I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 30

Don’t Get Married (1)

“Just as I expected.”

I folded the letter in my hand and took a moment to collect my thoughts.

The mental shock from the regression still hadn’t subsided.

This time, the pain lasted at least five times longer than before, or so it felt.

With the marriage between Auguste and Marie already confirmed, my options were too limited, leaving me with no choice but to turn back time.

Even so, it was a choice I truly didn’t want to make.

I doubt I’ll ever repeat such a choice in my life.

To put it in perspective, it felt like experiencing the pain of a kidney stone and getting kicked in the groin with a soccer ball, all over my body.

This regression, that pain lasted for almost 30 minutes. What if I die again here?

Don’t be ridiculous.

There will be no more deaths in my life.

If I see even a hint of someone trying to kill me, I’ll make sure to kill them first.

“Still, I’ve successfully buttoned the first button, so….”

Joseph II, having received word through Marie that I wished to meet him, sent back a reply filled with cordiality.

Unlike before, the reason for his favorable attitude from the start was solely due to one phrase:

[A personal letter from His Imperial Majesty Joseph II, sole Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire]

In fact, Maria Theresa wasn’t strictly the Holy Roman Emperor, so it wasn’t exactly a lie.

Still, Joseph II must have felt considerable satisfaction that the French delegation’s representative recognized and addressed him in that way.

Even in the letter I just received, he was making it obvious how pleased he was, saying things like, ‘Now that I’ve recovered from my illness, I want to see the distinguished guest from France as soon as possible,’ and ‘I’ve heard much about the Bourbon dynasty’s insight, but it seems the rumors don’t do it justice.’

That just shows how strong his desire to be recognized was.

Considering the future, it’s necessary to establish a friendly relationship with Joseph II from now on.

If he opposes my plans, things could get complicated, and after Maria Theresa’s death, he will be the sole ruler of Austria for a while.

Immediately after receiving the reply, I went straight to the Hofburg Palace [the principal winter residence of the Habsburg dynasty] and had a private audience with Joseph II.

“Hmph… did my sister really say that?”

“Yes. She said that you are the greatest in this empire when it comes to love for family, and that there are few who can match your intellect. She was constantly praising Your Majesty.”

“That child is gilding my face too much. It’s not to that extent.”

“Not at all. Even I, a foreigner, can immediately tell how much Your Majesty loves Theresa and the youngest princess.”

Joseph II’s lips twisted slightly into a cynical smile when his mother’s story came up.

“Did my mother happen to mention me as well?”

“She didn’t talk about you directly, but she hinted at it indirectly. I believe she is aware of Your Majesty’s abilities more than anyone else, but it seems her feelings as a mother are holding her back.”

“That’s what I’m dissatisfied with. Does she still think of me as a teenager? She has a habit of judging and deciding everything too unilaterally. Don’t you think so too?”

We’ve come full circle again.

‘That question’ that sent my mind far beyond the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean in the last regression.

I had no intention of choosing the wrong answer this time, pretending to sympathize.

But saying no here would likely be stepping on an even bigger landmine.

Knowing his personality, if I denied his words, he would say, ‘What? Are you saying I’m wrong? Hahaha… you may leave now.’

In other words, it was time to unleash my survival skills, honed to the extreme in my past life.

“Surely, mothers always see their sons as children, no matter how much time passes. Theresa knows it in her head, but she is also a mother with an incredibly strong love for her son.”

“If she loves me, shouldn’t she give me more power?”

“Perhaps she wants to strengthen the foundation even more for when Your Majesty rules alone? And from my perspective, I think Your Majesty is actually holding back because of your feelings for your mother, even though you could be more assertive. Even I can see Your Majesty’s deep filial piety in loving your mother, so how much more would your subjects and the people know?”

In summary, Joseph II possesses the ability and power to push Theresa aside, but he is simply enduring it because he loves his mother so much.

Of course, it doesn’t mean he’s just being taken advantage of like a pushover.

He knows that Theresa loves him enough, so he’s just matching her rhythm out of consideration for his mother’s feelings.

The truth is likely far away, but in any case, Joseph II’s expression, having boosted his pride, certainly looked better than before.

It seems I managed to pass through the minefield without detonating.

“I believe that when Your Majesty, the enlightened monarch, directly governs this country, it will be the moment the empire regains its past glory. As a prince of an allied nation, I would like to wait for that day with anticipation.”

“…I don’t know where someone like you was before, but I’m glad you’ve appeared now. Come visit often while you’re staying in the palace. Whether it’s politics or ideology, let’s exchange opinions and have a beneficial time, shall we?”

“If I can hear Your Majesty’s wise opinions, it would be an unparalleled honor for me. If you call me, I will come running anytime.”

Joseph II is known for his cynical personality and near-distrust of people.

The fact that he’s showing this kind of reaction, not trusting anyone except his family, meant I definitely scored points.

It was a world of difference from before when I stepped on a mine and had to retreat.

If I continue to coax him with words, he’ll become a strong sponsor while I stay in Austria.

More than anything, the worry that unnecessary interference would come in the decisive move I’ll make soon has disappeared.

Having successfully climbed one step, I let out a sigh of relief and decided to move on to the next stage.

※※※

“I really don’t know how to thank you enough.”

“The thanks are rather mine. Thanks to you, things have been resolved more easily than expected.”

Finally, the promised day has arrived.

Marie Antoinette, whom I met a little earlier than the concert as planned, had a brighter expression than ever.

“I wanted to do something helpful as a princess of this country before leaving the palace anyway. Christian, you have fulfilled my wish.”

As expected, she smiled brightly with joy, and I smiled back at her.

I have to make her happy. That’s why I deliberately held a surprise event.

