I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 31

Don’t Do That Marriage (2)

Marie stood there like a stone statue, silent.

She didn’t even react with bewilderment or denial.

It was as if her mind couldn’t process what she had just heard.

They say people sometimes shut down completely when faced with an unimaginable situation, and here was a real-life example unfolding before me.

After a long silence, she finally snapped out of it and cleared her throat.

“…I’m sorry. I think I must have misheard you…”

“No, you heard correctly. The only way for the Princess to avoid despair is not to marry the Crown Prince.”

“Are you serious? How can you say something so absurd? I have to marry the Crown Prince of France. It was decided by a national agreement. How can I possibly cancel it? Unless I run away in the middle of the night… No, I wouldn’t do that in the first place, but even if I did, I’d just be caught again.”

“It hasn’t been officially decided yet. It’s still under negotiation.”

Even though it was practically a done deal, the final agreement hadn’t been ratified yet.

And soon, it would be irreversible.

If anything could be done, now was the only chance.

“I don’t know what your intentions are in giving me this advice, but surely you know it’s impossible? After all, Christian is here to solidify the marriage alliance. So, suggesting that I break off the engagement is practically a dereliction of duty, isn’t it?”

“I’m not saying you should call off the marriage altogether. I’m saying you should reconsider *who* you’re marrying.”

“That’s the same thing…”

She showed a hint of annoyance for the first time, but then she seemed to grasp the meaning of my words, and her eyes widened.

“Are you suggesting that I get married, but not to the Crown Prince?”

“Yes. That’s the only way for the Princess to avoid heading towards her predetermined despair.”

“That’s just playing with words. If I don’t become the Queen of France, what’s the point of the marriage alliance? Even if I marry someone other than the Crown Prince, my status will only be lowered, and I’ll still have to go to France.”

“But you won’t have to live a life displayed like an ornament.”

Marie’s large eyes wavered for a moment.

“That’s meaningless. I told you, I’m already prepared. Even if I face many setbacks and nightmares in France…”

“No matter what you say, I can see through it all.”

“…Pardon?”

“No matter how much you try to steel yourself, you’re still just a 15-year-old girl. Why are you already trying to decide your future for the sake of your country’s cause? The self-sacrifice you’re contemplating might not even matter in the grand scheme of things. In fact, the course of events is already heading in that direction.”

I lowered my voice to sound as sincere as possible to her, who was just opening and closing her mouth, speechless.

If Marie didn’t accept my words, I would have to start the plan from scratch.

Her choosing me was a prerequisite for overcoming the death flags in Austria and ensuring the culprit’s punishment.

I never thought I would have to say such cheesy things in my life, but I had to endure it and act perfectly.

Through the previous two regressions, I had already thoroughly investigated Marie’s personality, the words she wanted to hear, the life she dreamed of, and the type of man she admired.

Here, catering to her to gain her favor was the surest way to escape this death regression.

“Everyone around you must have praised you when they heard your words. ‘What a wonderful resolution, as expected of a princess of the Holy Roman Empire.’ They must have only said things like that, without realizing the fear and hesitation within you.”

“No, wh-what are you saying… I know my own heart best. No one else can…”

“I’ve had similar experiences, even if not in the same situation. Giving up your entire life and starting over in a completely new place is mentally exhausting. Moreover, unlike your sisters, you’re going to a place where the public sentiment isn’t favorable. You can’t help but be afraid.”

Now, after experiencing two more regressions, I could vividly recall the memories etched into this body.

What was Louis Christian’s state of mind before coming to France as a child?

At first, I thought that a boy who had wandered the slums would be somewhat happy to learn that he was of royal blood.

But the reality was different.

‘Do you understand? From now on, you will be completely reborn. Forget all your past life. Becoming someone worthy of the French royal family is now the only reason for your existence.’

Surprisingly, I could remember Christian’s words at the time, word for word.

The feeling of helplessness and fear I felt then had become a large, indelible scar.

It felt as vivid as if I had experienced it myself, and it was disgusting.

