"Your Majesty, it was indeed due to our impatience that led to the Russian Empire and the French Empire being forced into a state of war. However, I now personally believe that the French Empire and the Russian Empire should not continue this way, as it will only allow certain countries to reap the benefits without any cost!"

Jerome Bonaparte felt a bit surprised by Alexander II’s response, yet he admired Alexander II’s ability to be flexible and adaptable.

As the future monarch of the Russian Empire, Alexander II dared to admit his mistakes to the enemy French Empire without facing a complete defeat, which was unprecedented.

Every Tsar of the Russian Empire has been proud and arrogant. Take Alexander II’s father, Nicholas I, for instance; he absolutely never admitted his mistakes. Even if he was wrong, he would continue down the erroneous path until his death.

The Crimean War was not only fueled by Jerome Bonaparte but also played a critical role by Nicholas I.

If Nicholas I had decisively chosen peace after seeing the Anglo-French Alliance, even if Jerome Bonaparte wanted to initiate peace, Britain and Austria would have stopped him.

On the other hand, Jerome Bonaparte speculated that the reason Alexander II candidly admitted some problems within the Russian Empire was related to his position.

After all is said and done, Alexander II is merely a future monarch, while the current head of the Russian Empire is still Nicholas I.

Some words that Tsar Nicholas I could not utter do not mean that Crown Prince Alexander II could not say them.

"What you said makes some sense!" Jerome Bonaparte feigned agreement with Alexander II’s words, then showed a conflicted expression and said, "However, right now, our French Empire is fighting alongside those certain countries. To suddenly abandon them and sign a peace with you might lead to serious consequences!"

Confused by Jerome Bonaparte’s expression, Alexander II thought Jerome Bonaparte had been swayed, feeling a sense of secret joy. He hurriedly reassured Jerome Bonaparte, "Those certain countries are merely using Your Majesty; only the Russian Empire is your true partner!"

"Alexander, you are right!" Jerome nodded with some trouble, agreeing, "The diplomacy of the French Empire should be decided by us. Other countries have no right to dictate to us!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Alexander II nodded repeatedly.

"However..." Jerome Bonaparte showed a perfectly timed look of suspicion and hesitation.

"However what?" Alexander II immediately inquired.

"Alexander, do you really have the ability to change your Russian Empire’s established policies?" Jerome Bonaparte seemed to distrust Alexander II’s influence on Russian policy, "I do not doubt your abilities! However, the current leader of the Russian Empire is not you, but your father, Nicolai! Can you really persuade Nicolai to make peace with us?

To be honest, after we captured Sevastopol! Our goal is already achieved, and what’s left is just a matter of how much we win.

I personally don’t wish to see my soldiers spending winter on this icy peninsula. If your conditions are suitable, we are very willing to make peace with you!"

"Your Majesty, I have previously entrusted Baron von Zebach (Nesselrode’s son-in-law, the Saxon Kingdom’s ambassador to France) to express our attitude. Whenever you wish for peace, peace will naturally come!" Alexander II responded excitedly to Jerome Bonaparte, standing tall and saying to Jerome Bonaparte, "I can reiterate to you once again, the beginning of peace depends on your attitude!"

"Alright! Alexander, I can now clearly tell you, as long as the Russian Empire agrees to these few conditions of mine, I am willing to make peace with you!" Jerome Bonaparte responded to Alexander II.

"What conditions?" Alexander II quickly asked.

Jerome Bonaparte then stated his conditions: 1. The Russian Empire promises that after the war ends, it will not retaliate in any way towards the countries of Europe, and acknowledges the Austrian Empire’s protectorate over the Danube Duchy, acknowledging the Ottoman Empire’s sovereignty over the Danube Duchy. (Regarding the handling of the Danube Duchy, it will follow the pre-annexation model of Bosnia, where the Ottoman Empire has nominal sovereignty, and the Austrian Empire retains actual control over the Danube Duchy.)

Regarding the first condition, Alexander II merely furrowed his brow slightly before agreeing with Jerome Bonaparte. He understood that after this war, the Russian Empire’s focus should shift from external expansion to internal political reform.

British and French actions on the Crimean Peninsula have made the Russian Empire realize its shortcomings and accelerated the pace of reform.

