Knowing that the Empire of Japan was almost certain to accept the German Reich’s request to dispatch military advisors to Manchuria. Bruno returned to his home after his day’s work at the German High Command headquarters.
When he stepped through the door to his home, he was greeted by his three-year-old daughter who came running towards him for a hug while announcing his presence to the rest of the family.
“Daddy’s home!”
The girl was quite adept at the German language despite only being three, showing off that she had inherited some of her father’s intelligence. Bruno, of course picked the young girl up into his arms, and kissed her forehead while asking where her mother was.
“And where is your mother, little girl? Is she in the kitchen cooking dinner?”
There was a wide smile on the young girl’s face as she confirmed that Heidi was indeed making dinner for her husband and their three children.
“Mommy’s in the kitchen! Daddy, play with me!”
Seeing as he just got off work for the day, Bruno wanted to relax for a bit. But he could never say no to his daughters. Because of that, he wandered off to go play with Eva, and whatever game she had come up with for the day.
Before long, Bruno was greeted by his wife, dressed in an apron, as she confirmed that dinner was ready.
“Hey, honey, will you gather the kids for dinner? It will be ready in five minutes!”
Of course, Bruno nodded his head. He forced himself to wear a warm smile, despite knowing that later that night he would have to tell the woman he loved that he was once more being sent off to war. Still, he masked the trepidation in his voice perfectly, confirming he would do as she asked.
“No problem, we will be in the dining room in a minute!”
After which Bruno ran around the house, collecting his other two kids, carrying the youngest and the oldest in his arms, while his son Erwin followed behind. Bruno’s parenting varied differently between his son and his two daughters.
His daughters he planned to give them everything he could, and raise them to be proper noble ladies who would one day marry exceptional men who could provide for them and their future families.
But his son… Well his privilege was the dirt beneath his feet. He would have to live a life where everything he gained was obtained through his own merit. That’s not to say he was cruel to the boy, but if the boy wanted something, he would have to work for it.
After sitting down at the table with his wife and three children, Bruno enjoyed a nice, and healthy home cooked meal. While spending time together with his family. Inquiring about what they had all been up to while he was at work.
His children were, after all far too young for to begin attending school yet. Even so, the eldest of them, Eva had already begun basic reading, writing, and arithmetic, taught to her by her mother who herself had excelled in her studies when she was still in school.
Eva had lots to talk about regarding her daily activities. While Erwin was more reserved, only speaking to, when he himself was addressed by his father. In addition to this, he always referred to Bruno by the title “Sir”, which his daughters did not.
Heidi could tell something was amiss, though. Bruno was being a little too affectionate with his family, almost as if he was trying to make up for something. And because of this, she remained completely and utterly silent during the meal. Which was unusual for her.
After dinner was over, Bruno entertained his family by the fireplace with stories from the past. Since tales of fantasy that he grew up with in his previous life had yet to be written, Bruno instead regaled his son and daughters with the damn near mythical tales of historical figures.
From the legendary exploits of Alexander the Great to Caesar’s conquest of Gaul. All the way to the Christianization of the Saxons by the sword of Charlemagne. They learned at a young age about history’s greatest men, and their accomplishments.
At the end of the discussion, Bruno’s young son, Erwin, who himself was barely capable of speaking, turned to his father with wide and bright eyes, saying the words that sounded awfully familiar to Bruno himself.
“I want to be like Alexander!”
Though Erwin was not exactly what you would call fluent with the German Language, unlike his older sister who, despite only being three years of age, spoke like a kid several years older.
He could still form small sentences and understand many of the things which his father told him. Which was more than the vast majority of 2-year-old kids could manage. Showing that he, too, had inherited a superior form of intelligence. A trait held by all of Bruno’s children, whether or not he realized it yet.
Upon hearing his son have such grand ambitions, Bruno smiled and patted the boy’s head. His words would forever live on in Erwin’s mind.
“That’s a great goal to have, but you must remember my son, nothing in this life is achieved without struggle. Work hard, and I am sure that one day your name will be remembered throughout history. Or don’t and be forgotten like the rest of us…”
After an hour or two of “story time,” Bruno and Heidi put their children to bed in their respective rooms before retiring to their own. Heidi had obviously been in a rather foul mood the entire night, barely speaking at all. And it was after they had bathed and dressed in their sleepwear, did Bruno finally mention this having climbing into bed with the woman.
“Is something the matter, dear?”
Heidi was pouting silently, having turned over onto her side that was the opposite of Bruno. Even he understood what was going on and was quick to give voice to it.
“I should have figured you would have picked up on it… You know me better than just about anybody, maybe even myself. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier. I was planning to do so tonight, after the kids had been put to sleep.
Yeah… You guessed correctly, in the coming days I will most likely be shipped off to Manchuria, as a military advisor to the Imperial Japanese Army in their war against the Russian Empire. But it’s not going to be like the Boxer Rebellion. I promise!
I’m a general now. They can’t afford to send me to the front lines. This isn’t the era of Alexander, where such a commander would lead his men into battle. I’m under no such falsehoods. I’ll be safe in the rear, with the Japanese Generals, helping them with strategy, tactics, and logistics. The actual fighting will be done by men much younger than I.”
Heidi finally turned over and stared Bruno in the eyes. She was clearly quite annoyed by the fact that he was leaving again. Despite this not even being a war which the Reich was officially waging.
“Must you really go? Can’t they send someone else? Why must it be you!?!”
A gentle smile curved itself upon Bruno’s lips as he hugged the woman tightly to him beneath the covers and kissed her forehead. While stroking her silky golden hair, he assured her that everything would be fine.
“You know as well as I that I am the youngest general in the history of the Reich. There are many among the General Staff who see me as undeserving of my position. And someone who rose through the ranks too quickly. They intend for Manchuria to be a proper test of my abilities in the field. It’s not something I can deny. And if I am being honest, I volunteered for it…”
Heidi could only harrumph and pout even more when she heard her husband’s shameless admission at the end of his statement. He almost got away with it too, but he had to be too honest for his own good.
Still, she very much enjoyed that part of Bruno’s character. He was an honest and loyal man. Such a thing was a rarity in this world, especially among the nobility. Because of this, Heidi couldn’t stay mad at her husband, and instead could only groan as she accepted him for who he was.
“Ugghhh.. Why must you always volunteer for things like this! Whatever, I married you knowing your character, I only have myself to blame. As long as you promise me to return in one piece like the last time, then I suppose I can forgive you…”
Bruno couldn’t help but think of a term from his past life that originated in Japan and was popular within Otaku culture for women who behaved like this… He found this part of his wife’s personality to be adorable, causing him to jump on top of her and kiss her on the lips.
“My little Heidi is so cute!”
Heidi immediately blushed and tried to get Bruno off of her, having not mentally prepared herself for such a sudden “attack”.
“What are you doing!?! The kids are still awake! They will hear us!”
But eventually Heidi relented to her husband’s advances like she always did. Muttering something beneath her breath that Bruno barely heard.
“I suppose it’s alright since this will probably be the last time in a long time….”
With that, Bruno had a proper farewell with his wife. Soon after, he would receive confirmation that he would be shipping off to Manchuria, and with a few familiar faces to aid him in his efforts.
