I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 26

Death Game (1)

The Holy Roman Empire had always openly displayed its pride in leading European culture and art.

Indeed, during its golden age, it was no exaggeration to say that almost every trend in Europe originated there.

Food, fashion, music—in every field, the Holy Roman Empire was a step ahead of its neighboring countries, a fact that many European monarchs envied.

Although it had declined and was, as the saying went, “neither holy, Roman, nor an empire,” its reputation as a cultural powerhouse endured.

Like a rich man who can live comfortably for three years even after losing his fortune, the empire had a foundation strong enough to last for decades even in decline.

Even France, which had increasingly emphasized art and gastronomy in modern times, was not entirely free from Austrian influence.

The fact that queens from the House of Habsburg dictated French fashion is proof of this.

The same was true of music.

Even though Paris had recently improved the quality of its court music, it still did not match Vienna, which had blossomed with the classical style after Bach’s Baroque era.

The purpose of inviting Haydn, the most celebrated musician of the time from the Habsburg court, to perform was obvious.

It was an attempt to impress guests while simultaneously boasting about their outstanding artistic achievements.

But it’s not like I’m going to be upset, thinking, ‘Ugh, France still has a long way to go in terms of art.’ It’s good for my ears, so I’m all for it.

I’m not deeply knowledgeable about classical music, but I have some familiarity from my liberal arts classes.

Having followed Professor Lee Yong-wook and attended many orchestra performances, I could at least distinguish between good and bad music.

This experience was subtly helpful because a certain level of cultural awareness was essential for nobles and royalty.

“Are you familiar with Haydn, Christian?”

That’s why questions like this come up out of the blue.

“I’m not an expert, but he’s so famous that I know a little about him. He’s a key figure in establishing the symphony style, so it’s impossible not to know him.”

“It makes me proud that he’s known that way in France too.”

Marie Antoinette seemed as pleased as if she herself had been praised.

Having grown up in Austria’s rich artistic environment, she began to explain without being asked.

“The symphony being performed today is a recently completed piece. A virtuoso oboe performance is a highlight, and there are innovative aspects in the score’s composition, so if you pay attention to those, you can appreciate a different kind of beauty.”

“Ah, yes…”

I never imagined this princess would have the qualities of a docent.

Or maybe she was just excited because it had been a while since she had such a conversation.

Either way, she talked non-stop until the performance began, and then she naturally focused on the stage.

When you think about it, how many opportunities would there be to hear Haydn’s music live?

If music majors today knew, they would be incredibly envious.

I’m not one to refuse such an opportunity, so I closed my eyes and relaxed into the music.

I used to think of it as a sleeping pill, but maybe because my position has changed, it was more enjoyable than before.

Quite some time passed, and when the performance ended, Marie looked back at me with a flushed face.

“What did you think?”

“…Thanks to your explanation, Princess, it was a much more enriching experience. I didn’t know you liked music this much.”

“It’s partly because it’s a requirement as royalty, but it’s one of the few hobbies I can enjoy without worry. And there are many pleasant memories too. Come to think of it, that time was also at Schönbrunn Palace.”

“That time?”

Marie’s gaze turned to the sky.

A faint emotion settled in her eyes as she recalled past memories.

“I was seven years old, maybe. I saw a child a little younger than me playing with divine skill in front of my mother. I was really surprised. How could he be so good at such a young age? But that prodigy must have been nervous because he fell in front of the stage. I reflexively went to pick him up, and do you know what he said?”

Of course, I know that anecdote.

I thought it was a story made up by gossips, but it was real.

“Did he propose marriage when he grew up?”

“Oh my gosh, how did you know? No one has ever guessed the answer when they heard this story.”

Marie’s eyes widened as if she couldn’t believe I would get it right.

In reality, there was no chance that the boy would marry the Austrian princess, but it was a cute anecdote.

Judging by her reaction, that day seemed to remain a sweet childhood memory for Marie.

“The child said one more thing. He said that he would become a famous musician known all over the world and play again, so please listen.”

“How innocent.”

“But now it’s a promise that can’t be kept. I’m leaving this country soon.”

