Although it had been given the grand name of an attempted assassination of the Crown Prince, when examined closely, it was nothing more than a minor incident.
That was why additional accusations of slander against Gisela had been layered on top, but no one in their right mind would admit to such charges.
Even if they had done it, they would deny it. If they had not, they would reject it outright.
From the beginning, accusing a state of involvement in such an incident was not something to be done lightly.
For that reason, the British Empire did not issue a formal protest, but rather probed cautiously to observe the reaction.
Strictly speaking, even that was outside normal bounds, but considering the gap between a global power and a newly established state, it was not treated as a major issue.
"Your Majesty, even so, Serbia is not foolish enough to expose itself so easily."
"Of course not. We are only observing their response."
"And how exactly do we observe that?"
"…We have sources in the region, do we not?"
"You already deployed people there?"
Of course they had.
Originally, this had not been the intention, but agents from the James Detective Agency had already been placed in Serbia to monitor developments.
Using official personnel could create diplomatic issues if discovered, but private agents could be explained away if necessary.
"Your Majesty, be honest. Was the protest in front of the Crown Prince's residence your doing?"
"Do you think I would do something like that? Use your head."
"Then why send agents to Serbia?"
"Did I not say before? If an event were to drag Europe into war, it would begin in the Balkans. I prepared in advance."
"So you prepared, and extremists were caught. Your predictions have proven correct once again."
In truth, the situation had not aligned perfectly, but had been shaped to fit.
"Even if we raise suspicions, they will deny everything. But we have already secured contacts within their military and administration. Their response will reveal their position."
"Still, it feels forced. Their response will simply be denial."
"Wait and see."
If history was any guide, organizations like the Black Hand would emerge only later.
But Serbia had formed earlier here, so similar groups could already exist.
Even if they did not, individuals with such views were everywhere.
Identifying one and assigning blame would not be difficult.
This accusation was never meant to land a decisive blow.
It was merely a preliminary move.
"By the way, Your Majesty, I heard Benjamin Disraeli intends to step back after this."
"Yes. He spoke to me about it first."
"Is his health failing?"
"Fortunately, no. But he seems tired. I told him to do as he wishes."
"Even William Ewart Gladstone seemed disappointed. Perhaps he will miss their rivalry."
Killian could not prevent the decision.
Disraeli was not retiring completely, only focusing on internal party matters and mentoring younger politicians.
That might even benefit the Empire.
"In any case, trust me. One day, you will be praised as the Prime Minister who prevented a world war."
"That phrase again. A world war. It still sounds absurd. Do you truly believe civilized nations would fight such a conflict?"
Of course they would. Twice.
But even Wellesley would not believe that.
"Impossible things often become reality. Did you believe in the American Civil War at first?"
"…No."
"Yet it happened."
Wellesley nodded slowly.
Events that seemed impossible had already occurred.
Still, this situation developed in an unexpected direction.
"Your Majesty, reports from Serbia. Their military is in turmoil."
"That is natural. Being accused unjustly would anger anyone."
"No. Not anger. Confusion."
"…Confusion?"
"Yes. Our contact reports that their leadership is in disarray, recalling officers from abroad."
That reaction was unexpected.
Could they truly be involved?
As Killian considered this, another message arrived.
Serbia was secretly investigating whether individuals within its ranks had acted independently.
If evidence emerged, they planned to deny state involvement and treat it as a rogue action.
So they were unsure themselves.
A simple probe had caused significant disruption.
Killian stared at the report, caught between surprise and disbelief.
To Otto von Bismarck, Serbia was insignificant.
But personal feelings had no place in state affairs.
"We will use Serbian nationalism as an example to suppress extreme nationalism within Prussia."
"But Serbia is too minor to matter."
"Then we will make it matter."
Politics could shape perception.
Bismarck's plan was ambitious.
First, focus attention on Serbia.
Second, use nationalist unrest to provoke internal conflict.
Third, eliminate extremists and reshape Prussia.
Preparations were already underway.
Agents had been recruited.
Money and security ensured cooperation.
In truth, nationalism was often an illusion.
If people were given equal rights and prosperity, few would choose hardship elsewhere.
