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* * *

It was labeled as a peacekeeping force so that Romania couldn’t say much about it, but unexpectedly, Britain and France reacted positively.

“Well, that makes sense.”

Since it’s called a peacekeeping force, they can’t complain much about it.

Then, external issues seem to not be a problem either.

Moreover, looking at the current situation, it’s closely tied to the civil war. We have plenty of justifications.

The British and French can’t really say anything to us about Romania at this point.

Germany stirring up trouble with Britain and France has worked in our favor.

“But will Queen Marie truly remain in Russia as we wish?”

“Of course not.”

She’s an able woman, as long as it isn’t a man’s business.

She surely won’t sit still. She will be actively working to defeat Carol in Russia, doing whatever she can to undermine him.

Of course, we just need to sit back and manage.

“When that time comes.”

“When Prince Carol asks us to hand over his mother, we hand her over. If not, we must keep her under close watch.”

I doubt Carol will actually want his mother.

I don’t know how history played out but here, Carol is publicly calling her a whore who’s cavorting with the Reds.

Even for his own sake, he wouldn’t ask for her back.

Honestly, I won’t care what Queen Marie and Barbu Stirbei do in Russia.

The moment they step into Russia, they’ll be left with nothing.

It’s pitiful, but what can you do?

Honestly, aside from her romantic issues, she’s not a bad person.

Wasn’t she celebrated in Romania and even had statues erected for her in actual history?

Still, for Russia, it can’t be helped.

I won’t let her die, so she can rest easy.

Who knows? Maybe later, Queen Marie will be deemed useful and sent back to Romania to help oust Carol.

If she stays in Russia, she can have some company to ease her loneliness every now and then.

“Oh, by the way. I heard something from the National Duma.”

“What is it?”

“The Korean Provisional Government in Harbin has established a self-governing body called the Balhae Republic.”

Balhae Republic, huh.

A name with ‘Han’ in it would undoubtedly be difficult, and Goguryeo or Goryeo might also be an issue.

If not for I-gang, I wouldn’t know, but the Provisional Government does have I-gang.

It makes no sense for the Lee family that destroyed Goryeo to use the name Goryeo. In fact, after changing the national title to the Korean Empire, they tried to rename it to Daehan in English but failed.

That alone indicates the contentiousness of using the name Goryeo.

Thus, the available options are limited. It’s too ancient to call it Buyeo, and being in Russia, geographically, we can’t call it Baekje or Silla, and we have to consider its multi-ethnic nature.

If we take the multi-ethnic aspect and assume it’s established in the Manchurian region, after much consideration, Balhae is the only option left.

“Balhae Republic, huh. Hmm. Not bad. I suppose the Japanese won’t react much to it, right?”

“Yes. Why would Japan care about some self-governing republic?”

“That makes sense.”

Besides, if it’s labeled the Balhae Autonomous Republic, it’ll clearly seem like a collective of Koreans who’ve been incorporated into Russia.

Considering that, Goryeo sounds better.

Anyway, I-gang said he wouldn’t restore the monarchy, so it would be fine to use Goryeo.

Well, there are political circumstances on that side, I guess.

What I need to focus on now is what will happen to Romania.

“Well then, let’s ensure work goes well for Romania.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Baron Beria bowed his head and withdrew.

If industrial capabilities are pumped up, the Russian talents know what they’re doing, so we can definitely strengthen our military.

By then, we can try all sorts of things.

As I suddenly looked out the window, I caught a glimpse of peaceful Moscow, which is a rare sight in my world.

Here in Russia, I must ensure that no battles like the Moscow battle happen.

* * *

Romania

After having a secret meeting with Anastasia at the Kremlin, Barbu Stirbei returned to Romania, excitedly sharing the news that they would receive aid from the Tsar of Russia.

However, Queen Marie felt a sense of dissatisfaction.

Why did it have to be Bessarabia?

And she had to personally go to Bessarabia?

If they came as peacekeepers, shouldn’t it be right for them to come directly?

“Bessarabia? Why must it be that?”

“Well, since we’re supposedly here as peacekeepers, wouldn’t it be frowned upon to go further than Bessarabia?”