Unfortunately, Marie’s feelings were true to history.

After that meeting in childhood, the boy became a world-renowned musician, but he never played in front of Marie again.

“Don’t worry. Even if you go to France, if that boy becomes a truly famous musician, you can invite him. You remember the boy’s name, right?”

“Yes. How could I forget?”

A faint smile returned to Marie’s lips, which had looked sad.

“Amadeus. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.”

So that’s right.

I shuddered slightly at the thrill of that name.

The name of a great musician that almost everyone will know even in the modern era, hundreds of years later, and even further into the future.

Didn’t he keep his promise too well?

Of course, that wasn’t his sole motivation; he didn’t become a legend just to fulfill a childhood promise to the princess.

“Someday, the day will surely come when he keeps his promise. Come to think of it, you haven’t been out of the palace much, have you, Princess?”

“No. Unless it’s a big event, I’m usually always inside the palace.”

“Then, before you go to France, let’s go out once to change your mood. Soon, a vaccine will be administered in Vienna on a trial basis [referring to the smallpox inoculation, a precursor to modern vaccines]. If you come out then, Princess, it will greatly reduce the public’s resistance. I’ll talk to His Majesty.”

“Really? Then please do. I want to help the people even a little before I leave.”

Anyway, there’s nothing more helpful than the endorsement of royalty to encourage citizens to voluntarily get vaccinated, so this is originally necessary.

If things go well, I can make a lot of money not only from France but also from Austria.

Joseph II, who will succeed Maria Theresa and rule Austria alone, has a great affection for Marie Antoinette.

In preparation for that time, it would be a good choice to score points by showing off like this.

I have to spend quite a bit of time here, so I have to use it as usefully as possible.

Build as much of a foundation as possible and make connections that will be helpful.

I diligently sorted out things that would be helpful in the future and made plans.

※※※

“Is the negotiation going well?”

In a private room at Schönbrunn Palace, Maria Theresa looked down at Kaunitz [Wenzel Anton, Prince of Kaunitz-Rietberg, a prominent Austrian statesman] and asked.

“Yes. We have agreed to marry the Crown Prince of France, Louis Auguste, to the youngest princess.”

“It has to be. It’s meaningless if it’s not the Crown Prince.”

“The smallpox vaccine trial is also smoothly scheduled. The French side seems to want the princess to show her face at the vaccination site.”

The Empress tapped the table with her fingers as she listened to her capable subordinate’s report.

“I hear that child seems to be getting along well with the French prince?”

“Yes. It seems that he’s the only one of her age and status. I heard that she spent her childhood in Austria, so they communicate well.”

“What do you think? You must have talked to that prince?”

“Frankly, it’s a bit complicated.”

Kaunitz was a figure who had achieved success by dealing with foreign diplomats for decades.

Currently, there were few people in Austria whose ability to see through people was as accurate.

“In a word, he’s too capable. But he seems to have a good heart, so he can be a reliable friend when the princess goes to Paris.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. There’s a high possibility that she’ll be caught up in a bad scandal. Rather, I should tell her not to get too close and keep some distance.”

“However, there are many negative reviews about the current Crown Prince of France’s abilities. There is a possibility that Prince Christian will hold a considerable key position or become a pillar of power in the future. Drawing the line too much from now is a bit…”

Theresa nodded as if she understood what he meant.

A deep sigh escaped her lips as she closed her eyes for a moment and pondered.

“Kaunitz, if what you say is true, shouldn’t I say that the choices I have to make are rather fixed?”

“Your Majesty…”

“From an objective point of view, aren’t I the worst mother with no room for excuses? She marries the man she loves as she pleases, and most of her daughters are sacrificed for political marriages.”

“Most of the princesses understand. It was an inevitable choice for the sake of national interest.”

A bitter smile appeared on Theresa’s face.

In fact, no matter how many times she says these words, if she had the chance to choose again, she would not hesitate to make the same choice. That’s why she couldn’t help but feel more sorry for her daughters.

“That’s right. Everything is for the sake of this country. And I wonder if I’m doing something terrible to my daughter again for the sake of that national interest.”

