Bruno had an expression which matched that on his father’s face. He was astonished by this proposal. Sure, it was common knowledge that engagements were made between noble families throughout history and in many cases the parties involved were quite young when they first occurred.
But he was the 9th son of a Junker nobleman from a family whose nobility was less than a hundred years old. Why would this general, who clearly looked down on his family, propose such a thing? Unless… Sure enough, just as Bruno began to suspect that there was some hidden meaning behind this engagement his father’s expression shifted.
At first, the man was shocked, and he had every right to be, as he knew more about the circumstances behind the “offer” than his son did. But when the Lord finally recovered his senses, he could not help but clench his teeth and curl his fists.
It took every ounce of the man’s strength to compose himself, as he knew the consequences of behaving recklessly here and now would be dire. He then posed a question to the middle-aged general, who was sneering at him while twirling his mustache as if the Lord’s reactions were something to take great enjoyment in.
“Your Grace, am I to understand that you intend to betroth the daughter of your mistress to my true-born son?”
It suddenly hit Bruno when he heard these words. This little girl was a bastard? It made sense when he thought about it at greater length. I mean why would a middle-aged man have such a young bride, unless of course it was either a second wife, or a mistress?
And this would also explain the timid nature of the girl, who was practically shaking as she hid behind her mother. Bastards were seldom treated as family by the nobility, and were often bullied and harassed by their siblings, far more than the likes of which Bruno had endured these past few years.
A hint of pity appeared in the boy’s blue eyes as he gazed upon the timid rabbit who was being sold off to his family, and for no less tragic reasons. Though Bruno suspected there was more to this offer than met the eye. Perhaps there was still some hidden meaning behind it.
With this in mind, Bruno shifted his gaze to his father and mother. Both of which looked like they were just about to throw the Prince and his family out of their house for daring to hurl insults at them within their own home. But somehow, they found the strength within themselves to remain calm.
Judging by the fact that his father had used the term your grace to deal with this general, the middle-aged man was likely a Duke. Or perhaps a mediatized Prince. Bruno would later find out that his assumptions were correct, and the general was indeed a Prince from the ancient and high noble family von Bentheim of whom had been raised to the status of “Princes” by King Frederick William III in 1817.
But at this moment, what type of noble this man was, insofar as their exact title, if they still held control of their ancestral lands, or for how long they had held such a lofty position Bruno did not know, but he did not have time to think about these matters as the middle-aged Prince quickly responded to the Lord’s statement.
“Oh? What is this? You and your lovely bride seem so offended by my offer? You should be honored that I am willing to marry my daughter into a family with such a lacking heritage. She may not hold my name, but my blood runs through her veins. Perhaps some actual noble blood will do you up jumped peasants some good, don’t you think?”
Now the man was no longer even hiding his insults. And Bruno knew his father’s breaking point was near. Because of this, he sighed internally. If his father insulted a Prince, and a general in the Imperial Army no less, the consequences would be severe for their family. Sure the von Zehntner family in this timeline may hold a bit of wealth, and a fair degree of influence within the Military and Reichstag. But to compare their family to this Prince, it was like comparing a lieutenant’s power to that of a Field Marshal.
No doubt if the Lord acted without decorum here, it would be catastrophic to his family’s future. And because of this, Bruno stepped forward. Fully willing to be the sacrificial lamb for the sake of his family and his own personal future.
“Apologies for my interruption but I would like to express my opinions on the matter. If that is acceptable to you, your grace…”
Bruno’s father eyed him carefully. The boy was exceptionally intelligent and mature for his age. But to intervene now, and address the Prince and not him. There was very clearly some kind of scheme going on in his little mind. The man wanted to interrupt his son from making a mistake, but he was too slow to do so.
The Prince raised his brow and gazed upon Bruno as if he were a truly unique specimen. Most children his age would be utterly unaware of the significance behind this discussion. Or its hidden meaning. Yet this boy seemed to have followed the exchange between the two noblemen perfectly.
Wasn’t this a bit too terrifying a display of intelligence and wisdom for a mere child to possess? Still, he did not know why, but the Prince wanted to see what the boy would say and because of this, was quick to nod his head and accept Bruno’s request.
“Go ahead boy, speak…”
Although Bruno had the memories of a middle-aged man, he had been reincarnated and born anew. Because of this, he was still a young child, and so he decided to play to these strengths.
In doing so, he shot a kind smile at the young girl whose future was being discussed along with his. Before making a statement, that would save his family from speaking out of turn against their betters.
“I would like to thank you for your benevolence your grace. It would be my honor to marry your daughter, whether she is officially recognized by your family as a member of your house or not…”
This remark stunned the Prince. The truth of the matter was, he had not fully intended to marry his bastard daughter to Bruno. Rather, his reason for coming here today was to sabotage the von Zehntner family who he despised.
After all, the von Zehntner family was venerated among many of the newer nobility who had earned their title over the course of the last century through gallantry in battle. Or through grand achievements in science and culture.
If they lashed out against an older and more established noble family like that of the Prince’s it could be used to slander all the new noble families. And that was the Prince’s real goal.
But there were more people concerned about Bruno’s statement than just the Prince. For example, the boy’s mother was quick to cry out in shock. Trying to tell her boy to shut his mouth in the most motherly way she could.
