CHAPTER 588: CHAPTER 579 INITIAL THOUGHTS ON THE ANNEXATION OF LUXEMBOURG

Hearing William I’s response, Jerome Bonaparte was overjoyed, and he promptly showered his father-in-law with a couple of flattering praises.

Jerome Bonaparte’s flattery brought a hint of joy to William I’s wrinkled face. After all, who doesn’t like to be flattered, especially by the leader of the foremost power in Europe?

However, this joy only lasted for a moment, and William I returned to his serious demeanor, inquiring Jerome Bonaparte about how he planned to face the Kingdom of Britain and the Austrian Empire once his plan succeeded.

After all, one was the head of the German Confederation, and the other harbored vigilance against the French Empire’s actions of European territorial annexation.

During the Orleans Kingdom period, the Netherlands region, eager to be under French rule, was forced to become independent under the intervention of the European Great Powers.

Luxembourg was both a member of the German Confederation and part of European territory, which destined it to never be able to evade these two countries.

Jerome Bonaparte needed to consider whether the annexation of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg by the French Empire would provoke a fierce reaction from the Kingdom of Britain and the Austrian Empire, thus impacting the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the French Empire.

William I knew his son-in-law in the Kingdom of the Netherlands too well; he would never let himself be put in danger.

"The German Confederation, especially those states in Southern Germany, I ask you to help me liaise with them! As long as the principalities of Southern Germany agree, the Austrian Empire will have no reason to oppose! The Austrian Empire currently needs us!" Jerome Bonaparte paused, speaking with confidence, "As for the Kingdom of Britain, as long as they want to continue fighting, they will also have to rely on us!"

Despite Jerome Bonaparte’s statement, William I still harbored doubts about whether the Kingdom of Britain would act according to Jerome Bonaparte’s plans.

"Father, please tell my brother-in-law in the Netherlands to sell without worry! If any problems arise, I will bear the consequences myself!" Jerome Bonaparte assured William I confidently.

Since Jerome Bonaparte was already planning for Luxembourg, he would not allow himself to face failure!

"Very well then!" Seeing Jerome Bonaparte’s confidence, William I nodded and said, "As long as you are confident!"

A little while later, Mokar returned to Jerome Bonaparte and William I, reporting the arrangement of Franz Joseph and Princess Sisi.

"I understand! You did well!" Jerome Bonaparte promptly praised Mokar.

"It’s my duty!" Mokar responded modestly to Jerome Bonaparte.

Then, under Jerome Bonaparte’s orders, Mokar escorted William I back to his room.

The hall of the Tuileries Palace was left with only Jerome Bonaparte and the bustling servants of the Tuileries Palace.

After pondering for a moment, Jerome Bonaparte raised his head, pointing at one of the servants and said, "You, come over here!"

The servant, pointed at by Jerome Bonaparte, was stunned for a few seconds, then approached and said, "Your Majesty!"

"Go to the stables immediately and prepare a carriage for me!" Jerome Bonaparte commanded in an unquestionable tone, "Remember to be quick!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" The servant quickly responded, then turned and scurried away.

After a few minutes, Mokar returned to Jerome Bonaparte again.

Before Mokar could speak, the servant sent to the stables came back, gasping, and said to Jerome Bonaparte, "Your Majesty, the carriage is ready!"

Mokar looked at Jerome Bonaparte in astonishment, "Your Majesty, where are you planning to go?"

"Ossai Pier!" Jerome Bonaparte stated his intended destination.

"Your Majesty, maybe you should go tomorrow! It’s so late, I fear something might happen..." Mokar worried about Jerome Bonaparte’s safety.

"Impossible!" Jerome Bonaparte decisively rejected Mokar’s suggestion.

"Then let me accompany you!" Mokar proposed to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Very well."

Jerome Bonaparte nodded in agreement, allowing Mokar to accompany him. The master and servant entered the carriage one after the other.

The jet-black carriage carrying Jerome Bonaparte and Mokar set off, quickly disappearing into the night, leaving only the flickering lantern at the rear swaying in the wind.

At this time, Jerome Bonaparte and Mokar did not know that their departure by carriage from the Tuileries Palace was clearly seen by Franz Joseph, residing in the Tuileries Palace.

Standing by the window, watching the carriage gradually disappear into the night, Franz Joseph’s face showed a hint of wariness: "Where are they headed?"

