Oh. Henri sure is playing his cards wisely. And those people should really get that the Orleans times are over, is Bourbon time!
 
I have read everything and I still like Henri… something you need to use the force against your enemies and that was likely the worst of all his enemies and without doubt one of the worst… and Henri would be without doubt justified if he blamed Thiers as much as Orleans and Adelaide for the most traumatic events in his life (the exile and the separation from his mother).
 
Nutrisco et Extinguo [1]
@VVD0D95 and others wondering what game Henri is playing, hope you enjoy

Soundtrack; Goran Bregović - Le Mariage

*exterior* *Toulon* *King Louis XIX [aka Angoulême] and Queen Marie Thérèse disembark at the harbour* *they are followed by a swarm of courtiers from exile led by Caroline, Dowager Duchesse de Berri and her two "stepdaughters", the Princesse de Lucinge and the new Comtesse de Mayenne [2]*
*The mayor makes a short speech welcoming the king and queen to Toulon* *expressing his (and all the citizens) loyalty and undying devotion* *both king and queen make polite responses, but you can see from their faces this is more a question of "for how long this time?"*
*Cut to view of a train of coaches travelling out of Toulon on the Avignon Road*
*Cut to a similar scene playing out in Avignon* *mayoral speeches* *cheering crowds shouting "Vive le Roi! Vive la Reine! Vive la France!"* *You can see Madame Royal is genuinely moved when a little girl steps forward to present the daughter of St. Louis with a posy of flowers*
*Interior of the king's carriage* *she is looking sentimentally down at the little posy*
Madame Royal: *suddenly frantic* Antoine, where are we going? The exit to Lyons is that way.
Angoulême: *pats her hand reassuringly* Doucement, Marie, Henri thought you would enjoy getting to Lyons quicker in this heat by taking a...shortcut.
*Carriage stops* *Angoulême gets out* *Madame Royal follows him*
Madame Royal: a train? [3] *looks uncomfortably at the engine*
Angoulême: he didn't tell you about it because he knows you don't like them.
Madame Royal: he wants us to travel by railroad?
Angoulême: *gently escorting her towards where the train - festooned with ribbons, lilies and roses [4] - and coaches - painted white and blue, picked out in gold - is waiting* *we see the name of the train "Duc de Berri[5]"* he does.
Madame Royal: but its so...undignified. To travel like-
Chateaubriand: *dressed in the uniform of a chamberlain* *bows deeply* your Majesties, on behalf of Monseigneur le Duc de Bordeaux, I bid you welcome to Avignon. His Royal Highness hopes that you will find this mode of transport far more comfortable than a long journey by coach.
Madame Royal: *unsurely as she watches the luggage being loaded* if he says so. *Climbs on board*

*Cut to the train puffing along the countryside* *despite the fact that they're far from major urban centers, there are cheering crowds standing alongside the train tracks* *some are even holding up placards with portraits of Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, Louis XVII, Madame Élisabeth, Princesse de Lamballe and the duc d'Enghien depicted as a sort of "Holy Family" [6]*
*We even see some cuts of Madame Royal smiling and waving back at the people [7]* *Angoulême looks like he's rather enjoying this whole trip*
Madame Royal: *to Chateaubriand* will Henri be at Lyons?
Chateaubriand: no, your Majesty, it is simply that the railway was only built so far when the duc d'Orléans fled to Compiègne. The line at Avignon was supposed to reach all the way to Marseilles or Arles- I can't remember- but the company went bankrupt before it could.
Angoulême: they don't sound like very sensible businessmen. What happened to the days when things were planned out to the last sou?
Chateaubriand: it is why his Royal Highness has decided to establish a ministry of railways subdivision in the minister of the interior's portfolio. That the railways will be built by a joint state-private enterprise to a single standard, set by the king. While the railways will, for now, remain in private hands, they will be subject to government scrutiny regarding completion, maintenance and financing. If they cannot complete the project by dates they have set, they will be required to pay a fine to the treasury.
Angoulême: well, that's good. I'm sure it will also be a good source of work for the locals, either to build or to feed the builders. Madame Royal: why not nationalize them? Or make them the king's property?
CHateaubriand: unfortunately, Majesty, the recent spate of nationalizing even the churches has made many Frenchmen, his Royal Highness included, nervous about it. Last thing one would want to do is to make enemies among the railway owners by such a move. After all, this assurance was partially why he has been able to move troops around as effectively as he has. He ensured that many closed their railways to the government troops, but allowed his troops to move around-
Madame Royal: they will bite him back. If they turned for him, they will turn on him.
Chateaubriand: quite, Majesty. That was why he was careful to word it as the state and not the king. By turning on him, they would be turning on their own countrymen. And France has seen its glut of brother shedding the blood of brother. He has made the owners answerable to - as no doubt General Cavaignac discovered before he was executed - a far more ruthless and fearsome master than the king: the people.
Angoulême: so he has surrendered the power to the people?
Chateaubriand: no, sire, he has not, like Napoléon, risen to power on the army's bayonets, or the duc d'Orléans who has rose to power - and fell - at the mob's baying. Rather, he has returned to the ancient idea that the king is to position himself between the people and the aristocracy, the bankers and the industrialists. The one side wishes to avoid oppression, one side wishes to oppress. And in the tension between those two sides, the king rules.
Caroline de Berri: how positively Machiavellian.
Chateaubriand: while I can't say I approve, Madame, the fact is that remains is that he has accomplished more in less than two years than I believe anyone thought possible when he crossed the border. Then he was a solitary fugitive...now he is capable of calling a hundred thousand men -royalists, Orléanists, Bonapartists, even some conservative republicans - to his side should he decide to attack Paris.
Caroline: but suely his refusal to accept Monsieur Thiers' suggestions has alienated some of the republicans?
Chateaubriand: I regret to inform your Majesties that Monsieur Thiers has gone to meet his reward.
*Stunned silence in car*
Angoulême: from the mob in Paris? I had heard they burned his home.
Chateaubriand: at the hands of the king, Monsieur Thiers' suffered from being "stabbed in the back from the front".
Madame Royal: Henri did that?
Chateaubriand: yes, your Majesty. Stabbed him in front of the full court.
Madame Royal: *angrily* he decides to emulate the last of the Valois? Does he wish to end as they did? As his father did?
Angoulême: Thiers was no duc de Guise, Marie.
Madame Royal: *clearly upset* but now the republicans will murder him just the same. As revenge.
Chateaubriand: actually, Majesty, the two largest rivals to the current...leader, Monsieur Dupont de l'Eure, in the election at the end of the month, are his fellow Minister Cavaignac, and Monsieur Thiers. I dare say the...congratulatory note that arrived at Chambord for his Royal Highness from Monsieur Dupont de l'Eure by acknowledging that Monsieur Thiers' death was "as necessary as that of the duc d'Enghien", has rather...shocked many who would support him south of the Loire when it was published in the paper.
Caroline: so Dupont de l'Eure wishes to be the new Bonaparte.
Chateaubriand: as did Monsieur Thiers.
Angoulême: *smiling out the window at the crowd* did he? I always believed him to be more like...Talleyrand.
Chateaubriand: speaking as someone who has met both, your Majesty, I would say Thiers is no more Talleyrand than he was the duc de Guise. His constant ambition of playing the ends against the middle has...unfortunately...caught up with him. He has changed his political allegiance six times since arriving in Paris - first for Charles X, then against, for the duc d'Orléans, then against, first for the republic, then for the duc de Reichstadt, then the duc d'Algiers, then for the duc de Bordeaux-
Madame Royal: *holds up hand* who is the duc d'Algiers?
Caroline: it's the title Riton offered the duc d'Orléans for his grandson, c'est à dire Monseigneur le Dauphin. The duchesse encouraged the man to accept, his sister and daughter-in-law is encouraging the man to refuse.
Chateaubriand: and for that reason the duc is being mocked in the Paris newspapers as Macbeth consulting the Three Witches.
Angoulême: which has the benefit of splitting his support as well.
Chateaubriand: exactly. Not unlike Monsieur Thiers. Unlike Talleyrand, he has never been patient enough to wait for the waters to settle and build up allies before changing. His arrogance made him unpopular among his own party. And his death - in the papers termed a hunting accident - has split the republicans. The radicals like Dupont de l'Eure. The conservatives liked Thiers. And the middle of the road was Cavaiagnac. The conservatives are now forced to choose between Cavaignac or Dupont de l'Eure, or to support the duc de Bordeaux.
Madame Royal: so Henri has managed to divide the politicians into bite-sized blocks.
Chateaubriand: and in dividing the politicians, Majesty, he has united much of France behind him.
Madame Royal: then why does he tarry at Chambord instead of going on to Paris?
Chateaubriand: he has announced a ceasefire. Out of respect for the "new government". So as to...not compromise the elections they have scheduled. He's even ordered that the men - even the aristocrats - in the parts of France under his control go out and vote. And allowed them to set up stations to do so.
Caroline: what on earth for? Why is he helping the republicans?
Angoulême: *grinning at them* he's brilliant, that's why. He knows that the government in Paris will attempt to only count the votes for the region they control. Or that, if they lose, they will call the election compromised due to the state of war, and see it as a reason to "hold onto" their powers until such time as "proper elections" can be held. -which will be on the last Saturday of never- Their main criticism of Riton at the moment is that he is a raving Catholic absolutist who will try to set the clock back to 1789, except he's playing their game. Who do you think people south of the Loire, Brittany, Provence, even Lyons, will vote for? The man who's done his utmost to control the violence and bloodshed? Or the government that has sent armies against them?
Madame Royal: *distastefully* so he's to be a king of the bourgeois, then?
Chateaubriand: no, Majesty, he's holding up a mirror to the public that regardless of what they say, Paris will decide what is in its own best interests. They cannot announce that the man they have been painting as a bloodthirsty hunchbacked dwarf beat their "enlightened government" at the polls-
Madame Royal: which means they will, naturellement, falsify the election results.
Chateaubriand: which will lead to dissatisfaction from anyone who didn't vote for them. The petit bourgeoisie and the poor are already against them for not being included in the vote, but imagine what will happen when even the bourgeoisie are thwarted. They will side with the party that best protects their interests, and at the moment, the destruction of the Thiers' home is likely making many of them wonder whether they're safe in town. Most aristocrats have already left the capital for the country. Many have gone to Chambord or Compiègne, depending on their allegiance, others have retired to their estates to wait it out. But they fear a repeat of the Terror. Even the duc d'Orléans sent whole wagonloads of art-works and furniture by night from the Tuileries, Louvre, Palais Royal, Neuilly., Saint-Cloud..to Compiègne, Versailles and Fontainebleau for in the event of riots breaking out in Paris.
Angoulême: about the one honourable thing he has done.
Madame Royal: so Henri proves the republic is falsifying the election, then what? The mob is a horrific thing, as the duc [d'Orléans]'s father found out. They cannot be muzzled once unleashed. Paris will not yield to him-
Angoulême: it's why it's so brilliant, the new elected government but have no choice but to appeal to Riton to rescue them from the mob. His would be the nearest army they can "count on".

