I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 466

To be honest, I have to confess that I’m not that knowledgeable about the Boer War.

No, that’s an exaggeration. To be brutally honest, I know nothing.

All I know is that Prussia, advocating for a Greater German ideology, beat up Austria and seized control of the German Confederation.

And as a result, the Austrian Empire transformed into the Austro-Hungarian Empire, forever losing its former glory.

But what can I do? Unless you’re a true history buff, you only know the major events like the World Wars. Most people only know the outcome of the Austro-Prussian War.

In the first place, Germany during this period was such a chaotic place that just looking at a map of it would make anyone feel overwhelmed.

I’d bet my hands and feet that even 21st-century Germans don’t enjoy learning about this period of history.

I’m just lucky that I’m pretending to be a professor and memorizing some knowledge I picked up somewhere to act like I know what I’m talking about.

At least I know the progression and outcome of events, so if I apply that to reality and think about it, I can see the direction I need to take.

However, that only applies to events that occurred around the same time as the original history. The problem is that history has changed so much now that the details are completely different.

I’ve noticed while dealing with several major events so far that even if the timeline changes, major events that are bound to happen eventually do happen.

For example, the war between Britain and Russia, clashing over world hegemony.

And the American Civil War, which broke out over the issue of black slavery.

I’ve confirmed several times that these structurally inevitable events happen no matter how the minor details change.

So, I’m predicting that the Austro-Prussian War, the unification of the German Confederation, and Germany’s future of Junkers [Prussian aristocratic landowners] ruining the country and getting drunk on nationalism will definitely happen.

Anyway, Bismarck understood me perfectly and said he would crack down on the Junkers, but I don’t know what kind of butterfly effect this will cause.

The war that should have happened several years ago still hasn’t happened, and Austria seems to be maintaining a relatively stable country.

I thought that Austria might try to marry a princess to Edward, and as expected, my prediction came true.

But is it right to marry off a 14-year-old child to a man who is almost twice her age?

Even though marriage was faster in the past than it is today, by 1870, people should be starting to realize that early marriages are not a good thing.

Even marrying at 16 is considered early, let alone 14.

Besides, Gisela, who Austria is pushing, doesn’t have a big age difference with Edward, does she?

From a modern person’s point of view, it’s a perfect crime, and even from a modern person’s point of view, you can’t help but wonder if she’s too young.

In fact, Edward’s reaction to this story was exactly as expected.

“F-Fourteen years old? Are you telling me to meet a fourteen-year-old child? No, no, right?”

“They’re not saying to get married right away, but just to meet and see how it goes for a few years before getting engaged. Honestly, would I ever tell you to marry a fourteen-year-old?”

If Edward had said he liked it, I might have been even more worried, so it’s a relief that he’s reacting this way.

“To see how it goes for a few more years before getting engaged… I like that. At least I won’t have to waste time in unnecessary places for a year or two.”

“Unnecessary places… I’ve heard how enthusiastically you’ve been working lately, but don’t push yourself too hard just because you’re young. Your body is only enduring it because you’re young, and that fatigue is accumulating in your body. People need to sleep at least 6 to 7 hours a day. I heard you’re not even sleeping 5 hours a day?”

“But I always sleep at regular hours and sleep so soundly that I’m fine.”

“Fine, my foot. What are you, Napoleon? There’s even a saying that Napoleon’s health deteriorated due to accumulated fatigue, which was one of the causes of his downfall. You don’t want to end up like that, do you?”

Saying that you can control your sleep time and only sleep 4 hours a day is just pseudoscience with no proper basis.

At least for ordinary people.

I’d rather believe in the science fiction theory that new humans adapted to space can exchange emotions with each other through brainwaves.

“It’s good to develop your abilities, but don’t forget that if you lose your health, those abilities will be useless. In that sense, I think it wouldn’t be bad for you to meet someone and have some time to relax your mind.”

“I understand what you’re saying, but meeting an Austrian princess wouldn’t be like meeting someone, it would just feel like playing with a young niece, wouldn’t it be more tiring?”

“Think long term. If you’re not planning on getting married right away anyway, wouldn’t it be better to have someone younger? You can use the excuse of watching her for a while, like you said, right?”

“Sigh… I understand. By the way, Father, about the Middle East incorporation policy, I have a plan in mind. If oil really gushes out there like you said, wouldn’t its value be immeasurable? Even if we make it a direct territory of the imperial family, there will definitely be talk in the country, how will you deal with it?”

Ugh, I thought we were going to talk about marriage for a bit, but he immediately goes back to work. What a workaholic.

Adelaide also does a drifting to business talk like a ghost when we try to have a friendly conversation between father and daughter. How can they act so alike, aren’t they twins?

“I’ll lay the groundwork before I die, so you don’t have to worry too much. If you’re still uneasy, let’s talk about it again then.”

“I understand. Then, next…”

“Let’s talk about work later and think about your schedule first? Princesses from other countries will be flocking here from next month, so make sure to adjust your schedule in advance.”

Not only Austria, but countries with princesses of marriageable age, like Denmark and France, are expressing their desire to come to London with the intention of trying their luck.

