I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 88

Three days after all the minor welcoming procedures were completed, I found myself facing the Russian diplomats at the negotiation table with Count Charles Gravier, who was in charge of the practical matters.

“Your Highness, is it okay to proceed as we discussed beforehand?”

Count Gravier’s abilities had already been proven in Austria. Normally, he was an excellent talent with no particular flaws, but this time the situation was a bit different.

Preparations for the war with England were top secret, so Count Gravier had only recently been informed. Because of this, many of my opinions had to be reflected in the practical aspects.

“Just proceed as I prepared. Russia has no choice but to go along with us anyway.”

“Understood.”

As Count Gravier and I entered the conference room, Osterman and Alexander, who had arrived earlier, stood up and greeted us.

“Welcome, Your Highness! We look forward to working with you.”

Alexander bowed deeply, his face radiating goodwill that was plain for anyone to see. It was unusual for a diplomat to reveal his emotions so openly, but he didn’t seem to have any intention of hiding them in the first place.

“If you have any inconveniences during your stay, please let me know. I will take immediate action.”

“No, I was just about to express my gratitude for the French side’s meticulous consideration in every aspect.”

“I’m relieved to hear that. I have a strong feeling that this meeting will go well.”

“Hahaha, you’re right.”

The meeting started smoothly after several rounds of amicable conversation.

“Although it has already been conveyed to your country, the Russian royal family did not have a princess of marriageable age until recently,” Osterman carefully broached the topic.

The first thing to address when forming a marriage alliance is the status of the person who will marry Auguste. If this is not agreed upon, the discussion itself is impossible.

“We have also conducted our own investigation after hearing your country’s words. It seems certain that she is a woman of the Romanov dynasty.”

“Yes. Unfortunately, the direct paternal lineage of Peter the Great has already been cut off. The current Crown Prince is the only one who has received blood from the maternal side.”

“We are well aware of your country’s situation.”

Catherine II, who seized the throne after ousting Peter III, the most incompetent monarch since Peter the Great, did not inherit the blood of the Great Emperor.

The reason why Peter III, who was utterly incompetent, was able to become king in the first place was purely because he inherited the blood of the Great Emperor.

Still, Catherine II did not give up on the marriage alliance with France. Looking for a royal family member who could be used as a target for a political marriage, she finally found a suitable partner.

The sisters of Ivan VI, who had been deposed about 30 years ago, were still alive. Ivan VI was not a direct descendant of Peter the Great, but rather a member of the venerable German House of Welf [a prominent European noble family]. However, if you go back up the line, he inherited the blood of Ivan V, Peter the Great’s half-brother, so he was a figure who could sufficiently claim legitimacy.

However, Ivan VI was young when he ascended the throne, and his mother, who was in charge of the regency, tried to oust Elizaveta, the most popular figure in the palace, and was overthrown from the throne in reverse.

After that, Ivan VI was separated from his brothers and imprisoned, and died in prison by order of Catherine II.

Still, his siblings were living relatively comfortably, albeit in confinement.

Catherine brought the most intelligent and beautiful child among the daughters born to these sisters to the palace and restored all her status and rights. If Ivan VI had not fallen, she was a child who could have become the Grand Duchess of Russia, succeeding Anna Leopoldovna, so her status legitimacy was certain.

Her child would also have the right to inherit the Russian throne, so Catherine had shown the greatest sincerity she could.

Of course, Leopoldovna was not reinstated without a plan. If she had been left in Russia, she could have posed a threat to the heirs to the throne. But since she was brought in for the purpose of getting rid of her to France, there was nothing wrong with treating her with respect.

It is also an excellent advantage that France can claim to be sending a Grand Duchess who properly inherited the blood of the Romanov family.

“Her Majesty has personally given the name Juliana to the person who will marry the Crown Prince. As you can see from the portrait we brought, she is a very beautiful person. We are putting our heart and soul into her education to equip her with the refinement befitting the Queen of France, so I would be grateful if you would look kindly on her.”

“Hmm… It’s certainly a bit subtle, but it’s not to the point where we can’t accept it.”

