Empire Rising: Spain

King Luis I and his queen stayed in Spain for more than a week, during which the interaction between the two royal families was fairly harmonious.

After reaching a consensus with King Luis I on cooperation in colonization, the following days were mostly comprised of relaxed banquets and leisure.

Carlo and King Luis I spent most of their time discussing political affairs, while Queen Sophie and Queen Maria conversed about childbirth.

Although the private physicians of the Spanish Royal Family were famous throughout Spain and even Europe, the medical technology of this era was not very advanced, making childbirth quite dangerous.

Furthermore, Queen Sophie was somewhat anxious about the dangers of giving birth for the first time. Without experienced elders in the Spanish Royal Family to guide and assist, Queen Maria, having some experience, indeed offered suitable counsel to Queen Sophie and helped her better adapt to life after pregnancy.

According to the timeline, Queen Sophie should give birth around the middle of the year, approximately in May or June.

It is now late March, which means Carlo is about to welcome his first child in the coming months.

For Carlo, the naming of his first child also requires careful selection and consideration.

Of course, there isn’t much to deliberate. As the King of Spain, Carlo’s first child’s name must possess a Spanish flair.

This also conveys the Royal Family’s friendly attitude towards the Spaniards, as having a Royal Family member with an Italian-style name might make the Spaniards more dissatisfied with the foreign monarchy.

Carlo has already decided on the name for his first child. Of course, Carlo does not have the European noble habit of repeating family names across generations.

If his son were also named Carlo, calling them daily would feel awkward.

If the first child is a prince, his name will be Juan Fernando, which is a standard Spanish-style name.

If it’s a princess, the name will be Sofia, symbolizing wisdom and intelligence.

Not only is Carlo very concerned about his first child, but even Vittorio Emanuele II in Italy and Franz Joseph I in Vienna frequently send telegrams to inquire, and high-level officials from other royal families and governments also show symbolic concern.

Since Prime Minister Prim’s reforms have been effective, in the eyes of various European countries, Spain has rejoined the ranks of the European Powers.

Although there is still a significant gap compared to the five countries of the UK, France, Germany, Russia, and Austria, it differs little from a Power like Italy, even surpassing it in some aspects.

Especially after Spain reconstructed ironclad ships, there is a faint trend of distancing itself from Italy. If Italy is currently considered a Power, then what about Spain with its growing edge? Isn’t it undoubtedly another Power?

Whether considered a Power is no longer important, as Spain’s current strength justifies the symbolic concern from other nations’ high-level officials.

Moreover, the soon-to-be-born first prince or princess of the Spanish Royal Family holds such a distinguished status.

Aside from being Carlo’s eldest son or daughter, they are also the grandchild of King Vittorio Emanuele II of Italy, and the first grandchild of Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria-Hungary.

Before any other children of Franz Joseph I grow up, this soon-to-be-born little one truly is Franz Joseph I’s sole grandchild generation.

Spain, Italy, and Austria-Hungary, any one of these three countries is an elite European Power class nation. Austria-Hungary ranks among Europe’s top five traditional powers, and other countries cannot disregard this.

Furthermore, the European royal families are intertwined like sinews and bones. Although the apparent familial relationship involves only Spain, Italy, and Austria-Hungary, including Carlo’s brother-in-law King Luis I of Portugal in the familial connection means there are numerous European countries with blood ties to the little one.

Needless to say, just the affection from Vittorio Emanuele II and Joseph Franz I is enough to ensure the little one can thrive in any country they visit.

Speaking of Carlo’s father, Vittorio Emanuele II, there is an unfortunate news to share—his health is no longer as it once was.

Carlo has been in this world for seven years now, and these seven years have brought many changes.

Born in 1820, Vittorio Emanuele II is now 55 years old, which in today’s Europe is considered elderly.

According to Europe’s current average life expectancy, 55 years old is relatively long-lived. However, the living standards of European royal families are far higher than those of ordinary people, so the average life expectancy of royal family members is considerably higher.

Regardless, 55 years old has well surpassed the peak of life, and Vittorio Emanuele II’s health is gradually deteriorating, even affecting his handling of official matters now.

Though Italy is a constitutional monarchy, as the King who unified the entire country, Vittorio Emanuele II holds a revered standing among the populace and wields significant influence within the government.