The daily routine of Edward was both complex and simple.
Most royals woke as early as six in the morning, but Edward would wake naturally no later than four thirty.
At that hour, most of the palace attendants were still asleep, so he would not wake them and instead brewed his own coffee.
When the attendants later discovered this, they were shocked and offered to take shifts, but he refused repeatedly, as preparing his own coffee had become a small pleasure.
While drinking coffee, he would light a lamp and review unfinished work from the previous day, read urgent reports that had arrived overnight, and set his plans for the day.
Around five thirty, he would read a summarized report of how his father, Killian, had handled matters the previous day.
His father's methods always offered lessons, so he spent thirty minutes comparing them to his own approach and refining his process.
At six, when the rest of the family woke, he would prepare himself with the help of attendants and join them for breakfast.
Breakfast was considered a private family time, and it was an unspoken rule that everyone must attend.
Because everyone was so busy, lunch and dinner were often taken separately, so breakfast was the only time they could gather and talk together.
After breakfast, he went straight to his office to receive briefings from his secretary and advisors and begin official duties.
He assisted his mother, Victoria, by reading and replying to letters from important figures around the world, hosted weekly royal events, and coordinated schedules with various institutions.
Since his parents had already designated him as their successor, much of their work had been delegated to him, and he handled it without complaint.
"Your Highness, you have a meeting with the Spanish ambassador today. After that, you must deliver a speech at a royal charity event, and at luncheon there will be diplomats from Russia and Prussia."
"It will not be a simple social gathering, so I must prepare carefully. Are the requested materials ready?"
"Yes. They are already in your office."
"Then I will review them on the way."
After completing such duties, his siblings would spend time on horseback riding, walking in the gardens, visiting estates, or enjoying afternoon tea.
Edward also took about thirty minutes to relax with coffee or tea during this time.
This was when he would occasionally chat with Adelaide or read newspapers.
However, unlike his siblings, this was only the beginning of his day.
He allowed himself only thirty minutes to an hour for cultural activities.
For the rest of the time, he invited scholars to discuss social issues and new technologies.
His father believed that a royal family disconnected from society had no right to rule, so Edward constantly engaged with worldly matters.
Until dinner, he studied, applied knowledge, and reviewed reports.
Dinner was usually filled with official events and social obligations, but he often left these to Adelaide, who was more skilled in such matters.
While she managed social functions like balls, theater, and concerts, Edward continued to focus on expanding his knowledge.
"Your Highness, should you not enjoy your youth more?"
Even in a royal family that valued discipline, some felt he went too far.
His response was always the same.
"I believe I enjoy my youth more than most."
"…Pardon?"
"When one is young and strong, one should build a foundation. When one grows older, the body will not allow such effort. Professor Karl Marx told me his back aches after sitting for four hours. But I can sit for ten if I choose. How many chances will I have to work this efficiently?"
They could not answer.
He continued.
"I also spoke with Charles Darwin. He regrets that age has slowed his thinking. Things he once understood instantly now take effort."
By the time he turned thirty, he intended to handle at least a third of his parents' responsibilities.
That was why he pushed himself so hard.
Recently, he had begun cycling and running to maintain his stamina.
Even his exercise was designed to improve productivity.
"Your Highness, Their Majesties are concerned…"
"I eat well and exercise. There is nothing to worry about. They should be more concerned about my siblings."
If the royal family had remained symbolic, he would not have worked so intensely.
But now, the British royal family ruled Canada, directed Asian policy, and controlled strategic regions such as the Suez Canal and the Middle East.
They also held interests in the future Panama Canal.
His father was even working to develop lands in the Middle East.
Though barren, those lands held hidden potential.
"There are reports that vast amounts of oil will be discovered there."
Edward did not know the source, but he trusted it.
"Trucial Coast and Qatar…"
If true, it would transform the empire.
He began planning.
Yet there were challenges.
Convincing people to settle in such harsh lands would require significant incentives.
Still, such matters would be solved over time.
Looking at his schedule, he sighed.
"There is no time to spare."
At most, he could free one hour a day.
If more was demanded, he would rather endure rumors.
"If oil truly emerges, how should it be distributed?"
Even at eleven at night, he continued thinking.
Thus ended another day.
Meanwhile, in the Austrian Empire, Franz Joseph I faced mounting anxiety.
Unlike Prussia, Austria was a multiethnic empire filled with internal tensions.
Hungarians constantly expressed dissatisfaction, and nationalism was rising.
After Napoleon, the authority of the Habsburgs had weakened, and minority groups had grown more assertive.
At the same time, Prussia was increasing its influence within the German Confederation.
"Has Otto von Bismarck gone to London?"
"Yes. And the French prime minister as well."
"If they form an agreement, we will be in a difficult position."
