"Congratulations, Your Majesty. The Royal United Bank has been a resounding success. Perhaps this year, Spain will witness the birth of a great national bank with over a million depositors," said Duke Jacobo of Alba with a smile, offering his compliments to Carlo.
Carlo nodded, clearly pleased. "You're also a shareholder in the bank, Jacobo. When the United Bank prospers, every shareholder shares in its success."
Just moments earlier, the royal butler Lorenzo had reported that the Royal United Bank had welcomed 684 depositors on its first day, with total deposits exceeding 18 million pesetas—an average of 26,870 pesetas per person.
Of course, these statistics were somewhat inflated.
The vast majority of depositors were nobles who had responded to early news of the bank's opening. Among them, three individuals had deposited more than one million pesetas each: Duke Jacobo of Alba, Duke Fernando of Alburquerque, and Carlo himself.
In truth, only one to two hundred commoners had made deposits that day, which explained the unusually high average. But this also underscored the immense wealth of the Spanish nobility—their so-called gestures of support were mere drops in the ocean compared to their actual holdings. Still, for Carlo, it was a highly meaningful beginning.
The 18 million pesetas deposited on the first day alone represented more than half of the total funds Carlo had brought to Spain. And this was just the beginning. If the Royal United Bank could win the public's trust and attract broader participation, Carlo's financial resources would be virtually limitless.
With sufficient capital, Carlo could steadily expand Spain's industrial and financial sectors, generating ever more revenue. In this era, especially as a monarch, profit opportunities were abundant. With the Royal United Bank's backing, Carlo could monopolize key industries, maximize profits, and rapidly grow his personal and national wealth.
"Your Majesty," Jacobo added with a polite smile, "please don't forget tomorrow evening's banquet. A large number of nobles will be in attendance—it's the perfect occasion for you to meet them."
Since General Prim had crushed the Carlist rebellion, Jacobo no longer held Carlo in contempt. He now recognized that Carlo's rule was secure—and the fate of the Spanish nobility was firmly tied to the king's.
To belittle Carlo was to belittle themselves.
After all, the nobility's elevated status existed only through the monarchy. If the people turned against the crown and overthrew it, the nobility's prestige would vanish along with it.
Carlo might have been a foreigner, but so were the Bourbons. The House of Savoy ruled Italy, while the Bourbons ruled nothing. The throne had always been a tool of foreign dynasties.
"Of course," Carlo said with a smile.
"A banquet hosted by you, Jacobo—how could I refuse?"
With a bow and a warm farewell, Jacobo left the palace to finalize preparations for the long-planned banquet. Though hosted in a private capacity, the event served two purposes: to demonstrate Jacobo's loyalty and to help Carlo win over the remaining nobles.
Support from established figures like Jacobo was essential. While Carlo now wore the crown, he still needed the nobility's recognition to rule without challenge. Jacobo understood this perfectly—and he also had private ambitions.
His daughter, Anna, born in 1855, was soon to turn sixteen. Carlo, born in June 1851, was not yet nineteen. The age gap was ideal.
If Anna and Carlo took a liking to one another at the banquet, the House of Toledo might ascend to even greater heights. Even if Anna did not become Queen, a romantic connection or even the favor of becoming a royal mistress would still elevate the family's status.
After all, it was common for European monarchs to keep mistresses. The noble class led lives far removed from the expectations of ordinary people.
The day of the banquet arrived.
It was held at Jacobo's castle, located just south of Toledo, not far from Madrid. Jacobo had spared no effort in organizing the event, inviting nobles from across Spain. Due to venue limitations, however, only those of Count rank and above were formally invited—Viscounts and Barons were excluded unless they held exceptional influence.
Even so, with Dukes, Marquises, Counts, and their family members in attendance, the guest list numbered in the hundreds—approaching the practical limits of a private banquet.
Security was paramount, especially with Carlo in attendance. To prevent any untoward incidents, Jacobo had formally requested that a contingent of the Royal Guard be stationed at the event. All guests were to be discreetly screened to ensure no weapons were brought in.
This measure had been agreed upon in advance by all invited nobles. Carlo could not afford to be careless. Royal assassinations were tragically common in European history, and Carlo was no fool.
Even if Jacobo could be trusted, could the same be said for every guest? What if a rebel had infiltrated the crowd as a servant or a noble's companion?
To prevent such risks, the banquet was declared a weapons-free zone, protected by guards and secured like a fortress.
Around 6 p.m., Carlo departed the palace in a heavily fortified carriage, escorted by the Royal Guard. Steel-reinforced windows made the vehicle bulletproof, and four horses were required to pull its considerable weight. To further ensure safety, three identical carriages left the palace at the same time—creating confusion in case of an ambush.
By 7 p.m., Carlo arrived at Jacobo's castle.
Outside the gates, hundreds of nobles were waiting, arrayed in strict order of rank—Dukes in front, followed by Marquises, then Counts, and a handful of Viscounts and Barons. Beside them stood their wives, daughters, and other family members, forming a grand and colorful crowd.
"His Majesty has arrived!" Jacobo called out as Carlo's carriage pulled up. The nobles straightened their attire, their expressions solemn and respectful.
With the help of a lady-in-waiting, Carlo stepped down from the carriage. All the nobles bowed deeply, paying homage with flawless etiquette.
"Good evening, my loyal nobles," Carlo said warmly, waving as he acknowledged their salute. He radiated charm, his demeanor approachable yet regal.
Jacobo stepped forward. "Everything is prepared, Your Majesty. We await your command to begin."
"Well done, Jacobo," Carlo replied.
"Gentlemen, shall we enjoy the evening?"
Surrounded by Spain's most powerful aristocrats, Carlo stepped into the castle—ready to experience a grand noble banquet, one that would mark a turning point in his reign.
Tonight, he would no longer be a foreign monarch tolerated out of necessity. He would become, in every sense, the true King of Spain.
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