I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 404

I’ve always thought of myself as someone without prejudice.

That’s because I’ve lived in modern times, lived in the 19th century, lived in Asia, lived in Europe, and been to America.

Based on that experience, most places where people live are pretty similar.

However, it was clear that each country has a culture that dominates society, and this culture significantly influences the larger framework.

People’s behavior varies greatly depending on the environment they were exposed to from a young age and the stories they heard.

For example, there are people who grew up in a culture where using an umbrella unless it’s pouring rain is considered something only weak men do.

And there are people who grew up in a culture where people simply use umbrellas when it rains; it’s natural for them to act differently even in the same weather.

In that regard, the people of Prussia were definitely different from those of the British Empire.

This is completely separate from whether a person is good or bad, has less character, or is kind.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been here, and London has changed so much.”

“Really? I don’t really notice it. Isn’t the air always bad and always bustling as usual?”

“Isn’t that proof of a developing city? The subway, which was ambitiously opened when I came here before, now operates right up to Westminster. It’s amazing.”

“Ah, that would certainly be surprising enough to make people from other countries’ eyes pop out. In another 10 years, we will expand the line not only to central London but also to the suburbs. Eventually, there won’t be a place in London that you can’t reach by subway, right?”

“Innovative. Unlike above-ground railways, it’s less noisy and not as loud, and above all, it operates much more frequently, so people’s range of movement will be incomparably wider.”

Bismarck looked at the London Underground map, which was being expanded, and repeatedly sighed with envy.

Several years ago, when the Metropolitan Railway opened as the world’s first subway, the British Empire deeply realized the profitability of subway projects.

At first, it wasn’t a complicated line nor did it have a very long distance, but it was so crowded that nearly 30,000 people used it every day.

In addition to the Metropolitan, the District line was also opened, completing the dual engine of the inner and outer circular lines.

I don’t know what happened in the original history, but now I was exercising control over both of these companies through the James Group, so the construction was completed and merged without any problems.

Thanks to this, the number of daily subway users in London has increased beyond comparison to when it was first built.

“Convenient transportation doesn’t just mean people are more comfortable. It means workers can be sent to factories more easily, and they can easily move to factories in other areas from a distance, allowing for much broader urban design. Factories and companies will have less burden in choosing locations; isn’t it an innovative means of transportation?”

“That’s right. You know all the advantages. Then why don’t you try it in Prussia?”

“If it were as easy as wanting to do it, we would have already started digging. Even with a generous estimate, it’s impossible for 20 years. We can build urban railways that run above ground now, but underground is still too difficult. For the time being, we plan to be satisfied with above-ground railways.”

As expected of a prime minister who values practicality, the stories that come out even after a long time are all about this.

“By the way, what does Your Majesty think of Ambassador Bernstorff? He’s old and used to be a minister, so I was a little worried, but he seems to be adapting well.”

“He is adapting well, just as you said. We communicate well, he is capable, and I have no complaints. Didn’t he work hard to arrange this marriage proposal?”

“That’s something anyone could do with an ear to hear Your Majesty’s words and a mouth to convey them, so it’s not much of a consideration. However, I was a little surprised. I didn’t think Your Majesty had any intention of marrying off Princess Adelaide.”

“Of course I do. If I really didn’t, I would already be dead by Victoria and not be in this world, you know?”

Even the Prime Minister of Prussia believes in such rumors. There is nothing wrong with the old sages’ saying that words without feet go a thousand miles [meaning rumors spread quickly].

Still, if I have this image of being a daughter-obsessed fool, there’s no reason not to use it.

I perfectly embodied the image of a foolish father who spends sleepless nights worrying about his daughter and checked my expression in the mirror.

Surprisingly, my face looks no different from usual. Well, that means my acting is that natural.

“By the way, let’s talk since it’s just the two of us. What is the Crown Prince of your country’s reaction to this marriage?”

“Of course, he is very much in favor…”

“Ah, let’s not act like amateurs. We both have eyes to see and ears to hear, so let’s just tell each other what we’re curious about.”

“…I don’t know, but there’s no guarantee that Your Majesty will tell the truth.”

“No, what do you think of me to make such an accusation! I have never lied to you before, have I?”

“There have been many times when you haven’t told me the truth.”

That’s true.

I can count on my fingers the number of times I’ve openly lied, but there are countless times when I haven’t told the truth.

That’s why it’s difficult to take advantage of a prime minister as perceptive as you.

“Ha, it’s really frustrating. Who would want to ruin something related to their daughter? If you can’t believe me, let’s make a promise. I can swear that I have not even a speck of dust of intention to harm our Prime Minister Bismarck in this matter. So, how about we cooperate without being wary of each other?”

“Really?”

“Of course, of course. I can swear in the name of God.”

Rather, I’m trying to help you, but I’m saddened if you don’t recognize this great intention and act uncooperatively.

The Iron-Blooded Chancellor [Otto von Bismarck, the Prime Minister of Prussia], who had been looking at me with strange eyes for a moment, nodded lightly and opened his mouth.

“Well, this time it also involves Princess Adelaide’s marriage, so you must be very serious. I’m sorry, I didn’t fully understand Your Majesty’s intentions. But why did Your Majesty think of the Crown Prince as a son-in-law?”

