Although Prince Monfort was unable to transfer the title to Jerome Patterson as he wished after a century, he believed he had done everything a father/grandfather could for his other son and grandson.

"My dear son, I am glad that Jerome Patterson has an uncle like you, and that the Bonaparte Clan has a leader as generous and kind as you!

I believe that after a century, the Empire will move towards a more glorious future under your leadership!"

Prince Monfort flashed a flattering smile, racking his brains to praise Jerome Bonaparte, resembling a sycophant on stage.

Looking at his slightly servile father before him, Jerome Bonaparte involuntarily sighed, a trace of helplessness in his eyes.

He must have pleaded for forgiveness like this in the past, eventually obtaining the Kingdom of Westphalia from Emperor Napoleon.

"Father, there’s no need for this!" Jerome Bonaparte waved his hand and said to Prince Monfort.

Only then did Prince Monfort sit back upright.

Next, Prince Monfort lowered his voice as if he had thought of something and asked Jerome Bonaparte.

"My dear son, if Mathilde opposes Jerome Patterson becoming the Imperial Prince, will it cause you any trouble?"

Thinking of Mathilde Bonaparte, Jerome Bonaparte felt a headache.

His sister Mathilde Bonaparte was perhaps the most averse to Jerome Patterson in the entire Bonaparte Clan.

Allowing Jerome Patterson to join the Bonaparte Clan had already given Jerome Bonaparte considerable grief from Mathilde.

If Mathilde knew he was going to appoint Jerome Patterson as the Imperial Prince, then Jerome Bonaparte’s Tuileries Palace might well be overturned by Mathilde.

Of course, the simple Mathilde isn’t the truly frightening one; it’s those Bonaparte Empire princes and dukes idling at home. Upon receiving this news, they might inevitably stir trouble at Tuileries Palace as well.

"Leave this matter to me, I will handle everything!" Jerome Bonaparte, exuding an air of confidence, responded flatly to Prince Monfort.

"Then I’ll leave it to you!" Prince Monfort, delighted, nodded to Jerome Bonaparte.

Afterwards, Prince Monfort inquired about Jerome Bonaparte’s journey to the Austrian Empire and the arrangement of accompanying personnel.

"Although there’s some time left until Radetzky’s funeral, I still hope to go as soon as possible!

As for the accompanying personnel..." Jerome Bonaparte thought for a moment and then said, "Valerovsky has returned to report, so let him accompany you!"

Having his interests satisfied, Prince Monfort naturally posed as perpetually ready, he straightened his chest and replied to Jerome Bonaparte, "I can depart at any time!"

"When it’s time for you to depart, I’ll have Bashirio come over to inform you!"

After arranging the journey, Jerome Bonaparte disregarded Prince Monfort’s pleas and got up to leave.

Prince Monfort had no choice but to personally escort Jerome Bonaparte onto the carriage before standing at the door to watch the carriage depart.

...

Sitting in the carriage, Jerome Bonaparte carefully pondered the pros and cons of this journey, feeling vaguely regretful about agreeing to his father’s request to make Jerome Patterson the Imperial Prince.

Nevertheless, since Jerome Bonaparte had already spoken, he wasn’t going to backtrack.

As long as Jerome Patterson could accomplish something in West Africa, he would have the justification to make Jerome Patterson the Imperial Prince.

If the Bonaparte internal opposition was too strong, he could also "save the country in a roundabout way."

As long as Jerome Patterson’s merits were sufficient, Jerome Bonaparte could use it as an excuse to find a suitable princess from among those German princes close to the French Empire to offset Jerome Patterson’s lineage disadvantage.

Then Jerome Patterson could also become an Imperial Prince.

"I only hope that young Patterson won’t disappoint my expectations and will strive to make a mark!" Jerome Bonaparte mumbled softly as he looked at the starry night sky out the window.

...

The carriage traveled unobstructed, headed towards the vicinity of Ossai Pier, just needing to cross the Seine River Bridge to reach the Tuileries Palace Garden.

Just then, Jerome Bonaparte in the carriage suddenly shouted to the coachman outside, "Stop for a moment!"

The coachman halted the moving carriage, and the Guard Army members traveling in front and behind the carriage also stopped moving.

Next, Jerome Bonaparte’s voice emerged again from within the carriage, "Let’s not return to Tuileries Palace yet, we’ll go to Count Valerovsky’s residence!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" The coachman responded deferentially to Jerome Bonaparte.

Since Valerovsky resided in the Saint Anthony District’s Bastille Square (formerly Bastille Prison), the team needed not cross the bridge immediately; they just needed to proceed along the Seine River bank to the bridge near Saint-Louis Island, and then head north to arrive, the whole journey would only take about 20 minutes.

