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“Hmm?”

There seems to be something interesting going on.

First of all, it’s said that the Queen has said nothing about the protests.

The problem isn’t with the Queen but with King Ferdinand of Romania.

Ferdinand’s health seems to have deteriorated significantly.

Well, I think I know the reason, but considering history, I can’t help but feel sorry as it seems to be my fault.

After all, it’s probably due to this bizarre protest happening in his old age with his wife’s children.

The entity behind the protest is the Queen, who has been fooling around, leading to this state of the nation. It’s quite the situation.

But what can one do?

If only the Queen had managed her affairs better or at least avoided being swayed by her wife’s words to enter the war.

“Well, why is she running around with other men?”

It’s quite pitiful as well.

Is being with a man really that appealing?

Speaking of which, it’s said from the Communist Germany side that the Tsarina has not married because she spent every night in the military tents during the civil war with common soldiers instead of the White Army generals—how ridiculous!

Thinking like that, it’s clear that the mess happening in Romania is undoubtedly the work of those Communist Germans.

“How dare those German Reds insult His Majesty? But if they can be of help, I guess it’s not all bad.”

Maria spat out with an angry expression.

I wonder if the King will die even sooner at this rate.

Surprisingly, this matter could tone down a bit.

I don’t know how Beria will make use of this, but Horthy might apply more pressure. If the British intervene, things could become bothersome.

“Your Majesty, we have received communication from the White Army.”

Around this time, the White Army contacted us.

What could this communication possibly be about? It’s unusual for the White Army to send messages at this time.

“What’s the matter?”

“It seems rumors have spread that Queen Marie has spent the night with Communist Party members, and it has reached the White Army through local Okhrana.”

What on earth is this about Marie?

Moreover, if the White Army has brought it up now…

Could it be that they intend to intervene in Romania under this pretext?

“It doesn’t seem like something that would typically explode like this.”

Normally, this shouldn’t have escalated like this, as Marie should have retired as a well-regarded queen.

Of course, she has had worries her entire life due to her children. But at least isn’t it true that her life itself garnered praise from Romanians even while fooling around?

Does it really lead to something about her being involved with Communists?

I suppose I need to go to the White Army and find out.

* * *

“What’s going on?”

In the White Army, all army generals had already gathered to discuss a map of Romania.

Are they already preparing to tear Romania apart?

What on earth happened?

“As reported, Your Majesty, it appears such rumors are circulating within Romania.”

“What is the source of the rumors?”

I could almost guess who it is, but just in case, I asked.

“It’s an Okhrana agent, Beria.”

Perhaps not knowing the situation, the report from the dispatched Okhrana in Romania made its way to the White Army.

As the situation in Romania may call for military intervention, the White Army must be informed.

“Okhrana agent Beria… what did he do?”

It does seem a bit suspicious that he is behind this.

What could have happened that everyone is reacting this way?

“The communists are protesting, and it seems the Queen’s side has no intention of suppressing the protests. Beria seems to have taken advantage of that.”

Hah, he used that well.

Looking at the report brought by the Black Baron, the contents were quite amusing.

They claimed that the queen, who had once sold her country to Britain, wouldn’t hesitate to sell Romania to Communist Germany—as if various rumors circulated from Okhrana.

Though it might have been difficult for Okhrana to do this alone.

It seems like the communists sent by Communist Germany added credibility.

Beria is the one who has blown this up.

“Beria is the one who created those rumors,”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Alright, I see. I understand why Beria is doing this.

But you know, while that’s the case, I’m not so sure this gives us a valid reason to intervene.

“But does that really mean it has become so popular?”

Though things have worsened, it isn’t exactly a dire situation yet.

If Romania was that fragile, it would have collapsed long ago.

For now, since there’s a lot in the report, I decided to ask the Black Baron.

“According to Beria’s report, things seem to be rather unusual. The situation has now entangled Prince Carol as well.”

“Excuse me?”

Carol is involved in this now?

What on earth did Beria do?

“It seems he spoke in support of the Romanian military, describing his mother as someone who has sold herself, seeking support from the military.”

Wow, is Carol raising a ruckus here?

