1611 Winter

France returned to peace. Louis XIII - my grandson and son of the late Elizabeth - regained his right as a legitimate king of France. And his younger brother Charles, who was temporarily a figurehead by his late mother Elizabeth, was sent to the monastery for life.

"As a king of France, I solemnly announce to withdraw from the Holy Roman Empire Civil War!"

"Yeah! Long live the king!"

"All hail king Louis XIII, the benevolent!"

After he withdrew from the war, Louis XIII disbanded the French Parliament and the self-ruling parliament of Paris - which the Lioness has established - which were the French aristocrats' requests.

As a result, many privileges which belonged to the French feudal lords - that the Lioness abolished - came to life again, and the French aristocrats cheered. Although the French Constitution was still in place, without the Congress to support it, it's just a house of cards.

Naturally, the more French aristocrats are pleased, the more French bourgeoise are dissatisfied. But, since the latter lost their strongest supporter - the late Lioness - and lost the civil war, their voice was ignored and was to be ignored for at least this generation. However, that's not my cup of tea.

"Remember 3 things. First, do it not by the name of England, but under the name of the Castille. Second, let everyone know who's behind those French bourgeoise. Third, if you fail to catch their heart, just focus on draining France's wealth and brains. That's all I want."

"Yes, your majesty."

Yeah, it's a 'Balance of Power'. I'll be the supporter of the French bourgeoisie, instead of late Elizabeth. Since Louis XIII successfully became an adult and claimed his rightful crown, the French aristocrats won't fall to me - Edward VII, king of England.

So, if I wish to enter Paris, or at least put France in chaos, I need to find another partner. And that's the French bourgeoisie, who's currently isolated and crushed after the defeat of the last civil war.

Of course, Louis XIII and French feudal lords noticed my move.

Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

"Why, that bloodthirsty monster, hungry for a crown!"

that's what Louis XIII referred to me at his palace.

Also, French queen and my youngest daughter Jeanne sent me a letter which said

'Oh father, how can you be so mean! What have I did you wrong? How can I live in the French palace as a queen of France when you rattle France like this? Please, stop!'

But I didn't stop. No, it's too late to stop now. And then, Prince of Wales, Regent of Great Britain and my eldest son, Richard tried to stop me.

"Don't you feel sorry for my younger sister Jane(=Jeanne) father? Stop this, right now! Isn't it enough?"

"What's enough, my son? No, I'm only halfway. I, Edward VII/Eduardo I, will one day be the king of six realms! A king of Great Britain, king of the Netherlands, king of France, king of Spain, king of Portugal and king of two Sicilies! With the Holy Roman Empire currently in the civil war, now is the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and you dare to defy your father?"

"Do you wish to be the Emperor of the New Roman Empire or to become the Kaiser of the Holy Roman Empire? Is that thing more worthy than your daughter's honeymoon period and her happy married life? That's no good, either to me or this Kingdom - the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Iberia!"

"I've never said that I'll be the king of six realms for you. I'm doing it for myself. So, one day, I'll make every man and woman in England cheer that I'm the greatest king that England has ever had, a greater ruler than King David or King Solomon! Get out! Now!"

"Father!!!"

"I've told you! Get lost!"

How disappointing! How can he call himself as a noble - since the Royal family is the top of all nobles in the kingdom - if he has no ambition?

'What the f***! The kids who call himself/herself as my children are all useless and stand in my way!'

Now, I can partly understand how my late father - Felipe II - felt. I too was reacting the same as him, since all of my children are/were either trying to rob my kingdom and my crown or incompetent and useless.

The next day, I've called the Duke of Cambridge, my grandson Henry and whispered to him, for just in case.

"Henry, my grandson. I'll inherit you 6 kingdoms - Great Britain(England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales), Netherlands(which includes nowadays Belgium and Luxembourg), France, Spain(Castille and Aragon), Portugal and Two Sicilies(Sicily and Naples)! You'll be the new master of Europe!"

And Henry abruptly became pale and replied

"O, oh...grandfather. I'm unfit to rule all those nations! Please, reconsider."

'Sigh'

"Okay, forget it. You can go now."

'What the hell. The late Lioness was too ambitious, trying to steal even my power, although I'm still alive. And the rest are too obedient and have no ambition. There's no middle ground!'

'Phew'

'I'm now 54 - I was born in 1556 and my birthday is in July - and is in my last years. So, if I don't complete this mission before I die, no descendant will do it for me.'

What would have my father - Felipe II - have done, if he were in my shoes?

'Huh'

A snort came out. I've hated him when he was alive, but now, when I'm in my later years with him dead, I seek his help?

But there was no other alternative model. My mother Queen Mary was too weak to teach me how to rule as a king because she was too tired to take care of me and barely acted as a mother.

The other kings of Europe? They're either incompetent and useless like Felipe III or Rudolf II or too remote to refer to as an example.

In short, the only person who showed the true aspect as a king was my late father, Felipe II. Then, what would have he done if he was in my shoes?

"Without a doubt, he would have tried it till his last breath and died."

Felipe II died of cancer while he was carrying out a crusade with the Ottomans in 1598 Summer. He did his role as a 'Protector of Faith' as a last resort of the Catholic Faith and the Protector of Christianity.

Although I didn't inherit his faith, I've received his persistence.

"Apple doesn't fall far from the tree, huh? Then so be it!

I'll try to become the king of six realms, till my last breath!"

Whatever my children and grandchildren will think of me, the future Jingoistic politicians and historians will praise me highly, thinking I was doing this all out of patriotism. Then, I'll keep just keep my way, pursuing my goal, just like my late father Felipe II did till his last breath.