The Rise of German empire

"Your Royal Highness, Your Royal Highness, wake up!"

"God! What should we do? His Royal Highness is in a coma!"

"Idiot, send His Highness the Crown Prince to the hospital immediately. Then report what happened here to His Majesty the Emperor!"

A group of farm guards, in a state of panic, swiftly moved Crown Prince William out of the farm and rushed him to the hospital. At the same time, the situation was reported to William II with the utmost urgency.

In the midst of such a chaotic turn of events, secrecy was nearly impossible to maintain. News spread like wildfire across the elite circles of Germany—if Crown Prince William remained unconscious or, worse, succumbed to his injuries, it would drastically alter the balance of power within the empire. The prospect of a new crown prince was suddenly very real.

"If Crown Prince William remains unconscious, it may be a blessing in disguise for the German Empire," Marshal Count Tirpitz remarked, his words cutting through the tension of the situation.

He quickly arranged for a car and sped off toward the hospital. Something so critical demanded immediate attention—he needed to confer with Oscar about potential responses and future strategies.

Meanwhile, Maoqi, the head of the German General Staff, was deeply troubled upon hearing the news. Maoqi and Crown Prince William had always shared a close relationship, to the extent that the outside world often mistook him as a loyal ally of the Crown Prince. With William II's recent actions placing Crown Prince William under house arrest, Maoqi's position had become more tenuous. His rival, Minister of War von Falkenhain, was ever watchful for an opportunity to replace him.

"Damn it! How did this happen? Was it an accident or something more deliberate?" Maoqi muttered through gritted teeth. A blow to Crown Prince William, or a potential replacement, would mean a seismic shift in the power structure that could spell disaster for Maoqi's career.

Meanwhile, in his hospital room, Oscar was recovering from his own injuries. He had been laid up for two months, but the worst was behind him. The wound had healed, though a faint ache in his abdomen reminded him of the close call he had endured. He could have been discharged, but the heightened security measures, ordered directly by William II to prevent further attacks, kept him safely under the hospital's watch.

"Your Highness, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has fallen off his horse and is still unconscious. They are trying to save him. It may be life-threatening," Carl von Jonalet burst into Oscar's room, his face a mix of excitement and concern.

"What? When did this happen? Is the news reliable?" Oscar shot up from the bed, his expression a mixture of surprise and intrigue. A strange mix of emotions swirled within him—excitement, satisfaction at the possibility of revenge, and a tinge of doubt.

"This just happened. The news hasn't been confirmed, but it seems true," Carl replied, eager but cautious. "Although your chance of becoming the crown prince is slim, Your Highness, there's always the possibility of exceptions. If you can gain the support of the military, your chances of ascending the throne will increase."

However, Oscar's reaction was not one of immediate joy. He furrowed his brow and looked troubled. "Don't make assumptions just yet. This is too suspicious. It's Christmas Eve. I remained in the hospital and did not return to the palace today. Something doesn't add up. I suspect this could be a deliberate move by Crown Prince William to win sympathy from the Emperor. If he's trying to force William II to release him from the farm, this might be all part of a bigger scheme."

"Do you really think so?" Carl asked, incredulity clear in his voice.

"Yes, Carl. We can't afford to make rash decisions. For the throne, a prince would do anything," Oscar replied, his voice cold and calculating.

Carl nodded. "I'll find out more details and get confirmation."

Once Carl had left, Oscar found himself wide awake, the gears in his mind spinning. Despite his own wounded state, his thoughts raced as the possible implications of Crown Prince William's accident began to sink in. For a brief moment, Oscar allowed himself to entertain the idea: If Crown Prince William were to fall, his path to the throne would open up considerably. Although several older brothers still stood ahead of him, none of them were fit to rule. They were weak, ineffectual, and largely ignored by the royal family.

The possibility that the throne might soon be within his reach filled Oscar with a sense of confidence and anticipation. "Could this be the advantage of being a time traveler? Such a great turn of events," he mused aloud, a smile curling at the corners of his mouth.

Oscar had long thought that his chances at the throne were virtually nonexistent, but now—after working tirelessly to strengthen Germany's military forces for his own gain—he suddenly found himself with an unexpected opportunity. If he could indeed become the crown prince, his position would grant him the authority to shape the empire's future and lead it to victory.

However, something inside him remained cautious. The unexpected fall of Crown Prince William was a departure from history as he knew it, and Oscar realized that the course of events was no longer predictable. This shift in history meant that the future was no longer a certainty. He would have to rethink his strategy and approach to the empire's future.

Meanwhile, in the royal palace, William II was furious.

"What happened? How did Prince fall off his horse? Is someone trying to kill him?" The Emperor's face was as dark as a storm cloud. His words came out like ice, chilling the room.

"Your Majesty, His Royal Highness insisted on riding despite being heavily intoxicated, after a day of deep dissatisfaction and frustration. The guards tried to stop him, but he refused. That's when the accident occurred," the head of the royal secret force, responsible for guarding the farm, explained nervously, his sweat dripping down his brow.

"Fool! Prince is trying to get himself killed! And you couldn't stop him?" William II's fury erupted, his voice like thunder. The tension in the room seemed to intensify with every word, the temperature dropping as his rage took hold.

The royal guard could do nothing but bow their heads and take the Emperor's wrath, not daring to utter a word in defense.