Re: Blood and Iron

Peace had been restored to Luxembourg after the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1916. France's occupation had been brutally dismantled, to the extent that the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg had stipulated that France must not only pay for the damages caused by their two invasions and occupations but also bear the cost of removing their own dead from the territory.

There were simply too many Frenchmen who had perished during the 8th Army's push through the relatively small sovereign territory. In the year since the war's conclusion, negotiations between the Kaiser and the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg had proceeded smoothly, with Germany playing a leading role in the country's reconstruction.

However, the Grand Duchess was deeply shaken, having been forced from her home twice in two years. Even her peaceful domain was restless as the agreed-upon time for the withdrawal of German troops approached.

Like it or not, a single company of gendarmerie was not enough to protect the Grand Duchy from the chaos engulfing the French countryside. A single company of riflemen couldn't safeguard the people of Luxembourg from the threat of brigands crossing the borders and imposing tyranny.

Because of this, Marie-Adélaïde had requested Bruno's presence—not for any tangible reason, but because he was the one person who made her feel safe. Their personal interactions had been brief, and the last time they had spoken, she had made an inappropriate advance on him. But Bruno carried himself with a paternal-like quality.

He was a stoic man of restraint and strength, someone who, even to a young woman in her early twenties like the Grand Duchess, projected an aura of protection. Knowing that the German troops were about to withdraw, she wanted him near to assure her that he would come to her rescue if anything went wrong with the peace process.

Bruno, of course, knew none of this. Emotional comfort was not his strength, especially when dealing with distressed individuals. Since he had been personally requested by the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, he expected this to be a diplomatic summons, not a house call.

Thus, one could imagine the uncomfortable expression on his face as he sat on a sofa next to the woman who was desperately clinging to him, already flushed from intoxication. He simply raised one hand and pushed her away as if she were a flea-ridden stray.

For a sovereign monarch, Marie-Adélaïde could not help but act extremely childish when rejected so prudishly, while Bruno used his free hand to down the alcohol in his glass as quickly as possible.

But she was the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg! She would not be so easily denied! Having already consumed three martinis and without the slightest bit of self-reflection, Marie-Adélaïde pouted and clung to Bruno's arm, trying to entice him.

"My Prince! Please! I'm terrified! When your brave soldiers leave the borders of my people, we will be wide open to rapacious bandits and scoundrels of the most murderous kind! Who then will protect me? Won't you stay here by my side… My perfect… eternal guardian?"

Bruno sighed heavily, realizing that the Kaiser had arranged this improper private meeting with a single noblewoman of proper age precisely because the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg was too sweet on him—and that this could be used to coerce her into annexing the region.

But knowing the price she was going to ask of him, Bruno would rather die a thousand deaths than return home to his wife as an adulterer—the type of person he despised above all others.

Because of this, he saw this rather temptation of the flesh as a test issued unto him by God himself. He restrained himself in the only way he knew how, forcing himself away from the woman who was trying her hardest to break his honor and integrity as a man, a husband, and a father.

Sure, Bruno was a man of great resolve, but he was still a mortal at the end of the day. He was neither saintly nor angelic in nature. And because he was not some divine entity, his morals, virtues, and nobility could easily be led astray by earthly desires if such poisonous thoughts were entertained.

As much as Bruno loved and adored his wife, when a beautiful young noblewoman like Marie was quite literally throwing herself at him. Professing her love and adoration as she did so. It was something that would most certainly chip away at his resolve the longer it continued.

With this in mind, Bruno stood up and began to walk away. Just as the Grand Duchess was about to break into tears after being rejected a second time by the only man she truly fancied, Bruno turned around and stopped in his tracks, sighing heavily as he made her a solemn vow that only the two of them would ever know about.

"What you want from me, I can never provide… My heart, my body, my love belong to another… And you know this well enough already… Yet, let no man ever declare I was not bound by chivalry…

Should a damsel like you ever find yourself in distress, surrounded by enemies on all sides, my armies will march to the gates of your palace to rescue you as swiftly as the wind blows.

You should get some proper rest… Your Majesty, your current state is unbefitting of a woman whom I know is truly virtuous at heart… At least when in a proper state of mind… And a fair warning: not everyone you interact with is a friend who has your best interests in mind, no matter what praise they may speak to your face…"

Bruno then finished the alcohol in his glass, placing it down on the nearby bar counter as he left the room entirely. With the door shut behind him, he stood still for longer than he should have, gazing out the window, his mind filled with fury.

"Wilhelm, you fucking knave! Do you think I'm some harlot which you can hawk to noblewomen as you see fit?! Your foolish gesture has not aided in the annexation of Luxembourg, but only complicated matters!

I swear to Christ in heaven, the next time I see you, the Lord, my heavenly Father, had better bestow upon me the patience of a saint. For if not, I will commit the gravest of sins… Slapping a monarch as if he were some common wench!"

After saying this, Bruno looked at his watch, realizing he had just enough time to return home and fulfill his promise to his wife. All the while, he remained unaware that his vow to the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg had only deepened her already complicated feelings for him.