CHAPTER 320: CHAPTER 316 VALEROVSKY TAKES COMMAND IN A CRISIS

Marriage has always been a major event in life since ancient times, causing distress from monarchs to common people over whom they should marry.

Especially for a monarch, marriage is not only about their own interests but also concerns the interests of the entire country and nation.

In the face of national and political interests, the happiness of the monarch becomes secondary.

In the Western world, marriages between nobles and nobles, and between royal families, have become unshakeable tacit rules. The stories of princes and Cinderella, and princesses and tailors, can only appear in fairy tales.

Of course, as long as you can use the army to completely crush the orthodox order, like Jerome Bonaparte’s uncle, Emperor Napoleon, and have the army lay siege to their capital, they will obediently betroth the princess to you as well.

The mother of Jerome Bonaparte, the wife of Prince Eugene (Napoleon’s adopted son)... they all relied on the might of Emperor Napoleon’s military to accomplish their reversals of fate.

With the collapse of the Napoleon Dynasty, these empire princes, who once achieved reversal, returned to square one again, needing the protection of their wives to survive.

However, the second generation of Bonaparte (this generation of Jerome Bonaparte) has it worse. Having only half of the "noble" bloodline, their arranged marriages with families of "prince" status were destined to be fraught with obstacles.

Lucky "princes" (sons of Prince Eugene) gained the "forgiveness" of the royal families and married their daughters.

Unlucky "princes" (Prince Canino, Charles Bonaparte) had no choice but to opt for internal marriages.

Some "princes" (Louis Napoleon) even had to humble themselves and marry "commoners." (Referring to the historical Louis Napoleon, who married Eugénie, whose father was merely a general in the Empire.)

It was even worse for someone like Jerome Bonaparte, who, carrying half "Wurttemberg" bloodline, acted in ways that trampled the "Divine Order."

In such a situation, how could Jerome Bonaparte possibly gain the forgiveness of the orthodox monarchs?

"Sister, it’s not about whether I want to marry or not, but whether those claiming to have ’noble’ blood are willing to marry us!" Jerome Bonaparte showed a sardonic smile as he spread his hands and responded to Mathilde Bonaparte: "The pricing power is in their hands now, and we are just buyers without bargaining rights!"

Faced with Jerome Bonaparte describing princesses as commodities, Mathilde Bonaparte glared fiercely at Jerome Bonaparte: "I’ve never heard a single comforting word from your mouth!"

"I’m just stating the facts!" Jerome Bonaparte shrugged his shoulders, "Should I tell you that your brother is an all-around darling who everyone loves?"

"You?" Mathilde Bonaparte looked at Jerome Bonaparte with disdain: "Take a look at your own appearance!"

"What’s wrong with my appearance!" Jerome Bonaparte stiffened his neck and retorted: "I’ve perfectly inherited the excellent genes of my mother and the Bonaparte Clan!"

Mathilde Bonaparte continued to gaze at Jerome Bonaparte with disdain.

Standing by, De Moreni and Valerovsky looked at this brother and sister, who seemed as if they hadn’t grown up, with a knowing smile.

Compared to the previously stern Jerome Bonaparte, who wore a distant expression, the current him was much more approachable.

Only in front of his relative, Mathilde Bonaparte, would Jerome Bonaparte truly disregard his conduct.

It was the same for Mathilde Bonaparte. If her friends from the literary world saw the refined and elegant princess in this state, they would be greatly shocked.

After staring at each other for a long time, the pair of "annoying treasures" brother and sister both showed smiles.

"In any case, you must get engaged as soon as possible!" Mathilde Bonaparte’s expression turned serious as she spoke to Jerome Bonaparte with a solemn expression: "If not for yourself, at least consider them and the Bonaparte Clan!" Mathilde Bonaparte pointed to Valerovsky and De Moreni and continued: "If a country’s ruler has no offspring, how would outsiders view it! How could those loyal to us believe in a ruler without heirs!"

Mathilde Bonaparte’s words, although somewhat piercing, were indeed the truth.

Ever since Jerome Bonaparte established an authoritarian system, everyone knew that the establishment of the Empire was imminent.

Therefore, many people hoped in their hearts that Jerome Bonaparte could marry a princess to lay a foundation for the Empire.

Of course, if it were a princess from the Habsburg Clan, that would be unnecessary.

In the eyes of Parisians, a princess from the Habsburg Clan was the source of all calamities.

