Chapter 188: The Road to Hell Part II
It took every ounce of inner strength Heidi could muster within herself not to lash out at the man seated in front of her. She might not have known for certain that Luitpold was the one who had orchestrated the hit on her mother, but she was aware he was a von Wittelsbach and the current acting head of the ancient dynasty.
He had also held this position for many years. As a result, it took only the slightest logical deduction to put two and two together. Sure, Heidi had the resources to track down who had been responsible for her mother's death, but she had long since resigned herself not to seek vengeance.
Thus, while she stared at the Prince Regent of Bavaria with a hate-filled gaze so intense it could devour a thousand star systems if it could manifest into some form of psychokinetic flame, she ultimately stayed her hand and bit her tongue, speaking only in the most curt terms as she demanded an explanation for his visit.
"I'm waiting for an explanation..."
Prince Luitpold wore a sincere and sorrowful expression as he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small velvet box, which he handed over with the most respectful posture he could manage-a posture conveying his deepest apologies with a bow of his head.
"My Lady... No... Your Highness, Princess Heidi von Zehntner, I know my words will never suffice to mend the pain and sorrow I have caused you. I am a sinner in the eyes of the Lord and a foolish old man who has sullied myself and my dynasty to fulfill the request of an errant member of my house.
In doing so, I deprived you of your only parent. I know I can never earn your forgiveness for how horrifically I have wronged you, especially now that I am one foot in the grave. And because of this, I would never be so rude as to request your mercy. Instead, I offer only my deepest apologies and sincerest condolences.
I have few regrets in this life. Even with the things I have done, many of which Christ would find abhorrent, I did them for the sake of my house and the legacy of my family. But if there is one regret I have, it is what I did to you and your mother-two people who did not deserve the cruelty of my family.
It was a flagrant abuse of my power to do what I did to you and your mother. And because of this, I can only offer this token as recompense, even though I know such a trinket means nothing in comparison to the grief you must have endured losing a parent..."
Heidi's eyes opened wide as Luitpold opened the velvet box to reveal the treasure inside. When it came to orders of chivalry, there were two types: