1885, I came to save Greece

"Therefore, the destiny of Greece has arrived."

Constantine's voice fell in the quiet study, clear and firm.

Outside the window, the first light of dawn pierced the night sky above Athens, like a silver blade separating the sky from the earth. George I, who had not slept all night, slowly rose from behind his enormous rosewood desk, his body swaying slightly.

His face was etched with deep weariness, and his eyes were sunken, but in those bloodshot eyes burned a light that was unprecedented, even a light that could be described as a resurgence of life.

He walked around the desk, step by step, to Constantine. That night, he felt as if he had experienced a spiritual death and rebirth. Over the past few decades, the fear of the great powers, the helplessness in the face of the nation's weakness, and the despair for the future that were deeply rooted in his bones had been peeled away layer by layer by his son with cold logic and astonishing foresight, and then burned to ashes.

Atop the ruins rose a hope he had never dared to imagine. A crazy, audacious, risky hope, yet one that made his blood boil.

"Connie..." George I's voice was hoarse, like sandpaper being rubbed.

He reached out and placed his hands heavily on Constantine's shoulders. Those hands, which belonged to the king, were no longer trembling, but were filled with strength.

"Go."

The king's gaze was fixed intently on his son's eyes, and he spoke slowly and deliberately.

"From this moment forward, I grant you all provisional powers to handle the current crisis in Bulgaria."

"The Greek army, navy, foreign ministry, interior ministry, and all relevant departments are at your command. Anyone who dares to disobey your orders, whether minister or general, will be prosecuted for treason!"

"Go do it your way!"

"The fate of Greece is in your hands."

These words were not authorization, but entrustment. A king was placing the fate of his entire nation on the shoulders of his eighteen-year-old son.

Constantine's expression remained unchanged. He merely bowed slightly, performing a standard royal greeting.

"Yes, Father."

......

The morning sunlight dispelled the fervor and clamor of the streets of Athens, but it could not dispel the treacherous political atmosphere within the royal palace.

Prime Minister Deripus arrived at the palace on time in his ornate carriage adorned with the prime minister's insignia. He straightened his crisply starched collar, a contemptuous smirk playing on his plump face.

Last night, he tossed and turned, deep in thought. The young crown prince's performance at the meeting, though initially shocking, now seemed utterly absurd and laughable to him after calming down. Political blackmail? A mere youth, daring to play power games with these old foxes from Britain, France, Russia, and Germany? He was practically courting death.

His purpose in coming today was very clear: to explain the advantages and disadvantages to His Majesty the King, to completely shatter the Crown Prince's unrealistic fantasies, and to take this opportunity to further consolidate his authority in the cabinet.

He wanted everyone to know that Greece was ruled by him, Deripus, not by a prince hiding in a palace.

Deripus strode up the steps, his head held high, as his servants respectfully opened the doors for him. As was customary, he proceeded to the king's study, ready to begin his new day's work.

However, at the door of the study, the king's most trusted chief attendant stood like a wooden stake, blocking his way.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, please wait a moment." The aide bowed slightly, his tone polite, but his expression was utterly devoid of warmth.

Deriplis frowned. "His Majesty the King is waiting for me."

"I'm very sorry, Your Excellency the Prime Minister." The aide's voice was as steady as a machine. "His Majesty the King overworked himself on state affairs last night and has already retired for the night. His Majesty has decreed that he shall not see anyone during his rest period."

A sense of foreboding rose in Deriplis's heart: "What about the crisis in Bulgaria? Parliament and the people are waiting for the government's response!"

The attendant's next words struck Deriples like a bolt from the blue.

"His Majesty the King has entrusted all matters concerning the Bulgarian crisis to His Highness Crown Prince Constantine. From now on, all relevant instructions will be issued directly by His Highness the Crown Prince and reported to the King by His Highness the Crown Prince."

Deriplis felt a buzzing in his ears and instantly couldn't hear anything.

He froze on the spot, the color draining from his face and replaced by a purplish-red hue like pig liver.

Full power of attorney?

For that eighteen-year-old brat?

What is this? What do they take him for, this democratically elected prime minister and cabinet leader? Just a figurehead?

A surge of furious rage, like a volcanic eruption, shot through his head. He instantly understood Constantine's intentions. This wasn't handling a crisis; this was a power grab! This ambitious young prince intended to use this incident to seize power from Parliament and the Cabinet, and re-establish absolute monarchy!

"Outrageous!" Deripus roared, shoving aside the attendants and trying to storm inside. "I have served the country! I demand to see His Majesty! I must speak with His Majesty in person..."

Before he could finish speaking, two crossed, gleaming bayonets silently appeared in front of him.

Two royal guards, nearly two meters tall, dressed in magnificent red uniforms and wearing tall black bearskin hats, blocked his path like two iron towers. Their faces were expressionless, their eyes cold, and their ceremonial lances remained motionless, the blades less than ten centimeters from Deriplis's nose.

Deriplis shuddered at the chill emanating from the halberd's blade and took a half-step back.

This is unprecedented treatment!

He served as prime minister for many years and entered and exited the palace as if it were flat ground. He was never attacked by guards with swords.

He got it.

I understand completely now.

The king was determined to support his son! This father and son were going to join forces to overthrow the entire Greek political system!

That soaring anger was instantly replaced by a bone-chilling cold.

Extreme panic gripped his heart like an invisible hand.

Deripples knew very well that all his power came from Parliament and the will of the people. If Constantine succeeded with his unorthodox diplomacy, even by gaining the slightest advantage, the prestige of the monarchy would reach unprecedented heights.

At that time, the people will sing praises to the wise crown prince, the king will become the symbol of the country, and he, the elected prime minister, the politician who is helpless in the face of crisis and can only be made to look like a clown by the crown prince, will completely become dust in history.

He must fight back!

On the carriage back to the mansion, Deriples' obese body trembled slightly with fear and anger. The dim light inside the carriage illuminated his distorted face.

He couldn't just sit idly by and wait to be killed. Since the king and crown prince were going to break the rules, he had no choice but to bring in even stronger external forces to completely muddy the waters!

A sinister glint flashed in his eyes, which had become cloudy from indulgence.

......

Constantine did not go to rest.

Although the long night of secret talks had exhausted him, his mind was in a state of extreme excitement and clarity.

Upon returning to his palace, the first thing he did was summon his personal attendant, Alexandros.

"Your Highness," Alexandros bowed, looking at the Crown Prince with eyes full of awe. News of what had happened within the palace had spread like wildfire.

Constantine didn't waste any words. He took a heavy, unmarked money bag from his desk drawer and threw it on the table in front of Alexandros.

"Take it."

Alexandros was puzzled.

Constantine walked to the window, looking in the distance toward the Prime Minister's official residence, his voice calm.

"Find a few soldiers who served in the army and are now making a living at the docks or markets of Athens. They need to be reliable, quick-witted, and clean-cut."

"Have them 'visit' those cafes and pubs around the Prime Minister's residence. From now on, they'll be on duty 24/7."

"I need to know who went through that door at Deriplis today, and who came out of it."

"Pay special attention to those who, after coming out, act suspiciously and avoid main roads."

"I need to know where each of them ends up."