Britain had already proven this.
Prussia could not replicate it fully, but it could learn from it.
The only problem was awareness.
Few in Prussia even knew where Serbia was.
"Serbia? Where is that?"
"Africa?"
"Asia?"
Without attention, the plan would fail.
Something more was needed.
Then news arrived.
"Prime Minister, Serbian extremists caused trouble in London."
"In London?"
That made no sense.
But Bismarck understood immediately.
Killian had acted.
If attention was lacking, create an incident.
Use it to shape the narrative.
Bismarck smiled.
"So that is your move."
If Britain had gone this far, Prussia could not hesitate.
"Inform France and Britain. There may be a small performance at the wedding. They need not worry."
And with that, Prussia began preparing its own stage.
***
"So this is the decisiveness of the Iron Chancellor."
"Is that not too generous a description? This feels more like madness."
"They kept calling him iron and blood, and now he truly lives up to it…"
The genius of diplomacy who left the leadership of the British Empire stunned.
He always said that when the moment called for it, one must act boldly, but now he had crossed into territory that made one wonder if this was truly acceptable.
The source of his confidence was a misunderstanding born from overthinking, yet no one knew that.
Even I could not understand what he was trying to do, so it was no surprise that others were equally confused.
The news was too shocking to handle alone.
As a result, Buckingham Palace was filled with Charles Wellesley, along with Benjamin Disraeli, who was stepping back, and William Ewart Gladstone, who still claimed he had twenty years left.
"This is essentially a declaration that they intend to go through with it. Is this really acceptable?"
"If they want to proceed, why should we stop them? We can simply watch and take the benefits."
Once again, Disraeli and Gladstone took opposing positions.
"This is not so simple. The Crown Prince and Crown Princess will attend the Prussian wedding. If something goes wrong, what then?"
"We increase security. And I will be there personally."
"So you believe that allows control?"
"Exactly. If we consider only risk, we should not send the Crown Prince at all. But the chance of something going wrong there is lower than a ship breaking down."
Disraeli focused on extracting maximum advantage, while Gladstone warned against long term consequences.
Both arguments had merit, so I spoke quietly with Wellesley.
"Is Bismarck not going too far this time?"
"…."
"He mentioned coordination before, but this is excessive. If anything happens, the consequences will be enormous."
"I think I understand why he is acting this way. He believes everything so far has been orchestrated by me."
"So he thinks he can join in without issue."
Otherwise, this situation made no sense.
Planning a staged attack at one's own crown prince's wedding was madness.
Especially with foreign royalty present.
If casualties occurred, it could trigger a massive war decades earlier than expected.
"I believe Gladstone's concern is valid. With so many dignitaries present, no one can guarantee full control."
"I agree."
If everything went according to plan, anyone could rule the world.
"So will you refuse?"
"I considered it, but Edward wishes to proceed."
"The Crown Prince?"
"He said that if he were not personally involved, he would have no hesitation."
It was not mere bias.
If the other side insisted, there was little reason to refuse.
"Will Her Majesty oppose it?"
"She might, but she will yield if Edward insists."
"That may not be so simple. The benefits are unclear."
That was true.
But avoiding a world war would benefit Britain more than anyone.
If such a war occurred, it would prove Britain's inability to maintain order.
And that could allow the United States to rise again.
"Edward understands this."
"Then we have no choice."
"What about Gisela?"
"She cannot act. Edward will handle it."
The reports from Serbia confirmed suspicion.
Bismarck's plan was extreme, but effective.
In the end, we decided to observe.
"We know nothing about this!"
"It is unfair! I never sent anyone to London!"
"To slander the Crown Princess? That would be madness!"
Within the Serbian secret organization, panic spread.
Accusations flew.
"Someone here must have done it!"
The military leadership did not believe them.
At first, they considered the possibility of coincidence.
But evidence suggested otherwise.
"Look at this!"
A note from the British ambassador implied knowledge of a secret organization backed by the Serbian military.
"How could they know?"
"It must be someone among us!"
The possibility was unavoidable.
If someone had acted independently, the entire organization was at risk.
"Find the culprit and make him take the blame."
It was the only solution.
