He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 7

(6) Versailles is Peaceful, Paris is on the Eve of Revolution

In the year 1788, the French court is very peaceful.

That is, at Versailles, anyway.

-Drip.

The fountain flowed dazzlingly under the sunlight.

“Ah, this coffee is good.”

In a space like paradise on earth, the Queen drinks coffee.

Thinking it was like a slightly staged advertisement, Eugene stood still.

In any case, a ‘page’ is ultimately a type of servant.

Even if not a servant in the truest sense, they still have to run errands for the royal family.

In modern terms, it’s similar to a personal secretary for a conglomerate family.

However, there are also differences.

Suddenly, Marie Antoinette, who was drinking coffee, turned her head slightly and looked at Eugene.

“Oh my, were you standing all this time? Would our page like a cup?”

Like this, the royal queen, like a conglomerate’s wife, offers coffee.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

So, what is the price for serving like this?

Surprisingly, it’s very capitalist.

Royal pages are also one of the servants of the Royal Household and receive a salary from the royal treasury.

Specifically, the salary Eugene receives is 30 *livres* [French currency] per month.

It’s a very large sum for a seven-year-old.

Of course, it’s nothing compared to the Boarneh family’s debt.

Slightly recalling that fact, Eugene approached and took a sip of coffee.

As expected of French coffee, it’s quite bitter, close to the undiluted essence.

At that moment, the fountain shot up into the sky.

-Whoosh!

The Queen smiled as she watched the fountain of her palace, Petit Trianon [Marie Antoinette’s private retreat], being shot up.

“Isn’t it peaceful, Eugene?”

This is naturally not something the Queen should be doing.

Originally, at this time, the Queen should be having a meal in front of the nobles visiting Versailles.

To show the dignified * 모습* [Korean: appearance] of the royal family, as if on display for tourists.

It’s a norm created by Louis XIV [The Sun King].

However, after creating this Petit Trianon separately, the Queen rarely left it.

She is said to have hated the Palace of Versailles from the time she first came to the French royal family at the age of 14.

Anyway, from dressing to even going to the bathroom, noble ladies follow her around, so there’s no way she could like it.

That’s why Marie Antoinette, now 32 years old with 14 years of queen experience, stays mostly here.

In the middle of the day, she looks at the children playing in the garden she cultivated herself.

It’s truly a peaceful sight.

Suddenly, Queen Marie whispered, looking at the fountain.

“Versailles Palace is like a battlefield.”

“Yes? Ah, I’ve heard a lot about how complicated the social circles are.”

“Yes. That’s probably why your mother got a bad reputation. Since she came from the New World, she probably didn’t know French court culture well. Seeing how diligent you are, I think your mother’s rumors were all just rumors.”

It’s surprising to tell such intimate stories to a page who just came in.

However, as Eugene observed, Queen Marie is surprisingly easygoing.

Of course, conversely, it might be because he’s just a young page, so she feels more comfortable talking.

Queen Marie bitterly recited the story that would be a weakness no matter who she told it to.

“I was like that too. When I first came to this palace.”

Once again, Eugene reminded himself that the woman in front of him was a ‘foreigner.’

Eugene can understand her being tired and cooped up in this inner palace.

The problem is that it’s the year 1788, the era of Louis XVI.

Not the era of Louis XV when the Queen first came to marry into the family.

At that time, laughter was heard from the fountain.

“Kya! The fountain is cool!”

“Princess, you mustn’t go into the fountain! You’ll catch a cold!”

“What about it? Oh, it’s Eugene!”

The princess, Marie Therese, who was playing in the fountain, ran to Eugene when she saw him.

“Eugene, come in too! The water here is clear! It’s different from the big garden fountain outside.”

“Um, Princess. First of all, what you’re doing right now is not befitting of your dignity. Also, the water in the fountain is ultimately drawn from the nearby river, so it’s not very clean.”

“He’s cute, but why does he talk like that? Stop talking and come in like a page!”

