Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 018
Chapter Title: The Emperor to the Emperor (2)
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A mountain of documents towered on the desk in the office.
The banquet had been an unqualified success, and Franz's platinum jewelry demonstration had garnered far more acclaim than imagined. Yet that didn't mean the workload diminished.
On the contrary. It had multiplied the tasks demanding the emperor's attention.
The hot coffee cup left by the attendant had long since cooled, and the sunlight flooding the room began to slant toward evening.
Charles VI signed relentlessly without pause, only rising from his seat upon spotting his daughter entering.
"Oh, there you are. Sit down, dear."
Maria Theresa's eyes widened at the stack of papers on the desk.
"Did you come straight here to the office after leaving the banquet hall?"
"Yes. Thanks to Franz handling things so well, my own workload has exploded."
"...Should I be happy about that?"
"Of course. How could I not be thrilled when those haughty nobles are begging me to sell some to them too?"
She was still too young to grasp the subtle power plays between nations, but lately Charles VI had heard nothing but effusive praise for Theresa every time he met Prince Eugene.
Her talents were such that he might as well abandon hopes of siring a son. And he should keep Franz glued to her side at all times to prevent him from slipping away—ideally announcing their betrothal the moment she turned ten.
At first, he'd dismissed it as polite flattery. But Eugene repeated it like a parrot at every encounter, planting seeds of doubt. Could it really be true?
And after observing Franz and Theresa as objectively as possible today, Charles VI had no choice but to concede that Eugene's judgment was spot-on.
Perhaps he'd been too close to notice their growth.
He'd planned a careful match, but now he regretted her youth.
Unlikely as it was, if somewhere like France snatched Franz away... he might have to follow Eugene's advice and arrange the betrothal next year.
But most importantly, it came down to his daughter's heart.
Political marriages were the inescapable fate of royalty, yet Charles VI sincerely wished for Theresa's happiness.
A mere nine-year-old couldn't grasp romantic love, but asking was better than assuming.
After some light small talk, the emperor casually tested the waters.
"By the way... did you like the gift?"
"Yes! Of course I did. Franz and I were just talking about it."
"Oh? Really?"
"I asked for a ring next time, but he said it needs Your Majesty's permission."
"A... r-ring?"
He never imagined that word emerging from his daughter's mouth first—neither his nor Franz's. The emperor blinked in stunned silence for a moment.
Were children these days always this forward? Or was Theresa that smitten with Franz?
"Sweetheart, do you even know what asking for a ring means...?"
"Of course. That's why, Father—can't you use your imperial authority to put in a good word with Franz? Please?"
"Well... that's... Any particular reason you want to get engaged so soon?"
"Because Franz is the coolest person in the world! What if we dawdle and some other girl proposes to him first?"
"...I see."
He realized how foolish he'd been to doubt her feelings.
"I just wish you could see how amazing, cool, smart, and wonderful Franz is too. Our Franz is..."
Charles VI suddenly found himself enduring an entire evening of his daughter extolling Franz's virtues.
"So anyway! I think with what Franz said, we should at least... by age fourteen..."
A nine-year-old demanding an early betrothal to avoid losing him to another girl—an outrageous request.
If she was like this already, he could only imagine a few years from now.
'Looks like the one getting hooked isn't Theresa... it's Franz.'
The future felt so vividly clear that Charles VI suddenly felt a surge of manly solidarity, wanting to root for Franz.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ As the sunset's glow seeped into the flower garden, dyeing it crimson...
I finished my mental calculations and opened my eyes.
From pestering Eugene with grand strategy questions each visit to the palace and my own efforts to build military strength, I'd learned one thing.
I could become the world's richest man, but never a supreme commander like Napoleon or Alexander.
Of course, I could master efficient grand strategy and appointing capable generals where needed.
That alone would yield results incomparable to my past life. But pure martial conquest to carve up Europe? Unlikely.
As the saying goes, knowledge reveals more. With growing military insight, I could now gauge just how monstrous this boy before me would grow.
In a way, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me.
Europe's tangled diplomacy wasn't ruled solely by personal sentiments between monarchs... but rare as it was, building goodwill early couldn't hurt.
The key was doing it naturally.
To this future Potato King, wary of others, plant seeds of genuine favor.
"To be honest, the Electorate of Brandenburg is very low on the priority list right now."
"As expected... I see."
"Yes. Even among electors, the Bavarian Elector came in person, and others have signaled approval of the Pragmatic Sanction within the year."
"I understand. My apologies. It seems I imposed with an unreasonable request."
Though he nodded in seeming acceptance, regret swirled in Friedrich's eyes.
