Love's Strategic Wings
Harden's recruitment became a boon that gave Waldemar wings to cultivate a positive image in high society.
Waldemar introduced his image periodically to the German public through Harden. Sometimes as a benevolent prince, sometimes as a wise nobleman, sometimes as a romantic lover devoted to eternal love. The prince added a believable positive image to his existing one.
After donating a large sum at a charity party, he visited orphanages to care for the orphans. After showing the image of a wise noble, he appeared as a politically astute commentator who wrote meticulously calculated articles with Harden's help. When emphasizing the romantic image, he accompanied his fiancée Alix and attended prepared political events.
All of Waldemar's movements were planned, coordinated, and refined by Harden's pen, processed into a form the public could understand, and published in the newspapers. Since all articles and images were provided to the press after thorough planning and calculation, the public could not feel even a trace of negative emotion toward Prince Waldemar.
Of course, this work alone could not bring the public's love. Harden argued that it would take about a year for the public to become familiar with Waldemar. Waldemar thought it was a reasonable argument. Just looking at the Korean presidential election, if a candidate who is a complete stranger to the public comes out and stirs things up, the people don't even look at him. The public still only sees candidates who are somewhat familiar and from familiar parties. In this context, the logic that the public needs time to adapt to him was not wrong.
"Once we finish the stage of becoming familiar, Your Highness's favor will reach a considerable level."
"Since you're an expert, I'll follow your advice."
Waldemar fully accepted the advice of the expert he hired. Waldemar had to handle a busy schedule while grooming his image according to Harden's advice. First, he had to frequently appear in Wilhelmshaven to match his identity as a naval officer. At the same time, he had to often attend royal events as a prince, and diligently visit the social circles he had created. Also, he had to check the status of the vast economic empire led by John Connor and Schneider, and so on. In addition to all these public duties, he had to spend separate time with his fiancée Alix, and often take care of his mother, the Crown Princess Victoria, and his sisters. Sending letters to the British royal family and Hessian relatives, Moltke, Hammerstein, and other acquaintances was an extra. It was a situation where even ten bodies would be insufficient, but Waldemar gritted his teeth and endured it.
This was the most important time for him. Waldemar decided to think of a way to resign from the military after much deliberation. First, he discussed with Harden how much negative impact resigning from military service would have on his image.
"That's really not good. If the Hohenzollern prince doesn't fulfill his duties, bad looks will come flying in." Once a bad look is stuck, it's not easy to erase it.
"Then, I suppose I have to keep wearing the military uniform."
Waldemar felt a sigh escape as he said that.
"But, there seems to be one way."
At that moment, Harden's words opened his ears wide.
"Speak."
"Would it be okay to ask His Highness the Crown Prince for a quiet position in the reserve army that no one knows about and switch it?"
"Requesting from my brother."
This was a method Waldemar had never thought of before.
"Actually, this method has a fairly high success rate."
"Why is that?"
"Your Highness underestimates your own status too much. You are already a renowned figure in high society, a wealthy man. Moreover, you hold a special position managing the stamp business in the military. Would His Highness really not have thought of anything?"
Waldemar thought so, and it seemed possible.
"If His Highness doesn't think of restraining you, it's even simpler. If you ask him out of brotherly affection, he will gladly accept."
Either way, the probability that the Crown Prince will grant the request is high. This was Harden's conclusion.
Waldemar thought it was plausible.
"Let's think about it."
Waldemar didn't make a decision immediately. Because he had to consider the possibility that things might go wrong. After pondering for several days, he decided to confront Wilhelm.
When Waldemar visited the Crown Prince's palace, Wilhelm greeted him with an unusual gaze.
"It has been a while since the funeral."
"Thinking about it, yes."
Waldemar felt that his brother had changed somewhere subtly. To put it bluntly, he seemed a bit more lenient toward him. Even the car that came out now was evidence. Originally, his brother wasn't the type to serve him drinks.
"Let's talk while we drink."
Wilhelm II was drinking coffee and asking about various daily matters. Waldemar responded appropriately and said that he had become too busy lately, wishing he had two bodies.
"Is that so? Then, try to reduce your workload."
Wilhelm II said it as if advising.
