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* * *

“Isn’t this enough? I put in a lot of effort.”

“From a third-party perspective, it’s not completely unreasonable what I did, right?”

“Come on, the Peacekeeping Forces can’t simply deploy troops just because the Queen requests it.”

“I didn’t expect the Peacekeeping Forces to be used like this either.”

“Ha, still, this is something…”

Ştirbei seems to be dripping with sweat, wanting to argue back.

Looking at him now, it seems like he’s been thoroughly schooled by Queen Marie.

“What should I do? As someone who doesn’t know the situation very well from Moscow, am I supposed to say we’ve got to capture Prince Carol with the Peacekeeping Forces?”

It’s ridiculous to blame me.

Unless Marie or Ştirbei know the background and the puppet master of this incident, they have no right to question me about being entrusted with military matters.

“That’s not quite it.”

“Considering the situation, Prince Carol seems to be in a strong position. If Russia intervenes like this, the British and French won’t just sit by.”

“I’ve heard that Russia might gain Bessarabia from this.”

Well, that’s true.

They already resolved to demand Bessarabia from the Romanian government of Carol II due to this situation. The National Duma made that decision.

Aside from Bessarabia, is there anything else to gain from Romania?

Russia is no paragon of virtue. The Peacekeeping Forces, on the surface, could force Hungary’s hand when Horthy gets greedy and subsequently leads to conflict.

“Since mediation was offered, of course, compensation should come along with it. Are you implying that Russia is plotting something? While Bessarabia is recognized as Romanian territory under the air defense agreement, we still need to collect the dues for this situation, don’t we?”

“So, what happens to us now?”

I really don’t feel like speaking again.

“Whether you return or stay in Russia, it’s up to you. If you choose to stay in Russia, I can find you a residence in Moscow. Didn’t I say? Despite my looks, people call me a Saint, and I won’t resort to underhanded tactics like abduction.”

Barbu Ştirbei quietly gauged my intentions before sighing deeply and leaving.

If he’s coming at me like this, I have to retaliate.

I tapped my fingers on the table as I thought of a brilliant idea.

Right, wouldn’t a love escape be sufficient?

“Maria.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Contact Beria and spread a rumor that Queen Marie has eloped for love.”

Just doing this should be enough.

Having realized the “Greater Romania”, Queen Marie is attempting a love escape in her later years.

“Phew. It would be quite the fall from grace for the once-revered Queen.”

“Well, it can’t be helped.”

I don’t know how World War II is going to unfold, but if I don’t act now, who knows when I’ll have the chance to take Bessarabia from Romania?

Later, when Britain stabilizes, I might have to negotiate with Romania.

So, the Romanian matter seems to have reached a conclusion for now.

Today is shaping up to be a busy day.

“Your Majesty, British Foreign Minister Austin Chamberlain has requested an audience.”

Someone has come to see me.

Why not go to the National Duma instead?

“Austin Chamberlain?”

“He’s the British Foreign Minister dispatched to address the situation in Romania.”

Today is really busy.

Thinking back to Barbu Ştirbei’s visit earlier, I suspect it’s about Romania.

But he specifically requested to see me? The British Foreign Minister?

It seems Britain is serious enough to send even its Foreign Minister to protest.

Is this the Chamberlain I know?

Oh, that’s Neville Chamberlain, right? So this is just the Foreign Minister named Chamberlain.

“Why are you not going to the National Duma, but instead coming to me?”

“The people at the National Duma are parroting that everyone is unified, following Your Imperial Majesty’s will. Hence, I sought you out.”

Is this subtly being pushed onto me?

Ah, since the Tsarina messed this up, she should handle it herself.

Aren’t you effectively shoving it onto me?

No, wait. At least there’s the Anastasia fan club. Is this a spontaneous action from Chamberlain?

Looking at his face, he seems quite miffed.

“Hmm, I have no authority here.”

“However, Your Majesty is the ruler of a vast empire stretching east and west, and your influence is well known. Wouldn’t this colossal entity known as Russia not act upon Your Majesty’s will?”

Oh, sweet talk like that really does make me feel good.

