I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 95

Hapjong+Yenhong

“A child…”

The thought of having a family.

No matter how much I thought about it, it didn’t feel real.

From the moment I became aware in my previous life, I had no family, and even with Christian’s memories, it was the same.

I was getting along quite well with Louis XV and Auguste now, but I honestly didn’t know anything about the affectionate feelings of a family.

Of course, I was aware that I would have a child someday.

I was with Marie almost every day, no matter how busy I was, so it would have been strange if I hadn’t conceived a child.

But when I heard that I was going to be a father, what should I say?

An indescribable complex emotion swirled in my heart.

What is the usual reaction of a husband when he hears the news of his wife’s pregnancy?

The more affluent the family, the more sincerely they would react with blessings.

Especially for royalty.

The magical event that dramatically improves the relationship between even estranged couples is the conception of a second generation.

If they even have a son, it is no exaggeration to say that the couple has fulfilled their duty as royalty.

I was also going to congratulate Marie and pray that the baby in her womb would come safely into the world.

But strangely, words didn’t come out as if something was stuck in my throat.

“…Darling?”

Marie tilted her head when I didn’t respond after waiting.

She looked into my eyes seriously and asked.

“Are you worried?”

“Maybe,” I said with a bitter smile, nodding.

“I’m sorry. I should have been more considerate of your feelings.”

“No, I’m more sorry that I couldn’t set the mood properly.”

“No. I’m glad I can hear such honest stories. I was too excited and only thought about myself. Ah, but in some ways, it’s a good sign.”

“Yes?”

Marie smiled nonchalantly at my genuine curiosity.

“Isn’t the fact that you’re reacting like that proof that you’ve been thinking about this issue? Then I have no worries.”

Could it be seen that way?

I was completely ignorant in this area, so I decided to listen to her words quietly, unlike usual.

“Clearly, a person who grew up receiving a lot of love from their parents from a young age cannot be the same as someone who didn’t. But in the end, isn’t the most important thing how much you love your child?”

“Is that so?”

“Of course! And we can definitely give our future child a lot of love. Even if you’re not confident, just trust me and follow me. I’ll do whatever it takes.”

Marie smiled brightly, guaranteeing it coolly.

I always thought it was a beautiful smile, but today there was something that touched my heart so much that it felt tight.

Right. There’s no point in worrying about it.

Just walk the path that seems best, as I have always done.

I don’t know how much love I can give to my child, but I didn’t even know that my relationship with Marie would be so sincere.

“I understand. Thanks to you, my head is clear.”

“You always think too much. Sometimes it’s good to just empty your head.”

I smiled back at Marie.

Then her eyes softened and curved like a crescent moon.

“First of all, what I have to do now has become even clearer.”

I said, getting up from my seat with a light heart.

“I will quickly wrap up this war so that our child can be born with the best blessings.”

“Yes~ I’ll always trust you, as always.”

The steps forward were filled with a different level of responsibility than before.

But, strangely, I didn’t feel any pressure.

※※※

The news of Marie’s pregnancy soon spread throughout France.

As expected, Louis XV was overjoyed.

“Hahaha, am I going to see a great-grandchild now? There are good things about living a long life.”

Other nobles rushed to offer congratulations filled with flattery.

“The royal family has conceived an heir ahead of the national event of war, so what else could this be but a good omen? God is surely blessing the future of our France.”

“That’s right. The national celebration has broken out right before the war, so the morale of the soldiers will rise even further. Prince and Princess have done a great job again. Hahaha!”

“And what about the preparedness to prepare for the war in advance? I was honestly a little worried about going to war with England, but I heard that the story is already over with Spain, the Netherlands, Russia, and even India? We didn’t even know, so what about England?”

“That’s what I’m saying. It’s a pity that I can’t see how the English bastards react when they hear this news. I hope someone tells them even belatedly.”

The nobles gathered in the Hall of Mirrors [a grand gallery in the Palace of Versailles] listed positive prospects as if they had made an appointment.

Some people analyzed and praised the agreement with the United States, word for word.

“Even though New France is vast, Prince can surely do it.”

I casually let their flattery flow through one ear and nodded roughly.

“Your Majesty, have the contacts from the allied countries arrived as scheduled?”

“Yes. Spain and the Netherlands have also decided to join in accordance with our declaration of war.”

“What about Russia and Austria?”

“They also decided to join with a little time difference. I think the news won’t reach England until the news arrives from the Indian front.”

Perfect.

The picture I had been running around for the past few years was finally about to appear in the world in its completed form.

I was almost sorry that I couldn’t see the reaction of the British, as I had heard just before.

“But Christian, in fact, with the current structure, can’t we inflict much more serious damage on England? I think it’s possible to step on them so that they can never come back up.”

At Louis XV’s question, who seemed a little disappointed, many other nobles nodded in agreement.

“I think so too. Not only can we completely drive England out of the New World, but can’t our France also seize hegemony in India? If we follow the plan that His Highness has proposed, we will hardly suffer any losses, but at the same time, I felt that England’s damage was not maximized.”

“Yes. I expected such questions to come out. But we need to look at the situation from a more macro perspective. What if we step on England for sure here and France becomes the leading power in Europe? Our France will just take England’s place as it is.”

Unless France has the national power to wage a war against the whole of Europe, it is not ready yet.

It would be a big deal if it protruded more than necessary and aggro [aggression or hostility] was focused on this side.

