Ch.382The Queen of France, Ana-chan (3)

“Of course, all Russian citizens are my children. But look at France. The French people, oppressed under the Commune’s tyranny, saw their entire cabinet purged, and millions died at the hands of the Commune. Society fell into chaos and has only now stabilized. They’ve asked me to become their mother to maintain French unity and stability. I ask the Russian people: as your mother, could I truly take pride in myself if I turned my back on the desperate cries of the French people and left this matter solely to the Constantinople Treaty Organization headquarters?”

I don’t think so.

Think about it. If your mother is asked for help and everything is already set up, how would it look if she refused?

Besides, France is currently in a position deserving of sympathy.

What I’m saying is that we should show them some understanding.

“The French people need, above all else, a central figure to stabilize them. If I become their mother… well, I wouldn’t be a bad mother. Now, as a mother, I ask my children—the citizens: Would you prefer this mother to ignore the desperate pleas of those in need? Or would you prefer her to remain a mother you can be proud of?”

Well, that should be enough.

Aren’t you curious about how people will react from now on?

Let’s wait and see for now.

* * *

Russian United States State Duma

“Have the protests died down a bit?”

“The situation has improved somewhat. But will this continue to work?”

Honestly, it might be fine for a while. Hmm.

“It’ll work out somehow.”

“To be honest, our citizens are like immature children.”

“Is it appropriate to speak that way about our citizens?”

A statement that essentially dismisses the citizens.

But there was a reason why the representatives spoke this way.

“Whether it’s appropriate or not, those citizens grew up to become us. We should speak truthfully.”

That’s right. Those childlike people who grew up became the current representatives of the State Duma.

“Ah, that’s true.”

It’s the honest truth. Aren’t they all masters of whining?

Russia, once known as a country of tough men, had long since transformed into a nation with the image of a holy woman. Its citizens, regardless of age or gender, longed for their mother’s embrace—literally becoming a nation of mama’s boys.

Naturally, France’s audacious attempt to take away their mother couldn’t possibly be viewed favorably.

“But honestly, I’m not happy about this.”

“Right. Who do they think they are?”

This was enough to anger even the Duma representatives.

Who do they think they are, plotting such an absurd scheme?

This was clearly something they had been planning for some time.

“Shouldn’t we formally protest this matter?”

“Wouldn’t that be like smearing mud on Mother Tsarina’s face?”

That’s right. What kind of impression would protesting make?

It was better to let it pass at an appropriate level.

Of course, that didn’t mean the Duma completely approved.

They merely pretended to approve on the surface, while internally, France was already torn to pieces like a shredded piece of bread.

“Damn it!”

“Let’s just observe for a while since the citizens have calmed down.”

In the end, looking at the results, this wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

After all, it meant France would come under Russian influence.

Perhaps it was a very natural development.

“Well, if the French are such inadequate people, what can we do?”

“We can’t let them trouble our mother.”

Even the citizens seemed to be accepting it all amicably.

The question was what ripple effects this might cause.

She had finally been crowned queen at the desperate plea of a country that needed a monarch—or more precisely, a mother.

And our proud Anastasia was a figure with many fans worldwide.

What did this mean?

It meant that many countries without monarchs were watching this development closely.

This was especially true for the newly independent North African countries.

While Algeria and Morocco were aligned with France and Spain, countries like Libya and Egypt were particularly attentive.

Until recently, Egypt had been a monarchy, but due to its incompetence, the military had ousted the king with the tacit approval of the Constantinople Treaty.

Moreover, in Libya’s case, its oil was essentially developed by Russia, and as Russian shares increased, they were left sucking their thumbs.

Additionally, they were merely partner countries of the Constantinople Treaty—they received support but not the special benefits of full treaty members.

Libya couldn’t help but feel dissatisfied.

Their situation was quite different from other member states where Russian troops were stationed, as they even had to establish a new army.

If they at least had abundant oil, they could use it to rebuild their country, but with the entire territory in a miserable state, they couldn’t even utilize their oil resources.

“If we ask her to be our queen, will she give us oil shares?”

“Are we selling out our country?”

“It’s just becoming the Kingdom of Libya.”

Thus, Libya and Egypt made curious moves to gain oil shares and be treated as formal members of the Constantinople Treaty, and they weren’t the only countries.

“No, no matter what, we’re not even part of the Constantinople Treaty.”

“In Israel, they’re already unofficially revering her as the Messiah.”

“We ended our monarchy less than a century ago. Installing a white empress is a bit too much.”

“That’s going too far.”

The matter was briefly discussed in Balhae as well, but it was soon dismissed.

* * *

After quelling the Russian citizens’ opposition, I was crowned Queen of France.

Why do I have to wear this damn dress?

Interestingly, Queen Elizabeth II of England and leaders from various countries attended this coronation ceremony for the Queen of France, taking care of various matters.

“I heard you were going on a trip, but you’ve become a queen.”

“I didn’t expect this either.”

At the government building in Vichy, Alisa looked at me with a bitter smile, as if she couldn’t stop me.

It’s a bit uncomfortable when she looks at me with those eyes—like a mother looking at her teenage daughter who’s gotten into trouble.

I really didn’t expect this to happen.

I had to repeatedly apologize to the Duma representatives.

It makes me feel bad thinking about how much trouble they must have gone through back home because of me.

No, honestly, this whole mess is that damn de Gaulle’s fault.

Curse de Gaulle.

He and La Rocque must have worked together to set me up.