Louis XVI, Emperor Napoleon, which one wasn’t brought down by a princess from the Habsburg Clan?

[PS: A longstanding tradition of Parisians and people of the world, attributing all calamities to women.]

"I understand!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded to show his understanding.

"It’s best to resolve this matter as soon as possible! You’re not a child anymore, I won’t disturb you!" Mathilde Bonaparte once again advised Jerome Bonaparte, then turned and left.

After Mathilde Bonaparte left the study, Jerome Bonaparte set his eyes on De Moreni and Valerovsky.

"I’ll go see Princess Mathilde off!" Seeing the situation was not favorable, De Moreni made a quick exit.

In the study, only Valerovsky and Jerome Bonaparte remained.

"Your Majesty, I think..." Valerovsky hoped Jerome Bonaparte could quickly settle a marriage and strive to produce a suitable heir for the future Empire. However, like Mornay, he did not want to get involved in Jerome Bonaparte’s marriage.

The monarch’s marriage is a pitfall, especially for a usurper monarch like Jerome Bonaparte.

Valerovsky knew that once he agreed to this request, what awaited him would likely be endless "torment."

If it were only that, it would be fine.

The most crucial point is, if the wife he chooses for Jerome Bonaparte does not please the monarch, then Valerovsky would have to bear the monarch’s complaints.

Alexander Valerovsky couldn’t help but resent the unreliable Prince Monfort; choosing a suitable wife for Jerome Bonaparte should have been Prince Monfort’s decision, but now it falls on them.

What Valerovsky didn’t know was that if it weren’t for Mathilde Bonaparte’s strong objection, Prince Monfort had already considered selecting a suitable candidate for Jerome Bonaparte.

Given Prince Monfort’s own tangled "dark history," Mathilde Bonaparte simply stripped Prince Monfort of his power.

Now, apart from holding a Marshal title, acting as a "Second Institute" mascot, and receiving a monthly stipend and allowance from Jerome Bonaparte, Monfort has no other power.

To maintain the "reputation" of the Bonaparte Clan, Mathilde Bonaparte kept a strict eye on Prince Monfort.

With Mathilde Bonaparte, this "impartial" proxy head of the Bonaparte Clan, the entire Bonaparte family refrained from outrageous actions.

Privately, some Bonaparte members often complained about Mathilde Bonaparte.

Jerome Bonaparte was unaware of Valerovsky’s thoughts and, knowing he owed Valerovsky somewhat, cleared his throat and said, "Ahem...ahem, cousin, I’d like to trouble you with this matter!"

Valerovsky’s mouth curled into a bitter smile, dryly responding, "As you command!"

And so, Valerovsky accepted the task Jerome Bonaparte forcibly assigned to him, to find a suitable princess.

"By the way! You can discuss it with Minister De Luyis; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can always provide unexpected solutions!" Jerome Bonaparte reminded Valerovsky.

In the next half month, Valerovsky constantly shuttled between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Tuileries Palace.

The news about Jerome Bonaparte ruling to choose a suitable princess and marrying her spread around Paris.

Parisians were actively discussing what kind of wife Jerome Bonaparte was going to marry.

Seeing the increasing fervor, Jerome Bonaparte began to shape his image as being close to the people.

This method was already used during Louis Philippe’s era, presenting himself as the protector of the Middle Class to gain the National Guard’s support.

Even though Louis Philippe tried to lay down his airs, his inherent noble blood always prevented him from truly lowering himself.

Compared to Louis Philippe, Jerome Bonaparte obviously had no such burdens.

To create an even more approachable image than Louis Philippe, he even invited some journalists to the Tuileries Palace to tell them jokes and some lewd stories from later generations.

The next morning, various major newspapers in Paris published reports about Jerome Bonaparte’s marriage, some even containing crude language.

Although this language drew criticism from some moralists, it undoubtedly brought Jerome Bonaparte closer to the Parisians.

After that, news and gossip about Jerome Bonaparte increased.

Eugenie and the Marchioness Aile became the first victims, and Jerome Bonaparte frequently comforted Eugenie because of this.

Besides gossip, news like the president shooting a bear or a rabbit also became increasingly common.

Jerome Bonaparte even earned nicknames like "Animal Slayer" and "Playboy" because of this.

This invisibly increased the public’s affection for him.

"Whatever people want to see me as, that is what I am!"