Empire Rising: Spain

As the time came to November of 1876, Carlo was about to welcome his second child.

Fortunately, with the experience of the previous childbirth, although the birth of the second child was also given considerable attention, Carlo was not as nervous as before.

Due to half a year of recuperating before the pregnancy, Queen Sophie was in excellent health during her second pregnancy and faced no danger during childbirth.

Thus, in a rather smooth manner, Carlo welcomed his second child, his eldest daughter, Sofia.

As early as the birth of his first child, Carlo had already decided on the names of his eldest son and daughter.

The eldest son’s name is Juan Fernando, and the eldest daughter’s name is Sofia. Of course, if the second child was a boy, he would be named Martin.

Because of the joy of having had an eldest son previously, Carlo had no preference regarding the gender of his second child. In fact, Carlo even hoped for a daughter, as a little girl could be more reassuring than a little mischief-maker.

Of course, Carlo was not at all worried about his children being mischievous. The strict elite aristocratic education personally devised by Carlo would not leave them any time for mischief.

Currently, only a year and a half old, Prince Juan Fernando had already started learning Spanish words and some simple phrases.

As he grows older, he would begin to study more knowledge and truly start a rather busy time.

After all, as Carlo’s eldest son, there is a great possibility that the future throne would be passed on to Juan Fernando.

Therefore, Carlo was very serious about Juan Fernando’s upbringing. In addition to learning the various educations that traditional aristocrats receive, he must also study many newly discovered knowledge, and monarch-necessary courses like history, politics, and psychology.

Further on, he would need to serve in the military for 2 to 3 years, cultivating some confidants in the army to complete the entire training plan of the heir to the throne.

After that, Juan Fernando could gradually start to get in touch with administrative affairs, waiting for the day when Carlo would hand the throne over to him.

As long as the entire training process is relatively smooth, he will be the first in line to the Spanish throne. But if Juan Fernando’s performance is poor during the heir training process, Carlo would also consider passing the throne to a more outstanding child.

The King of Spain certainly stands for immense power, but it also signifies heavy responsibilities and obligations. Carlo’s attitude is clear, if he lacks ability, even the eldest son cannot inherit the throne.

Regardless of whether it is Juan Fernando or any future princes who would be born, their first 20 years of life would be very challenging.

But for a princess like Sofia, they wouldn’t have to endure such hardships.

Daughters, of course, also needed upbringing, but since they were not heirs to the throne, the upbringing didn’t have to be so rigorous.

They only need to learn some cultural knowledge and then choose a major they are interested in to study. After graduating from university, Carlo would arrange things for them to do in the future.

After Princess Sofia was born, Carlo showed his fondness for his daughter. He not only took the time every day to play with Princess Sofia, who was still in swaddling clothes, but also created a new title of Duke of Arganda for her.

Arganda is a small city in the southeast of Madrid, with a population of only a few thousand. However, the scenery here is quite pleasant, and Carlo owns a vast estate here, just right as a reward for Princess Sofia.

Carlo was very affectionate toward his children. As soon as his eldest son Juan Fernando was born, he was granted the title of Duke of Montblanc, and his eldest daughter Sofia also received the title of Duke of Arganda, both standing at the pinnacle of the Spanish aristocracy right after birth.

This is not all; when they come of age, Carlo will bestow more rewards upon them.

The royal family’s assets have long reached several billion pesseta, and Carlo was never stingy with his children. Be it the eldest son or daughter or any future children, they would all receive massive property rewards upon coming of age.

These rewards include not only land, estates, and gold, jewelry, and antiques but also shares of businesses, and even complete control over certain companies, etc.

In the future, the heir to the throne is sure to inherit most of Carlo’s property, but for the remaining children, Carlo would also ensure they live a worry-free second half of life, even if they lack ability, they can still live a prosperous life.

During the entire month after Princess Sofia was born, Carlo spent time every day with Queen Sophie and Princess Sofia.

Although infant mortality rates were high during this era, right now, both the eldest son, Juan Fernando, and eldest daughter, Sofia, seem to be in good health.

Shortly after Princess Sofia’s first month celebration, the time came to Christmas of 1876.

That Christmas, the Royal Palace was even more bustling, with the Royal Family growing at a rate of nearly one person per year, which was undoubtedly good news for the Spanish Royal Family.

Now the Royal Family seemed respectable. Carlo and Queen Sophie, along with Prince Juan Fernando and Princess Sofia, spent a joyful Christmas together. Although Princess Sofia only quietly observed from her crib for a while before falling asleep, it was, after all, a family of four together, appearing more lively and warm.