I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 23

My Diplomatic Skills?

I received an unexpected order to enter Versailles Palace and was immediately informed of shocking news.

“Are you saying I should go to Austria?”

“Yes. It seems everyone agrees that you are the most suitable for this task.”

I hadn’t heard such a thing even at the weekend banquets in Versailles, which I was told to attend without fail while living in Paris.

The fact that this was decided so suddenly clearly meant that other nobles had more influence than the King.

I can guess the story without even hearing it.

It must be Choiseul or Maupeou.

“I am honestly worried whether I, with my limited experience, can handle such an important national matter.”

“Ah, don’t worry about that. Although you will have full authority, your role is merely to save face for them. I will assign the best expert for practical negotiations, so you can entrust the work to him.”

“In short, we just need to create the impression that we consider this matter important enough to send a royal representative.”

“Exactly. So, don’t feel too burdened and get the job done. If you successfully complete this mission, you will gain achievements, and you might even be able to enter Versailles with dignity.”

My grandfather still hasn’t given up on bringing me into the palace.

At this point, I could roughly imagine how the nobles had persuaded the King.

Seeing Maupeou’s sly smile next to him, I became even more certain.

They must have suggested giving a task to a prince with no base and no external recognition to help him build achievements.

The King, thinking he was doing a good deed, accepted the proposal.

“But what is Austria’s reaction? Are they really angry because we keep delaying the discussion?”

“Your Highness, the Foreign Minister should explain that, but I will make an exception this time.”

Maupeou stepped forward slightly and requested the floor.

When Louis XV gestured for him to continue, he bowed once and continued.

“Both France and Austria must cooperate to restrain the continuously rising Prussia. But frankly, Austria is more urgent. The valuable land of Silesia has almost solidified as Prussian territory, and the power struggle is leaning towards Prussia’s advantage.”

“Then, isn’t it unnecessary for me to go?”

I am already busy brainwashing… no, educating new intellectuals like Robespierre, so traveling back and forth to Austria is a waste of time.

I also need to find ways to reinvest the enormous profits earned with Lavoisier.

Gaining a diplomatic career for free is tempting, but consolidating my internal affairs comes first.

However, Maupeou remained firm in his opinion without batting an eye at my objection.

“Even if that’s the case on the surface, France and Austria are already bound by an alliance. Moreover, we are in a difficult position because we promised to reply and then delayed. However, if Your Highness steps in, we can easily smooth things over. That’s why the nobles recommended you as the head of this delegation.”

“Are you saying that since the matter was delayed because of the commotion I was involved in, I should apologize in person?”

“Not at all. Rather, the cause of the commotion and the rights Your Highness gained from it are important. I am referring to the patent for smallpox.”

“I understand. In short, I should take the smallpox vaccine to the Habsburgs and act like I’m doing them a favor.”

That’s definitely not a bad idea.

The Habsburgs have recently suffered greatly from smallpox.

The royal family that would grind their teeth at the mention of smallpox is the Habsburgs.

The de facto Queen, Maria Theresa, once hovered between life and death, and even her daughters died or became pockmarked.

Taking the smallpox vaccine there and showing its effectiveness would put Austria in considerable debt.

The diplomatic discourtesy would naturally be forgotten.

In addition, I, whom they consider an obstacle to dealing with the High Court, can be sent abroad for a long time.

From Maupeou’s perspective, it’s like killing three birds with one stone.

Considering that, this isn’t a bad proposal for me either.

Maupeou seems to think I am completely on the side of the High Court, but their usefulness is gradually declining.

Lavoisier is already my man, not the court’s, and the only thing I miss is Malesherbes’ position as Director of Publications.

If I can agree with Maupeou, it might not be bad to get on his side.

I pretended to ponder for a moment, finished my calculations, and slowly bowed.

“If I can contribute to the national interest, I will dedicate myself to carrying out this mission.”

Louis XV smiled satisfactorily and nodded at my earnest voice.

The fact that it could take at least several months, or perhaps even a year, is definitely painful.

However, if I can supply the vaccine to the Habsburgs and spread it throughout Austria, I can reap the benefits of spending that time.

Unlike the original history, I have registered a patent for cowpox in this world.

Jenner suggested giving it away for free without a patent, as he did, but I refused.

It’s not just because I’m obsessed with money… although the desire to make money was 90% of the reason.

Still, the patent fee itself was set low, and since I have control over it, the vaccination itself can be handled more reliably.

In any case, the income I’m currently earning is considerable, and if I make the Habsburgs my sponsors, the profits will grow even faster.

As Maupeou claimed, gaining a successful diplomatic career is a bonus.

Overall, this business trip will be more beneficial than harmful.

However, there is one thing.

They must also have their own agenda, so I can’t relax until I figure out what it is.

“Your Majesty. You said that the diplomatic issues should be left to the experts. May I ask who will accompany me?”

“Of course, I can tell you. Count Charles Vergennes, Charles Gravier, will go to Austria with you. He is a very talented diplomat, so trust and rely on him. I have specially instructed him to assist you well.”

“Count Vergennes was the ambassador to the Ottoman Turks, wasn’t he?”

“You know him too. He just returned to Paris this year and was waiting for his next assignment. When I remembered that and asked him to take on this task, he readily agreed.”

