He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 532

Extracurricular (10) The July Revolution Begins with the Opera

Today, the Paris Opera House is bustling with people.

“Everyone, prepare! A truly precious guest is coming here!”

Of course, opera is an expensive hobby, with high ticket prices.

Therefore, most guests tend to be people with a certain income.

In particular, sitting in the VIP seats requires nothing less than a major capitalist or an aristocrat from the old era.

But today, the theater owner was especially frantic, bustling about.

The theater staff looked at each other and whispered.

“Who’s coming? Surely not His Majesty the Emperor?”

“No, the Emperor doesn’t like opera.”

“Then who is it? Most of the other royals are on overseas tours, aren’t they?”

Then, an unexpected name came up.

“The Duke of Orléans is coming!”

The House of Orléans.

They were truly at the pinnacle of the old era, the 18th-century aristocracy.

Of course, they were also a family that had its assets confiscated and was exiled for a long time after the Great Revolution.

Therefore, a wave of surprise passed among the staff.

“Is that possible? Isn’t the Duke of Orléans an exiled person?”

“It’s been a while since the reinstatement order was issued. Don’t confuse him with the self-proclaimed Louis XVII.”

“Ah, the father of the Grand Duke of Quebec? Why is that person coming to Paris?”

Jacques, who loved aristocratic gossip, tilted his head.

“Well, maybe he’s old and longing for his hometown?”

The House of Bourbon is a condemned name since the Great Revolution.

However, revolution also comes with rapid change.

Bourbon, once a name of destruction, is now the family of the Empress and the King of Naples.

In short, they are the Emperor’s in-laws.

Even with an elected imperial system, the monarch’s in-laws inevitably wield enormous influence.

Moreover, the Duke of Orléans’ eldest son, Louis-Philippe II, is currently the Grand Duke of Quebec in the New World.

So, there’s no problem with him returning home.

Of course, he shouldn’t originally be someone who is welcomed like this.

“Huhu, there are so many who welcome me.”

From a six-horse carriage, a 78-year-old man, Louis-Philippe d’Orléans Bourbon, descended.

Cheers are heard from all over the opera house.

It’s a commotion not only among the audience but also outside the theater.

It’s like the early days of the Great Revolution.

Once you’re an old-era aristocrat, you can’t just welcome anyone.

Another VIP, who was sitting in the VIP seat with a very displeased face, greeted the Duke.

It was none other than Imperial Chancellor, Count Lafayette.

Lafayette stared at the Duke of Orléans and asked.

“Your Grace, do you have to make such a conspicuous move at a time like this?”

“What’s the problem, Count Lafayette? I am neither a traitor to the Empire, nor is the House of Bourbon the Emperor’s in-laws. So, there’s no problem with me, an old man, returning to my hometown, is there?”

“Also, don’t forget that there are Bourbons who demand the Imperial throne.”

Suddenly, Lafayette pressed the Duke of Orléans.

“The only Bourbon that France allows is King Louis Charles of Naples. Don’t forget that even the Grand Duke of Quebec can only enter with permission.”

On the surface, it’s easy to see the Bourbons as being very welcome.

However, strictly speaking, all those who are not direct descendants of Louis XVI are rejected.

With the Empress staying in Seville away from the Emperor, the Bourbons could be said to be subject to conspicuous checks.

Moreover, with the public sentiment in Paris being uneasy, it’s natural for Lafayette to be sensitive.

Then, the Duke of Orléans stared at Lafayette and suddenly asked.

“You’re worried about the Palais-Royal [Royal Palace], aren’t you?”

“Yes? No, that’s.”

“According to the French Imperial Civil Code, property illegally confiscated during the revolutionary period must be returned to its original owner. But I am not an anti-imperialist, so the real estate must be returned. Right?”

The Duke of Orléans grinned.

“Do you think I’m going to ask for the Emperor’s detached palace back? Don’t worry. I’m old now and a man who adapts well to the system.”

Of course, this was a problem that Lafayette had never considered.

But listening to it, it is a very sensitive issue.

After the Duke of Orléans was expelled during the revolution, the famous Palais-Royal became the property of the Boarnais Cartel.

Since then, the Emperor has used it as a kind of base.

But what if the original owner, the Duke of Orléans, filed a lawsuit?

The Empire’s motto is that all are equal before the law.

In reality, a dogfight lawsuit may occur.

Lafayette eventually turned his head.

“I hope you will.”

The Duke of Orléans chuckled and took a step forward, waving his hand.

-Waaaa!

Strangely enough, towards the audience who were cheering, even those who were seeing the Duke for the first time.

***

The Duke of Orléans, who was quite an opera enthusiast, tilted his head.

“Oh, Fenella. You were abandoned by that Spanish nobleman. Unbelievable!”

Once, the outskirts of the Palais-Royal were an opera theater.

In fact, it was because the Duke of Orléans, who was experiencing a financial crisis, leased it to the opera theater owner.

However, the Duke of Orléans also prided himself on having seen quite a few operas because opera was his hobby.

But he doesn’t remember seeing the opera that is currently being performed.

After thinking hard, the Duke of Orléans eventually asked Lafayette.

“What opera is that? I don’t know the background.”

“It’s an opera called ‘The Mute Girl of Portici’.”

“What is that?”

Lafayette replied indifferently while watching the opera.

“It’s about an Italian commoner being seduced and abandoned by a Spanish nobleman, and her brother taking revenge. It’s a common love triangle.”

