He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 307

(307) Marie Emerges as the Bride of the Century

In truth, Marie Thérèse Charlotte was originally considered the “bride of the century.”

“Isn’t that an old story? From the time of the old royal family.”

“The descendants of that old royal family are the Spanish Bourbon royal family.”

“Good heavens. Isn’t this incest, which the church forbids?”

Napoleon Club members, Lannes, Junot, and Marmont, exchanged glances as they spoke.

Originally, the official power structure of France consisted of the Consul and the cabinet of ministers appointed by the Consul.

It was a time-honored institution rooted in the Latin [Concilium, meaning council], the Emperor’s advisory council.

However, as in the Roman Empire, real decision-making was done among the closest confidants of the powerful.

Napoleon, listening to the conversation of his closest aides summoned to Fontainebleau, smiled faintly.

“Then, we should send a special envoy to the Pope and get a dispensation [official release from a rule or usual requirement].”

Duroc, the artillery division commander and aide-de-camp, who had been sitting quietly until then, perked up.

“Consul, will you really consider it?”

“Why not? I don’t mind giving away Tuscany. Look at the map, Louisiana is a vast land several times the size of France!”

“The population is less than 60,000. Most of it is undeveloped land inhabited by ‘Indians,’ and, above all, it is too close to the United States. On the other hand…”

Duroc, who had a rich education as a graduate of the military academy, frowned and said.

“The Tuscany area is the historical heart of Italy, with a population of 1.8 million.”

It is easy to assume that Napoleon’s group of marshals rose from the bottom thanks to figures like Lannes, Junot, Masséna, and Augereau.

However, there were quite a few generals from traditional military academies, such as Napoleon, Marmont, Duroc, and Desaix.

Contrary to popular belief, Junot also graduated from law school.

Napoleon smiled contentedly at Duroc’s knowledge, which one might not expect from a non-commissioned officer, and turned his head.

This time, it was Talleyrand, who was not a club member but was frequently called upon these days.

“Hmm, what is the population of America now?”

“It was about 3.9 million in 1790. I know because I’ve been to America.”

“5.2 million.”

Suddenly, Eugene interrupted the conversation with a blank face.

“Considering the current population growth rate, it will exceed 7 million within 10 years. We cannot ignore it in terms of national power.”

All club members’ eyes were on Eugene.

Everyone knows, even if no one says it openly, that Marie, the object of this marriage, is Eugene’s lover.

Although there was a scandal with Napoleon’s sister, Pauline, from Egypt, the fact that Eugene and Marie still meet is a well-known fact in Parisian political circles.

So, how will ‘real power’ Eugene react to the Spanish marriage?

“What is it, Eugene? Are you saying Louisiana is useless land?”

“No, on the contrary. It is the future of France. The word [Nouvelle, meaning New] is by no means a lie.”

“Then, isn’t it right to give up Mademoiselle Marie for the sake of national interest and receive that vast land?”

Napoleon asked with a smile, and Eugene replied with a still expressionless face.

“Please consider that it is not free, Consul. Wouldn’t it be enough to give up Tuscany?”

One could see that he was deliberately suppressing his emotions.

If you simply calculate the gains and losses, Eugene’s words are also reasonable.

An exchange of territory for territory.

Originally, this was a diplomatic treaty that France and Spain signed around this time in the original history.

Of course, France does not actually keep the land in the central part of the North American continent called Louisiana.

So, France has hardly controlled it because it was sold to the United States.

Nevertheless, wouldn’t it be possible to trade only land as in the original history?

“What is important to Godoy is not Tuscany, Mr. Chief Advisor.”

This time, Talleyrand intervened with an elegant smile.

“What is important is proof that he has taken something from France.”

“There is no reason why that has to be Marie, Mr. Foreign Minister.”

“A princess of a ruined country is an easy-to-understand symbol for the people. Moreover, Tuscany was also Spanish territory a few years ago.”

There is a complex function of 18th-century succession hidden here.

Originally, most of the Italian peninsula was occupied by Spain.

It is a legacy from the time when Spain was a superpower in the 17th century.

However, as the Bourbon royal family took the Spanish throne, most of Italy was taken by Austria.

Then, in the mid-17th century, Spain regained some of the Italian territory during the War of the Bavarian Succession.

However, Tuscany remained Austrian territory.