Though Bessarabia was Russian territory, Russia didn’t have a solid justification to come all the way to Bucharest.

She felt a bit dubious but couldn’t say she didn’t understand.

Could it be that the Saint of their Tsar’s nation would resort to thuggish behavior?

It must have something to do with seeing how Hungary responds.

If Marie or Barbu Stirbei knew about the secret pact between Horthy and Anastasia, they would have steeled themselves for death in Bucharest.

“But isn’t this foreign intervention?”

“Russia is coming under the guise of a peacekeeping force right now. So it should be fine.”

“Ha. Even if you say that, hmm…”

“If we stay as we are, we’ll ultimately have to hand over power to Prince Carol. If it drags on, Italy might get involved as well.”

“Yes, Italy.”

One of the catalysts for this situation.

That glaring red Italy might just intervene in Romania.

Right now, neither Britain nor France are in a position to intervene here.

Even though Communist Germany’s military is still rearming, the Italians could come rushing into Romania.

If that happens, recently-communist Yugoslavia might also get involved. Whatever it may be, Romania will become a battlefield.

Queen Marie, who loves Romania, didn’t want that to happen.

“Yes. We should rely on Russia. What do you think, Your Majesty?”

“There are medical personnel at the Emperor’s side. It shouldn’t be a problem for the two of us to visit Bessarabia.”

Every day, her husband’s health declined.

Most of the reason was due to her infidelity, and Queen Marie felt guilty. Yet, for now, she had to somehow borrow the Russian military.

“Yes, we must. This is Romania that we’ve set up; we can’t let it shrink again because of that foolish eldest son.”

“Indeed.”

Under the cover of night, Queen Marie and Stirbei secretly set off for Bessarabia.

There was a risk of getting caught by Prince Carol if they took too many people along.

When they arrived in Bessarabia, they were greeted by the well-disciplined army of the Russian Republic.

“Are you the Queen of Romania?”

“Who might you be?”

“I am Roman von Ungern-Sternberg, the general of the Russian White Army responsible for the peacekeeping forces of Greater Russia.”

Ungern scanned Marie and Stirbei and checked if anyone had followed them.

It’s a bit disappointing, but in some respect, this might actually be more helpful.

“Oh? Then now that the Russian army—”

“What are you all doing! This is the precious Queen! It is time for our peacekeeping forces to do their work!”

Before Marie could say anything, Ungern mobilized the soldiers to escort the Queen and Stirbei himself.

Without understanding the situation and merely choosing to trust the Russian army, Queen Marie and Stirbei stepped out with tense expressions, following after the Russian soldiers.

The Russian army is on the move.

They’ll probably have to hand over Bessarabia as part of the deal.

Although this isn’t quite agreeable, it’s at least better than all of Transylvania being handed over to Hungary.

Honestly, Bessarabia is territory that used to belong to Russia anyway.

With that in mind, Queen Marie and Stirbei boarded the military ship of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian White Army, filled with anticipation as they thought about going back to their homeland with the Russian military to deal with the frivolous prince.

“But why are we boarding a ship in Bessarabia?”

“They said it was a landing practice; maybe they’re planning to also use this as a chance for landing drills?”

“Ha. To take advantage of the chaos in another country, Russia really isn’t turning out to be a great country, is it?”

Complaining like that, where they arrived was, surprisingly, not Romania but Sevastopol in Russia.

And so, as Queen Marie and Stirbei headed to Russia alone, Romania was once again turned upside down.

“Wait, are the Queen and Stirbei fleeing to Russia only to save themselves?”

“But Russia is an anti-communist nation.”

“There’s no way to get to Germany or Yugoslavia, so it’s clear they’ve sought refuge in the neutral country of Russia that sent the peacekeeping force!”

Prince Carol was gathering his troops outside Bucharest, escorted by the Hungarian army, making an unopposed entry into Bucharest.

The bureaucrats from Queen Marie’s faction fell into deep betrayal, especially with the rumors spread by the Okhrana about Marie’s escape to Russia, everyone was in a frenzy.

This news reached Ferdinand, who was recovering his health.

“I can’t believe it, the Queen really…? Ugh!”

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty!”

