Chapter 25: Chapter 24: Deal with the French Princess (2)

Berlin, German Empire

“I disagree with you having the entire Sinai Peninsula. I should at the least control the eastern side of the Suez Canal.”

This time when Crown Prince Justinian replies with that statement, Princess Charlotte knows that there is a large possibility in the future that she and the Crown Prince would be on the opposite side. She knows that her demand is very outrageous, especially concerning the control of the future Suez Canal.

Controlling the Suez Canal in the future means holding the arteries of global trade and hub for all commodities, energy, goods, and componentry that would travel from Asia and the Middle East to Europe, or vice versa. Whoever holds the canal would empower its allies and hurt its rivals and opponents, with its route shortening the travel time and distance of ships. So it is understandable that the Crown Prince would also want a bite from this fat pie – the Suez Canal.

For now, she can only agree with the Crown Prince and would not let his vigilance towards her grow more than what it is now. She knows that she needs to bid more time preparing for more power and influence, and maybe in the future the Crown Prince would never become an enemy but instead become an important political ally. Also, she and the Prince are relatives because the wife of Napoleon Bonaparte, Marie Louise, is also a Habsburg, and they were direct line descendants from that union.

“I know that you would say that but there is no harm in trying… Okay… we can change that, Austria would have the Sinai Peninsula and the border would be the future Suez Canal. I’m very magnanimous right?”

Princess Charlotte retracts her terms regarding the Sinai Peninsula to agree with the Crown Prince in a light-hearted manner so that it would lessen his suspicion towards her. She wants that the Crown Prince would think that it is not such a big deal to her to lose the Sinai Peninsula and share the Suez Canal.

“Yes… yes… princess… you are a very magnanimous and nice person.”

The atmosphere between the two didn’t change much even after their slight conflict regarding the Sinai Peninsula, both feel relieved that the negotiation didn’t fail. Crown Prince Justinian is even genuinely thankful to the Princess that she didn’t demand much from the deal and he receive a lot of support from her. He feels more at ease with the help of the Princess in the upcoming war against the Ottomans. Even her verbal and political support is already beneficial to him. But what shocked him the most is.

“Princess… did you already develop military trucks and combat planes?”

“Yep, I ordered my faction to secretly develop such weapons. I had just created some rough sketches and they hire developers and technicians to make it into fruition. But it is still on the First World War era level of trucks and planes back in our past lives. It might not bring much effect in combat but psychologically and mentally it will be powerful.”

“I’m really jealous of you Princess. You had enough leeway to start developing new weapons and technologies while we are still struggling to able to stand equally against the Ottomans.”

Crown Prince Justinian is genuinely envious of the situation the French are in right now. They ruled a vast empire around the world, have a strong army and navy, modernized infrastructures and industries in almost all fields, and has a strong economic and financial power on the world stage. While Austria currently is at its weakest point in history and there is a looming foreign invasion on the horizon.

“Then how about you being engaged with me?”

“…”

“…”

The atmosphere inside the parlor had immediately plummeted. If there are other people with them inside, then they would run away right now for the awkwardness is unbearable.

Crown Prince Justinian is stunned by what just Princess Charlotte said. He didn’t expect that the Princess would offer her hand in marriage to him. Rationally thinking, the offer of marriage to Princess Charlotte is a very attractive offer for him because it would be very beneficial to the cause he is fighting right now. The political, military, and economic power that he would gain in just marrying Princess Charlotte would be very significant that it might even deter the Ottomans and Germans from declaring war against Austria. But even knowing such advantages of marrying the French princess, he can’t decide immediately, he feels something is preventing him from accepting such an offer.

“I’m just joking Prince Justinian. It would also be awkward and weird if I’ll marry a transmigrator. I know you like that Asian girl so I’ll back down hahaha.”

