I Am Louis XIV

It is not surprising that Frederick had such a strong curiosity and a feeling that was infinitely close to a good impression of the Grand Princess. Although the Princess had a beautiful face, as the son of the Grand Duke of Brandenburg-Prussia, Frederick There are not a few beauties I have seen, and there are a few who are better than the princess in terms of beauty alone - but the princess has something that most women of this era don't have, and that is confidence and love for herself. This We often see spots in men, but they are rare in women.

In the era of Louis XIV, women were regarded as pseudo-adults who were mature in body but incomplete in mind. They had to make sacrifices at all times and become a wife and mother in order to be regarded as "complete", or to devote themselves to God, but this can also be understood as a marriage. Sisters are the brides of Christ. They serve God just like a wife serves her husband, and they must ensure their piety, chastity and willingness to be poor.

Of course, we know that women’s ambition and desire are actually no less than those of any gentleman. Let’s not talk about the former Mancini, nor the queen mother and queen, but the Duchess of Longueville. She constantly encouraged His brother competed with Louis XIV for the throne and even sacrificed his husband and lover. Is it just because he was tired of embroidery and having children?

At first, Frederick also believed that the eldest princess and princess of Louis XIV were also such figures. The Sun King educated and guided them, just like some old and cunning monarchs. They married not a daughter, but a daughter. Spies, and sometimes they do this to their own sons, use their manipulation of their husbands and wives to benefit their natal family, and even annex another country. This is not uncommon in the history of Europe.

But as he gradually got to know the princess, Frederick realized that Louis XIV's expectations for his daughter and niece might be more than that. In today's world, only men still hold almost all the power and power. When he had the right to speak, he actually intended to let them occupy a place in the victory palace-Frederick could imagine that once he married the Grand Princess, the Grand Princess would undoubtedly take over part of the Grand Duke (or King of Prussia), she would not obediently succumb to the power of the inner palace and live on fertility and "love."

Are you scared? Perhaps, not only Frederick, but even Brandenburg's envoy also went through three painful stages of disapproval-approval-disapproval. At the earliest, he disapproved of the marriage, and Brandenburg The Grand Prince of Castle had exactly the same idea. They could not anger Leopold I, the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire; later he chose to agree because he saw how the French king doted on his niece and learned about the dowry of the great princess—— The princess's dowry may be 800,000 to 1 million livres, which is far more than that of a princess. Moreover, the Duke of Orleans also intends to give her an external territory (not within France), and she may also bring an army. , these are simply a lifeline for Brandenburg-Prussia, which is bound to expand outwards. In addition, as Frederick said, sometimes, if others don’t give you something, you can ask for it yourself; but in the end he Why don't you agree? Still the same problem, the Grand Princess was not the kind of queen that people in Brandenburg-Prussia expected.

Just look at Louis XIV’s mother and wife to see how repulsive and jealous a country will be to a foreign queen. They don’t even allow the king and queen to be emotionally honest. The lady has an illegitimate child, and they can spread rumors that the king has fertility problems, and then doubt whether the queen and the king's legitimate son have pure blood - don't laugh, Louis XIII is not the kind of king who loves women, he would rather hunt with the gentlemen. Playing cards, the rumors that the king might prefer same-sex couples grew like wildfire, and Louis XIII had to find a "royal lady" before sleeping with the queen. With Louis The Fourteenth and the Duke of Orleans, even so, before and after Louis ascended the throne, there were still rumors that Louis XIV had another biological father...

This is still based on the premise that the Queen Mother rarely intervenes in government affairs.

Once the princess marries Brandenburg-Prussia, she will inevitably become the king's think tank or the "minister in skirts". The nobles can tolerate a "royal lady" from their country signing on the king's documents, but They will not tolerate the queen dictating to them. Even God may not be able to estimate the terrible conflicts that will arise at that time - especially the princess is deeply favored by the King of France and the Duke of Orleans. This is a double-edged sword. Brandenburg - When Prussia needs support, everyone cheers for her; but if the Grand Princess is humiliated or even harmed in Brandenburg, then this may become the King of France going to war against Brandenburg The best excuse.

"You know," the envoy reminded worriedly, "if your engagement is concluded - you have such a strong wife, you may not be happy in many places?"

Frederick had been in Paris for several months. In addition to going out with the princess from time to time, he and the princess would sometimes call him "Mr. William". They exchanged letters under the name of "Ms. Mary" to discuss some things they encountered or their impressions of certain books - unlike the dates he had had before, Frederick felt like he was in another open house. Studying in college is busy, trivial and heavy, but it also has an indescribable sense of fulfillment.

Compared with the dances, dinners, shopping or gambling that Frederick was accustomed to, being with the princess was certainly much harder, especially when he realized that if he and the princess became husband and wife, this situation would also become After the normal situation - Frederick would not like it, or it would be unbearable, but as the future Grand Duke of Brandenburg-Prussia, he was more likely to be - the king, and he was happy with it.

He admitted that there was a part of his nature that was cowardly and greedy for pleasure, and it was precisely because he knew that he had such weaknesses that he needed a wife like the princess.

"Also," he added, "Sir, I think we have all overlooked one thing," the young son of the Grand Duke rubbed his chin - he had grown a little beard in Prussia, but had shaved it all off when he came to Paris. It has to be clean. After all, the French all look up to their king without a beard: "My marriage to the princess has not been finalized yet."

"Besides you, are there any other suitable candidates?" the envoy said disapprovingly.