The second condition, the Russian Empire acknowledges the freed people liberated by France on the Crimean Peninsula and recognizes the French Empire’s achievements in reform on the Crimean Peninsula. Meanwhile, after France’s departure, the Russian Empire shall not revert them back to serfdom.

Possessing liberal ideas, Alexander II agreed to Jerome Bonaparte’s condition after also pondering it for a long while.

If only Sevastopol is liberated, the Russian Empire can still manage to hold its ground.

However, after the third condition, Alexander II found it somewhat unacceptable.

"The Russian Empire must dismantle its militarized facilities along the Black Sea coast, including fleets, barracks, forts, factories, and shipyards!" Jerome Bonaparte answered Alexander II unhurriedly.

"Your Majesty, this condition of yours, I’m afraid I can’t even bring myself to mention it to my father!" Alexander II responded to Jerome Bonaparte, "I’m afraid my father would find it hard to agree to your demands!"

"Alexander, if the military facilities in the Black Sea Region are not dismantled, it’s hard for us to believe that the Russian Empire truly desires peace!" Jerome Bonaparte shrugged and replied to Alexander II, "Do you still wish to repeat the military actions in the Sinop Region?"

Alexander II remained silent and had no choice but to inquire about the next condition from Jerome Bonaparte.

"Fourth, the Russian Empire must withdraw all its forces in the Caucasus Region back to the position before the war and compensate France and the Ottoman Empire for their losses in the Crimea Peninsula and Caucasus Region!" Jerome Bonaparte continued to say to Alexander II.

It was not until Alexander II heard this condition that he realized Jerome Bonaparte was not seeking peace, but rather a peace following the Russian Empire’s surrender.

Thus, Alexander II angrily accused Jerome Bonaparte, "Your Majesty, this is not making peace! This is making the Russian Empire unilaterally surrender!"

"Alexander, does the Russian Empire still have the right to choose?" Jerome Bonaparte retorted.

"We still have over 200,000 troops in the Crimea Peninsula!" Alexander II replied to Jerome Bonaparte through gritted teeth.

"If you believed your army could defeat us, you probably wouldn’t have come running so quickly to make peace with us, would you?" Jerome Bonaparte said calmly to Alexander II.

"Though we have been defeated once, that was merely because you outnumbered us! Now we have assembled over 200,000 men on the Crimea Peninsula!" Alexander II once again emphasized his troops.

"They’re nothing but a rabble!" Jerome Bonaparte showed a mocking expression.

"Your Majesty, since you are unwilling to make peace, let us settle the score on the battlefield!" Alexander II challenged Jerome Bonaparte to a duel.

"Very well!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded to Alexander and said, "I suppose if we can’t thoroughly defeat the more than 200,000 troops you speak of, you won’t concede! Let our two armies clash on the battlefield to their heart’s content!"

After speaking, Jerome Bonaparte called Jerome Patterson from outside the room and ordered him to personally ensure the safe departure of Alexander II’s delegation from Sevastopol.

"Remember to bring more people; there must be no mistakes!" Jerome Bonaparte glanced at Alexander II with a faint smile, "Otherwise, the Russian Empire might think we’ve secretly killed their Crown Prince!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Jerome Patterson saluted the Emperor, then methodically said to Alexander II, "Prince Alexander, please follow me!"

Alexander II left in anger, while Jerome Bonaparte stood by the windowsill, watching Alexander II and his entourage riding away. He shook his head and said, "It’s a pity you came at the wrong time!"

Subsequently, a joyful smile appeared on his face, "However, you’ve actually done me a small favor!"

Shortly after Alexander II’s departure, notices appeared in Sevastopol, stating that the Russian Empire would not recognize the liberation of free people within Sevastopol.

This meant that if the Russian Empire returned, all free people would revert to serfdom.

With the notice’s release, Sevastopol was immediately thrown into panic. Many free people who had abandoned their serf roles to participate in building the railway between Sevastopol and Camish Port suddenly felt an urgency.

Having tasted the sweetness of freedom, they sincerely hoped that the Anglo-French Alliance would win this war so they wouldn’t revert to being serfs.

Meanwhile, a man claiming to be a descendant of the Crimean Khanate appeared in Sevastopol, announcing to the people of Sevastopol that he would respect all beliefs on the Crimea Peninsula. He hoped that people of different faiths could unite to jointly resist the barbaric Russian Empire and build a new Crimea.

His name was Musa Gele.