I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 468

Denmark was focusing on diplomacy more than ever.

Increasingly severe nationalism and a strengthening German sphere of influence put Denmark in a precarious position.

Schleswig-Holstein, with its geopolitically important location, made Denmark particularly vulnerable.

A country as unremarkable as Denmark was constantly on edge, fearing that Prussia might draw its sword at any moment and declare, “You scoundrel!”

Thus, Danish Ambassador Carl Ernst prepared for this meeting with the weight of his country’s future on his shoulders.

To gain an advantage over rival Austria, he had been working tirelessly to determine how Denmark could benefit the British Empire.

He believed that if Princess Thyra simply charmed the Crown Prince with a sweet smile, he could secure favorable outcomes.

Frankly, he was brimming with confidence.

He had analyzed Danish and European data, meticulously simulating every possible scenario: how to react in this situation, how to respond in that situation.

However…

“First, let’s confirm. Is it true that the Princess is experiencing morning sickness?”

“…We, we are currently confirming.”

Could this nightmare unfolding before him actually be reality?

He had never encountered such a situation in his research.

Royal families intermarrying was common, but what princess in her right mind would attend a meeting with a foreign crown prince while pregnant?

Of course, there had been scandalous incidents in the past.

He had read about princesses secretly giving birth to illegitimate children or concealing miscarriages before marriage.

Even those situations had provoked outrage from foreign royal families, but this…

Experiencing morning sickness at a meeting to discuss marriage with the crown prince of the world’s most powerful empire?

He was struggling to process the situation.

He doubted whether this could even be salvaged.

What had he done to deserve this mess?

He wanted to grab the princess and scream, “Are you crazy?” but instead, he bowed his head.

Ernst apologized profusely to Killian, then to Queen Victoria, almost kneeling, before finally meeting with the princess to understand the situation.

“Please, tell me the truth. Could this be due to the long sea voyage?”

“That’s…”

How wonderful if that were the case!

He would wish for nothing more, but Ernst knew the princess had been in excellent health during her journey to London.

Could it be the food in London? Unfortunately, she had been eating heartily since her arrival, never missing a meal.

Looking back, her hearty appetite should have been a warning sign.

“This cannot be covered up with lies. For the sake of the Danish royal family, you must tell me the truth. Otherwise, I cannot help you.”

“Ah, no…”

“If it’s not the worst-case scenario, I will explain everything to the British Empire. However, you must understand that you will be examined by the British Imperial Family’s physician and stay in London for at least two months to monitor your condition. Can you prove your innocence that way? If so, please say so.”

He hoped for a miracle, but his hope was in vain.

When Ernst saw Thyra’s tearful, embarrassed face, he closed his eyes and sighed.

“…I must report to His Majesty. Do you know who the father might be?”

He meant, did she know whose child it was.

Thyra understood and nodded almost imperceptibly.

“Haa…so you came to London knowing who the father was? Are you in your right mind…Ugh!”

A sharp pain shot through his head, and he staggered, clutching his neck.

“I didn’t know I was pregnant! It happened just once, but I didn’t expect this…I was just going to get through this meeting and never come back…”

“I understand. You were going to get through this and then avoid the situation.”

Other members of the royal family and staff had worked hard to secure this opportunity, but this immature princess had conceived a child with another man and never intended to marry the Crown Prince.

He understood the situation.

She couldn’t have spoken about it. He wouldn’t have said anything in her position.

Who would have imagined she would experience morning sickness at that moment?

However, the damage was done.

Since she knew who the father was, the outcome was clear.

“I wonder what His Majesty will say…I understand for now.”

He should be thankful this happened while they were still in the early stages of discussions.

It was sad to consider this fortunate, but he felt he would lose his mind otherwise.

In his mind, Ernst slapped the princess repeatedly and stood up.

It’s always the higher-ups who cause problems, and the diplomats who clean them up.

Hopefully, they would have the decency not to blame him back home.

If they questioned his control over the princess, he would curse them and resign, even if it meant defying the king.

As Ernst re-entered Buckingham Palace, he wished he could resign and return home.

* * *

The word ‘first’ is deeply etched in people’s minds.

Whether it’s love, travel, success, or failure, the first experience is rarely forgotten.

How much more shocking would it be for a pregnant woman to have morning sickness at a meeting that was essentially a first blind date?

Edward, back at the palace for dinner, looked dazed.

Queen Victoria, usually quick to scold, was concerned about her son’s mental state.

Even Adelaide, who always teased her twin brother, was offering comfort.

“Um…is it really as I heard?”

“Yes. The Danish embassy is returning to formally apologize.”

“Isn’t that…crazy? It’s disrespectful. Even commoners would be criticized for such a thoughtless act, let alone royalty.”

“I know. They’ve underestimated us.”

He could guess what had happened.

The Danish royal family wouldn’t have intentionally caused such an insult.

Princess Thyra had ruined her chances of marrying well.

There was no benefit to their actions, and they risked being seen as trying something crazy like brood parasitism [where one species relies on another to raise its young].

He rationally concluded that the immature princess had caused an accident and been forced into a situation she didn’t want, leading to another incident.

But that was their problem, and the victim had no reason to be understanding.

His son’s heart had been scarred.

He would remember the shock of this experience even as an old man.

He had gone out to find someone to marry, and she was having morning sickness…it was unbelievable.

“Dad, we can’t let this go. We have to teach them a lesson.”

“I agree. Edward, don’t be too upset. Be thankful it didn’t happen after you had met a few more times.”

“…Yes.”

His voice was weak.

I quickly finished dinner and received the ambassador.

He looked more emaciated than at lunch. He must have been suffering mentally.

He spoke apologetically.

“…We realize that we have no excuse for this dire situation.”

“So, it’s true.”

“This was not our intention. Neither Her Majesty nor I knew that the Princess had a secret lover.”

“I suppose. If you had known, I would have suspected you wanted war with us.”

I felt sorry for the ambassador, but it didn’t matter whether it was intentional.

Unless Princess Thyra had a virgin pregnancy, she had a relationship with another man and was pregnant.

The British Empire was the victim, and Denmark was the perpetrator.

“This cannot be hidden. Tomorrow, rumors will spread. The princess should return home today.”

“…We agree.”

“Move the embassy staff to a safe place. The reaction tomorrow is unpredictable.”

This scandal was unprecedented, and I couldn’t predict the public’s reaction.

Given their affection for the royal family, the Danish embassy might be attacked.

But the embassy staff were innocent, and I didn’t want them hurt.

I began to calculate what to extract from Denmark because of this incident.

“Your Majesty, thank you for considering our safety. But that incident…”

“I need to speak with the Emperor and gather opinions. Safety is the priority. Prepare to move to the designated location.”

“Yes, I understand. I apologize again.”

The ambassador left, looking defeated.

* * *

The scandal spread via telegram, and I received messages of condolence.

The most prominent was from my friend, the Iron Chancellor [Otto von Bismarck, the Prime Minister of Prussia].

-Your Majesty. I felt intense anger upon hearing this. Your grief is my grief. I have arranged to travel to London to offer my condolences…-

He wrote polite and sorrowful sentences that sounded like a roar of joy.

Bismarck was likely smiling as he wrote this letter.

Denmark’s elimination meant Austria’s chances of rising increased.

Bismarck knew this better than anyone.

Prussia and Austria’s influence shifted back and forth.