Empire Rising: Spain

Chapter 17: Chapter 16: Father and Son Conversation

Carlo ultimately met Prim.

This leader of the Spanish Revolutionary Army, born into a military family and experienced in many wars, appeared at this moment to be quite gentlemanly, very friendly and warm.

At the welcoming banquet held by his father, Vittorio Emanuele II, for Prim, Carlo not only met Prim but also had a very brief yet pleasant conversation with him.

“Prince Carlo, is the Italian Sun Newspaper your enterprise?” Prim asked Carlo with apparent interest upon their first meeting.

“Yes, Marquis Prim.” Carlo nodded, not surprised by Prim’s inquiry.

The Italian Sun Newspaper and the content published therein were important means for Carlo to create more advantages for himself.

If he couldn’t attract Prim’s attention, Carlo would indeed find it strange.

“I’ve read the content reported by the Sun Newspaper, and the editor-in-chief is certainly full of ideas. I’ve heard you also reached a cooperation with General Garibaldi?” Prim displayed a smile full of curiosity as he asked.

“Yes, Marquis Prim. General Garibaldi is an important figure in the unification of Italy; it is our honor to cooperate with him.” Carlo also smiled and nodded, maintaining basic etiquette.

Garibaldi was actually the first subject Prim used to test Carlo. After all, Garibaldi had once embraced republicanism, and if Carlo supported monarchism, he would surely not have much fondness for such a republican.

The conversation ended so briefly, unexpectedly to Carlo.

If he weren’t sure his answer was flawless, Carlo might even suspect that he had made an error, causing Prim to decide against supporting him.

On Prim’s side, after brief interactions with the two Italian princes, he decided to proceed with his next step, which was to personally investigate and understand the two princes.

Both Amadeo and Carlo had lived in Italy for ten or even twenty years.

Investigations could reveal their childhood experiences and attitudes regarding certain matters, especially their stance on Garibaldi and thoughts on reform.

Prim was actually most concerned with the princes’ desire for power and their supportive attitude towards reform.

Frankly, Prim did not want to welcome a king hungry for power and profit. Military and political power were essential conditions for Prim’s reforms, and he would not allow the new King to contest him for such power right after ascending the throne.

Reform was unmistakable; if the new King did not support reform, Prim would not support the new King.

As it pertained to whether Spain could achieve resurgence at the coming time node, Prim would not let any emotional factors affect his choice of the Spanish King.

Even if he had a better impression of Carlo, he would not decide on the Spanish King’s candidacy before finishing his assessment of the two princes.

Seeing Prim engage in conversations with his two sons successively, yet barely saying a word to Crown Prince Umberto, Vittorio Emanuele II instantly grasped Prim’s true intentions.

It turned out Prim did not come to Spain to assess a specific prince but to assess his two sons and select one to become the King of Spain.

Theoretically, this was a good thing for the Savoy Family, confined to Italy.

If a branch of the Savoy Dynasty could be established in Spain, the position of the Savoy Family in the European royal families would receive a further boost, and it would be a positive prospect for Vittorio Emanuele II himself.

However, taking the role of a father, Vittorio Emanuele II did not really wish to see any of his children venture to Spain.

Spain was currently in chaos; if one lacked ability, stabilizing things wasn’t easy.

More importantly, although Spain was separated from Italy only by the Mediterranean, in the current condition of extremely inconvenient transportation, it resembled an impractical divide.

Although the distance from Madrid to Rome was barely over 1000 kilometers, a round trip still required at least a week’s time.

Whether traveling from Rome to Madrid or from Madrid to Rome, a journey demanded a minimum of half a month’s time.

Moreover, for Vittorio Emanuele II and whichever child would soon become the King of Spain, finding a few half-month periods of free time throughout a year was uncertain.

Finally realizing everything, Vittorio Emanuele II decided to have a talk with his two children.

Vittorio Emanuele II first located his youngest son, Carlo, who just graduated from the Turin Military Academy and pleasantly received the rank of Captain in the Italian Royal Army.

Carlo had long anticipated the visit from Vittorio Emanuele II and appeared quite calm.

Gazing at his gradually growing son, Vittorio Emanuele II seemed to see his once ambitious self.

“Carlo, you’ve been prepared long ago, haven’t you?” Vittorio Emanuele II hesitantly spoke after a moment of silence.

“When I founded the Sun Newspaper, I had thought of using it as a propagating method, waiting for an opportunity like Spain.

I am not content to be merely a Duke within the Kingdom, but as you know, it is impossible for me to become the King of Italy, isn’t it?” Carlo didn’t know how else to explain and attempted to express his ambition in a tactful manner.

Vittorio Emanuele II nodded. Although Carlo was currently third in the line of succession to the Italian throne, it remained that Crown Prince Umberto and Prince Amadeo’s descendants had yet to be born.

Once their descendants were born, Carlo’s position in succession would continue to drop. This period represented Carlo’s closest proximity to the Italian throne, making his aspirations to become King of Italy nearly impossible.

Vittorio Emanuele II naturally understood this as well. In fact, he didn’t oppose Carlo and Amadeo becoming King of Spain.

Yet, as Vita grows old, the idea of his sons going to far-off places drums a lingering reluctance within the elder King.

But reluctance aside, Vittorio Emanuele II knew he should not stand to oppose his sons.

“I understand, Carlo.” After a long silence, Vittorio Emanuele II nodded, looked at his son already taller than him, stroked Carlo’s head, and with a hint of reluctance said, “I will not interfere in your competition with Amadeo, and I will express my support no matter who becomes the King of Spain.

Even if, after becoming the King of Spain, you discover that being a competent King is not easy and wish to abdicate, Italy will always welcome you.

Son, I am your father; I could never oppose you. I also hope you understand that whether you are the King of Spain or the Duke of Italy, our blood relations—mine, yours, Umberto’s, and Amadeo’s—will never change, and the glory of Savoy will always accompany us!”