I’m sure he must have heard the talk about making Mihai the heir, so he must have exploded with discontent.

Carol has taken advantage of the small rumors propagated by Beria.

No matter how much of a pathetic person he is, he is still the legitimate son of the King. He does hold some influence.

If Carol hadn’t stepped up, things might have remained buried.

However, after all, she’s a woman who bore a child that isn’t of her husband.

Now that her son Carol has stepped in, regardless of the reason, the rumors about her consorting with the communists could gain traction.

“The King couldn’t handle things like that, huh?”

“Yes. It seems the situation is turning quite bizarre. Queen Marie appears to have tried to resolve this issue too late.”

Having stepped into the protest at first would have felt like admitting to something, so perhaps that’s why she hesitated.

Asking someone who has become a queen to directly suppress a protest regarding such things would indeed be a ridiculous act.

If she just leaves the protest alone, it might extinguish itself, but if she steps in directly, she would look foolish.

The issue is that not suppressing the protest has now triggered rumors that the Queen is in collusion with the Communists.

“Looks like it became difficult once Prince Carol made an entry.”

“Prince Carol has requested help from Hungary and Russia, asking to assist in driving away the Queen who intends to sell the country to the Communists.”

Wow, so Carol is exploding like this.

Did Beria calculate that far ahead?

If so, this Beria really is something else.

“We also received word from Hungary. They say it’s time for intervention.”

“Hmm. It might be a bit rash to wait a little longer.”

“Yes, now is the perfect time.”

Right. Now indeed seems like a good opportunity.

Everything that needs to be resolved should be settled before the Great Depression hits.

“King Ferdinand hasn’t moved yet, what do you think?”

“It’s clear that he is not in a good state to leave everything to the Queen.”

Hmm, indeed, one cannot predict the events of man.

Who would have thought it would blow up like this?

“So, is this a succession civil war? Or is it a civil war to prevent a revolution? Or maybe it’s a righteous war to fend off Hungary’s military absorption of Romania?”

“Prince Carol has proclaimed that he will not allow his mother to hand over power to the communists. He has mobilized the military, claiming his rightful kingship. It seems the Queen is also gathering supporters to counter Prince Carol, but at this rate, it will become both a succession war and a revolution prevention war.”

It truly seems like a civil war is about to break out.

No, perhaps it has already begun. Carol has turned his mother into a whore who consorted with the Communists. For the sake of securing his throne, he will undoubtedly spark a civil war.

Then I guess this is indeed the opportunity.

I don’t know how Britain will react, but if they’re going to pluck Bessarabia, now is the time.

“Well then, let’s tell Hungary to move first. They can carry out a special military operation under the pretext of helping with the proper succession of the Romanian throne and to protect the Hungarians in Transylvania from getting red.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Won’t be a bad idea.

I feel sorry for King Ferdinand, but the interest of the state must come first.

But even then, we could be seen as an invading force.

“However, we need to ensure it doesn’t look like we aimed for Bessarabia from the start. We must intervene with the feeling of stopping Hungary’s invasion ambitions.”

Russia isn’t intervening to seize Bessarabia.

To prevent any potential rise of communism in Romania and crush Hungary’s expansionist ambitions. That should suffice.

“I will do that. How about our military’s special operations?”

“This time, I’ll take charge.”

At that moment, General Ungern stepped forward.

“General Ungern, you say?”

I intended to have Anton Denikin handle this, but Ungern is here?

“During the Turkish War of Independence, I wanted to take the lead myself, but I held back. I must say I want to step up too.”

Right. That was true.

Indeed, Ungern is quite a belligerent character. So, he tends to want to step up every time an opportunity presents itself.

He regretted not participating in the Battle of Moscow.

In any case, it isn’t exactly a difficult endeavor. Unless a war breaks out with Germany, occupying Romania’s Bessarabia should be feasible even for Mutaguchi Renya.

“Alright. Go ahead.”

Since Anton Denikin worked hard last time, this time I’ll also give a chance to Ungern and the other generals.

With Carol planning to rise from within, occupying Bessarabia shouldn’t be overly difficult.

