He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 5

(4) Versailles’ Cute Sister is a Princess

France is still a monarchy, and the court remains the heart of the nation.

“If you’re going to make a splash, you need to get close to the royal family!”

There’s a forest about 19 kilometers west of Paris, on the outskirts.

It used to be the French royal family’s hunting grounds.

But a century ago, the famous Sun King Louis XIV renovated a deserted palace here, and history was forever changed.

Versailles.

In the original timeline, it’s a world-renowned tourist destination, attracting a staggering 15 million visitors annually.

Of course, right now it’s 1788, and it’s very much occupied by the French court.

A massive garden, palace, and grand fountain complex sprawled over a huge site of 800 hectares, or over 8 kilometers in diameter.

Alexandre got out of the carriage and smiled brightly.

He looked as if he had already succeeded in gaining entry to the palace.

On the other hand, Eugene scratched his head lightly.

This palace is huge, so simply getting in won’t be easy.

“So, this is the famous Palace of Versailles.”

“Isn’t it magnificent? Hahaha! Such a different world suddenly appearing in the forest! It’s so much cleaner than Paris, don’t you think?”

“Oh, I heard there aren’t many bathrooms here either.”

It’s a famous anecdote from later years.

The story that there are no bathrooms in the seemingly pristine Palace of Versailles.

Of course, it’s a myth.

There were definitely bathrooms in Versailles.

It’s just that there were few of them, and they largely disappeared as the palace was extensively renovated into a museum in later years.

Besides, the few bathrooms that existed were mostly reserved for royalty, and Versailles was so huge that many nobles resided there.

Those many nobles couldn’t readily access the limited bathrooms.

With a very serious face, Alexandre nodded.

“Yes. Here, it’s also considered proper etiquette to take care of ‘business’ discreetly without necessarily using a bathroom!”

“That seems far from [etiquette]…”

“Just use perfume liberally! Anyway, if you have to pee later, secretly pee in the garden!”

Father Alexandre, seriously educating about public urination, had his eyes shining with amusement.

“Now, let’s go! Today, our family’s fate will be decided!”

The carriage can only go to the outskirts of Versailles.

Only a limited number of high-ranking nobles are permitted to use carriages or horses inside the grounds.

The petty nobles Alexandre and Eugene had to walk quite a distance to get inside the palace.

In the center of the huge garden, a fountain with an Apollo statue sparkled in the sunlight.

Watching the fountain spurting, Eugene finally expressed his admiration.

“Wow, it’s really fancy.”

“Of course! This is where the most powerful people in France hoard the most wealth and wield the most power!”

“It just seems like the place that ruins the country the most.”

Muttering very quietly, Eugene looked at the huge palace beyond the fountain.

“I haven’t even been here in modern times, but I’m visiting it unexpectedly now.”

Like all palaces, the heart of Versailles is where the king resides.

Even though it’s just before the metric system was widely adopted, you can see a huge building over 600 meters long.

This is the heart of the palace, Versailles.

However, this is mainly where official events take place, so Eugene had a different destination in mind.

Inside the palace, a place called the king’s ‘apartment’.

“Your Excellency, Count of Artois, Alexandre and his son, who are scheduled to have an audience with His Majesty the King today, have arrived.”

A servant who guided Eugene and Alexandre on the second floor of the palace announced their arrival.

A nobleman in a fancy outfit sat indifferently and turned his head.

On the other hand, Eugene slightly widened his eyes at the nobleman’s title.

Count of Artois, the king’s second younger brother.

And later, Charles X in the original timeline.

“Hmm, the second son of Marquis de Beauharnais, is it?”

“Yes, Your Excellency, Count of Artois. Marquis François de Beauharnais is my father.”

“Well, good. I was introduced by the Duchess of Sigmaringen, so your father’s lineage is of little importance to me. Where is he, this little one?”

The Count of Artois stroked his chin and looked at Eugene.

“Greetings, [Le Grand Monsieur – The Great Gentleman]. I am Eugene, son of Alexandre de Beauharnais.”

Eugene greeted very politely in [Latin], displaying a very elegant demeanor.

7 years old.

It’s not easy for a child to be so polite with accurate pronunciation.

Especially if it’s ‘Latin’.

Language, along with mathematics and music, is an ability that very easily showcases ‘genius’.

Of course, Eugene was a French history major in his previous life, so he learned Latin as a bonus.

The Count of Artois, who had been indifferent, suddenly showed an interested expression.

“Eugene? Ah, is that an English name? Like your family’s Anglophilia.”