“Well, there are hardly any people who meet both the age and background requirements for her groom right now, so that’s probably why? To be honest, it wasn’t me who first picked the Crown Prince, but His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Ah, I see. Certainly, looking at the conditions alone, they are a very good match. Listening to the ambassador’s story, it seems that Your Majesty didn’t even think we would refuse from the beginning.”

“There’s no reason for the Prime Minister or royal family members to refuse. However, what I want to know is the Crown Prince’s heart. After all, if she gets married, my daughter will have to live in Prussia for the rest of her life, and how sad and difficult would it be if she couldn’t be loved by her husband, who will be the closest person to her? If I see any signs of that, it’s an embarrassing thing to say, but I’m willing to overturn this marriage.”

Not all arranged marriages are unhappy marriages.

Rather, in the old days, arranged marriages were common among royalty and nobles, and there were many people who shared love and maintained harmonious families within them.

However, there were also many cases where they did not love each other until the end and continued unhappy married lives, and in these cases, the one who suffered the most was the spouse from another country.

Even though it was an era where men had a little more freedom of action, there were cases where their actions were restricted without exception if they came as a son-in-law.

In a country known for its extreme love for daughters, it would not be strange at all to show this kind of attitude, but rather it would seem natural.

As expected, Bismarck is agreeing, saying he understands.

“The Crown Prince seemed very cautious at first. To be honest, he didn’t seem that keen, but that was only before he actually met her, so I think it was more like being cautious.”

“I heard that you and the Prime Minister aren’t on good terms, so I was wondering if he was just rebelling more because you seemed to be leading the wedding?”

“…I see you know about that too. I think there might be some of that as well. The Crown Prince may think that if this marriage is successful, my position will become even stronger.”

“I see. Then, could you talk to the Crown Prince once and subtly ask him what he thinks of our daughter? It may not be much of a reward, but I’ll grant you one request.”

“Of course, I have no reason not to. I’m also someone who wants this marriage to go well. I’ll ask him today and tell you right away tomorrow.”

If my prediction is correct, Crown Prince Friedrich should want to postpone this marriage or reject it quickly.

He is full of thoughts of stabbing me in the back, so why would he want to go through with the wedding?

I was wondering if I should ask Adelaide too, but since a third party can be more objective than the person involved, it would be right to have Bismarck spy on her first.

It would be impossible to grasp everything completely, but since I have come all the way to London, it is easy to shake out what he is hiding inside.

I asked Bismarck to take good care of it and even slightly bowed my head.

Any behavior that is different from usual will be taken into consideration.

That was the heart of a parent who cares for their child.

* * *

It’s foolish not to marry into the British Imperial Family.

The Crown Prince would not be such a fool logically.

Bismarck returned to his lodgings to meet Friedrich with that conviction.

One source of anxiety was that the Crown Prince hated him, as Killian had said, but a man in his mid-thirties would not ruin a national affair for such a reason, would he?

With half conviction and half anxiety, Bismarck sat down to face the Crown Prince more carefully and politely than usual.

“How was your first meeting?”

“······.”

“I’m on my way back from seeing His Majesty Killian, and he also earnestly hopes that this marriage proposal will go well.”

“Is that so? Did he like me?”

“Of course. From the beginning, His Majesty strongly recommended that Crown Prince is the most suitable match for the Princess.”

Victoria recommended it, but Victoria also said that His Majesty the Emperor was not lying.

At Bismarck’s confirmation, Friedrich stroked his beard, glanced around, and cleared his throat.

“Ahem, after actually meeting her, she seemed to have outstanding beauty and abundant knowledge. She seemed to be a person who was not lacking to become the Queen of Prussia.”

“Is that so? Then why don’t you try to promote it more actively? If Your Highness feels that way, and if the other side feels the same…”

“Ah, there won’t be any problem with that. When I saw her, Princess Adelaide seemed to have a crush on me. It might be a bit of an exaggeration to say she fell in love at first sight, but I think she’s in a state close to that.”

Bismarck blinked and asked at his reaction, which was arrogantly crossing his legs and sipping milk tea with what confidence.

“Are you saying that the Princess fell in love with Your Highness the Crown Prince? At first meeting?”

“That’s right.”

“How are you so sure?”

“Ah, you don’t know women’s hearts well either, Prime Minister. Then that’s understandable. But people like me who have received a lot of favor from women can instinctively see it. Ah, I can tell when this woman is interested in me.”

“······.”

It wasn’t like Friedrich was completely out of his mind and acting like this.

From the first meeting, Adelaide had examined Friedrich’s gestures, tone, and even minor accessories in more detail and gave specific and clear impressions.

In Friedrich’s long experience, women did not react that way unless they were really interested in the person.

It would be one thing if a businessman was analyzing a customer, but the two of them didn’t have their first meeting as a man and woman?

Anyone could only accept this as an expression of the Princess’s favor towards him.

“If what Your Highness says is true, then this is… I can say it’s decided.”

“Prime Minister, it’s not good to rush too much. If it looks like we’re so desperate and rushing in, wouldn’t the initiative pass to the other side? We have to make the other side want it more. Am I wrong?”

“Ah, yes, well…”

Because the Crown Prince’s attitude was so confident, Bismarck nodded without realizing it, thinking that was the case.

Well, the atmosphere between the two people didn’t seem bad when viewed from a distance.

But really… the Princess is really so into the Crown Prince? Why?

Relationships between men and women are really something you know but don’t know.