"Should we have sent someone?"
"Perhaps. But who could have predicted this?"
They considered options.
One suggestion emerged.
"Strengthen ties with the British royal family. The Crown Prince is seeking a bride."
Franz Joseph thought of his daughter.
She was young, but the opportunity was rare.
"Perhaps an engagement…"
If successful, it would secure Austria's position.
Across Europe, attention turned toward London.
The race to win the Crown Prince had begun.
***
To be honest, I should make one confession. I am not particularly knowledgeable about the Austro-Prussian War.
That is not quite accurate either. To speak plainly, I know almost nothing about it.
What I do know is that Prussia, advocating the concept of a smaller Germany, defeated Austria and seized leadership of the German Confederation.
And as a result, the Austrian Empire transformed into the Austro-Hungarian Empire and lost its former glory.
That is about the extent of my knowledge.
But it cannot be helped. Unless someone is a true history enthusiast, most people only know the outcomes of major events like the world wars. For something like the Prussia-Austria conflict, most only remember the result.
At this time, Germany was such a fragmented place that simply looking at a map would make one uneasy.
Even people in the twenty-first century likely did not enjoy studying this period of German history.
Fortunately, I had memorized bits of knowledge here and there while pretending to be a scholar, so at least I understood the general flow and outcome.
That was enough to piece together a direction.
The problem was that history had already changed significantly, so the details no longer aligned.
From experience, I had learned that even when timelines shift, major events that are structurally bound to occur still happen.
For example, the war between Britain and Russia over global dominance.
Or the American Civil War caused by the issue of slavery.
Such events occur regardless of small changes.
So I expected the same for the German question.
Prussia would unify Germany.
The Junkers would dominate the state.
Nationalism would rise.
Those outcomes were inevitable.
Bismarck had understood my concerns and promised to suppress the Junkers, but I could not predict the consequences.
The war that should have happened years ago had not yet occurred, and Austria still seemed relatively stable.
I had also considered the possibility that Austria might try to marry one of its princesses to Edward, and as expected, that prediction came true.
But was it really appropriate to match a fourteen-year-old girl with a man nearly twice her age?
Even in this era, such an arrangement was beginning to be seen as too early.
Marriage at sixteen was already considered young, so fourteen was certainly excessive.
From a modern perspective, it would be unthinkable, and even by contemporary standards, it was questionable.
Edward reacted exactly as expected.
"Fourteen years old? You are asking me to meet a child that young?"
"They are not asking for immediate marriage. They suggest meeting first and possibly arranging an engagement after a few years."
His reaction was almost a relief.
"If it is delayed, then that is acceptable. It means I will not waste time unnecessarily."
"Do not push yourself too hard. You are young now, but the fatigue will accumulate."
He insisted he was fine, but I disagreed.
"No one can function on such little sleep forever."
He tried to change the subject.
"Regarding Middle Eastern development, if oil truly emerges, how will we handle domestic opposition?"
Even when discussing marriage, he returned to work.
It was almost absurd.
Still, I managed to secure his agreement to meet the candidates.
Soon, princesses from across Europe began arriving in London.
The competition had begun.
Denmark was just as eager as Austria.
King Christian IX had several daughters, and after arranging prestigious marriages for the older ones, he hoped to secure an equally advantageous match for the youngest.
She was seventeen, an appropriate age for marriage.
Plans were made to arrange meetings through social events.
Edward's popularity exceeded expectations.
Many saw this as an opportunity too valuable to ignore.
Even I could not be certain whether Edward would treat this purely as a political arrangement or seek something more personal.
"As I have said before, the best decision I ever made was marrying your mother."
"I understand. I will seek both love and benefit."
His response was practical.
Perhaps too practical.
After much effort, I ensured he would at least meet the candidates.
Soon, the marriage race intensified.
Austria was not alone.
Across Europe, royal families turned their attention toward London.
For them, this was a rare opportunity.
A chance that might never come again.
And so, the competition for the Crown Prince had truly begun.
***
Exactly one month before a massive scandal would shake London, in the Kingdom of Denmark.
"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for you as well, so you must not miss it and must seize it."
Under what was effectively pressure from King Christian IX, Princess Thyra, the youngest daughter, could not even express whether she liked or disliked the situation and could only roll her eyes in confusion.
"So… um…"
"Why, is there something worrying you?"
"Ah, yes. I mean…"
As the youngest daughter, she had grown up receiving abundant love from everyone around her.
Her mother, Queen Louise, her father, and even her married siblings had all cherished her and worked to secure the best possible marriage for her.
But people raised in such comfortable environments sometimes commit reckless mistakes.
Thyra had fallen in love with a cavalry officer named Wilhelm Frimann Marcher and had secretly entered into a relationship with him.
