Despite Jerome Bonaparte’s repeated assurances to Richard Metternich that the French Empire had no intention of annexing the Sardinian Kingdom, Richard Metternich still maintained a degree of suspicion towards Jerome Bonaparte.

After all, during the Orsini assassination case, the French Empire also did not state its intention to annex Savoy and Nice, but merely requested the Austrian Empire to take action to weaken the Sardinian Kingdom.

Now, the French Empire is gradually revealing its true ambitions!

Therefore, Richard Metternich became suspicious of Jerome Bonaparte.

However, suspicion aside, Richard Metternich understood that the Austrian Empire would not offend the French Empire for the sake of the Sardinian Kingdom.

Even if Jerome Bonaparte actually decided to annex the Sardinian Kingdom, the most the Austrian Empire could do would be to verbally condemn the French Empire, while also considering strengthening relations with other countries (Prussia and Britain).

Because once the French Empire annexed the Sardinian Kingdom, the territory of the Austrian Empire would share a direct border with the French Empire.

By then, no matter how many kind words the French Empire might offer, it would be impossible to mend relations.

Of course, these were merely Richard Metternich’s plans, and this plan was based on the premise that the French Empire would fully annex Sardinia.

As long as the French Empire only chose to annex Savoy and Nice, the Austrian Empire would still be the most loyal partner of the French Empire.

"Your Majesty Jerome, I will inform His Majesty Franz of your request!" Richard Metternich paused for a moment and replied seriously to Jerome Bonaparte, "As for whether His Majesty Franz agrees to cooperate with your actions, that will depend on the will of Vienna!"

"I know!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded and smiled at Richard Metternich. "I’ll have to trouble you with this matter!"

"This is what I should do!" Richard Metternich said modestly.

Later, Jerome Bonaparte got up to leave, and Richard Metternich and the military attendant also rose from the sofa.

The two of them escorted Jerome Bonaparte out of the embassy, watching as Jerome Bonaparte departed into the distance.

Not until Jerome Bonaparte’s carriage disappeared from Richard Metternich’s view did he turn to the military attendant beside him and say, "Let’s go back inside!"

With that, Richard Metternich headed back into the embassy, and the military attendant followed him, closing the door behind them.

The two returned to the sofa, and under Richard Metternich’s orders, the military attendant sat in the spot Richard Metternich had previously occupied, while Richard Metternich took the seat Jerome Bonaparte had just vacated. He rested his chin on his hands, assuming a contemplative expression.

At that moment, the military attendant, looking at the deeply pensive Richard Metternich, dared not make a sound, waiting quietly for Richard Metternich to finish his contemplation.

After a while, Richard Metternich raised his head and, with a solemn expression, asked the military attendant, "Do you think I should offer some assistance to His Majesty Jerome Bonaparte in this matter?

Or should we adhere to a fair stance and report everything to Vienna as it is, leaving the final decision to them?"

The military attendant thought for a moment, then gathered his courage and said to Richard Metternich, "Your Excellency Ambassador, please forgive my directness! The relationship between the French Empire and the Austrian Empire will directly impact the future of you, me, and all the employees of the embassy!

As the Austrian Ambassador in France, you have the right to provide your insights to Vienna!"

The military attendant tactfully suggested that Richard Metternich report some constructive opinions favoring the French Empire to Vienna, as long as they were working at the Austrian Embassy in France, their promotions and demotions were tied to the embassy’s fate.

If the diplomacy with France were to fall apart, Richard Metternich could arrange matters for himself using his connections, but the rest of them would have to bear the consequences of a failed diplomacy.

Therefore, they were arguably the ones most eager for a lasting positive relationship between the French Empire and the Austrian Empire.

Likewise, Richard Metternich also remembered that his current status was due not only to his efforts but also to the indispensable support from Emperor Jerome Bonaparte.

Logically and emotionally, Richard Metternich should indeed "repay" (though there is no concept of gratitude in politics) Jerome Bonaparte.

"I understand!" Richard Metternich nodded to the military attendant in response.

Subsequently, Richard Metternich returned to the study, opened a drawer where he stored stationery, and began writing with a dip pen on the stationery about the French Empire’s requests and his judgments regarding their future actions.

Once everything was ready, Richard Metternich put down the dip pen and summoned the military attendant.

"Now, send this letter to Vienna!" Richard Metternich handed the letter to the military attendant.

