Chapter Ten: A New Path Opens
Queen Elizabeth and Warspite were in the gardens within the courtyard enjoying the evening as the sun began to set. The Queen sat in a chair enjoying tea and treats with Warspite standing close to her as usual.
"Your majesty!" The urgent voice of Belfast was suddenly heard as she hurried across the courtyard towards them. The two were immediately on alert.
"What the devil is going on precisely Belfast?" Elizabeth questioned her head maid as she stopped in front of them.
"Your majesty, König is at the front demanding to see you at once. We tried to explain he can't do that but he's being quite adamant. He looks as though he may be willing to fight his way through if need be. I've never seen him so terse before, KGV and her sisters are holding him up at the moment." Belfast explained hurriedly hoping to solve this before any fighting might break out. "When asked what this is all about. He said only one word 'Kaiser', for whatever reason?"
Both battleships had an eyebrow raise in response to that answer. Elizabeth's expression became a bit more serious suddenly. "Have him brought to me at once. Once done, I want the entire courtyard completely closed off until further notice. Unless the Commander herself shows up with urgent news. I will not condone any disturbances until my business with König concludes."
"But your majesty isn't th-"
"I have given you my commands Belfast, see them done." The leader of the Royal Navy cut in. A firm tone of authority laced her words.
Belfast bowed her head in response. "It will be done at once your grace." The head maid replied before hurrying to fulfill her Queen's wishes.
"Look like he finally found out that little secret." Warspite mused to Elizabeth.
"So, it would seem my friend." Elizabeth simply replied before calmly taking a sip of tea.
A few minutes later König was escorted in while surrounded by all the KGV sisters with Belfast leading them. Though no one had their rigging out at the moment thankfully. Despite being completely silent and with most of his face hidden. The hybrid's sour mood was evident by his eyes alone. While the KGV sisters and Belfast were reluctant to leave. They nonetheless obeyed the Queen's orders. Once it was clear that the courtyard was fully secured, Elizabeth spoke up.
"So, you found out then?" Was the small battleships question.
König didn't say anything at first, he simply took a deep breath. He dropped his hood and took off his mask. No point in keeping it on. He then took a seat across from Elizabeth. "Me being a direct descendant of Wilhelm I is true then I take it." His voice was still calm, but one could see the wave of emotions in his eyes. As his gaze pierced the Queen's as he spoke.
Elizabeth for her part seemed completely unbothered by his gaze. "It's completely true." The royal simply replied.
"So, why did you keep it hidden from me last time?" The hybrid practically growled back. Out of the corner of his eye, Warspite was watching very intently. Her hand gripping the hilt of her sword, ready to move if needed.
"Because your father made me promise not to." Elizabeth calmly replied. König expression took a surprised look. As he seemed to deflate a bit from Elizabeth's answer. The leader of the Royal Navy elaborated further. "When your father told me at first, I didn't fully believe him. It wasn't until we got a hold of some of Wilhelm I's DNA. After checking it against Dietrich's DNA and seeing a match. Did I accept that he was telling the truth. Dietrich trusted me with the secret since he knew, as a royal myself. I could understand the weight of such information and be trusted with it. He had always intended to explain it all to you himself once he felt you were old enough to know. Though in case something were to happen to him. I accepted the role of explaining things in his stead. Though this came with the caveat of having to allow you to figure it out yourself first. He felt that it would be more meaningful that way."
The hybrid let out a sigh and rubbed his eyes briefly. This was going a bit differently than he had anticipated. "Okay I can kind of get that, but why so much secrecy about it?" König said with some exasperation. "The Empire dissolved over a century ago. Did my father think that if it was ever found out? That those officially recognized as Hohenzollern would kill us simply on principle? To protect their positions if the opportunity to rule again came about. The monarchy coming back to power seems rather unlikely."
"I wouldn't be so sure of that." Elizabeth mused with a smirk as she continued. "As you know the current chancellor isn't exactly well-liked. In fact, when the initial split with Azur Lane happened. The people were rather upset about it at first. So much so, his leadership came into serious question, and the whole current style of government in general. Talks began about perhaps reinstalling the Kaiser to power. Those talks picked up speed surprisingly enough. That's just how much people desire to change from the current system."
