"If you want to look at how Burgundy expanded under Charles the Careful, you would do well to ask Margaret of York. She did all the work, he just rode a horse and got a sword."
December 17, 1471, Aire-sur-la-lys, Artois, Burgundy
"Grandmother." Philip called, as Isabella was resting by her side. Margaret and Charles were both in sorrow. Isabella has retired 7 years ago after the betrayal of Paris but now she was breathing her last breaths. Philip continued to hug her but he did not cry. "Do you have to leave us too?" Isabella ruffled his hair, "The lord has called for me to return, to Philip and my friends." Philip only nodded without even another word. Isabella has been raising him for the better part of 7 years. Margaret may have lit the fire of his passions and talents but she grew and nurtured those talents. She taught him how to hunt and live off the land, cook various dishes from the chefs in the court, and his new favourite language: Portuguese. Philip closed his eyes as Isabella continued to run her hand through his hair. "Grandson, it's ok, your parents are still going to be here." Philip only nodded. Isabella looked at Margaret and Charles, she smiled more, "You two no longer have an excuse to neglect him you know?" Charles and Margaret didn't laugh at her joke, only continued crying. "Be strong for Philip, and Baby John, I do hope for a granddaughter you know?" Isabella nodded to Margaret. Charles was crying hard, the one person who was with him the whole time, his mother Isabella of Portugal was about to die. Philip didn't seem to care about the conversation as he continued to hold Isabella.
Isabella closed her eyes as she breathed her last. Charles and Margaret continued to cry over her death but Philip was distant. He didn't say a word throughout the funeral. He only asked that he be excused from his studies and hobbies which Charles easily granted. Philip only walked around the forest and came to her tomb. Charles and Margaret didn't know what Philip was doing but the world wouldn't stop moving with her death. Two years ago, Alsace and Further Austria was mortgaged and while he was trying to renegotiate it into a sale he was hitting a roadblock but with the amount of money he had, he formed an alliance with the Savoyards, against the Swiss in order to protect them while also trying to leverage any time of disunity within the confederation to weaken them. The weakening of Mulhouse, and Basel through usage of money and trade has earned the ire of Bern but Charles was incredibly patient, ensuring that Bern had no excuse to invade. He also continued to fund Sigismund in his war against the Swiss for Konstanz and Eastern Switzerland. He needed the sale to be absolute and it would set in that Upper Alsace and Bresigau was completely Burgundian not bought by Burgundy.
North of what Charles was doing Margaret was manipulating strings in Lorraine, ever since the betrayal of Paris. Burgundy was playing a very long game to gain Lorraine through bribery, espionage and trade under Charles. This was accelerated when Margaret became duchess as now various roads were constructed between Burgundy and the Burgundian Netherlands. This made Lorraine's trade completely reliant on Burgundy's goodwill. This was still given after the Betrayal of Paris as the two houses of Valois-Bourgogne and Valois-Anjou saw a mutual enemy in Louis XI of France. John II of Lorraine believed that if he managed to gain Aragon, he would willing give up Lorraine in exchange for that Burgundian Support needed but his early death when he was in Aragon now left Lorraine in an even weaker position. Nicholas of Lorraine was surrounded by pro-Burgundian advisors and like his father, dreamed of the Kingdom of Aragon. Rene of Anjou, now ever the wiser began to view Charles with suspicion but with his armies not being used and just using cash, connections and trade to influence Lorraine. Rene could do nothing except watch it slip away.
Charles looked around the city of Liege, it has only recently rebelled against Louis of Bourbon, his handpicked candidate but his armies crushed the rebellion. He continued to squeeze Liege, forcing the sale of the county of Loon to the Burgundians, but he relaxed some measures against the people of Liege. the amount of wealth he had, he was investing quite wisely. Liege has already lost quite a few privileges in the rebellion of 1468, but not in 1469. The prince-bishopric was a Burgundian puppet and the lands would eventually fall under the Burgundian Netherlands. Charles smiled, it seems his patience has worked. He used to be so bold and so rash in his actions but now he enjoyed and relished in the patience that he learned, the careful planning of Upper Alsace and Lorraine would ensure he would gain them eventually, while he continued feverishly reforming the army. His spies and intelligence told him how the battles went in France, England, and Switzerland. He was wisely investing into improving his armies. He was the richest man in the world, he used to flaunt his wealth but now he was merely investing it and it was paying off. The legendary victories of his brother in law would give him the opportunity of pushing John with Elizabeth. Elizabeth of England was the eldest daughter of the king of England, if he got that marriage for his son. He would gain a Burgundian on the English throne if he was incredibly lucky, if he doesn't he'll merely strengthen the alliance between Burgundy and England. He smiled, he was on the top of the world by just sitting still, "No wonder, Louis called me an idiot for rushing into battle. If I looked at myself back then, I would call myself rash too." Charles remarked.
Margaret was in labour again as Philip watched on, holding her hand. "Mother, it is going to be ok." Charles held her other hand allowing her to squeeze it tightly. Margaret screamed as she began to give birth. The nurses began to rush forward taking care of the baby while Philip did nothing, Charles held her hand and kissed her forehead. "Margaret, you are alright." Philip excused himself, and went into another room. Margaret and Charles spoke words of comfort and joy. The nurse holding the newborn child spoke to Philip. "It's a girl, she's quite strong though." Philip smiled, "May I hold her?" Philip held and rocked her softly. The little girl held out her hand and snatched his finger. Philip weakened, as he reentered the room to the two of them. "Mother, Father. You have a daughter." Margaret smiled as Philip gave her to her. "Isabella, after your mother and grandmother. She will be named Isabella." Charles only smiled, "She will take after them both." The three continued to speak about what to do but no one noticed the one tear that fell from Philip when Isabella was named.
Teaser: Louis watched baby Charles walk around. "He will be raised by me in Paris." He muttered to himself.
He learned the value of patience in ruling Burgundy 