Unfortunately, Eugene is still 7 years old, and Marie Therese is already 10 years old.

The governess, Madame de Polignac, next to her, couldn’t stop Marie either.

In the end, Eugene had to be thrown into the famous Dragon Fountain of Petit Trianon.

“Ptooey!”

Standing solemnly and then floundering around in a manner befitting his age seemed quite funny.

Queen Marie Antoinette also clapped and laughed.

Then, the Queen looked back at her ‘adopted son’ who was drinking coffee with her.

“Kekeke! Oh, how cute. Isn’t it really peaceful, Armand?”

The adopted son, Armand, hid his expression and nodded.

“Yes, Your Majesty. It is. Really different from ‘outside’.”

It’s definitely completely different from the outside.

Peaceful, abundant, and also leisurely.

Of course, Eugene, who was being tormented by the princess, didn’t think so at all.

It was when Eugene barely escaped from Princess Marie’s hands and came out of the fountain.

-Click!

A completely unexpected person entered Trianon and saw Eugene all wet.

“Oh, Eugene? Huh? What’s with your appearance?”

Eugene hurriedly shook off the water and bowed.

Not panicking in unexpected situations is also the attitude of a professional gambler.

It is also a virtue of a page in this era.

“Your Majesty. I was briefly participating in the Princess’s play.”

The princess seems to become a little quieter in front of the King.

“Oh my, when did I? Eugene must have accidentally fallen into the fountain by himself.”

Usually, it would be a situation where a malicious princess is playing a prank, but unfortunately, that’s not the case.

Besides, the princess blushing and turning her head away is quite cute.

The King also chuckled and looked at Eugene.

“Yes. I’ll have to scold the princess a bit. Anyway, I heard. You beat the Count of Provence yesterday?”

“Yo, Your Majesty? I just jokingly joined the game that the Count of Artois was playing.”

“Haha! That’s skill. Well, since I saw you, what gift should I give you?”

Three months since becoming a page.

Eugene has already started to be occasionally called to the royal games of the Palace of Versailles.

Of course, nobles who think of gambling as a game can’t be Eugene’s opponents.

However, it doesn’t look good for a child to be gambling.

Eugene was worried that the King might get angry for a moment, but instead, he was smiling.

Suddenly, King Louis handed over an object that had been making a clicking sound since earlier.

A high-end pocket watch.

“This, I made it. You have to wind the spring well.”

This time, Eugene was really surprised and bowed again.

In this era, a portable pocket watch is worth a house.

Even if watches are the King’s hobby, it’s not an item that can be easily bestowed.

However, conversely, it means that he is giving an item to a mere page without thinking.

Just like this entire royal family is now.

“Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful for your grace.”

August 1788.

In Versailles, Petit Trianon is truly peaceful and thoughtless.

***

The distance from Versailles to Rue du Faubourg Saint-Germain in Paris is about 20 kilometers [~12.4 miles].

“Ugh, I’m going to die. Why do I have to help a page get off work?”

So, it’s not a distance that a seven-year-old can commute alone.

Of course, you have to ride a horse or at least a donkey.

Eugene, who is still young, was riding a pony for now.

Even that was quite difficult.

Seeing Hippolyte Charles grumbling as he came to pick up Eugene, Eugene shrugged.

“I can’t help it. I’m not old enough to stay in the Palace of Versailles. But I can’t sleep in the servants’ quarters either.”

“So, you commute every day. You should just ask for a room. The palace is huge.”

“That would be more dangerous. The jealousy of the pages and servants is already no joke.”

Today, when they were playing in the fountain, there was Armand’s gaze glaring at him.

Jealousy, anger, resentment.

It wasn’t just Armand’s feelings, who was forced to become the Queen’s adopted son.

There are countless pages, maids, and servants who are jealous of Eugene, who suddenly became a royal page.

“Soon, it will all be in vain.”

Eugene grumbled as he rode the trudging pony.

The Palace of Versailles is huge, the guards around the palace are impregnable, and there are thousands of servants.

