It took every ounce of inner strength Heidi could muster within herself not to lash out at the man seated in front of her. She might not have known for certain that Luitpold was the one who had orchestrated the hit on her mother, but she was aware he was a von Wittelsbach and the current acting head of the ancient dynasty.
He had also held this position for many years. As a result, it took only the slightest logical deduction to put two and two together. Sure, Heidi had the resources to track down who had been responsible for her mother’s death, but she had long since resigned herself not to seek vengeance.
Thus, while she stared at the Prince Regent of Bavaria with a hate-filled gaze so intense it could devour a thousand star systems if it could manifest into some form of psychokinetic flame, she ultimately stayed her hand and bit her tongue, speaking only in the most curt terms as she demanded an explanation for his visit.
“I’m waiting for an explanation…”
Prince Luitpold wore a sincere and sorrowful expression as he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small velvet box, which he handed over with the most respectful posture he could manage—a posture conveying his deepest apologies with a bow of his head.
“My Lady… No… Your Highness, Princess Heidi von Zehntner, I know my words will never suffice to mend the pain and sorrow I have caused you. I am a sinner in the eyes of the Lord and a foolish old man who has sullied myself and my dynasty to fulfill the request of an errant member of my house.
In doing so, I deprived you of your only parent. I know I can never earn your forgiveness for how horrifically I have wronged you, especially now that I am one foot in the grave. And because of this, I would never be so rude as to request your mercy. Instead, I offer only my deepest apologies and sincerest condolences.
I have few regrets in this life. Even with the things I have done, many of which Christ would find abhorrent, I did them for the sake of my house and the legacy of my family. But if there is one regret I have, it is what I did to you and your mother—two people who did not deserve the cruelty of my family.
It was a flagrant abuse of my power to do what I did to you and your mother. And because of this, I can only offer this token as recompense, even though I know such a trinket means nothing in comparison to the grief you must have endured losing a parent…”
Heidi’s eyes opened wide as Luitpold opened the velvet box to reveal the treasure inside. When it came to orders of chivalry, there were two types:
Those intended for men, typically granted for gallant acts on the battlefield or significant contributions in fields like politics, arts, and science, and those meant solely for noblewomen.
Few kingdoms had more than one order for noblewomen, as they were generally considered less important than those issued to men. However, Bavaria had two such orders, and one was second only to the highest order of merit or chivalry the kingdom offered.
It was the Order of Saint Elizabeth, a rather exclusive award used almost exclusively by the von Wittelsbach family or the wives and daughters of foreign monarchs. Heidi was so stunned by the offer that she could not respond before Luitpold ushered it into her hands.
“My son’s wife is the current Grand Mistress of the order, and when I told her of my plans to compensate you in some way, she said the best way was to induct you into the order as a dame.
Any fees associated with joining have obviously been waived, considering your circumstances. I’m afraid this isn’t much, but it is the most I can do… I am afraid my five minutes are up. As promised, you will never hear from me or my family again unless we meet at some public event.
Your husband is, after all, a man of supreme importance, and I get the feeling you have yet to make your proper mark on this world as well. Sooner or later, you are bound to cross paths with my family again, and I pray that by then you have found some peace in your heart over how we wronged you.
Goodbye, Your Highness, and I pray for your and your family’s happiness and good fortune in all that you may endeavor in this life…”
After saying this, the old Prince Regent stumbled out of the restaurant, where he was driven off by his staff back to his family’s lands. Heidi returned to her husband and children, leaning over to whisper to Bruno what had happened.
Needless to say, Bruno was surprised. It was unusual for men in positions of such privilege to feel remorse for abusing their power. Perhaps when one knew death was around the corner, they instinctively felt guilt for all the sins they had committed in life.
And if that was the case, would he too feel regret toward the end of his lifespan for all the wicked deeds he had done to save the German Reich and create a better future for his family?
What was the saying again? “The road to hell is paved with good intentions”? Surely that could not be his fate? After all, why else would God reincarnate him back in time if the end of his journey was eternal damnation?
Bruno ultimately forced the matter from his mind, while Heidi reflected in silence on Luitpold’s final words to her.
“I get the feeling you have yet to make your proper mark on this world as well….”
Was she capable of such a thing? All she had ever wanted in life was to support her husband—the love of her life—in all he desired and to raise his children to be men and women of dignity and respect.
But perhaps she had been thinking about things the wrong way all this time. Perhaps it was not her place to silently eliminate threats in the background. After all, the award in her hand was an order of charity run by noblewomen.
Maybe… Just maybe Heidi was meant to do far more good for the world than she had ever believed herself capable of. Her husband was a man of supreme faith, even though she herself had a hard time believing God existed in this world.
Bruno had told her early in life that her suffering was God’s doing and His alone. Yet, later in life, he seemed to have genuinely become a believer in the “old bastard.” So, what if she too had a chance to change? To let go of all the anger and hatred she silently harbored toward those who had once wronged her?
What if she could transform such vile emotions into some kind of good for the world? Suddenly enlightened, Heidi’s expression became rather meek and embarrassed as she tugged on Bruno’s sleeve, an act she hadn’t done since they were children.
The man in question was too focused on conversing with his children to notice the sudden shift in his wife’s behavior. He assumed it was one of his daughters or possibly his sons tugging so childishly at his sleeve, until he looked over to see it was none other than Heidi, bashfully averting her gaze, almost as if embarrassed by what she was about to say.
Bruno could only raise his brow, questioning her attitude.
“Hmmm? Is something wrong, dear?”
Heidi felt like Bruno was about to laugh and mock her for what she was about to suggest. But she needed his support if she was truly going to let go of the past and embrace her role as a proper noble lady of virtue. Because of this, she stammered slightly as she tried to voice her innermost thoughts.
“I… I… Ummm…”
Bruno hadn’t seen her act so timidly since they were small children. Because of this, he knew whatever was on her mind was serious—something he could in no circumstances make light of. She was usually a confident woman, even in the face of others’ mockery.
But whatever Luitpold had said to her had clearly struck a nerve and caused her to question herself. So Bruno took his wife’s dainty hand in a firm, supportive grip, letting her know he was there for her, both through this gesture and with his words.
“Heidi, whatever it is you need to say to me, just know I will always support you, no matter what it is…”
Bruno suspected the worst had come over her after her encounter with the man who had killed her mother. Thus, he was flabbergasted when she blurted out a selfless desire that he found completely unexpected.
“Bruno, I want to open a charity with a portion of our family fortune!”