“For the time being, France needs to instill the perception that it does not pursue only its own interests while looking after the convenience of its allies. So, we are taking a completely opposite route from England.”

“…I see. Rather than hastily monopolizing profits, you’re saying that we should gradually build up our internal strength. That’s a valid point.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“As expected of my grandson. When everyone is turning their eyes to the opportunity to retaliate against England, he has taken into account the future ahead. Good. I will do everything according to your opinion until the end of this war, so do your best.”

The bodies of the vassals flinched.

Even a child would know who would become the real power in France in the future if the king pushed so hard and produced results.

“As long as His Highness the Prince is here, the glory of France will continue in the future, Your Majesty!”

One nobleman quickly raised his voice.

Other nobles who had been robbed of their turn glared at him.

“That is right.”

“It’s a great decision.”

“Okay. Now, you guys step back.”

Louis XV cut off the words of the nobles who were trying to pour out their response belatedly and issued an order to leave.

“”Yes, Your Majesty! Please rest in peace.””

Those who had not yet made enough flattery to remain in the king’s memory retreated with regret.

Louis XV, who was left alone with me in the vast room, sighed with a slightly tired face.

“These days, this atmosphere is getting more and more serious. Do I have some kind of disease that I will die if I don’t say words close to praise every time I say a word.”

“Isn’t that because Your Majesty’s royal authority is on a solid foundation? It’s a good sign.”

“Well… I heard that it was a similar aspect when the late king was on the throne. He enjoyed this kind of thing, but he was a great person.”

“In my eyes, Your Majesty looks great enough.”

The King of France is an extreme job that he cannot do unless he enjoys the attention of the people and nobles.

Unlike his grandson Auguste, Louis XV was still a person who could wield and enjoy the power given to him to his heart’s content.

“I used to be like that, but as I get older, this kind of thing is getting more and more tiring. So, about that…”

The king murmured quietly and picked up a pen and paper.

I received the paper he handed over without a word and immediately shook my head up and down without a moment’s hesitation.

“Don’t worry. I will follow Your Majesty’s orders.”

※※※

Even after a full-fledged front was formed in North America, the British army never thought they would lose.

Even though they were bitten by a cornered rat, a rat cannot kill a cat.

William Howe, who was in charge of the commander-in-chief of North America, set two iron rules: not to overdo it and not to be impatient.

He had experience participating in the war on this American land during the Seven Years’ War.

Although he did not achieve any noticeable brilliant achievements, he did not think that his abilities were insufficient.

In that respect, this colonial suppression operation was an opportunity that would not come again for him.

“Stupid colonial bumpkins. Do you really think that such an absurd thing as independence is possible?”

“That’s what I’m saying. They must be overestimating their capabilities because they have won a few battles.”

“Tsk, I’ve definitely been too careless so far. The predecessor raised their morale too much.”

In fact, William Howe also lost to Washington on Long Island, but his subordinates were not so oblivious as to mention that point.

“Sir, when would you like to resume the offensive? We need to break the morale of the Continental Army, which has risen as much as it can now.”

“Don’t be too impatient. The last defeat was a mistake because we underestimated them too much and rushed the decisive battle. Reinforcements and supplies will arrive from the home country, so we will wait for our troops to join and then calmly crush them.”

Currently, the Continental Army was cleverly colluding with the Indians to continuously cut off the supply of our troops.

But Howe was not impatient.

Even if the connection with Canada was not smooth, England had the Atlantic Ocean, which was like its front yard.

No matter how much the Continental Army flies and crawls, it cannot stop the British warships with overwhelming naval power.

What good is it to cut off the supply on land if you can’t cut off the supply from the sea?

In the end, their resistance is just buying time. Nothing more and nothing less.

“The emperor has the emperor’s way of fighting. If we can win safely even if we go a little slower, there’s no reason to avoid that path.”

His subordinates fully agreed with Howe’s strategy.

In fact, wouldn’t they be the first to get shot and fall down on the battlefield?

If we can push with overwhelming quantity and firepower, our survival rate will increase that much.

Major Howe leisurely waited for supplies from the home country to arrive inside the base.

But strangely, even after a week and a half, the fleet he was waiting for showed no signs of coming.

“Could it be that they encountered a storm on the way… It’s going to be a little difficult if it’s delayed any longer.”

Just as anxiety was slowly building in the camp due to the delayed supply.

Finally, a ship with the British flag was seen across the coastline.

That’s right.

It was not a fleet, but a single ship.

“What? Where’s the supply I asked for, and what’s with the liaison ship…”

Could it be that the parliament rejected the additional dispatch plan because it cost too much.

But before Howe, who was full of annoyance, could say anything, a soldier who got off the ship hurriedly approached him and informed him of shocking bad news.

“It’s a big deal, General!”

“The big deal is that our army is in a big trouble because we haven’t received supplies. What happened to the additional support I requested?”

“That’s… I don’t think it’s possible for the time being.”

“What? Do you think this situation is a joke? The Continental Army is colluding with the Indians and causing a riot in large numbers! We desperately need additional troops to suppress them! How does the home country see this situation…”

But the soldier raised his voice, cutting off Howe’s words, who was about to continue cursing.

It was an impossible insubordination, but Howe could not point out the soldier’s attitude.

That’s because the content that came out of his mouth was so shocking.

“France, Spain, and the Netherlands have all declared war on the home country, taking the side of the colonies!”

Howe spat out his saliva at the unexpected report and shouted.

“You crazy!”