From the pocket watch in Eugene’s hand, it is an extremely precious treasure.

But all of this will collapse completely within just one year.

No, it won’t even take a year.

It’s already August.

France will face a state of emergency this month.

A national insolvency crisis.

Eugene was trying to remember when this situation occurred.

“Aaaaaah!”

Eugene and Hippolyte looked at each other.

“What’s that sound?”

“Pretend you don’t know. Are there only one or two robbers in Paris? If we accidentally run into them in an alley, we’ll have a headache.”

“When you caught the pickpocket last time, you said something about light.”

But Hippolyte’s words are by no means wrong.

Paris is now stained with looting, robbery, and murder everywhere.

In fact, that’s why the country went bankrupt.

Famine, starvation, cold wave.

The country’s economic situation is a mess, so the finances are also collapsing.

That doesn’t mean that 18th-century France is a welfare state and cares about national welfare.

As a result, starving citizens were rioting at the drop of a hat.

Robbery is a matter of course.

It was then.

-Splash!

The road in Paris, mixed with sewage and turned into a mire, blocked the way.

Of course, there are no cleaners in Paris in this era, and it’s a mess.

They throw garbage and trash on the street as it is, so it can’t help but be dirty.

Today, it was so bad that even the pony had difficulty walking.

Hippolyte also clicked his tongue and shook his head.

“Ah, the road is a mess.”

Eugene barely grabbed the pony’s reins and said.

“We’ll have to go around the alley.”

“Why is your house in Faubourg Saint-Germain again? You should live near Versailles if possible.”

“Ah, my mom asked me to. Just help me for a year.”

Eugene smiled and changed the subject.

“Anyway, in a year, there will be nothing to help with.”

Hippolyte blinked at the strange words.

“What are you talking about…”

At that time, screams rang out throughout the street again.

“Help me!”

This time it wasn’t just one person.

“Someone save me!”

“Oh my god! Run away!”

“Gun! Does anyone have a gun? Hunter!”

Dozens of people were running out and running down the street.

At this scale, they are not running away because of a single robber.

It means that something like a riot or disaster has occurred.

Eugene and Hippolyte hesitated and stopped their horses.

Hippolyte opened his mouth wide and pointed to the back of the crowd.

“Oh my god. Isn’t that a wolf? Could it be the Beast of Gévaudan [a man-eating wolf that terrorized France in the 1760s]?”

At that moment, Eugene also opened his mouth in amazement.

It’s a wolf.

It’s not like he’s a shepherd boy, but that’s the only way he can talk about it right now.

No, in the first place, there are no sheep in Paris.

But why would a wolf appear in the middle of the city?

“Damn it, wasn’t this Paris at the end of the 18th century?”

Eugene was about to swear without realizing it.

-Awoooo!

The wolf’s howling directly hit Paris.

The era when wild beasts threatened humans existed surprisingly until the 20th century.

In particular, Paris, surprisingly, is the number one city in Europe and is frequently attacked by wolves.

Even in 1776, there was a report that a giant wolf, the so-called Beast of Gévaudan, appeared.

That means the security is a mess.

Even so, Eugene didn’t know he would run into a wolf on the way from the palace to the capital.

-Tatatak!

It’s fortunate that he’s riding a horse at times like this.

Eugene and Hippolyte hurriedly ran their horses.

He can see the wolf running behind him right away.

“Run like crazy, Eugene! I can’t help you with this!”

“Who doesn’t know? I’m 7 years old!”

“T, to the alley! Ugh!”

The streets of Paris are complicated.

Hippolyte accidentally ran to another road trying to avoid the wolf.

Eugene also desperately whipped his horse to avoid the wolf running behind him.

Wolves never move alone.

They are probably scattered in packs and attacking humans.

How should I avoid it.

It was then.

“Aaaah!”

In front of him, in the corner of the right alley, a child fell while running away and burst into tears.

“Oh no!”

A fork in the road appeared in front of Eugene.

The wolf is behind him.

