I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 409

Almost a month had passed since my arrival in London.

It was an ordinary morning, but Crown Prince Friedrich’s mind was anything but.

“…Is today the day?”

The words that escaped his lips as he awoke were laced with a subtle tension.

After a simple breakfast with Adelaide, the day’s agenda included an orchestra performance, tea, and a tour of London’s major attractions.

“I can do this… no, I have to. They won’t suspect a thing.”

In theory, the plan was flawless.

He would feign ignorance, steadily grow closer to Adelaide, and allow the British Imperial Family to resolve the situation by engaging in a power struggle with the Russian Imperial Family.

Shouldn’t he simply observe the situation in London and intervene judiciously when necessary?

Yet, a sense of unease lingered.

“Your Highness, are you ready?”

“I’ll be out shortly. Please wait a little longer.”

“Understood. The Prime Minister is waiting downstairs as well.”

“The Prime Minister? He must be quite concerned.”

His noticeably subdued demeanor caused those around him to stiffen with apprehension.

They wondered if the conversations hadn’t gone well, or if a minor disagreement had occurred.

Just days ago, the Crown Prince had seemed confident, but now he appeared pensive, fueling their worries.

“Your Highness, if you have any concerns, perhaps you should confide in the Prime Minister…”

“Concerns? Ah, it’s nothing. Everything is progressing smoothly.”

But no one believed the Crown Prince’s reassurances.

Bismarck, waiting downstairs, also inquired with concern as soon as the Crown Prince appeared.

“Your Highness, is there any issue with the Princess…?”

“Are you going to ask that too? I told you, there’s no problem.”

“But reports persist that Your Highness has been sighing more frequently of late. There’s no reason for that if everything is alright.”

“Are my every action being meticulously reported? It feels like I’m being monitored.”

“It’s not monitoring, merely the concern of those who have noticed your unease. It’s quite apparent.”

The Prime Minister’s early morning visit to the Crown Prince’s residence indicated that the story had spread far and wide.

“I assure you, there’s no problem.”

“I heard you met with a British businessman several times. You seem to have been more troubled since then. Did something untoward happen?”

“Ah, I said no. I was simply contemplating the responsibilities that come with marriage, and it made my head spin a bit.”

In truth, Bismarck was right; his mind had been in turmoil since meeting James.

He had tried to project an air of calm, but his confusion had been palpable to those around him.

That was the crux of the matter.

Enlisting James to investigate the Imperial Family had been a brilliant move.

As a global tycoon with an extensive information network, he unearthed so much information that other countries’ intelligence agencies seemed inept by comparison.

The sheer volume of information was staggering, almost unbelievable.

He had called to verify its accuracy, and James had provided irrefutable evidence.

The conclusion, after careful review, was undeniable: the information James provided was accurate.

But accepting it as fact led to a chilling realization: he had drawn his sword against a formidable opponent.

‘Isn’t he a monster who has been reading the world’s currents for over a decade and manipulating them at will? James, is it truly wise to scheme against such a person?’

‘Why, are you afraid?’

‘I’m not afraid… just concerned.’

Frankly, had he known Killian’s true nature, he would have abstained from the plan.

He would have delegated the task to Bakunin and Alexander, feigning ignorance.

How could he possibly manage the fallout from recklessly provoking such a monster?

‘James, even if we succeed, won’t this be problematic? It might deal a fatal blow to the British Imperial Family, but if we don’t completely eliminate them, they might retaliate swiftly. How will we handle the repercussions if someone with the ability and power to commit such acts seeks revenge?’

‘That’s why we must make Russia bear the brunt of the responsibility. The Crown Prince and I will withdraw into the shadows.’

‘Then… can we escape unscathed?’

‘Of course.’

James’s confidence had been reassuring at the time, but as the day to meet Adelaide approached, internal conflicts resurfaced.

At this point, it was prudent to view his opponent as something inhuman wearing a human mask.

Wasn’t that the truth?

As a mere mortal, it was impossible to prepare for the American Civil War before the Crimean War even began.

According to James, he had deliberately promoted the rights of blacks in the Americas long ago to instigate conflict. Was this a scheme a human could devise?

And let’s calmly analyze the situation.

Wouldn’t someone who had meticulously planned events from the distant past anticipate that someone might investigate their background?

Of course, his overconfidence might have led him to neglect his own security.

Many individuals in the world were caught off guard in that manner.

However, that was based on human fallibility, and it was questionable whether such laws applied to something wearing a human mask.

But there was no turning back. He had already committed to the plan to bring down Killian.

The worry was whether he could evade detection if Killian decided to delve into his past.

As the Crown Prince pondered his recent conversations, Bismarck’s gaze was filled with concern.

“Your Highness, are you truly alright? If you’re not feeling well, should we request a postponement?”

“Ah, no! Don’t do that. I was simply considering how to make a more favorable impression.”

“Didn’t you confidently declare that the Princess had already fallen for you?”

