“Right? You think so too, don’t you? Then, please!”

“There’s a condition.”

Instantly, Pauline’s eyes sparkled as she threw out her demand.

“Give up the engagement. Then, I’ll help you.”

Marie gritted her teeth and finally nodded.

“Okay.”

“Who said okay?”

“Eugene, rather than you going to Moscow, right?”

At the sudden voice, the women turned their heads again.

Eugene was standing there.

Eugene turned his gaze and frowned at another woman who had followed Pauline.

“Oh, General. Long time no see?”

“Are you finding this funny, Laure?”

“I think it would be even more fun if the General went to Moscow, or rather, Saint Petersburg?”

Eugene shook his head, looking at Laure Permon, who would become a master of gossip in the future.

“You guys are really something. Emily, I told you to keep Marie from causing trouble, what are you doing?”

“Well, you see. Brother. I didn’t say anything?”

“You should have stopped her from coming here in the first place. Anyway, Pauline, I need you to help me.”

Pauline smiled very brightly and quickly approached Eugene.

“What can I help you with? Seduce Talleyrand and tell him that candidate is a bad candidate?”

“Talleyrand might not fall for your seduction, and he’s not the kind of person who would change his mind because he slept with a woman. But you might be able to persuade Madame Letizia [Napoleon’s mother].”

“Our mother? That’s just as difficult. Besides, from our mother’s point of view, sending you away isn’t necessarily a bad thing, is it?”

Eugene smiled slightly, seeing Pauline looking unsure this time.

“I don’t think so. Madame Letizia likes me. She wouldn’t want me to go far away.”

The smile was so charming that Pauline, Marie behind her, and even Laure and Emily were momentarily stunned.

The only person who was still sane was his sister, Hortense.

Hortense clicked her tongue.

“Tsk, everyone, get a grip. What’s so good about that cheesy smile.”

Only then did Pauline startle and smile brightly.

“Wow, you’re really a man of charm. Hehe. Okay, how can I help you?”

Eugene made a very simple request.

“Just say one word at the meeting with Father [referring to Napoleon]. That you’re against this marriage.”

Pauline, Marie, and Hortense all blinked.

Could they really stop this marriage with just that?

***

Surprisingly, Letizia readily ran to the Tuileries Palace.

“I’m against it, Napoleone [Italian affectionate term for Napoleon].”

There is no child in the world who would be happy when their mother suddenly barges into their workplace.

The Tuileries Palace is a workplace, which is strange, but the same goes for Napoleon.

Moreover, Letizia is a very difficult mother to deal with from Napoleon’s point of view.

Because she lost her husband early and practically raised her young children while acting as the head of the household.

Therefore, even Napoleon, who usually rejects such unreasonable demands, had no choice but to be a little flustered.

“Mother, this is a matter of national importance. It’s not something you should interfere with!”

“What nonsense are you talking about? Eugene is not only your adopted son. He’s also my grandson! I remember feeding him bread when he was young!”

“That doesn’t mean I can change a national political marriage!”

At that moment, Letizia’s eyes flashed.

“Napoleone! Listen to me carefully! Don’t forget that Eugene bought that bread!”

Letizia glared at Napoleon, who flinched and stepped back, in ‘Italian’.

“When our family was really struggling, Eugene’s financial support was a huge help. Don’t forget that you weren’t always doing well.”

“No, Mother. I had a pretty good salary back then.”

“Lucien wasting money outside, Louis and Jerome’s education expenses! Do you know how much that cost! And what about the money going to Eliza and Caroline! All of it came from Eugene’s boarding fees, and then from Eugene’s bank!”

Letizia shouted so loudly that the entire Tuileries Palace could hear her.

“Do you think Eugene didn’t care about that money! He was from an aristocratic family, and there were many things he wanted to spend it on! He saved that money and gave it to us! If you forget that grace, you’re not even human!”

Hyppolite, who was listening to the sound right outside the door, turned his head slightly.

Eugene, who was standing next to him, also had an awkward expression.

In fact, Eugene had simply given away the excess money, so he didn’t realize that Letizia considered the boarding fee as a favor.

“I didn’t know you would be grateful for that. Were you that poor?”

“I thought you came because of the diamonds. I didn’t know about the bread.”

“Buy her some bread next time.”

At that moment, an annoyed shout from Napoleon burst out from inside the Consul’s office.

“Sigh, okay. Mother. Let’s hear what he has to say first. Eugene!”

Eugene quickly stepped into the office.

Inside the door, Napoleon, with a rapidly changing, flushed face, and Letizia, with a stern face, were standing.

When he slightly made eye contact with Eugene, Letizia winked.

Perhaps, from Letizia’s point of view, she also had the thought of giving Josephine a hard time.

It was the moment when Eugene was about to smile back.

Napoleon blocked the space between Eugene and Letizia.

Napoleon bared his teeth and growled as if he were about to shoot a gun right away.

“You’ve stirred up the person who is my mother and your grandmother, so you must be prepared?”

“Of course, I am prepared. Father.”

“If you oppose the marriage, do you have an alternative? If there is no better alternative, this marriage will definitely proceed!”

At that moment, Eugene took a deep breath and opened his mouth.

“Form a war alliance with Russia.”

“What?”

“Then, without having to have a marriage, peace will be achieved.”

After frowning for a moment, Napoleon asked.

“Who’s the opponent? England?”

Eugene smiled slightly, admiring Napoleon for a moment.

“It’s India.”

This is something that Napoleon has not yet imagined.

Even if it is a plan that he will come up with in the future in the original history.