The road is to the right and left.

There is a child crying on the right, and the road is wide open on the left.

A crossroads of choice.

At that moment, [Silver Letters] were engraved in front of Eugene.

[Right and left, crossroads.]

In a flash that can only be described as fleeting, the letters changed.

[Go right to survive.]

It’s the letter he’s seen since his childhood in his previous life.

It is the power presumed to be the transcendent who reincarnated Eugene into this era.

If he followed it, he always won the gamble, and Eugene got a favorable result.

He will definitely live if he goes to the right.

But what will happen to the child?

Trampled by a horse or eaten by a wolf.

Eugene gritted his teeth and grabbed the reins.

“At times like this, a professional gambler…”

Although it’s still a young hand, the pony stopped at the familiar rein.

At the same time, Eugene barely stepped on the saddle on the horse and jumped off.

The wolf is running in front of him.

Unlike the wolves he had only seen at the zoo, they were emaciated and their fangs were ferocious.

Eugene pushed the pony in front of the wolf with all his might.

“Turn the *판* [Korean: board/game] over!”

In the moment when the innocent pony fell, the wolf bit the pony.

-Awoooo!

It’s a moment that animal lovers would scream at.

But for Eugene, the child comes first.

At the same time, Eugene picked up a wooden stick rolling in the corner of the alley and struck the wolf.

-콰지직!

But Eugene’s hand strength is still weak.

The wood scattered and the bloodied wolf bared its teeth.

He staggered but approached Eugene.

The judgment was not wrong.

Because the wolf was no longer able to hunt properly.

However, he had enough strength to hurt Eugene.

Eugene waved the broken stick and shouted.

“Go away! Eek! Damn wolf!”

Then someone hit *막타* [Korean slang: the final blow] from behind the wolf.

-퍽!

The wolf, which was already dying, collapsed.

In fact, it may have been natural since he was starving to death.

But Eugene’s eyes widened in surprise before he could even breathe a sigh of relief.

The soldier who hit the wolf with a musket was someone he knew.

It was Lazard Hoche, a guard.

“Why are you doing this here?”

“Hoche? Why are you here?”

“I was on my way home. Didn’t you know I was a guard? Anyway, why are you fighting when you should be running away quickly?”

Only then did Eugene slump down in his seat.

“Thanks to you, I lived. That kid too.”

The child was still crying, trembling.

After taking a breath, the streets of Paris came into Eugene’s eyes.

It wasn’t just Hoche who was off work, wolves were being caught everywhere.

Mostly the skills of royal soldiers.

But people who were bitten or killed by wolves were lined up on the street.

The fallen are screaming and groaning right away.

But no one helped.

The streets are full of houses, but the tightly closed doors did not open.

No one even thinks of helping the injured.

Seeing the sight, Eugene blurted out.

“Really, no one is helping.”

“Huh? No, of course not. Paris is a place where you can get your nose cut off even with your eyes open. Who would help anyone? Besides, the opponent is a wolf? I’m helping you because I’m a man with the demeanor of an old knight.”

“Ah, yes. I understand. Mother’s lover.”

Hoche laughed and stroked Eugene’s head.

“Oh my, I’m about to get married again. Don’t do that too much, Eugene. 응? [Korean interjection indicating a question or seeking agreement]”

Suddenly, someone was walking into the chaotic street.

A man with a prominent ‘wig’ on his head.

He glares at the scene of the tragedy with his teeth clenched.

Suddenly, the man shouted at the plaza where no one came out.

“Look at this tragedy! Citizens! How could such a tragedy happen!”

Eugene blinked.

“What’s with that guy? Suddenly in speech mode?”

“Oh, isn’t that Maximilien? Looks like he’s on his way back from court.”

“Huh? Maximilien, you say?”

At that moment, Eugene felt a familiar name resonate within him.

Maximilien.

Certainly not a common name, even in France at this time.

Suddenly, Hoche shrugged, looking nonchalant.

Not at all like a valiant soldier who had just caught a wolf.

