The combined forces of the French and Spanish Army advanced in a well-organized column toward Lisbon. The absence of a direct bridge connecting the city to its surroundings necessitated a detour, leading them to march upriver and then circle back down to reach their destination.
The journey took nearly a full day, during which no significant resistance was encountered. The presence of civilians was noted, but their response to the invaders was predominantly one of evasion. Upon spotting the approaching foreign forces, most inhabitants sought refuge within the confines of their homes.
After approximately twenty-seven hours of marching, the invading army finally reached the outskirts of Lisbon. General Saint-Cyr and Godoy dismounted from their horses, immediately opting for their spyglasses to assess the situation.
"The city appears deserted," Godoy remarked, peering through the lens. "What are the odds that the Queen has managed to escape ahead of our arrival?"
"It's a distinct possibility," General Saint-Cyr responded, his gaze focused on the city's distant outline.
"Well, we will find out if the Queen escaped when we enter the capital city," Godoy said, lowering his spyglass.
"We need to exercise caution. There could potentially be pockets of resistance within the buildings," General Saint-Cyr cautioned. He was well aware that when smaller forces are pitted against larger ones, the former often adopt alternative tactics to avoid direct confrontation. They might resort to guerrilla warfare, making it challenging for the invading forces to maintain control.
Presently, the combined forces of the French and Spanish armies amount to forty-five thousand men. The remaining fifteen thousand are tasked with securing the captured cities along their route to Lisbon.
The artillery bombardment they carried out the previous day has undoubtedly left its mark, both physically and psychologically, on the city of Lisbon.
"Prepare the troops for entry," General Saint-Cyr ordered with a firm nod.
Godoy relayed the command, and soon the columns of soldiers began to move forward. The initial steps were tentative as if the very ground beneath them held uncertainty. The streets, once teeming with life, now lay eerily empty. Windows were shuttered, doors were closed, and the only sounds were the soft trudging of boots and the occasional murmur of orders.
The invading forces advanced through the city with deliberate steps. Every corner turned, every alleyway entered, bore the potential for resistance.
Hours passed, and still, no direct confrontation arose. It seemed that the initial artillery assault had indeed quelled any immediate urge for resistance. Yet, General Saint-Cyr knew better than to underestimate the resilience of those who called Lisbon home. Guerrilla tactics could turn these narrow streets into a labyrinth of danger.
The artillerymen skillfully maneuvered the cannons into position. These cannons weren't massive howitzers but conventional ones, their barrels pointed toward the sky. Soldiers nearby covered their ears as the cannons fired with a resounding boom, sending a burst of smoke and a flash of fire into the air. The cannonballs were blanks, creating noise and smoke without causing actual destruction.
The moment the smoke dissipated, General Saint-Cyr stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the palace.
"Her Majesty, Queen Dona Maria I, and the officials within," General Saint-Cyr's voice boomed. "We request your audience. Step forth for diplomatic discourse. Otherwise, we will be compelled to use deadly force. The choice is yours."
Inside the palace, looking discreetly out of the window was Queen Maria I.
"So the words of the General who fought the French were true huh?" Maria I muttered, biting her nails nervously.
"Mother, we have to make an appearance or they'll fire upon us," Prince Dom João, the Queen's son, pleaded urgently.
The Queen let out an exasperated sigh, regretting the decision of not accepting the terms of surrender to the French and the Spanish. Now, the demand is going to grow harsher.
"I will not show my face to the invaders, but you can handle them," Maria said.
"I will do my best, Mother, thank you."
With that, Prince Dom João exited her bedroom and quickly made his way out of the palace.
Outside, they saw rows of French and Spanish infantry and cannons, ready to fire if the person in front were to give orders.
He ran towards the gate, stopping it from happening. General Saint-Cyr caught sight of the man and immediately ordered his men to stand down.
Moments later, the two met.
"Who are you?" General Saint-Cyr demanded.
"I'm Prince Dom João, son of the Queen of the Kingdom of Portugal. I came here to negotiate peace."