Reincarnated as Nikolai II

Chapter 259 If You Want to Be Tall, Break Someone Else's Shins (1)

1929, a new year dawned.

It seemed as if Wilson's proclaimed "Prosperity upon Peace" actually existed, and an era had begun where everyone was living well and eating well.

Starting with the 1928 Winter Olympics, the world's sports industry spread to the public as a stage of leisure and hobby rather than just the realm of professionals.

Although the generational shift wasn't complete and the pain of the Great War hadn't been entirely erased from society, the era was now ready to accept it as a culture and history.

Bookstores and publishers printed books like "All Quiet on the Western Front," containing soldiers' sorrowful war experiences, or Ernest Hemingway's "A Farewell to Arms."

It's an obvious fact that economic prosperity causes cultural development.

The first Academy Awards ceremony was successfully held at the Roosevelt Hotel, and the art world presented countless works by modernist masters to the world.

Brilliant civilization and culture blooming on top of it.

It feels like a lie that until just ten years ago, everyone fought a war with weapons in hand after erasing their humanity.

"Rome! Our Italy is the successor state to the great Rome! Who dares to try to take Rome's Mare Nostrum (Our Sea) away from us!"

...Although Italy's Duce suddenly dug into history, proclaimed a New Roman Empire, and openly displayed aggressive diplomacy, at least he was observing the Washington Naval Treaty, so anyway.

The world was running better than ever before.

And in March, in France.

"...So you went first after all."

Ferdinand Foch's funeral was in full swing.

Although he left blemishes like the Ruhr occupation, he was a marshal of the great army and a soldier who loved France more than anyone.

Pétain knew better than anyone what the death of such a giant meant for French society.

With Foch's death, today at this place, France's hardliners disappeared.

As Germany rises, the conservative-right wing that previously held power was held responsible for accomplishing nothing.

They neither thrashed Germany enough to satisfy the citizens nor rebuilt this country.

The military had no choice but to wear the leash of civilian control and military reduction. This was because military methods could no longer be a solution after the Ruhr occupation ultimately failed to suppress Germany.

Above all, the death of Ferdinand Foch.

Now that the founder of France's élan vital, the pillar of offensive spirit, was gone. The French would fill that void with fear.

Pétain, quietly showing his condolences, sighed in regret but.

'I'm just a retired man... It's time to step back now.'

There was nothing he could do.

Enter politics now? What difference would one old man make in the French political arena where the average lifespan of a government is only half a year?

They all died.

Those who showed off their money, thoughtless and stupid people, those who couldn't bow.

Such nobles had long been killed in this country.

Now there was a reason why even the people don't criticize the nobles much anymore.

On the other hand, at his age of twenty-seven.

Too much for self-loathing, but this negative thinking and the only rebellion he could make was not getting married.

He couldn't argue if someone pointed a finger calling him pathetic.

"Nikita, you were here again?"

"Mother."

"What's this child doing alone miserably in the greenhouse? Did you get late puberty?"

"Of course not."

His mother, still innocent and infinitely bright even past forty.

Mother is still someone who believes father is internally tender and good.

Not only that, she still goes to church every week without fail and emphasizes that doing charity work diligently brings blessings.

However, Nikita could now pride himself on knowing his father all too well as the Tsarevich.

Father is someone who would be prepared to give up one of his arms to kill an enemy.

If the Sun King Louis identified himself with the state, father places even the state under his feet.

Mother would never know this.

"It's almost dinner time. Let's go. Your father seems gloomy from working again."

"Don't you think father is too different when working versus when dealing with family?"

"That's my husband's charm. Being absorbed in his work."

"Huh."

Seeing her smile just at the mention of father at that age, mother isn't normal either.

I heard menopausal ladies usually try to get young lovers.

As Nikita stood blankly expressing his incredulity silently, Anna briefly shifted her gaze to the surroundings.

"Nikita, this greenhouse. This is where I first met your father."

"You met through an introduction, right?"

I already know this from hearing before. Aunt Olga arranged the match at such a young age.