“The princess has a strong heart. Don’t worry too much.”

An unavoidable thing.

Theresa, who had suppressed her heart as a mother several times, slowly opened her eyes.

Rising from her seat, she had already returned to being a cold-hearted empress.

※※※

Things in Austria went more smoothly than expected.

Marie Antoinette was very loved by the citizens of Vienna.

Just by showing her face once, people’s resistance to smallpox decreased significantly.

To be honest, I didn’t know the effect would be so immediate.

Well, when you think about it, princesses are generally popular with the people just for being pretty.

Since she’s also kind, it would be stranger if the people didn’t fall for her.

Marie also seemed very satisfied, thanks to the sense of accomplishment that she had been helpful somewhere after going out for a while.

Auguste and Marie’s marriage was also smoothly confirmed, so the extension of the alliance was as good as achieved.

“Christian. Next time, I’ll show you the Roman ruins.”

The offer came suddenly during dinner, and I made another promise in a daze.

If we get too close, there might be a slight problem when I return to France.

No matter how much political maneuvering is a basic skill in France, having an affair with the Crown Princess is a different story.

Despite those inner thoughts, I was secretly enjoying my current palace life.

Unlike Versailles, which was suffocating, I feel much more comfortable here because I’m a guest.

Because it was a joyous day, many gifts came from all over.

Esterhazy [likely referring to a member of the Esterházy family, a prominent Hungarian noble family] brought high-end tea that he had brought from his main estate, and Bishop Vermond [likely referring to a clergyman associated with the French court] brought a pile of top-quality desserts.

Charles Gravier [Charles Gravier, comte de Vergennes, a French statesman] even opened the champagne he brought from France, saying we should drink together, and even expensive wines that I had previously said I wanted to drink were offered as tributes.

I returned to my residence in a thrilled mood and collapsed on the bed, and a pleasant sense of happiness enveloped my body.

When you think about it, isn’t it amazing?

I listened to Haydn’s symphony live, promised to invite Mozart to Versailles Palace someday, and became friends with Marie Antoinette over tea.

But somehow, I felt a bit chilly, like I had a cold.

I went to bed right away so that my poor condition wouldn’t interfere with tomorrow’s appointment.

If the Roman ruins tour is canceled, that smiling princess might become tearful.

Perhaps because I was so tired, my consciousness slowly sank into a dream.

And.

Hellish pain covered my body.

The pain was like my whole body being slashed with knives and my spine being ground down.

Even if my body was split into dozens of pieces and reattached, it would be more bearable than this.

There was no room to even doubt that the pain was too vivid and severe to be just a nightmare.

I have never suffered this much pain for this long.

I’d rather just be killed.

Then I wouldn’t feel all this pain.

At the moment of limit, when I thought my mind might go completely insane if I continued like this.

Consciousness returned as if being forcibly pulled out of the water.

Shaking hands and feet.

Cold sweat running down my back and a heavy head.

It’s a sensation I’ve tasted many times and am familiar with, but I never want to experience again.

The brain, which had regained its composure, slowly began to accept and analyze the current situation.

And.

“Ah, come to think of it, there will be a concert here at Schönbrunn Palace in a few days. It’s the orchestra conducted by the famous Joseph Haydn. Would you like to go see it with me?”

As a finishing touch, a familiar voice replayed the words I had heard a few days ago, word for word.

At this moment, my head perfectly accepted and understood the reality.

That’s right.

I died again and returned to the previous point in time.

Even that is different from the past, when I was at least aware that I had been attacked.

This time, I died and came back without even knowing why.

The only good thing is that I didn’t revert to the time when I first entered this body.

If that had happened, my mind might have really collapsed.

Should I call it a kind of save point?

There was no way to express it other than to say that it was God’s help that the point I returned to when I died was fixed on the first day I came to Austria.

Perhaps that’s why my heart wasn’t consumed by fear or embarrassment like before.

The panic was brief, and the overwhelming feeling that was consuming my heart now was the irritation and anger rising from the prolonged pain I had just experienced.

At the same time, cold and sharp reason clearly defined the priorities I had to address now.

Find the culprit.

After finding them… kill them.