The declaration that there would be no ‘you’ in your life from now on was an unbearable despair for the young Christian.

Marie’s case might not be to that extent, but deep down, she must have a different wish.

My words, constantly touching her inner self, made her unable to maintain her composure any longer.

“If you know so well, then you must also know that there’s nothing I can do, right? There are things in the world that can’t be helped. Like how my sister suddenly became unable to marry, so I had to go to France instead.”

“There are definitely things that can’t be changed. But you can’t know that until you actually try. At least, I won’t live like that.”

“…Even so, what’s unchangeable won’t change. The fact that I have to go to France is already decided. Isn’t it the same for Christian? No matter what you do, the label of ‘illegitimate royalty’ will follow you for the rest of your life…!”

Marie, who had shown an agitated reaction for the first time, stopped abruptly and glanced at me.

“I-I’m sorry. I was rude…”

“You’re right. No matter what I do, I won’t be able to shake off those words. But I won’t give up or compromise on anything in my life because of such a background. I’ll seize every opportunity and not let anything slip away.”

“I can’t understand. That way of life will only make you more miserable.”

“If you trust me, I’ll show you that’s not the case.”

I politely extended my hand to Marie, who was flustered.

Her lips trembled with emotion as she fully understood the meaning of my words.

“You… Christian, you’re definitely a strange person. You talk about things that are so far removed from common sense, but it’s fun to listen to, we understand each other well, and I want to keep being with you. But my personal feelings are separate from matters of state.”

“Emperor Joseph II wants you to be happy, even if it’s a political marriage.”

“Yes. If Christian were the Crown Prince, it might be a happy marriage. I admit it. To be honest, I’ve thought about how wonderful it would be if the person in front of me was the Crown Prince of France. Even though I know it’s a futile fantasy, I was drawn to you. But what can’t be, can’t be. It’s impossible.”

“Because Empress Maria Theresa wouldn’t allow it?”

Marie nodded without a moment’s hesitation.

“Even if Christian were a regular prince, there might have been a possibility… But you know.”

Logically, she was right.

Unless Maria Theresa had gone senile, she would never marry her daughter to an illegitimate royal.

One of the important points in a marriage alliance is that both parties occupy a mutually acceptable position.

If I were to marry Marie Antoinette, there would be strong opposition from Austria, even if France was okay with it.

A princess of the Habsburg royal family, the most prestigious lineage in Europe, being tied to an illegitimate royal of France through marriage?

If France made such a proposal, they could overturn the entire deal and officially protest.

But I was about to commit that madness.

“It’s truly absurd. So, let me show you that first. If Empress Theresa asks you about your willingness to marry me, please choose me.”

“I’m telling you, that will never happen.”

“Then, if that impossible thing happens, you’ll believe my words, right?”

Marie’s wavering gaze met my eyes.

I didn’t avoid it and looked straight at her as I spoke.

“Wasn’t it because you wanted someone to recognize you that your harp played such a mournful melody?”

“…”

“Wasn’t it because you wanted someone to reach out to you that you approached me so warmly? So, let me take your hand. Trust me.”

At that decisive word, small tears finally welled up in Marie’s trembling eyes.

I didn’t rush her, who hesitated for a long time, raising and lowering her hand repeatedly, and waited patiently.

Finally, Marie’s hand, with her head bowed, gently touched my palm.

“…Okay. If that really happens, I’ll trust you, Christian.”

The sensation of her soft touch tingled up my hand.

A sense of accomplishment washed over me, along with gratitude and relief.

But even though I had overcome one of the major hurdles, I couldn’t completely relax yet.

The final negotiation with the final boss, who would conclude all of this, remained.

I didn’t come back to this place, even experiencing death, to avoid assassination.

To put a card in my hand that would tear apart the shackles of being an illegitimate child and the unstable background that would haunt me until now and in the future, I died and came back to life once more at this very moment.

Now, it was time to check the performance of the regression.

※※※

That evening, Maria Theresa received an unexpected visitor.

