Chapter 52: The Jealousy of the Crown Prince
Oscar observed Crown Prince William's anger with a mixture of understanding and distaste. The root of the Crown Prince's fury became clear: it wasn't about the recent developments or even the battleship designs. It was rooted in jealousy—the kind that stemmed from his fear that Oscar was becoming a rival to his position as heir to the throne.
When the battleship Dreadnought was unveiled, Oscar had, for all intents and purposes, solidified his place as one of the most brilliant minds in the royal family. His influence grew as his design became a symbol of German engineering prowess, elevating him to a near-mythical status. This was especially galling to Crown Prince William, who had spent his entire life expecting the throne to be his by birthright.
If William had been more magnanimous, he might have celebrated Oscar's success. But instead, he saw it as a threat—a direct challenge to his own claim. The fact that Oscar had managed to carve a name for himself in both business and military innovation was a constant reminder to the Crown Prince of his own insecurities. While Oscar basked in glory, Crown Prince William was left to stew in his jealousy. He couldn't help but feel that Oscar was overshadowing him in every way, even though he was still just a prince, with all the power of the throne at his fingertips.
It wasn't lost on Oscar that if William didn't have the privilege of being the first in line to the throne, he would have already been eclipsed by the younger prince. But the truth was that Crown Prince William's narrow-mindedness and lack of vision were quickly becoming his own downfall. He had been raised to expect power, but he hadn't earned the respect that power required.
"I know exactly what you're doing, Oscar," William sneered, his eyes narrowed with hostility. "You may have earned riches with your tricks and shipbuilding. But you'll never be the Emperor. The throne belongs to me, and no matter how brilliant you are, it will never change. You will always just be a prince—nothing more!"
The words stung, but Oscar didn't flinch. He had anticipated this reaction. His rise had rattled William, and now, the Crown Prince was clearly unhinged. Instead of replying with the same vitriol, Oscar simply gave a measured smile, masking the turmoil inside. His eyes briefly met those of Marshal Count Tirpitz, who watched the exchange with a mixture of disgust and concern.
"I'm sorry if I've offended you, Your Highness. I have no desire to rival you. You are the rightful heir, and I only wish to serve the Empire," Oscar said, his voice calm and respectful, though the words rang hollow to his ears.
Crown Prince William, however, seemed far from placated. His hands trembled as he grabbed Oscar by the collar, his face flushed with anger. "If I find out you're scheming to take what's mine, I'll make sure you regret it!" he hissed, his grip tightening for a moment before he shoved Oscar away.
The Crown Prince's words hung in the air, and without another word, he turned and stalked off, leaving Oscar standing in the garden with a forced smile on his lips. Marshal Tirpitz, who had watched the scene unfold, approached cautiously, his concern evident.
"Your Highness, are you all right?" Tirpitz asked, though his tone revealed that he, too, was troubled by the outburst.
"I'm fine, Your Excellency. Please, forgive me for the scene," Oscar replied, his voice betraying none of the inner thoughts racing through his mind. He had learned long ago that it was crucial to appear unruffled, no matter the situation.
Tirpitz didn't seem convinced but chose not to press the issue further. What he did know was that Oscar had demonstrated more maturity and composure than the Crown Prince, who had allowed jealousy and insecurity to cloud his judgment. The contrast was stark, and Tirpitz couldn't help but wonder: was Oscar perhaps better suited to rule than the current heir?
As soon as Crown Prince William's behavior reached the ears of William II, the Emperor's mood soured. He had been made aware of the confrontation by Essen von Jonalet, and the implications of what had transpired weighed heavily on him. William II's face darkened as he listened to the report, his thoughts turning inward.
"Is this how a future ruler should behave?" William II muttered to himself, his mind torn between duty and disappointment. He had warned Crown Prince William countless times about his tendency to let his emotions rule him. Now, it seemed that the Crown Prince's arrogance and lack of restraint were no longer just a personal flaw—they were becoming a liability to the future of the German Empire.
In contrast, Oscar's actions in business and his efforts to invest in the empire's military power were commendable. He had been prudent with his wealth, investing in projects that would ensure the Empire's strength for years to come. Unlike William, who sought to strengthen his position through intimidation and threats, Oscar worked to elevate the Empire's power without ever overstepping.
William II found himself in an uncomfortable position. The more he considered it, the more it seemed that Oscar might be better suited to rule the Empire than his own son. It was a thought he had tried to suppress, but as he thought of the Crown Prince's recent behavior, it was a notion that was difficult to ignore.
"Perhaps, Oscar is more suitable than Prince to be the crown prince of the empire!" William II said secretly. No one knows, because of the performance of Oscar and Crown Prince William, William II has already developed a heart of easy storage.
In the days that followed, Oscar continued to strengthen his position. The navy was now firmly in his grasp, and his plans to extend his influence into the army were already underway. With his wealth and strategic alliances, he was quietly building the power necessary to secure his future. The political landscape was shifting, and though he kept his ambitions hidden, he knew that the opportunity to take the throne might one day present itself.
For now, however, he would continue to bide his time. No matter how much Crown Prince William resented him, Oscar understood that only patience and careful maneuvering would allow him to achieve his ultimate goal. And if the opportunity came, he would be ready.
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