Chapter 49 Escape And Proclamation

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In an undisclosed location somewhere around the Tuileries Palace. The royal family was being escorted by Augustin and his remaining men.

Arriving at the carriage, Augustin opened the door.

"Your Majesty, please board this carriage now," Augustin ordered gently.

"How were you able to fend off the attack?" King Louis asked, his eyes widening as he couldn't believe what just happened.

The Tuileries Palace was invaded by hundreds of revolutionary guards and mobs. Repelling them would be nothing but a miracle.

"Who cares how they repelled it," Queen Antoinette interjected, keeping a leash on her child who was still shocked by the event. "The important thing is that we are safe."

Giving up on finding out the answer, the King boarded the carriage. The carriage was not as heavy and conspicuous as the one they had used during their previous escape attempt to the Austrian Netherlands. It was a lighter carriage, designed for swiftness rather than grandeur.

One by one, King Louis's family hopped into the carriage, their hearts still racing from the chaos they had narrowly escaped. Queen Antoinette settled their child on her lap, offering reassurance in her soothing voice. Augustin closed the carriage door, sealing them within its protective confines.

Just as he closed the door, his men, who were guarding their surroundings, heightened at the approaching figure.

"Who are you?! Raise your hand or we will open fire," one of the Swiss guards yelled, his finger on the trigger, ready to pull it at a moment's notice.

"Stand down!" Augustin's voice boomed. "She's friendly, lower your weapons."

The figure that was heading towards them was no other than the lady of red. Though she introduced herself as the Scarlet Viper when they met one another at a salon just 600 meters away from the Tuileries Palace.

"Is the royal family inside the carriage?" asked the lady.

"Yes, we are about to depart now...are you okay? You are covered in blood," Augustin observed.

"I swear! I'm telling the truth. If I didn't pretend to be dead, I would have joined my comrades," the revolutionary guard exclaimed.

Robespierre sighed exasperatedly as he conceded and accepted the story of the revolutionary guard.

"What are we going to do Max?" Danton asked. "The king fled and we don't know where they are heading. Should we assemble a search party or block all the borders?"

"No, there's no need to do that," Robespierre said, his tone determined. He glanced over at the members of the assembly and continued, "My esteemed colleagues, I understand the gravity of the situation in which we find ourselves. The king and his family have escaped and are likely seeking refuge in monarchial countries. By attempting to flee France twice, the king has shown a disregard for serving the people and has effectively abdicated the throne. I propose that we hold a vote to establish the Republic of France, replacing the Kingdom with a new form of government."

The chamber fell into a hushed silence as Robespierre's words sank in. The members of the Legislative Assembly exchanged glances, their minds racing with the implications of such a decision. The idea of a republic had been discussed before, but now it seemed more pressing than ever.

"Those who are in favor, raise your hand," Robespierre concluded, his voice echoing through the chamber.

One by one, the members of the Legislative Assembly began to raise their hands in a show of support for Robespierre's proposal. The room slowly filled with a sea of raised hands, representing the growing consensus for the establishment of a republic in France.

Robespierre's face displayed a mix of determination and satisfaction as he witnessed the overwhelming response. His vision of a new era for France, free from the chains of monarchy, was becoming a reality.

The Girondins, who had initially expressed reservations and sought a more moderate approach, found themselves slowly accepting the fact that the king had fled. Their hopes for a peaceful resolution with the monarchy dwindled in the face of the king's escape. The reality of the situation began to sink in, and they realized that the establishment of a republic might be the only viable path forward.

So they raised their hands in favor of the creation of the Republic.

As the last hand rose in agreement, a sense of both anticipation and apprehension filled the room.

Robespierre took a deep breath and spoke.

"The motion to establish the Republic of France has been passed by an overwhelming majority. It will take effect next month, September 21 1792 with a new constitution that will lay the foundation for our new nation. This marks a turning point in our history, a moment where we cast aside the remnants of the old regime and embrace the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity."

And at that moment, the Kingdom of France ceased to exist. The legacy of centuries of monarchy was swept away, replaced by the dawn of a new era. The news of the establishment of the Republic of France spread rapidly throughout the country, igniting a mixture of hope and uncertainty among the populace.

In the following weeks, the Legislative Assembly worked diligently to draft the new constitution, striving to create a system of government that would embody the ideals of the revolution. Robespierre and his fellow revolutionaries, eager to solidify their power and reshape the nation, played a pivotal role in shaping the document.

September 21, 1792, arrived. The National Convention, the newly formed governing body of the Republic, gathered in the chamber.

Robespierre, now a prominent figure within the revolutionary movement, took the stage as the presiding officer of the National Convention.

"On this day, September 21, 1792. I, Maximilian Robespierre, with the power vested in me by the will of the people, declare the establishment of the Republic of France," Robespierre proclaimed.