*cut to the train arriving at the station in Lyons* *the mayor once again makes the speeches* *there are a bunch of little girls in white dresses lined up with posys while the little boys are dressed in miniature "Royal Lyonnais" uniforms to greet the king and queen* *one little girl - obviously the leader, around eight or nine - steps forward and launches into a speech of welcome* *she talks about how grateful Lyons is to receive the royal visit, buzzwords like "Peace", "Justice", "Industry" and "the Church"* *suddenly, the young girl stops*
Madame Royal: *looks at the girl's frantic glances to the curé and around* *realizes that the "sudden stop" was because she'd forgotten the words* *trying to spare the little girl the embarrassment* thank you for your kind words of welcome, ma petite.
Curé: *encouragingly* give the queen the posy, Zaubette.
Zaubette: *insistently* wait, I'll remember.
Madame Royal & Angoulême: *pressing mouths into a firm line to stop laughing*[8]
Caroline: *fixes a glare at some courtier's chuckle*
Zaubette: *suddenly off again as she remembers* *gabbling on and on and on* *then she stops again as she's clearly forgotten what comes next*
Curé: *now desperately trying to save face* *frantic* Vive le Roi!
Crowd: *echoes it*
Zaubette: *glares at the Curé for interrupting her, then rattles off the remaining text*
*there's a muffled groan as she stops for the fourth time*
Zaubette: *seems to herself be annoyed by this* *simply decides to call it a day* Vive le Roi de France! Vive la Reine de France! Vive Madame, Duchesse de Berri! Vive le Duc de Bordeaux! Vive la France! VIve tout le Monde!
*rest of reception goes with polite nods* *we see Madame Royal and Angoulême climbing into their coach* *as soon as it starts moving she bursts out laughing* what I wouldn't have given at that age to have had Zaubette's bravery. [9]
Angoulême: *nods understandingly as he takes his wife's hand affectionately*

*cut to the Chapel Royal at Chambord* *in the pews we see various familiar faces* *Henri, now joined by his mother, aunt and uncle* *Caroline is even in conversation with the queen of Haïti behind their fans* *in the other seats are the ducs de Noailles, Broglie, Fitz-James, Richelieu, Rohan-Chabot, Biron and Choiseul-Praslin [10] alongside their wives (except Choiseul-Praslin)* *we also see Ney, his wife, his two oldest sons, Wagram, the marquis de Rochejaquelein, the comtes de Saint-Leu, Triel (his wife and three sons), Morny, Mayenne [10]*
*at the front of the church, we see not one wedding, but four taking place* *Anne Rohan-Chabot to the duc d'Abrantès* *Josephine Bonaparte to the Prince de Polignac* *Louise de Choiseul-Praslin to Charles Antoine, Prince de la Trémoïlle* *and the last couple to get married is an absolute surprise: Enrique, duque de Seville and a red-headed beauty with white skin* *we hear the priest call her "Marie Eugènie, Comtesse Montijo[11]*

*fade to black as the priest declares "je vous déclare mari et femme" and the choir starts chanting the Beati Omnes qui timent Dominum [12]

