Chapter 4: Chapter 4 Political Situation Part 1

Buckingham Palace November 2nd, 1901 

[3rd Person POV]

Edward is in a conundrum thanks to Wilhelm II's quick switch to recruit more people to join his army which worries Edward as he knows Wilhelm too well and lately, he feared Wilhelm is going senile at this point. He glanced at the paper he was holding at the words of Wilhelm himself when he made that speech at a banquet.

After reading it for what seemed hours, he showed the paper to the side in frustration and sighed rather tiredly as he lighted his cigar and exhaled to release a bit of his stress.

Ever since her Mother died, it's been weighing on him, the responsibility of it and the love and care of what Queen Victoria left as her legacy.

But when she died, some lords in the House of Lords (HoL) were secretly relieved as they wanted to push some of their agenda instead of improving the British empire and its colonies.

Not to mention his cousin Wilhelm II wasn't helping as even Tsar Nicholas is mad at this. Since Wilhelm II effectively lowered the chances of a diplomatic alliance to none at all as Wilhelm II allied with Austria-Hungary which Tsar Nicholas said was a mistake.

And Edward VII agreed in a sense as he feels Europe is sitting on a powder keg, waiting to erupt and burst. Taking all of us with it, which terrifies Edward.

But right now, the political situation in the empire is quite complicated as the Queen's sudden death and his coronation a year later have unsettled some of the houses of lords as some of the policies that he is trying to pass are being delayed thanks to them.

[Edward VII POV]

A butler who is a close friend of Edward Knocked and said it is an urgent matter to which, Edward allowed him to enter and turned around to look at his butler 

"Henry what other news have you brought me other than the German Empire slowly expanding and the lords are demanding that we stop them?"

Edward spoke, tired of the Lord's bullshit as even if I did try to hinder Wilhelm, he cannot be stopped by me as he knows me all too well. Willhelm respects that and doesn't disrespect me that much. Russia on the other hand… is a different story.

Henry, who was a butler for the Edwards family for most of his life 50 years, answered "An issue has risen your majesty that requires your immediate attention."

"What issue is it Henry?" I asked, confused.

"The Boxers in China have intensified their attacks and reported casualties are rather high at the moment your majesty. Estimated deaths are still being counted, but we lost the ambassador along with his entire staff. As well as 8 British Citizens who were there vacationing." Henry answered nervously.

"WHAT? I thought the boxers were killed…goddammit. What was the prerogative of the Chinese Government?" I asked, hoping for any good news.

"They can't do anything, your majesty. The boxers are strong enough to deter the Chinese army. What should we do about this diplomatic issue, your majesty?"

Ugh, I hate politics and just want to be with my family for a few months of vacation after all this. 

I'll handle the issue with the boxer rebellion. What is the next issue that urgently needs to be done?"

"Well, your majesty The House of Lords and the House of Commons wants your answer in the Balkans. reports say,  the ottomans are slowly and steadily collapsing and the House of Lords are pushing you to buy land from the ottomans regardless of the consequences" Henry said 

"For fucks sake…this will trigger a war between us and the ottomans…ill handle it in due time, Henry. Now, are there any other issues I need to know about?"

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"None that is important to note your majesty. Should I inform your doctor to give you medicine? Your health is most important as I fear that you cannot handle a lot of stress, your majesty." Henry said, Concerned for my well-being I smiled since she also took care of my mother even in her dying years and it was my turn to face it slowly as I know my body too well and it's slowly giving up due to my excessive smoking.

"Do not worry about me too much Henry. I'm still fine as an Ox as I can take on the challenge still. I still have so much to do for the empire." I said as I read the naval policy that I was about to pass to further improve the British navy as it is quite outdated and most of the ships needed either refitting or building new ones. To which it would be the latter.

"That is good to hear your majesty." Henry sighed in relief.

"How is George by the way Henry? Is he doing well these days..?"

Henry replied "Yes he's doing good your majesty. He's a fine young man that has an amazing father." Henry praised

To which I sighed and didn't reply. I know I've committed grave sins to my family that will never come to life such as the adultery I did to my wife. To which she has known for years and accepted it. Which made me even more guilty as I try my very best to be the King of the British Empire and be a proper one and leave his family with a legacy that he at least did something that matters and lasts for years to come.

"You may leave me now Henry as I need to prepare something," I said 

"Yes, your majesty. Take care of your well-being, your majesty." Henry bowed and left the room.

I immediately prepared most of the things that his butler forwarded and began to act like a king.

[3rd Person POV]

The Second Boxer Rebellion was a surprise for everyone as every Major lower in Europe declared war on the boxers and sent their troops to suppress and kill these murderers. 

The battle was bloody for the Chinese as it was almost one-sided 3 months later, the war ended and all of the boxer rebellions were either executed or killed. The Chinese government was equally humiliated as the major European powers cannibalized China by the British empire acquiring Hong Kong, The French acquiring Hainan, and lastly, the Germans acquiring Tianjin Port City. While the Russians only got compensation via gold and the Japanese then Vladivostok which satisfied the Russian Emperor for now as the world watched how the Chinese government subsequently nearly collapsed the Qin dynasty but still held on. But the pieces were falling as the Qin Empire would collapse sooner or later. Some predicted it might even collapse 5 years from now. But time will only tell…

As for the Naval policies that Edward proposed. It was passed and the navy began to massively produce and retrofit their old ships for modern use as the dreadnought age slowly passed as modernization was needed in the British home fleet. Edward also passed a policy to reorganize the British army and to increase its numbers as he feared the Germans would attack their neighboring countries such as Belgium and France. This is to ensure that if such an attack would occur, the British army would be ready to respond along with the home fleet.

During the Boer wars, Edward tried to end it as soon as possible but it seems to be escalating more and getting out of hand as Edward was forced to send 2 brigades of troops to end the war as quickly as possible. 

Edward also had diplomatic talks with Wilhelm II but to no avail, as Wilhelm II was…being unreasonable and can't be convinced otherwise. He even tried to help Wilhelm II to be pushed in the right direction as well as his son. But both were perturbed as he knew Wilhelm II was an ambitious man. Edward dejectedly went home and never visited Wilhelm II at that time. And hoped to himself that Wilhelm II would change for the better for the family's sake and their country's future. But it was not meant to be as tensions rose quite high a few years later. 

In one of his memoirs, he wrote years later nearing his death "Wilhelm may God have mercy on your soul." and white frankly Wilhelm II didn't take his cousin's comments that well and just ignored them and pushed his ambitions to further the German cause for some nobles such as Erika's family to be more concerned as the years goes by. And hope this powder keg of Europe wouldn't be triggered by a stupid incident or an assassination right? As everyone said in their minds.

Oh, how wrong they are, Erika thought. How very wrong they are…

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