Chapter 380: Thousandfold
Months passed in the blink of an eye, and the seasons with it. The autumn came and went, as did the winter that followed. Soon enough it was the spring of 1917, both the German Reich and the Russian Empire had entered a new state of prosperity.
Industrialization had been in full swing in Russia, and the wealth it gained from the war was monumental. Bruno knew now was the time to make a move, to permanetly cement the alliance between Germany and Russia, and using his family as the glue that would do so.
Eva had been promised to Prince Wilehlem of Prussai, the Grandson of Kaiser Wilhelm II, and the future heir to the throne. Elsa however was in her early teens and without a man to be betrothed to.
It just so happened that Erwin’s wedding was around the corner, and invitations were being sent out to those who were close to the von Zehntner family. Powerful friendships had been built in the preceding decade by Bruno’s hard work, and now that his children were approaching adulthood, it was time to cement those friendships into permanent alliances.
The bedrock had been lain, pure roman concern. It was now time to build a house upon it. Because of this, not only was the house of Hohenzollern in its entirety invited to Bruno’s wedding, so was the house of Habsburg, and Romanov. Bruno wanted to marry his daughter off to Alexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of Russia. Alexei was Nicholas’ only son and was practically the same age as Elsa.
In addition to the fact that the Romanovs were already seeking more permanent ties to Bruno and his family, Bruno was overly fond of the Romanovs, perhaps because in his past life they were elevated to the status of saints in the Orthodox Church as a result of their martyrdom, or maybe simply because he felt sorry for them.
And his choice to marry his second daughter to the only son of the main line was as much one of personal sentiment as it was strategic value. Thus, he made sure the Romanovs were first and foremost among his invited guests except for perhaps the Kaiser and his family.
Heidi even watched as Bruno put of all of his thought and grandeur into the invitation, and knew whatever he was planning was significant as a result she was quick to ask for his thoughts on the matter.
"What exactly are you scheming now with the Tsar of Russia?"
Bruno, quick to notice his wife’s presence swiftly leaped out of his chair, and grabbed hold of her waist, dragging her into his loving embrace as he whispered his thoughts into her ears.
"I intend to unite our two houses in marriage. Elsa will marry Alexei, and Eva will marry Wilhelm. Our family will be the glue that unites the Romanovs and the Hohenzollerns... Securing an alliance with Russia that guarantees both of our empire’s security, wealth, and power for generations."
Heidi was indeed surprised by the bold strategy, and was quick to agree with it, as she was naturally familiar with the character of the young Russian heir.