No matter how much a Tsar is functionally a Tsar, being told that still brings a smile to my face.

Alright then, let’s see what he’s curious about.

“Yes, what are you curious about?”

“What will you do regarding Bessarabia?”

Why on earth are you questioning us about Bessarabia?

If there’s to be a protest, it should be from Romania, right?

“Bessarabia is originally our territory, isn’t it? If we protect Romania from Hungary, we should at least get Bessarabia back.”

That’s clearly ours. We should get it back, right?

As expected of a hegemonic country, they want to meddle in others’ land too.

Or are they trying to stop our expansion?

“In the middle, there’s Ukraine. So, what are your thoughts on Ukraine?”

“Why? Do you think we’re planning to target Ukraine?”

Well, looking at the distribution, I can see why that would come to mind.

Eating up Bessarabia might make it seem like we’re going after Ukraine as well.

However, sadly, I’m not planning on targeting Ukraine right now.

I still have to deal with Makhno’s Free Territory first.

I need to figure out a way to grab Ukraine comfortably during World War II.

Would it be too much to ask Britain for some Ukraine demands during the second world war?

“Just looking at the map, if we just make Bessarabia Russian territory, won’t that block off Ukraine in the middle?”

Chamberlain seems to understand the rules of geography quite well.

Yes, I too never thought of taking it directly.

Initially, even within the National Duma, they wouldn’t really consider outright annexation, even if we assert it as our land, because of the eyes of outsiders.

Yeah. To put it another way, it’s one thing.

“At least we cannot annex Bessarabia right away; instead, we need to make it into a puppet state of Bessarabia, right?”

“And then, what will happen to Hungary’s occupation of Transylvania?”

“We’ll have to tolerate it. After all, didn’t Romania grab that from Hungary in the first place?”

Chamberlain’s face twisted a bit at my words.

Still, Romania being able to take everything is likely due to the implicit permission of Britain and France.

“Then at the very least, just Northern Transylvania—”

Ha, this guy really doesn’t get it.

Seems they have their own colonies to manage but are still pestering Romania.

Bang!

I slammed my palm on the table, glaring at him.

“Hey, Austin Foreign Minister.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Isn’t it a fact that King Carol of Romania admitted this in the first place? Is Britain really demanding land division? Isn’t this purely internal interference?”

“Transylvania itself shouldn’t pose a problem. But the fact that Transylvania is a component of the Dual Monarchy is an issue.”

“Do you smell the Dual Monarchy that was just dismantled still wafting from Britain?”

“Your Majesty, what do you really mean? There are recently monarchist elements stirring within Hungary. Some advocate for the Dual Monarchy. This essentially implies a revival of Austria-Hungary, does it not?”

It looks like these hegemonic country folks are quite quick on the uptake.

“Well, what of it? Do you think this fragmented Dual Monarchy can withstand the offensive from Germany, Italy, and Yugoslavia?”

“Does that mean Your Majesty supports the Dual Monarchy?”

While I do enjoy a bit of Austro-Hungarian nostalgia, that doesn’t mean I’d say I support it.

A Dual Monarchy needs to be substantial to serve as a meat shield.

If Poland is merely playing the role of a Russian second-rate performer, then our Dual Monarchy should play the hedgehog role in the middle.

“In the first place, just my support alone won’t complete the Dual Monarchy. If it were, it would have become the Austro-Hungarian Commonwealth by now. However, Hungary needs to at least grow a bit. Your Kingdom is over the sea, so it’s less of a threat, but with Communist Germany on the rise, they could start a war.”

“Germany initiating a war from its position? That’s a stretch. For those who have dropped to East Prussia, rearming and regaining previous military capabilities would be harder than what we British and French face now.”

At this rate, it seems Britain might end up taking a hit.

With the Great Depression looming, there could be some sympathizers towards communism.

Should I issue a warning?

“Military capabilities can gradually recover, and haven’t you already experienced the threats of Communist Germany firsthand?”

“What do you mean?”

His expression indicates he senses something.

He must have already heard the news through France.

I wonder how Britain’s colonies are faring?

I smiled broadly and opened my mouth.

