I Became the Last Princess of the Brown Bear Kingdom

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* * *

Look at those black-hand bastards in Serbia; they lost their marbles and just killed the Archduke of Austria, didn’t they?

How will Poland, who defeated the Russian Army long before their independence during the Great War, respond to the Tsarina’s proposal?

To them, it must seem like a proposal that doesn’t lead anywhere.

Well then, I think it’s time to take a gamble.

If I were them, that’s what I’d do.

For example, they’d kill the Tsarina, leaving Józef Piłsudski with no choice but to prepare for war with Russia.

Moreover, given my iconic presence, there’s still a significant chance that if I die, Russia might fall into disarray.

So, let me brainstorm a scenario.

Imagine if the German Communist thugs infiltrate deep into Poland, stirring up Polish workers while hearing news that the Tsarina arrives. They could pass the Reds’ reactionary terror bombs to the Polish nationalists or something like that.

That would be the most perfect scenario, right?

The problem is the other ministers.

If it goes smoothly, it’s perfect. But looking at the potential, the ministers who came along could be in danger too. If they’re not fully prepared, they’d probably just target me, but that’s risky.

“Well, nothing’s blown up yet.”

Nothing has exploded yet. Let’s just keep this as one possibility.

Let’s consider what happens if Poland simply refuses.

This world doesn’t turn according to my whims, after all.

I acted composed in front of the ministers, but I must prepare for the possibility of rejection.

We need to regard Poland as a potential enemy and establish a defensive line. And although it’s unpleasant, we need to strengthen our ties with Britain as well.

Initiating the first strike is still not advisable.

It’s better to fight from a position of being invaded to create allies.

“Am I doing the right thing?”

When the Great Depression strikes, wouldn’t the image of Communist Germany change a bit?

They could claim that their communism shielded them from the repercussions of the Great Depression.

I wonder how that would incite things.

“I shouldn’t be so clueless.”

That’s for the economists to figure out. For now, the best I can do is walk around as a face, proclaiming that Russia is still strong.

Germany’s internal issues are likely chaotic as well, but let’s leave that aside for now.

Knock, knock—

Someone knocked on the door.

Is the inevitable finally arriving?

“Who is it?”

“Ah, um, I’ve heard today’s guest is a very important person, so I was asked to check if there’s anything uncomfortable.”

It’s a girl who looks a bit younger than me.

She doesn’t seem to have any weapons, surprisingly. Is she just passing through?

“I’m not particularly uncomfortable, but I think I can go now—”

I was about to say that lightly when—

Clang!

Something crashed through the window with a strong presence, rolling into the room.

It looked like a wooden box, but upon closer inspection, something suspiciously black was wrapped in newspaper inside.

Memories of something I used to see on a streaming site flashed in my mind.

An explosion with a famous red-haired character editing it every day.

“So this is what they throw around in this era.”

“What is that?”

I couldn’t help but smile.

There are some guards around, so it can’t be like the Sarajevo incident, right? Could it be a bomb?

Bullets are definitely painful, but just how powerful is a bomb?

Isn’t it a little exciting?

“You might die, so get out.”

With a thought that ordinary humans wouldn’t dare to entertain, I pushed the inn employee outside.

And then—

This bomb is surely going to kill you. I erupted without hesitation.

**Boom! Kablam!**

The bomb exploded, shattering everything that had been decoratively placed in the room—tables, dressers, lights, beds—all crushed under the force of the blast.

And me? I was flung against the wall.

“Ugh, that was a bit much.”

It felt like a heavy punch to the gut; my chest tightened painfully.

Thank goodness. At least the bomb only exploded here.

I managed to shake myself off.

My imperial uniform had been quite torn, but it wasn’t too bad considering I took the blast head-on.

“What’s going on?”

“An explosion on the second floor!”

“Your Majesty, you are in danger!”

Downstairs, the noise was chaotic, and soon the minister who had just left, Ungern, and Veraghedroits appeared.

I couldn’t show them my tattered military uniform, so I put on the coat I wore when I came to Warsaw.

“Grown adults are making such a racket.”

I said as calmly as I could, trying to maintain my composure.

Why, you ask?

Because it looks like the guy who threw the bomb at me was at the end of the corridor, eyes wide with disbelief.

“T-This is insane. How is that room in such a state? How are you still alive?!”

Yeah, it’s that bastard. A guy like the black hand of Poland.

When you consider the bomb’s entry, there has to be an accomplice.

Given that Polish troops were somewhat deployed nearby, at least there must be someone who helped.

The one who ordered the Polish troops to protect me is likely Józef Piłsudski.

Unless that human loses his mind, he wouldn’t try to kill me.

Among the Polish military figures who received that command, surely there is an accomplice.

It seems Mr. Piłsudski isn’t managing Poland properly like I thought.

“That guy is the culprit. Looks like he came to check if I was dead.”

“That bastard!”

The culprit was apprehended and made to kneel by Ungern right on the spot.

He should be grateful to be treated this way after throwing a bomb at a foreign ruler. Can he even glare at me now?

What a truly rude guy.

“Curious why I didn’t die? My clothes are all torn and the room’s a wreck; why is only the Tsarina still alive?”

“W-What? How can she still be alive after that explosion?”

Looks like he still can’t comprehend the current situation.

