Historically, after the Duchy of Modena was left without an heir, Austria immediately sent Francesco, Franz II's cousin, to Modena to succeed as Grand Duke.
Francesco's mother was the daughter of Ercole III, the current Duke of Modena, and she had married Ferdinand Karl, Leopold II's brother.
On the strength of that thin blood tie alone, Austria ushered Modena into the Habsburg era.
This maneuver actually violated the Salic Law—a set of succession laws that stipulated daughters had no right of inheritance.
But since there were no other claimants to the throne, Francesco IV ultimately became the new Duke of Modena.
And now, Joseph intended to plant a powerful rival claimant in Modena!
Once Ercole III died, his French wife would naturally be able to control Modena's political situation.
Before then, Francesco had scarcely ever set foot in Modena. He would never be able to compete with her.
Afterward, whether Modena's nobles jointly elected a new Grand Duke or directly adopted a parliamentary system, France could accept either outcome. At the very least, it would not fall into the hands of the Habsburg Family.
It was even possible that all of Modena might unanimously demand to join France.
Of course, whether France would accept this enclave would depend on the international situation at the time, as well as France's own national strength.
The Modenese Foreign Minister immediately bowed and said, "To enter into a marriage alliance with great France is Modena's supreme honor!
"I shall report this matter to His Majesty at once. I imagine His Majesty will be delighted as well."
As he spoke, he glanced sideways at Ludovico, who was dancing with Princess Therese, and the sourness in his heart instantly vanished. Wasn't it just gaining a huge swath of land through marriage? Modena could do that too!