She is a Grand Duchess who inherited the blood of the Romanov family, and Catherine II adopted her, so she certainly has some semblance of what is required. However, the fact that she is the sister of a deposed king is a concern.

Even if she were another royal family member, she cannot be said to be entirely suitable as the wife of the Crown Prince who will become the King of France. Just looking at her background, my wife Marie looks much better.

“Her Majesty has clearly acknowledged that the descendants of Grand Duchess Juliana also have the right of succession. So I don’t think the unfortunate events of decades ago will be a disadvantage.”

Osterman’s argument also made sense. After all, what is important in this era is how much legitimacy each other’s bloodline has and what justification this can provide.

It is enough to be recognized that the French side has the right to voice its opinion on the issue of Russian succession. The rest is nothing more than a secondary issue.

“It’s certainly as the ambassador says. But we can’t help but consider the national sentiment. You understand that, right?”

“Yes… well, that’s…”

No matter what beautiful words are used, it cannot be denied that Juliana Leopoldovna’s background is inferior to Auguste’s. In fact, Auguste thought that was a good thing, but from the standpoint of weighing national interests, he couldn’t readily accept it for that reason.

That’s why Auguste was not present at this meeting.

“If your country accepts this proposal, your country also needs to save our face. You agree up to this point, right?”

“I don’t deny it, but such sensitive matters need to be coordinated over several times…”

“There’s no need to be so nervous. It’s not like we’re trying to impose unreasonable conditions. As I said, I hope that both countries can benefit from this alliance. If only our side benefits, your country won’t feel the need to continue the alliance, and vice versa.”

“That’s right. It won’t be too late to listen to the French side’s demands and make a decision.”

Alexander sided with me, so Osterman couldn’t just back out. He nodded reluctantly as if he couldn’t help it.

“Okay. Then please tell us what Your Highness wants.”

“The story that goes on here from now on must never be exposed to the outside. The same goes for after you return to Russia.”

“…What on earth is this…”

“First of all, before I get to the main point, let’s check whether the interests of both countries align. How does the Russian side evaluate the conclusion of this Turkish War?”

The Russo-Turkish War was a decisive event in France’s shift of alliance from Turkey to Russia. Russia was also in the midst of positively evaluating this war because it was a complete victory. Only outwardly.

“It was a great victory. France is also satisfied that the belief that they chose us was not wrong.”

“If you only look at this one time, you might see it that way. But in the long term, the story changes. Of course, your country must have recognized that point.”

“No, that’s…”

“There’s no need to hide it. Isn’t it a true alliance to solve such problems together? The Russian side must be trying to become blood brothers with us to overcome this situation.”

Perhaps because he was hit right on the mark, Osterman couldn’t say anything back.

The conflict between Russia and Turkey is a serious issue that the entire Northern and Western Europe is paying close attention to. Austria and Prussia, which are wary of Russia’s southward expansion, are also pressuring Russia whenever they get the chance.

Among them, the one that gives Russia the most stress is naturally England.

“As long as England is intact, Russia cannot go south of the Black Sea. England will never allow Russia to occupy the Bosphorus Strait no matter what.”

“Um… well, that’s… right.”

The moment Russia extends its power to the Mediterranean, it no longer needs to rely solely on trade with England. Of course, the aspect of gaining an ice-free port and expanding power cannot be ignored.

Right now, Turkey can resist even if it’s clumsy, so it ends with putting diplomatic pressure, but the original history tells us what England will do if it goes beyond this.

Russia, which tried to get Turkey by any means, was shattered by the allied forces of England and France, and suffered the humiliation of greatly weakening the imperial power.

The Russian side does not know this future, but they are roughly guessing. England will never let Russia swallow Turkey.

But no matter how much Russia increases its national power, it cannot match England, the strongest country in the current era.

So let’s bring in France and somehow balance it out. This is probably the plan that Russia is drawing. And I was planning to pretend to respond appropriately to this and extract as much as I could.

