Chapter 52: The Family Business Part I
Dealing with this family was an exhausting feat. Especially after having just come back from the war in Manchuria no more than a week prior. In the past, however, it was more tolerable. As those at the gathering generally left him and his family alone.
But Bruno's recent infamy as a fearsome general within the German Army had caused all kinds of pests to flock to his side. Cousins he didn't even know he had, as well as the families of those they were engaged tried their best to establish ties with the man.
In fact, Bruno could have sworn this was the largest family gathering yet. And though his father may think that was something to be prideful about, as it meant their power and prestige were growing. Bruno found it nothing but irksome.
There were simply too many here who had posed no actual benefit to the family. Leeches, sucking away at the family's fame and fortune. It was truly a troublesome matter, one if it had been left to Bruno's hands would have resulting a culling so to speak.
But the man managed, as best he could, at least to entertain these leeches and vultures. Making no promises, but rather paying them mere lip service, as that was the most respect they deserved from him. As for Bruno's wife, she was always nearby, clinging to his side.
Not only to make sure that none of these little hussies could manipulate her man, or blackmail Bruno into doing something he shouldn't. But also simply because Heidi found it to be her duty as a wife to share the social burdens her husband was forced to bear.
Meanwhile, Eva, Erwin, and Elsa gathered with the other children. Who in the past had made fun of them for their mother's questionable heritage. But now they weren't saying anything. In fact, they seemed quite timid, afraid even.
Though it was nice to no longer have to listen to the brats whisper in the background. It was almost equally as irritating for them to behave like the three of Bruno's children were some kind of monsters that they had to be very careful around.
The three kids, of course could not understand the lengths to which their father had gone to in order to protect them. Lengths that may have caused these spoiled little noble children to become fearful. Either way, Bruno could only keep an eye on his kids for so often.
Eventually, after drinking six beers in the span of two hours, and smoking an entire pack of cigarettes. Bruno found an opportunity to escape from the leeches and vultures of the party which had flocked to his side.