Chapter 284 Princess Silvia

In Spain, it goes without saying that the head of state, controlling the country, is an intelligence agent.

As for Romania, in the original timeline, Romania and Hungary were staunch allies of Germany, much more reliable than Italy and Japan.

During World War II, the participating nations were divided into two camps: the Axis Powers and the Allies. While we know that the Axis was primarily centered around Germany, Italy's capabilities were often ridiculed, seen as a burden to Germany and Japan. However, Germany had a more solid supporter in Europe at that time, and that supporter was Hungary and Romania.

Although Romania later switched sides when it seemed Germany was going to lose, joining the Soviet Red Army against Germany, beforehand Romania was undoubtedly the second-largest Axis force on the Eastern Front. Groups 3 and 4 had a total of 27 divisions, commanding a total of 382,000 troops. Hungary also increased its strength from the Carpathian Cluster in 1941 (approximately equivalent to one army, 44,000 people) to a full army (2nd Army), totaling 209,000 people.

As the Soviet Union advanced against the German army, the Hungarian forces demonstrated remarkable combat power in Budapest, causing significant losses to the Allies in coordination with the German forces. Compared to Romania, which switched sides, Hungary was Germany's most loyal ally. In the later stages of the war, as the German army retreated, puppet states began to break away from Germany. Hungary, however, was the only one to choose a path to the end.

Germany decisively struck Poland, taking less than 20 days to completely defeat the strongest country in Eastern Europe. Subsequently, Denmark, Norway, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, and other countries were quickly incorporated. This left Mussolini, who had initially prepared to mock Germany, dumbfounded.

Then, even the self-proclaimed strongest country in Europe, France, retreated helplessly, showing no resistance.

This series of lightning-fast victories left Mussolini, who was still hesitating about which side to choose, completely stunned. Despite some reservations before, considering that England and France were victors of World War I, Mussolini was somewhat intimidated and hesitant to declare war on them. But now, with Germany becoming the new powerhouse in Europe, he dared not offend Germany.

Now, with the collapse of France imminent, it seemed like the right time to act. Mussolini, driven by his own delusions, mobilized over ten divisions and assembled them at the French border without notifying Germany.

This move frightened France. Although Italy had not formally declared war, anyone could see the intention behind the Italian military assembling at the border. Seeing France on the brink of being conquered, a peace faction led by Marshal Pétain formed a new cabinet. The first decision made by Marshal Pétain was to seek reconciliation with Germany. He ordered the French military to cease resistance entirely and then sent an envoy to Berlin to negotiate with the Germans.

The French envoy knew that such a display of weakness would put him at a severe disadvantage in negotiating ceasefire and peace terms with Germany. But what else could he do?

The envoy, with swollen eyes from crying during the journey, arrived in Berlin. Accompanied by German Foreign Minister Ribbentrop, he reached the Berlin Palace.

"Miss Anna, please inform His Highness that the French envoy has arrived."

"His Highness is in Garden Area B now. He instructed that you can go directly to him with the message he previously conveyed to you."

Ribbentrop led the French envoy to Garden Area B, where they spotted Wilhelm sitting in front of a lily flower bed. On his lap sat a young girl, facing a canvas and painting. "Mr. Envoy, do you recognize that girl?"

Seeing the French envoy shake his head in confusion, Ribbentrop smiled. "Her identity is quite extraordinary. She is Princess Silvia, the granddaughter of Victor Emmanuel III, Princess Silvia, Your Highness."

"The Italian princess?" The French envoy's expression changed dramatically, clearly realizing the significance as the Italian army gathered at the border. At this moment, the Italian princess was nestled in the arms of the German Crown Prince, and the implications seemed self-evident.

Ribbentrop sneered. "Beating a dog when it's down is something everyone likes to do, oh, sorry, perhaps I should say 'adding insult to injury' or 'taking advantage of someone's misfortune' to be more polite."

As the envoy of a defeated nation, the French emissary had neither the mood nor the courage to object to Ribbentrop's sarcastic remarks.

The French envoy, presumptuously speculating that the visit of the Italian princess was to discuss the division of France, would be astounded if he overheard Wilhelm's conversation with the Italian princess.

"Brother Wilhelm, will you really help me with what I asked last time?"

Wilhelm gently kissed her on the cheek. "Don't worry, I've already arranged it." He had learned recently why Silvia was reluctant to return, and it had significantly challenged his perspectives.

Interested readers might notice many Western films and TV series depicting medieval life in the West, portraying the lives of nobility and royalty as shocking.

In the French drama "Versailles", the beautiful royal siblings engage in various affairs, with the elder brother involved in debauchery and the younger one in homosexual relationships.

The Russian drama "Ekaterina II" tells of the incestuous relationships in the Russian royal family.

Certain scenes in the English drama "The Tudors" are even more indescribable.

In short, these literary and cinematic works describe scenarios where brothers marry their deceased brothers' wives, brothers engage in relationships with sisters, fathers marry stepmothers, and sons marry daughters-in-law, reaching a level of chaos beyond imagination.

In modern times, there is a ranking of the most licentious countries, and Italy ranks third.

Whether this is a consequence of the bourgeois revolution or due to the inertia of history constantly tarnishing its reputation to this day is unclear.

However, Wilhelm knew that Silvia's experiences invalidated the notion that these films or rankings were merely character assassinations.

Though Silvia was Bertoldo's illegitimate daughter, they shared the same father. How could he have any sexual interest in his own half-sister? Such behavior was nothing short of being a group of animals! Wilhelm had no psychological burden in eliminating these scum.

"Thank you, brother Wilhelm." Silvia turned around, and their lips gently touched. Silvia narrowed her beautiful large eyes and suddenly exclaimed softly, "Brother Wilhelm... someone..."

Wilhelm was momentarily stunned, turning his head to look in the direction she pointed. He saw Ribbentrop leading a stranger, earnestly discussing and pointing at a fake mountain by their side, as if that rockery held profound wisdom.

"Go back, my dear. I have something to discuss." Wilhelm gently patted Silvia's slender waist. "I'll continue teaching you later tonight."

"Yes, goodbye, brother Wilhelm." Blushing, Silvia kissed Wilhelm's face lightly and hurried away.

After her figure disappeared, Wilhelm called out, "Minister Ribbentrop, come and discuss matters."

Ribbentrop quickly led the French envoy over. "Your Highness, this is the French envoy."

The French envoy once again wiped the sweat from his forehead with his handkerchief. This trip had been nerve-wracking. Not only did he see the little Italian princess, but he also narrowly witnessed her live broadcast with His Excellency Wilhelm. The former concerned the fate of his homeland, and the latter might affect his own life.