The current Austrian Emperor, former Holy Roman Emperor Franz, even spent his childhood in Tuscany.

So, for the Spanish nobles and commoners, Tuscany is not just land.

It is a territory that symbolizes the era when Spain was still a superpower.

Talleyrand added one thing here.

“He is trying to give up land that can be taken away at any time due to the United States, secure the real benefit of Tuscany, and convince the people with a princess. That is the only way Godoy can maintain his position, right?”

No matter how close Tuscany is to Louisiana, it is land across the sea for the Spanish people.

However, the ‘Queen’ is an existence that can be seen with the eyes through numerous official events.

Looking at the princess of the old French royal family newly welcomed by the royal family, the nobles and commoners will recall the pleasure of regaining Tuscany and further ‘conquering’ the ruined Bourbon royal family.

There is always such a dark desire hidden in wanting a princess.

It was the moment when Eugene frowned and was about to get angry.

Napoleon suddenly stood up and asked Talleyrand.

“What do we lose?”

“Nothing. Rather, we can even block discussions about the restoration of the Bourbon royal family.”

“How?”

Talleyrand mentioned another diplomatic advantage.

“All Bourbon royal family succession claimants lack something to be legitimate heirs. It’s because of the flawed Louis Charles. That’s why Marie Thérèse Charlotte is needed.”

The French royal family adheres to the principle that female succession is not allowed according to the so-called [Salic Law, an ancient Frankish law excluding females from inheriting land and, by extension, the throne].

This ‘Salic’ is actually one of the Frankish tribes, which was the main axis when the Frankish Empire was established.

However, the Salic tribe had a law that only men could inherit land.

This law was discovered by French jurists to prevent England from taking the throne before the Hundred Years’ War, and this law was the main principle of French succession throughout the old royal family.

Nevertheless, the princess of the old royal family is still a strong justification for inheritance.

During the era when the Valois family took the throne, the male line was surprisingly often cut off, and each time, the princess of the previous generation became queen to add justification to the succession.

Although Eugene has broken his honor, there is still a former crown prince named Louis Charles.

Marie is needed for other Bourbon royal family claimants to make the justification complete.

If she is sent to Spain, this problem will be solved in an instant.

Napoleon thought hard and grasped the exact core.

“The Bourbon royal family member who marries Marie Thérèse has legitimacy.”

“That’s right in summary. However, if she goes to Spain, she cannot claim the throne because of the Treaty of Utrecht [a series of treaties signed in 1713 that established the balance of power in Europe].”

“What good is the old royal treaty? In the end, the problem is public sentiment. Anyway.”

Napoleon twisted his lips and sparkled his eyes.

“This will be a very interesting diplomatic war.”

He doesn’t seem satisfied with just Louisiana.

***

Even though a special envoy came secretly from Spain, it is a characteristic of Paris that rumors spread quickly.

“Good for you, Marie! The opportunity has finally come!”

Even Marie Antoinette, the former queen who has been pushed out of power for a long time, knows this, which is strange.

However, Marie is so shocked that she doesn’t even think about that point while sitting in her chair.

She feels like she is running out of energy just by barely raising her head to look at her mother.

“Mother, are you out of your mind? Opportunity?”

“A royal princess is supposed to have a political marriage with royalty. Why are you pretending not to know?”

“The royal family collapsed ten years ago, Mother.”

Marie whispered, covering her head.

“I am no longer a princess or anything. Besides, why is the Spanish ‘Borbon’ family deciding on my marriage?”

Marie heard this news from her maid, Emilie de Beauharnais.

Emilie heard it from her lover, Rochejacquelin, and ran to tell her.

However, even if she heard the news quickly, she cannot think of a way to deal with it.

It is a family that has already become the Spanish royal family and is called ‘Borbon’ in the Castilian style, not Bourbon.

Why is the Spanish royal family pushing for something that her uncles who fled to Russia could not force?

However, unlike the fallen royal family, the royal family, which is a ruler of a country even if it is weak, has a different weight.

At that time, Marie Antoinette approached Marie Thérèse and said.

“You’re wrong, Marie. Bonaparte is the one who decides.”

“Mother, this is from Spain.”

“Bonaparte needs a [sacrifice]. To become a monarch, he must offer something to the people. That is why such an envoy has come from Spain now.”

Suddenly, Antoinette declared, shining her eyes.

