After ensuring that his wife was okay following that drunken fool’s attempt to hit on her, Bruno maintained a close eye over his woman and their children for the rest of the night. His reputation immediately became even more fierce among the Russian Nobility as they could all guess that life in the Russian Army would not be pleasant for the duke’s son who had dared to offend Bruno.
Heidi had become rather excited by Bruno’s more murderous tendencies when it came to protecting his loved ones. Clinging by his side for the rest of the night, not wanting to be an inch away from him. Her expression could be described as pure reverence, and though Bruno didn’t notice the way which the woman was staring at him throughout the rest of the ball.
Others did, and it became a warning to others about the rather possessive mindset the woman had towards her husband. Causing many of those who sought to become Bruno’s mistress throughout the night to slowly fade away from his vicinity.
In the end, Bruno and Heidi shared a lovely waltz together on the dance floor of the Tsar’s ballroom, stealing the spotlight as they did so. Bruno was still very young, and Heidi was even younger than him. And because of this, they were quite the attraction, considering their status in the Russian Empire.
Eventually, the night came to an end, and Bruno thanked the Tsar for his hospitality. Afterwards, he and his family set off to their rooms for the night. In the morning, they would be on the first train back to Berlin. His children sleeping throughout the journey as they were exhausted from the week they spent in Russia.
Meanwhile, Tsar Nicholas II couldn’t help but comment on Bruno to his wife after the man and his family departed.
“It’s a damn shame I couldn’t drag him over to our side. A military mastermind like that appears once in a century….”
The Tsarina had a bitter smile on her face as she rubbed her husband’s shoulders, making a remark about Bruno that the Tsar didn’t expect.
“At first, I thought Olga had taken a liking to the man, but with the viciousness that couple displays towards those who have any thoughts of separating the two of them, I doubt there is even the slightest chance for her. A pity, it is as you say, he is a fine man, and with his princely status, he would have made a great match for our little princess.”
The Tsar had been so focused on trying to win Bruno over to his side that he didn’t even notice the affections of his oldest daughter had displayed to the man. He couldn’t help but chuckle and agree with his wife’s assessment of the issue.
“Not the slightest chance indeed….”
Bruno and his family would ultimately return to their humble home on the outskirts of Berlin, where they would retire comfortably for the evening. Quite a bit of time had obviously passed from their journey to Russia, and their journey back. Roughly a fortnight had passed if one included the time it took to get to saint Petersburg and back by a steam-powered locomotive, as a well as the time spent in the area.
It was not until the morning of the next day that Bruno recovered his energy, when Heidi approached him with a fresh pot of coffee, pouring it into his cup while asking about his plans for the upgrade to their living standards.
“So, my prince… When are you going to buy me an estate?”
There was an obvious tone of mockery in the woman’s voice as she was not the kind of woman to genuinely ask such a question, nor did she actually want to abandon their little manor on the outskirts of Berlin.
And Heidi instantly broke out into a fit of giggles when she saw the look on Bruno’s face when he heard her say this, especially when it coincided with the moment he took a sip from his coffee. It was as if he had tasted something sour and bitter. Much to the point where he felt compelled to sigh and clarify what he meant by his current expression.
“The coffee is as tasty as usual, but please don’t mock me in such a way, dear…”
By now, they had both returned to the humble and comfortable clothing of the working class. Something which they would unfortunately have to abandon soon now that they were aware of just how high on the noble hierarchy they sat.
Still Heidi couldn’t help but continue to make fun of her husband, even as she apologized for doing so.
“I’m sorry, but it’s just a little too funny. I mean the look on your face when you realized that you were a Prince. Not just that, but the way the Tsar stared at you in confusion, as if it was the most obvious thing. I can’t help but laugh at you, my love.”
Considering his wife was in the mood to tease him, Bruno couldn’t help himself but to play along as well. He quickly wore a smug smirk and mocked the woman for sharing the same sentiment of surprise.
“I remember correctly you too were quite bewildered by the announcement of your new title. Going so far as to break out into tears! I mean really, Heidi, was it so overwhelming to know you were finally of the same status as your half-siblings that you couldn’t help but cry like a little girl?”
Heidi’s face flashed red with embarrassment as she recalled doing something so unnecessary as to cry in front of the Tsar and Tsarina. Bruno’s words stung, even if they were true as can be. Because of this, she immediately tried to hide her shame by looking away from the man and pouting as she whispered criticisms towards him for the brutality of his remarks.
“That is a bit too cruel…”
However, they both broke out into laughter immediately after, showing that neither of them took offense to any of the remarks shared between them. And sure enough, just as they were about to kiss and make up, their kids came running into the dining room, hungry and ready to eat breakfast.
“Breakfast!”
Both Bruno and Heidi quickly separated as their lips were an inch away from one another, acting as if they were not about to be intimate in the middle of the dining hall. Instead, Heidi went back to the kitchen and quickly began to prepare extra plates for her kids, who had slept in longer than they had.
Meanwhile, Bruno began to ask his kids if they enjoyed their trip to Saint Petersburg.
“So, how about it? Won’t you all tell your father your honest thoughts about our family trip to Russia!”
Eva, being the oldest of the children, and having a remarkable degree of intelligence for her young age, was quick to comment on her father’s status. While she didn’t understand the full complexity of it all, she knew her beloved father was a true prince, and a powerful military commander at that.
“Daddy is so amazing! I never knew you were a prince! Does that mean I’m a princess?”
Bruno quickly patted the girl’s head, assuring her that his title was entirely hereditary and because of that, she was indeed a princess.
“That’s right, Eva is daddy’s little princess! Elsa and Erwin, you also have my title as you are all my children. Hell, even your mother is a princess by law. Isn’t your father amazing?”
The rest of the meal was spent between the family talking about how much they enjoyed their time in Saint Petersburg. With the children not being aware of the fact that their father had basically sentenced a Russian Nobleman to death for daring to covet his wife.
That was not exactly a story that was suitable for children, especially those as young as Bruno’s kids. Because of this, they seemed to rather enjoy their visit to Saint Petersburg. And it was only when they were significantly older that they finally learned what happened that day.
But by then, they would have plenty of opportunities to personally witness what happened when someone came after Bruno’s family with malevolent intent. The man, after all, had earned the name “The Wolf of Prussia” for a reason, and it was the duty of the Alpha wolf to protect his pack through violent and brutal means if necessary.
