Chapter 2:God Save The King!
16th of August, Hungary, Regent Horthy's home, 6;00AM.
The old veteran looked over the newspaper and nodded in approval. Hungary had came third on the medal rank compared to some giants such as the US and the resurgent Germany. Hungary had taken home 16 medals, a modest amount but third highest. The US had taken 56 and Germany 89. The former admiral then flipped the pages of the newspaper, like all the rest this one talked about the coming German king and how Hungary would prosper or fall ill depending on which side the newspaper took.
25th of August, Ethiopia, 4:00PM.
Luigi Modeino gripped his rifle tighter as he loaded it again, the rest of his squad firing at the advancing Ethiopians, many of which only had swords. Italy had pushed in deep since the war started in 35 and now they were about to break through into Addis Ababa. He finished loading his rifle and took aim, placing the sights on some Ethiopian man the only one seemingly with a rifle in the mob of men that were attacking their dug in position. He felt the kick of the rifle slam into his shoulder as he fired and the rival rifleman fell like a bag of rocks, he pulled the bolt back on his rifle and began to fire again and again and again. The machine gun in their dug out mowing down men like a scythe through wheat. The Ethiopian lines began to waver before they broke after a few more minutes of sustained fire from the Italian positions. Luigi's superior, a veteran sergeant from the first war called Aldo jumped onto the sandbags, drawing a sword he had acquired from a dead Ethiopian in previous battles from his hip and shouting back to his men." Men of Italia! Who wants to live forever?!" He thus began his charge, Luigi and the rest of the squad following. It was clear Addis Ababa was finished and Italy had won.
October 6th, Munich.
Gyula Gömbös had been bed ridden for the past few days, he had originally come to Munich for a check up on his testicular cancer. He had kept this long illness from Horthy and everyone but his wife but it now seems he wouldn't even be able to see the king as it was due to arrive in Hungary tomorrow. Gyula coughed into his hand and grabbed the phone weakly, quickly contacting Horthy." Hello..? Ah yes, good. I'm glad I managed to get you Miklós. Just wanted to say, I want you to give the King my regards and I have a lot to tell you. Oh like, I'm dying currently for one. Anyway - Yes I know its a shock, but I won't make it back to Hungary, so.. Yes, I understand, I do apologize. Anyway, old friend. It's been an honor serving with you. If only you'd have agreed to be king, I could have seen one eh? Heh." The phone slipped out his hand and the Prime Minister of Hungary laid back and closed his eyes. Gyula died peacefully.
October 7th, Budapest, 3:00 PM.
Friedrich Franz's aircraft landed in Budapest a few minutes ago but it had taken a while to part the crowd that awaited him. He stepped outside, wearing his SS uniform as he didn't have any King clothes just yet. He waved to the screaming crowds of people and a smiled crossed his face.. He realized it was all his, he still had an oath to his leader Hitler but now he had his own Kingdom to rule. He would have to guide the nation well. He descended the stairs and Horthy stepped out of the royal carriage to greet him."Ah, Sir Franz... Or should I say King Franz of Hungary?" The old former regent smiled before pointing to the carriage. "The Prime Minister sends his regards but we can discuss everything in the carriage." The German shook his head before taking Horthy's hand and shaking it."Shame about Gyula, I heard he was a great man. But I must decline right now, I have my people to see." Horthy raised an eyebrow but before anyone could stop him, Friedrich Franz had already ordered the gates open and he walked into the crowd of people like a superstar, shaking hands, kissing babies and taking gifts from the Hungarians that had come to see him. The 'Bachelor King' as he would be called due to his lack of wife or even fiance seemed to be a hit with the crowd who eventually lifted him into the air and began to shout."God save the King!" Over and over again until the King jumped down from the crowd bowed to his people and in somewhat accurate Hungarian said."I will always strive to do my best for you!" The crowd went even louder and cheered him on more as he got into the carriage with Horthy, the police having to clear the crowd so the royal carriage could move.
