He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 296

(296) At the Rhine Confederation Ceremony, Marie Meets a Rival

So, was Talleyrand just letting Eugene handle everything while he relaxed?

“Now, let us celebrate the formation of the [Rhinebund – Rhine League]!”

This is Munich, the capital of Bavaria.

Before the grand garden of Nymphenburg Palace, the summer residence of the famous House of Wittelsbach, the assembled nobles erupted in cheers.

The distinguished Prince-Electors and Grand Dukes of the former Holy Roman Empire, along with their aides, were gathered.

The reason these lords of the old empire, usually so difficult to assemble in one place, had gathered was simple: the founding ceremony of the Rhinebund, or Rhine Confederation, was being held.

Originally, in our timeline, this alliance formed in 1806, after Napoleon became Emperor.

However, with the Holy Roman Empire dissolved early, the establishment of the alliance was accelerated.

Looking around the grounds, which were even larger than the Palace of Versailles, Ippolito whistled.

“Wow, Talleyrand was a capable man, wasn’t he?”

“Did you just realize that? If he were incompetent, he’d be dead already. He’s a master of escape and negotiation, at the very least.”

“I don’t know about anything else, but persuading these high-ranking people is amazing. How did he manage it? We’re just commoners without any standing to them.”

Eugene adjusted his uniform and smiled.

“It’s the result of negotiation, but the fundamental driving force is, of course, the dissolution of the Empire.”

The initial member states numbered twelve principalities, fewer than the original Rhine Confederation.

However, the important thing is that France, previously isolated, now has another ally besides Spain and its satellite republics.

It might not be a significant military advantage, but diplomatically, it signifies the birth of an ally.

Especially in this era, Europe is virtually becoming the center of the world in the 19th century.

Although these principalities are part of Germany from a modern historical perspective, they are all advanced states boasting sophisticated civilization wherever they go in the world.

That’s why a mere league of small countries shouldn’t be underestimated.

Just then, Talleyrand, who had been engaged in secret talks with the dukes of each principality, approached, limping slightly.

“Ah, you’re here. Chief Aide Eugene, please say hello. This is His Highness the Duke of Saxony. Well, I’ll be off for a moment.”

Talleyrand seemed busier today than Eugene had ever seen him.

He appeared to have left the troublesome issues, including Austria, to Eugene while he immersed himself in this kind of work.

In terms of diplomacy, it was truly an artistic achievement, creating something from nothing.

At that moment, the man with a stern demeanor whom Talleyrand had introduced spoke.

“I am Friedrich August von Wettin. I heard you’re from a French Marquis family?”

“My grandfather was a Marquis. If I were to go by title, I’d be a Baron. Of course, it’s an abolished title.”

“The blood of nobility doesn’t disappear just because the state abolishes it. Even if the revolution you speak of happens, the honor of a knight continues.”

Suddenly, Duke Friedrich of Saxony twisted his lips.

“However, now that the Empire has been dissolved, my Elector title has certainly become meaningless.”

He appeared to be an arrogant aristocrat, but this man had a different side to him.

Later in our timeline, he was one of the few monarchs who didn’t abandon Napoleon after the Russian campaign.

As a result, most of his territory was seized, and he fell from power.

But conversely, it meant he was a man of loyalty.

Looking at the Elector of Saxony, who had been persuaded by Talleyrand, a man known for his lack of loyalty, Eugene smiled subtly.

“You will soon acquire a throne.”

The Elector of Saxony, Friedrich, frowned with a typically German sternness.

“Your Foreign Minister said the same thing. But how is that possible? Are you going to appoint a king in your country where there is no king?”

“Since the Middle Ages, thrones have been conferred by two authorities: recognition by the Emperor and recognition by the Pope.”

“The Pope? We are Protestants.”

Saxony had been at the forefront of Protestantism since the days of Martin Luther.

However, Eugene hadn’t spoken carelessly.

In a very subtle tone, Eugene replied softly.

“Then you will need an [Emperor]. Your Highness.”

Currently, there was no emperor in Europe other than the Russian Empire.

Also, Russia was a country subtly despised by Western Europeans as barbaric.

Of course, he didn’t mean to suggest being appointed by the Tsar.

Friedrich August, though stubborn, wasn’t a fool.

Pondering what Eugene had said, Friedrich offered a handshake with a meaningful expression.

“That’s an interesting proposition. I don’t think we should delve into it here. When will you come to Saxony?”

“I will visit you sometime.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

As Eugene watched the Duke of Saxony turn away, he heard the voice of another Duke.

“The Pope’s authority is sufficient for me. Commander Eugene Frei Schutz.”

Eugene paused for a moment, took a breath, turned his head, and bowed politely.

“Your Highness, it’s been a while.”

“The destroyer of the Empire is now discussing the Emperor. It’s a little ironic.”

“You anticipated this, so you joined the [Alliance], didn’t you?”

Maximilian, the Duke of Bavaria and owner of this palace, replied with a blank face.

“I simply wanted to protect my daughter. I don’t want to think of you as a shameless person who would covet a child. A general who knows honor, like you.”

Eugene didn’t care when Maximilian reacted cynically to the idea of an [Emperor].

After all, the great nobles wouldn’t easily leak information to the public.

Furthermore, the time to introduce the monarchy to France wouldn’t be far off.

However, he was startled when the Duke mentioned his daughter, the former wife in the original timeline.

“Wait, absolutely not. Your Highness, that was a joke. First of all, I didn’t even know your daughter’s age.”

“Even so, it seems suspicious that you’re still unmarried. There were even marriage talks with the Princess of the Russian Empire? Perhaps you’re looking for a marriage partner from another royal family?”

“No, it’s not that strange not to be married at my age in the French army.”

Of course, Eugene actually knew Amalia’s age when he said that.