“Yes? Ah, that’s not true. This child’s name was given because my father distinguished himself against the British in the American Revolutionary War!”

“Really? Well, it doesn’t matter. His Majesty hates the British, but he doesn’t necessarily hate British names.”

The Count of Artois smiled at Alexandre’s explanation and gestured.

“Come on, follow me. Prodigy and his father.”

Le Grand Monsieur.

Originally, [Monsieur] is only used in modern times to mean Mr., but in this era, it is an honorific for nobles.

In particular, it refers to the king’s brother.

Of course, in fact, this title originally belonged to his brother, the Count of Provence, not the Count of Artois.

But the Count of Provence doesn’t engage in much external activity.

Why?

It’s strange, but it’s because he’s extremely obese.

So, those who flatter the Count of Artois call the Count of Artois [Le Grand Monsieur], meaning ‘the great brother of the king’.

That’s why the Count of Artois is pleased with this title.

Eugene followed the Count of Artois, walking down the corridor of Versailles Palace on the second floor.

Gold decorations.

Countless mirrors.

Dazzling chandeliers that are not lit because it is daytime.

A place where the Baroque style is perfectly reproduced.

It’s the Hall of Mirrors.

Eugene was overwhelmed without realizing it and muttered.

“It’s completely different from the streets of Paris.”

“Huh? Of course. It’s not for nothing that the royal family abandoned the Louvre Palace in Paris and came here. This is our royal family’s pride and France’s pride!”

“Yes, Monsieur.”

Eugene didn’t bother to challenge the king’s brother, the Count of Artois, who seemed to be in a good mood.

However, being different from Paris is not something to be proud of.

Paris is the center of France, whether it’s modern France or 18th century France, in any era.

But the fact that Paris is so different from the royal family, which is the core of the country…

In other words, the fact that it is lagging behind means that France is breaking down.

Nevertheless, they are proud of only the splendor of the palace.

It wouldn’t matter if this was 100 years ago.

The problem is that it’s 1788 now.

All this splendor can be shattered at any time.

In just one year.

-Click.

Suddenly, Eugene’s thoughts were broken.

The door to the king’s bedroom in the center of the Hall of Mirrors opened.

The door opened, and the sound of the lock rattling loudly.

“Huh? Ah, is that the Count of Artois?”

A man wearing glasses, the owner of the room, sat and turned his head.

Eugene took a deep breath.

This is Louis XVI.

***

The fact that the king’s hobby is not state affairs is one of the misfortunes of the country.

“Your Majesty. Were you making locks again?”

“This is the only time I have for myself. Haha!”

“Hmm, then can you spare some time? Do you remember the child the Duchess of Sigmaringen talked about before?”

The Count of Artois mentioned the Duchess of Sigmaringen, a noble of the Holy Roman Empire.

She is the patron of Alexandre, who is now completely frozen and standing still.

On the other hand, Eugene quietly looked around the room.

Unlike the fancy decorations outside, the king’s bedroom is quite simple.

Of course, in fact, this is not where the king always stays.

Rather, he spends more time in a separate palace called Petit Trianon, located in the southeast garden outside the palace.

This Palace of Versailles itself is a difficult place to live in for extended periods.

It’s all Louis XIV’s fault.

If you think about it, he even inadvertently set the stage for the French Revolution.

Eugene was recalling history for a moment.

“Ah, that prodigy? Where is he?”

King Louis XVI looked around, raising his glasses.

It’s well-known that Louis XVI was severely nearsighted.

But conversely, it is also famous that his hobby was repairing locks and clocks.

You can see the lock he was fiddling with until just now on his desk.

It looks funny, but it’s by no means an easy hobby.

Even in modern times, clocks are expensive items that easily exceed ten million won [~ $8,000 USD].

Not to mention the clocks of the 18th century.

Eugene politely greeted, glancing at the very expensive pocket watch.

“Greetings, the most noble and powerful emperor, the King of France and Navarre by the grace of God. I am Eugene de Beauharnais.”

It’s quite long, but it’s a very simple title compared to the kings and emperors of other countries in the same era.

This is Louis XVI’s official title.

Louis XVI quietly narrowed his brows and looked at Eugene before asking.

“Eugene? Is that an English name?”

Eugene was slightly surprised, but this doesn’t necessarily mean Louis XVI was displeased.

It’s likely because he’s severely nearsighted.

18th century glasses are not as sophisticated as 21st century glasses.

Rather, it means that the king is showing interest in a child he might otherwise ignore.

