Chapter 411: The Goddess of Winter Awakens Part II
Bruno and Nicholas were practically in a contest to see who could get more intoxicated as they sat on a perch above the gardens below, sheltered from the elements, gazing upon their two children, both of whom were silently casting a gaze toward one another at the exact moment the other looked away.
It was an infuriating prospect, because it was clear there was something between the two young nobles—one a prince who would inherit an empire, and one a countess who, in a few months’ time, would be a princess in her own right. The perfect match for the future Tsar of Russia. But both were reserved by their very nature and couldn’t be compelled to act in a way that felt daunting to them.
Barely into their teenage years, the two of them were most certainly what one would call apprehensive toward the idea of embarrassing themselves. They were far from mature enough to understand that it didn’t matter what anyone else thought of them or their behavior so long as they acted true to their own desires, beliefs, and most importantly, in a way that aligned with their internal sense of virtue.
Nicholas was seemingly exasperated as the liquid in the bottle rapidly vanished with each passing minute. But Bruno, a man who had a keen eye for things—especially those close to him—noticed that his daughter was subtly working up the courage to say something.
It was clear by the way she silently fidgeted with her hands that she wanted to speak with the boy next to her about anything, but just couldn’t find the strength to do so, least of all with the entire entourage following them.
However, just when Nicholas was about to break from the awkwardness of it all, someone made a move—a single gesture to drag Elsa out of her shell and force the girl into a topic of conversation that she was far more comfortable speaking about in the company of others.
It was, of course, none other than Alexei’s eldest sister, Olga Nikolaevna, who in her younger and less wise years had developed some shallow feelings toward Elsa’s father—a man who was still, in her own eyes, the greatest hero she had ever laid eyes on.
Years had passed since Olga and Bruno had regularly communicated. She had been used by the man rather mercilessly as a stepping stone to get the attention of the Tsar, who was the real prize in the world of geopolitics, especially when Bruno was already a happily married man.
Olga had long since gotten over her misplaced childish affections toward the man. As she grew older, she realized they were more akin to a deep respect than actual, genuine love. Even so, she couldn’t help but ask about the man after seeing how dreadfully awkward Elsa and Alexei were behaving.
"Pardon my interruption, but Elsa, I do have to ask—as I am very curious—just how close are you and your father?"