[1] the motto of King François I: I nourish [the good] and extinguish [the bad]
[2] her husband has been fighting with Henri against the royalists, trying - same as Marmont and Ney - to regain the honour he lost by abandoning the duchesse in 1832. The title is a "victory title" derived from the Battle of Mayenne rather than Henri seeking to recreate the comte-pairie that belongs to the Grimaldis (although he probably has no time for Honoré V).
[3] the Avignon-Lyons railway only dates from 1846/1850s, but its not impossible that with a war with Italy, the French government decided to build the route earlier to get troops down to Italy faster
[4] irises (fleurs-de-lys) for France, roses for Antoinette the "rose du Danube" according to one of the early poems written to celebrate her wedding
[5] Henri honouring not only his own father but also a tip of the hat to Louis XVI
[6] not impossible. The Second Republic did the same with Daumier's Family on the Barricades, portraying a working class family of rebels in such a way. Vigée-Lebrun did it as early as her portrait of Antoinette with her children, which was probably the base for this. Élisabeth would likely either be an angel or the saint of her name, while the Princesse de Lamballe is St. Anne (the Virgin's mother) and Enghien as St. John the Baptist
[7] IIRC from Nagel's autobiography, she was at her happiest/most relaxed away from Paris. Unfortunately, the Parisians are the ones who made up their minds about her being a "sourpuss". Angoulême is nearly seventy. He's likely at that point of his life where he's just happy he wakes up. Plus, the last time he'd have been down this way was when he fled with his father to Turin in the 1790s when people believed the Revolution would soon be defeated. So for him, to be travelling this route again, hearing cries of "Vive le Roi!" is probably a big thing for him
[8] figure that both Madame Royal and Angoulême were, by nature, shy individuals (regardless of what history has portrayed them as), so they would definitely want to spare Zaubette [a pet form of Isabelle/Élisabeth] the embarrassment.
[9] this laughter is basically what they've been forced to hold in the whole time, like how you get the church giggles and by the time you let it out, it's even worse for building up. Even Marie Antoinette commented on the two sides to her daughter's personality: the lively, happy child and the serious-minded, duty-obligated princess. Her admiring the girl's bravery is because maybe she wound up in a similar situation several times
[10] these are some of the oldest (and staunchest royalist) names in France like Rohan, Biron, du Plessis and Choiseul. Once again demonstrating that Henri is the "glue" tying all of these seemingly disparate people together
[11] I know the title's anachronistic, but I figured why the Hell not. Enrique contracted a scandalous marriage OTL, no doubt Eugènie will send his mother into another attack of vapours (and be blamed for hastening his mother's death), but her mother's likely thrilled at the idea. Plus, Enrique's pretty far down in the Spanish pecking order as the second son of a third son by now TTL. Likely he made his peace with his godfather (Henri de Bordeaux) in exchange for royal consent to this match. And Henri's got his own interests in seeing this match go through. Eugènie's got the connections: her sister, Paca, is to be married to Fitz-James' boy [instead of his cousin in Spain] when he turns 17 (in 1845), her dad is the son of a member of the de Croy-Havre family (the daughter of the 5e duc de Havre and his half-de la Trémoïlle Lante della Rovere wife to be specific; the 5e duc's sister was married to a prince of Hesse-Darmstadt). But most descriptors of Eugènie is devoted to floods of ink describing her mother (Maria Manuela Kirkpatrick) as the daughter of a wine merchant (which is probably the Bonaparte attempt to portray it as a second "Napoléon-Josèphine" rather than "Napoléon-Marie Louise").
[12] standard psalm (Psalm 127 in the Vulgate, 128 in ordinary bibles) used for weddings (also churchings): Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways./ For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. / Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. / Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD. / The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. / Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel.

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From Paris to Berlin
This is a short segue to look at Henri's foray into foreign affairs. And that he knows he needs to marry. But right now, he's leveraging being single:

Soundtrack: Friedrich Dionys Weber - Variations for Trumpet and Orchestra in F Major

*exterior* *Berlin* *flitting around the city we see various landmarks before the camera stops on a carriage stopping at the Alte Palais*
*cut to interior* *Wilhelm of Prussia is sitting down to lunch when the usher shows in Louis Emanuel, duc d'Almazán*
Almazán: *bows* your Royal Highness
Wilhelm: How are you Ludwig?
Almazán: I am good thank you, your Royal Highness.
Wilhelm: we were very surprised to hear of your return to Berlin. It's been what...fifteen years?
Almazán: I was tasked with a very important task by the French government, your Royal Highness, one does not simply shy away from such an opportunity.
Wilhelm: *reaches for his wine glass* *sips* my brother does not recognize the French government. Not until they've had their election, he says.
Almazán: then he and i are of the same mind.
Wilhelm: they can have one hundred elections and it will not make a jot of difference.
Almazán: of course, sir. The business I have concerns the king.
Wilhelm: my brother will not hear some more whining from the king. He blames the king for having gotten us into this shameful mess in the first place.
Almazán: that is not the king of whom I speak, sir.
Wilhelm: *realizes* I forgot you're one of those Henricunts? Or what do they call them?
Almazán: Henriquinquistes, your Royal Highness.
Wilhelm: ridiculous sounding name if you ask me.
Almazán: of course.
Wilhelm: well...what does your king want to say to me?
Almazán: first, he would like to express his congratulations on the recent birth of your Royal Highness' son [1]. He trusts that the baby and the mother are both in splendid health, and congratulates you on the addition to your family.
Wilhelm: too damn loud. At least we know that his lungs are sound. And he shits more than any child I've ever encountered [2].
Almazán: his Majesty will be greatly pleased to know the child is in good health. Which brings me to the second part of his request, your Royal Highness.
Wilhelm: and what is that?
Almazán: he has asked if...as a means of...forgetting the unhappy recent past and in memory of the kindness which your parents showed to his aunt, uncle and great-uncle...your Royal Highness would grant him the honour of allowing to be the newborn's godfather.
Wilhelm: *looks at Almazán like he cannot believe he is asking that with a straight face* the Berliners will revolt if we give my son a Catholic godfather.
Almazán: Frederick the Great had a Catholic godfather without too much fanfare.
Wilhelm: that was a different time.
Almazán: his Majesty does understand that there will be some awkwardness. But he wishes to assure Prussia of his friendship and devotion.
Wilhelm: friendship and devotion, eh? He is an uncrowned king who - according to what was that law they passed in May? That confiscated all the properties belonging to the kings of France: from Versailles and the Tuileries down to a damned hunting lodge at Randan. So he's not only an uncrowned king, but he's one with no property.
Almazán: actually, your Royal Highness, the law was directed at the duc d'Orléans' family not the king of France. As the duc realized as well, the chateau de Chambord was the gift of the nation, and they would seem rather callous indeed if they attempted to confiscate that from a man who - as you point out - has nothing else.
Wilhelm: we have both seen this play before, Ludwig, after the confiscation of the property comes the expulsion of the family. And soon Chambord will be out on his arse, just like the Orléans. No doubt he hopes that by being godfather to my son that he may have assured of a place to hang his hat when they boot him out.
Almazán: no, your Royal Highness. He simply wishes to draw a line under what has gone before. And to remind your Royal Highness that it was not him that cost the Prussians so dear.
Wilhelm: *looks at Almazán over his wine glass* fine. He may be godfather. But I will not have my son called "Karl" after his father or grandfather, is that understood [3].
Almazán: his Majesty wouldn't dream of it. He actually recommended "Louis" after your Royal Highness' mother. And then either "Ferdinand" after his father, or "August" after the child's mother.
Wilhelm: not Heinrich?
Almazán: he said only if your Royal Highness wishes it. Otherwise Ferdinand would suffice.
Wilhelm: *clearly this is now a different conversation* do you think he means it? The friendship and devotion?
Almazán: His Majesty said to tell any who questioned his loyalty that it is not by his order that there are still French soldiers in Prussian territory. And that if Prussia had any princesses of suitable age, he would earnestly consider the hand of such a young lady the highest honour [4]
Wilhelm: even if one of suitable age existed, my brother would not marry her to Paris. Not after the last few queens have all ended up. Auguste pointed out that it sounds like the nursery rhyme about Henry VIII's wives: beheaded, divorced, survived, exiled, dethroned...will the last one be died [5]?
Almazán: his Majesty has admitted that the record is not encouraging.
Wilhelm: he does not speak of it to promise he will stop it.
Almazán: he has said that he will not be a fool to promise the future. It is why even he has refused to start looking for a bride until things are...settled.
Wilhelm: I suppose he has more sense than his predecessor then *raises glass in toast to portrait of his mother on the wall* may things soon be...settled then.

