Prologue
London, United Kingdom - February 1st, 1934
[A tape recorder clicks on.]
"So, you're saying you have information that could discredit the 'Royal Family'? Cough it up then." The first voice said, easily identifiable as a man, and with a clear English accent.
Another man coughs. "
Ja. Secrets kept since the War of Strasbourg." The man spoke with a heavy German accent, but his English was comprehensible, at the very least. "My great grandfather fought in that war. I've got a collection of letters he sent to poppy - what we called my great grandmother - from the time."
"So," the Englishman began to speak again, "What did the letters say?"
"Nothing of importance. Mostly just the musings of a young man in love. Not anything related to what i'm about to tell you."
"Ah, well get on with the story then. If this information is going to be used to help diffuse a continent on the brink of war, I would to have it as soon as possible, chap."
"Yes, that is wise." The German gave his cigarette one last drag before throwing it on the floor and smashing it under his foot. "As we all know, the Royal Family gained power after the Bourbons were basically given the boot from the officials in Madrid. The people of Spain very narrowly voted to continue with the Monarchy, and so the officials began searching for candidates for the job."
The Englishman rolled his eyes. "Yes, yes. This is common historical knowledge, but what is your point?"
"You cannot understand what happened unless you listen to the whole story!" The other said with a sigh. "Like I was saying. They were looking for candidates from the job - that is when old Leopold was first cast into the spotlight. He was from a well established royal family, and a catholic, everything the Spaniards needed. He was elected by the people, gained his position, and the Hohenzollern have ruled Spain ever since, but..."
"But what, son? Go on!"
"But it was a farce. The devil himself, von Bismarck, had arranged it himself."
"How so?"
"He, for one reason or another, realized that in order to gain his wishes, a Hohenzollern must be on the throne of Spain. He took a card out of the Habsburgs deck, and tried to cage France in as much as possible."
"Why would he do that?"
"To provoke the French into war! Why else? To scare the proud Germans that were not part of the Prussian beast into pledging their allegiance to the Hohenzollerns! Except, it didn't work!"
"Well, why not? Come on, my good man, this information, if true, could be used to blackmail King Joachim into backing down!"
"Hmph." The German hesitated; even if he was helping stop a war that could plunge the world into chaos, he was betraying his King to do it. He was a native of Spain, even if he was a German, and both his Spanish and German loyalties said to stick with the King. Eventually, common sense prevailed over nationalism and loyalty, and he continued. "Time is of the essence, no? But to fully understand the situation, I must paint you a picture of Europe, back in 1869..."