But events escalated further.
"Minister! Urgent news!"
"What now?"
"At the Prussian crown prince's wedding, a group shouted 'Bosnia belongs to Serbia' and caused a disturbance."
"That alone is not critical."
"But when the British Crown Prince's carriage arrived, some of them rushed toward the Crown Princess…"
"…You are joking."
Even without injury, this was disastrous.
Within forty eight hours, the news spread across the world.
And the consequences had only just begun.
***
The Crown Princess of the British Empire attacked.
Strictly speaking, it should be called an attempted attack, but the more sensational the report, the faster it spreads.
Since it occurred at a royal wedding in a foreign nation, the level of sensationalism was even greater.
[An outrage committed by extremist nationalists. How far must tolerance go?]
[Parliament must respond immediately. Prussia must also provide an explanation.]
In an era without the internet, information was often slow to spread, but this news broke that pattern.
Two incidents in rapid succession amplified the impact to an unprecedented level.
It was as if the limits of communication speed in this age were being tested, and within just a few days, the entire world knew.
Naturally, while I was calmly having tea with Victoria at Buckingham Palace, members of Parliament rushed in.
"Please be assured, Your Majesty. Both parties will work together to investigate thoroughly and ensure those responsible are punished."
"More importantly, are the children safe?"
"Yes. Thanks to swift action, they were unharmed."
"There are growing calls to review security procedures. We will implement measures and report back."
Even if everything was carefully staged, appearances had to be maintained.
A formal meeting between the Crown and Parliament calmed public concern.
[What if the attacker had been armed with a gun?]
In truth, security measures had been somewhat lax.
People tend to react only after experiencing danger.
Until now, no major political figure had been assassinated in this era.
Even Abraham Lincoln was still alive.
After confirming preventive measures, the officials departed.
"That should suffice."
I sank into the sofa with a sigh.
"I am exhausted."
"You did not even go to Berlin. Why are you tired?"
"I am not as young as before."
"Then perhaps you should not start such things. Shall I make the official statement?"
Victoria, having understood the situation, agreed without resistance.
She rarely spoke harshly in public.
The Empire had built its reputation as a fair and restrained power.
But restraint has limits.
Some mistake kindness for weakness.
At times, strength must be shown.
Not through war, but through presence.
When Victoria spoke, the effect was immense.
"The Empire cannot overlook repeated acts of this nature. If a proper investigation and punishment are not carried out, the consequences will be witnessed by all."
Her words struck like a thunderbolt.
Serbia was shaken.
Prussia immediately declared support.
The real game had begun.
[An ultimatum in all but name. Is there any escape?]
[The incompetence of the government threatens the nation's future.]
[Will nationalism destroy everything?]
"Minister, you must act."
"If we refuse, war may follow."
"War with the British Empire so soon after independence is impossible."
Russia distanced itself immediately.
"We do not support violence."
Other Balkan states followed.
Bulgaria, Montenegro, and others issued statements separating themselves from Serbia.
"Cowards! How can they abandon us?"
The Serbian leadership panicked.
If they investigated, the truth would emerge.
If they refused, war loomed.
Either way, they were trapped.
"The British Empire relies on naval power. They cannot reach us easily."
"Exactly. Their navy cannot touch us."
"Are you insane? Austria and Prussia will intervene."
Even so, some believed resistance was the only option.
"Confession guarantees destruction. War at least leaves a chance."
In the end, they chose denial.
"We will investigate in our own way."
But before they could act,
The door burst open.
Armed soldiers entered.
At their head stood Petar.
"Are you staging a coup?"
"This is for the nation. The military has chosen a new path."
Within hours, the balance shifted.
The leaders of the extremist organization were arrested.
Blame was placed entirely on them.
The organization was exposed.
Public shock followed.
[A secret society backed by the military. What has the world become?]
Serbia attempted to deflect responsibility.
The young king was used as a shield.
A pro Austrian faction took control.
"We will reform the military and restore order."
Thus, the extremist group was dismantled within months of its creation.
Historians would later describe the event simply.
A foolish organization, a foolish act, and a foolish outcome.
And yet, this absurd chain of events became the first step toward reshaping the world.