Captain America’s Political Marriage

"What? A blind date?" Steve stared at Sitwell in disbelief.

"That’s right, Steve. You’re going to become the President of the United States in the future. How could you possibly remain single?"

Sitwell knew that Captain America had been asleep for many years and was unfamiliar with all this, so he patiently explained:

"Women voters are also an important part of the Federation now. All our opponents have wives or daughters responsible for canvassing votes. Many women voters will choose to vote for a husband or father because they support the future First Lady."

"Besides, the more something is lacking, the more we promote it. Every country is the same in this regard. For example, if people have a weak awareness of the law, we promote governing the country according to law. If moral standards decline, we promote governing the country through virtue. And facts have proven that this kind of propaganda is effective."

"Many families in the United States now have cold relationships, so we need to promote the importance of family. A harmonious family can attract more voters to support you."

"Of course, you can’t immediately get married and have children, but you can find a girlfriend first and have her help you campaign and canvass for votes. After you successfully move into the White House, you can hold the wedding ceremony then."

Sitwell pulled up a pile of information on the tablet in his hand and handed it to Steve.

"There are profiles here for dozens of women of a suitable age. Their parents all come from important families that hold considerable influence in various industries across the United States. You can look through them carefully and choose one. If you’re interested, I can arrange for you to meet."

"I doubt any girl would reject Captain America’s advances!" Sitwell teased.

"Of course, if you feel she isn’t suitable after meeting her, you can always choose another."

Steve took the tablet and swiped through it a few times. Looking at the profiles of the glamorous women displayed on it, he shrugged and sighed helplessly. "After hearing that women can play a more important role in society, I suppose I should be happy. But why don’t I feel happy at all?"

"This is the legendary political marriage, isn’t it? Can I refuse?" Steve frowned and looked at Sitwell.

"You haven’t even looked at their photos. Why do you want to refuse?" Sitwell asked, puzzled.

"I don’t know them at all, and there’s no emotional foundation whatsoever." Steve frowned and spread his hands.

"Feelings can be cultivated slowly. Besides, the key to marriage is whether the two people are compatible. What does that have to do with feelings?"

"God!" Steve lamented. "How can a man and woman get married without love? How are they supposed to live together?"

Sitwell rolled his eyes and said helplessly, "Steve, stop always thinking like some poor loser. You don’t understand at all. Rich people do their own thing, and mutual interests are the solid bond of marriage. You’re going to be President in the future. You have to get used to putting interests first."

"I absolutely can’t accept your views on marriage and love. I refuse a political marriage." Steve returned the tablet to Sitwell as if it were a hot potato.

Sitwell blinked and said hesitantly, "Actually, besides women, there’s another important group among the voters."

Steve let out a long breath, perked up, and smiled. "Great! As long as you don’t make me enter a political marriage, we can discuss anything."

However, he was celebrating too soon.

"You and the Winter Soldier seem to have a pretty good relationship?"

"That’s right. Bucky and I are as close as brothers, inseparable."

"Hmm…" Sitwell considered his wording before saying, "Actually, the campaign team only hopes that you’ll form a family. They don’t care who your partner is."

Steve suddenly had an ominous feeling. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, the voters don’t actually care whether their First Lady is a woman!"

Sitwell began explaining the matter to him in earnest.

"In fact, there are quite a few same-sex lovers and third-sex people in the United States now. Including those who have come out publicly, those who haven’t, and potential sympathizers, they make up a very important portion of the electorate."

Captain America’s face turned green, but Sitwell continued to rattle on.

"You and Bucky are extremely close. We can easily portray you as same-sex confidants. Think about it. The previous presidents merely expressed their support verbally, and no one knew what they really thought. But you’re different. You would be openly joining this group. What a publicity stunt that would be, and how many people’s support it would attract."

"Stop!" Steve hurriedly interrupted Sitwell’s fantasies. "I’m heterosexual! Please completely abandon that idea."

Steve rose angrily and walked away. Sitwell sighed and also turned to leave.

Steve thought the matter had ended there, but he had seriously underestimated how persistent a devoted Hydra warrior could be when it came to completing a mission.

Several days later, Sitwell came again.

"Steve, I know you’ve always been thinking about Peggy Carter. But you and I both know that it’s impossible. We have no way to perform Time Reversal."

"However, making up for a regrettable love story is actually not as difficult as you imagine."

Sitwell waved a hand, and a beautiful woman walked out from behind him.

"Let me introduce you. This is Saoji Carter. Starting today, she’ll be your assistant."

Steve stared at Saoji Carter before him and couldn’t help but freeze.

Saoji Carter’s appearance and bearing were astonishingly similar to those of his dream lover, Peggy Carter—almost ninety percent alike.

"Hello. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Rogers."

When Saoji spoke, not only was her voice extremely similar to Peggy Carter’s, but the way she held her head high, slightly raised her chin, and looked down on the world was exactly the same as Peggy’s queenly bearing.

"Uh… h-hello. I-I’m Steve Rogers. It’s nice to meet you, too."

Captain America seemed to have turned back into the young inexperienced man he had once been, and he even began to stammer.

Sitwell watched the scene with a smug look.

"Well? Captain, are you satisfied with this choice of assistant?"

"Satisfied. Of course I’m satisfied." Steve blurted it out, then hurriedly explained, "No, I mean, how does she…"

"It’s simple. With Hydra’s power, finding someone around the world who resembles Peggy Carter from back then wasn’t difficult."

After his initial loss of composure, Steve quickly regained his calm. He gave Saoji a complicated look, then shook his head and sighed. "She does look very much like Peggy, but she isn’t Peggy. And what I loved wasn’t only Peggy’s appearance and figure."

"Thank you, Sitwell, but I don’t want to entrust my feelings to a substitute. I understand what you mean, and I appreciate the gesture. Bring me that list of marriage candidates. I’ll enter into a political marriage according to the organization’s wishes. Everything for Hydra!"

"It’s even better that you’ve come around, Captain. However, Saoji will still be your assistant. She’s very capable at her job." Sitwell handed Steve the tablet he had prepared long ago once again. "Hail Hydra!"

"Hail Hydra!"