In modern terms, Eugene is the son of a mere army colonel, and Louis XVI is far more powerful than the president of a country.

No matter how much he is the grandson of a marquis, there are countless noble children without the right to inherit the title.

Nevertheless, he is paying attention.

Looking at his seemingly kind eyes, Eugene smiled.

“Yes, it is. My father, [Colonel] Alexandre, once participated in the American Revolutionary War in commemoration of the alliance between our nations.”

“The American Revolutionary War? Ah, yes. We sent troops there.”

“Yes? Um, that’s right. At that time, when my father distinguished himself in battle, the Americans bestowed this nickname upon him.”

Eugene, slightly embarrassed by Louis XVI speaking as if it were someone else’s business, quickly continued.

“The Duke Eugene of the New World.”

Louis XVI stood up and stroked his plump chin.

He’s surprisingly huge.

According to records, Louis XVI was over 190cm tall [~6’3″].

But because of his slightly hunched shoulders, he didn’t seem that tall.

Rather, his quite weighty physique made him look even bigger.

Compared to the slender Count of Artois, his plumpness stood out even more.

The plump, nearsighted man, Louis XVI, smiled brightly.

At that moment, English flowed from Louis XVI’s mouth.

“Indeed, so you named him in the British, no, American style?”

Eugene slightly frowned and lowered his head.

“Yes, that’s right. Your Most Gracious Majesty.”

Eugene also answered in English just now, but he was slightly surprised.

It’s amazing that the King of France is speaking English.

Of course, I remember seeing records that Louis XVI was good at foreign languages.

He even directly translated written by the famous Englishman Edward Gibbon.

But now it’s the 18th century, an era when France and England are mortal enemies.

Even Louis XVI’s only significant military achievement in his life was supporting the American Revolutionary War.

But he’s talking in English as if it’s someone else’s business.

He’s definitely not stupid.

But it’s clear that he’s not particularly wise.

If the anecdote that came out of this place spreads outside, it won’t be received well.

Conversely, Louis XVI seemed to like Eugene and laughed heartily.

“Good. I don’t know if this child is a prodigy, but he’s quite smart? He’s so fluent in English at this age.”

“Then would you like to consider him as a page? I heard that you need a child to serve the princess this time.”

“Hmm, being young is okay. But I have to consider ‘Marie’s’ opinion more than mine on this.”

Louis XVI shrugged and replied to the Count of Artois’ words.

Page.

A title given to a boy who serves royalty.

That’s exactly what Alexandre wanted.

Eugene was about to slightly raise his head and look at Louis XVI.

Suddenly, a clergyman entered the king’s room.

“Your Majesty, I have something to tell you about financial matters.”

“What’s wrong, Cardinal Brienne?”

“That is, because of the bonds that must be addressed this month… I think we need to introduce new taxes.”

The chief advisor to the Kingdom of France, or the Minister of State.

Cardinal Loménie de Brienne.

He must have come in a hurry to discuss pressing financial problems.

With a difficult face, Louis XVI sighed and left with the minister.

“Let’s talk about it next time. Whew, it’s a problem again today.”

As the king headed to his office with his chief advisor, only three people remained in the king’s bedroom.

Alexandre, the Count of Artois, and Eugene.

In the empty room, Eugene thought about the cardinal he had just seen.

Cardinal Brienne is like a relief pitcher in baseball.

He appears to put out the fire for a very short time and then retires again.

The problem is not this Cardinal Brienne, but the underlying reasons why the cardinal rose to the position of chief advisor and then quickly retired.

Financial ruin.

Every moment, the French royal family is getting closer to destruction.

In this situation, is becoming a ‘page’ really a good thing?

It was then.

“Hmm, that’s right. Alexandre, do you play [Jeu de paume – a type of handball and ancestor to tennis]?”

“Yes? Ah, I don’t play well, no! Of course I play!”

“Really? Then would you like to go to the court and play a game with me? I need to lose some weight these days. My lovers are always making a fuss whenever we meet. Tsk.”

The Count of Artois chatted lightly and left with Alexandre.

Eugene slightly widened his eyes at the words he had just heard and smiled bitterly.

Jeu de paume, that is, French tennis.

The Oath of the Tennis Court came to mind at those words.

“The king’s brother is talking about the tennis court.”

The Tennis Court Oath.

It is the event that marks the beginning of the French Revolution.

It’s not widely known that the tennis court where the oath was taken was actually a court within the Palace of Versailles.

It’s an irony that only Eugene can fully appreciate now.

Alone, Eugene glanced at the king’s desk and scratched his head.

