Chapter 31, Emperor of Mexico

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Belvedere Palace

Head of Intelligence Tyren reported, "Your Majesty, Archduke Maximilian and his wife left Vienna yesterday, bound for France."

Franz took a sip of tea, suppressed the dissatisfaction in his heart, and said, "Let it be, let him go!"

Heading to France at this time clearly indicates that Maximilian is preparing to rely on French support to become Emperor of Mexico.

It's likely that Napoleon III's hand is in this; the French need a nobly born puppet monarch to facilitate their covert control of Mexico.

Maximilian could stand out because the French had no better choice. Not just anyone would be accepted by the Mexican constitutionalists—certainly not someone from the Napoleon family.

Actually, the initial choices were limited to the Habsburg and Bourbon families. Without a doubt, Napoleon III would never support a Mexican emperor from the Bourbon family, as it would be uncomfortable for himself.