"Your words are correct, brother. So, I thought about it, but can I not work in Berlin after resigning from the navy?"
"In Berlin?"
Wilhelm II's eyes sparkled for a moment. He was conflicted between not treating his younger brother unfairly as promised to his father and the impulse to seek revenge on the British woman by being expelled from the military. But Wilhelm was not yet a man dominated by impulses. Wilhelm soon organized his emotions and spoke calmly.
"If you want it, I'll arrange a comfortable reserve position for you in Berlin. It's a position where you only need to go out three days a year."
"Really?"
"Yes. But there is one condition."
Waldemar responded positively to Wilhelm II's words.
"I will listen."
"Do not engage in politics. That is the only condition I want. Of course, it doesn't mean I can't do social activities. It means don't enter the parliament or take public office."
Wilhelm II did not treat his brother too harshly. He recalled his father's promise and kept at least the minimum line.
"I promise."
"I will believe your promise."
Wilhelm II soon called his aides and instructed them to transfer Waldemar's military branch to the army and assign him a post in the reserve. It was not a difficult task for Wilhelm, who had become the second in the empire.
Waldemar confirmed that his post had changed and expressed gratitude to his brother.
"There is nothing to be grateful for. You just need to keep the promise you made."
Wilhelm II still acted coldly, but the hostile feeling like before was gone.
"Of course, I will keep the promise. I am Friedrich's son, Waldemar."
This was also a response that reminded of their brotherly relationship. Wilhelm II's eyes briefly stared at Waldemar. Then his mouth opened.
"Is that all the business?"
"Yes."
"Then, you may leave."
Wilhelm II had the attendants clear the cups. Waldemar said goodbye to his brother and left the reception room. Looking back, every speck of dust in this room and this corridor was now familiar. The feeling of visiting a home that one has lived in for a long time as a guest gave an indescribable complex emotion.
'Yes, now this is not my home.'
Waldemar never visited the Crown Prince's palace again. A few days later, when the news that Waldemar was transferring his post came out, the friends in high society showed worried looks.
"Even though you're a naval officer, it's a bit strange to give up that position and go to an unknown reserve post."
Waldemar responded to their concerns that as long as he worked for the empire, it didn't matter whether it was navy or army, important post or minor post. Of course, this was a statement made after thorough calculation under Harden's coordination.
If high society friends were worried about Waldemar's post change, Alix couldn't hide her joy. She had been very dissatisfied with Waldemar being tied up in Wilhelmshaven for several weeks every month, so she welcomed him transferring to Berlin with open arms.
"Now, if His Highness transfers to Berlin, you can attend the social gatherings as much as you want."
"Yes, it will be possible."
"Just thinking about it makes me happy. Being able to go to meetings with His Highness every day."
Alix couldn't hide her excited expression.
'That's a bit difficult.'
Waldemar had other things. Still, he didn't want to spoil Alix's happy face.
"How about organizing the social gatherings before? Is it manageable?"
Alix looked a bit displeased when she heard that. She pouted her small red lips.
"Those people His Highness assigned are too much. Not only the way of speaking, but they interfere with every posture and action. Even in the court, maids don't interfere like that, but when they do as they please, it's too hard."
"I know they made Alix suffer. It was really hard, wasn't it?"
To Waldemar's taunting, Alix nodded. The girl wanted sympathy from her lover rather than complaining about what she experienced.
"Actually, I was also struggling every time I received coaching."
"Then, shouldn't you stop? Both of us are suffering too much."
Alix looked up at him with a coquettish expression. But he couldn't grant that request. Waldemar had to manage not only his own future but also his fiancée's image thoroughly for the future.
"Alix. Even if it's hard, endure it a little longer. This is also for our future."
Waldemar persuaded Alix by talking about the future. Alix initially didn't agree, but after Waldemar's continued persuasion, she nodded.
"If it's for His Highness, I will endure it with all my might."
Alix said she would follow the prince's will with her sweet voice unique to a girl in love.
"I am Alix, His Highness's fiancée."
Waldemar couldn't say anything to her affectionate declaration. What Waldemar could do was only strongly hug her. She buried her face in Waldemar's arms while breathing sweet breaths. Waldemar held her without saying a word, lost in complex emotions.