“Is this a clock? It looks quite elaborate.”

“Of course. I got it directly from [Swiss watchmakers]. Heh!”

“Huh? What’s that, huh!”

When did she appear?

A young girl with light blonde hair was staring at Eugene with blue eyes, smiling brightly.

Just as Eugene, who was embarrassed, was about to take a step back, the girl approached him closely and asked.

“Hello, my name is Marie. Who are you?”

She’s probably about 3 years older than Eugene.

Her blue eyes and snow-white skin instantly captivate you.

Even though she’s still a young child, she’s so dazzling that it takes your breath away.

Barely breathing, Eugene opened his mouth.

“I’m, uh, well. I’m Eugene.”

It was the moment Eugene first met Marie.

***

The child is an active being even in the huge palace.

“This was brought by King François I from ancient Rome! It’s a Roman statue!”

“Ah, I see. Should I call it spoils of war?”

“Isn’t it cool? It’s been made over a thousand years ago, but it’s still alive and breathing.”

Eugene was being dragged around Versailles by Marie.

In fact, he had to come out because he couldn’t stay in the king’s room indefinitely.

But being dragged around like this is because he lost his composure for a moment.

Even though Eugene is 7 years old now, he’s a reincarnator, so it’s a mistake to be flustered by a child.

Self-reproaching, Eugene admired the Roman statue in front of him.

It is an old relic brought from Rome when the French kings went on expeditions to Italy in the old days.

It may still be in the Louvre Museum in modern times.

But Eugene didn’t have time to appreciate it slowly.

Marie quickly grabbed Eugene’s hand and pointed out the window.

“That’s a fountain! The latest technology is applied.”

“Ah, yes.”

“My father sometimes repairs it!”

At that moment, Eugene, who was being dragged along, widened his eyes.

“Who is your father…”

Come to think of it, it’s strange that there’s a child freely roaming this palace.

Could she be a maid?

But can the daughter of a fountain repairman become a royal maid?

Somehow, her clothes seem a little too luxurious to be a maid.

It was then.

-Woof! Woof! Woof!

Suddenly, a dog ran from the other side of the hallway.

“Oh, why is Disby suddenly like this?”

Marie tilted her head.

Is it about the size of a poodle?

A dog that looks similar to a spaniel showed its teeth.

Instantly, Eugene narrowed his brows.

Because the dog was running towards Marie and Eugene.

“Dodge!”

“Kyaa!”

“Oh no!”

Instinctively, Eugene hugged Marie and tried to avoid the dog.

Which way should I dodge?

If he dodges to the right, Eugene will get hurt, and if he dodges to the left, Marie will be bitten by the dog.

At that moment, silver-white letters floated in the air.

[Right.]

Eugene gritted his teeth and twisted his body to the right.

-Bark!

The dog scratched Eugene’s arm as if bouncing off and ran away.

Just as the dog was about to run at Eugene again.

Marie, who was hugged by Eugene, scolded the dog.

“Disby! Stop!”

At that scolding, the dog named ‘Disby’ flinched and stopped.

It seems that he is familiar with Marie.

Then the reason Disby ran was because of the stranger Eugene?

Just as Eugene was about to smile bitterly, Marie looked at Eugene’s arm.

“Oh no, are you okay? You’re bleeding!”

“Yes, I’m scratched. I’m okay. Are you hurt, Princess?”

“Oh my gosh, why did Disby suddenly do this? He was usually a gentle child. Are you badly hurt?”

Marie was restless, glaring at Disby.

Of course, it would be a headache if he had rabies, but Eugene was about to say that it didn’t seem likely.

Maids ran from the long palace corridor and shouted.

“Princess! Are you okay?”

At that moment, Eugene widened his eyes.

“Princess?”

I remembered.

The daughter of a ‘father’ who has excellent skills to repair fountains.

At the same time, a girl who can guide someone through the palace like it’s her own home.

Here is the owner of the dog raised in the royal family.

I should have known without the maids having to say it.

Marie blinked and smiled brightly.

“Ah, I’m late to introduce myself? My name is Marie Thérèse Charlotte. What’s your name?”

The eldest daughter of Louis XVI, and the more famously known Marie Antoinette.

The Princess of France, Madame Royale.

Marie Thérèse Charlotte de France Bourbon.

Eugene looked at the girl as if possessed and smiled brightly.

“Eugene, Eugene de Beauharnais.”

It seemed that there was a compelling reason to stay in the royal family.

I couldn’t explain it exactly in words.

Because Eugene’s heart was beating faster.