155 Noblesse Oblige
It did not take long for Bruno to see in the daily newspapers that the Bosnian Crisis had more or less been resolved the way it had in his past life. Though with some minor changes in circumstance. Russia was not aggrieved by the process and had voted in favor of their ally Austro-Hungary from the start. Serbia, though in agreement, had done so begrudgingly as a result of being forced to concede due to the Black Hand’s attempts to kill Bruno on Russian soil. They were still deeply bitter from the result, and it would no doubt be an event that would help spark the Great War in the near future. Italy was also angered by the result, but rather than silently suffer until withdrawing from the Triple Alliance in 1915, a whole year after the Great War had begun in Bruno’s past life. They immediately used this conference as a means to leave an alliance that was in practicality already void. This was not exactly a surprise to those who were already aware of what was going on behind the scenes on the global stage. Let alone Bruno, who was currently enjoying a nice breakfast with his family. By now Heidi was visibly pregnant, and yet that did not stop the woman from being the taskmaster of their new estate, one which was truly befitting of a prince. All the servants were not only thoroughly vetted, but properly trained, and held to a standard so high that the initial attrition rate was about 90%. If there was a such thing as an equivalent of special forces for maids, butlers, chefs, bartenders, housekeepers, tutors et cetera, then Heidi ensured that the home staff that looked after herself, her husband, and her children, were all tier one operators. Loyalty to their household was an absolute requirement. The slightest wavering in this regard resulted in an immediate termination of employment. At the same time, the pay was exceptional. Bruno was extremely wealthy and was on track to perhaps becoming the wealthiest man in history. Give or take a decade or two. He had even begun to invest in opening his own national bank, in order to compete with groups like the Rothschilds, who, frankly, speaking trusted less than just about anyone in this world. Hiring the best staff, with a salary that nobody else could compete with, was not a problem in the slightest for Bruno’s finances. Frankly speaking, Bruno always offered a salary to his employees that was at least 25% higher than his competitors. In addition to this, he gave out exceptional bonuses. The higher one’s performance at work, the more they would be paid, no matter their position. This was a great way to secure the best talent and giving them a sense of loyalty to their employer, while also making sure that his employees were well taken care of. Perhaps it was because of what he had witnessed corporate greed due to the world in his past life, but as an owner of several businesses and significant assets, Bruno had a sense of noblesse oblige. It was his duty as a man in a position of privilege, wealth, and power, to use those three things for the benefit of those beneath him. Especially those who were his direct subordinates. Whether it was the soldiers beneath his command, or it was the men and women in his employment. Bruno had always treated them as if they were his own family members. Not only because it was expedient but also because it was the right thing to do. It was perhaps because of this that he knew the name of every single member of his estate’s staff and was quick to thank one of the maids who came over to fill his cup of coffee, after she witnessed it was getting close to being empty. “Thank you, Frieda,…” Bruno was not what one would call a morning person, and often required at least three cups of coffee before he could be fully functional for the day. It was perhaps because of this that the young maid always kept a close eye on his cup, ensuring that he had the amount of coffee he needed, when he needed it, not a moment earlier, nor a moment too late. It was indeed a rare talent, one that Bruno greatly appreciated, even if he was too groggy to properly express his thanks. Perhaps it was because the man sounded so tired as he yawned before taking another sip from his cup, that the maid simply responded in a way that dismissed his appreciation altogether. “It is nothing that requires such gratitude your highness, I was simply doing as I am paid to do…” Bruno, however, frowned when he heard this. Not because he was particularly insulted, but because he felt the woman’s own humble attitude was a bit too self-loathing. Though her abilities to perform as a maid were exceptional, and she was paid her worth. The woman was always too hard on herself. Perfectionists were often this way when they felt they did not live up to the standards which they had imposed upon themselves. Because of this, Bruno was quick to correct the woman. Even if he was exhausted, he felt she needed to be easier on herself, especially if she was going to last a long time at this job. Which is exactly what he desired. “Not everything needs to be perfect, young lady. You have a bad habit of looking down on your own exemplary skills. Frankly speaking, your skills are second only to perhaps the head maid in this house. And if you think to the contrary, perhaps I should lower your pay according to an amount appropriate for your own assessment of your self-worth. Besides, I have told you a thousand times by now, please don’t refer to me by my honorifics, I freaking hate that… If you can’t call me by my name, then call me sir, or simply Mr. von Zehntner, okay?” Freida’s eyes bulged open when she heard this. Not because she actually believed Bruno would dock her pay, but because the man was subtly saying that if he didn’t believe in her performance, he wouldn’t be paying her the amount he did. And because of this, she quickly bowed her head and thanked the man. All the while Heidi entered the room, having overseen the cooking staff’s preparation of today’s breakfast like the proper tyrant she was. “Thank you, your… I mean, sir… I appreciate your kindness!” The woman looked up at Bruno’s satisfied smile, only with her eyes, before quickly looking back at the floor, blushing as she did so. That is until Heidi yelled at her, to go off and help one of her fellow maids with the laundry for the day. “That will be all Freida. Breakfast has been prepared, and my husband has had enough coffee this morning. You can go help Bertha with the laundry if you have nothing else to do.” Heidi’s words weren’t exactly meant to be stern towards the young maid. Even if the girl was slightly crushing on Bruno, they were actually meant for Bruno, who without her interference would drink nothing but coffee and beer. Something which was deeply unhealthy for the man. And because of this, Bruno sighed and shook his head as he sipped on the current glass he was drinking. All the while Freida fled the scene. Heidi, however, took her seat across from her husband, and looked at him with a loving smile. Commenting on how happy she was with the way he treated their staff, even if it was with her usual snark. “My oh my… If word gets out that the Red Scourge is so kind to his employees, your enemies may not fear you anymore… What will the great Generaloberst do then?” Bruno could help but smile at his wife’s words, which he knew were filled with love and warmth, despite what she had said. He decided to play along, with his own denial of the accusations of him being a monster. “Contrary to common belief, I’m not a demon, or a wild animal, wearing the flesh of a man. I’m only unkind to those who provoke me, or those who deserve it. If the communists had their way, girls like her would be selling their bodies on the street for a loaf of bread. That is, of course, assuming she had not already starved to death… Even if she did manage to land a proper job as a maid, she would not be paid her worth. And to me, that is a far more monstrous crime than anything I have ever done!” Heidi continued to smile at Bruno while her face rested in her hands. All the while, her children ignored their parents’ subtle flirting via unorthodox methods, instead they ate their meals with gusto. Heidi couldn’t help but dig into her own plate, while complimenting the man on not being a monster like some of the people he hung out with. “Yes, yes… We all know how much you hate the Marxists. Now finish your meal, love. It will give you the necessary strength to get through the work you have to do today!” Bruno ultimately would not argue with his wife and would indeed finish his meal before getting ready for the day’s work. After which he would return home and spend the evening with his family, much how he always did during such peaceful times. And though he wished such days would last forever, Bruno was all too aware of the storm clouds gathering in the distance, which would soon approach the borders of the Reich. And when they did, hell would come with them.