Ever since entering France, Franz Joseph had felt an inexplicable unease, akin to being a puppet led by someone else’s hand. Every word he spoke, every action, even every step was meticulously designed by his ministers. For a monarch used to being unrivaled in Austria, this was utterly unbearable. The discontent bred suspicion, making Franz Joseph feel like "there are always treacherous subjects trying to harm me."

Jerome Bonaparte and Mokar’s late-night departure from the Tuileries Palace further intensified Franz Joseph’s suspicions, prompting him to pace the room as he pondered the possible destinations of Jerome Bonaparte.

Could they be negotiating peace with the Russian Empire? A ridiculous thought surfaced in Joseph Franz’s mind.

After a while, he shook his head, dismissing the idea.

After much deliberation, Franz Joseph decided to seek answers from Prince Metternich.

He quickly approached the door, opened it, and stepped out into the corridor.

The servant on patrol in the corridor saw Joseph Franz standing there and deferentially said, "Your Majesty Franz, do you have any instructions?"

Franz Joseph put on a stern expression and asked the servant, "Do you know where Prince Metternich’s room is?"

The servant nodded and responded to Franz Joseph, "Please follow me!"

Under the servant’s guidance, Franz Joseph arrived at a door made of cedar wood.

"Prince Metternich is inside," the servant respectfully informed Metternich.

"Thank you," Franz Joseph nodded to express his gratitude to the servant.

"It is my honor to lead the way for you!" The servant, excitedly responding to Franz Joseph’s thanks, showed an expression of enthusiasm.

After the servant left, Franz Joseph gently knocked on the door.

"Who?" A voice, both old yet authoritative, came from inside the room.

Hearing Prince Metternich’s voice, Franz Joseph’s restless heart found a bit of calm.

"Advisor Metternich, it’s me, Franz Joseph!" Franz Joseph responded to the door.

After half a minute, the door opened, and Prince Metternich appeared in front of Franz Joseph.

"Your Majesty, please come in," Metternich didn’t ask the purpose of Franz Joseph’s visit and instead directly extended his hand to invite Franz Joseph into the room.

Once Franz Joseph entered the room, Prince Metternich closed the door again, and the two sat on the sofa near the window.

"What brings Your Majesty here at this late hour?" Prince Metternich, sitting on the sofa, asked Franz Joseph with a smile.

Franz Joseph recounted the scene he had just witnessed to Prince Metternich, then inquired of Advisor Metternich where he believed the Emperor of France would go at such a late hour.

"Your Majesty, are you worried that the French Empire might act against the Austrian Empire?" Prince Metternich asked Franz Joseph pointedly.

"Advisor Metternich, I cannot help but worry!" Franz Joseph, wearing a deeply troubled expression, softly replied to Metternich, "The damage caused by the last Bonaparte to the Empire has yet to be fully healed (referring here to the debt issued by the Austrian Empire during the Napoleonic Wars, which remains unpaid to this day). The Austrian Empire cannot repeat past mistakes."

"Your Majesty, do we have any other options?" Advisor Metternich retorted, "The Austrian Empire has already offended the Russian Empire; do we now want to offend the French Empire as well?"

Faced with Prince Metternich’s inquiry, Franz Joseph fell silent.

Indeed, the Austrian Empire could not afford to offend the French Empire after having offended the Russian Empire.

Should they anger Bonaparte, the Austrian Empire might find it difficult to secure allies.

"If the French Empire were to conclude a treaty with the Russian Empire, where would that leave the Austrian Empire?" Franz Joseph also voiced his concern.

"Your Majesty, the French Empire and the Russian Empire will eventually sign a peace treaty!" Prince Metternich, with conviction, responded to Franz Joseph, "Because the French Empire is incapable of conquering the Russian Empire and can only keep trimming its branches, so the Russian Empire is unable to interfere in Europe for a period!"

"Then the situation of the Austrian Empire..." Franz Joseph, full of worry, addressed Prince Metternich.

"Your Majesty, as long as the Empire cannot sit idly by while the Russian Empire extends its reach into the Balkan Region, then conflicts between us and the Russian Empire are inevitable!" Prince Metternich earnestly advised Franz Joseph, "Thus, now is the time when the Empire needs France, not the other way around!"