*fade to black*

[1] OTL Auguste had miscarried a son in 1843
[2] this isn't actually a criticism. It's said more with a sort of gruff paternal pride. I can't find any record of what Wilhelm was like as a father when his children were younger
[3] this is less Wilhelm having an objection to Charles X or the duc de Berri than his own dislike of his brother, Prince Karl
[4] Henri is not being "unfaithful" to Austria here. This is him attempting to "separate" his actions from those of King Louis Philippe or the republic's in the eyes of foreign courts. A sort of "passive aggressive" getting a johnny-on-the-spot that is known to the Berlin Court (Almazan, the godson of Marie Antoinette, was ambassador to Prussia under Charles X) before some republican flunky gets in. He's also ensuring that Prussia will "withhold" recognition from the Republic rather than run to their defense. Almazan approaching Wilhelm rather than the king is sort of an oblique way of doing it. It's not an official request, and it's not like the Hohenzollerns would allow some republican president to be godfather. It's a personal matter, but it's a personal matter with political ramifications
[5] beheaded [Antoinette], divorced [Josephine], survived [Marie Louise], exiled [Madame Royal], deposed [Marie Amélie]

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Wow! Henri has truly outplayed them all! Talleyrand is weeping in joy from the grave!
not so much Talleyrand as Machiavelli. Specifically, not just his more famous The Prince but his Discourses:

People, often deceived by an illusive good, desire their own ruin, and, unless they are made sensible of the evil of the one and the benefit of the other course by someone in whom they have confidence…”
The Discourses

All who are discontented with their prince are taught, first of all, to measure, and to weigh their strength, and if they find themselves strong enough to disclose their hostility and proclaim open war, then to take that course as at once the nobler and less dangerous; but, if too weak to make open war, then sedulously to court the favour of the prince, using to that end all such methods as they may judge needful, adapting themselves to his pleasures, and showing delight in whatever they see him delight in

The prince who would maintain his credit in his princedom must do likewise; since nothing helps so much to make a prince esteemed as to give signal proofs of his worth, whether by words or by deeds which tend to promote the public good, and show him to be so magnanimous, generous, and just, that he may well pass into a proverb among his subjects

The prince of a city attacked by a conspiracy, if not slain …almost always attains to a greater degree of power, and very often has his good disposition perverted to evil. The proceedings of his enemies give him cause for fear; fear suggests the necessity of providing for his own safety, which involves the injury of others; and hence arise animosities, and not unfrequently his ruin. Thus these conspiracies quickly occasion the destruction of their contrivers, and, in time, inevitably injure their primary object.”
The Florentine Histories: VIII, 1

For the Prussians:

"A wise prince must know how to subtly nurture some enmities so that, having overcome them, he draws the greatest praise from them". Machiavelli advises to go as far as undistorted exchanges of information between the powers (he thinks of Charles V).
where Talleyrand writes:

Arbitration presupposes a quarrel between two powers. Your first care will be to maintain jealousy, bitterness, even to excite some altercation… to finally make your mediation necessary… You have to confuse the people you want to reconcile”

Henri's reaction to Thiers trying to bridle him was Chapter 23 of The Prince:

A prince should always seek advice, but only when he wishes and not when others wish. He must discourage everyone from offering advice unless he asks for it. However, he should inquire constantly, and listen patiently about those things of which he inquired…

A prince who is not wise himself will never take good advice, unless by chance he has put all of his affairs in the hands of one very wise person. In this case the prince may be well governed, but it would not be for long, because such a governor would take his position away from him in a short time.

His reaction to the railway tycoons (and why is against complete nationalization) is from Chapter 21 of The Prince:

A prince ought to show himself a patron of talent, and to encourage proficiency in every art… He should encourage his citizens to practice their business unhampered and peacefully, in trade and agriculture and in every other profession. No one should be afraid of accumulating possessions for fear these will be taken away from him; nor deterred from opening a business for fear of taxes. The prince should offer rewards to whomever wishes to do these things that improve or honour his city
For Orléans, Prussia, Leopold of Belgium and Carlo Alberto:

A prince, therefore, who is attacked by an enemy much more powerful than himself, can make no greater mistake than to refuse to treat, especially when overtures are made to him; for however poor the terms offered may be, they are sure to contain some conditions advantageous for him who accepts them, and which he may construe as a partial success.”
The Discourses: II, 27
A prince should never make an alliance with a more powerful ruler than himself simply for the purpose of attacking another, unless necessity compels him… If your ally conquers, you are in his debt, and princes should avoid as much as possible being in debt to anyone

IIRC, both Talleyrand and Napoléon dismissed Machiavelli as a "second rate Italian", since while Napoléon (the army years) can de described as Machiavellian, once he got to the top, he ignored it. Talleyrand's "ideals" are - in many cases - quite opposite to Machiavelli's.

Wise decision on Henri's part, no sane aristpcratic lady will enter the hot dumpster fire that is france right now.
Sounds like it's time to consider a Wittelsbach match...
well that sort of goes hand-in-hand since the only Wittelsbach girl "of age" is Alexandrine of Bavaria, and she later suffered from questionable mental health (believing she had swallowed a piano, the obsession with cleanliness that she would scrub her skin raw, refusal to wear any colour but white etc). True, she probably wasn't quite crazy for coco-puffs like her nephew (Otto, Ludwig II wasn't insane, just...an oddball IMO, but they used Otto's behaviour to justify it), but there's speculation that that was why Drina reached the 1850s without being married or prospectively married to anyone.
 
Folded Letters
Soundtrack: Händel - Saul - Gird On Thy Sword! [1]

*exterior* *Venice* *we look at the Doge's Palace* *the Bridge of Sighs* *we see a large boat with lots of luggage being rowed down the canal* *a gondola with a dark-haired woman follows behind*
*interior* *Ca' Rezzonico* *we see the brunette being helped out of her coat and hat* *we realize how tiny the woman's waist is* *it suits her elfin size but still*
Woman: where's François?
Marmont: he'll be here shortly, Madame-
Woman: *girlish giggle* Mademoiselle-
Marmont: he'll be here shortly, Mademoiselle. Although he was not happy to have unexpected visitors.
Woman: didn't he get the letter to say I was coming.
*Frankie walks into reception hall between Karoline and Therese* *Leopold's busy chattering about something, complete with sound effects*
Frankie: *coolly* I likely didn't get it, Fanny, because you haven't started writing it yet.
Fanny: *looks at her daughters* *neither looks particularly thrilled that their mother is here*
Therese: *stiffly* welcome home, motherdear.
Karoline: *looks at her mother* how long are you going to be here this time?
Fanny: awhile.
Frankie: *examining his finger nails as if he's heard this all before*
Fanny: *gestures to the trunks* *one of which is now open* I brought you presents from England, from America, Paris- such a horrid man that comte de Chambord disturbing the peace like he is - even Russia-
Frankie: *calmly* you shouldn't have.
Karoline: *walks over to the trunk* *but she doesn't look excited about the dolls or other toys* *almost disinterested*
Therese: thank you, mamma. *looks at the stuff* *its all very girly* But what did you bring for Leopold and Eugène?
Fanny: oh, I didn't know they'd be here.
Frankie: can I talk to you, Fanny? *tone implies "alone"*

