Chapter 1

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Chapter 1: Elizabeth’s Speedy Defeat

The news of Prussian Prince Regent Redel’s marriage lasted for two weeks, from publicly seeking a spouse, to various candidates, and then to various informed sources revealing inside information, by now the whole of Prussia probably knows that the prince regent will be engaged to Princess Elizabeth, only the final steps are left.

As long as the Prussian royal family office and the English royal family office jointly announce the news, this engagement will be considered officially signed.

This big news about the wedding has been the top trending topic for two weeks, the people of Prussia are joyful about it, completely putting the Schleswig issue out of their minds, and there is no longer any war enthusiasm.

Catherine’s behavior was very normal, she angrily squeezed Leader One every night, causing Your Highness the Regent to work with dark circles under his eyes for two weeks.

While Anna’s reaction was quite strange…

She went to work as usual, worked normally, without being affected by the prince regent’s wedding, if anything… it was that Anna always seemed to be smiling faintly lately.

Even her arch-rival Catherine couldn’t sit still, on a workday, Catherine went to the Minister of Finance’s office in the Cabinet building to see Anna.

"My dear sister, are you being driven crazy? If so, I can give you money, go see a doctor," Catherine said worriedly.

Anna, "You should go see for yourself first, Bitch."

Catherine saw Anna scolding her energetically, but still felt uneasy. She spent the morning consoling the other person with a caring look, while Anna impatiently dealt with official business.

In these past two weeks, news of the wedding was spreading everywhere. Anna only met the prince regent once, and it was a normal reporting situation, with a completely business-like attitude.

Leader One was also worried. Anna seemed to really not like him, what should he do…

One time, Leader One tested her, "What do you think about our engagement?"

Anna, "I support you, respected Your Highness the Regent."

Leader One, "???"

Anna looked serious, "I mean… I support you."

"In this era, marriage alliances have little use, but they are not useless. Your marriage with Princess Elizabeth of the English royal family can bring a positive impact on Prussia’s international politics to a certain extent, aligning with our country’s future strategy. So, I support you."

"Your engagement with Princess Elizabeth is almost official once the royal offices announce it. I think we can publicly announce the engagement now."

Later, Anna reported on Prussia’s recent financial work in the office, then respectfully bowed and left.

Leader One felt she wasn’t angry or sulking, her attitude was completely… like a normal subject to a king, as if without any personal feelings involved.

After a few days, Leader One invited Anna to the palace. They walked together along the circular garden, and Anna expressed gratitude. Being invited by Your Highness the Regent to walk and talk in the palace was a sign of trust and favor for a subject.

During the walk, Leader One tried again, quietly attempting to hold Anna’s hand, but she skillfully avoided it.

Tried again!

Dodged again!

Leader One then took a more direct approach, taking Anna’s hand firmly.

Anna remained calm, "Your Highness, please behave yourself. Making advances towards a female subject is not something a wise and kind monarch should do."

Oh no, Anna’s reactions prove that her heart has truly drifted away, so decisive.

Leader One sadly asked Anna to go back, and sat in his office as if he had lost his soul.

In the late afternoon, the door of the prince regent’s office was knocked on, and Catherine peeked in, saying that Baron Schultz was seeking an audience.

Leader One (sadly), "Let him in."

Baron Schultz walked slowly towards them, glancing at the documents in his arms while Catherine sat down on the nearby couch, intending to listen to what was going on.

Baron Schultz placed a file bag on the desk containing two newspapers and a scroll, the "Thames River Port News" and the "Sheffield Daily News," from a week ago and today.

On the day when speculation about the marriage of the Prince Regent of Prussia and Princess Elizabeth of the English royal family first began to circulate, the Thames River Port News reported on another small incident, the dismissal of the deputy captain of the royal guard, Magic Energy Knight Morris.

A week later, people in England and Prussia had mostly figured out that Leader One and Elizabeth were likely engaged, pending official announcement. Meanwhile, Morris, the Magic Energy Knight, was already in his hometown of Sheffield. After purchasing a newspaper from a newsstand, he lost control on the street, overturning several carriages, damaging infrastructure, injuring sixteen people, and ending up arrested. On the same day, Princess Elizabeth vouched for him and he was released on bail.

"Since Princess Elizabeth awakened to magic energy at a young age, Sir Morris, a knight trainer in the English royal guard, had a very close relationship with her. This time when Sir Morris lost control and committed a crime, the princess immediately bailed him out. Look at the teacher-student bond they share, isn’t it wonderful? Princess Elizabeth admires and respects her knight trainer, showing gratitude for his teachings. She is truly amazing, isn’t she," said Baron Schultz.

Leader One (alert), "What do you mean?"

Baron Schultz did not respond, he unfolded the scroll from the document bag.

"Your Highness, you previously requested a realistic portrait of Princess Elizabeth from the realist painter. Now the realistic portrait is here, do you find it satisfactory? If there are no issues, the engagement between England and Prussia will be officially announced at noon tomorrow."

Leader One picked up the realistic portrait and immediately lost interest. The beauty in the previous painting he saw was unparalleled, but now looking at the realistic portrait… it was pretty, but not as beautiful as Anna and Catherine, just an ordinary beauty, with a rather plain demeanor.

"Wait, the marriage agreement isn’t confirmed yet?" Leader One asked.

Baron Schultz thought for a moment, "Even though it’s widely known among the people of England and Prussia, the engagement is not official until it is announced by the royal office."

The Prince Regent of Prussia decided to cancel the alliance between England and Prussia, firstly because the realistic portrait was not stunning enough, and secondly Baron Schultz… his words and actions… anyway, let’s call it off, all the previous propaganda was unofficial, without the official announcement, let’s pretend nothing happened.

Baron Schultz excused himself, he had to deal with the aftermath of canceling the engagement.

"Catherine, I need to find a way to win Anna back, do you think she would like to also serve as the Chief Secretary of the Foreign Office, will Anna appreciate it?" Leader One asked.

"I think it will do."

"Then you go take care of it, and invite Anna over to my place tomorrow."

Catherine quickly left the office after receiving orders, catching up to Baron Schultz who had left ahead of her.

"Schultz, do you think Princess Elizabeth and her knight mentor are having a secret relationship?"

Schultz, looking innocent, replied, "Did I say that?"

"Is this rumor really true?"

Schultz responded, "As far as I know…not really, but it’s also not impossible, you know anything is possible in this world."

Catherine curiously asked, "You seem to both want the prince regent to marry and not to marry, why are you acting this way?"

Baron Schultz did not answer Catherine’s question.

Later, Baron Schultz became the honorary director and special advisor of the Prussian state insurance group. He was also appointed as the honorary president of a new financial university. In addition, the salary of the Cabinet Secretary was doubled in 1839.