König dug through his memories for a brief moment. "I vaguely remember hearing a few things about that. Though I was just a little kid still and my dad and I had just snuck off to the states. My dad didn't want me to watch the news as a kid. Said the stuff on it was for adults like him, not children like me. So, being the kid I was, I just went along with what he said. Besides, I can tell where you're going with this, your majesty. Even if the monarchy could be put back into power, I am sure as hell wouldn't be made Kaiser. I may be a direct descendant of Wilhelm I, but I am from a bastard bloodline. I would never be accepted by the House of Hohenzollern. Even if they wouldn't try to kill me in my sleep."
Queen Elizabeth chuckled at the last bit. "True enough, but things are a bit different. Since your father kept you out of the loop of things, I assume you don't know."
"Know what exactly, your majesty?"
Elizabeth stared directly into the hybrid's blue orbs as she spoke with complete clarity. "With your father's unfortunate passing, you're technically the only Hohenzollern left. You're the only person left who has any rightful claim to a potential throne." Elizabeth watched as the eyes widened and the jaw dropped on the young man before her.
"You…you can't be serious right now?" König stammered out in return.
"I'm completely serious right now." Came her retort. "You see when the movement for the monarchy caught real momentum. The Chancellor had the entirety of the House of Hohenzollern killed. Granted, the whole thing was made to look like an unfortunate siren attack. An easy thing to sell at the time as you can imagine. While no actual evidence has been found to show it was a set-up on his part. I'm certain he orchestrated the whole thing. To ensure the security of his power. After all, the movement died overnight practically once all the Hohenzollerns were seemingly dead."
König took all this in and steadily processed this despite the shock. "Fuck, that's another big reason why dad kept me so secret. Why he kept the secret of our lineage so much? If it was ever found out more than a few people. Someone would've had us both killed without hesitation."
"Exactly," Chimed in the Queen. "And if the Chancellor finds out the truth about you before the right time to move. He'll have you scrapped in a heartbeat, make no mistake of that."
The hybrid didn't miss the way the Royal Navy vessel phrased her words. "Hold on a sec, I haven't agreed to do anything. What makes you think I would even be a good fit for something like Kaiser?"
"Really? Doubting yourself now of all times, are we?" Elizabeth replied genuinely amused. "You're skilled, intelligent, and powerful. Both on and off the battlefield and you've shown yourself to be a natural leader and a charismatic one at that. Plus, if I recall our previous talk correctly. You gave quite a lovely little speech about wanting to make things better for your fatherland. Getting rid of the Chancellor and putting yourself in power is the best way to do that."
König shook his head a bit. "How would I even go about doing such a thing? Would the people even accept me? You're making such a thing seem way easier than it ever is."
The Queen merely smiled before she spoke. "If you prove the corruption and the wrongdoing of the Chancellor and his cohorts. The people will immediately swing to your side on that alone. The monarchy movement will be fully revitalized and recognize you. Regardless of your bastard bloodline, not to mention what other feats of recognition you may achieve along the way. You'll have the support of your fellow Iron Bloods by that point I'm sure. Plus, the people won't care that your kansen either. After all, I rule Britain, Vittorio the Kingdom of Italy, and Nagato the Sakura Empire. To name a few examples and we are all kansen ourselves. Besides, I think 'Kaiser Albrecht I', has a nice ring to it. You'll need the proper help and support to do this. I can provide that."
Giving this all some serious thought after what Elizabeth had to say. König had to admit she made a lot of solid points. Then a thought crossed his mind, and he narrowed his eyes. Something about the Queen's attitude towards this seemed too good to be true. He was going to call her out on it.
"Tell me, your majesty," The hybrid began with a hard gaze and serious tone towards Elizabeth. "Just what exactly do you wish to gain out of all this? Your approach to this is too suspect. No way you're doing all this out of the goodness of your heart. Just what exactly do you want in return for you and your kingdom if I were to agree to any of this?"
To his surprise and mild concern, Elizabeth simply smiled. Somewhat deviously at that before she began to outright laugh.