*cut to Frankie's office* *Nardus and Lorenz are both in the "playpen" that we've seen Leopold and Eugène in* *Frankie closes the door after he and Fanny walk in*
Fanny: *looks at the two boys* I see you didn't waste any time
Frankie: *ignoring the barb* how long's it for this time?
Fanny: what?
Frankie: you staying here? Is it awhile, or is it until the wind changes like it always is?
Fanny: I don't leave that often.
Frankie: *throws himself down on couch* *Nardus toddles over to him* *stretches out his arms to be picked up* *Frankie duly obliges* *then scoops up Lorenz to put on his other knee* *we get the idea - like with his appointment with Léon where he called Therese his "good behaviour insurance" that he's doing something similar*
Fanny: I don't have the option to sit around all day like my sister does.
Frankie: that's the Countess Hohenau [2] to you. And you had the option. Back when I was a lot younger, and a lot stupider.
Fanny: you know why I told you no.
Frankie: thus nullifying your right to complain. Now, how long? Until Giselle finishes playing at La Fenice? No. That's not long at all...maybe you'll still stay while you're in Milan and Bologna. It's not too far. You could be here on your days off.
Fanny: don't start.
Frankie: again, it was you that brought it up.
Fanny: what did you say to them about me...they didn't even look happy to see me.
Frankie: Therese took three weeks of ignoring me when I came home just because I didn't keep my promise to write to her once a week. Imagine how much it hurts having a mother who's away for nearly three years and never writes.
Fanny: are you turning into this into one of your rants about your mother? *smirks at him* yes- I remember those. That was the main reason I didn't marry you. I wasn't willing to be your "mother".
Frankie: I wasn't going to turn it into a rant about my mother. What I was going to say is that I always knew when my mother arrived with trunks full of toys for me from Parma that the toys were for her, not for me. She didn't care about me. She brought those toys to ease her nagging conscience.
Fanny: so you get to leave, but I don't?
Frankie: no Fanny, you don't get to leave *ignores Lorenz standing up and pulling on his moustache* and then pretend that you leaving to dance in America and me going to war is the same. I knew where the girls were, that they were safe, who they were with...you didn't even ask who Marmont was, you just assumed he was the butler to take your coat. For all you know, I could've married one of the girls off to him and you'd be looking at your son-in-law [3]. Did you ever think about them at all?
Fanny: safe? If Venice had been attacked, and they'd been killed or raped, how is that safe?
Frankie: spare me the theatrics *bats away Lorenz's finger that's pulling on his lip now* this isn't one of your shows. There was a warship at the ready to evacuate all my pupils to Trieste or Pola in the event that that happened. And if you were so concerned, why didn't you come home? -and what you did to Leopold was extremely rude.
Fanny: must I buy toys for all your bastards when I buy toys for my daughters?
Frankie: *pointedly* did you buy presents for Franz [her son by the Prince of Salerno] as well?
Fanny: *silent*
Frankie: that's what I thought. And no, I don't expect you to buy toys for my bastards. But you knew that he'd likely be here, that I'd likely be here. And then to flaunt what you brought for your daughters in front of him, it was tasteless. And now, I will have two sets of children to console- him because you brushed him aside more disdainfully than his own grandmother did the first time she met him- and the girls because do you know how long a journey from Vienna is with two of them crying because instead of coming home to them you decided to go to America? This arrangement was supposed to be three months while you danced in Paris. In the meantime, the French crown prince you danced for is dead, his father's been overthrown, Europe's had a war and now peace. Surely, Fanny, you can understand how that will make them feel?
*knock on door*
Standejsky: *pokes head in* your Serene Highness, you said you wished to go visit the prisons? Your escort is here.
Frankie: thank you, Standejsky.
Standejsky: and Signora Rivelli would like to come in.
Frankie: send her in.
Signora Rivelli: *nowadays practically part of the furniture [4]* *bustles in* *curtseys to Frankie, gives Fanny the stink-eye*
Fanny: *gives the stink-eye right back* [5]
Rivelli: *looks at how Nardus has now curled up on Frankie's lap and watching this with big eyes* *Lorenz has finished investigating Frankie's nostrils and is now treating his Frankie's thigh as if its a horse* really your Serene Highness, you're worse than the children.
Frankie: it's no surprise they were bored. I suspect even you would be bored by this talk Valeria.
Rivelli: It's time for them to have lunch *picks Lorenz up* and Countess von Pettau [6] would like to see you before you leave.
Frankie: *grimaces as, while climbing off, Nardus steps on his crotch* of course, I'll be there shortly.
Rivelli: *nods as she leads the boys out*
Frankie: *stands up* *picks up his coat from the hat stand next to the door*
Fanny: and that's it? You go running because a countess is here to see you.
Frankie: that countess is the woman who's been raising our daughters, Fanny. You remember Amalie?
Fanny: she's a countess?
Frankie: unless I marry her, then she becomes duchess of Pettau, but yes. *smirks at her* isn't it strange to think that...had you been willing to "be my mother" as you call it, that title could've been yours. *kisses her hand* you'd have never had to dance again *puts on his hat, picks up his cane and walks out*

*in the boat on the canal* *en route to the Campo San Severo*
Marmont: the election result from France is in. *hands Frankie a letter*
Frankie: *opens it reads* eighty seats to the moderate republicans. one hundred and twelve to the Montagnards, thirty eight to the conservative republicans. *chuckles* and twelve for me. *shakes heads* the fools. That's only 242 seats. How many are there in the Chamber. Four hundred?
Marmont: by their new seating plan five hundred.
Frankie: who got the rest of the seats?
Marmont: I believe it was Saint Augustine who said "Tolle Lege [7]"
Frankie: *frowns* *looks at letter* *reads* two hundred and fifty three for Henri? That still leaves five seats.
Marmont: they voted for the Orléans. So Henri has the majority in the chamber. A slight majority,
Frankie: I wouldn't call two hundred and fifty three to one-hundred-and-twelve slight, Marmont. A coalition government is proof of weakness. The Montagnards have the majority, they will be the ones calling the shots. And they won't take long before they are pissing off the rest of their coalition.
Marmont: *offers paper to Frankie* it seems they already have, sir.
Frankie: *reads headline* *we see the same election results* *but now reversed* *the republicans are the one with 253 seats* *plus another 212 Montagnards elected* *and the royalists - c'est à dire the Orléanists, Légitimists and Bonapartists - only received thirty five seats*
Frankie: we are sure that the letter is true?
Marmont: the letter comes from Monsieur Hugo. Who is no fan of the monarchy, and identifies as a radical republican. But Monsieur de Toqueville, slightly more moderate the way the Atlantic Ocean is a large lake...gives similar figures to Hugo. As does Madame Sand.
Frankie: what have we heard from Henri? Now that his ceasefire has ended.
Marmont: he has set the Royal Lyonnais on the march northwards. Their objectives are to take Dijon and Besançon. The republic attacked his army at Le Mans on 2nd August already, but we're not sure if that was anything official or just some hotheads acting up.
Frankie: *looks up at the facades of the Palazzo Priuli and the Palazzo Grimani* *they frown down on the Rio San Severo as the boat docks at the landing stage* if the first, then Henri is retaliating. If the second, they cannot control their army and deserve to be put out in the street *climbs out*
Marmont: they heave recalled the troops from Germany...to combat this army headed for Dijon. Officially it is to "ease tensions" with Prussia.
Frankie: they're just scared that Henri's looking good to the Prussians right now.
Marmont: and they've recalled General Bugeaud from Algeria to lead them.
Frankie: *smirks sharkishly* well this just got a whole lot of interesting. An Orléanist general leading a republic's army against the son of the woman he beat, raped, got pregnant [8]? It's almost as deliciously ironic as Henri stabbing Thiers.
Marmont: you are far too happy about this, sir
Frankie: Henri killing Thiers like that - even if no one in Europe believes it was a hunting accident - prevented him from becoming a martyr. Thiers - and Cavaignac and the Republic - probably hoped that they would be executed in public. With crowds. Ready to make some sort of grand geste, a noble sacrifice for the republic in the face of the tyranny of kings. Henri has cheated them both. Cavaignac was unable to use his brother's execution to rouse the population in favour of the moderate republicans because he was executed legally. And Thiers dies quietly in the country with no one to mourn him- I hear not even his wife is particularly upset. Then again, considering how he was carrying on with first her mother, and lately her sister [9], she's probably relieved. *his gondolier has now finished tying up the boat* all ready, Daniele?
Daniele: yes, your Serene Highness. *they walk into the prison*

