Behind Paul stood three attendants, each holding a velvet cushion. Upon them lay golden scepters, their polished surfaces catching the light.
The generals in the room struggled to keep their focus on Paul, their eyes repeatedly drifting toward the majestic rewards displayed behind him.
"Admiral Raeder," Paul began. "You will be appointed Reichsmarschall of the Reich and will retain your position as Grand Admiral of the Kriegsmarine."
Raeder rose from his seat and bowed his head, a faint smile crossing his face. The smile of a man who knew he had chosen the right gamble.
"The plans for the Kriegsmarine are extensive, beginning with France. You will not be disappointed, Reichsmarschall Raeder," Paul added, gesturing toward the attendant beside him.
The man stepped forward, holding out the cushion with the scepter resting upon it.
"Admiral Dönitz, you too have served our cause well. You and Raeder share the same philosophy. The war beneath the waves," Paul continued, nodding toward him.
Dönitz returned the nod and sat back down, his expression controlled.
"Since Hermann Göring has passed away, a position has become vacant," Paul said next.
Several pairs of eyes lit up, like hunters sensing prey.
For a moment, the room fell completely silent. Then Paul cleared his throat.
"General Kesselring, you are hereby appointed Reichsmarschall of the Luftwaffe."
Another scepter was brought forward.
"Thank you, sir," Kesselring replied, wearing the same restrained smile Raeder had shown moments earlier.
"Additionally, Generalmajor Richthofen, you will be promoted to the rank of General of the Luftwaffe."
Richthofen's eyes widened as he quickly bowed his head.
Paul nodded, then turned his attention to the third scepter. Everyone knew what was coming. The Wehrmacht generals straightened immediately.
"I have decided to grant Keitel's former position to General Manstein. Additionally, you too are appointed Reichsmarschall."
A ripple of surprise spread through the room.
Even Bormann looked taken aback.
"I thought he would choose one of the old men. The safe option," Bormann murmured. "But I suppose that was never his philosophy."
Manstein inhaled deeply and straightened his posture.
"I accept this honor. Thank you," he said, already feeling the weight of his new authority.
"General Blomberg and General Fritsch, your positions within the Wehrmacht will be fully reinstated," Paul added, glancing toward the two older men seated at the far end of the table.
They responded with brief nods.
"Now," Paul continued, raising his voice once more, "to the other sectors."
"Reinhard Heydrich, you have proven your worth repeatedly. You will remain Commander of the Gestapo. Effective immediately, the Gestapo will become fully independent from the SS. Your authority, responsibilities, and manpower will be significantly expanded."
"One who has won big," Speer whispered, leaning toward Bormann.
"Indeed," Bormann replied, narrowing his eyes with visible concern.
"Thank you," Heydrich said calmly, confidence and pride evident in his tone.
"The SS," Paul continued, and once again the room fell silent. "While most of its members have accepted our narrative, some have remained stubborn. They have been dealt with. The SS will be gradually dismantled and integrated into the Wehrmacht."
He paused briefly.
"For the transitional period, Oberführer Friedrich Lehmann will assume Heinrich Himmler's former responsibilities."
Paul exchanged a glance with Werner. His expression was conflicted, but he nodded nonetheless.
"Martin Bormann will assume leadership of the NSDAP, taking over all relevant responsibilities," Paul continued, raising his hand toward Bormann, who rose quickly from his seat.
"I will do everything in my power to secure our current position," Bormann declared.
Paul nodded, then gestured toward the man standing beside him.
"Albert Speer, you will become my secretary. I need someone like you."
Speer's eyes widened. He exchanged a quick glance with Bormann, who looked equally surprised, even frightened.
"Yes. I will assume all responsibilities. Thank you for your generosity," Speer replied, adjusting his collar.
After further discussion and the distribution of remaining roles, most of the men left the room. Among them were Bormann and Speer, speaking quietly as they walked.
"Speer, you remain," Paul said loudly, lifting his gaze from the papers on his desk.
Speer stopped abruptly and turned around.
"Don't do anything rash, or you'll end up back in that cell very quickly," Bormann whispered as he passed him, closing the door behind him.
Speer watched him leave, his eyes filled with fear and uncertainty. Slowly, he turned back toward Paul.
