<h4>Chapter 260 Another Interesting Prospect</h4>


    "Wah~! You''re beautiful," Aveline innocently eximed, her young eyes wide with awe as she gazed at Isabe.


    Isabe, caught off guard by the innocent admiration of her niece, couldn''t help but smile warmly.


    "Thank you."


    "Mother, you didn''t tell us that you have a sister," Francis said.


    "Really? I must have forgotten about it," Ci let out a forced chuckle.


    "Anyways," Napoleon interjected. "The celebration is still ongoing. So perhaps we can continue thister. Lady Isabe, have you eaten? We have a lot of delicious delicacies here."


    Isabe nodded appreciatively and joined the family throughout the celebration. Two hourster, the attendants and guests left the Pce of Versailles and returned to their respective homes.


    The once-crowded ballroom of Versailles turned into a peaceful, dimly lit chamber. As for their children, they were yawning as theteness of the hour began to take its toll.


    Aveline rubbed her eyes sleepily, while Francis stifled a yawn.


    Napoleon nced at his children affectionately and said. "It''s time for you two to go to bed.


    "But Papa, we want to hear more stories about Aunt Isabe and Mother," Aveline protested.


    "There is still tomorrow for that, Aveline. It''s bad for children to sleepte."


    Reluctantly, Aveline and Francis relented. They bid goodnight to their parents and were escorted by Audrey to their rooms.


    With the children now gone, Napoleon and Ci could speak with Isabe. They settled into Napoleon''s office where they could resume their discussion that was cut short earlier.


    "So, Isabe, who was your father again?" Napoleon asked.


    "It''s Duke Alfonso de Casteno, Industrial Magnate and Advisor to the Crown," Isabe replied.


    Hearing that, Napoleon confirmed that Ci''s family didn''t exist in the original records. There were no records of Alfonso de Casteno who lived inte eighteenth century Spain when he checked his system.


    He was curious as to what branch of family Ci was and now that he knew, it felt like his curiosity had been satiated.


    However, the position of her father piqued his curiosity.


    "Industrial Magnate and Advisor to the Crown?" Napoleon repeated. "What is that?"


    "It''s a position of significant influence and power in the Kingdom of Spain. My father not only owns a vast industrial empire but also serves as an advisor to the Spanish Crown. He yed a pivotal role in driving Spain''s industrialization, economic growth, and modernization. He was the one that introduced your steam lotive and steel manufacturing techniques to Spain."


    "Wait…our father was behind the industrialization of Spain?" Ci paused, clearly surprised by this revtion. Napoleon, too, was taken aback by the news.


    Isabe nodded. "That''s correct. Not only that, he is the wealthiest and a rising prominence in Spain''s politicalndscape as well."


    Napoleon''s curiosity deepened. "Could you borate on his role in the government, Isabe?"


    It''s fascinating to hear about someone who wields industrial and political power in a country, what''s more fascinating is that it was Ci''s father."


    Isabe continued, "As an advisor to the Crown, my father is in close proximity to the Spanish monarch and holds a seat in the Council of Ministers. He actively participated in shaping Spain''s economic policies, international rtions, and domestic affairs. His rmendations are highly regarded, and he is often called upon to resolve disputes and promote initiatives that benefit the nation. But this of course happened after Ci left."


    "Hmm…interesting," Napoleon mumbled.


    "What''s so interesting about my father?" Isabe heard him mumble.


    "Ah…nothing, forget about it," Napoleon waved his hand dismissively. "So I assume that your father is popr with the people of Spain?"


    Isabe nodded. "You could say that…he is a phnthropist who helped the people during the economic crisis brought by the War in the Pyrenees."


    The more he heard about Ci''s father, the more he grew his interest in him. If he were to think about it for a second, Ci is his wife, and her father is an influential figure in Spain.


    He had this ambition of spreading influence in North and South America. But Spain is on the way. If he could manage to get Ci''s father to rece a deeply unpopr King of Spain, he might achieve his foreign policy over those two continents. After all, their grip on their colonies is weakening. Economic instability in Spain meant that they couldn''t govern their colonies effectively. Industrialization is one thing, but if the government is unable to efficiently run its affairs, then the economic boom brought by the new industries is useless.


    Heck, there might be even a chance that he could control Spain indirectly. His view of Spain is not that highpared to France''s neighbors. They weren''t that much of a threat in his opinion.


    He is even considering taking Cuba and Florida from Spain and integrating them into New France. The prospect is making him excited.


    "Duke of Casteno…after hearing much about him, it''s making me want to visit him myself."


    Isabe blinked. "You are going to Spain, Napoleon?"


    "I want to see the father of my wife," Napoleon responded with a determined look in his eyes and continued. "And talk about many things that would suit both our interests. Is that okay darling?"


    "I don''t mind youing with me, darling," Ci said. "But don''t you have a busy schedule ahead of the week?"


    "I can clear my schedule for this trip," Napoleon said. "Speaking of schedule, when do you n on leaving France?"


    "Next week," Isabe replied. "I n to explore other cities in France. I have taken a liking to your country, especially Paris which I assume is undergoing a major makeover?"


    "That''s correct," Napoleon said. "Where are you staying?"


    "At H?tel de Crillon," Isabe answered with a smile.


    "I see, why don''t you stay here at Versailles? We have a lot of rooms and you won''t have to pay," Napoleon offered.


    Isabe graciously considered Napoleon''s offer and then replied, "That''s very generous of you, Napoleon, but I wouldn''t want to impose on your hospitality."


    Napoleon nodded understandingly. "Very well. Ci, you might want to use this opportunity to reconnect with your little sister."


    Ci simply nodded.


    ''This is going to be exhrating'' Napoleon thought to himself.