---

* * *

Communist Germany, not exactly a complete outsider in this situation, was as quiet as a mouse.

“This… this isn’t right?”

Originally, the goal of Communist Germany was just to scatter a few red seeds here and there. It was never supposed to escalate to this level.

If their military power had been restored to the days of the German Empire, it might have been a different story. But now, the Kaiser had turned Russia into a munitions factory, piling up weapons in Russia’s pocket, and even if he were to mobilize his army without a care about Versailles, there’s no armament to be found.

If this situation had unfolded ten years later, it might have felt timely, but unfortunately, that just wasn’t the case now.

In fact, to avoid unnecessary repercussions, Communist Germany was intentionally showing no reaction to the entire affair.

Unfortunately, Germany’s spiritual partner didn’t share the same mindset.

Upon hearing that the Communist Party had risen in Romania, Italy reacted more than expected.

“Incredible! The queen of Great Romania tried to establish a communist regime herself! Truly fitting for a nation named after Rome!”

Benito Mussolini, the Secretary-General of Italy, couldn’t hold back his applause upon learning that the queen of Romania had personally brought in communists, praising her as a red queen while condemning Hungary and the Russian Republic as imperialist nations oppressing the workers.

Thanks to this, news of the queen’s collusion with communists fired up the situation, and with outright support from the communist states, she was suddenly labeled a communist.

“I’m not a communist! No way, I’ve completely given them the justification!”

King Ferdinand was uncertain about when things would get worse.

The queen also had no one to rely on except her children, with the exception of Ştirbei and Carol.

Marie, now marked with the red label, attempted to seek support in Paris as if she had been at the Paris Peace Conference, but both Britain and France turned her down.

“This is becoming troublesome. The public sentiment isn’t what it used to be.”

Barbu Ştirbei shook his head as he skimmed through the incoming reports in the capital, Bucharest.

Things were spiraling out of control.

What could have been suppressed right from the start was only growing larger.

“Ştirbei, what do we do now?”

“Initially, we should have dispersed that protest by force. Ugh.”

“This is clearly the result of external intervention. There’s no way things could have escalated to this level otherwise!”

It just didn’t make sense.

There was no way it should have come to this.

“Prince Carol claims he would graciously overlook everything if the throne is passed on to him, as he is the rightful heir.”

“If that guy becomes king, it’s dangerous.”

“After all, it seems the supporters of Prince Carol trust him due to the queen’s legacy.”

That’s right.

Carol also inherited the blood of the queen.

The supporters of Carol believed that it wouldn’t be a problem if Carol were to take over.

However, no matter how you looked at it, this just couldn’t be.

Even Marie herself, who had flitted with many men, was saying this, but her husband had also chosen their son Mihai, who was not the eldest.

“Ha, that guy, who has lost the trust of the people, dares to covet the throne! He even called my mother a whore and is trying to take his brother’s place!”

Queen Marie had a strained relationship with her eldest son, unlike in the original history.

It was only natural. The boy desired the throne so much that he called his own mother a whore and blamed her for being a communist.

If she lost her inheritance to her son because of her own incompetence, shouldn’t she be keeping quiet instead of throwing Romania into chaos?

Her husband had collapsed from shock and was unconscious.

“But the situation is complicated now. Transylvania has fallen under Hungary’s control, and the Russians are stationed in Bessarabia. The reports say they’ve come as peacekeeping forces to prevent the Hungarian army from entering Bucharest.”

“If they refuse…”

“Then it will probably lead to a civil war. If that happens, Hungary will try to occupy Romania by force.”

It was said that Prince Carol was already prepared to rise up.

“Alright. Then let’s ask for support from Russia. Maybe Tsarina Anastasia can persuade the National Duma to pull the Russian army and Hungary back?”

In the end, Barbu Ştirbei was completely unaware that Anastasia was behind this incident.

“Help you? Why should I?”

Naturally, Anastasia had no intention of helping.

* * *

Barbu Ştirbei had come all the way to the Kremlin.

He looked truly pitiful.

He was the one who had shared the bed with the queen and had birthed a child.

Right now, he was probably with her as an aide.

He was lamentable, yet I wondered if there was anything I could do for him.

After all, I was the one behind all these events.

Would a perpetrator lend a hand?

“Please, I beg you. This is all a misunderstanding. Our queen has neither had an affair with the communists nor is attempting to hand over power.”

Sure, I know. But I have no intention of helping.

What should I do with this poor man?

No, that isn’t right. He’s not deserving of pity. After all, he’s essentially a partner who helped the queen’s infidelity hard.

But hey, they say such things are considered normal in this era.

According to Anastasia, recognized as a saint by the Orthodox Church, it’s somewhat strange.

Even her reason for asking for help is because, as a fellow female leader, she seeks some kind of support.

“Who’s the one conducting infidelity while swinging around with knives and threats? Is it her fault while pointing fingers at the perpetrator? I’m actually a little annoyed. To ask me for help as a fellow female leader? I do not betray my husband while playing with other men. I wasn’t even married in the first place.”

“Indeed.”

“Let’s assume everything the queen says is correct. But to ask for help from someone so much younger? What kind of absurdity is that?”

Ugh, I dislike the very idea of begging for help.

Let me reiterate, this isn’t my doing, but rather an organically sprouting communism in Romania.

“Yup?”

“I’m seventeen years old, have fought against Russian subjects and killed them, slept in the same barracks with White Army soldiers, and participated in battles. If the queen truly is righteous, shouldn’t she be the one confronting and capturing the army of her son who has committed such atrocities? I’ve heard that the queen of your country is hailed by the people? If she took up arms herself, wouldn’t all Romanians follow her? Or is comforting the wounded all that she has planned?”

“Well, that might be.”