“Y-yes, I did. But I can’t be content with that level of affection, so I intend to express my admiration even more.”

Now that things had progressed this far, it might be best to make the Princess fall completely in love with him.

If they were to marry, he would have a means of escape if something went awry.

Killian might forgive him for the sake of his daughter’s reputation if he, the king and son-in-law of an allied nation, apologized for his transgressions.

Yes. That was the best insurance policy.

Cultivate a strong relationship with Adelaide and aim for an 鹬蚌相爭 [yù bàng xiāng zhēng -鹬蚌相爭 (idiom): lit. the snipe and the clam grapple, and the fisherman profits (idiom); fig. third party benefits from the fight between two sides] by pitting the Imperial Families of Russia and Great Britain against each other.

Then, if the situation threatened to implicate him, he could simply betray Russia or the South and extricate himself.

Friedrich, having made his decision, straightened his posture and entered the carriage.

In the past, his heart would have fluttered with excitement and anticipation, but now his stomach churned with a strange tension.

* * *

A slightly chilly but sunny afternoon in London.

“Hahaha, is that so? The Crown Prince possesses a bold side as well.”

“Indeed. Perhaps it’s because we’re the same age and twins who have received the same education since childhood, but we often clash.”

“It seems you have a good relationship. Being able to bicker so casually despite being royalty is, in a way, a healthy dynamic.”

First, the primary goal was to establish rapport as naturally as possible.

After discussing light topics, he would gradually transition to family matters and offer praise.

“The Crown Prince must feel burdened by inheriting the throne. Still, with the Crown Princess, his younger sister, being so intelligent and assertive, I believe the Crown Prince will draw strength from her.”

“That’s not always the case. We always argue when we meet. Of course, we also engage in many discussions.”

“What topics do you typically discuss?”

“Well… it’s a rather dull subject, but we have various consultations on practical and political science matters. The most recent one concerned a healthy power structure.”

Even in noble ladies’ tea gatherings, political discussions were not uncommon these days.

Still, the opportunity to hear the future Emperor of Great Britain’s thoughts was rare.

Friedrich believed it would be beneficial to understand his counterpart in advance, as they would both be future monarchs.

“A dull subject? It sounds quite interesting. Would you mind sharing your thoughts?”

“Of course. Currently, the British Imperial Family’s influence is even greater than when my mother first ascended the throne. However, Great Britain is undeniably a place where the parliament, elected by the people’s representatives, holds the most power. This issue is a constant source of debate. Hasn’t there been a similar debate in Prussia recently?”

“You’re well-informed.”

Friedrich naturally focused on Adelaide’s words, as it was a topic he could relate to.

Prime Minister versus royal authority.

Militarism versus liberalism.

The true ruler of Prussia. Recent narratives had been diverging.

As the Crown Prince, who believed that Bismarck wielded excessive power, he sympathized with the British Imperial Family.

He believed that the parliament should be respected, but not to the extent of encroaching upon the king’s domain.

It was ironic that he, who was plotting against the Imperial Family, held such views.

“So, what is the Crown Prince’s opinion?”

“There’s nothing profound about it. We all agree that a system of checks and balances is the healthiest.”

“Even with checks, the side with the initiative will prevail.”

“So, Your Highness believes that the Imperial Family should hold a slight advantage.”

Had his companion been the daughter of a powerful member of parliament, he would have refrained from expressing his personal opinion. But since they were both royalty, there was no need for pretense.

In fact, siding with the Imperial Family would likely be well-received, so he nodded.

“Of course. I respect liberal tendencies, but I believe the Imperial Family’s authority should also be respected.”

“Then you must not be on good terms with Prime Minister Bismarck. Our Imperial Family has a close relationship with Prime Minister Wellesley of the House of Commons. Perhaps it’s because the Prime Minister holds the Imperial Family in high regard.”

“Prime Minister Bismarck also respects the Imperial Family. However, he can be stubborn and forceful in pushing his opinions.”

“I see. But wielding power too forcefully creates enemies, so one must be cautious. My father seems concerned about that these days.”

“Emperor Killian is concerned?”

A chilling sensation washed over Friedrich, and his voice trembled slightly.

What should he do? He wanted to inquire further, but probing too deeply might arouse suspicion.

After racking his brain, he fabricated a reason and cautiously broached the subject.

“If there’s anything I can assist with…”

“Actually, I’m not privy to the details. It was mentioned during dinner, but there are rumors of individuals investigating my father and the Imperial Family. I don’t know the specifics, but I recall him saying that he should investigate.”

“W-when was this?”

“It must have been about three days ago.”

Normally, he would have been able to feign composure, but the information he had received from James made it impossible to suppress the trembling in his hands.

Seeing Friedrich quickly conceal his hand beneath the table, Adelaide placed her teacup down with a soft click and smiled.

“Oh? What’s wrong? Is something on your mind?”

Could she be aware of everything?

It was impossible to completely control the body’s natural reactions, even when concealing one’s hands or facial expressions. Friedrich’s lips began to quiver.