The entire Constantinople Treaty was dumbfounded. How did I go to France and suddenly become the Queen of France?

When I think about it, the word “ridiculous” immediately comes to mind.

“Everyone sees me as too much of a troublemaker.”

Let me say it again: I am not a troublemaker.

It’s just that because of La Rocque and de Gaulle, I was forced to wear a crown.

“No, that’s not how we see it, but trouble seems to follow Your Majesty wherever you go.”

Even Prime Minister Alisa is speaking as if this is troublesome, which is absurd.

Fine, I admit that trouble follows me wherever I go.

“Look, I’m not deliberately causing these incidents.”

I’m seriously feeling wronged here.

Okay, fine. Regarding the terrorist attack—let’s say I deliberately entered a dangerous zone. Honestly, in the Middle East, I might have been targeted.

But that’s that, and this is this.

This time, I simply came to rest—and they offered me a crown. What am I supposed to do?

It’s absolutely not because I was tempted by the French version of Anastasia Palace in the Gallic province.

I was just like, “Oh, that’s tempting,” but then thought, “No way that would actually happen.”

“But we have a problem.”

“A problem? What kind of problem?”

My blood boils every time I hear the word “problem.” And if Alisa is saying it, it means it’s already been directly reported to Russia.

Every time I hear such words, something goes wrong.

I don’t want that. Even this trip to France—things just spiraled out of control before I knew it.

Still, I decided to listen.

If I don’t listen? That’s when all hell breaks loose.

“Libya and Egypt are also offering to hand over their thrones.”

Libya and Egypt are offering to hand over their thrones. Hahaha.

This is ridiculous. Libya and Egypt offering thrones? Come on, that’s absurd.

“I’m sure there are conditions attached.”

What other reason would they have for suddenly doing this?

They must have heard that France absorbed Burgundy.

They must think, “The Tsarina likes crowns, so let’s give her crowns and benefit from it.” Something like that.

Unfortunately, I have no intention of accepting.

I just feel bad about it. What do these people want that they’re offering crowns?

I have a feeling about this.

Libya is tied to oil, and Egypt to the Suez Canal.

“Libya wants more oil shares, and Egypt wants more shares of the Suez Canal.”

Oh my. I knew it.

I felt a surge of anger.

These bastards are underestimating the Tsarina.

But that aside, as partner countries, aren’t they already benefiting enough? Just being associated with the Constantinople Treaty should make even the most inhospitable land livable.

“Aren’t they already benefiting enough as partner countries?”

They should already be tasting the benefits as partner countries. What are they talking about?

Being a partner country isn’t just about saying “you’re friendly with us.”

Since they were former colonial regions, they receive generous support.

Of course, if Libya is saying “give back the oil you took from us,” that’s different. But without us, they wouldn’t even be able to drill for oil.

“Things seem to be not going well. The treaty organization has sent advisors to ensure Libya and Egypt are well taken care of.”

That’s exactly where the problem lies.

“Are they embezzling behind our backs?”

It seems almost certain, doesn’t it? There was something similar in Afghanistan.

In the original history, the government was so corrupt that they pocketed all the money the US gave them, and eventually lost everything to the Taliban.

Are these guys using the money given by the Constantinople Treaty for their own purposes?

That money was given to develop their countries. Using it this way is wrong.

“Yes, it appears so.”

“They’re being ridiculous. Libya and Egypt are out.”

Even if such corrupt people offer me crowns, why should I accept?

Besides, Libya and Egypt have no connection to me. Their intentions are so obvious that it feels dirty.

“Hmm, it’s a bit sad.”

“They think I love royal titles. What? ‘Make me Queen of Libya and give us more oil shares’? Does that make any sense? Forget it.”

There’s a limit to how much they can underestimate me.

Offering a crown to increase oil shares? Anyone would think I’m obsessed with crowns.

Unfortunately, I have no such intention.

“But if there really is embezzlement happening, shouldn’t the Constantinople Treaty Organization handle it?”

“Hmm, that’s true.”

That’s a valid point.

These damn people, we give them a little leeway and they start climbing all over us.

“Let’s see, Libya wants more oil shares, and Egypt wants more Suez Canal shares.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“For now, inform the Constantinople Treaty Organization that I’m declining, and send the Okhrana.”

I need to see how things are going in Libya and Egypt.

Looking at events like the Libyan civil war, it seems the Libyan leaders aren’t exactly normal either.

Algeria has been incorporated into France, so that’s not an issue, but this situation is vexing.

There must be something they’re after.

“Is it necessary to react so sensitively? What if it only creates resentment toward the Constantinople Treaty?”

Resentment? Is there any reason for that?

Bluntly speaking, what would happen if they severed ties with the Constantinople Treaty?

Could Egypt recapture the Suez? Could Libya dare to stand against us if we destroyed all their oil fields before leaving?

And I’m not even talking about immediately dispatching troops or anything like that.

“Of course, I’m just looking into the situation.”

Even I wouldn’t think of deploying troops without reason.

Europe is now bound by the Constantinople Treaty. Even if troops were to be deployed, it would have to be approved by the treaty headquarters.

There’s no reason to wage war in Libya and Egypt during this time of peace.

However, we need to understand the current situation.

I just want to know what kind of state Egypt and Libya are in that they would commit such a crazy act as offering me crowns in exchange for oil shares.

“So what now?”

“What do you mean?”

“Now that Your Majesty has been crowned queen, will you use the Palace of Versailles?”

Versailles Palace? Come to think of it, has it been rebuilt?