There won’t be a more perfect opportunity than this.

So, let’s see what happens to our Romania.

How will the Queen respond?

* * *

The situation in Romania continued to spiral dangerously.

Well, the citizens, as usual, were unaffected, but the prince unhappy about passing the throne to his son rose up against his mother.

“Mother is a person who sells her body to communists! I, the eldest son, am right here, yet you want to pass it to my son, Mihai?! Just look at that! You plan to hand over Romania to the Communists, all while putting my young Mihai in charge!”

Under Carol’s influence, the media’s stance on the Queen began to change bizarrely.

After all, she had even allied with Britain during the war.

So could she really sell out Romania to the Communists now?

Even if she didn’t sell it, could she not create a communist regime?

Isn’t it possible that a Queen who has already become infatuated with men would fall into the hands of the Communists and father children by other men?

“Don’t be swayed by Carol’s words!”

Queen Marie appealed to the Romanians not to be influenced by Carol, but then a Romanian who Beria had bribed confessed.

“It’s true! I lured the Queen! The Queen even agreed that Romania needs Communism! Long live the workers of the world!”

Of course, this Romanian was a poor person Beria had bribed with money and was later dealt with silently by Beria.

What started as a small spark began to ignite more fiercely.

The military was also divided into factions for Queen Marie and Prince Carol.

Additionally, Prince Carol began negotiating discreetly with Hungary, wanting Transylvania back.

“If you recognize my legitimate claim to the throne, I shall return Transylvania to you.”

Horthy of Hungary accepted Prince Carol’s proposal.

Though Ferdinand was said to be bedridden, the unexpected timing arrived sooner than anticipated, but such an opportunity would not come again. Horthy accepted Carol’s proposal.

Having traded with Carol in secret, Horthy finally felt the time was ripe.

“Given the unusual situation within Romania, we, Hungary, hereby declare a special military operation to protect the Hungarians of Transylvania!”

Miklós Horthy, the Regent of the Kingdom of Hungary, immediately took the Hungarian army and entered Transylvania upon declaring the special military operation.

At this, Russia also announced its intervention in Romania.

“The Queen has brought in the Communists due to her dissatisfaction with her husband’s anti-air agreement, and considering the circumstances surrounding Romanian Prince Carol, it is evident that the Romanian Queen has colluded with the Communists! However, since Hungary’s intentions to invade are also evident, our Russia announces intervention in Romania as peacekeeping forces!”

The Russian White Army, led by Ungern, landed in Romania by sea and swiftly occupied Bessarabia.

“Romanian soldiers, listen! The horrendous events happening in your royal household have caused a split in the royal family and Hungary has intervened, so we have stepped in to prevent the situation from escalating further!”

Caught between the sudden Russian military intervention and the Queen and Carol’s tug-of-war, the Romanian troops could barely offer any resistance and were disarmed by the Russian forces masquerading as ‘peacekeeping troops.’

“Hungary and Russia have entered our territory! Someone help us, Britain and France!”

Romania appealed for assistance from Britain and France, but their response was lackluster.

“We wish we could help.”

“That’s the issue, we cannot find ourselves in such a position.”

For now, Britain and France weren’t in a position to apply external pressure due to colonial issues, and with news of the German Communist Party’s capture in Romania, under the anti-air agreement, they could not prevent their intervention.

Most importantly, the Russian army claimed it was stepping in as a peacekeeping force in response to Hungary’s incursion into Transylvania, so they could not be seen as having expansionist ambitions.

Of course, no one was foolish enough not to realize that Russia was indeed aiming to eat up Bessarabia.

“Should we not be countering Russia’s expansion?”

“Well, that’s something we need to keep an eye on. We are in no position to help anyone.”

And Romania has gained quite a bit.

Even if Ferdinand didn’t agree, during the Great War, Romania was trampled without even putting up a proper fight against allied nations.

Romania indeed has feasted well.

—Thus Britain and France had no intention of intervening unless they aimed to destroy Romania.

From that perspective, it seemed as though Romania could somehow manage its internal problems peacefully.

However, there was a separate issue.

 

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