He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 365

(365) Enjoying the Last Burning Night in the New World

In Catholic countries, Easter holds greater significance than Christmas.

“Indeed, this is also your last night in this land as the Viceroy of New France!”

Looking at the [Outdoor Banquet Hall] set up in the square in front of the Viceroy’s Palace in Pensacola, Eugene managed a wry smile.

“So, I have to hold a reception?”

“That’s right, Your Highness. Think about the soldiers and citizens who have worked so hard, and those who are returning home. Shouldn’t we have an Easter reception?”

“Laure, I didn’t know you possessed such thoughtful consideration, caring about things other than gossip.”

The person who orchestrated this banquet was Laure Firmont.

It had been two and a half years since she arrived with her brother, Albert Firmont, who managed supplies and acted as a broker.

The girl who once thrived on gossip was now a poised and capable lady of 22.

Of course, Laure, never one to completely abandon her love for gossip, winked at Eugene and replied.

“Hmph, people are bound to grow. As the future wife of the commander of the Viceroy’s Guards, I should be able to handle this kind of thing with ease…”

At that moment, Commander Junot, who was enjoying his wine and a good laugh, promptly spat out his drink.

“Puh! What are you talking about!”

“Oh my, were you just thinking of enjoying the festivities and not taking responsibility? What an irresponsible man. Your Highness, please reprimand him.”

“No, that’s not it! Ahem! Well, you know. Marriage is something that both families discuss. Uh, anyway, it’s something to talk about after returning to Europe!”

Although they weren’t yet an officially recognized couple, those around the Junot family, who were practically the officially recognized couple of the New World, erupted in laughter.

As if taking that laughter as a cue, the Easter evening banquet commenced.

Everywhere, people clinked glasses, and the military band played lively music.

However, there were always those who found it difficult to join in the revelry.

Suddenly, a beautiful woman in a splendid dress, lost in thought at the center of the banquet, spoke softly.

“Everyone seems to be having fun, Philippe.”

Instantly, a man in a magnificent military uniform, who had been attending to her every need, turned his gaze.

“Are you worried, Princess Alexandra?”

“My stepfather isn’t the kind of person who inspires loyalty, as Viceroy Eugene says. Besides, he’s also eccentric. But, I think I’ve placed a burden on him.”

“If a burden has been placed, it’s my fault.”

Russian Princess Alexandra looked at her husband, Louis Philippe, and shook her head.

“I also desired it. To see my man become a king in the New World.”

Louis Philippe was currently commanding an army primarily composed of exiled French generals.

However, there always needed to be a justification for matters of state.

If he were simply leading an army of exiles, Philippe’s actions would merely be handing over valuable territory to the United States, Britain, and Spain.

However, because there was the external goal of expanding the Russian Empire’s influence in the New World, Philippe’s army was more than just a wandering troop.

And who provided this justification?

The Tsar’s eldest daughter, Alexandra.

Originally, in the original timeline, she was a woman who died during childbirth in Hungary around this time.

However, instead of suffering, Alexandra was alive and well in the New World.

Bearing the guilt of betraying her stepfather.

The Tsar’s daughter, Alexandra, said to Philippe.

“You know, I was originally destined to become the Queen of Sweden.”

“I heard. They demanded your conversion [to Protestantism].”

“Come to think of it, you weren’t an Orthodox Christian either. Rather, you chose to convert because of me.”

Pinching Alexandra’s chin, who was recalling the time when she was rejected for marriage by the Swedish prince, Philippe said.

“From my perspective, Catholicism, Protestantism, and Orthodoxy all seemed the same. Besides, you were more important.”

Philippe’s gaze was both gentle and resolute.

A man who was generous, adventurous, and ambitious.

A disreputable member of the royal family who willingly risked his life on adventures and once dreamed of overthrowing the system by joining the revolution.

The person Alexandra willingly chose to love.

Suddenly, Alexandra smiled and kissed Philippe’s lips.

“Still, I know you sacrificed. Even if the Bourbon family returns in the future, you may not be able to ascend the throne.”

“Huh? No, that’s not a sacrifice for me. I’m quite far from the line of succession.”

“I wanted to reward you. So that you can be active in the New World as much as you want.”