Charles Gravier is such an outstanding diplomat that it’s no wonder Louis XV is so confident in him.

Of course, there are also outstanding figures on the Austrian side, so we can’t say that we have the upper hand, but the fact that both countries’ interests align is significant.

Unless there are any unexpected variables, this matter will be easy… no.

I almost set a flag comparable to ‘Did I screw up again?’

After fully preparing myself mentally that anything could happen, I bowed to the King.

“As a member of the royal family, I will return with results that will not bring shame. Please trust and watch over me.”

※※※

I joined Charles Gravier and set off as quickly as possible.

Louis XV personally held a grand send-off ceremony, and the court also wished me success.

After that, Colonel Valentin Esterhazy, who was in charge of escorting the delegation, joined, and the size of the delegation grew considerably.

It would have been more convenient if there were trains, but travel in this era inevitably means carriages.

Perhaps because I expected the worst possible ride, the carriage was not as bad as I thought.

Count Esterhazy is so passionate about his mission that I hardly had a chance to talk to him.

Eventually, I was able to have a proper conversation after entering Vienna, the capital of Austria.

“Come to think of it, Count Esterhazy is from Hungary, isn’t he?”

“You knew that. I was worried at first because I wasn’t from France, but thanks to Duke Choiseul’s consideration, I was given this honorable position.”

“Yes. I trust you regarding safety, as you are the talent recommended by the Duke.”

“Yes. As long as I am by your side, no external threat will harm Your Highness’s body.”

I carefully examined the face of the young colonel, who was smiling kindly.

I vaguely remember seeing records about Esterhazy before.

He was definitely someone who played a role in the marriage of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, as per Choiseul’s orders.

There was data that he was one of Marie’s favorite subjects after she became the Queen of France.

Then, this person who suddenly joined this mission is not someone to be wary of.

Logically, if something happens to me, the person in charge of the escort will be the first to have their career ruined.

At least, there’s no need to make a bad impression by being overly cautious.

“By the way, have you heard who will come out from the Austrian side?”

“I don’t know much about diplomatic information. Wouldn’t Count Vergennes know?”

Charles Gravier, who received my gaze, moved his head slightly.

“Regardless of who comes out, Austria’s foreign policy is led by one person anyway. In reality, the most important thing is how Empress Maria Theresa and that person act.”

“That person is….”

Just as I was about to finish speaking, the carriage stopped moving with a rattling sound.

Gravier glanced out the window of the carriage.

“It seems someone from the Austrian side has come to greet us.”

“I’ll go out first.”

Esterhazy bowed and approached the Austrian side first, and I got out of the carriage with Gravier.

Gravier showed a slightly surprised reaction when he saw the person standing in the front row of the welcoming party.

“A considerable figure has come out to greet us. Your Highness, that person is who I was talking about earlier.”

“Yes, I can see it too.”

The Austrian official, whose hair had begun to turn white, smiled brightly and approached me as soon as our eyes met.

It was a strange feeling because the slightly stern impression was not completely hidden even though he was smiling.

“Welcome to Vienna. I am Wenzel Anton von Kaunitz.”

“I am Louis Christian de France. It’s nice to meet you.”

The person we were just talking about as someone to be careful of suddenly appeared.

Kaunitz.

He is the person who virtually leads Austria’s foreign policy, and the alliance between France and Austria in the Seven Years’ War was his achievement.

However, the Seven Years’ War ultimately resulted in defeat to England, and France showed skepticism about the alliance with Austria, which had been a long-time enemy.

That’s why they are promoting a marriage alliance that binds the two royal families together.

For Kaunitz, this is a matter of his diplomatic career, so he must be desperate for this matter, even if he doesn’t show it.

He might become a useful card to use.

Of course, this seasoned master of diplomacy won’t easily show any openings.

After exchanging a few ceremonial greetings, we entered the palace, and a grand welcoming event began.

Fortunately, the etiquette of Schönbrunn Palace is not as strict as that of Versailles Palace.

After going through various procedures, I waited in the waiting room for a while, and Kaunitz politely extended his hand towards the passage leading to the audience chamber.

“Let’s go. Her Majesty is waiting.”

I stood at the front of the procession with a confident gait and entered the audience chamber.

As the royal family of an allied nation had visited in person, a considerable number of Austrian nobles appeared.

As the throne gradually approached, the face of the woman looking down from above came into view.

“The Archduchess of Austria, the Queen of Hungary, Croatia, and Bohemia. This is Maria Theresa Walburga Amalia Christina!”

The chamberlain’s booming voice echoed, and I slowly bowed.

The beauty that was once considered the best of its time had faded before the passage of time, but the depth accumulated over that time made her dignity stand out even more.

The Empress, who was looking at me with a piercing gaze, opened her mouth in a low but dignified voice.

“Welcome to my palace, young prince. I promise to show the utmost sincerity so that you can have a comfortable time during your stay here.”

The Empress’s voice had a subtle force that was both warm and irresistible.

I raised my head slightly to answer the welcome, and my eyes met hers.

It was only a brief moment, but I could glimpse the deep curiosity in Theresa’s eyes.

It seems that a comfortable rest is out of the question.

It was a first meeting that gave me such a near-certain premonition.