By the time the carriage arrived near Walewski’s Mansion, it was quietly around 10 PM, a time coinciding with dinner.

(For the Parisian aristocracy, dinner time is usually around 10 to 11 o’clock. After dinner, the nightlife begins.)

Under the deep night sky, Jerome Bonaparte walked slowly to the entrance of the mansion and gently knocked on the door.

After a while, a voice inquired from inside the mansion, "Who is it?"

"Please inform Count Valerovsky that Jerome Bonaparte is here to visit!" Jerome Bonaparte called out to the servant on the other side of the room.

The servant in charge of the door, upon hearing the name, quickly opened the door and bowed respectfully.

"Your Majesty!"

"Where is Valerovsky? Take me to him!" Jerome Bonaparte responded softly to the servant.

Under the guidance of the servant, Jerome Bonaparte arrived at a room on the second floor.

"Your Majesty, the master is inside!"

The servant whispered to Jerome Bonaparte, then helped him open the door.

At this moment, Valerovsky was sitting on the sofa with his wife and daughter, playing Six Kings of Pick.

The appearance of Jerome Bonaparte shocked the three present, and they hurriedly got up from the sofa to greet him.

"No need to come over!" Jerome Bonaparte waved his hand and strolled toward Valerovsky.

The three stood in place waiting for Jerome Bonaparte.

Soon, Jerome Bonaparte stood in front of Valerovsky, gently touching Eugenie Colonna Valerovsky, who had the same hair color as Valerovsky, apologizing, "My dear little princess, I’m sorry to disrupt you and your family!"

"It’s alright, Your Majesty!" The four-year-old Eugenie Valerovsky displayed maturity beyond her years, gracefully responding, "It is an honor for my parents and me that you could visit!"

"What a lovely child!" Jerome Bonaparte said kindly, then turned his gaze to Valerovsky’s wife (Louisa Laurie Corey), "If you have time, you can bring this child to the Tuileries Palace!

I believe Augusta would also adore this child!"

Louisa Laurie Corey was visibly delighted upon hearing Jerome Bonaparte’s words.

If Eugenie Valerovsky could become a regular "guest" at the Tuileries Palace, it would promise a bright future.

Even Valerovsky’s face showed uncontainable joy, then subtly indicated with a glance to his child.

Receiving Valerovsky’s cue, Eugenie Valerovsky slightly bowed to Jerome Bonaparte, saying, "Thank you for your invitation, Your Majesty!"

Looking at the sensible Eugenie Valerovsky, Jerome Bonaparte once again said, "What a lovely child!"

Then, Jerome Bonaparte turned his gaze to Valerovsky’s wife Louisa Laurie Corey.

"Beautiful lady, I’m sorry to disturb you at this time!"

"Your Majesty, your visit is an honor for Valerovsky and me!"

Louisa Laurie Corey politely replied, then tactfully took Eugenie Valerovsky’s hand to bid farewell to Jerome Bonaparte, "Your Majesty, please forgive Eugenie and me for leaving!

Because it is her (Eugenie Valerovsky) bedtime!

Eugenie, say goodbye to His Majesty!"

"Good night, Your Majesty!" Eugenie understood her mother’s intention, and she waved to Jerome Bonaparte obediently.

Jerome Bonaparte again gently touched Eugenie Valerovsky’s head, showing a warm smile, "Good night, little angel!"

Eugenie Valerovsky and Louisa Laurie Corey left the room, with only Jerome Bonaparte and Valerovsky remaining.

Jerome Bonaparte immediately conveyed to Valerovsky his plan to have him represent him and join Prince Monfort to Vienna.

"It is my honor!" Valerovsky humbly said to Jerome Bonaparte.

"After this mission ends, proceed to Berlin! I will have the Ministry of Foreign Affairs appoint you as the diplomatic envoy to Prussia!" Jerome Bonaparte continued with Valerovsky’s next appointment.

Valerovsky paused for a moment, then replied, "Your Majesty, compared to Jerusalem and Berlin, I prefer to stay in Paris! (Implied: I want to advance in Paris!)"

"Valerovsky, I need you to serve as the bridge between Berlin and the Empire!" Jerome Bonaparte earnestly said to Valerovsky, "Only you can assume this position!"

To persuade Valerovsky to follow his arrangement, Jerome Bonaparte hinted he would assist Valerovsky with the issue of succession.

[1] Pick: A type of card game, consisting of thirty-two cards, each person can play twice, with scoring to determine the winner.