“Oh, Maximilien de Robespierre. He’s a lawyer who joined the same book club as me.”

Robespierre.

The very name of revolution echoed in the streets.

Eugene realized it anew.

Paris, August 1788.

The revolution was already at hand.

***

It’s said that the people sparked the revolution in this era.

But as always, revolution has a face.

It means there is someone at the forefront, shouting slogans to overturn the world.

A revolutionary.

The one who would come to represent the French Revolution.

That’s the man before his eyes.

“Citizens, be angry! At unjust laws and governance!”

Not yet like the famous portraits with his hair turned white.

Quite young, and the hair revealed under the wig is quite dark.

But his eyes gleam, truly looking ominous.

It was the moment Eugene was staring intently at the revolutionary, who might lead the turbulent times of history.

Hoche scratched his large nose beside him and said,

“Hmm, he seems very angry today.”

“Is he usually like that? I think he’s not very good at giving speeches?”

“Even a little kid can see that? You’re a prodigy.”

Hoche shrugged and laughed.

“That friend of mine is a lawyer, after all. Lawyers work with documents, not like us soldiers who give orders with words. Haha.”

In fact, compared to his passionate words, the resonance was weaker than expected.

It’s not that his words are abstract, detached, or idealistic.

It’s just that his voice isn’t very loud.

In an era without microphones, the most important requirement for a speaker is a strong voice.

“Do you know? All the taxes are only imposed on commoners!”

But Robespierre’s impromptu speech now contained a core truth.

18th-century France was surprisingly an era of debate, discussion, and speeches.

Debates took place in cafes, salons, and corridors of the court.

Of course, it wasn’t an era where that had real power.

It only led to gossip, complaints, and shouts.

But sometimes, enraged people would give impromptu speeches in the streets.

A dangerous thing that sometimes leads to riots.

What Robespierre was doing now was just that: an impromptu speech.

The streets of Paris where the wolf was repelled.

The lawyer Robespierre, who saw the tragedy, could not bear it and shouted.

To the citizens who were watching from the streets, even though no one came out to help.

“What about the grain trade? Why are we starving now? Grain is produced by farmers, but merchants with funds, great nobles, and archbishops are all plundering it, buying it cheaply and selling it all overseas!”

It sounded like he was about to get arrested.

But even the soldiers who would have pointed their guns at him five years ago were now just watching.

Because people were gathering little by little from the corners of the alley, from the cracks in the doors of huts, and on the roads in the midst of filth.

An ominous aura lingered.

From the eyes, breaths, and movements of the people.

It was an uneasy feeling, as if something was about to explode.

As if setting fire, Robespierre shouted in a shrill voice.

“God made all humans equal. But is there fairness in this France now? Is there justice? Or even safety!”

At that moment, Robespierre pointed at Eugene.

“Look at these children!”

Eugene was startled.

All eyes from the alley, the cracks in the doors, and the street instantly turned to Eugene and the fallen child.

Apparently, Robespierre had been running since he saw the wolf.

Right from the courthouse.

But like his weak physique, he didn’t have the strength to help.

As if venting his frustration, Robespierre shouted, looking at Eugene and the child.

“One child was almost bitten by a wolf, and another child sacrificed his horse to save the child from the wolf. They helped each other and survived when no one else would help! But!”

Suddenly, Robespierre turned the arrow of blame.

“Until these children were in mortal danger, what on earth was the army of Paris doing!”

In fact, strictly speaking, the security of Paris was maintained by the police.

Because the National Police was established during the reign of Louis XIV.

Of course, whether it’s the police or the army, it’s true that they did nothing until the wolf invaded.

Until guards like Hoche, who were off duty, stepped in to handle it themselves.

But even in his surprise, Eugene realized Robespierre’s strange behavior.

He did not utter any blame towards the citizens.

He only blamed the king’s army.

It’s a very strange thing.

Considering that it was still before the revolution, it was even more so.

That’s when it happened.

“Listen, everyone! The Estates-General will soon be convened!”