*inside San Severo*
Daniele: dear God, what is that smell? *covers face with cloak*
Frankie: *indifferently as they walk down the corridor* a life I saved you from, Monsieur Manin, when you and your friends tried to seize the Arsenale.
Daniele: *looks around furtively*
Frankie: now, I know there are some - Metternich, for instance - who calls me a fool for allowing you to live, but a living republican is far more useful to me than a dead martyr. Look at what I did with the carbonari. They're now surrounded by good Catholic, royalist Spaniards and made themselves useful. I don't believe in making martyrs. Killing my brother was a lesson in that *stops in front of a room* *a guard opens the door*
*inside we see two men lying on beds* *they ignore Frankie when he walks in*
Frankie: *takes chair and straddles it* *resting his arms on the back* Attilio and Emilio Bandiera, at long last we meet. I'd say I'm delighted to make your aquaintance, but I most certainly am not.
Attilio: *spits at him* your father would be ashamed of you. You have betrayed everything a great and noble man stood for.
Frankie: *frankly bored* *looks at Emilio* and you? Anything from you?
Emilio: you have to resort to treachery and deceit to get your agendas across. But we know your game, Bonaparte.
Frankie: and with that contribution from the peanut gallery, I would like to introduce you to the true architect of your downfall: step forward Daniele Manin.
*Attilio & Emilio grow wide-eyed as Daniele steps into the "cell"* *suddenly burst into more accusations of traitor and coward and-*
Frankie: that's enough.
*silence*
Frankie: Monsieur Manin was acting as my agent on this. I had to see how far the pair of you would go. And by God, even I was surprised at your devotion to your cause. Or the fact that,basically you've been betrayed more times than Christ, and still you thought Daniele was trustworthy? I wouldn't trust him further than the other side of this door. I'm here because I would like to know what exactly it is that I've done to any of you that you have any grievance?
Attilio: you wish for us to return to the old ways, like before your father freed us from the chains-
Frankie: *half chuckling* is that what they're teaching in schools nowadays? Well...I'll have to keep that in mind. -Now, if I wanted to return to the "old ways", you would either be sloshing around in the pozzi [10] or broiling in the piombi [11]. And if that great and noble man who freed you from your chains were here, he'd have had you shot without a trial. Like he did to the duc d'Enghien.
Emilio: he would've supported our work
Frankie: Marmont, care to make a rebuttal?
Marmont: he certainly would not have. It would've been death and confiscation for your plots against the throne. It would've been banishment for your mere conspiring. Your opinions and your opposition would certainly not have been allowed. [12]
Frankie: thank you. *turns back to Bandieras* now, had this remained confined to Venice I would have...continued to turn a blind eye. Unfortunately for you two fools, you decided that you would try to agitate for risings from the lagoon all the way to Bari. Then flee to Corfu, where instead of settling down quietly and enjoying the "liberty" from the British government you so crave, you again agitate the citizens to such an extent that...if the pair of you hadn't been picked up, more dead than alive, by the Royal Lombard [frigate], you'd have drowned or gone mad from drinking sea-water and never been heard from again. Which would've saved me this headache.
Emilio: what headache?
Frankie: well, let's see checks off on fingers* the British in Corfu want to arrest you. *next finger* the king of Sicily wants to arrest you *next finger* the pope wants you executed for your attempts at Ancona *next finger* the French - don't care which government - want you on trial for your behaviour in Corsica *next finger* Metternich wants you executed- and I'm running out of fingers.
Attilio: let them execute us then.
Frankie: see...that would be the wrong answer. The easy answer. But the stupid one. We were actually just discussing it on the way here. And it's given me an idea of how we can do it. You call monarchs unjust and tyrannical...let's re-establish the Council of Three and the State Inquisition - just for your trial, and we'll see who was crueller: my father or the people you claim to espouse [13]
Emilio: the Council of Three hasn't sat since-
Frankie: my father took the city in 1797. -so obviously you're the brains. -But who do you trust more to decide your fate? The despotism of the Council or the tyranny of the mob?

*fade to black*

[1] Gird on thy sword, thou man of might
Pursue thy wonted fame:
Go on, be prosp'rous in fight,
Retrieve the Hebrew name!
Thy strong right hand, with terror armed,
Shall thy obdurate foes dismay;
While others, by thy virtue charm'd
Shall crowd to own thy righteous sway
[2] this was the title given to Rosalie von Rauch (morganatic wife of Prince Albrecht of Prussia, now sadly deceased). I could see Frankie arguing for a "better" title for Prince Adalbert's wife, Fanny's sister, than "baroness" (as she was OTL)
[3] while this sounds gross, it does underline Frankie's point that Fanny never bothered
[4] this is one of those nannies - like Frederick the Great's Madame de Roucoulle "everybody's aunt" - who has probably been around far longer than anyone expected to. She first came in for Karoline, then stayed through Leopold and Eugène. She probably thought after Eugène "well, at least there aren't more", until Nardus and Lorenz showed up. So I think she ranks in a "second place" in the household after Amalie in the children's affections. Her behaviour towards Fanny is less a case of loyalty to her employer, but rather a woman abandoning her children for the sake of a career. The stink-eye may also be a case of class differences. Fanny is servant's class - her dad was part of the Eszterhazy staff - where governesses/nurses were usually lower/petit bourgeoisie (sometimes even impoverished lower level aristocrats).
[5] governesses/nannies/nurses had a very ambiguous place in the hierarchy of German households in the 19th century. A governess was not considered part of the staff - her quarters were separate from theirs: where the staff usually resided either on the ground floor or the Kavaliershaus, the governess resided in the attic storey of the house (usually over the rooms of her charges and connected by a staircase). She was also not invited to join the family at dinner or in the salon at home, despite accompanying them on visits to the opera, the theatre or church (to look after children) because she was not seen as "nicht dinnerfähig" (not dinner-worthy, i.e. unpresentable at table). Her meals were also not taken with the servants but rather with the children. One writer describes this "part of the ship but not part of the crew" mentality as "she [the governess] remains stuck between the roles of guest and beggar ... she is neither fish nor frog, and onerous to the family which condemns her to this position as a foreign element."
[6] based on the ancient Lordship of Pettau on the Austro-Slovenian border. The Lords of Pettau - loyal Habsburg supporters - ruled practically everything between the Mur River and the Bachergebirge, they went extinct in 1438. As much as he might disapprove of Frankie-Amalie's "liaison", he cannot dispute that this is a woman who has done the crown some service (not just for Frankie, but for the Emperor's own granddaughters - bastard and legitimate (his Brasilian granddaughters) alike), granting her a title in recognition of her services is not that weird. Especially as creating Frankie "duke of Pettau" would likely ruffle feathers, since if the grant includes the lands the Pettau's owned were all the way from Styria and the Hungarian border, to the bishopric of Brixen and Salzburg. It's also a nod to Franz's former mother-in-law, Maria Karoline, Queen of Naples, who bought the castle at Eichfeld (in former Pettau territory). In doing this, Franz isn't so much "raising a rival" but he's giving Frankie a base in Austria (where before he's been confined to Bohemia).
[7] according to the story, Saint Augustine of Hippo was having a "quarter life crisis" at 31 (Frankie's 32, but you get the imagery), when he heard a child's voice chanting "Tolle lege, tolle lege" (take up and read). Augustine picked up the bible and the future of Christianity was changed forever
[8] Bugeaud was Caroline de Berri's jailer. And his treatment of her was absolutely appalling - even his contemporaries and fellow party members thought so. - Not saying that he did this OTL, but given the rest of his actions - like suffocating Algerians in caves by lighting fires in front of them or collapsing them on top of women and children - him raping/beating her while she was under his "care" at Blaye is not a far stretch. Essentially, the government sent her to Blaye as a prisoner, only to find that women of the old aristocracy formed themselves into a committee to provide her with clothes, money and "whatever luxuries she may require". Even her jailers started getting chummy with her. Thiers advised Louis Philippe that "we have to get rid of her somehow. She's more dangerous as a prisoner as she is at liberty"
Thiers, who had been instrumental in introducing the traitor Deutz into Caroline Ferdinande’s life, now sent a certain General Bugeaud de la Piconnerie to supersede as governor of Blaye the too amiable and too sympathetic Colonel Chousserie. This Bugeaud was, as Thiers well knew, a bitter enemy of all the Bourbons. During their régime, when Colonel of artillery, he had seen his military career come to an inglorious end through his secret activities on behalf of the Orléanist cause. After the revolution of 1830 and on the accession of Louis Philippe, he came back into his own, was promoted to the rank of general, and now was only too ready to take up a position which would give him the opportunity of making himself unpleasant to one of the Bourbon faction. By Bugeaud’s nomination to the governorship of Blaye, Thiers hoped that he had put an efficient spoke in the wheel of Madame’s projects, whatever they were. The general’s eyes, sharpened by hatred, would see all there was to see, and guess what there was not.
[9] All OTL. Thiers married his mistress' daughter. Then further scandalized the Parisians and the aristocracy by having an affair with his wife's married sister. What his wife thought of the deal is unknown, but even Thiers' brother wrote to him from Pondicherry that it was "disgraceful".
[10] the prison cells under the Doge's Palace, below sea-level, where the water varied from ankle deep to waist deep
[11] the prison cells under the lead roof of the Doge's Palace
[12] Bandiera (and their co-conspirator, Mazzini) idolized Napoléon. Napoléon who had posters put up in Venice after he seized the city saying "Liberty is preserved by obedience to the law. Dawning liberty is protected by force of arms. Established liberty leads to universal peace". Sounds like something out of certain other regimes that shall remain nameless
[13] Thanks to a few foreigners' tales, our own negligence, and the exaggeration of novelists, poets and politicians, Venice now exists in the imagination as a monstrosity, a sort of prison write large, where the terrible sword of the Ten and the State Inquisition hung over the head of everyone - Cesare Cantu.
Napoléon's rule played a big role in why Venice was perceived as tyrannical and decadent, when even writers like Montesquieu and Voltaire praised the Venetian system of government as something to be admired. Unfortunately, in the 19th century, neither Austria nor the Piedmontese had any interest in combatting it. In fact, they actually worsened it by playing up the "corruption and tyranny of an earlier age" in order to mask their own corruption and tyranny (essentially selling the people that "things are bad, but they're still much better than they used to be"). When the truth was that Montesquieu called the State Inquisition a "political work of art".