"I figured you were too smart to not notice that." She finally replied after she ceased laughing. "I like you König, I really do. So, I shall make my stance very clear about this. As the leader of Britain and her holdings across the globe. It's my responsibility to ensure the prosperity of them all. From both a military, political, and economic standpoint. However, for as vast as the empire is. It cannot do that all by itself. I require strong allies both distant and close to home. I have a powerful ally across the sea in the Eagle Union. However, I find myself lacking a proper ally in Europe. The French have shown themselves as unreliable. They were easily crushed by the Iron Blood and even now. While they are technically together again, they're also still divided amongst themselves. The Northern Parliament despises royals like you and me. The Italians, while better off than the French, don't quite meet my standards. The Iron Blood does, with the only obstacle being its current leadership."
"If leadership were to change, however, that was more open to you." König chimed up. "New leadership that in your debt no less. You would then have that close powerful military, political, and economic ally in Europe."
"You would benefit greatly on the flip side of such an arrangement. After all, within this scenario having someone as powerful as me in your corner. As you begin your rule." Elizabeth added.
"True and we could structure a whole new treaty of alliance between ourselves, the Sakura, Sardegna, and the Eagle Union. They wouldn't have any real reason to deny such a thing. Granted, it would piss off the Parliament, but no one really cares what they think. We're all just allies of convenience anyways with them. The French would be pissed and probably want nothing to do with it. Out of their hate for the Iron Blood. Not that anyone would really care that much anyways. They wouldn't have much say in that situation. Hell, they barely have any real say now as it is."
"Precisely," Stated the Queen. "Of course, all this being a possibility hinge on you." Elizabeth held out her hand and smirked a little. "What do you say? Do we have an accord?"
König thought hard about this, it was a hell of a path to tread if he chose to do so. There were a lot of risks but, tremendous rewards. He could do what he wanted to do to help his home. Not exactly in the way he had originally envisioned, but it would do all the same. Could he really afford to pass up such an opportunity? How likely was it that such an opportunity would present itself again? It wasn't easy, but he made his choice.
He met Elizabeth's gaze with his own. "Let's make this happen, your majesty," König spoke as he took her hand and gave it a firm shake.
"Excellent," Elizabeth's grin widened into a smile. "I shall inform MI6 to begin work at once."
"Very well," The hybrid mused as he stood up, putting his mask on and hood up as he did. "I think I should take my leave for now, if that's alright?"
"Of course, I'll keep you updated on things as they progress. I will say that you should try to find some within the Iron Blood. Whom you can trust to help you in the early game."
König nodded his head and then turned on his heel and left. Once he was gone, Warspite who had remained silent. Decided to state her thoughts.
"Are you sure of this your majesty? This a dangerous game to be playing here." Cautioned the seasoned battleship.
"Do not fret my friend." Elizabeth mused in return. "Regardless of this succeeding or failing. Things are set up so that the Crown will benefit from it, no matter what. Now then, I need to go make that phone call."
It had been a few hours now since König had his meeting with the Queen. Night had fallen since then, and he was lounging in his room going over the day's wild events. He was sitting in his chair wearing only his pants, socks, and shirt having stripped everything else to be more comfortable. He was also nursing a large bottle of Jägermeister. After the day he had, he felt a drink or six was needed. Leipzig didn't bother trying to stop him when he went to the bar and swiped the booze and a shot glass.
He threw back another shot and set the glass down on his bedroom table. Right next to the World War I Iron Cross that had belonged to his great-grandfather. Along with the ornate box that held the note and family tree. As he spent his time thinking about the day's events. The wilder it seemed that it had all actually happened. Especially the time from when he discovered the note to his talk with Elizabeth.
"I hope I'm doing the right thing. I wonder what you would say to me father if you were around for all this?" He mused to himself.
"What would that be exactly?" A voice suddenly said behind him directly into his ear.
"Scheiße!" König cried in surprise as he jumped up from his seat and whipped around. Just to see Prinz Eugen herself standing in his room with a grin on her face. Apparently, he had been in such deep thought he never heard her come in.
"Eugen, the fuck!?" He snapped at the heavy cruiser.
Eugen laughed a little as she stared at the battleship. "Apologize, but when I saw you were so oblivious to my presence. I couldn't resist surprising you a bit."
"Just how long were you standing around and listening to me?" The hybrid questioned.
"Just something about your father." Eugen's lips curled up slightly. "It would be interesting to see what Dietrich would have to say about all this."