This time, it wasn’t just Eugene who was surprised.

The Estates-General [a general assembly representing the French estates of the realm: the clergy (First Estate), the nobility (Second Estate), and the common people (Third Estate)].

A grand assembly where representatives of the three classes of France gather.

But in the original history, it is called this.

The last Estates-General that gave birth to the French Revolution.

Even the citizens of Paris, who did not know that fact, looked at each other in surprise.

“What does that mean? The Estates-General? Has there ever been such a thing?”

“Oh, isn’t he mistaken about the Assembly of Notables [a group of high-ranking nobles, clergy, and officials convened by the King of France on extraordinary occasions]? That Estates-General, what was it, a meeting where commoners also gather?”

“No, isn’t that an old system that hasn’t existed for almost 100 years?”

Robespierre raised the legal code he was holding above his head and shouted as if answering.

“That’s right! 174 years! His Majesty the King will convene the Estates-General, which has not been convened once during that time. Why? Because of taxes!”

Only then did Eugene recall a line from a thesis he had written in his previous life.

In late August 1788, France faced a national payment suspension.

In simple terms, it meant that the French government was unable to repay its debts to the outside world.

That’s why the Minister of State, Brienne, was requesting the convocation of the Estates-General to collect new taxes.

But in reality, the Estates-General was not finally convened at this time.

About a year later, in May 1789.

Why?

Because Louis XVI hesitated to make a decision.

In any case, Robespierre seemed to have obtained this news of the Estates-General in advance.

Then why did Archbishop Brienne ask the king to convene the Estates-General?

Because the Estates-General is originally a meeting to agree on new taxes.

“Because the finances have collapsed, bread is not supplied. Because there is no money, soldiers cannot protect Paris. But is there really no money? There are those who have a lot of money in this France!”

Robespierre shouted as if roaring, although his voice was still shrill.

“Clergy and great nobles! Look at the churches and great mansions! The people of the First and Second Estates!”

The towering spiers of churches that everyone can see.

The backdrop of a huge mansion against the back alleys of the city.

The places where clergy and nobles live.

They are also tax-exempt privileged classes who do not pay taxes.

“They must pay taxes. Only then will we be able to prevent those children from being eaten by wolves!”

Even though the resonance was small, the citizens applauded the speech that was quite effective.

“That’s right! Let’s stop the wolves!”

“The rich should pay taxes. That man speaks so refreshingly!”

“Who is he? He looks like a lawyer.”

Suddenly, Hoche poked Eugene and laughed.

“He’s definitely smart, isn’t he? That friend?”

Eugene shrugged, remaining still.

“He’s a demagogue of the times.”

It’s a story that only Eugene knows now.

***

But still, the demagogue or revolutionary does not know his fate.

“Hey, Maximilien. How did you get here from Arras?”

Hoche approached Robespierre, who had finished his speech, and greeted him with a smile.

Originally, Robespierre was a lawyer from Arras, a small city northeast of Paris.

He is quite famous in Arras, but no one knows him in Paris.

But Hoche was a man who enjoyed interacting with intellectuals, unlike the son of a coachman.

He had joined a recently popular cafe book club.

A club where they lend each other books and have reading discussions.

Robespierre, who recognized Hoche, widened his eyes.

“Lazarre? What brings you here? You must be busy guarding the King’s chambers.”

“Don’t be too hard on a mere soldier. That’s the boy the lawyer was using well earlier.”

“Oh? Ah, a brave boy. Are you alright?”

Eugene politely greeted Robespierre.

“Yes, greetings. Eugene de Beauharnais. Monsieur Maximilien de Robespierre.”

For a moment, Robespierre was slightly surprised and laughed at the accurate greeting, unlike a 7-year-old.

“Huhu, I am not of a rank to be called Monsieur [a French title of respect, equivalent to ‘Sir’]. You must have heard about me from Lazarre here, right?”

“Even if not, I know a little. You are a famous lawyer in Arras.”

