บท 15: One more Helper
If there is one downside to being a young boy who hasn't reached puberty, it's that nobody takes you seriously.
The only people willing to take me seriously on my claim that perhaps my father Peter is a moron are the people who are already sworn to me. Many think that there was just a bad first impression and that the duty of the crown would make Peter act more responsibly or think more before acting, even the ones with the lowest opinion of him think that he would be a bad monarch, not bad enough to warrant his dethroning.
Those were their thoughts before Peter revealed to his entire court that he wanted to pursue peace with Prussia, there isn't anything wrong with that since everybody in court is sick and tired of the war and their line of thinking is that it's time for Russia to cash in her efforts in the war, a lot of Russian blood, time and money was sacrificed and it's only fair for her to get something in return.
However, Peter's line of thinking was different from his subjects, he stated that he wanted to make peace with Prussia and be allies with them, which ruffled a lot of feathers in the court but if they are this angry with just being friends then I wonder how they'll react to future terms of the treaty.
Not supporting Peter is the obvious choice. Sure inheriting the throne for him after he dies would be the most stable and ideal outcome and I would have gone for that route if Peter wasn't incompetent.
I haven't been idle all this time, I've put extra effort into learning how to ride a horse (pony, but it's cooler if I said horse), but other than that there wasn't much else I could do but one final thing.
Do you know what one needs to be crowned as a monarch? It's simple, get the support of the army, the nobles, and lastly the church. The populace are the least important and aren't actually needed to keep the throne, after all, they don't have any power besides their numbers.
So far I have none of those things, but if my plan succeeds I will have all three of them, but as both Alexeis have commented on my plan, "It's a gamble, If the plan fails, you should forget about getting the throne early from your mother until she dies".
Dare to win, huh? Both Alexeis did agree though that my plan was the best chance of succeeding. But never mind that, It's time somebody paid me a visit.
An old man was led into my chambers by my guard Genri, the man announced himself "Greetings Your Highness, I am Count Alexey Petrovich Bestuzhev-Ryumin, for what reason did His Highness call for me?"
I have to keep calm, cool, and collected, remember the lessons from grandma, confidence is key to talking and convincing someone.
"Take a seat and then we may proceed with what I wanted to talk to you about", I offered, it isn't good to keep a guy standing while trying to convince him to join your cause.
"I thank Your Highness", he said while he pulled the chair back and sat on it.
"So what did Your Highness want to discuss with me".
"I'll go straight to the point, I don't expect my father to be able to keep his throne by the end of the year, and my ambitious mother is eyeing the throne, a throne that should be mine, and I will need somebody capable to help me gain it and help me keep it, you fit the job description", I got quick to the point, maybe that will trip him up.
Bestuzhev kept quiet for a moment, perhaps thinking what to say, then countered back, "While it may be true that the throne belongs to you after your father, you and I both know strength is needed to gain the throne and your mother currently has more influence and strength at court, so pardon my rudeness but what do you offer that your mother doesn't?"
"You've already answered your own question Count, my mother already has power and influence, something you provide, however, you offer a small and paltry sum, you would have been able to offer more if you had managed to keep your position as Grand-Chancellor", he frowned at the last remark and when I did a side glance at Alexei, the first one, he still had a stone-faced look but since I was with him a long time I managed to peek a little snicker.
"However, I, a little prince who has little when it comes to power or influence would remember somebody who provided to me in my time of great need, who knows I might reward them the position of key diplomat after gaining my throne", he kept a straight face when I mentioned the incentive but I know a guy like him who had everything just so recently to lose it all would want it back, it's human nature.
"Have you decided on the position of you Chancellor Your Highness?", he questioned.
"The position of Chancellor requires somebody who is willing to put the interests of Russia before any country, something that you didn't have when you were Grand-Chancellor, so tell me, are you going to only promote Russia's interests or other countries?"
"Your Highness, I was promoting Russia's interests, the British are Russia's greatest ally against the French, we are a land power, and nobody can rival us on land, not even the Austrians, only the French are capable of contending with Russian hegemony on Europe, and the British dislike the French, I saw it as a good opportunity".
"Your assessment is correct, however that's only if you factor that a capable ruler rules France, 'The Beloved' may be loved by his people, but if the rumors are true, he is currently losing the war and not by a small margin. I imagine the upcoming treaty between the British and French will be quite harsh on the French", I detailed to him.
"However, what infuriates me is not your bias to the British or dislike of the French, it's your inability to see that Prussia, a kingdom that was nothing more than a powerful regional power in Central Europe, led by a man who's ambition is as great as his ability, was able to now have the influence and power to be a great power, all thanks to luck and the inability of us to take him down a peg."
"This leads to my proposal, Help me gain my throne and I'll reward you with a nice position as diplomat, on the condition you consider Russia's interests and mine while thinking of no other nation's, now whether or not you can become a chancellor is up to me and you", This was the only way I would accept a guy like him, If he tries to re-negotiate I'll just ignore him and go ahead with the plan with the only noble support coming from both Alexeis'.
Betuzhev took a while to respond, it would be a shame if he refused but there isn't that can be done.
"I gratefully accept Your Highness's proposal. However, Your Highness, pardon my rudeness but how can you expect to ever hope to seize the throne from your father under your mother's nose?", my newly added vassal questioned.
"Alexei can inform you all about the plan later, away from prying ears", I said, and at my word, Alexei escorted the man out of the room.
After they left I slumped down, Man the hard part isn't over yet, the next part will be quite a daunting task, but I need to do this, either I win everything or lose everything. Ah, that reminds me of a quote from my past life.
"Dare to Win".
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