Chapter 291 There’s No Turning Back

Chapter 291 There's No Turning Back

April 22th, 1802. Versailles, France.

Duke Alfonso de Castellano looked out of his window, gazing upon the beautiful edifice of the residence of the First Consul, the Palace of Versailles.

"So this is where my daughter is living huh?" Alfonso muttered under his breath before the guard outside opened the door.

Alfonso stepped out of the carriage and followed the guard through the ornate halls of the Palace of Versailles.

After a short journey through the grand palace, they arrived at a set of imposing double doors guarded by soldiers and one middle-aged man.

"Don Alfonso de Castellano," Beaumont greeted with a bow.? "The First Consul will be seeing you now."

Alfonso inclined his head in acknowledgment of Beaumont's greeting and followed him through the imposing double doors into the inner chambers of Napoleon's office.

The room they entered was lavishly decorated, befitting the grandeur of the palace itself, and the territories it is governing.

Napoleon, seated behind a large desk piled with documents, looked up as Alfonso and Beaumont entered.

"Your Excellency, Don Alfonso de Castellano," Beaumont announced as Napoleon rose to his feet, extending his hand toward Alfonso. The atmosphere in the room seemed to shift, as the First Consul's expression softened slightly.

"Welcome," Napoleon greeted warmly. "Beaumont, can you prepare some refreshments for our guests here?"

"Of course, First Consul," Beaumont replied with a nod, before making his way out of the room to arrange for some refreshments.

Napoleon gestured for Alfonso to sit in one of the ornate chairs placed in front of his desk. "Please, have a seat, Alfonso."

Alfonso obliged as he settled into the chair.

Napoleon, now standing, walked over to a side table where a decanter of wine and some glasses were set. He poured a glass for Alfonso and one for himself before returning to his seat behind the desk. He handed a glass to Alfonso, who accepted it with a nod of thanks.

"Thank you, Napoleon," Alfonso said, the atmosphere turning casual.

"Okay," Alfonso agreed. "I will deliver these terms to the Prime Minister of Spain."

"Good luck," Napoleon extended his hand once more.

Alfonso grasped it firmly, sealing the fate of Spain.

***

May 1st, 1802. The Treaty of Madrid was signed in the Royal Palace of Madrid, effectively ending the conflict between the Kingdom of Spain and the Republic of France.

The terms of the treaty are as follows:

Territorial Cessions - The Kingdom of Spain agreed to cede several territories in North America and Italy to the Republic of France and the Republic of Italy. These territories include Cuba, Florida, the New Philippines, Santa Fe of New Mexico, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Navarra, Upper California, and Lower California. The Kingdom of Etruria shall also be ceded to the Republic of Italy.

Indemnity - Spain shall pay an indemnity of fifty million francs to France to cover the costs of the war and the maintenance of French troops on Spanish soil.

Amnesty - A general amnesty shall be granted to all individuals involved in hostilities against France during the conflict, provided they renounce any claims or actions against the Republic of France.

Return of Prisoners - All prisoners of war shall be returned to their respective nations, and both sides shall facilitate their safe and speedy return.

Signed by: Armand Augustin Louis, Marquis de Caulaincourt of the Republic of France, and Manuel de Godoy of the Kingdom of Spain.

As Napoleon predicted, the people of Spain were enraged at the harsh terms presented in the Treaty of Madrid. News of the cession of valuable territories, the hefty indemnity, and the perceived humiliation of the Spanish crown spread like wildfire across the nation. It was as if the wounds inflicted by the war had been deepened by the terms of peace.

In the streets of Madrid and beyond, discontent and anger simmered. Demonstrations and protests erupted, with crowds clamoring for the resignation of Manuel Godoy, the one who signed the treaty.

The public sentiment turned decidedly against the ruling authorities, who were seen as having capitulated to the French and betrayed the interests of Spain.

As the turmoil unfolded, Duke Alfonso de Castellano, hosted a secret gathering for his new and old followers. Thousands of them attended. He stood at the podium and addressed the people.

"People of Spain, I have witnessed for many years your suffering under the leadership of King Charles IV and Manuel de Godoy. When they signed the treaty, Spain lost its international prestige as one of the Great Powers of Europe. I have done everything I can to help you but if the government is inefficient and ineffective, then it falls upon us, the people of Spain, to rise and take control of our destiny," Alfonso declared passionately to the assembled crowd. "We shall remove the King of Spain, the Prime Minister, and others who support the crown? and have led us into this calamity. It is time for a new beginning, a Spain free from the shackles of incompetence!"

Upon concluding the speech, the people cheered and roared with fervor, their collective voices echoing through the hall.

Alfonso had ignited the flames, and there was no turning back.