This opera is actually famous in Holland.

Because it has been under Spanish rule [Historically, the Netherlands were under Spanish rule for a significant period].

On the other hand, it is bound to be an unfamiliar opera to the French Empire, which is virtually dominating the former Spanish territory.

Therefore, the Duke of Orléans looked even more puzzled.

“But, why are those people so excited? It’s like watching ‘The Barber of Seville’.”

Lafayette, who was watching indifferently, widened his eyes.

The Barber of Seville.

Mozart is famous for composing the music, but it is famous for other reasons to people of this era.

On the eve of the Great Revolution, the story of a commoner barber mocking the aristocracy came out as an opera.

The people who were enthusiastic about The Barber of Seville at the time were the bourgeois citizens who cheered during the Great Revolution.

“This is strange. What on earth?”

The audience is unusually enthusiastic.

It’s not for the sake of enjoying the opera, but as if they’re trying to make a fuss.

Just as Lafayette was about to order someone to find out why this was happening.

“That’s right! This is the work of a tyrant! A tyrant who oppresses us!”

Suddenly, the opera singer sang as if wailing.

It must be an original line.

But strangely, he put his heart into it, as if shouting at the audience.

In an instant, the chorus shouts behind the opera singer.

“Tyrant! Oppressor! Oppression!”

“Oh, let’s defeat the tyrant and find freedom! Fenella, who was taken away, regain your dignity!”

“Kill the tyrant!”

This is no longer an opera.

It’s incitement.

Lafayette hurriedly got up and looked for his secretary.

I have to leave here right now.

Something is happening.

It’s not a randomly selected performance.

Come to think of it, why did the Duke of Orléans suddenly return home and participate in such a performance again?

There are no coincidences in the world.

“Arise, citizens! To overthrow the tyrant!”

In an instant, the audience began to rise.

They are not at all embarrassed.

They must have participated in the opera under a plan and are shouting again.

“Let’s overthrow the tyrant!”

At this moment, who is the tyrant?

For Lafayette, the tyrant had long been the House of Bourbon.

No, to put it bluntly, it’s Louis XVI.

A foolish monarch who he tried to protect but rather suspected him and lost even the possibility of protecting him.

But to the post-revolutionary generation who have never seen Louis XVI, the monarch is one.

The Emperor of the French Empire.

Eugene Bonaparte.

Suddenly, the opera singer pointed to the VIP seat.

“Look there!”

Was he pointing at Lafayette?

Lafayette felt a chilling sensation.

Even during the Great Revolution, the crowd floated Lafayette, but also brought him down as a cursed being.

It’s terrifying to think what would have happened if the Emperor hadn’t saved Lafayette at the time.

But the person the opera singer pointed to was different.

“The meritorious subject of the Great Revolution, Duke of Orléans!”

Lafayette turned his head with a stiff face.

The Duke of Orléans was seen smiling there.

After all, did he return home under a plan?

“Duke, could it be?”

“No. I didn’t expect this. But, well.”

“What are you trying to say? Stop it.”

The Duke of Orléans smiled contentedly.

In the old days, there was a time when the Duke of Orléans instigated the Great Revolution.

It is something that no one can imagine at the current point in time, but he also instigated revolutionaries and plotted to overthrow the country.

But the revolution was such a passionate wave that even those who planned the conspiracy could not control it.

A failed revolutionary conspiracy, the Duke of Orléans took a step forward.

“If the opportunity comes, I’m not one to miss it.”

Lafayette hurriedly escaped.

He must escape before the Duke of Orléans completely controls the situation.

Before the opera house is completely taken over by subversive elements.

“Listen, citizens. I am Louis-Philippe! The one who received the title of Equalizer!”

From behind, the Duke of Orléans’ passionate shout echoed.

***

However, there are also [Very Important People] who could not escape the opera house.

-Oooo!

The citizens surrounding the Paris Opera House shouted.

“Kill the tyrant! Citizens, rise up! Catch the Prime Minister!”

The tyrant is not dead yet.

The Prime Minister also escaped without being caught.

But the citizens have certainly risen up and are seething.

Along with the opera that originally triggered the Belgian Revolution in the original history.

“Ugh!”

One VIP, who was caught by the citizens, glared at the revolutionary [ringleader] and shouted.

“Duke, do you think you’ll be safe after doing this!”

“Oh, isn’t that Editor Desmoulins. Well, there’s no need to be safe. I’m old anyway.”

Looking at the journalist who was once famous for stuttering, the Duke of Orléans chuckled.

“So, shouldn’t I shake the world before I die?”

Someone who instigated the revolution, there will be one this time too.

Like the Duke of Orléans did in the old days.

But unlike the Duke of Orléans, he still doesn’t know.

Even if you plot a conspiracy, the revolution will not happen as you please.

Because it is a storm, a cataclysm that cannot be controlled is a revolution.

An old man who once rode this cataclysm and failed, the Duke of Orléans narrowed his eyes.

Perhaps no revolutionary in France would be better at riding the waves than the Duke.

Walking out among the citizens, the Duke of Orléans shouted cheerfully.

“Now, comrades! Now it’s a revolution!”

July 1825, a hot summer.

Citizens revolted at the Paris Opera House.

Along with the anger that the citizens of Paris, who had been oppressed by the Emperor, had unleashed all at once.

“Overthrow the tyrant!”

The July Revolution has begun.