"There really are," Frederick thought of some of the rumors he had heard: "For example, Carlos II."

——————

"How is it possible!" cried the Archbishop of Toledo.

"It's really impossible," said Juan Patiño. Due to external pressure, Don Juan José, the illegitimate son of the late King Philip IV, had to marry Carlos II's mother, Maria, who had been expelled by him. Queen Mother Leia performed a love drama. Although Juan Patiño was a subordinate of Duke Don Juan, no one could deny his loyalty to Spain and Carlos II, so there was a tug of war for a period of time. Later, after returning from Paris, he was promoted to Minister of the Navy. It goes without saying how important this position was in the Spanish court. At the same time, he was also responsible for foreign affairs, and he could be said to be half a prime minister.

Now this "half-prime minister" is almost overwhelmed. Perhaps it is because France seems to be satisfied after swallowing Flanders and the Netherlands, or the Holy Roman Empire is also busy dealing with the Ottoman Turks, and the British are also While he was busy dealing with the Roman Church and Louis XIV, who once again turned from an ally to an enemy... there were waves of waves between the Duke Don Juan and the Queen Mother Maria. On several occasions, their musketeers and guards , fighting directly on the streets, making people panic.

If this is just a relapse, then Juan is almost exhausted by their king Carlos II. As we all know, all the consequences of the excessively rich Habsburg blood fall on Carlos II. He even Not as good as Alfonso VI of Portugal. Alfonso VI was only physically disabled but his mind was still clear. Carlos II was just a beast that could only roar and roar.

The reason why Juan Patinho succumbed to an illegitimate son was because he tasted the bitterness of failure again and again from this king. He always seemed to be immersed in another world (perhaps hell) and could not understand what others meant. , and could not be understood by others. Juan knew early on that Carlos II was unable to fulfill his obligations and use his power.

But this situation suddenly changed. One day - of course, it involves the darkest and most evil things in the world. Before Juan and those who would inevitably object knew about it, Carlos II Duke Don Juan and Queen Mary did not think they were wrong. It is said that this potion can prolong the life of a terminally ill person and make him as strong as a healthy person. Young people in general.

Reminiscent of the engagement contract made by Carlos II not long ago, they may have planned to ask the Habsburg princess to have sex with Carlos II once she turns twelve years old - maybe they will have a healthy life Where is his son?

Juan did not deny that he had such thoughts. After all, they had become more and more worried in the past few years. Carlos II was the last Habsburg in Spain. If he died without a biological son, then the one born to his sisters would be The son of Margaret of Spain is eligible to inherit the throne of Spain - given that the two sons that Margaret of Spain gave birth to to Leopold I unfortunately died in infancy, it is most likely that her sister gave birth to King Louis XIV of France. Little Louis.

All countries would tremble with fear at the thought that a Bourbon would become the co-owner of France and Spain - Louis XIV would then be able to acquire a territory wider than Flanders and the Netherlands combined without a single soldier. With a longer coastline, his crown prince also married the daughter of the King of Portugal. Although the princess would definitely swear to give up her inheritance rights to Portugal before the marriage - Louis XIV's Queen Theresa did not. Have you sworn an oath? No?

With such a threat, even the Archbishop of Toledo had to endure it under the pressure of Duke Don Juan and Queen Mother Maria, let alone others. Fortunately, God blessed, their king was indeed recovering. , and the doctor also said after examination that the king's four body fluids have become balanced, especially the valuable yellow bile, which means that the king's masculinity is increasing. The king's personal attendant also said that the king's eggs have been empty since he was born. The eggs have also become heavier... This is good news for all Spaniards. Since Carlos II is already thirteen years old, some people have suggested that several suitable "ladies" should be arranged to accompany the king.

Queen Mother Maria and Duke Don Juan were rarely consistent. They refused such a request and persisted even if it aroused people's suspicion.

Only Juan Patinho and the Archbishop of Toledo know why they did this - because Carlos II not only recovered his body - his mind finally returned to this body after thirteen years.

Although Carlos II regained his consciousness, because he had spent the previous thirteen years in a state of confusion, he was like a baby who had just been born into the world. He was interested in everything and would try it with enthusiasm. He will also imitate people's words and actions. He may be ignored at first, but soon he will be rewarded with loyal followers to the Archbishop of Toledo and Patiño, the Admiralty of the Navy - one of them is a supporter of the Queen Mother. , one is a supporter of Duke Don Juan, but the wonderful thing is that they are more loyal to the king. Of course they hope... I hope the king can make up for the missing thirteen years as soon as possible, but whether it is Queen Mother Maria or Don Juan The Duke maintained a cold and ambiguous attitude.

They did not want Carlos II to have a mind of his own - because then the power in their hands would be taken away by the king.

Although the Archbishop of Toledo and Juan Patiño have repeatedly persuaded them, when it comes to their own interests, these two not-so-smart leaders are quite determined - the Archbishop of Toledo and Juan Patiño He had to do something secretly. For example, Juan sent his niece to be the king's maid-his niece was a smart and learned girl. The archbishop sent his disciple who was only ten years old and of unknown origin. He is just the son of a church gardener. It is for this reason that he can be kept with the king. But his ability to become a disciple of the archbishop is destined to have outstanding talents. With his company, Carlos II has been infinitely close. A normal person.

But even if Carlos II can become a healthy person, it is impossible to deny his previous engagement with the Habsburg princess and renegotiate with France. And if Carlos has no problem, then the daughter of the Duke of Orleans will also Not so qualified anymore.