Reincarnated as Napoleon II-Chapter 90: Spain’s Decision

Napoleon II and Charles looked at the door where Lord Palmerston had just left.

"I think he is very pissed," Charles commented. "You just antagonized the British Empire."

"Sorry, I couldn’t help it. I just hate the British. If not for them we would have already conquered this continent," Napoleon II said.

Charles sighed quietly.

"Now he is going to report to their parliament and you gave a cold shoulder to their proposal. They would be wary of us. Though it’s not going to change much immediately, they already hate us."

Napoleon II nodded.

"Let’s just focus on the Spanish Ambassador for tomorrow. That’s the one I’m anticipating."

***

A day later.

Napoleon II sat behind his desk, reviewing a stack of documents while Charles stood nearby, reading from a ledger.

A knock sounded.

Both men looked up.

Beaumont’s voice came from the other side.

"Your Imperial Majesty, the Spanish Ambassador."

Napoleon II set his pen down.

"Send him in."

The door opened.

Don Miguel stepped inside, posture straight but noticeably tense. His eyes briefly met Napoleon’s before he offered a respectful bow.

"Your Imperial Majesty."

"Don Miguel," Napoleon II replied. "Please, come in."

Don Miguel approached the desk. Charles inclined his head in greeting, which Don Miguel returned.

Napoleon gestured toward the chairs.

"Sit," he said. "I assume you didn’t come all the way from the embassy for pleasantries."

Don Miguel sat carefully, hands resting on his knees.

Napoleon leaned back slightly.

"Well?" he asked plainly. "Does Spain agree to the proposal or not?"

The question hung in the air for a moment.

Don Miguel exhaled slowly, as if steadying himself.

"I delivered your offer to Madrid immediately, Your Imperial Majesty," he began. "The response was... intense."

"I expected nothing less," Napoleon said. "And?"

"The Crown debated through the night," Don Miguel continued. "Ministers, advisors, financiers... all weighing the cost of pride against the cost of survival."

Charles watched him closely.

"And what conclusion did they reach?" Napoleon asked.

Don Miguel lifted his gaze.

"Spain recognizes the gravity of its situation," he said carefully. "Your offer, three hundred million francs, investment assurances, and favorable loan terms, is... transformative."

Napoleon didn’t react yet.

"However," Don Miguel added, "the decision was not made lightly. These territories are not numbers on a ledger. They are history."

Napoleon folded his hands.

"I understand," he said and added.. "But history doesn’t pay soldiers or build factories."

A faint, tired smile crossed Don Miguel’s face.

"That argument was repeated many times in Madrid," he admitted.

"Take us for example," Napoleon II said. "We sold the Louisiana territory to the United States. At the time, many called it a humiliation. They said France was giving away land, prestige, and future power."

He shrugged lightly.

"But that sale stabilized our finances and allowed us to fight where it actually mattered. Territory is only valuable if you can hold it and profit from it. Otherwise, it’s a liability with a flag."

Don Miguel nodded slowly.

"That comparison was... raised," he admitted. "Though not everyone appreciated it."

"I’m sure," Napoleon replied. "Pride rarely survives contact with an empty treasury."

Charles closed his ledger softly.

"So," he said, "Madrid understands that this is a strategic withdrawal, not a surrender."

"That is how the Crown has chosen to frame it," Don Miguel answered. "Spain believes that consolidating at home is preferable to bleeding abroad."

Napoleon leaned forward slightly.

"Then say it plainly," he said. "What is Spain’s decision?"

Don Miguel drew in a breath.

"In principle," he said, "Spain accepts your proposal. Cuba, the Philippines, and Guam will be transferred to French administration under a formal treaty. The financial terms are acceptable... with details to be finalized. Also, there’s another thing."

"Another thing?" Napoleon II tilted his head to the side.

"Yes, they were wondering why you didn’t include Puerto Rico in your proposal."

"Well that’s because I only need Cuba in the Mediterranean," Napoleon II explained. "But if you are willing to sell that territory too we can discuss. But we’ll base the price on its actual value," Napoleon II finished. "Ports, revenue, garrison costs, infrastructure..."

Don Miguel gave a short nod. He had expected as much. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Madrid anticipated that response," he said. "Puerto Rico was raised not as a demand, but as... an inquiry. The Crown wanted to understand whether France’s interests extended further into the Caribbean."

Napoleon leaned back.

"My priority is positioning," he said plainly. "Cuba gives us a strategic anchor. Shipping lanes. Naval reach. Puerto Rico is useful, yes, but it is not essential to the structure I’m building."

Charles spoke without looking up from the ledger.

"And Spain still draws revenue from it," he added. "Selling everything at once would leave Madrid politically exposed."

Don Miguel allowed himself a thin smile.

"That was... also discussed."

Napoleon steepled his fingers.

"If Spain wishes to retain Puerto Rico," he said, "France has no objection. This agreement is already large enough. I am not interested in stripping Madrid bare just because I can."

The tension in Don Miguel’s shoulders eased slightly.

"That sentiment will be... appreciated," he said.

"Good," Napoleon replied. "Then we keep the treaty focused. Cuba. The Philippines. Guam. That’s it. So when do we sign?"

"Madrid proposes a transition period," Don Miguel said. "One year from the signing of the treaty. The colonies will not change hands overnight. Troops must be withdrawn in stages. Governors reassigned. Civil administration prepared to avoid unrest."

Charles glanced up from the ledger.

"A managed transfer," he said.

"Yes," Don Miguel confirmed. "Spain wants an orderly exit. Abrupt withdrawal would invite instability. That benefits no one."

Napoleon listened without interruption.

"And during this year?" he asked.

"Joint oversight," Don Miguel replied. "Spanish officials remain in place while French administrators are gradually introduced. Authority shifts in phases. By the end of the year, full control passes to France."

Napoleon nodded once.

"That’s reasonable," he said. "I have no interest in inheriting chaos. A structured handover ensures the ports keep running, tax collection continues, and the local population doesn’t panic."

Don Miguel inclined his head slightly.

"Exactly, Your Imperial Majesty. Madrid insists the transition be seen as administrative continuity, not abandonment."

Charles spoke again.

"And troop rotations?"

"Spanish garrisons will draw down incrementally," Don Miguel answered. "French units may deploy during the overlap to maintain security."

Napoleon leaned back.

"Good," he said. "Then we’re aligned. One year transition. Joint administration. Gradual military replacement. At the end of that period, France assumes full sovereignty."

Don Miguel nodded firmly.

"That is Madrid’s expectation."

Napoleon extended his hand across the desk.

"Then we draft the treaty with that timeline," he said.

Don Miguel took his hand.

"Spain will honor the agreement," he said.