King Ferdinand, in a weakened state, collapsed under the news without the time to properly assess the Queen, and Prince Carol thought this was an opportunity to boldly enter Bucharest.

“There will be no more communism in Romania! The Transylvania that my mother brought like a sweet fruit has only brought misfortune to Romania, so I shall return Transylvania to Hungary as a mandate!”

“Are you saying you will return Transylvania?”

“Originally, Romania means the land of Romans. The land we had before integrating with Transylvania is the holy land of Romans. Also, Bessarabia which my mother seized and wiped her mouth clean from shall be returned to Russia!”

Carol II passionately danced around Hungary and Russia.

The announcement of returning the land caused hardliners in Romania to resist. However, since Queen Marie, who gained Transylvania, was branded a communist, it was meaningless.

“Are you saying we should keep the territory that the Red Queen has swallowed? That’s a surefire way to provoke war and proves we are Reds! Think of the anti-communist agreement!”

The Christian Defense League, which could be seen as the predecessor of the Romanian Iron Guard, chose a different path from the existing fascism.

It took anti-communism as its banner, and continuing to hold the lands gained by the now-communist branded Queen Marie would be tantamount to supporting her.

Given the position of Romania that has joined the anti-communist agreement, there were no other choices.

If they had to return the land, they should at least elevate their self-esteem.

Thus, the Christian Defense League followed the meaning of Romania’s name, declaring Romania to be the land of Romans. A country that succeeded the Roman Empire to enhance their pride as Romans alongside Russia.

Originally, ethnically speaking, Transylvania is closer to German, while the pre-existing Romanian land belonged to the mainstream Latin ethnic group of Rome, making the Defense League’s argument quite plausible.

Of course, it was also to gain recognition from Russia, a successor of the same Rome, when Carol ascended the throne, seeking support from Hungary that wanted Transylvania.

Thus, the Kingdom of Romania reaped Transylvania and Bessarabia, but in less than ten years found itself having to return Transylvania and also give back Bessarabia to Russia.

“That guy is ruining the country. That guy!”

Queen Marie, who arrived in Russia, tried to return but it was already far too late, and both Barbu Stirbei and Queen Marie couldn’t return to Romania as communists.

* * *

Barbu Stirbei came to visit again.

Seeing his considerably excited face, I could tell right away.

He realized he had been led astray.

But I acted like I didn’t know and sipped my tea, pretending to be oblivious.

“Did Queen Marie arrive safely?”

“Your Majesty! This isn’t right!”

“What do you mean it isn’t right? I helped you, after all.”

He’s raising a fuss about being wronged, huh?

No matter how much of a crowned emperor I might be, I too have my dignified position and face. Showing such rudeness in front of the Tsar, even I can lose my temper.

However, I hold back specifically.

Here, the more I act innocent, the more this guy will get upset.

“So you helped me? How can being abducted by Russia be considered help?”

Oh, come now. Abduction? That’s sour grapes. I mean, really—wasn’t I providing serious assistance? For him to insult my sincerity like this is too much.

I boldly declare.

“Then why don’t you just go back?”

“Excuse me?”

I told him to go back.

“Ha. Taking you from Romania where you could have died and bringing you to Russia isn’t helping? That’s what we call saving a person only to demand their luggage in return!”

“How can that be so?”

“I mentioned it beforehand. To take matters into your own hands. But you couldn’t do that, so you asked me to help, which meant asking for help for your escape to Russia, right?”

Depending on how you phrase it, things change.

I clearly instructed him to take matters into his own hands. But still, Stirbei clung to me for help. What does that mean?

Wasn’t that asking for rescuing from Romania?

How can this be an abduction?

Even though I’m the one behind everything, it feels unjust to call this helping as an abduction.

After all, I rescued a woman who’d been cheating with this man while being the Saint of Russia.

“Will you support Prince Carol then?”

Do they think I’m behind the scenes?

I’ll have to keep insisting I’m not.

“What do you mean support? Interfering in Romania’s royal affairs? Russia only accepted your asylum as a neutral country that dispatched peacekeeping forces.”

Barbu Stirbei has gone pale as if lost.

For me, I already have enough justification.

 

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