Re: Blood and Iron

Chapter 192: Retirement Ceremony Part II



Bruno had realized damn near instantly that he had said something incredibly improper at the worst possible timing. Judging by the reactions on the faces of the veterans he was just bantering with via dark humor just a moment prior, someone of supreme importance was standing behind him and had heard every word he said.

The voice, of course, was instantly recognizable to Bruno, and he himself flinched before turning around when he heard the smug tone in the Kaiser's voice when he responded to Bruno's rather ill-suited attempt at a joke.

"I must say, is this how a son shows his love and respect for his father? And no less on the day he is to be awarded for a lifetime of effort and achievement with a medal for all of his services to my royal House of Hohenzollern?"

Kaiser Wilhelm II was standing next to both Bruno's father and the current chancellor of the German Reich, Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg. While in the background Bruno saw Heidi facepalming at him while shaking her head, along with all the not so silent whispers and worried looks he was being given by the rest of the guests in the venue.

Bruno had realized only then that their voices had carried thorughout the venue. And that their gruesome tales of the battlefield had made more than a few important figures in the German Reich deeply uncomfortable.

There was really only one thing he could do at this moment, and that was to apologize for his incongruous remarks. Which he was just about to do so when Bruno noticed the shiny new medal pinned to his father's rather elaborate tailcoat tuxedo.

It was the non-combatant version of the House Order of Hohenzollern. A rather prestigious order indeed, one which Bruno hoped to earn himself one day. Honestly, Bruno had done more than enough for the House of Hohenzollern to earn such an award. And yet he had yet to have such an honor pinned to his chest.

If Bruno was being honest with himself, he expected the Kaiser was waiting for him to gain significant achievements in the upcoming Great War in order to properly award him. As all of his major efforts to help the German Reich up until this point had been via diplomacy, and efforts behind the scenes in the civilian sector.

Which, while significant accomplishments on their own were not as suited for public relations purposes as it would be if he were awarded with the combatant variants of the same medals after achieving significant victories over the Kaiser's enemies within a major war.

Because of this, Bruno simply bowed his head and apologized to his father and the Kaiser for making such a poorly timed, inappropriate joke.

"Apologies, your Majesty, it was very rude of me to make light of such things, especially on a day to honor my father such as this. Do forgive me..."

Kaiser Wilhelm II simply chuckled as he saw how Bruno was behaving in front of him, the man's usually stern and defiant demeanor was nowhere to be found, and because of that he made fun of Bruno at his expense, while also reassuring the man that after all these years he really should not behave so formally with him.

"Nonsense, I was just having fun at your expense my old friend... Besides, if anyone has earned the right to make light of such circumstances, it would be you. After all, you are the one who championed such a campaign in the first place."

The Kaiser's jovial attitude towards Bruno was not just because he genuinely sought a friendship with the man. It was every bit as strategic as it was sincere.

After all, letting people know he was on close terms with the legendary Wolf of Prussia, so much so that they could share such informal humor openly was a way of tying Bruno to his side, and dissuading those who would try to steal the relatively young Generals talents for themselves.

Because of this, Bruno could only respond in kind, taking advantage of the situation, to act in a way he otherwise would never be able to get away with.

"Well... Old friend, I am glad I was able to play the fool in a way that could lighten the mood..."

Kaiser Wilhelm used this opportunity to lean close to Bruno and whisper something in his ears that Bruno found relatively shocking.

"I don't know exactly what you said or did to my daughter, but she has been in a rather foul mood whenever your name comes up ever since your last visit to Japan. Whatever is going on between the two of you, I would suggest you take the time to clear the air, because you do not want me personally investigating the matter, understood?"

Bruno was shocked to hear this. He had not spoken with the Prussian Princess in a while, or frankly speaking any of the other princesses of the noble houses he currently held some degree of diplomatic influence with.

Hell, it had been at least a year since he last took a trip to the land of the Rising Sun, or perhaps it was closer to three whole years now. Just how long had the Prussian Princess been angry with him, and about what per se could she possibly hold a grudge against him for?

Also, the threat was subtle but noticeable at the end of the Kaiser's statement. And because of this, Bruno nodded his head and responded with a short and concise response in the affirmative.

"I understand. I'm not sure what I did to aggrieve your daughter, but I will handle it. If you will excuse me sir, I will go settle this matter once and for all."

The Kaiser simply designed Bruno's response with a slight note of his head before returning his attention to the rest of his guests.

All the while Bruno ran off to go find the young Prussian Princess who though he had not realized it, had tarnished his reputation among the younger generation of German noble maidens with outlandish and slanderous tales of his flagrant mistreatment of women everywhere.