Slightly blushing, Alexandra’s eyes welled up with tears.

“Was I too greedy? Philippe?”

Philippe, who was quietly looking at Alexandra, took both of her hands.

“Let’s dance now. Leave the affairs of Europe to those who will return, and let’s stay in this New World and create our own country.”

By now, people were dancing around the bonfire and tables in the outdoor banquet hall.

It wasn’t particularly formal like the Russian Imperial Palace or a French Salon.

Wiping away her tears, Alexandra smiled and widened her eyes.

“Yes. Oh my, is that a waltz from Vienna?”

A cheerful, latest tune, a waltz, which was recently popular in Vienna, was being played by the military band.

-Jing, jijing, jijijing!

Many men and women began to dance excitedly on Easter.

***

There was also a beautiful woman who was somewhat lost, caught up in the alcohol and the atmosphere of the night.

“Hehe, I feel like my body is heating up.”

Her face was already flushed, and she seemed to be in high spirits.

In fact, it was understandable.

Originally, in the original timeline, she would be changing lovers every night by now, and she would have already given birth to a child and died of yellow fever.

But she was living like a lady, quite forcibly, so it would be strange if her body didn’t feel the heat.

Suddenly, someone approached Pauline, a beautiful woman who was looking at the men and women in the banquet hall with longing eyes.

“Then, how about dancing with me tonight?”

“What, Hippolyte. Are you trying to seduce me?”

“Oh, if I seduced Her Imperial Highness, I wouldn’t have two heads left, would I? Of course, I’m a man who would gladly give his life for love.”

Pauline briefly moistened her dry throat with wine and snorted.

“Forget it. You should be careful of syphilis. If you get it, you won’t be able to cure it and you’ll die.”

Of course, Hippolyte was worth sleeping with once.

Actually, she had already tasted his lips a long time ago.

Suddenly, Pauline turned her gaze away from Hippolyte’s body as he approached her and handed her a glass.

If she got any more drunk, she might not be able to hold back.

Maybe it was because this night was a hot southern night.

“I heard Eugene is going to give Desaix a title?”

“Ah, because he decided to stay in the New World. Marquis de Lescure is the Viceroy’s deputy, but Desaix will have to lead the war efforts. After all, the French Empire is a military empire.”

“My brother also entered the military. Hmph, how did I end up becoming a soldier too?”

Speaking with a slight sneer, Pauline leaned against a tree.

“I remember the boarding house in Marseille from the old days.”

She felt like the world was spinning slightly, as if she was drunk.

At that time, Hippolyte was already a young man, but Eugene was still a young boy.

She remembered thinking it was strange that he had so much money as a boarder.

Hippolyte also seemed to be reminded of that time, glancing at Pauline and shrugging his shoulders.

“Oh, I remember Her Imperial Highness being cuter back then.”

“If I had been more proactive back then, could I have caught Eugene?”

“Well, back then, our Viceroy was still a toddler. Hehe!”

Hippolyte, who was laughing for a while, looked around the center of the banquet hall and said.

“It’s still possible if you try now. How about I sneak you into his bed when he’s drunk?”

The center of the reception was, of course, the Viceroy.

He could be seen surrounded by many men and women.

Eugene’s face was also flushed, probably because he had drunk a lot of alcohol.

Hippolyte also knew that Eugene and Pauline had a strange relationship in Egypt.

If Pauline was determined and rushed at him, Eugene would never be able to refuse.

Especially if he was drunk.

However, Pauline’s gaze was not on Eugene, but on the blonde woman standing next to him.

“Forget it. I realized something after coming here.”

“What is it?”

“Marie Therese is a woman who has made a huge resolution.”

Looking at Marie, who was walking around in a simple, decorative, elegant dress, Pauline whispered.

“Louis XVI, Eugene killed him, right?”

She must be really drunk.

Seeing that the words she was trying to keep secret were leaking out.

However, she chose the right person.

It wasn’t a face that asked what she meant, but an astonished expression that asked how she knew.

In a sense, Eugene’s closest aide, Hippolyte Charles, trembled and barely opened his mouth.

“How did you know that?”

“Eugene once said it in his sleep in the Orient.”