“What do you think we should do to keep England from interfering with Russia’s attack on Turkey?”

“…The most direct way is for France to block England.”

Osterman smiled bitterly, revealing his honest feelings. I smiled back and shook my head slightly.

“There’s a more sure way than that. Make England not have the leeway to pay attention to the Black Sea.”

“If only that were possible, it would be the best, but can such a situation be created as easily as saying it?”

“At least within 5 years, there will be a gap for that to happen. I promise you here. If you listen to our side’s conditions, England will never be able to interfere with Russia in the next war.”

“If there is such a clever trick, we would like to ask for it first. What is it?”

Osterman’s body leaned forward slightly without realizing it. I dismissed the people around me and deliberately delayed, raising the atmosphere to the fullest. Then, I whispered in a small voice.

“Soon, a large-scale war will break out over the colonies of the New World. Stand on France’s side and strike England.”

“…Yes?”

Osterman’s mouth dropped open. Alexander, who was listening next to him, also widened his eyes in shock.

“Ah, no… wait a minute. Are you really saying that France is going to war with England? Not just pretending?”

“To be precise, we will participate in the form of supporting the independence of the colonies of the New World.”

“In the end, isn’t that what it means? If France and England clash in earnest, it will eventually become a retrial of the Seven Years’ War [a global conflict fought between 1756 and 1763]. It’s a path to mutual destruction.”

“That would be the case if the war broke out in an unprepared state.”

France cannot afford to wage another war on the same scale as the Seven Years’ War. Moreover, if it does not gain any particular benefit other than the satisfaction of screwing over England, like the War of Independence in the original history, it will only end up feeding a dog with a spoon [a metaphor for wasting resources].

Of course, I had no intention of repeating such a foolish thing.

“The most different thing about the upcoming war from the Seven Years’ War is that England has no allies. During the Seven Years’ War, England had a powerful ally in Europe called Prussia, and in the New World, 13 colonies united to support England. Even in that situation, our side was able to seize the victory. Russia pulled out at the most important moment, and things went wrong.”

“Ahem! That’s just the fault of the previous king…”

“Yes, I’m not here to discuss the rights and wrongs of that time. The important thing is that England has now lost its two most important allies. The colonies of the New World will turn against England to gain independence, and Prussia is grinding its teeth because it was backstabbed by England at the end of the war. It won’t side with England even if it doesn’t side with us.”

Osterman and Alexander had already held their breath and were completely focused on my words. They’re probably frantically estimating in their heads right now.

“We have already sent envoys to India. The countries of India will also start a war with England according to our plan.”

“England has to wage war in the New World, Europe, and India.”

“Yes. If Russia participates there, the outcome of the war is obvious without even looking at it. In fact, you don’t have to raise such a large army. It’s enough if you just pretend to side with France and participate.”

“If it’s that much…”

Osterman, who had never expressed a clear opinion at the meeting, slowly shook his head up and down. I realized that his heart was slowly leaning towards this side, so I pushed his back with sweet words that he could not refuse.

“Just side with us in the negotiations to end the war. In return, we won’t care how Russia cooks Turkey [a metaphor for exploiting or dominating Turkey]. We’ll even block Austria and Prussia’s intervention just once. Isn’t this a good deal?”

“Wait a minute! Can you give us some time to talk among ourselves?”

“Of course.”

Even if Osterman discusses it with Alexander, he currently has considerable affection for me. Moreover, he perfectly kept the promise he made at the embassy last time to have a mutually satisfactory negotiation on the surface.

Russia can never refuse my proposal.

I left the two of them behind and turned around leisurely.

Now, all that’s left is to wait for the envoys who went to India to return with an answer, and England will have to fight the whole world without a single ally.

Good. It’s a very desirable picture.

Who told you to get involved in all the conflicts around the world and act like a jerk just because your national power has grown a bit?

If you’ve accumulated karma, you have to pay for it.

Most of the preparations are complete.

Now, all that’s left is to wait for the crazy tea throwing show [referring to the Boston Tea Party, a key event leading to the American Revolution] to happen in Boston.