"Yes!" The military attendant took the letter and left the study.

Alone in the study, Richard Metternich let out a long sigh, shaking his head and muttering to himself, "Your Majesty, Jerome Bonaparte, I hope you can keep your promise!"

...

Meanwhile, Jerome Bonaparte, returning from the Austrian Embassy to the Tuileries Palace, had just stepped into the hall when he encountered Bashirio pacing back and forth with his head down, looking as if something urgent had happened.

"What’s the matter?" Jerome Bonaparte asked Bashirio.

Upon hearing Jerome Bonaparte’s voice, Bashirio hurriedly raised his head and said, "Your Majesty!"

Bashirio then informed Jerome Bonaparte that just now, the British Envoy Kaotz had arrived at the Tuileries Palace.

"Kaotz!" Jerome Bonaparte was stunned for a moment, then immediately realized that the Kingdom of Britain—this slow-moving giant—had finally begun to act, "Where is Ambassador Kaotz now?"

Bashirio quietly informed Jerome Bonaparte that he had arranged for Ambassador Kaotz to be in a room at the Tuileries Palace.

"You didn’t tell him I went to the Austrian Embassy, did you?" Jerome Bonaparte asked in a lowered voice.

Bashirio shook his head and answered Jerome Bonaparte, "I told him you were conversing with the Cabinet Minister!

It might take a long time to finish!"

"What did he say? Did he have any suspicions?" Jerome Bonaparte eagerly inquired.

"Ambassador Kaotz had no suspicions; he said he could wait for Your Majesty to finish the conversation!" Bashirio replied to Jerome Bonaparte, "So, I arranged Ambassador Kaotz in a room by himself!"

"Good, good, good! You’ve done very well!" Jerome Bonaparte patted Bashirio on the shoulder as encouragement, "Bashirio, you are indeed my good assistant!"

Bashirio showed a modest smile, "This is all part of my duty!"

"Quick! Take me there!" Jerome Bonaparte ordered Bashirio again.

Under Jerome Bonaparte’s command, Bashirio led him to the room where Ambassador Kaotz was, then opened the door.

The figure of Ambassador Kaotz appeared before Jerome Bonaparte.

At the same moment, Ambassador Kaotz in the room also looked towards the door, quickly standing up from his chair and bowing to Jerome Bonaparte in the distance, "Your Majesty!"

"Mr. Kaotz, long time no see! Sorry to keep you waiting!" Jerome Bonaparte advanced towards Ambassador Kaotz, exchanging pleasantries as he walked.

"Your Majesty, I have just only arrived! I trust you’ve completed your matters?" Ambassador Kaotz nodded in acknowledgment.

"Everything has been handled!" Jerome Bonaparte sighed, continuing forward, "Those guys never let me relax; they need my decision on everything!"

"Your Majesty, this just reflects your insight and foresight!" Ambassador Kaotz flattered Jerome Bonaparte without a hint of blush.

Arriving beside Ambassador Kaotz, Jerome Bonaparte shook his hand symbolically and invited him to sit.

Subsequently, Jerome Bonaparte got to the point. "Ambassador Kaotz, may I know the purpose of your visit?"

"Honorable Emperor, I am here under orders to request that your nation maintain the order of Europe!" Ambassador Kaotz replied to Jerome Bonaparte.

Jerome Bonaparte raised an eyebrow, asking Ambassador Kaotz, "May I know under whose orders? The Cabinet Prime Minister, Earl of Derby, or your Queen Victoria?"

"Your Majesty, naturally, it is by order of the Queen of Britain, Her Majesty Queen Victoria!" Ambassador Kaotz’s answer was unexpected to Jerome Bonaparte; he had thought the British Cabinet had already reached a consensus. Yet, as expected, the British Cabinet’s efficiency did not disappoint, as if they didn’t understand urgency until a critical moment. "Our Cabinet is still further discussing the Apennine Peninsula issue, and Her Majesty Queen Victoria is concerned about the situation in the Apennine Peninsula, so she hopes the French Empire could take action to maintain peace on the Apennine Peninsula."

Upon hearing it was Queen Victoria’s request, Jerome Bonaparte spread his hands helplessly and said to Ambassador Kaotz, "Ambassador Kaotz, we have already done our utmost to advocate for peace!"

"However, the Austrian Empire is still creating conflicts at the border!" Ambassador Kaotz responded to Jerome Bonaparte.