Horthy looked the young king up and down, he was fit and active which was befitting his age of 26. He also looked far more younger than Horthy or even Gyula did but that could be due to stress they had from Hungary's situation. "So, are you planning any more stunts like that, my King?" Horthy asked, sounding like a disapproving father. Friedrich merely grinned yet again before placing his cap in his lap."One has to be a populist and a king in this times, my dear Prime Minister." Horthy raised an eyebrow and looked at him."Pardon?" The German's youthful grin merely widened and he patted Horthy on the knee."Yes, my dear friend. I have decided once I have been crowned you are to be my Prime Minister until we can get your rightful land back and make you an admiral. You can design ships if you please while we wait." Horthy nodded his head and they had some minor small talk until they reached the Royal Palace in Budapest where an even larger crowd awaited the soon to be King. Before Horthy could speak or an assistant could help the King he jumped from the carriage and in-front of the crowd of thousands shouted a declaration." I shall make it my main goal to see Hungary restored to the greatness it deserves no matter the cost, my friends! I promise to undo the injustices of the past that have been laid on you. Alongside our good man, Horthy!" Horthy by this point had stood beside the young German and had his hand grabbed then quickly raised in the air which made the crowd merely cheer and scream even louder. Horthy on the outside said nothing but inside made a mental note to check the King whenever he would get too.. Active. He was then ushered into the palace where Horthy placed the crown upon his head in a solemn ceremony. The now King quickly rushed out, wearing his ceremonial robes and crown, meeting the crowd of people yet again. Horthy noted it was something like out of a painting, like when Moses or Jesus would visit his people.
The 'Bachelor King'
October 8th, Budapest, Hungary, 5:00 PM.
The King's first major action was to attend the funeral of Gyula Gömbös who's body had been delivered to the capital to be honored. The King, Horthy and various other important political, spiritual and other leaders, as-well as various foreign dignitaries who had been sent to pay their respects. To help fuel his popular public image, Friedrich again did something not expected and helped to carry Gyula's coffin to the catafalque. The King made sure to meet with every dignitary at the event as-well as to make a small speech for the deceased Prime Minister. "I did not manage to meet, Mr. Gömbös in time but I have read his history and listened to his friends. He was a brave man who adored and did everything for Hungary, he destroyed communists and anti Hungarians that dared threaten his country! He made bonds of friendship with nations when needed but always made sure to look out for the common Hungarian man and his family. I will try to be as good as he was at rule. A toast!" The gathered mourners returned the King's words and all took a drink. They hovered around Gyula and his catafalque before he was moved to the public sector so the Hungarian people could pay their respects. Friedrich as he was preparing to leave made sure to help carry the various mourning gifts that had been given, the biggest being a commissioned painting of the man by an Italian artist which Mussolini had made and sent as a gift. Horthy made sure to return when no one else was in the same room as Gyula's corpse, a hand onto of his coffin."Old friend, you didn't deserve to die this young. I'll make sure I keep the king in check and myself as well. I owe you as much." He leaned forward and placed a kiss on the coffin before grabbing his hat and leaving.
11th of October, Hungary, 8:00PM.
The King and Prime Minister had been touring the factories and industrial centers of Hungary for a while now, they had been somewhat repaired and upgraded in Horthy's leadership but the King didn't see them as adequate enough. He promised the workers he would make the factories even better and when he returned to his office in the Parliamentary building he went to work, he had dissolved the parliament for this year until he deemed new elections were safe. This political move let him pass the Industrial Revitalization Act of 1936. Which meant that more military factories were built or expanded on, which he deemed would decrease unemployment. Horthy had checked the bill and gave it his signature thus cementing it into law.
19th of December, Hungary, Budapest royal palace, 2:00PM.
"Are you deluded!" Cried Horthy as he read the new Act the King had written. It was titled the Hungarian Restoration Bill and essentially was Franz denouncing the Treaty of Trianon."I support this but Hungary is not yet ready! Please you most see common sense in this." Horthy did note the irony that a few months ago he was in the same position but with Gyula screaming that he was a madman. The King merely finished his tea and a servant quickly hurried over to fill it back up. "Horthy, I was in Berlin and its interior, they all believed Carol II and his government to be too weak to do anything and too worried about the Soviets. You say the same in your very reports, I understand you want to do this when Hungary has a stronger army but if we wait now, they may recover from the shock of my kingship and attack us. A good attack will always lead the way, friend. Trust me, Romania will fold."
Horthy gritted his teeth before sighing and rubbing his temples."As you wish, I'll have the army placed on high alert just encase." This caused the King to smile and he stood, moving over to the aging now Prime Minister and patted him on the back."Thank you."
The Bill would soon be signed by Horthy and the country was placed on high alert with the most troops moving to the Hungarian - Romanian border to protect against any Romanian attack.