When Paul looked at Speer again, his expression told a completely different story. The fear, the hesitation, even the lack of confidence had vanished. In their place stood disdain, confidence, and quiet arrogance.
"Hah," Paul laughed, shaking his head.
"So, is he planning something?" Paul asked, gesturing for Speer to sit.
"No. For now, he's diligently working to keep the party together. But I know him. Sooner or later, he will make a move," Speer replied calmly, sitting down, crossing his legs, and leaning back.
Paul nodded.
"Either way, I have two additional tasks for you. First, coordinate with Heydrich and Canaris. I want an extensive hunt for spies, not only in Berlin, but with Berlin as the primary focus. The less the Allies know about our coup, the better."
"And the second task?" Speer asked, nodding.
"Our own spies. I have already stated that I intend to expand the Gestapo's capabilities abroad," Paul said. "What I did not mention is that we already have an asset. One placed at the very heart of London. Eating with them. Drinking with them. She is one of them."
Paul smiled faintly and opened a drawer, pulling out a letter sealed with a royal insignia.
"Luxembourg?" Speer asked, intrigued.
"She has provided instructions on how to contact her. Do so. Establish communication and find out everything you can," Paul replied.
Speer studied the seal for a moment.
"Are you referring to the Grand Duchess?" he asked suddenly, his eyes widening.
Paul answered only with a smile, still holding the letter.
Speer shook his head slightly, then reached out and took the envelope.
Time passed. Eventually, a new letter arrived, bearing the voice of the Grand Duchess.
Yesterday we first heard about the coup in Germany. Everyone at court was shocked. It was something no one had expected. Later that day, the Prime Minister visited…
....
"The Prime Minister, Your Majesty," an attendant announced loudly, opening the door.
Winston Churchill limped into the room.
"Churchill," King George VI greeted him, shaking his head.
"Your Majesty," Churchill replied, bowing his head slightly before shaking the King's hand.
"I bring bad news," Churchill said once he was seated.
The King nodded, his lips pressing together.
"Adolf Hitler is dead," Churchill said dryly.
For a moment, King George only stared at him. Then his eyes widened.
"What?" he exclaimed, rising from his seat. "But that is good news."
"That is what I thought as well," Churchill replied, "until our intelligence identified who assumed leadership after him."
Slowly, he pulled out a letter. The paper was stained with dark crimson splashes, dried blood soaking deep into the fibers.
The King regarded it with evident disgust.
"There has been an extensive hunt for our spies in the last few days," Churchill continued quietly. "They barely managed to get this information out. Many did not survive."
A heavy stillness settled over the room. It was so quiet that, had either man listened closely, they might have heard the damp, uneven breathing coming from a nearby door, left just slightly ajar.
"Generalmajor Jaeger has emerged as the leading figure behind the coup in Germany," Churchill read aloud.
"A coup?" George repeated in disbelief. "How?"
Churchill lowered his gaze back to the letter.
"According to our information, the coup was carried out by a combination of new and old figures within the Wehrmacht, the Kriegsmarine, and the Luftwaffe. It appears to have taken place two nights ago, when the Wehrmacht seized control of Berlin in the middle of the night. We observed it only by chance. Roughly an hour later, a massive explosion tore through the Reichstag, destroying large parts of the parliament. By morning, General Jaeger's voice crackled through every radio in the city."
…
"And the following day, there was a large mass execution of French and British soldiers," Churchill continued. "They were presented as the alleged terrorists responsible for destroying the Reichstag and assassinating Hitler."
"What?" George muttered, staring at Churchill.
"This was not us," Churchill said firmly.
"Then who?" the King asked, his eyes slowly widening.
"They themselves!?"
"Most definitely," Churchill replied. "And now they are pinning it on us."
"Such a strategy," the King whispered, leaning back into his cushioned chair. "How terrifying."
"Indeed," Churchill said quietly. "If this information is correct and Jaeger truly orchestrated this plan, then he is far more dangerous than Hitler ever was. Germany has become something far worse. United under a single cause. Revenge."
Horror lingered in Churchill's eyes.
The door creaked softly as it closed, something Churchill and George failed to notice. Behind it, the sound of heels striking the marble floor echoed through the hallway.
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