She already had a headache because of the recent events, but she couldn’t refuse since it was an urgent matter concerning the alliance.

“Yes. What brings you here so urgently, Prince Christian?”

“Thank you for granting my sudden audience request.”

“I must grant this much for the friendship between our two countries. Since it’s about the alliance, I assume Kaunitz [Wenzel Anton von Kaunitz-Rietberg, Austrian statesman] can be present?”

“Of course.”

Steam rose from the warm teacup on the table.

Christian silently picked up the cup and brought it to his lips.

The sound of the ticking grandfather clock echoed in the quiet room.

“…”

“…”

Theresa stared straight at him.

She had been receiving reports about him even before the delegation arrived in Austria.

The illegitimate child of the French royal family who grew up in the slums of Austria.

It would have been strange if information about him hadn’t been conveyed to the Habsburg imperial family from the moment his identity was revealed.

“Isn’t it time to tell me why you requested this audience? You can speak freely, even if it’s a difficult story.”

“Yes. Then I will speak.”

“I’m sure that’s not the case, but it would be troublesome if you were to say that the marriage alliance is difficult now. Other than that, you can tell me anything.”

Theresa gave a benevolent smile.

At the same time, she scrutinized Christian’s every expression and gesture.

Most of Christian’s actions since arriving at Schönbrunn Palace [the main summer residence of the Habsburg rulers] had already reached Theresa’s ears.

She knew that he was getting along with her youngest daughter to a somewhat worrying extent, and that he had met her son, Joseph II.

In particular, the information that Joseph II liked him and often summoned him to the palace was being closely watched.

Those around him who had met him unanimously praised him as a good person, knowledgeable, and sociable.

However, this was not welcome news to Theresa.

It wouldn’t have mattered if the Crown Prince, who was to marry her daughter, was as solid as a rock.

But if the Crown Prince was as weak and incompetent as the rumors suggested, there was a high possibility that the royal authority would not be stable.

It was possible that capable younger siblings would take over a significant portion of the power of the brother who reigned like a puppet.

That would put her daughter in a difficult position.

It was fortunate that she had a good relationship with her daughter, or rather, in the current situation, it was unfortunate.

‘Perhaps I have no choice but to take advantage of this opportunity as much as possible.’

However, just as Theresa was about to make up her mind.

Christian, who had placed the teacup on the table, opened his mouth in an indifferent tone.

“This is just a hypothetical situation, but a chilling thought came to mind.”

“Chilling? What is it?”

Theresa, who had already thought of a sinister idea, asked back as if nothing was wrong.

“Doesn’t it sometimes happen that a diplomat who came to discuss important matters dies suddenly in a foreign land? If that happens, the relationship between the two countries will naturally become strained, and negotiations will break down.”

“…Why are you suddenly talking about that?”

“Of course, those who were in charge of escorting the diplomat would also receive severe punishment from their home country. But if it’s possible to completely transfer the blame to another country, wouldn’t the punishment be much lighter? If there are secretly many people in the home country who want that diplomat to disappear, the matter would be even easier to resolve.”

Theresa bit her lip without showing it.

Could he know everything?

But how?

The people Christian had met in this country so far and his range of activities were all in Theresa’s hands.

No matter how hard she thought, there was no way he could have found out the truth with just a few days of activities.

“What are you suddenly talking about? I don’t understand.”

“It’s just a hypothetical situation. A hypothetical situation of how scary it would be if something like this happened.”

Unlike Theresa, who was inwardly anxious, Christian leisurely took another sip of tea and continued, looking straight into the Empress’s eyes.

And the composure she had been trying so hard to maintain was shattered in an instant by a single word from his mouth.

“But what if, surprisingly, the other country knew all the facts in advance and was carrying out a plot to use it in reverse? Wouldn’t it be seen as having a much more terrifying and cold-blooded scheme than a country that was just trying to assassinate someone?”

“…What are you…”

“Empress Theresa.”

Theresa, flustered, tried to say something, but Christian asked a question before she could.

“Wouldn’t it be quite troublesome if this leaked out?”