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Who Will Survive and What Will Be Left of Them?
Soundtrack: Saverio Mercadante - Il Reggente (highlights)

*Exterior* *we see a rowboat on the water at La Rochelle* *zoom in and we see that the two passengers - along with their luggage strewn haphazardly - are Hélène, duchesse de Chartres and Madame Adélaïde*
Hélène: well, I shall certainly not be returning to La Rochelle any time soon.
Adélaïde: fine hospitality they've shown. *Shakes fist back at city* Damned lot of socialists!
Hélène: I don't even understand why we had to leave. The Republic is winning. We were no threat. Everybody in town was siding with Chambord!
Adélaïde: the Montagnards have the majority. Chambord murdered the only man aside from my brother who could've saved France. For what? A constitution that we would've gladly accepted.
Hélène: to think about him one cannot help wondering if this is how he means to end thd bloodshed. By murdering anyone who stands against him?
Adélaïde: what more could you expect from someone who was raised by Bonaparte filth.
Hélène: what I want to know is how the republic has the right to confiscate the family lands? But they leave Chambord's.
Adélaïde: Chambord was a gift of the nation. It would be difficult enough to seize it even if they held the countrside around it. These lands missed being nationalized the night before Philippe took the throne. And Chambord's pronunciomento that he would be in Paris by his birthday [29 September] panicked a lot of deputies that they only see royal and non-royal. Aside from Chambord's chateau, the Angoulêmes have no property in France aside from Rosny [1]. Whereas Philippe left a ripe plum for hungry ravens. They believe that by confiscating those palaces to the people, it will inspire the people to defend those lands.
Hélène: and you don't think it will, Tante?
Adélaïde: take it from someone who lived through the last frenzy of nationalizing everything...if Chambord's announcement panicked the deputés, and the recent act they have passed preventing aristocrats from serving in the army or holding office, even if elected by the people has panicked the aristocrats...this will panic the country. If they have no respect for the king's property they will have no respect for anyone else's.
*Through a speaking trumpet they hear "boat there!"*
Adélaïde: finally, why couldn't they have sent a boat to shore to fetch us?
Hélène: my uncle [Prince Bernhard of Weimar] said it was because the Dutch don't wish to make it appear as though the Netherlands are taking sides.

*Cut to on the deck of the Dutch vessel, Medusa* *the sailors are all smartly turned out on deck to receive Madame Adélaïde and Hélène* *they salute as the ladies pass*
Man: your Royal Highnesses, welcome aboard his Majesty's vessel Medusa. I am Admiral Carel Hendrik Ver Huell [2], if I may present his Royal Highness, Prince Hendrik of the Netherlands
Hendrik: *one-eyed [lost at the battle of Scheldt] snaps a salute* we were returning from a trip to the Indies when we received our uncle's request to stand to for a potential evacuation. We apologize that we could not anchor closer to shore and spare your Royal Highnesses the voyage in these seas, but my father ordered not to enter French waters.
Hélène: we are most grateful for your efforts.
Hendrik: it was nothing, Madame. I hope that you will have a pleasant journey.

*cut to Compiègne*
Marie Amélie: absolutely disgraceful. The way the republican soldiers attacked Chambord's army while they were at mass for the duc d'Angoulême's birthday [6 August]
Louis Philippe: the fact that the republicans won is what concerns me.
Marie Amélie: of course it should concern you, I'm told there were people slipping in the blood on the paving of Chartres Cathedral from the butchery.
Louis Philippe: but it is good for us. Chambord being beaten removes the halo around his head that any of these superstitious fools still had of him being the prince sans reproche. His murder of Thiers and Cavaignac shows he will not tolerate those of differing opinions. His reaction to this massacre, and first being driven back to Artenay, then chased back to the Loire on the 10th is a good thing.
Marie Amélie: how is it a good thing?
Louis Philippe: because those are Orléanist soldiers. They have been away from all this hurly burly and corruption. Their loyalty isn't compromised. And now that Bugeaud is in command we can be sure that the victory will be on our side.
Marie Amélie: that is a victory over Frenchmen you are talking about, Philippe.
Louis Philippe: a victory over that little ponce.
Marie Amélie: that little ponce has been doing more since April than you have.
Louis Philippe: illegally. Since now that his uncle- doddering old fool- is in town, that undermines Chambord's authority as head of his army, head of the family. If the abdication of Angoulême was legal then Chambord's abdication is as well. Which leaves myself as the king. If the abdication wasn't valid, then Chambord's nothing more than a potential heir. The Légitimist camp is in chaos because they don't know who to listen to. That's why they're being defeated. Too many Caesars is not good.
Marie Amélie: and what exactly are you hoping for, Philippe? That if he gets defeated enough, people will flock to your banner? He is our only hope. And defeats at Chartres, Artenay, Langres and Chaumont on the 12th and 17th aside, he's still taken Besançon and Belfort on the 16th, Versoul and Laon on the 18th, Soissons on the 19th. While he was driven back from Chartres, the Republic is still losing more ground to him than other way around.
Louis Philippe: if he wished to end this, he would have attacked Paris directly from Chartres. Not given his troops the day off to celebrate his fool of an uncle's birthday. Spared that butchery. Not waste time trying to get Lorraine and the north to try and fall in line, so he can link up and make a final drive on Paris. If he marches into Paris with an army, they'll never forgive him for it.
Marie Amélie: perhaps he has decided something new: like being one of those men who do not believe the world begins and ends in Paris. And a great part of the middle is also in Paris.

