Reincarnated as Nikolai II

"Votchina. What monarch could dare use such an expression for a country?"

Votchina. Or Otchina.

This term, derived from the word for father, means inheritable land.

As the banquet began, Prince George seemed impressed by the expression introducing me as Russia’s inheriting master.

"This is Russia."

I haughtily dismissed Prince George’s flattery.

The banquet would continue for a week.

With congratulatory delegations from 27 countries, royalty and diplomatic corps from monarchies gathering at the Winter Palace, this small place truly seemed to hold the world.

However, when such high-ranking people gather, it becomes more than just a place to eat, drink, and enjoy.

’Is that Serbian Cabinet Council Chairman N. Pašić over there? He’s already trying to cling to Prime Minister Kokovtsov.’

Especially since the Balkan War wasn’t fully settled and an eventful year was expected.

Prince George, who approached me emphasizing our shared Slavic ethnicity, was the same.

The Balkan War ended just three months ago - why would Serbia not only send a prince but also hold a festival in Belgrade, thousands of kilometers from St. Petersburg?

It’s to praise powerful Russia while simultaneously riding its momentum.

And for countries included in Pan-Slavism, there could be no better opportunity than the Romanov Tercentenary celebration.

I had to appropriately play along with the enthusiastic Prince George.

"How is King Peter doing?"

"He sent his gratitude for your help during the Balkan War."

"Grateful for what? We didn’t do anything."

"Though it may have been a small favor for a great power, not for us. Wasn’t it Russia’s invisible help that limited other countries’ interference?"

Prince George kept expounding how great Russia’s help was, but I truly had no involvement in this Balkan War.

In the original history, it would have been because we lacked the power to intervene, but this time was different.

’There’s no reason to further twist the already complicated Balkan history.’

Of course, the Balkan Alliance must have been quite disappointed.

The current Ottoman Empire would go mad just from threats at the border, yet Russia remained still.

However, looking at the more distant future, I absolutely couldn’t allow war intervention.

So all I could say to Prince George who came all this way:

"King Peter still seems unsatisfied. But know this one thing. The South Slavs are also our people."

"...I’ll keep it in mind."

Countries where South Slavic peoples live. Bulgaria.

The Balkan Alliance, discordant in the process of dividing Ottoman-lost territory, is preparing for the next war.

However, from a Pan-Slavic perspective, this is Slavic civil war - a war of self-destruction.

Moreover, if emotional wounds deepen too much before the Great War, it will be a lasting hindrance.

’They’ll be grateful to me next year.’

It’s no time to risk internal division trying to grab more spoils.

And I’m somewhat disgusted with Serbia preparing for war with Bulgaria when the war with the Ottomans isn’t even over.

After I revealed my thoughts in just a few words, Prince George couldn’t continue his flattery with a straight face.

As soon as I finish talking with Prince George, more people watching their chance increase around me.

All of them with bushy mustaches and stiff formal wear.

Political monsters whose faces show they have much they want to hear from me and pour into my ears.

In contrast, watching Anna from afar, the bright atmosphere around her never fading stands in stark contrast to mine.

Regardless, while welcoming everyone from special envoys to distant relatives I’d never met before.

A man in black uniform sitting some distance from me stood up.

And at that moment, everyone froze as if by agreement.

The banquet seemingly paused briefly.

A man walking steadily toward me holding just one glass.

"Nicky."

"...Billy."

Wilhelm II, Emperor of Germany.

==

Though I don’t know how the original detailed schedule of this event was, I know one thing.

After completing the domestic tour for the tercentenary, the Romanov dynasty takes a group trip abroad.

I wondered why a Tsar in absolute monarchy would be away so long, but the entire imperial family really goes on a European trip.

And there, in May 1913, that famous meeting of two emperors takes place.

All Europe watched the two with interest that day, and later even built a memorial commemorating their meeting. Then they go to war just a year later.

Anyway, though relations between countries were poor, with the two imperial houses bound by blood, Wilhelm II hosts a grand two-day banquet in Berlin for Nicholas and his family.

However, with the trip canceled now, I have no schedule to visit Berlin.

"I was distracted, only now welcoming you. I apologize."

"It’s fine, it’s my fault for coming late. Still, I lost track of time watching the gala performance ’Life for the Tsar’ at the Mariinsky Theatre."

Discover hidden content at empire

They really performed that? Though I don’t know much about art, I’m not sure how to respond when another emperor says he enjoyed a play for personal worship.

Billy and I, now seated and having a conversation while everyone watches.

Though the hundreds of glancing eyes are quite burdensome, Billy seemed used to this, having often appeared before people.

While we exchange trivial talk, I still had many questions about this meeting.

’Billy, I know you value personal connections, but enough to visit in person?’

Originally, he would have welcomed my travel, but his visiting is unprecedented in history.

What’s this meeting for? It can’t just be for strengthening friendship.

Though I couldn’t know his intentions, our conversation continued with surface smiles.

"Do you know what Europe calls you?"

"What do they say?"

"The Emperor in the Shadows. Since you only briefly held your coronation in the capital and never showed yourself once, such a nickname stuck."

"Why would I go around? It’s not like I have time to spare."

Though we’ve exchanged hundreds of letters and recently even occasional telegrams, I can’t feel entirely friendly toward Billy who broke Bismarck’s system.

Though his face smiles, he’s ultimately someone who couldn’t suppress his ambitions.