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Our first POD has nothing to do with Napoleon, but Prince Edward Earl of Dublin and Kent finds a spouse in 1797 at the age of 30. Let's say it's an English or Irish countess.

Suppose that Napoleon made peace with Austria at the end of the War of Coalition on terms generous to the Austrians. In OTL, his advisor Tarylland told him to do so since that would make them an effective buffer against Russia, already then suspected to be an unreliable ally that might defy Napoleon. Austria and Russia in OTL put their differences together to put down Nappy, but it was an unnatural alliance. In TTL, he lets the Austrians off easy and he doesn't create the Duchy of Warsaw, instead just asking money from the Russians equivalent of 3 years worth of what revenue he the duchy would have earned if it existed.

Instead of focusing on Spain and Russia, he decides to put all the money he would have spent on grandiose architecture of Paris and rename it Bonaparte. Of course, the army still gets paid, but not having to resupply and shoot must save lots of money. Napoleon makes luxurious residences, upgrades the infrastructure, builds monuments, have huge gardens, and maybe makes some useful stuff (canals, super wide streets that act as arteries of the city and in a later decade might make up a railroad, an improved sewers). I have in my notes he once said "I would like to make Paris not only the most beautiful city in the world (but) the most beautiful city that existed." Sadly, my bad handwriting prevents me from figuring out who translated that quote. And just to be on the safe side, he prepares seven giant storehouses and a few bomb proofs, but these cover much less area than the beatification campaign. Bonaparte is converted into a giant monument of his greatness.

In 1805, Empress Joséphine gives birth to a daughter, which they give a Latin name Flavia. The couple is overjoyed.

Meanwhile, across the Channel, Prince Edward Duke and that countess have a child name Henry in 1802.

In 1812, Princess Flavia demonstrates a high degree of intelligence, with mastery of French (duh), German, Danish, and an operation understanding of English at the age of 7. She starts getting her hands on books she is not supposed to be privy to, such as Wealth of Nations. She is elevated to a countess. In 1813, she suggests politely to her father that he end the Continental System, arguing that after the Trafalgar debacle, they have no way of defeating the British, while allowing free trade would enrich both the continent and Britain. Defeating his rivals might be preferable, but since this is obviously impossible, they might as well profit.

No ruler would be stupid enough to allow his underage children dictate foreign policy, especially a girl. However, there MUST have been other people in Napoleon's circle who saw the stupidity of the Continental System and once his family starts questioning it, perhaps they can get an edge into his head.

On July 10, 1813, Napoleon announces a unilateral partial relaxing of the system. At the key ports of Venice (under Austrian control by the terms of letting them off easy), Marseille (France), and Cititavecchia (Italy) are open to business. Previously British goods were simply banned. Now there is a 12.5% import tariff of goods that do not have proof of being French/ Dutch/ German/ Danish/ Italien/ Austrian/ Anyone else in the Continental System. Also, every ship entering with the outside goods (previously contraband) has to pay 150 pounds, so it's more efficient for merchants to ship in large cargos than a zillion small ships. For this money, 75% goes to Napoleon, 10.714% goes into a pot of money that is divided between his allies, and the rest goes into a pot of money to be divided between the noblemen of Europe based on land (triple the estate, triple your share). Previously, all grain exports to Britain were banned. Now wheat plus non-grain food can be exported by dozens of ports in Denmark, Netherlands, France, Spain, and the Mediterranean countries as long as they pay some of their proceeds into Imperial France's coffers.

In 1815, Napoleon starts worrying about his succession and writes a proclamation on male preference primogeniture, overriding Salic law of the defaunt ancient regime. Josephine was unable to produce any other children. Plenty of others in Napoleon's inner circle say this is OK, Princess Flavia seems like she is a gifted administrator and her advice to her regents in her little countryside fief are all solidly based on facts.

Prince Edward becomes a widower.

Napoleon continues to focus on the internal development of France prop. His satellites are semi-neglected as long as they follow the now relaxed rules. Napoleon and Britain come to a 3 year truce. All hostilities are to cease and both sides blockades are removed for all ports. Napoleon actually obeys and isn't a treaty breaker this time.

In 1818, Princess Flavia is on a trip to Denmark. It was one of three tours she had in her lifetime of the various satellite states. She sees someone who she finds attractive (hey, she's an adolescent at this point), who simply identifies himself as the son of a nobleman who is sightseeing while the truce lasts. Flavia convinces a bunch of her aides to accompany her.

Soon, Napoleon recieves word form some of Flavia's guards that she... kind of disappeared. He angrily demands an explanation from both those in charge of her and Denmark. Also, plenty of her aides also disappeared with her. He orders a punitive invasion to be prepared. The Grand Armee is on the march again.

Later that year, Henry, son of Prince Edward (the only one of George III to have surviving issue) arrives in England (it's part of GB, I'm well aware its not the kingdom of England anymore) with a young girl. Henry wants to show her his father's estates and the two of them can have fun for a few months Then the girl identifies herself as not just a countess, but Princess Flavia of the French. Henry just caused an international incident.

Napoleon hears of this while in Netherlands before his army reached the boarder of Denmark and before he declared war.

Napoleon fires off an angry letter to Britain, claiming they had kidnapped his kin in violation of the truce. In contest, he had allowed British nobility in Italy, Austria, and parts of the continent without detaining them. He allowed their diplomats to come to discuss the possibility of a permanent peace.

Britain responds that Flavia is not a hostage but an esteemed guest and can leave anytime she wants to. Napoleon dispatches an aide to Kent.

Flavia shoots back that she came to Britain on her own free will and initially planned to stay for a few weeks, but thinks she's found her soulmate. Henry is attractive, his birthday is only seven days before her own, and they had lots in common personalitywise, although he's slightly slower mentally, but then most people were. Henry was the perfect gentleman. They even slept together (I mean this literally, for some reason whenever you say this, people assume the figurative meaning). She wants a wedding like the Prince Edward is having with Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. (I don't see why the death of his first wife in 1815 precludes a remarriage), which is going to be grand. She insists of staying for the wedding and wants to marry Henry.

Henry asks Edward for permission to marry Princess Flavia. Obviously, Henry can't marry without permission or he could be disinherited.

Well, Napoleon is probably livid. What would George III and the British party think? What would the Torries think about Flavia and Henry? Would they approve of Henry wooing the relative of their sworn enemy?
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