König's eyes widened and his body stiffened at her saying his father's name.
"I admit I didn't think that the young man who became a kansen and joined the Iron Blood. Would be the son of the man, who's considered the fatherland's biggest traitor in recent history. Such a bold move on your part König. Or rather should I say, Albrecht?" Eugen mused on.
"How…how do… do you know?" He stammered out in worry.
"It was after the celebration from when you won Lützow back." The heavy cruiser began to explain. "You got so drunk I had to carry you back to your room. After I put you to bed, I noticed a pair of journals. Being as naturally curious as I am, I couldn't resist looking. Imagine how surprised I was when I learned your true identity from one journal. Then learned from the other that your great-grandfather was Ernst Lindemann. The one who captained Bismarck's original self all those years ago. Your family tree is quite interesting."
"You have no idea just how right you are." The hybrid thought to himself before speaking his mind to Eugen. Getting himself back under control. "You've known all this for this long, why are you just now bringing it up? I'm surprised you didn't say anything sooner. You could have sold me out immediately or something else. Why didn't you?"
Eugen now looked a bit uncertain of herself. "The answer is rather simple; you gave me back my sister's. I may be willing to do some shady things here and there. However, even I wouldn't be so low as to sell out someone who's done so much for my family."
The hybrid blinked for a moment as he processed that answer. "Really?"
"Do you have any idea what having my sister's back finally means to me?" Eugen retorted. "Just getting Lützow back was a huge deal. Then you did what seemed like a lost cause and brought back Blücher. I may not display my emotions as openly about it as Hipper. It meant just as much to me to finally see that happen. Like my sister said, our family, is in your debt."
"Hold on a sec here," König said needing to clear a few things. "So, you have no problems with who my father is then?"
The heavy cruiser chuckled a little. "Not at all, in complete blunt honesty. I don't hold anything against your father doing what he did. Though I'm admittedly one of the few who think that." Eugen finished in complete honesty.
The hybrid let out a sigh of relief at that. Then an idea suddenly struck him. "Eugen let me ask you something. What is your opinion on the Chancellor?"
Her expression took a noticeable look of displeasure at that. "He was the one who sold Lützow to the Northern Parliament. I despise him for that fact, amongst other things. As do my sisters."
"I see, and what if I said, I have plans to have him and his regime completely replaced?" König casually said to the heavy cruiser.
This caused Eugen to raise an eyebrow in genuine curiosity. "I would say, I'm rather interested in hearing just what those plans are."
"Fine, but there won't be any turning back. You understand that right?" The hybrid stated.
Eugen smirked. "Ja, König."
König nodded his head. So, for an hour or so he explained everything to Eugen. His heritage, the proof of it, his meeting with Elizabeth, and so on. By the time he was finished, for the second time in one day. Eugen seemed truly at a loss for words, at least for a moment.
"Let me understand this right." Eugen began "You're the last living member of the House of Hohenzollern. You've agreed to a deal with Queen Elizabeth. That would see the Chancellor thrown from power. With you then becoming the new leader as Kaiser. Thus, effectively resurrecting the Deutsches Kaiserreich in the process. Is that all, correct?"
"That would be correct."
The silver-haired woman put a finger to her lips playfully and smirked. "So ambitious, I love it."
"Do you know of anyone else we can trust to bring in at the moment?" König asked, knowing she would know such things best.
"My sisters will be happy to help. I have a few other names too, though I'll need to test the waters first." Eugen explained after a moment.
"Thanks, Eugen, this means a lot to me. I would say this makes us even now." The hybrid mused with a smirk.
"I suppose," Eugen began "However, I have another idea on how I can also repay you along with this." Her eyes took a sultry look as she then strutted her way to König. Catching the hybrid off guard with her sudden advance. She moved her arms up and on top of his shoulders and pressed her chest against his. Leaning her face mere inches from his own. "If you catch my drift?" She whispered seductively.
Now König may have been a powerful kansen, but he was also a young man. A young man who had been living for quite some time on a port. Where everyone but him was female. Not to mention the fact all of the women in port were nothing short of gorgeous. Granted, he had always been good at keeping himself in check. That said, it also meant he had a lot of pent-up feelings as a result. Now one of the most prime vixens of the port was effectively rubbing herself against him. Suffice it to say this put him in a rather awkward position. He could feel his blood rush to his face as a result. Amongst other places. However, the more rational part of his brain somehow managed to win out for the moment.
