Re: Blood and Iron

Bruno was out at dinner with the Kaiser. The two of them were enjoying a couple of beers and a hearty meal at the Imperial Palace in Berlin.

The year had been a rather ragged one for Bruno. He had been spending his time in Berlin, living in the same barracks as the young enlisted men, all while micromanaging the war.

Whether it was logistics networks back home or troop movements in the field, he made sure everything was in place.

Sleep was rare, and the luxuries he’d once enjoyed while living with his family were long gone.

Even so, when meeting with the Kaiser, Bruno ensured he was in proper shape.

Whether it was his clean-shaven face, freshly applied cologne, or clean-cut hair, which, now in his early fifties, had begun to show signs of graying, Bruno always presented himself with the utmost decorum. To him, it was a matter of respect and proper courtesy.

As for the Kaiser, he looked quite well for his age. He commented on the war as if it were a distant affair, a minor inconvenience to be handled.

“So, I’ve heard that the Japanese lines in Korea will falter within the fortnight, as the Russians have ensured that their winter offensive is ready. If they succeed, how long do you think it will be before the war comes to an end?”

Bruno considered it for only a moment, his gaze lifting toward the ceiling before he resumed cutting into his wurst.

“By next summer at the latest. Although the Japanese appear to already be in a state of infighting. With the deaths of the Emperor and the Crown Prince, chaos reigns. Everyone with ambition is now trying to consolidate power rather than focusing on the war effort.”

The Kaiser scoffed, shaking his head as he continued eating.

“Amateurs.”

Bruno chuckled and nodded in agreement. He was just about to bring up the ongoing situation in the Philippines and its impact on the United States when an aide rushed into the room and whispered something in his ear. Bruno responded curtly, but politely.

“Thank you, Oberst. That will be all for now. I’ll let you know when I’m ready to deal with it.”

He wiped his mouth with his napkin and checked his watch, dismissing the aide with a small gesture. The Kaiser noticed.

“Is something the matter?”

Bruno reached for his beer stein, took a long drink, and shook his head.

“Not at all. I have an unexpected guest. Someone from my past I haven’t spoken to in a long time. She’s likely here as an agent of the enemy, hoping to manipulate me into negotiating favorable terms for the Japanese. But she means nothing to me. It’s a ploy, nothing more. My part in this game can wait until after we’ve finished our meal.”

Wilhelm raised a brow but returned his attention to his food. Still, his words cut deep.

“So she’s like Marie-Adélaïde, then?”

An innocuous comment, but it wounded Bruno more than Wilhelm had intended. Bruno placed his utensils down and raised his voice slightly in defense.

“It is nothing like that. I made a mistake with Marie. But with this woman—and all the others—there was never anything to begin with. Just the passing fancy of an enamored teenage girl, affection she kept far too long. From the start, I made it clear I thought of her as little more than a child. You have known me for so long, and still you think so little of me?”

In all their years of friendship, Bruno had never raised his voice to Wilhelm. And now, in the twilight of the Kaiser’s life, he was finally seeing the real man.

Wilhelm placed his silverware down, sitting upright to meet Bruno’s glare with one of his own.

“I’ve known you since you were an adolescent. You remember our first meeting? Of course you do. My daughter’s second name day. You started a duel in my home, an illegal act, with that pompous twat. You bloodied him well. The entire court applauded you.”

Bruno’s gaze stayed defiant.

“You were fifteen. A mere Junker’s son. Yet you took up a sword against a prince, with no fear of the consequences. And you did it to protect your woman’s honor. From that day, I knew you were destined for greatness. And I gave you every opportunity to prove it. You never let me down.”

Bruno narrowed his eyes.

“Are we really going to sit here and talk about ancient history? With all due respect, Your Highness, aren’t there more important matters to discuss?”

The Kaiser sighed and took another swig from his stein.

“Bruno, I’ve known you for a long time. Don’t take offense, but I must tell you: you tend to look at people as either enemy players or pawns on the board. It gives you an unhealthy suspicion toward others, even those who genuinely try to reach you. That’s why things with Marie happened the way they did. So why not go speak to this woman and listen to what she has to say; without assuming the world is conspiring against you for once?”

Bruno scoffed and drained his stein. Standing up, he wiped his mouth with the napkin and tossed it on the table casually.

His lack of decorum was noted, but the Kaiser said nothing. Bruno broke the silence.

“Since when did you become so wise, Wilhelm?”

Then he left without another word. The Kaiser sat in silence, not angry or offended. A genuine smile spread across his face.

“For forty years, I’ve extended the olive branch of friendship. And that’s the first time you’ve ever called me by my name. A pity you accept it only now, when I am but a dying man in the twilight of his years.”

Despite his words, Wilhelm’s mood was elated throughout the night. As if he had managed to cross one final act off his life’s list of ambitions. As for Bruno, he went to confront Sakura and see what she had to say. And why, after all this time she had returned.