After promising to meet again last time, I immediately went to Theresa and asked for permission for Marie to appear together in the smallpox vaccine trial.

Thanks to my experience in the last regression, I knew that Marie was very thirsty for this kind of opportunity, and I had experienced that the actual effect was good.

In the service industry, isn’t the moment when customers are most impressed when you present them with what they want before they even say it?

By faithfully following that rule, the friendliness in Marie’s eyes towards me definitely deepened.

Of course, this was also thanks to the fact that I resembled Louis XV and had an objectively handsome appearance.

If it were my appearance from my past life, I might have ended up being evaluated as just a ‘good person’ no matter how well I treated her.

Sadly, I put aside the truth that came from past experiences and focused on my conversation with her.

“It must have been a long time since you wandered around outside the palace for so long, how was it?”

“What more can I say? It was such a great experience. I am also very grateful that I was able to engrave the beautiful streets of Vienna in my eyes for the last time.”

She looked satisfied but also looked around the scenery of Schönbrunn Palace [the main summer residence of the Habsburg rulers, located in Vienna] with a slightly wistful look.

Gardens and sculptures that are not overly flashy but maintain an elegant charm, and beautiful fountains that are vibrant even from a distance.

Everything is a familiar sight because I have been watching it since I was young, but now each one will look completely different.

“Will Versailles be as beautiful as here?”

“Just as Schönbrunn has its own unique charm, Versailles also has beauty that can only be found there. Honestly, it’s hard to say it’s easy to live in, though.”

“I prefer your honest answer. Maybe it’s to reassure me, but the people around me kept telling me only good things. I have ears to listen, you know.”

I honestly understood why the people around her said that.

She’s already going to a country with strained relations due to a political marriage, so how could they say things like, ‘Life in the French court is terribly difficult, your privacy will be exposed, and you’ll suffer so much that you’ll bleed’?

If they said something like that and Marie started to whine about not wanting to go, the person who misspoke would be booking a one-way ticket to heaven.

Seeing my expression that I understood, Marie sighed deeply.

“I can’t deny that I grew up like a flower in a greenhouse, but I am also a princess of this country. As I said before, I am fully aware of the duties I must fulfill.”

“Are you saying that you are willing to accept the reality that you cannot live your own life?”

“Of course. Considering the comfortable life I have enjoyed so far and the luxury I will enjoy in the future, I have to pay that price. I can do it enough. I have to.”

Her last words felt like an affirmation to herself rather than to me.

Before, I couldn’t notice anything seeing that figure.

I just thought she was a girl with a strong mind who was afraid and scared but overcoming it well.

But now I can see it.

Is it because the scenery that is naturally visible changes when the standing position changes?

The reason why Marie Antoinette showed favor to Louis Christian from the beginning.

I couldn’t understand the sense of kinship she had for me at first.

I knew it in my head, but that was it.

So I didn’t see it at first.

How great is the fear and hesitation that this little girl has?

“If the princess’s determination is truly firm, I can give you more realistic advice. But it will be painful to hear.”

“Please do. I have already prepared myself.”

“To be honest, your determination is admirable, but your perception is naive. You already expected that life in the Palace of Versailles would be difficult, but what will really make the princess suffer is not Versailles but France.”

“I know. Just because we’ve had a few marriages doesn’t mean that the 200-year-old animosity will be resolved right away. I expected that most people would not be entirely favorable to me.”

The determined eyes and the clenched fists, desperately trying to hide the trembling hands, were noticeably pitiful.

Anyone with any sense would have expected that Marie Antoinette would not be entirely welcomed in France.

Of course, unlike me, who knows the flow of history, no one would have predicted exactly how intense it would be.

‘Surely they won’t curse the queen that much, will they?’

‘Surely all the slander won’t go to the queen just because there’s no mistress, will it?’

‘Surely the country’s situation won’t get so bad that the people can’t stand it, will it?’

But surprisingly, all of that happens.

“When you go to France, think that you have no one on your side. A majority of the nobles, almost all the citizens, will pick on even the princess’s slightest flaws. You can think of the unconditional favor you have received so far as working in the exact opposite way. And the media, hungry for scoops, will exaggerate even unfounded rumors and try to cover the princess with a false impression and constantly try to carve you with their pens.”

Strictly speaking, this is a story a little later when the public sentiment of the royal family has fallen to the bottom.

At first, many French citizens accepted Marie positively.

However, the more miserable the reality, the more someone is needed to take the blame.

It was inevitable that Marie, who had the best conditions to be cursed, would become the target.

“I see. I need to be a little more… firm.”

“You may see more than you can imagine.”

“Still, I do have people on my side, don’t I? You’re here, Christian, and so is the person who will be my husband….”

Marie’s voice, listing her hopes, gradually grew smaller.

Since he was the most likely candidate for her future husband, she must have diligently investigated the rumors in her own way.

It was unfortunate for Marie, but Louis Auguste could not become a breakwater to protect her.

He was by no means a bad husband, but the problem was that they were the people who would become king and queen.

Before becoming a good husband, he had to become a good king.

Auguste was desperately lacking in that area.

I could reassure her with sweet words here, but since that wasn’t my purpose in the first place, I couldn’t comfort her.

More thoroughly, I have to drive her to spit out her true feelings.

I mercilessly presented the cold reality to Marie, who was trying to find even a slightly positive distance.

“Unfortunately, do not have any expectations for the person you are currently discussing marriage with.”

“…Then I guess I have no choice but to endure it….”

“Actually, there is a better way.”

“Really? What is it….”

Marie’s body, her ears perked up, leaned forward naturally.

At the same time, my voice sank so low that no one around could hear it.

“…If you break off the marriage.”

“Yes? What did you say?”

That’s right. There is no other way.

“Don’t do it. That marriage.”