Bruno stood before the Austrian Royal Family dressed head to toe in the traditional gala uniform of an Austro-Hungarian Field Marshal. Why was this the case? Because today Bruno was being granted not only citizenship status within the lands of the Dual-Monarchy, but royal status as well.
Despite this, Bruno was not aware, Heidi after all did not wish to ruin the secret she had already become aware of thanks to her shall we say, blossoming friendship with one of her husband’s former admirers.
Even so, he looked rather dashing, more so than usual that is. Bruno was a man who personified the trope of a prince charming. Even now, as he entered his mid-thirties, the man’s finely combed and parted golden hair was short and cut to perfection.
His blue eyes were as azure as the clear sky above, and he had a slight scar on his cheek due to his days in academic fencing. He was also tall, and while muscular, still lean enough not to look like a blockhead.
While wearing this white uniform with a red collar/trousers and golden embellishments. It was easy to understand why the man, along with his exceptional accomplishments and natural charm had managed to capture the interests of so many royal young ladies.
Even now, Hedwig was trying her best not to get flustered, as she saw Bruno enter the room in the traditional military gala uniform of her family’s empire, one that was even more grand than that which her family wore, as it was granted the cultural alteration given to Hungarian units.
In other words, it had the dashing knotting that was commonly found in German Hussar uniforms of the late 19th century, and early 20th century. After all, these designs were inspired by those which originated in Hungary.
And to distinguish who was of the Austrian side of the Army ,and who was of the Hungarian side, the Austro-Hungarian Armed forces left such an embellishment exclusive to Hungarian units.
In his past life, the Hungarian tunic was also red, but for reasons unknown to Bruno, as part of the 1910 modernization of uniforms that occurred in this timeline, it was now white like the Austrian one.
This should have been a dead giveaway to Bruno about what was about to happen to him, but never in his wildest dreams would he think such a thing could happen. Thus he stood with a stoic expression, which only added to his appeal, as several noble ladies-in-waiting watched from afar, trying not to swoon as they did so.
Bruno stood there like this, even after receiving multiple prestigious awards, including the vaunted Grand Cross of the Royal Hungarian order of Saint Stephen. Something which, when combined with the uniform he was currently wearing was indeed quite striking.
However, it was only after the Archduke of Austria stepped forward and gave him his next decoration that Bruno truly understood what was happening. As it was a rarity that only someone of royalty could wear.
The chain of the Grand Master of the Royal Hungarian order of Saint Stephen was wrapped around Bruno’s shoulders, shocking not only Bruno, but everyone else in attendance as clearly the Sovereign of the Order, Archduke Franz Joseph I himself had kept these plans to himself.
And after wrapping the chain around Bruno’s neck, the man stared proudly upon the Butcher of Belgrade and proclaimed him something which everyone in attendance would have desired.
“For your accomplishments in avenging my nephew Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie, as well as crushing our enemies in the Balkans and restoring law and order to those lands.
I hereby confer upon you the status of Grand Master of the Royal Hungarian Order of Saint Stephen, and with this chain, I also bestow upon you, and your house the title Grand Prince, where you, and your descendants shall rule over the lands of Transylvania in perpetuity!”
Needless to say, this was like a bombshell being dropped on Bruno, as he stood in disbelief at the words he was hearing and the decorations he was wearing. He was now effectively royalty in two different empires, neither of which were the lands which he was born in, nor where his loyalty lied.
A Prince in Russia, and a Grand Prince in Austro-Hungary? Sure, his accomplishments were grand, and what he had done in many ways had single-handedly saved both the Houses of Romanov and Habsburg, as well as their right to rule.
But was he really worthy of such lofty titles? He was a common man in his past life, and a mere ninth son of a lowly lord in this one? Sure, he believed in meritocracy, and also supported rising through the ranks of nobility through your achievements in life.
However, despite these form beliefs, his mind simply could not wrap around the idea of being such a high noble status… Ultimately, it was not like Bruno could reject these gifts. Nor would he want to. They brought enormous advantages to himself, his future goals, and most importantly his family’s future.
Because of this, he bowed his head in thanks, and spoke with gratitude for what he had been given, something he had never once believed was remotely plausible to occur, even had he accomplished all which he desired with this second chance at life.
“You honor me, and my house, in ways which I can never truly express my gratitude for. Although I believe your judgement to be wise and prudent, I am having a hard time believing that I am worthy of such benevolence.
Even so, I promise to use my newfound position with the utmost honor and integrity. Thank you your majesty, I will never disappoint you after all the kindness you have shown to me and my family…”
Both the Archduke of Austria, and his granddaughter smiled when they heard Bruno’s response.
Naturally this position came with the honorary title of Field Marshal within the Austro-Hungarian Army, which like during the Russian Civil War, may not prove to be so fiercely “honorary” considering the nature of the current world, and the alliances that existed.
Even so, Bruno stood up upon being granted the permission to do so, and shook hands with the Austrian Archduke, while standing alongside his family for a portrait to be commissioned, showing off the new Grand Prince of Transylvania in all of his glory.