I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 22

The Wind from Austria

Until now, my image of Robespierre had been that of a cold-blooded, tearless revolutionary.

He was competent, but his greatest trait was his unparalleled integrity.

It was no wonder he was nicknamed ‘The Incorruptible’.

Of course, his excessive Reign of Terror is an indefensible mistake.

During Robespierre’s one year in power, the number of people sent to the guillotine numbered not in the thousands, but in the tens of thousands.

As a reaction, he himself was beheaded on the guillotine he had so favored, but even his opponents acknowledged Robespierre’s integrity.

Such a ruthless politician of the future was now sparkling his eyes in front of me.

The gap in perception that I couldn’t get used to made me feel dizzy.

As I stared at him silently, his embarrassed shoulders drooped.

“Your Highness… Have I perhaps made a mistake?”

“No… It’s nothing.”

I mean, if you show such a shy reaction, it confuses me even more.

Is it because he’s still young and his values haven’t been firmly established yet?

Well, a freshman who just entered school couldn’t possibly have the qualities of a revolutionary already.

The Robespierre who shouted that the king and queen’s heads should be cut off by the guillotine did not yet exist.

“Seeing that you want my autograph, I guess even freshmen like you don’t think of me badly?”

“Which student would view Your Highness negatively? I think you are truly a role model for the royal family.”

“Really? Can you tell me why?”

“Of course, it’s because you have a great interest in the lives of the people. You not only created the smallpox vaccine but also went to the front lines for those suffering in pain. And even after receiving an offer to enter the royal palace, you stayed in Paris, communicating with students. I respect and admire Your Highness!”

Is it because he’s still so pure? Even a slight probe brings out a torrent of praise.

For now, I don’t feel bad because it seems my image has been successfully implanted in the public as planned.

It’s also a good sign that people like Robespierre have a favorable impression of me.

But that doesn’t mean I can rest easy.

The Robespierre I know is someone who would gladly hang even someone he respects on the guillotine for the sake of the revolution.

If I’m not careful, I might get hit in the back of the head with the words, “Your Highness, please die for the revolution.”

Still, getting closer so naturally is definitely an opportunity.

From the beginning, when I entered Louis le Grand [a prestigious secondary school in Paris], I expected to meet Robespierre someday and tried to prepare countermeasures.

“Thank you for saying that. I will try to be a royal who is not ashamed of your expectations in the future.”

“It’s, it’s an honor. I will also study hard and become someone who can dedicate myself to the country and its citizens like Your Highness.”

As expected, there are no words about serving the nobles or the royal family.

After organizing my thoughts for a moment, I came up with a plan on the spot.

“Since we met like this, why don’t we go and talk together?”

“Excuse me? Just the two of us?”

“Yes. I want to know what kind of thoughts the boys who have just entered school have.”

“…It’s, it’s, it’s the greatest honor. Your Highness!”

Wow, is he about to cry? Look at the emotion filling his eyes.

A male extreme fan is a no-go, so I quickly led him to my residence.

Right.

If he’s a dangerous talent to leave alone, there are only two paths to choose from.

Cut him off before he grows, or dye him in my colors.

Considering my current situation, I can’t easily use the strategy of burying someone.

So, the best way is to thoroughly make this revolutionary of the century my ally.

As much as he admires and follows me, I can do it enough if I put in effort little by little from now on.

Deliberately not taking the carriage and talking about various topics while walking, I soon entered my mansion obtained from the High Court.

“Th, this is where Your Highness resides…”

His reaction is like a sasaeng fan [an obsessive fan who stalks or engages in other inappropriate behavior] who has entered the house of his favorite celebrity.

Trying not to show it as much as possible, Robespierre’s gaze, which had been glancing at the books in the study, suddenly fixed on one place.

“This book is, could it be…”

“Ah, Rousseau’s ‘The Social Contract’? If you look at the beginning, there’s even an autograph from Rousseau himself.”

“Is Your Highness on close terms with the author of ‘The Social Contract’?”

“We still exchange letters, so I guess you could say that.”

When I showed him a box full of stacks of paper, Robespierre’s eyes slightly welled up.

What, is his tear gland too weak?

“Even though you are of royal status, you are communicating with intellectuals who deny the divine right of kings… I feel like I’ve seen another world today.”

“Well… I’m glad if that’s the case.”

“I think I made the right decision to come to this school. I love the classes, and I have someone with so much to learn from by my side.”

He likes that sleeping pill class, so is it that extraordinary people have different tastes?

Completely switched on, Robespierre entered his own world and fired off stories like a machine gun.

“My family wants me to become a clergyman, but my thoughts have completely changed since coming here. I can’t control the emotions that rise when I encounter the history of the Roman Republic and the writings of great men like Cato and Cicero. Have you perhaps read them, Your Highness? Or are there many parts that you can’t sympathize with when viewed from the perspective of royalty?”

“Robespierre, let’s get this straight first. There is no perfect system in this world.”

“Yes?”

“Even the glorious Roman Republic eventually revealed its limitations and transitioned to an empire. Of course, that doesn’t mean that the imperial system is unconditionally superior to the republic. Every system has its pros and cons. Shouldn’t we consider which one is relatively more suitable for the current situation and which advantages can be taken?”

Robespierre, who had been sitting in a chair to cool his head, slowly nodded.

In fact, the very fact that I, a member of the royal family, even if I’m just a low-ranking one, am expressing such an opinion is already an incredibly progressive stance.

