Peace Talks Begin

"Your Excellency the Foreign Minister, could you stop looking at me like that? It was the British who first proposed persuading Italy to join the Allied Powers. Besides, you agreed to it yourselves back then; we never forced you. So you cannot blame us for this." French Foreign Minister Théophile Delcassé said.

At the very start of Théophile Delcassé's meeting with Paul Borselli, Paul Borselli's gaze at Théophile Delcassé was exceedingly complicated—there was anger, helplessness, but above all, regret.

Naturally, Théophile Delcassé understood the meaning behind that look. Back then, the Kingdom of Italy had been a member of the Allied Powers. Yet he and British Foreign Minister Sir Edward Grey had gone to Italy together and persuaded Italy to betray the Allied Powers and join the Allied Powers. To achieve that goal, they had made many promises. In the end, they had indeed lured Italy into betraying the Allied Powers and fighting alongside the Allied Powers. This undoubtedly counted as a major diplomatic victory for the Allied Powers.

But regrettably, even after joining the Allied Powers, Italy had still failed to secure victory. Instead, it had lost the war. Now, it was facing slaughter at the hands of the Germans.

It was understandable that the Italians blamed France and Britain for this. After all, if France and Britain had not lobbied them back then, Italy would not have committed betrayal, nor would it have ended up in its current miserable plight.

Of course, Théophile Delcassé felt not the slightest guilt over this. If anything, he was secretly pleased. What was more satisfying than being unlucky? Having others suffer misfortune alongside you. Now that France had the Italians sharing its bad luck, the French could feel a little better.

"Your Excellency the Foreign Minister, if not for us, the Kingdom