He truly wanted to bring his sister an impressive gift.
And that was my perfect excuse to pretend reluctance before granting his wish.
"...But I can't help bowing my head to Your Highness's family devotion. Hearing you reminded me of my own siblings. I haven't been the best brother, and it made me feel guilty."
Color returned to Friedrich's shadowed face. I continued gently.
"Caring for family is natural, but once you're leading a house or nation, even siblings become untrustworthy. So I want to help Your Highness maintain that bond with your sister."
"D-does that mean...?"
"But if the Elector of Brandenburg found out, wouldn't he forbid it?"
"It's fine! I'll tell Father it's silver jewelry. He won't inspect it closely anyway. My other siblings side with me and my sister too."
At this point, I almost wanted to see how the Elector raised his children.
Come to think of it, in my past life, Friedrich's sister Wilhelmina threw a commemorative banquet the moment national mourning ended after their father's death.
I'd dismissed it as fake news—an outrageously unfilial act—until confirming it true and reeling in shock.
Back then, I wondered how she could after her father's death... but hearing the story made it understandable.
This emotional boy turning into a ruthless loner who trusted no one outside family? Surely his father's influence.
"...Hmm. Then I'll somehow secure a set for Your Highness. But can you pay?"
"Ah, yes. I have some money I've saved secretly..."
"There's no such thing as secret in this world. If the Elector investigates, it'll be exposed immediately."
"That's..."
Friedrich's father, Friedrich Wilhelm I, despised waste above all.
Even slight suspicion would prompt a thorough probe, dooming any hidden funds.
"And platinum jewelry will sell for over ten times the price of gold equivalents. Taking such a sum secretly from the Elector feels off."
"...I see. I was too short-sighted."
"So let's settle payment when Your Highness ascends as Your Majesty. Sound good?"
"...Pardon?"
His eyes widened, interpreting it as a roundabout refusal.
His father was under forty—no telling when he'd inherit.
Handing over platinum worth ten times gold on credit? Unthinkable.
"Is that... really okay? Such a fortune, just like that...?"
"It's fine. You reminded me of family's value, which I'd forgotten. Consider it my modest gesture."
In truth, the ore from South America cost next to nothing.
Even at full price, easing this future king's wariness made it a bargain at a hundredth the cost.
"...Thank you. I'll never forget this grace. I swear I'll..."
"I'll sneak the jewelry to Your Highness when you leave. Hope your sister loves it."
Friedrich trembled with emotion, bowing deeply.
I never imagined forging such a bond with him of all people—sentiments ran deep.
Gratitude and grudge were two sides of the same coin.
Human connections could veer so drastically from a single happenstance.
I resolved to flip this coin differently from my past life.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Theresa's birthday celebration stage, battered by successive storms, finally curtained amid resounding success.
"Your Highness Franz! I'll trust in you alone!"
"Thanks to Your Highness, I can send favorable reports home. Truly grateful!"
The envoys showered requests and thanks even on departure.
Once platinum rumors spread across Europe, reactions would intensify.
After seeing off key dignitaries one by one, I moved to tend to my future VVIP.
"Your Highness Friedrich, as promised."
Unsure of Wilhelmina's tastes, I handed over a necklace—flashy yet tasteful, sure to appeal to most women.
"Thank you. I'll make sure my sister knows how much care Your Highness put in and what an extraordinary gift this is. Of course, we'll keep it our secret for now to avoid diplomatic issues."
Among non-royals, only Theresa and now Wilhelmina possessed platinum jewelry.
No royal could overlook such privilege.
Especially after watching envoys scramble for priority during the festival.
My gesture would resonate deeply.
Friedrich bowed repeatedly in thanks before turning to his carriage.
As he was about to board...
"Your Highness Friedrich, take this too."
I stopped him and pressed a platinum ring into his hand.
"Could this be...?"
"Admirable devotion to family, but don't neglect yourself. Wear it on your finger or as a necklace pendant."
He stared blankly at the contents in his palm, then looked up at me.
"May I... truly accept this? But I'm not worthy..."
"Didn't Your Majesty say it? A treasure befitting an emperor."
To the still-trembling Friedrich, I showed the ring's engraving: Der Große.
"May Your Highness become a great king."
Short words, heavy with meaning.
Friedrich's eyes wavered briefly before he clenched his fist around the gleaming platinum.
As if resolving something, he exhaled deeply and closed his eyes.
Brief encounter, yet the sunset's lingering echo ran profound and eternal.
A promise of future alliance between giants.
The Holy Roman Emperor-to-be's tribute to tomorrow's King of Prussia.