Chapter 8: A Duel of Honor
Bruno had little concern for making connections on this night like his father did. In fact, he had already stuck out more than he wanted to. He felt this was due to how bright Heidi shined next to him.
Completely unaware that he himself had caught the interest of several young noble maidens was envious towards Heidi not only because of the regal beauty which she emanated but also because she was with Bruno.
Instead, the two of them enjoyed themselves, as if this entire event had nothing to do with them, as if they were all alone. And not surrounded by a litany of pampered noblemen and
women.
The two of them had barely paid attention when the Kaiser himself, the ruler of the German Empire appeared at the venue, along with his two-year-old daughter who this extravagant event was being thrown for.
Although he paid little attention to the man, Bruno did notice the Kaiser. In his past life he was well aware of this man, and the bad reputation he was unfairly given due to the defeat of Germany in the Great War as well as the abominable treaty of Versailles that followed.
Unfortunately for the Kaiser, he was blamed for many of the problems that plagued Germany following the end of the war. Most of which were actually the faults of the Social Democrats and their precious Weimar republic.
A state which sought to submit to France, as well as the interests of international
corporations, both of which had a desire to bleed Germany as much as possible for sins they were not responsible for committing.
It was revenge, plain and simple. For the humiliating defeat which the French suffered at the hands of the Germans in 1871. And unfortunately the Kaiser was the one who took the blame for it all. But there were still well over twenty years before such problems manifested themselves.
And because of this, Kaiser Wilhelm II was a beloved figure in the German Reich. Bruno took note of this historical figure, before returning his attention to Heidi who had no interest in things like politics, or noble hierarchy.
The girl's anxiety had largely faded away throughout the night as she focused her attention on her future fiancé, whom she had known and gotten along with since they were young children. Though Bruno didn't realize it, she was quite literally counting down the days before she turned eighteen and could marry him. Which was still another five years away.