Once you get it, it’s guaranteed to be a huge hit. A super promising prospect that is guaranteed to be a hit has come out in the draft market, so which team wouldn’t be drooling?

If you eat it, it’s a jackpot, if you don’t eat it, it’s just a break even, so even if there’s only a little bit of potential, they want to tank everything and get a number.

Besides, Edward is quite handsome like me, so he’s being pushed to a level that’s beyond expectations and really blatant.

In this situation, Edward may have intentions to use this marriage strategically.

As a father, I want my son to have a loving marriage and a happy marital relationship, but honestly, I’m not sure what he’s thinking.

“Edward, if I had to pick one choice I’ve made in my life that I’m most proud of, I would definitely pick marrying your mother. So please, find someone you truly love and can be loved by.”

“Of course, I want to have a marriage where I can have both love and practical benefits like Father. In that sense, I’ve been thinking about it, and I think that for a marriage to last smoothly, I need to meet someone who can love me for who I am. If I find someone who can accompany me for about a month and follow my daily routine as it is…”

“No, what have you been listening to me say? Ha… please…”

I don’t want to be criticized as an imperial family that abuses their wives, so please bear with it.

Afterwards, after strenuous efforts, I finally got a promise to meet the princesses once each.

He’s a smart kid, so he’ll choose the best option for himself.

I have to follow my son around like this to get him to go on a blind date even at this age. What a fate.

Fortunately, Edward didn’t complain and adjusted his study time, not his sleep time, little by little to make time.

Candidates aiming for the crown prince are landing in London one after another, and the battle has begun.

* * *

Denmark was as active as Austria in proposing marriage.

After the death of Frederick VII, the last king of the House of Oldenburg, Christian IX of the House of Glücksburg, who newly ascended the throne, had three daughters.

The eldest daughter married into the Russian imperial family, and the second daughter is currently in talks to marry the Prussian crown prince.

They’re marrying off their daughters to such great places, so it’s only natural that parents would want to send their youngest daughter to a good place too.

Looking at her age, she’s turning 17 this year, so it’s a good time to get married.

“I think we should have him meet Princess Gisela of Austria and Princess Thyra of Denmark. We’ll hold a ball in a while, and then we’ll naturally arrange a meeting with Edward. Denmark is also being very actively pursued by their royal family.”

“Was the King of Denmark Christian IX? I feel like I’ve heard that name a lot.”

“He was staying in London when I had my coronation. He persistently courted me and proposed at that time…”

“…What?”

Who the hell dared to hit on me?

When I frowned, Victoria smiled and waved her hand.

“It’s been almost 30 years, so what does it matter? There were more than one or two people who wanted to marry me in the first place.”

“Hmm, well, that’s true…”

“I didn’t even give other men a glance back then, so don’t be jealous. No, maybe it would feel good to be jealous? It’s okay to be jealous.”

“What jealousy at this age. Anyway, Christian IX is a minus. We should have Edward meet Gisela first.”

“Austria… it’s not bad, but isn’t she too young? And is it okay? The reason why Austria is trying to attach the young Gisela to Edward is so transparent and blatant that you can’t not know.”

The reason why Austria is trying to plant their princess as the Crown Princess of the British Empire.

There is no fool in this world who doesn’t know that this is an attempt to make Prussia nervous even through old-fashioned marriage alliances.

Victoria knows it, I know it, and Edward, the person getting married, knows it.

“Just because we’re married doesn’t mean we have any obligation to help them, right? If she comes to our side, she becomes a member of our imperial family, not theirs.”

“That’s true, but people’s emotions don’t work that way. If Edward really falls in love with her, he can’t help but feel a little bit of affection for his beloved wife’s country. Even I feel a slight sense of familiarity with the country of Joseon [ancient Korean kingdom], which I wouldn’t even care about normally.”

It’s true that people’s emotions don’t always flow so rationally.

If Gisela comes to the British Empire and becomes a beloved Crown Princess, the citizens’ feelings towards Austria may also improve.

Then there was no guarantee that it would not affect the series of events that would happen later, even if only a little.

However, to put it another way, if things go well, we could get a good justification for legally intervening in situations related to Austria.

Once you get married, you’re out of the family, so there’s no obligation to intervene, but if you want to, you can get involved.

If we design it well, we can create an environment where we can enjoy the rights without the obligations.

It could be a good insurance policy not only for the Austro-Prussian War, but also for a major event that could later ignite and explode the powder keg that is Europe.

The Sarajevo incident [assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand] in the original history was a twist of fate where coincidence after coincidence led to the worst outcome, so there is a high possibility that it will not happen in the current world.

However, considering that the motive for that incident was the manifestation of extreme nationalism, shouldn’t we consider that the problem could erupt in a completely different direction?

Even if it’s not Edward’s marriage, we should review everything that can be reviewed with all possibilities open.

While others were burning with enthusiasm, aiming for the Crown Princess of the British Empire, I was looking at a completely different point.

To dismantle the huge powder keg that could spread flames all over the continent little by little without being noticed.

It’s dizzying just thinking about it, but can I really do it?