*Cut to French army camp*
General Bugeaud: now that Le Havre is once more in the right hands, we shall advance from Chartres to Dreux. From there we shall take Mantes and Rouen from the pretender and drive his soldiers into the sea.
*Several cheers from his soldiers* *afterwards*
Adjutant: sir, there is man here. From the comte de Chambord.
Bugeaud: I'll not see him.
Adjutant: he says that he has important news of Chambord's army.
Bugeaud: a deserter, eh?
Adjutant: he didn't say, sir. Just that it was urgent to speak with you.
Bugeaud: *sees man there* *in an updated version of an Ancien Regime uniform* no need to point him out. *Smiles* good afternoon my fine young gentleman. What can I help you with?
Young man: *salutes smartly* General Bugeaud, I am Captain Ducrot [3]. I fought under you at the Mouzouia Pass, sir.
Bugeaud: you got injured in that battle, didn't you?
Ducrot: a slight wound in the arm. Nothing serious.
Bugeaud: so why're you here, Ducrot?
Ducrot: the massacre at Chartres. Its rattled a great many of the men. At roll call yesterday morning we found that over five hundred men had deserted.
Bugeaud: including yourself.
Ducrot: I told them that nous sommes dans un pot de chambre et nous y serrons émmerdes [4], sir. And that it would be better to change sides.
Bugeaud: and these men are with you?
Ducrot: most of them just want out of this damned war, sir, we were pressed into service whether we wanted to or not. The comte wanted us to attack Pithiviers so he can get to Fontainebleau. He won't listen to reasonable advice from his generals that its suicide to try. Its why we got out, sir.
Bugeaud: what else can you tell me?
Ducrot: *looks longingly at food* can you feed me first? Thats another reason the men are deserting the comte: he's dining on the best foods thst can be found and day before yesterday, he ordered that the soldiers only be given a handful of flour as sustenance.
Bugeaud: flour?
Ducrot: some of us haven't eaten in a week.
Bugeaud: *leads Ducrot to the pot of stew* tell you what, Ducrot...I'll feed you, then you go back to those other men and tell them there's enough food here. We don't force you to eat flour.
Ducrot: *nods appreciatively*

*Cut to Chambord's camp at Évreux* *night*
Henri: and?
Ducrot: Bugeaud's food is up to shit. The men are...not exactly loyal to him. Old wine in new wineskins. But he's changed his plan to come north in favour to crush what he believes is a starving, dispirited army being badly led on a suicide mission to Pithiviers. If I may say, your Royal Highness, the duc d'Orléans and the Republicans really did your work for you to sell you as a merciless and selfish tyrant.
Henri: *smiles* simply living up to expectations *continues eating* I'd offer you some, Ducrot, but then you won't be convincingly starved enough to sell him the rest of my strategy.

*Fade to black as they both chuckle* [5]


[1] pretty much OTL. AIUI Louis Philippe agreed to the nationalization of places like Saint-Cloud and Compiègne and the Tuileries in exchange for preserving the Orléans' homes like Neuilly, Palais Royal, Eu and Randan as private property of the Orléans family. Chambord and Rosny as a private property already rather than as a possession of the royal family, was exempt from this. Going into exile, the duchesse de Berri appointed her aunt, Marie Amélie, as custodian but didn't relinquish her ownership.
[2] Ver Huell is a bit like Talleyrand in how many times he changed his loyalties: Orangist, Batavian Republic, King of Holland, French Empire, Kingdom of France, July Monarchy. Except he did it even better than Talleyrand in that he managed to do it and retain the trust/respect of his former colleagues. Oh, and for irony, he's a potential father of Napoléon III. Ver Huell is the highest ranked officer on ship, but he's not in command, he's more there as "training wheels" and "tutor" for Prince Hendrik
[3] yup, Auguste Alexandre Ducrot. I'm not sure where Mouzouia Pass was in Algeria or who was in command, since I can't find anything on it
[4] we're in a chamberpot and we're all going to get shat on
[5] Ducrot encouraged Henri to attempt a coup OTL, Henri refused.

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Oh, Orleans, just man up and accept reality, France is no longer yours to abuse, now is Henri's for the taking.

And magnificent plays as usual for Henri!
 
Oh, Orleans, just man up and accept reality, France is no longer yours to abuse, now is Henri's for the taking.
TBF, Bugeaud and probably a lot or the Orléans court sees it as a case of "we're on the republic's side" (after all, Nemours, Joinville and Aumale all stood for election (and won) OTL) albeit mostly because a lot of them have been bashing Henri for the last 13 years
And magnificent plays as usual for Henri!
I have this idea that with that massacre at Chartres - surprising the men while they were at a church service, slaughtering them in the cathedral - was Henri's "no more mister nice guy" moment (especially since it probably wasn't just soldiers who were killed). But as Ducrot pointed out, they've written the script by portraying him as zealously Catholic, so for him not to avenge it will do more damage to his reputation among the horrified Catholics than it will strike "more" fear into the hearts of non-Catholics like Guizot (a Protestant) or Rothschild (a Jew).

Now that’s how you do it
do what? Soldiering?
 
TBF, Bugeaud and probably a lot or the Orléans court sees it as a case of "we're on the republic's side" (after all, Nemours, Joinville and Aumale all stood for election (and won) OTL) albeit mostly because a lot of them have been bashing Henri for the last 13 years
Not that this will stop our boy.

I have this idea that with that massacre at Chartres - surprising the men while they were at a church service, slaughtering them in the cathedral - was Henri's "no more mister nice guy" moment (especially since it probably wasn't just soldiers who were killed). But as Ducrot pointed out, they've written the script by portraying him as zealously Catholic, so for him not to avenge it will do more damage to his reputation among the horrified Catholics than it will strike "more" fear into the hearts of non-Catholics like Guizot (a Protestant) or Rothschild (a Jew).
Henri will definitely stand his ground.
 
any suggestions who the president of this new French republic would be? Dupont de l'Eure might work but he's born in 1767, while there may be no doubt that he can do the job, I imagine they'd be wanting someone who isn't going to die before his first time in office is finished .

Other candidates include (I'm including only the ones the Assembée Nationale website classes as "Extrème Gauche" (given the far left republicans winning the majority in their "coalition") in the 1842 elections (otherwise there's like a hundred potential candidates I couldn't be bothered to look up)


Louis Marie de Lahaye de Cormenin (1788-1868) - extreme left (presidential candidate in 1848, lost to Cavaignac)
Claude Louis Mathieu (1783-1875) - extreme left, scientist
Lamartine (b.1790) -
Auxonne Marie Théodose Thiard de Bissy (1772-1852)
Arago (1786-1853)
Arsène Aumont-Thiéville (1805-1874)
Isaac-Jacob Adolphe Crémieux (1796-1880)
Amable de Courtais (1790-1877)
Jean-François Claire Henri Joly (1790-1870) - extreme left and irony points for being the guy who "arrested" the Duchesse de Berri in 1832 (she couldn't stand him)
LeDru Rollin (b.1807)

then others:
Armand Marrast (stood for president in 1848, lost to Cavaignac)
Louis Blanc (lead socialist) - imprisoned at this time OTL
Auguste Blanqui (brother to the economist Jerome Blanqui) - imprisoned at this time OTL
Godefroy Cavaignac (brother of the executed Cavaignac and editor of the rival to Thiers' newspaper, Le National, La Réforme)
 
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