“I’m just a country lawyer. A young friend is quite familiar with the news of the world. Wait, Beauharnais. Is that a marquisate? Huhu, my words must have been a bit uncomfortable.”

In any case, Robespierre’s impromptu speech was aimed at the nobles.

Although it’s about 1.5 percent of the entire population of France.

Still, it’s hard to say that there are many enough to be kicked.

A young scion of the privileged class.

I don’t know how much he understood, but also, how uncomfortable would he have been if he had understood?

But Eugene calmly replied.

“No, I think it’s the right thing to say. But it’s a dangerous thing to say.”

Seeing Robespierre’s eyes widen, Hoche smirked.

The son of his lover, Josephine.

That’s why he became close, but clearly this child named Eugene is extraordinary.

It’s not just because he’s good at card games.

He’s only 7 years old, but he already has the extraordinary ability to say these things without hesitation.

Is this what they call a prodigy?

Robespierre also became interested and asked Eugene.

“Why do you think it’s dangerous? This country is dangerous now. A young friend may not know, but we are on the verge of financial collapse.”

“I heard. I’m going in and out of the royal palace as a page these days. I heard that a bankruptcy declaration will be issued at the end of this month?”

“Ah, yes. News is coming to the [Assembly of] Notables from all over the country now. It seems that there is talk in the royal palace as well.”

At that moment, Hoche was surprised and asked.

“Are they really declaring bankruptcy? Then what about my salary?”

If the government declares bankruptcy, the salaries of soldiers will be in danger right away.

This is no different for the guards.

Of course, Robespierre shook his head with a bitter smile.

“That’s not the problem, Lazarre.”

“Then what’s the problem? Can people live without money?”

“You should worry about something else, like a soldier.”

Unlike the brave man who gave an impromptu speech, Robespierre spoke in a low voice.

“A massive riot, or perhaps a revolution could happen.”

Revolution.

Before the meaning of revolution was born, this word was used like an emphasis on a major rebellion.

Not just a riot, but using force to seize power.

If a rebellion breaks out, there will naturally be a fight to the death.

Sweating, Hoche asked urgently.

“What do you mean? Is anyone preparing a rebellion?”

“Is there anyone with that power? Since Louis XIV, the royal family has had all military power. Neither among the nobles nor among the clergy has the power to start a rebellion.”

“Then?”

Suddenly, Robespierre said bitterly.

“Right now, only small-scale riots are happening. But how long do you think the people will endure? The speech I gave earlier is reality, Lazarre.”

France is originally a prosperous country.

There is plenty of vast land, mild climate, and abundant products.

Even if the climate is not very good, it does not mean that there is no food at all.

However, the great nobles or upper-class merchants export it overseas, so there is nothing left.

Moreover, the government, which should relieve the farmers, is on the verge of financial collapse.

There is only one way to solve this situation.

Taxes must be collected from those who have money.

Robespierre said again with a determined face.

“Of course, if the Estates-General really opens this time, we must solve that problem. I don’t know if it will work out well.”

In fact, in the original history, the Estates-General does not open at this time.

Moreover, even after it opens, the situation not only does not improve, but only rushes towards catastrophe.

However, neither the ‘leader of the revolution’ Robespierre nor the ‘master of the revolution’ Hoche knows that fact yet.

Watching Robespierre leave with his legal code in a hurry, Hoche turned his head.

The prodigy Eugene, who was asked by his lover, or ‘ex’ lover, was looking at his back.

“Isn’t he a really good person, Eugene? Worrying about the country, worrying about the people, even worrying about the children.”

“He actually abandoned that little kid besides me, right?”

“Oh, I guess he meant for us to take care of it.”

Right next to the little kid who was attacked by the wolf and fainted.

Because he was unconscious and collapsed, it was difficult to ask where his house was.

Of course, Hoche lives in a very small hut, so it is impossible to take him.

Hoche looked back at the dazed Hippolyte.

“First of all, we need to take that kid since he fainted. Hippolyte?”