After seeing that the atmosphere becomes solemn and awkward. Princess Charlotte immediately withdraws her statement and makes it a joke again. But deep inside she was hoping that the Crown Prince might have accepted her offer. For her, Justinian would be the suitable choice if ever she wants to marry.

The Crown Prince is first a transmigrator, which can help her in achieving her plans and she would be at ease if someone close to her also knew the plot of the novel and game and can provide her support. Second is that he is a Habsburg, their family has a long history and its foundation is better than the Bonaparte. Lastly, she doesn’t want him to be a possible opponent and threat in the future.

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But if there are any takeaways she gains from saying it, is that Crown Prince Justinian is still lacking in being a monarch. He is still lacking in regards to controlling his emotions and in choosing a more beneficial and logical approach. She can see that the Crown Prince is still vulnerable to his own emotions and he has a hard time deciding between benefits and personal feelings. She can also see that the Crown Prince is indecisive because of his feelings towards Lin, which she can use as a weakness to him during the time they would be on opposing sides.

“Hahaha you’re right it would be really uncomfortable and awkward if both of us transmigrator marries. Even if it is for the name of our nations I’ll refuse.”

Both are laughing but it can be seen in their faces the awkwardness that had just transpired. Especially Justinian, who is laughing bitterly because the French Princess is able to catch him off guard and might deduce something from that interaction. He feels helpless every time he interacts with the French Princess. It is like the Princess can pierce her thoughts and force him to talk about something that she wants.  

“Hey… Prince Justinian. Introduced Lin to me the next we meet. I’m also interested in knowing her.”

“Ohh… okay.”

The two continued talking about the terms of the deal that it takes up to about an hour to finish. After finalizing the term, they signed a secret deal between them. They decide to not make it public immediately so that they could surprise the Ottomans.

Crown Prince Justinian wants to release it to the public immediately that they signed a deal, but the terms would be kept secret. But Princess Charlotte convince Prince Justinian that it would be better hidden so that the Ottomans and the Germans would be caught off-guard, and the treaty would be released to the public when the time comes.

They both reviewed the signed terms that they have.

DEMANDS

• Princess Charlotte would receive the entire Ottoman Egypt.
• The Empire of France would receive the Ottoman Tripolitania
• The Austrian Empire would provide support to Princess Charlotte in developing Egypt and the Suez Canal.
• Princess Charlotte would receive the island of Crete.
• Princess Charlotte would receive the noble rank of duchess in the Austrian Empire.
• Austria and France would have a non-aggression pact for ten years.
• The Austrian Empire would not compete against France in influence in the Italian Region.

OFFERS

• Princess Charlotte would send her personal army to fight under the Austrian command in the coming war against the Ottomans. She would supply them with her own weapons and supplies.
• Princess Charlotte would supply the Austrians with French weaponry, artilleries, modern military trucks, and combat planes.
• The Kingdom of Sicily would send a volunteer force to fight under the Austrian command.
• The Kingdom of France would provide maritime troop transport and protection to all foreign volunteers who would fight for the Austrian Empire.
• The French Foreign Legion would fight under the Austrian army in the war against the Ottomans.

“I guess it’s time for us to leave Prince Justinian.”

“Yes, Princess. See you next year. Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas also to you, Your Highness.”

Princess Charlotte curtsy towards Crown Prince Justinian while he slightly lowers his head to bow to her. Justinian then walks towards the door to leave the parlor so that he can return to the university.

“Your Highness. I hope you succeed.”

“Thank you… You too Princess.”

Then Justinian leaves the door and closes it. Princess Charlotte is left inside the parlor sipping her tea, thinking about the future to come. She is contented with what she had accomplished today. She trusts that the Austrians would be able to overcome this struggle that they would soon face but she knows that there is still one thing that Justinian needs to take care of before the war – the Russian Empire.

“I have a lot of expectations from you Crown Prince Justinian, don’t make me disappointed.”

Princess Charlotte whispered to the air. Then the corner of her lips curved into a smile. What a wonderful world, she thought.

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