Chapter 81: Concerns of a Queen
September, 1705
“The new tax that the treasury is proposing would raise the income of the Kingdom by 20%.” Maria Antonia said.
“Yes, but it would also mean that the wine merchants and the beer makers would be the hardest hit. And you know just how much they despise having to pay more.” Jakub replied.
“And yet, we need that extra money. We’ve already raised the taxes in Aragon by five percent, we must do the same in Castile to ensure that the Aragonese do not feel as if they are being singled out.” Maria Antonia replied, rubbing at her forehead and wondering why her ancestors had not just let Aragon go.
“So, we raise the taxes in Castile, a Kingdom that contributes far more to the treasury, in order to appease Aragon, when the Aragonese have not even complained yet about the fair taxation plan they are being treated to.” Jakub said. “That sounds like capitulation.”
Feeling her frustration begin to grow, Maria Antonia looked at her husband and asked. “Well, what’s your solution then?”
Jakub grinned, and she felt the old fluttering in her stomach again. “Well, firstly I’d raise the tax within Castile not by 10% but by 7% and I’d do it on a range of goods, not just the drinks market. I’d then slowly raise the taxation within Aragon, and at the first sign of trouble, remind them who it is that keeps them safe at night. And remind them of the hold we have with the peasantry.”
“And if that does not work?” Maria Antonia asked. “If the nobles continue to ferment trouble?”
“Then I would go into Aragon myself and show my face. Remind the people who it is they owe their allegiance to.” Jakub responded. “Too often we allow the nobles to speak for us, when really we should be speaking for ourselves.”
Maria Antonia looked at her husband and marvelled at how calm and assured he seemed. They’d been married for fifteen years now, and he’d never once appeared troubled or concerned by anything thrown their way, and given the nature of being monarch of Spain, that was saying something. There were days when she wondered how he remained so calm, and whether or not he truly was that calm. “How do you do this?” She asked.
“Do what?” Jakub asked sounding confused.
“How do you remain so calm and thoughtful despite all the pressure?” Maria replied.
Jakub grinned again. “I remember that I’m not the Queen.”
Maria laughed and swatted his shoulder. “You truly are insufferable.”
Jakub snorted. “But would you have it any other way?”
Maria smiled. “No, no I would not.”
Jakub took her hand and kissed it then. Then he pulled back and said. “Exactly.”
Maria took her husband’s hand in hers and said. “There is another matter that needs to be considered.”
“The Austrian marriage?” Jakub asked.
“Yes.” Maria responded. “Word has come from our friends in Vienna, it appears that the Emperor is looking to marry his brother to a French Princess.”
Jakub looked as if he hadn’t heard her properly for his face scrunched up in confusion and then it returned to normal and he said. “So, clearly the Emperor is looking to protect his southern border then.”
“Yes, that is what I had thought as well. But it is surprising, because the Duke of Milan has been betrothed to Maria Margaret since they were both children. Why break the betrothal now?” Maria Antonia asked.
“Perhaps because France now holds Naples, and they want a guarantee that the French won’t try anything?” Jakub suggested.
“Yes that would make sense, except that this King of France is not like his father, indeed, this King of France seems completely uninterested in war.” Maria Antonia responded.
“He might be, but he is still French. And truth be told, this is not something we should object to.” Jakub replied.
Maria understood what her husband was saying, neither of them had been completely enthralled with the prospect of their eldest daughter marrying Karl, not because there was anything wrong with him, but because of how much it just seemed wrong. “So, what would you recommend?”
“The way I view it, we have two options. We either increase the dowry, or we offer a proxy.” Jakub responded.
Maria Antonia thought on this and then sighed. “We cannot increase the dowry without increasing taxation I feel, which would not be good for us in the long term, and we have no valid proxies to offer that they would not have already considered.”
Jakub squeezed her hand. “Then perhaps we should accept that the next Duchess of Milan will be a French Princess.”
Maria nodded. “Perhaps we should.”
“Don’t worry, we will find someone else for Maria Margaret to marry.” Jakub replied.
