The Rise of German empire

Oscar studied William II closely, observing the imposing figure of the middle-aged monarch. He was a man of contradictions: ambitious yet kind, confident yet stubborn. William II's undeniable charisma made him a revered leader, but his conceit and impulsive nature often overshadowed his brilliance. While history would paint him as a failure, Oscar knew this was less about the emperor's personal flaws and more about the overwhelming odds stacked against him. Germany, as an emerging power, faced insurmountable challenges from the established might of Britain and France. The betrayal of the United States at a critical juncture only sealed the empire's fate.

Still, the matter at hand weighed heavily on Oscar. William II was known for being unwavering in his decisions, and convincing him to alter his plans would be nothing short of a herculean task. Yet Oscar had no desire to waste four years of his life at the Kiel Naval Academy. Time was precious, and he could already envision ways to build wealth and influence that might even cushion the blow of Germany's eventual downfall.

For that reason, he had no choice but to confront the emperor, knowing full well the risk of incurring his wrath.

"Father, I don't want to go to the Kiel Naval Academy," Oscar said calmly, his voice steady but firm.

The room fell silent.

William II's expression froze, his brows furrowing in disbelief. In a royal family where the emperor's word was law, Oscar's outright refusal was nothing short of shocking. Even Crown Prince Wilhelm, who had been wearing a polite smile moments before, now looked caught off guard. The crown prince's surprise quickly gave way to a subtle smirk, one that revealed his pleasure at the turn of events.

For Wilhelm, this was an unexpected gift. As the first in line to the throne, he had little reason to see his younger brothers succeed. Any display of defiance or incompetence from them only solidified his own position. Wilhelm had always considered Oscar—a reserved and quiet sibling—no threat at all. Still, seeing him blatantly defy their father was an opportunity too good to ignore.

"This is unacceptable!" Wilhelm interjected, adopting a tone of exaggerated disapproval. "Oscar, how can you reject Father's arrangement so carelessly? The emperor has planned your future with care and consideration, and this is how you repay him? You're disgracing the royal family with your ingratitude!"

Though Wilhelm's words appeared to defend the emperor's authority, they were laced with thinly veiled glee. He was eager to see Oscar dig his own grave. However, William II raised a hand to silence his eldest son, his expression darkening.

"Enough," the emperor said sharply. He turned his piercing gaze back to Oscar. "Do you have a reason, Oscar? If you don't wish to attend the naval academy, would you prefer the Army Academy instead? There are other paths for you to serve the empire."

Oscar hesitated, feeling the weight of his father's stare. The room seemed to close in on him, the silence almost deafening. But he had come too far to back down now.

"Father," he began, summoning his courage, "I don't wish to attend any academy. I want to pursue something on my own."

The words hung in the air like a thunderclap. William II's face contorted with disbelief, his temper threatening to boil over. Even Wilhelm, who had been quietly savoring the drama, looked momentarily stunned before breaking into a look of mock pity.

"This is absurd!" William II finally erupted, his voice echoing through the room. "You are a prince of the German Empire! A member of the Hohenzollern family! Do you understand what that means? It is your duty—your destiny—to serve the empire, to fight for its glory and its survival. Yet here you are, shirking your responsibilities, talking about personal pursuits like a common man. You've brought shame upon this family!"

The emperor's anger was palpable, his voice trembling with fury. Oscar could see the disappointment in his father's eyes, a bitter sting that cut deeper than the harsh words themselves. Yet there was nothing he could say to make William II understand. How could he explain that his actions were born not of cowardice but of foresight? That he wasn't abandoning his duties, but choosing a different path to ensure his survival in the inevitable collapse of the empire?

Wilhelm, meanwhile, leaned back in his chair, his smirk growing wider. "Poor Oscar," he thought, feigning sympathy. "He's just digging his own grave. A fool to the end. At this rate, he'll be nothing more than a laughingstock—a cautionary tale about the price of weakness."

"Father," Oscar said softly, trying one last time to appeal to reason, "I only ask for the chance to prove myself in a different way. I believe I can achieve more outside the confines of an academy."

But William II would hear none of it.

"Enough!" the emperor roared. "You will go to the Kiel Naval Academy, as planned. You will stay there for four years, whether you like it or not. And until those four years are over, you will not set foot in this palace again without my permission. Do I make myself clear?"

Oscar's heart sank, but he held his composure. He had known this confrontation would not end in his favor, yet the reality of his father's decree still weighed heavily on him.

"Yes, Father," he said quietly, bowing his head in submission.

For now, he would comply. But deep down, Oscar was already formulating his next move. If he had learned anything from his past life, it was that obstacles were not roadblocks but opportunities to think creatively. Even in exile, he would find a way to turn the situation to his advantage.

As he left the room, Wilhelm's parting glance followed him, filled with mockery and triumph. But Oscar paid him no mind. The crown prince's amusement was short-sighted. In time, Qin Tian vowed, he would prove that the path he had chosen was not one of cowardice, but of calculated strategy.