"Eugen, while I appreciate the offer, really I do. You don't need to feel like you have to do this for me." He explained, trying to keep his cool. "You're repaying me enough by agreeing to help with my plans."
Eugen laughed a little as she then locked her amber eyes with his blue. "That's the interesting thing. I'm doing this because I want to, not because I feel I need to. This doesn't need to be anything serious between us. Consider it as simply friends helping friends in a sense."
König opened his mouth to reply only to have Eugen slam her lips against his. Then a moment later he felt her tongue slide into his mouth. While it was probably a bit shameful to admit. Any resistance he may have had effectively shattered at that moment. He leaned into the kiss and began colliding his tongue with hers. He reached down with his hands and placed them on her rear. Giving it a firm squeeze, he was pleased. When she moaned while they still kissed in response. Eventually, though they had to break apart for air.
"Glad to see you getting into the mood of things." Eugen playfully mused as she separated and took a few steps back. "Watch and wait." Was all she said before began to slowly striptease in front of him. König didn't break eye contact in the slightest at the enchanting sight happening before him. Soon enough Eugen stood before him wearing only a set of black lacey underwear. That hugged her features perfectly.
"I know this's stating the obvious, but gods you're beautiful." He muttered at the German beauty who was standing mostly naked in front of him.
Eugen smiled and gave a wink before walking over and laying herself on the bed. "Now why don't you lose your clothes and join me?" She said coyly as her gaze fixed itself on a particular place on his body. A hungry look appeared in her eyes, and she licked her lips slightly. "Goodness me, you seem to have a very sizeable main gun. Even for a battleship. I look forward to putting it through rigorous testing, to see its full capabilities." She said with a tone of playful seduction.
König grinned and began removing what clothes he had left. While he never planned on things going this way. He certainly wasn't going to be complaining at this point.
It was the next morning in the port and Bismarck was up and about as usual. Though her face was laced with a look of some uneasiness. She had received a message earlier and it could be viewed as good or bad. Depending on one's perspective on the matter. She arrived at the door of König's room and knocked. After a few moments without any kind of response, she knocked again. Again, no response, sensing something may be wrong. She tried the doorknob and found it unlocked.
Opening the door and walking in, she was immediately greeted by the smell of sex and sweat in the room. She then noticed the clothes lying on the floor. She let out a sigh as she recognized whose uniform it was. Casting her gaze onto the bed she was greeted by a unique sight. Eugen curled up against König, her head laying on his chest. König had an arm wrapped around the heavy cruiser. Thankfully they had a blanket preserving their modesty. Bismarck materialized her flagstaff and slammed the butt of it against the floor. Making a very loud banging noise.
"Who!? What!? Where!?" König suddenly cried out in alarm from his unexpected wake-up call. He eventually realized Bismarck was in his room. Looking at him with a neutral expression.
Eugen meanwhile was completely unbothered as she woke up. Giving a yawn as her eyes fell on the battleship standing over her and the hybrid. "Guten Morgen, Lord Bismarck." The silver-haired woman said with an innocent tone.
"You know, I figured it was only a matter of time before one of the girls in port managed to pull you into bed." Bismarck mused casually. "Admittedly, I'm a bit surprised it was Eugen. Out of all the sisters, I would've thought Lützow would strike first. That said, as long as this doesn't interfere with your duties it won't be an issue. That goes for you as well Eugen. I get that things can get lonely at times in the port and we're all people with needs."
The hybrid simply nodded his head while Eugen smiled in response.
"Now then, let me get to why I'm actually here, to begin with," Bismarck stated her tone becoming more professional. "It would appear all your efforts recently have garnered a great deal of attention from high places König. Two very important individuals will be visiting in a week to see you. First is the head of Azur Lanes admiralty board, Admiral Jessica Maruyama. Before you ask, yes, she is the Kommandantin's mother. The second guest, well…"
"Just who else is coming with the Admiral?" König questioned noticing the uneasiness in Bismarck's voice. Something rather unusual for her.
Bismarck met his gaze with her own before she answered. "The Chancellor himself is coming as well."