Empire Rising: Spain

As time reached the end of May 1875, one of the most important events in Carlo’s life finally arrived.

That was the impending childbirth of Queen Sophie, and Carlo was about to welcome his first child.

Upon Sophie feeling unwell, Carlo nervously summoned the palace doctors who were on standby, along with numerous maids awaiting instructions.

Sure enough, the experienced lady doctor, after checking Queen Sophie’s condition, immediately recognized that she was on the verge of giving birth.

This instantly set the entire Imperial Palace into motion, with servants constantly coming in and out under the doctor’s directives, making preparations.

Fortunately, the room prepared for Queen Sophie’s delivery was very large, with Carlo accompanying her by her side. At the bedside stood numerous stern-faced doctors, and further back were the busy servants.

Although the doctors advised Carlo to wait outside, he decided to stay with Queen Sophie throughout the entire childbirth process.

Not only is this a highly dangerous event, but it also brings extreme pain to Queen Sophie. In an era without cesarean sections, childbirth relies entirely on natural delivery.

Early on, before childbirth began, Carlo had repeatedly instructed the doctors. If any issues arise during the process, prioritize safeguarding Queen Sophie’s safety without hesitation.

Carlo was still young and not at the point of being unable to have children. To Carlo, Queen Sophie was more important than the unborn child.

Whether boy or girl, before he arrives in this world, the Spanish Royal Family consists only of two people: Carlo and Queen Sophie.

Perhaps Carlo’s personal accompaniment served as a certain encouragement, or maybe Queen Sophie’s body, under the Royal Family’s meticulous care, was very healthy. Overall, the childbirth process went quite smoothly.

On May 28, 1875, with a cry, Carlo welcomed his first child, eldest son Juan Fernando.

“Carlo, this is our child.” Queen Sophie, exhausted from the childbirth, still managed to see her child, looking towards Carlo with a face full of happiness and pride, wearing a gentle smile.

“Yes, our child. Well done, Sophie, you are a great mother.” Carlo nodded, carefully tucking Queen Sophie’s hair behind her ear and lightly kissed her forehead, then received the child from maid Anna and brought him closer to Queen Sophie.

The quirky Anna, at this moment, looked with some envy at the harmonious and loving Royal Family, a hint of regret in her eyes, but it quickly dissipated.

Her background was completely different from Queen Sophie, and her role was merely Carlo’s maid. Although she had an extraordinary relationship with Carlo, it was evident their relationship couldn’t be brought to light.

This meant Anna was unlikely to have children for Carlo. Even if she had a child, it would ultimately be a illegitimate child, lacking official recognition.

But for maids Anna and Alice, having their current position was already satisfying enough. This was not a peaceful and idyllic era; the experiences of beautiful girls weren’t always so romantic.

Beautiful women can use their charm to attract high officials and nobility, but they can’t become their wives.

Because European nobility cares about having equal status in marriage. If nobles were to marry a wife with a commoner background, their children would lose the right to inherit titles.

Although they won’t obtain any official title in the future, being the lover of the King of Spain is far better than being a lover of ordinary capitalists and nobles.

At least Carlo treated them reasonably well, and Queen Sophie didn’t overly focus on Carlo’s affairs with his lovers.

Queen Sophie, even knowing the extraordinary relationship between Anna, Alice, and Carlo, still allowed them to continue serving as personal maids to Carlo and herself, which was a clear sign of acceptance.

Regarding the birth of his eldest son, Carlo planned no concealment. That evening, telegrams were sent openly to various European countries, with the first being sent to Italy and Austria-Hungary.

Italy and Austria-Hungary quickly responded, with Vittorio Emanuele II happily congratulating Carlo on the birth of his eldest son and stating that he would grant his son the title of Earl of Genoa in Italy.

Franz Joseph I’s reply came swiftly as well. Given Carlo had mentioned the good condition of Queen Sophie, Franz Joseph I felt at ease and expressed that he would visit Spain later this year with some officials from the Austro-Hungarian Empire Government.

Franz Joseph I’s visit to Spain was officially to see his daughter and eldest grandson, but the real significance went beyond that.

The main reason was that Spain had presently regained its strength, naturally making Austria-Hungary value its alliance with Spain more.

The key factor was that Spain and Austria-Hungary had no conflicting interests, stabilizing the alliance between the two countries and holding hope for long-term maintenance.

Besides the grandfather and grandfather-in-law of the little fellow, numerous kings related to Carlo within the European Royal Family sent congratulatory telegrams to Spain. With an heir to the throne, Spain would become genuinely stable, and the country’s strength truly potent.