I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 156

Chess Piece

Summer of 1789, Paris.

[Taxes where there is income!]

[Taxation is the sacred duty of citizens!]

[Nobles are citizens too!]

The conflict between commoners and nobles over taxes only intensified, spiraling further out of control instead of finding resolution.

In Place Louis XV [now Place de la Concorde, a major public square in Paris], intellectuals delivered daily speeches to the citizens, and the square teemed with an ever-growing crowd.

The Duke of Chartres, disguised as a commoner, briefly observed the unfolding chaos.

Robespierre, seemingly at home on the square’s podium, addressed the crowd with fervent conviction.

“The pursuit of tax justice is not merely an outlet for our anger. I present to you a fact revealed by prominent economists: If the nobles paid taxes at the same rate as us, the financial burden would be significantly reduced, eliminating the need for tax farmers [private individuals who collected taxes for the government]. This means our actual tax burden would decrease, making it easier to stockpile food in preparation for famine!”

“Ooooooh!”

“Furthermore, with solid national finances, financial institutions will inevitably develop. France will undergo a fundamental transformation, vastly improving our lives.”

“That’s right! The nobles must immediately implement the Estates-General agreement!”

“Implement it! Implement it! Implement it!”

He had heard the stories, but witnessing it firsthand, the frenzy was overwhelming.

If his true identity were revealed, the angry mob might tear him apart.

The Paris Superintendent had already surrendered to the overwhelming mob mentality.

Instead of resolving the conflict, it escalated daily.

No, it was beyond that. It was a powder keg on the verge of exploding.

Even if the commoners revolted, the nobles wouldn’t passively accept their fate.

The spark had been lit.

The Duke of Chartres turned away from the clamorous square.

His destination: the Tuileries Palace, where Christian awaited.

His heart pounded with anticipation, knowing his fate would be decided there.

‘No problem. He’ll have no choice but to accept my proposal.’

The answer would come when they spoke.

If deemed useless, he’d be executed, but he was confident that wouldn’t happen.

In this chaotic France, he offered Christian greater benefits than anyone else.

Even as Christian’s pawn, he wouldn’t suffer his father’s fate.

He would either reign over the ashes of France or serve as a vital component of a great leader guiding France to its zenith.

Either way, his ambition would live on.

That was the Duke of Chartres’ way of surviving in this tumultuous world.

※※※

“Who’s here to see me?”

“The Duke of Chartres. He insists on an urgent meeting. Shall I reschedule?”

“No, send him in.”

He was expected, and his arrival was timely.

That’s what made capable people so valuable.

They rarely strayed from expectations.

“Okay, Daddy needs to talk to a guest. Why don’t you play with Mommy?”

“Mommy always tells me to study~!”

“Daddy will tell Mommy to let you play as much as you want today, no studying.”

“Awesome!”

The two children eagerly ran out.

Almost simultaneously, Grouchy ushered in the Duke of Chartres.

“I have brought His Highness, the Duke of Chartres.”

“Okay, good job. You two have much to discuss. You may leave.”

“Understood.”

As Grouchy closed the door, an unexpected event occurred.

Thud!

“What is it?”

“I must apologize first!”

What was this? He was here to negotiate, wasn’t he?

The Duke of Chartres knelt abruptly, uttering incomprehensible words.

“Perhaps you could explain what you’re apologizing for first.”

“First, please don’t behead me!”

“I have no reason to behead you. If I did, I would have done it long ago.”

“Because I have committed a grave act. But if you hear me out, it will benefit Your Highness as well.”

What had he done to warrant such a preamble?

“I’ll hear you out. Explain step by step.”

“Then, let’s confirm this: Is it true that Your Highness orchestrated the commoners’ victory in the Estates-General?”

“Me? The mastermind, when I’ll pay the most taxes because of the Estates-General’s decision?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“That’s absurd.”

I denied it without changing my expression, but the Duke of Chartres remained calm.

“That’s precisely why the nobles didn’t suspect Your Highness. They believed no one in their right mind would voluntarily pay such enormous taxes.”

“True. No matter how patriotic, I wouldn’t voluntarily pay that much.”

“But if the benefits Your Highness gains outweigh the taxes, the situation changes.”

Instead of answering, I feigned ignorance, testing the Duke of Chartres.

“The nobles and clergy are in a predicament, not just from losing tax exemptions, but from their plummeting reputation. Conversely, Your Highness’s reputation has soared. Agitators with great influence are praising Your Highness and His Majesty as heroes who have eradicated France’s deep-rooted evils.”

