A member of the Austrian imperial family was in Switzerland. A hero who had once fought Napoleon was in Switzerland. An unstable factor stood at the heart of this storm.
That explained why the League of Orthodoxy had suddenly changed its strategy, but it was certainly no good news for France.
"Archduke Charles is in Switzerland."
That piece of information could actually mean several things:
Did Austria want to end the Swiss Civil War unilaterally?
Did Austria want a greater share of the spoils?
Had Austria and the League of Orthodoxy reached some kind of agreement?
Had Austria already taken de facto control of the League of Orthodoxy?
Did Austria want to swallow Switzerland whole?
Baron Pasquier didn't dare think any further. But falling out with Austria, or simply starting a war to seize territory, would be unwise.
Louis Philippe's bottom line was to cede Aargau and Valais, but now that seemed rather too much like wishful thinking.
Then he remembered what Metternich had said earlier. The other man had seemed to be hinting at a bribe.
"Your Highness, France is willing to cede Aargau as well. We're also willing to settle your debts in Ochsenhausen and provide you with one million francs to rebuild your estate."
To be honest, it was no small bribe—at least, it was far more than what they'd offered Ilarion, the Russian Prime Minister.
The problem was that France's offer was too low, nowhere near what Austria and Metternich expected.
And according to Franz's plan, the negotiations needed to be dragged out a little longer.
Metternich naturally knew what to do.
"Let me think it over. Wait for word from me."
Baron Pasquier wanted to press his case, but the other man had already dismissed him. There was little more he could say, so as