Moreover, it is an excessive favor for a member of the royal family to have such a discussion with a mere student.

Robespierre, who couldn’t possibly not know that, was probably trying to understand and accept my words as much as possible.

After talking for a while, I could be sure.

This boy still needs at least 10 more years to grow into someone with steely judgment and intelligence.

The current Robespierre is not even Frieza in his final form, let alone the Ginyu Force level [references to the anime Dragon Ball Z, indicating Robespierre is far from his peak].

I can definitely win him over with my words.

“Talking with an open-minded student like you makes me feel refreshed.”

“You flatter me. Rather, I have gained so many insights from Your Highness’s balanced views.”

“Really? Then how about we have such meetings often in the future? It would be a beneficial time to discuss academics and ideologies while drinking coffee and eating snacks together, wouldn’t it?”

“R, really? Would that be alright?”

So excited that he spilled his water glass, Robespierre was not even aware that his front was getting soaked.

“There’s no reason why it wouldn’t be.”

Rather, it would be more dangerous if you encountered and learned various ideologies in a place where my eyes couldn’t reach.

Completely immersed in a sea of emotion, Robespierre bowed his head several times, saying that he looked forward to working with me.

For now, the net has been successfully cast.

Now, I need to pay attention so that the fish doesn’t break through this net and fatten it up.

The person who will wield the power to drop the guillotine blade in my France must never be this kid.

If such a person appears, it would probably be…

I’m hungry, so let’s think after eating.

※※※

“No suspicious signs have been found in Prince Christian’s movements?”

Choiseul read the report roughly and tossed it aside.

“Didn’t you see him at Versailles Palace? That prince doesn’t need much attention. He’s someone who knows his place well and tries to act accordingly.”

“But we must consider the possibility that it is a disguise.”

Unlike Choiseul, who did not see the verification meeting directly, Maupeou, who was there, could not shake off his unease about Christian.

Haven’t the series of events so far been flowing in a good direction for him as if they were too well-coordinated?

It was hard to shake off such doubts.

However, Choiseul, who was more knowledgeable in military strategy than in political maneuvering, treated Maupeou’s opinion as a concern and did not take it seriously.

“After all, he’s just a bastard royal with no background. Why are you so worried? Even if we assume you’re right, what will change? Frankly, I didn’t like him much at first, but seeing him living quietly in Paris like a dead mouse, I thought it would be okay to acknowledge his status.”

From a cold perspective, Choiseul had too much to be responsible for to pay attention to Christian.

Having had his say weakened after the defeat in the Seven Years’ War, he was burning with ambition to regain his past status by successfully annexing Corsica.

However, there were too many things to worry about in many ways, as there was also a power struggle with Madame du Barry, the king’s favorite mistress.

Whatever a bastard royal did was a problem that had nothing to do with him now.

“Then what are you going to do with the High Court?”

“Is there any particular problem? Haven’t you received a reply that you will positively consider the financial reform bill that you opposed last time this time?”

“I think it’s a classic tactic of saying you’ll consider it and then dragging out the time.”

“Then we can make them pay the price when the time comes. More than that, we need to focus on the antics of those British bastards.”

“Even if we try to contain England, France currently does not have the capacity to engage in armed conflict. We have no choice but to resolve it diplomatically.”

After the defeat in the Seven Years’ War, France’s finances were, to put it mildly, not good.

The debt was increasing exponentially every year, and financial reforms repeatedly failed, and losses continued to accumulate.

No matter how much England was hated, it was unimaginable to have another fight here.

However, Choiseul’s true feelings, who was eyeing the map of the South Atlantic, were different.

“England is only looking for an opportunity to swallow the Falkland Islands here alone. If that happens, our influence in the South Atlantic will only decrease.”

“Wouldn’t Spain take care of that on their own? We handed over a port on our side.”

“How can Spain alone stand against England now? Of course, we, their ally, must lend a hand.”

Choiseul’s thoughts were so strong that Maupeou simply swallowed his words without any particular rebuttal.

Considering the current king’s temperament, even if there was an armed conflict in the Falklands, it was unlikely that France would intervene.

Choiseul’s strong stance would only undermine his political life.

If that happens, the next Chief Secretary of State will be himself.

When that time comes, he will have the weapons to contain the court and Christian at once.

Just as Maupeou was calmly looking for an opportunity and organizing his thoughts, Choiseul hurriedly got up from his seat as if he had forgotten an important schedule.

“Come to think of it, I forgot an important schedule while talking to you. I need to get ready to go to His Majesty soon.”

“What’s going on?”

“Ah, I received a call from the Austrian ambassador. As you know, there was so much commotion because of Prince Christian that various tasks were pushed back. It seems that Austria sent a letter urging us to reply quickly because of that.”

“If Austria is urging us so much, then what could it be…?”

Both Choiseul and Maupeou were well aware of what the content would be.

The engagement between Austria’s youngest princess and the French crown prince.

A major topic that will determine the relationship between the two countries in the future has officially been placed on the negotiating table.

“They said they would discuss it, but we unilaterally postponed it, so they’re going to say something.”

“That’s true. We need to think in advance about how to respond when we receive a protest… Ah!”

Looking at Choiseul, who was asking with a puzzled face, Maupeou gave a meaningful smile.

“As the saying goes, the person who goes to the bathroom has to flush the toilet. Why don’t we pass the buck to the person who caused the problem and tell him to solve it himself?”