“Hush child, you don’t know-”
But her husband who raised his hand to silence her quickly stopped her. The man had few interactions with his youngest son over the years. But he had heard tales of the boy’s genius. During their few encounters, The Lord knew that his son was harboring a frightening degree of intellect and wisdom, far more than a boy his age should possess.
Not only that, but he had been keeping tabs on all his sons and their growth throughout the years. Among them all, Bruno alone stood out at such a young age. Because of this, the Lord gazed down at his son with a stern gaze and asked him a simple question. Depending how Bruno answered would determine his fate.
“Bruno… Do you know what you are saying right now?”
What the Lord was really saying was, do you understand the consequences of your actions, and the effects it will have on your future?
To which Bruno responded with an equally severe gaze, as well as a slight nod of his head to his father, uttering a single word in response. And yet this word contained far more fortitude than it otherwise would have, especially when coming from a five-year-old boy.
“Perfectly…”
Bruno’s father quickly sighed and shook his head, rubbing the bridge of his nose as if to soothe a headache. After which he turned to the Prince who was still staring at the boy, as if something was wrong with him. The Lord’s response ultimately shook the middle-aged Prince from his stupor, making him fully realize that his plans had not gone as expected.
“You heard the boy. I have no choice but to accept your proposal. My son Bruno, and your daughter Heidi will be married when they both come of age. Or are you willing to retract your offer for reasons unknown to us all?”
It was evident by the expression on the Prince’s face, and that of his young mistress that they did not know immediately how to respond to this. They fully expected the Lord to refuse the offer and hopefully even make a scene.
Which they could use to tarnish the family’s reputation, painting them and those like them as little more than ill-bred peasants masquerading as nobles. But this small boy had interfered, taking the weight off of his parents’ shoulders, and carrying the burden on his own. It was
truly bewildering.
Before they could fully decide how to proceed, Bruno took the advantage, approaching the young girl, who was still hiding behind her mother. Bruno wore the most kind and childish fa?ade he could possibly manage, as he grabbed hold of the girl’s hands and smiled at her. All the while confirming the deal was done.
“So your name is Heidi? it is a pleasure to meet you my lady, my name is Bruno. We are to be married when we are older, so I hope you will take good care of me when that day comes!” The girl was not nearly as articulate as Bruno was, as she was, after all, a normal child. But she broke out into tears when she saw how kind Bruno was treating her, and instinctively hugged
him.
An act which shocked him. Bruno’s first instinct was to pull away, but his mother looked at him with an affectionate gaze upon seeing his kindness. Ultimately compelling him to stay put while his young fiancee struggled to mutter the proper etiquette between her sobbing
into his shoulder.
“I… I wi… I will be in your care…”
At first, Bruno did not understand why the girl was sobbing. But it took him all of a few
seconds to process that this was perhaps the first time anyone had ever shown her any kindness in her life, and because of this he fully accepted the girl’s gesture, albeit while at a total loss for words.
Though the Prince, on the other hand, was beginning to panic. He had long since lost control of the plot, and his anxiety continued to get worse until, of course, Bruno shifted his gaze
towards him.
The boy mustered the most shit-eating grin he could manage, showing the Prince that this battle had ended in Bruno’s victory. Causing the middle-aged man to damn near suffer a heart attack as he collapsed back onto the nearby desk. All the while struggling to breathe.
His mistress quickly began to panic, not showing the least bit of concern towards her daughter’s emotional outburst, and instead checking to see if the man was alright.
“Your grace! Are you alright!?!”
Though he appeared to be on the brink of death. All it took was for the man to rationalize that
he had been bested by a mere child in order for him to eventually recover from his panic
attack.
He would ultimately recover his composure, after his embarrassing display, and storm out from the room entirely, leaving his mistress and their young daughter to follow shortly
thereafter.
“You… I…. We’re leaving!”
Heidi’s mother pulled her away from Bruno, promising the girl that they would visit again before long. Whereas the girl would wipe the tears from her eyes and blush as she was dragged away by her mother, using all of her courage to wave goodbye with a forced smile to the boy who would one day be her husband when they both grew up.
As for Bruno, he waved back to the girl with a perfect smile. And once she and her family were out of range, his expression sank back to a cold and stoic visage where he sighed heavily before turning to his father, who gazed upon him with what appeared to be displeasure. Bruno’s father, having grown up among soldiers had a bad habit of breaking etiquette when
he was angry with his family, and was quick to call his son out for being a scheming prick in
the most vulgar of terms that would normally be ill-befitting of a noble Lord.
“You little shit… Just what are you planning?”
Bruno simply looked back at his father, remaining completely emotionless as he made a
single statement before walking off.
“Nothing that you need to concern yourself with, father…”
After saying that, Bruno turned around and walked out the door. While his father collapsed in
his seat and vented his frustrations to his wife.
“That little brat is going to be the death of me one day…”
As for Bruno’s mother, she was filled with nothing but motherly affection towards her little
genius who had rapidly become her favorite child, and rubbed her husband’s shoulders while assuring the man that everything would be alright.
“On the contrary, our little boy just saved us a great deal of trouble…” Ultimately, the Lord could not disagree with his wife’s words. Had Bruno not been so quick
thinking, and had not been willing to take a bullet for the family, then they could have ended up in real trouble. If Bruno was so capable at such a young age, then perhaps his father would have to pay more attention to him from here on out.