“Have seeds of red not been sown in your colonies?”

“What!!”

Look at that dazed pigeon-like expression.

That face suggests they’ve indeed been sown.

Communist Germany won’t sit idle.

Are the Communists weaker than Nazi Germany? That’s why they stir up chaos from behind.

Of course, if they somehow succeed in enacting a miracle of national policy to rebuild Germany’s military, even if they’re not quite on Nazi Germany’s level, they’d be stirring up for victory in wars.

So then, let me be frank.

“Hey, Austin Foreign Minister. Let me talk seriously. Not just as the Tsar of Russia, but as a fellow human being, let me speak earnestly.”

Leaning forward for him to hear me well.

“Go on and speak.”

Why’s he so nervous?

Even if I seem like this, if he doesn’t provoke me, I’m quite the decent person.

“Russia has made a lot of blunders during its imperial days, and my father ignored warnings from the Kingdom and failed to govern internally. However, countless people have turned the country upside down because of just a few hundred Bolsheviks. That’s why I’ve implemented various welfare policies with a hint of communism to shift public sentiment. Do you understand? A mere hundreds were able to flip the nation. Don’t overlook the seeds sown in the colonies. What was sown there could very well be masked, but it might actually be spreading right back to your kingdom in Britain.”

“!!”

“I don’t intend to dismiss or mock your kingdom seriously. Communism exploits the vulnerabilities of the destitute. There’s no guarantee that the Germans sowing seeds in the colonies aren’t sowing them right in their homeland. So, you should prepare yourself.”

At this point, I’m at least trying to consider that hegemony, right?

Still, the UK should be stirring things up just in case, especially with Britain looking to manage the growing power of Russia.

“Oh, and one more thing.”

“Please, do tell.”

Why’s he making that tense expression?

Doing that makes it seem like I must have done something wrong.

Unfortunately, I’m not foolish enough to be that naïve.

“In the event that Communist Germany raises hell down the road, Britain will not have any choice but to join in and take them down, won’t they?”

“That should be the case under the air defense agreement.”

There seems to be something biting in those words.

Citing the ‘air defense agreement’ seems to be a warning to behave.

We could use the loopholes of the air defense agreement to mess with Russia just as well.

Hmm, who knows what he’s really thinking?

I’m seriously hoping Britain gives Communist Germany a rough time.

After all, Britain isn’t positioned to dismiss the growing hands of Russia that are about to push back.

“Then, at the very least, before that, you should recover from the damages of the Great War. It’s advisable to withdraw from the gold standard.”

I’ve heard Britain was hit hard by the Great Depression after pausing the gold standard in the mid-’20s while claiming to be in a recovery phase.

“Withdrawal from the gold standard?”

“I suspect you’re thinking of resuming the gold standard again during the post-war recovery period. It would be wiser to withdraw.”

“They say Your Majesty has the gift of foresight, but… are you seeing something?”

This feels almost like a jab at me.

Are they truly asking if I see something? It’s usually a common reaction.

Right. It’s a typical response.

Yet, that’s not something I mentioned first.

Then, can’t I dig a little in return?

“I can see countless unemployed, strikes, and an outlook full of despair.”

“Are you referring to our British Empire? Even if you are His Tsar, this is—”

Look at him getting flustered so quickly.

Of course, I would never scratch the British Empire. Even with its current state, it’s still a global colonial empire.

“No, I mean the entire world.”

“The entire world? Huh.”

Chamberlain’s initially disgusted expression shifted to one of shock.

Of course, what I say isn’t just aimed at Britain but all countries.

“If there’s any place that might suffer less, it’s France and us, given the massive damage from the last war.”

By now, he should get the gist.

As a foreign minister of a hegemonic country, he should grasp it.

“I will at least take it under consideration.”

Right. Do take it under consideration earnestly.

But letting them know this won’t get Britain to heed my words.

Why? Because they wouldn’t want to act against the Tsar of Russia on something that hasn’t even occurred yet, not without stirring their pride.

My Mr. Gallipoli Churchill is stubbornly insisting on retaining the gold standard, so let’s see how that plays out.

 

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