“I guess it’s a misunderstanding. I don’t think you’ve ever shared a bed with him.”

Pauline snorted at Hippolyte, who was trying to joke.

“You were busy playing around with the Grand Admiral’s wife, how would you know that? Hmph. But you know. I think Marie Therese knows that too, right?”

Suddenly, Pauline’s gaze turned back to Hippolyte.

“So, that princess, who seems to have been raised so preciously, is going to marry her father’s enemy. Isn’t that amazing?”

“Oh, is that so? Thinking about it.”

“Anyone who interferes with that will probably try to eliminate her by any means.”

Hippolyte couldn’t take his eyes off Pauline’s eyes.

“I couldn’t make that resolution. Well, but I haven’t given up on the bed yet.”

Usually, one would feel sadness at times like this.

However, Hippolyte, who was one of the most famous [players] in France, which was famous for free love, sensed it.

Pauline wasn’t speaking with a self-deprecating feeling.

Rather, he could feel an intense desire in her eyes that she wouldn’t give up until the end.

Hippolyte didn’t know what to say, and he was just about to swallow hard.

“Your Imperial Highness.”

Turning his head, Hippolyte realized that the opportunity to leave had come.

“Oh, is it a night for burning young men and women [a night for romance]? I’m going to find another beauty!”

“Hmph, use condoms well.”

“Oh my, I’m more of an expert than you even if you don’t tell me. Your Imperial Highness!”

Hippolyte, who was hurrying away, saw another young man burning with passion in front of the Imperial Highness.

“I’ve come to answer. I will return home with you.”

Marie Therese’s younger brother, Louis Charles.

Another Charles who might sleep in the same bed with Pauline, whom Hippolyte couldn’t bring into his bed in the end.

However, for some reason, Hippolyte wasn’t very envious of Louis Charles de Capet.

-Chu chu chu!

Even though he had a glimpse of the scene where the passionate beauty Pauline was showering him with kisses.

***

In the middle of the night, the banquet was still going strong.

“Eugene.”

Suddenly, Eugene turned his gaze.

He had come out to the beach for a while to get some fresh air because he was drunk, but he heard an unexpected voice.

He had come out secretly so that the guards couldn’t follow him, but when did she follow him?

Eugene lightly offered his hand and approached.

The hand he held was very warm.

“The reception isn’t over yet.”

“That’s okay. Everyone is too busy enjoying themselves anyway. Besides, tonight is Easter.”

“Oh, isn’t this the kind of line you’re supposed to say at Christmas?”

At that moment, Marie Therese Charlotte, the owner of the hand, pulled Eugene close and whispered.

“It’s already been two years. If I just go back like this, I might be dragged to Madrid.”

Eugene was about to say that they were too close, but he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

The moonlit night sea, the dress fluttering in the wind as if clinging to her, and the flushed face flushed with intoxication.

All of that made Eugene, who was already drunk, feel a burning desire.

Eugene also knew what Marie was trying to say now.

The Spanish royal family in Madrid had not yet obtained a formal heir.

If she returned home, the movement to call Marie Therese, the presumptive heir, to Spain would begin in earnest.

But Eugene and Marie were still only engaged, and had not yet had a formal marriage.

Something definite was needed.

A token of lovers to solidify the relationship.

Nevertheless, Eugene endured with gritted teeth, relying on his iron will.

“Marie, but we are not yet married.”

Eugene had succeeded in holding back even when Pauline approached him before.

Eugene was confident in overcoming desire.

But Marie didn’t come closer.

Rather, she stepped back and turned her body.

-Sararak.

The dress flowed down, and her white back stood out in the moonlight.

“Eugene, are you going to embarrass me?”

The moment Eugene saw Marie turning her head and asking, he realized.

That it was a situation that he couldn’t refuse.

Besides, Eugene couldn’t stand the desire that was burning his head any longer.

“I can’t do that, Princess.”

Eugene ran across the sand and embraced the naked Marie.

-Boom! Boom! Boom!

The moment the festival fireworks exploded in the distance.

Marie Therese, 27, and Eugene Bonaparte, 24, were united.

It was 17 years since they met in Versailles.

April 3, 1806.

It was the day before Eugene set sail for Europe.