Seeing that Albert didn’t take the bait, Cavour felt a bit disappointed, but Prince Albert’s response was also within Cavour’s expectations.

After all, the biggest taboo in the field of diplomacy is to follow the other party’s train of thought, as doing so would unknowingly lead one into the opponent’s pace.

Since Albert didn’t want to open up the topic, Cavour decided to "help" Prince Albert face the bayonet hidden under the Franco-British friendship.

Cavour clasped his hands together, his expression serious, and said softly to Prince Albert, "However, I personally believe that the canal being in the hands of the French Empire is not something particularly worth celebrating for the Kingdom of Britain!"

Upon hearing Cavour’s response, Prince Albert couldn’t help but furrow his brow.

From Albert’s expression, it was evident that he was very irked by Cavour’s manner of laying all issues bare.

This made Albert feel cornered, having to face these complex issues head-on.

"Mr. Cavour, who controls the Suez Canal is seemingly of no great concern to you!" Prince Albert spoke with a hint of indifference in his tone, pointing openly at Cavour, "Moreover, you and the Kingdom you represent have no authority to decide on the control of the Suez Canal!

When the Kingdom of Sardinia has the right to determine the control of the Suez Canal, then it’s not too late to discuss this matter with me!"

Although Prince Albert’s voice wasn’t loud, every word, every sentence, radiated the air of superiority of the Kingdom of Britain.

This made Victor Umberto, who was quietly listening to the conversation, feel an impending sense of foreboding.

Victor Umberto understood that the air of superiority emanating from Prince Albert wasn’t due to lineage; in terms of ancient lineage, the Savoy Royal Family, which has a history of nearly a thousand years, is in no way inferior to the Hanover Royal Family.

However, for monarchs, what determines the gap in their standings isn’t the length and splendor of their family history but how many bayonets they command and how vast their territory is at present.

Although the Kingdom of Sardinia is consistently at the forefront among medium-sized nations, to the rulers of the Kingdom of Britain, which controls nearly half the globe, the Kingdom of Sardinia is merely barely noticeable at most.

If it weren’t for France’s aggressive posture in the Mediterranean (Napoleon III: ???), the status of the Kingdom of Sardinia in Prince Albert’s mind would likely be even lower than that of countries in the Arab region.

Currently, Cavour’s reckless attempt to stir up Anglo-French relations is, in Prince Albert’s mind, a presumptuous act.

Cavour, of course, understood Prince Albert’s thoughts at this moment, and he responded neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Respected Your Majesty, the Kingdom of Sardinia indeed has no authority to decide the control of the Suez Canal!

However, the Kingdom of Sardinia is capable of deciding the control of the Western Mediterranean!

Whether the control of the Mediterranean affects the control of the Suez Canal, I think no one understands better than Your Majesty!"

Upon hearing Cavour’s response, a solemn expression appeared on Prince Albert’s face.

Indeed, as Cavour said, the location of the Kingdom of Sardinia grants them the qualification to participate in the contest for dominance in the Mediterranean. While this qualification doesn’t provide them with the strength to match Britain and France, if the Kingdom of Sardinia were to join one of the sides, then the power in the Mediterranean would gradually lean towards the side possessing the Kingdom of Sardinia.

If either France or Britain could outright crush their opponent in the Mediterranean, then the role of the Kingdom of Sardinia would once again become negligible.

However, this possibility is virtually zero.

The French Empire cannot relinquish its terrestrial dominance for Mediterranean supremacy, nor can Britain forsake its global supremacy for just Mediterranean dominance.

Thinking of this, Prince Albert’s attitude eased somewhat, and he nodded lightly, saying calmly to Cavour, "Mr. Cavour, I acknowledge that in certain specific situations, the Kingdom of Sardinia can indeed influence the situation in a region.

However, as I understand it, the Kingdom of Sardinia has always followed the actions of the French Empire. In other countries’ eyes, you have already become a vassal state of the French Empire.

"Your Majesty, Sardinia has never been a vassal state of the French Empire from the beginning!" Cavour firmly said to Prince Albert.

