Re: Blood and Iron

France was committed to war… It was not hard to understand why that was the case. Millions were dead, more injured, and not a single inch of the soil they swore to regain having been gained under their possession despite the immense cost paid.

All for a war that started over a dispute between Serbia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. A dispute that was now concluded. Naturally, there were those aware of this reality, and were riled up on the Home front. Demanding an end to a war that had cost far far too much for France.

Humanity was far from a logical or rational species. Emotions ruled most people, and fallacious reasoning could be quite convincing to people who were already riled up. The sunken cost fallacy was the idea that one had already spent so much in terms of value, whether monetary, or in this case lives, that if they could not stop.

And would have to keep going until they recouped some, if not all, of their losses. For France, the nation's leaders seem almost possessed by the idea that they needed something, anything to show for the millions of their young men they had sent to die against the German fortifications.

Despite all of their allies having the wisdom to bail out, now that they knew defeat was certain. France remained defiant. The only problem with this was, their soldiers were so battered and beaten by what they had endured thus far, that there was a very high probability of mutiny, defection, or outright surrender the moment they made contact with the enemy.

But that was none of Bruno's concern for now. In fact the man was invited back over to the Kaiser's estate, not only for himself, but his wife, and children as well. This was an opportunity for Eva to meet with her future husband under the supervision of their mothers.

As for Heidi's opinions on the betrothal that Bruno made, she was actually quite relieved. She was after all personally friend's with the boy's mother, as the two of them were members of the same order of Dames, and she was aware of his character as a result.

But more than that, Heidi also saw this as Eva's opportunity to become the future Kaiserin, an honor she never thought would be possible for any of her children as a result of her own personal muddied heritage.

Sure, the betrothal had yet to be officially announced, but the necessary parties were already in the know of what had been established. As for Bruno, he actually was enjoying drinks with the Kaiser, and a rather unexpected face.

The Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, who was currently living in exile within the safety of the German Reich after the disaster that was Hindenburg's folly as it was now commonly referred to as. Marie-Adélaïde, was already slightly intoxicated as she had a poor constitution for alcohol by nature, and was quite nervous by the nature of the invitation.
Read the latest on My Virtual Library Empire

Her face was slightly flushed as she spoke with Bruno so openly about her disdain for his peer who had fumbled the bag so to speak when it came to the defense of her nation, that even Bruno detected a hint of lust her in her eyes towards him.

"That damn old fool cost me my country! But you… You don't seem to be old enough to be senile like him! In fact, you're far younger and more handsome than I expected you to be… What are you, twenty-five? No, twenty-six? My God you're roughly my age. How did a young and strapping young man like you manage to climb your way to the top of the Army?"

Bruno rolled his eyes and grabbed the woman's drink, which she was nearly spilling on his suit as she leaned way too close to him. He then put it on the table, and assured her he was not interested in her advances in the slightest, despite her natural beauty.

"Your Grace, far be it from me to question you, but it would appear you have had too much to drink. If your vision is failing you to such an extent that you truly believe I am roughly the same age as you, then I believe it is time for you to cease with the festivities and instead drink some coffee to sober up…"

Wilhelm was trying his best not to laugh, primarily because he was well aware that Bruno looked much younger than his actual age, and that from the woman's perspective it would appear that he was trying to gaslight her into thinking she was drunker than she rally was.

And without a doubt, she was quick to take the bait, as she posed a question she was not expecting in the slightest.

"Oh yeah? I will admit I have had too much to drink if you are really older than I guessed. The Kaiser here can act as witness and verify your claims, as I have heard he has known you since you were quite young! How old are you, Prince von Zehntner?"

Bruno's expression was cold as ice as he said the precise number without the slightest hesitation.

"I will be Thirty seven in December… Isn't that right, Wilhelm… And you madam, have had far too much to drink. So please, sober up as we have far more important conversations to talk about than my age…"

Quite frankly, the woman could not believe her ears, and was quick to turn around to verify with Kaiser Wilhelm II of whether or not these claims were true. And the man did so with his best attempt to conceal his conceit.

After seeing the Kaiser's nod of confirmation, the Grand Duchess looked back between the two, suddenly believing she had indeed consumed far more alcohol than was reasonably possible. As she was quick to admit defeat.

"You know what… I think it would be best if I lied down for a few moments. Please do pardon my behavior…"

After she wandered off, the Kaiser broke out into laughter, punching Bruno in the shoulder playfully as he did so.

"You rascal! You know damn well she wasn't that drunk! Must you really bully the poor girl?"

Bruno smirked as he responded to the Kaiser's comments with a bit of a proud tone in his voice.

"Hey, if you want a woman to stop flirting with you, just remind her that you're old enough to be her father… And if she's into that kind of thing… Then run away because whatever she may offer you is not worth it…"

This caused the Kaiser to continue to chuckle as he drank from his beer stein, before speaking to Bruno that there was an alternative to his solution he did not think through.

"And what if she's interested in you not because you are the same age as her father, but because you are the personification of the fountain of youth itself?"

When Bruno heard this, he simply drank from his own liter of beer before returning the Kaiser's witty remark with a blunt one.

"Well.. Now I hadn't thought of that…"