He was talking about it on the battlefield as a joke, but it seemed to have struck a nerve with the Duke of Bavaria.

But the Duke of Bavaria suddenly smiled and replied.

“Then, let’s see what happens in five years.”

Eugene just blinked.

Somehow, an ominous feeling was creeping in, but he wanted to ignore it.

Then, Ippolito, the adjutant who had come to Eugene’s side, whistled.

“Wow, still a popular guy. A man of charm. A girl killer.”

“Shut up, Ippolito. Aren’t you targeting the wives of the lords right now?”

“Eek, did you learn mind reading?”

Ippolito, the hunter of noble ladies, chuckled as he looked at the grand garden full of potential targets.

“Shall we aim for a noble lady from the Bavarian family, where there are many beauties today? Ouch, don’t hit me!”

June 1801, the Rhine Confederation Formation Ceremony was still peaceful.

***

It was truly a reception worth commemorating in France, and there was a ‘special envoy’ who rushed from Paris to celebrate.

“Kya, Mademoiselle Marie! It’s been half a year!”

Instead of Napoleon and Josephine, who couldn’t leave Paris carelessly, Hortense, the adopted daughter, had come.

Marie was also a member of the special envoy, so she officially attended.

Marie, wearing a Rose Bertin dress [a famous French fashion designer], smiled and grabbed Hortense’s hand amidst the candles in the Nymphenburg Palace garden banquet hall.

“Hortense has grown a lot too, hasn’t she? Hehe.”

“Hmph, I’m already an adult! I’m already eighteen years old.”

“I first saw you at the royal palace when you were really young. When did you grow up like this?”

Hortense winked.

“Conversely, Mademoiselle Marie is also showing her age. Even though this year is already gone, you have to overtake Pauline next year, right?”

Looking at Hortense, who was teasing an old maid based on 19th-century standards, Marie smiled embarrassedly.

“Well, I have something I promised this time. Besides, it’s not something I can decide, is it?”

Then Hortense adjusted her dress, revealing her chest, and nodded.

“Then just do it.”

“What?”

“Have a baby first. Then what are you going to do? Would you make a former princess a single mother?”

Instantly, Marie’s face turned bright red.

“N, n, no way. Th, the church says ch, chastity before marriage is one of God’s commandments.”

“What’s with the church talk in the age of revolution? Most of the ministers are atheists or deists now. Cambacérès, well, he sleeps with men.”

“What? Is that sleeping what I’m thinking of?”

Hortense chuckled with a face that had no shame at all.

“That’s what they say. What’s wrong with having a baby first in this free age? Marie, just do it!”

Somehow, Hortense seemed to have been influenced by spending time with Lore [likely a friend or acquaintance] often.

Thinking that Eugene would issue a curfew if he knew, Marie blushed again.

In fact, Marie had only kissed Eugene so far.

Even that would be a big deal by the standards of the old royal family.

“No, that’s… It’s not something I can do alone.”

“Come to think of it, it’s strange. My brother is already twenty years old, but he hasn’t touched my sister yet. Maybe Pauline did it first in Egypt?”

“Hortense! Don’t say such things carelessly. Eugene swore he didn’t, to me.”

Marie shook her head firmly, but Hortense just snorted.

“How can you trust a man’s words? You’re so naive.”

Of course, Marie had a reason to believe him.

Because it was a confession she got with a gun pointed at him.

But she couldn’t tell her future sister-in-law that.

“So, I, um, anyway, I asked in a harsh way.”

It was then.

“What kind of method was it? I’m curious too.”

Surprised, Marie turned around and was surprised again.

Because a very pretty, princess-like girl was smiling.

***

In the banquet hall where countless noble ladies and princesses came and went, there was a girl that everyone was paying attention to.

“I heard you are a princess of France. I am Augusta Amalia, the daughter of the Duke of Bavaria.”

This outdoor banquet hall was clearly a place to celebrate the formation of a political alliance.

However, the alliance that had already been formed belonged to men, but the social scene of the banquet was the stage for women.

If official decisions were made at the meeting, unofficial information exchange took place at the banquet.

Therefore, noble ladies covered their mouths with fans or raised their glasses to hide their expressions, paying close attention to this encounter.

The young lady of the Bavarian Palace and the former princess of the Bourbon royal family had met.

That alone was enough to warrant attention, but there was a man involved between the two.

Rumors were already circulating in the social circles of the Rhine area.

Marie, who hadn’t yet heard the rumors, smiled and replied.

“I’m just a commoner now. Please, speak more informally.”

“Then I should be even more polite, because I’m younger.”

“There’s no need to be so polite…”

Augusta Amalia stared at Marie and said in clear French.

“My father said that he might send me to France for marriage.”

Marie instantly realized the implications of these words.

Marie didn’t know much about international dynamics or diplomatic affairs.

But Marie was rigorously trained in Versailles as a child when it came to arranged marriage issues.

The boy, Eugene, who had never even been mentioned as a marriage partner at the time, was now one of the most sought-after grooms.

Even to the point where a child who was only thirteen years old was being considered as a bride.

“If I am forced into a marriage, please know that it is against my will.”

“I understand what you mean.”

“Then, if we meet in Paris, could you be my friend?”

Marie smiled brightly at the girl who was looking at her with an anxious face.

“If you don’t become Eugene’s wife, I can.”

If the opposite happened, Marie didn’t know where the gun in her small handbag would be pointed.

At that time, fireworks went off.

It was fireworks to commemorate the banquet celebration.

-Bang!

At the same time, the lords and noble ladies, and the French delegation including Eugene, began to applaud.

-Clap clap clap!

June 1801, the day the First Rhine Confederation was formed.

It was also the moment when Marie and Amalia first met.

It was a week before Eugene returned to Paris.