From Cavour, Prince Albert seemed to see another Palmerston. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"The Kingdom of Sardinia is willing to follow the footsteps of the French Empire because we believe that the French Empire can inherit the glory of the preceding Napoleonic Empire, helping the Italian Nation to break free from the Austrian yoke!" Cavour declared loudly to Prince Albert, "Emperor Napoleon tightly united the Italian people, and forged a brilliant crown for the Italian nation, transforming the fragmented Italian States into a single entity once more. Every Italian, including myself, will never forget the contributions made by Emperor Napoleon.

It is because we believe that Emperor Jerome Bonaparte of the French Empire shares the ideals of his uncle Emperor Napoleon, that we are willing to believe in him as we once believed in Emperor Napoleon!"

"Believe that he can help the troubled Italian nation like his uncle did, making it whole once more!"

"Mr. Garibaldi, your recent speech was truly exceptional!" Prince Albert complimented Cavour.

Then, with a shift in tone, he teased, "However, such a wonderful speech shouldn’t be directed at me!

It should be directed at that Emperor in Paris. I believe that upon hearing your passionate words, the Emperor will be determined to assist the Sardinian Kingdom in unifying Italy, and then personally place the crown upon the head of the monarch you serve!"

In the face of Albert’s sarcastic remark, Cavour was undisturbed. He responded to Prince Albert candidly, "Your Majesty, the reason I discuss the relationship between the Sardinian Kingdom and the French Empire with you is to ensure that the Kingdom of Britain believes our Italian nation is one that knows how to repay its debts, and the Sardinian Kingdom will never forget its friends!

Any country that helps us will receive a hundredfold return from the Sardinian Kingdom!"

"So you mean the Sardinian Kingdom wants to abandon the French Empire and instead turn towards us!" Prince Albert directly asked Cavour.

Cavour remained silent for a long time, then answered Prince Albert tactfully, "Currently, the situation on the Apennine Peninsula is still under the control of the Austrian Empire and the French Empire. The Sardinian Kingdom is just a small country on the Apennine Peninsula and dares not offend any country!"

"Then Mr. Garibaldi, what’s the use of the words you just said!" Albert retorted, "To make the Kingdom of Britain believe that the Sardinian Kingdom is a nation that knows how to repay, you must offer some concrete benefits!

I simply can’t hold an empty check and expect my citizens and cabinet to believe that the Kingdom of Britain should offend the French Empire and the Austrian Empire for Sardinia; it’s completely a foolish deal!"

From a rational perspective, Prince Albert was not wrong—no monarch would impulsively offend a major power for a small nation.

In today’s Europe, some medium-sized countries exist entirely based on the principle of balance among European powers.

Their role is precisely to act as a buffer zone for the major powers, allowing them more reason before launching a war.

No major power would declare war on another country for the sake of a buffer zone!

Moreover, the Sardinian Kingdom does not intend to completely lean on the Kingdom of Britain; they want to maneuver between the French Empire and the Kingdom of Britain.

After hearing Prince Albert’s questioning, Cavour replied to him, "Your Majesty, I understand that your country does not want to get too deeply involved in the Italian issue!

But the present Italian Peninsula not only concerns the interests of several kingdoms in the Italian region but also involves your country’s interests!

If the Italian region remains divided, the French Empire will easily achieve dominance in the Mediterranean region!

Regardless of whether the Kingdom of Britain acknowledges it, France has now become the uncrowned king of the Mediterranean region.

No country, including our Sardinian Kingdom, dares to resist the French Empire!

We can only bow beneath the French Empire, becoming the vassal nation you speak of!

Moreover, once the Suez Canal is connected, the French Empire can entirely expand its sphere of influence from the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean!

The French warships will cross the Suez Canal straight into the Indian Ocean!"

Every word from Cavour was like a bullet to Albert’s heart, and an involuntary worry appeared on Prince Albert’s face.

The Kingdom of Britain fears nothing more than this; once the Suez Canal is open, French warships will directly enter the Indian Ocean, exposing India’s shining jewel directly to the threat of French warships, which is absolutely unacceptable for the Kingdom of Britain.

Of course, the Kingdom of Britain had yet to realize that the dug depth of the Suez Canal would inevitably be insufficient for warships.

However, this did not prevent the Kingdom of Britain from harboring the greatest malice against the French Empire.

"Mr. Garibaldi, I personally sympathize deeply with the divided situation of the Italian Peninsula!

But how can you guarantee that the Sardinian Kingdom will not continue relying on the French Empire after ending the division in the Italian region?"