Hippolyte looked around, grumbled, and picked up the collapsed kid.

“Oh, I understand. I’ll carry him on my back? Huh?”

Suddenly, Hippolyte widened his eyes.

“Hey, it’s a girl?”

It was dirty with mud, but it was definitely a dress.

The identity of the child was a girl.

***

In the end, the fainted girl came to the Beauharnais residence.

“Wow, our proud page son! You’re already bringing girls around!”

Alexandre, who was drinking at home, whistled.

Of course, it’s an absurd sound to Eugene.

Eugene glanced at the girl that Hippolyte had left on the sofa and replied.

“That’s not it. She’s a child who survived together after being attacked by a wolf.”

“She looks a little old to be a child.”

“Yes?”

Alexandre scanned the fallen girl and smiled lewdly.

“She must be over 12 years old. Her body has curves, doesn’t it? Huhu.”

Eugene, who was dumbfounded, opened his mouth wide.

This libertine nobleman seems to have a strange talent.

How can he tell her age just by looking at a girl’s body shape?

“Wow, do you see things like that when you’re a playboy nobleman?”

“Look at the way this guy talks to his father. Anyway, looking at her clothes, she seems to be from a noble family, so we should send her home when she wakes up. Hey, take care of her.”

“Yes, master.”

The maid approached and busily laid down the fallen girl and took care of her.

Eugene, who took a breath, slumped down on the sofa next to him.

Too many things happened today.

Losing a precious pony was a bonus.

It’s difficult to know how to go to work from tomorrow.

But the real problem is separate.

“Hmm, Robespierre and our father Alexandre.”

In the original history, Alexandre is beheaded by the guillotine during the revolutionary period in the future.

Who flew it [a colloquial expression meaning ‘who was responsible for’]?

None other than Robespierre.

In fact, it was also the reason why Eugene bothered to talk to Robespierre.

I needed to know what kind of person he was.

“A pair that’s perfect for getting beheaded. If I just leave it alone, he’ll get cut off. I have to get him divorced.”

Originally, Eugene has no direct connection with Robespierre in the original history.

However, the Beauharnais family was struck by lightning because of Robespierre.

In the first place, it is because of Robespierre that Josephine goes to prison and barely survives.

In addition, Napoleon also meets Josephine in the process of succeeding, falling, and succeeding again because of Robespierre.

But in fact, Eugene is nothing until he meets Napoleon.

Just a weak child.

He is far from enough to save his libertine father, whose head may be cut off at any time.

There is no power.

“One way or another, is there no answer until I meet Napoleon?”

That’s when it happened.

Suddenly, the girl woke up with a start.

She was sweating all over from how surprised she was.

“Huck, huck, huck. W-wolf!”

“Um, you’re already awake? This is my house. First of all, rest assured, what’s your name? I’ll take you home.”

“Huh? Ah, you’re the ‘little kid’ who saved me earlier. Thank you so much.”

Eugene blinked and smirked.

“It’s funny to be called a little kid by a little kid. How old are you? What’s your name?”

At first glance, she looks no different from Eugene.

Alexandre, who mentioned 12 years old for a child like this, must be a pervert.

But the moment the girl parted her lips, Eugene realized that Alexandre was right.

“12 years old. My name is Julie Bernard. I’m staying at Madame Recamier’s house right now. My dad had some difficulties while trading bonds with Monsieur Recamier.”

This time, Eugene was surprised in a slightly different sense than with Robespierre.

Recamier.

Of course, this name is also the surname of the financier who burdened Alexandre with enormous debts.

But the name Recamier is a little different when attached to a woman.

To the French of this era, it is a name that will become more famous like an idol.

Why?

Because she is the most beautiful woman during the French Revolution.

Eugene unknowingly said to the still ordinary girl.

“Madame Recamier?”

“Huh? I’m indebted to Monsieur Recamier, but I’m not his wife. I feel bad. Hmph.”

“No, that’s… Um.”

Eugene, who was about to make an excuse, widened his eyes.