Ştirbei’s face turned red, conveying anger, but he couldn’t dare to unleash it.

“Above all, the Russian army isn’t simply trying to stop the communist revolution. They’re dispatching a peacekeeping force to prevent the Hungarian army from setting its sights on Bucharest. You are expecting too much.”

“Please have mercy.”

Though things had turned difficult for the queen, what could be done?

Honestly, from Russia’s perspective, it’s easier to have Carol as king. They can legally take territory back without any issues. It’s far better than having the queen or Mihai leading the situation.

After all, in today’s world, it’s been analyzed that if the Republic of China were unified, Korea would have fallen under China’s influence due to the giant market potentially opening up in the West.

Romania’s case is different, but from a leadership standpoint, having Carol on the throne is necessary.

“Please help us a little. I’m asking you sincerely.”

“Fine, I’ll help. Have your queen come and seek our White Army stationed in Bessarabia.”

“Thank you! I will do just that!”

Barbu Ştirbei left excitedly.

He didn’t even know what I was thinking. How laughable.

But I definitely won’t let Queen Marie be left alone.

After all, it’s true that she’s seeking help.

Being the Tsar of Russia, Emperor of Eastern Rome, Khan of the Steppe, and recognized as a saint by the Russian Orthodox Church, how could I ignore the troubles of a neighboring state’s queen?

So, I called upon Baron Beria.

Recently, because of Romania, it was practically wartime, so Baron Beria arrived quickly at the Kremlin.

As I leisurely sipped from my coffee cup, I spoke.

“Baron Beria, the queen’s lover came to me asking for help.”

“Barbu Ştirbei, you say? He did request from the National Duma too.”

Right, after failing there, he must have come to me.

I gently swirled my teacup and took a small sip.

Ah, it’s a bit bitter.

This bitter coffee makes me somewhat feel sorry for Marie’s future life.

“First, let’s have Queen Marie accepted by our peacekeeping forces stationed in Bessarabia.”

“Your majesty, so you will help the queen?”

Sure. I should help.

But, you see, if I’m going to help after causing this mess, I might as well not have caused it in the first place.

The reason is simple.

As I stirred my coffee with sugar, I said, “I said I would help, but I never said how.”

It’s quite something, saying it like it’s someone else’s business.

Sure, I’ll help, but how I help—that’s my choice.

Just like that, doing whatever comes to mind, it’s just about making the gesture of aiding.

“Then,”

“Have the queen, once she arrives in Bessarabia, brought back to Russia by the Black Sea Fleet. A mere exile should suffice.”

Though I claimed I’d help, I never specified how I’d do it.

What does this mean?

If Baron Beria, well-versed in battle, understands, that’s clear enough.

Ah, my coffee feels a bit sweeter now.

Yes. Unlike Marie, my life is going to be this sweet.

“Ah, that’s one way.”

Baron Beria’s eyes widened as he suddenly understood the implications of my words.

Yes, exactly. First, we transfer her through Bessarabia to Moscow.

After all’s said and done, we can send her back to Romania. Either way, I’ve helped. Haven’t I?

And what happens then? Simple.

“Won’t the Romanians, who are still on the fence, feel disappointed in the queen?”

They will indeed be let down.

As long as she stays in the country, those who follow Queen Marie will continue to do so. But once she leaves Romania…

If Queen Marie leaves the country, it would become clear that she has indeed colluded with the communists!

If Ferdinand doesn’t accompany her, Queen Marie would end up standing alone as a communist.

“Ah, I see. That makes sense.”

“But I’m curious about the factions supporting Prince Carol. Horthy has entered Transylvania but won’t directly aim for Romania. What’s the base of support for Carol in this fragmented military situation?”

“The National Christian Defense League led by Alexandru Cuza. They are anti-communist and anti-Jewish organizations.”

Alexandru Cuza.

I can’t help but feel like that rings a bell; isn’t he the one who founded the Iron Guard in Romania?

Then they’re either the predecessor of the Guard or something like that, related to fascism.

So, was fascism on the rise in Romania?

Well, it’s likely. Just because we’re not hearing much now, doesn’t mean there aren’t minor fascist groups around.

“An anti-Jewish organization? That raises some concerns.”

“Of course, they hardly engage in actual anti-Jewish activities. There’s been an influx of Jewish people from Poland into Romania, so it’s quite the opposite.”

In short, even if they wanted to advocate against Jews, they couldn’t do it.

“Understood. Hmmm.”

An anti-Jewish organization could become problematic for us, who are currently pro-Jewish.

Usually, those who have nothing to lose tend to act more boldly. If it’s fascism, then that’s even more understandable.

Just look—didn’t the Serbs kill the Archduke of Austria due to rage issues?

Of course, they got lucky and reaped a bit from World War I, but even in modern times, they’ve committed various brutalities and massacres.

The Yugoslavian Civil War is a prime example.

“Why do you ask? Is the anti-Jewish stance concerning you?”

“Well, it’s not necessarily bad. At the moment, we need forces supporting Carol.”

Of course, once they’ve served their purpose, they’ll need to be dealt with.

At the very least, having someone to prop up Carol right now is important! That’s what really matters.

Moreover, since they are opposing the queen, who is selling out the nation, they could reinforce Carol’s legitimacy.

There are various ways to look at it.

If they become the Iron Guard and start mischief, we can just smack them down again.

At present, neither Britain nor France seems to have said much.

“Has Britain or France said anything?”

Just like Barbu Ştirbei, who supposedly visited the National Duma, it could mean that Britain and France might be unaware of the situation.

“There wasn’t entirely no response. They just expressed their worries. After all, your majesty, you mentioned ‘peacekeeping forces.’ What can they say?”

I see. It seems that argument worked after all.

 

---