“I suppose they’re pleased.”

“Analyzing the events individually obscures the pattern, but the overall flow suggests a deliberate design, benefiting Your Highness. Is this merely coincidence?”

“The one who benefits is the culprit? Isn’t that extreme?”

The Duke of Chartres didn’t flinch.

“Furthermore, my investigation revealed Robespierre is an alumnus of Your Highness’s school. I’m not implying they’re allies solely because of that. I asked Lycée Louis-le-Grand graduates, and they said Robespierre has admired Your Highness since then.”

“I believe that was the case.”

“Moreover, Robespierre made precarious remarks but was always acquitted, impossible for an ordinary commoner. He has someone influential backing him, and no noble controls the court as much as Your Highness, correct?”

“You’ve uncovered much in a short time… You’re sharp.”

I smiled, opened a wine bottle, and filled Chartres’ glass.

He drank without hesitation.

“There’s more evidence. Shouldn’t we stop denying it to save time?”

“So, knowing all this, you seek a favor?”

“No. I will perfect Your Highness’s plan, deserving a commensurate reward.”

“The plan I’m drawing? You know it?”

I hadn’t told Robespierre, Danton, or even Marie.

I wondered if it was a bluff, but the Duke of Chartres’ eyes were unwavering.

“I asked for forgiveness because I’ve already acted. Now, even Your Highness can’t stop this flow.”

“Are you saying that if I reject you, I’ll suffer damage?”

“Yes. I apologize if it sounds like a threat. I’m desperate, having burned my bridges.”

“I don’t care about threats. Nothing you could do would genuinely threaten me, though it might be annoying.”

I could have the Duke of Chartres’ body floating in the Seine tonight.

An accidental death after heavy drinking and a twisted ankle, no one would suspect me.

I have a history of saving him from treason charges.

“That’s right. Your Highness can eliminate me. That’s why I apologized.”

“I’m getting frustrated. Tell me what you did, so we can move forward.”

“Yes. In the nobles’ meeting, they accused His Majesty, not Your Highness, of being the mastermind.”

“What?”

I almost swore, but the Duke of Chartres’ words echoed in my mind.

‘I will perfect the plan… He thought accusing His Majesty would impact the nobles more than accusing me?’

“Yes. I am prepared to be your chess piece, not a pawn, but a queen.”

Oho, look at this guy.

“Even without that, I could have created the situation I wanted. But why use you? I’m human, and I worry. You’re an enemy I can’t coexist with.”

“Your Highness considers the distant future. Using me will simplify things and solidify your position. My ambition outweighs my animosity. ”

“What is your ambition?”

“A position commensurate with my abilities. Realistically, I can only secure a stable position in France with Your Highness’s approval. No one wants to oppose you. And frankly, didn’t you expect me to be here?”

As expected. This guy is capable.

Not only capable, but interesting.

“Okay. I expected you this week. If you hadn’t come, I would have been disappointed. I deliberately made it possible for you to discover my relationship with Robespierre, expecting you to use it.”

“So, you deliberately didn’t stop me.”

“Of course. I wouldn’t let someone dig into my background unchecked.”

The Duke of Chartres moved as expected, even more efficiently.

I can’t imagine the nobles’ anxiety, believing Louis XVI is trying to eliminate them.

“The nobles’ perception has changed. They feel a threat to their lives, not just a commoner uprising.”

Chartres’ eyes lit up.

“The king planned this to eliminate them. Knowing this, the nobles will react, and I can control that direction.”

“And?”

“I agree with Your Highness’s direction. France must change. We must secure the driving force for reform and crush the opposition. And there’s no better justification than treason.”

That’s right. Duke of Chartres.

He is quick-witted, his family destroyed for the same crime.

“Then, one last mission to test your loyalty.”

“I understand. If that’s how you can trust me.”

“Simple treason won’t do. Raise an army and stage a military demonstration. Create an undeniable situation.”

“If you do that, this is really…”

“Yes. Don’t just imitate it, put it into practice.”

The Kingdom of France is the legitimate successor to the Frankish Kingdom, the legitimate successor to the Roman Empire, that is, the descendant of Rome.

…It claims to be.

If you claim to be the descendant of the Roman Empire, there is an ancient tradition that you can never leave out.

The Roman folk game.

Civil war.

End of Chess Piece