That isn’t even the issue right now. The important thing for this guy isn’t the unscathed Tsarina.

“Is that what matters?”

“Since she survived the bomb, if that’s not important, then what is?”

Yeah. Right.

I wanted to kill her, but she didn’t die. It’s not just any ruler; I put my life on the line to do it.

I coldly gave a sardonic smile.

I laughed mockingly at our Polish friend who tried to obliterate me.

“After planning such a grand event, you couldn’t even kill me. So what does that mean for Poland now?”

At my words, the culprit fell silent, like a bee with its wings clipped.

Yeah. Despite all this uproar, it’ll be hard for a war to break out.

If they truly killed me, it would be a different story. But since I’m alive, all that’s left for Józef Piłsudski is to accept Russia’s proposal.

Before long, the culprit was dragged away by soldiers.

So now, how will our Mr. Piłsudski respond?

* * *

**Bang!**

In the Cabinet, will they accept Russia’s proposal, maintain neutrality, or explore an alliance with Communist Germany beneath the surface to fight against Russia? As everyone was growing weary from the lengthy debate, I heard news that would turn Poland upside down.

“What? An explosion at the lodging where the Tsarina is staying? What happened to the Tsarina?”

“We captured the person who looks like the culprit along with his accomplices. The culprit is a nationalist.”

Damn it, did the right-wingers actually pull this stunt?

Of all times, while he’s in power!

“Damn it. I had everyone on guard for this reason!”

If she had actually died, there would have been no choice.

But the Tsarina is perfectly fine.

What does this mean?

For her to come all the way to Poland for a relationship improvement only to repay it with a bomb.

What a petty nation!

It’s a fact that the entire world will scorn us for this.

It hasn’t been long since we were founded. We’re now notorious for trying to kill a foreign ruler with a bomb.

“Unless someone colluded, this couldn’t have happened. Who is it? You’d better speak clearly. The inn employee has witnessed everything with her own eyes.”

Even foreign journalists soon interviewed that inn employee, and the politically naive girl answered honestly.

A bomb had entered the room and detonated; the Tsarina protected herself.

With Józef’s fierce glare, the cabinet ministers didn’t dare to raise their heads.

After some time passed, a few voices timidly spoke up.

“Well, um, I did incite the right-wingers in the hopes of showing the Tsarina Poland’s anti-Russian sentiment…”

In that moment, Józef Piłsudski felt a sharp, distinct sting in the back of his neck.

“I encouraged them, but…”

There they were. Those insufferable bastards.

Because of these bastards, Poland will now be put on a leash and has to obediently bite at Communist Germany like a hunting dog for Russia.

“Is that why?”

“I never ordered anyone to kill! A bomb? Absolutely not! I only aimed for a negotiation failure!”

Nice try, blabbering away with a mouth full of holes.

Yeah, right. Do thieves ever admit to stealing on their own?

You people are such morons.

“If the Tsarina had died, this country would plunge into war! Before Germany could help us, we’d get trampled under the millions of Russian White Army! The whole nation would end up in a bloodbath!”

“Then, we could rely on Germany—”

“Do you think Germany would just help us? They’d swoop in right before we all die, acting like heroes and establishing a communist regime on Polish soil!”

Germany? Don’t make me laugh.

Does that red Germany really think they’d just help us?

Józef Piłsudski could grasp, to some extent, how the Communist Party seizes power by observing the Russian Civil War and the German Revolution.

He couldn’t advance into Russia because of Britain, but at least he realized they must not show any weaknesses to Germany right now.

“Y-Yeah.”

“It’s dangerous as it is. Don’t you get it? We’ll be exposed to the world for throwing a bomb at the Russian monarch who reached out for reconciliation! We have no choice but to accept Russia’s proposal; there are no options left!”

Are they trying to recreate the Sarajevo incident? This is clearly a blunder.

All that’s left is to satisfy the Tsarina’s requests as much as possible and hand over the culprits to Russia.

From the start, we had no options.

But even so, we ended up throwing out what little chance we had to reach out for reconciliation.

The Tsarina seems to be smiling on the surface, but that’s just a mask.

While the woman is scheming about how to use Poland as a justifiable meat shield, her instincts are warning me now, but regrettably, my subordinates lack such wit.

When they gained independence because of Britain, when the Russian Civil War was over, the path to war with Russia was effectively closed.

“I need to go visit her directly.”

We need to align with her as best as we can.

If nothing else, that would at least show the Tsarina that Poland is making an effort.

“Are you really going to meet her in person?”

“Still, that’s the least I can do.”

Have these lunatics still not come to their senses?

Józef Piłsudski pointed his finger at them one by one.

“I almost killed the ruler of an empire spanning East and West. Shouldn’t I at least visit? You lot should be grateful I’m not throwing you in front of the Tsarina!”

Honestly, if the Tsarina is considering war, it even crosses my mind to overhaul the Cabinet at this point.

If it were just a one-on-one against Russia, I’d grit my teeth and fight, but from the outside, Poland appears to be the bitch everyone can point fingers at.

Russia will have justifications for war, backed by global support, and Poland will once again face tough times.

So, for now, we must humble ourselves.

“I understand.”

Józef Piłsudski sighed and moved ahead.

He could only pray this incident wouldn’t lead to war.