“You must get married. Otherwise, Eugene will be targeted.”

The acquisition of Louisiana, a vast territory in the New World, can be a major justification for the [birth of an emperor].

This is even more so as they are trying to introduce an electoral monarchy.

Marie understood this much.

But why is Eugene a problem?

“What do you mean? Eugene will be targeted?”

“There is something like that.”

“Please tell me properly, Mother. What on earth were you plotting?”

Antoinette, who had been avoiding her gaze for a long time, finally revealed it.

“Together with Josephine, I plotted to distribute pamphlets calling for the restoration of the monarchy.”

Marie was shocked and could not say anything.

Marie also saw the pamphlet calling for the restoration of the royal family.

She also knows that Eugene was tracking the background of the pamphlet and suddenly called for the establishment of a government.

However, she had no idea that Antoinette and Josephine were behind it.

What would happen if this fact was revealed?

“Josephine originally wanted the king to return. She wanted Napoleon to get the position of Grand Duke or Duke and step down.”

“Good heavens, Mother. What on earth…”

“But the situation has changed, hasn’t it? Now you are going to be the Queen of Spain. Then everything will be resolved. Maybe Louis will receive a duchy in Spain if he is lucky. Maybe he will receive Tuscany.”

At that time, someone shouted in surprise behind Marie, who had collapsed in despair.

“Mother, did you set a trap for General Eugene!”

Louis, a 16-year-old boy, came into the house with his mouth wide open.

“Louis, so this is it.”

“That’s ridiculous. He is a benefactor of our family. Although he slandered me, I remember it too. The day my mother almost died! When I was captured!”

“This is a good thing for everyone, Louis.”

Antoinette grabbed her son and persuaded him.

“If you think that Eugene incurs the wrath of Consul Bonaparte, will that child have a future? Bonaparte is now crazy about becoming emperor.”

“No matter what, even by selling my sister!”

“Louis!”

At that moment, Antoinette rather urged Louis.

“This is a legitimate marriage between royal families. It’s not a marriage for sale, it’s politics! It’s an opportunity for our fallen family, and you, and even Marie, to return to a splendid palace!”

If the Bourbon royal family was still intact, Antoinette’s words would be correct.

The same is true even when 18th-century royal political marriages were still valid.

But now it is the 19th century, and the royal family has collapsed.

Nevertheless, Marie could not argue with Antoinette’s continued words.

“So, accept it. Even for Eugene. Marie.”

Clearly, even Eugene would not be safe if he incurred Napoleon’s wrath.

***

Anyway, Paris is definitely a city with no secrets.

“Kyahaha! Marie’s face must be quite a sight by now!”

Pauline, who came to visit the Récamier mansion, even heard such diplomatic secrets.

Julie, the hostess, smiled bitterly and drank her coffee, keeping her mouth shut.

On the other hand, Lotte, a girl who never remains silent, asked with sparkling eyes.

“So, are you feeling good? Pauline?”

“Well, it’s good that Marie is being tricked, but political marriages are annoying. My brother is now forcing it on Eliza, me, and Caroline. Oh, Brother Louis has already left, right?”

“Isn’t it a good thing that one competitor is disappearing?”

The moment Lotte subtly probed, Pauline twisted her lips.

“Lotte, you fox-like girl. Are you plotting something again?”

However, Lotte simply shrugged her shoulders and raised her coffee cup.

“I just hope that Marie or you stay in Paris.”

“Why?”

“It’s fun watching you fight each other. I heard that the Spanish palace is gloomy. Incest is rampant, so the nobles are strange, and the ‘mode’ [French for fashion] is old-fashioned.”

If France is at the forefront of fashion trends in this era, Spain is a country that lags behind even Austria.

It is a hellish place for women who enjoy the social world like Lotte, Pauline, and Julie.

Julie shuddered and parted her lips, feeling like that was worse than a political marriage.

“That’s a terrible place. It’s not a place for Princess Marie to live.”

Pauline rested her chin and smiled strangely.

“Yes. Let’s get some information first.”

“Huh?”

“You’re playing with Junot these days, right? Lotte?”

Pauline sparkled her eyes as she lightly put down her coffee cup.

“Let’s find out if there are any inside stories, starting with that?”

In 1802, a marriage scandal suddenly broke out in Paris, which was mired in constitutional revision.

Even the women of the Napoleon family.