She had not told her family, but they had already crossed the line several times.
In a moment of foolish impulse, she had even gone beyond what should never have been crossed, despite knowing that a marriage proposal with a prince of another nation might arise.
At the time, she had not thought about the consequences, but now that she was actually being told to go to London, fear overwhelmed her.
What if she were discovered there?
She was already anxious about the possibility that she might be pregnant.
But how could she possibly say such a thing?
How could she admit that she had been with another man and therefore could not meet the Crown Prince?
If she did, she would likely be sent to a convent, and the man she loved might be forced to take his own life.
"Right. I do not even know if I am pregnant. There are many people who struggle to have children their entire lives. It is not something that happens so easily."
There was no need to confess something that had not even been confirmed.
Meeting him once did not mean immediate marriage or engagement.
She could simply meet him and reject him politely.
But what if the other side strongly favored her?
That must not happen.
She would have to prepare in advance.
"Well… to be honest, the Crown Prince being unmarried still makes me a little uneasy…"
"He is not even thirty yet. That is not unusual. Many British royals marry later in life. Even past kings married quite late."
Objectively, many royals older than Edward were still unmarried.
But his case was different.
"It is said he has never had any scandal with women. That makes me wonder if there is… some kind of problem."
"…Yes, some people do say that."
Rumors existed that he might have some issue, simply because he had never been involved in any scandal.
"Even so, if that were true, they would not be searching so publicly for a bride. So do not worry."
"…"
"From what I hear, he is handsome and dedicated to his work. That is probably why his marriage has been delayed."
"…Yes."
"So do not worry and go meet him. This is the best match possible, and you are considered the most suitable candidate."
Objectively, Denmark was indeed in the best position.
Which only made her more anxious.
"This cannot end well."
Still, she could not refuse.
She nodded quietly.
The Danish Straits held immense geopolitical importance as the gateway to the Baltic Sea.
Whoever controlled it held significant influence, and this concerned not only Britain but also Russia and Germany.
The Schleswig-Holstein region, caught between Denmark and the German Confederation, had long been a source of conflict.
It was both part of the Confederation and tied to the Danish crown, making disputes inevitable.
With the rise of nationalism, tensions had only grown.
Prussia had already attempted to use this as justification for war, but intervention from Britain and Russia had prevented escalation.
For now.
But it was only temporary.
Conflict could erupt again at any time.
Denmark was under immense pressure.
Trying to marry a princess into the British royal family was a logical strategy.
From Britain's perspective, it was beneficial for Denmark to retain control of the Baltic entrance.
Both sides stood to gain.
Ultimately, whichever side Edward chose, adjustments could be made.
"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince truly resembles you. He is remarkably impressive."
"Thank you. I hope he and the princess are getting along well."
"Any woman would fall for him."
The Danish ambassador spoke eagerly.
Originally, I had wanted Edward to meet Austria's princess first, but her age had made him uncomfortable.
So Denmark came first.
"And you must have worked hard preparing for this visit."
"Not at all. It is nothing compared to your efforts."
He was not wrong.
While others focused on the marriage itself, I had to consider the consequences.
If Edward chose Denmark, the Schleswig-Holstein issue would need careful handling with Otto von Bismarck.
Just as I was thinking that—
"Your Majesty!"
The urgency in the voice made it clear this was no minor issue.
A royal attendant entered, placed a document on the table, and left.
The Danish ambassador's face turned pale as he read it.
At the same time, I let out a hollow laugh.
"…What is this?"
When I looked at him, he slammed his forehead against the table.
"I am deeply sorry! I will investigate immediately!"
Reality truly surpassed imagination.
Shortly before that moment.
Edward was having tea with Princess Thyra.
Something felt off.
She had come all the way to London, yet her attitude was reluctant.
Not just reluctant.
Anxiety.
He could see it clearly.
"Is this your first time in London?"
"Yes. It is a beautiful city."
"You may inform me if you need anything."
"Thank you."
She avoided his gaze.
It was strange.
He prided himself on reading people well, but this puzzled him.
Perhaps he simply lacked experience in such matters.
Relationships were as complex as politics.
"You seem uncomfortable. Are you unwell?"
"No… just a bit unsettled from the voyage."
She took a sip of coffee.
Then suddenly—
She gagged.
Her body trembled.
For a moment, he did not understand.
Then he recalled something.
A symptom.
He had read about it.
Morning sickness.
The attendants rushed in, chaos erupting instantly.
Some escorted her out.
Others ran to inform Victoria and Killian Gore Hanover.
Edward leaned back and sighed.
If not for his father's strict rules, he might have lit a cigarette.
"This is troublesome."
For the first time, everything felt exhausting.
He glanced around at the chaos.
And thought quietly.
Nothing about this was going to be simple.