Chapter 423: The Consequences of Heroism – Final Scene
Having completed his surgical strike on the French brigands who had crossed the border into Luxembourg—laying siege to the royal house of the small but proud nation—Bruno wasted no time checking on the Grand Duchess and her family.
The battlefield still smoldered. Shell casings glinted beneath the broken moonlight. Fires hissed in the distance as the Werwolf soldiers moved like wraiths through the palace corridors, sweeping for stragglers.
Bruno and a small cadre of veteran soldiers followed what remained of the Luxembourgish Gendarmerie into the palace’s inner sanctum—a concealed bunker complex buried beneath the estate, more panic room than proper bomb shelter, but heavily fortified nonetheless.
Royal guards stood at attention before the reinforced doors, stone-faced and bruised but unbroken. Behind them, the royal family of Luxembourg had taken refuge in an emergency chamber designed for maximum concealment, hidden deep in the foundations of the estate.
It was only after the captain of the guard confirmed the threat had been neutralized—and that the German rescue had arrived just in time—that the Grand Duchess emerged.
"My savior!"
Marie-Adélaïde rushed toward Bruno with reckless abandon, eyes wide, arms open, her voice breathless with gratitude and emotion. But Bruno had seen this coming. He sidestepped her with the reflexes of a man who had dodged death on every continent—and now found dodging affection far more exhausting.
He let out a slow, tired sigh, rubbing the bridge of his nose to stave off the migraine blooming behind his temples.
"I’m glad to see you safe, Your Grace. But please—try to avoid anything so... shameless.If word got out that you tried to embrace me, the scandal would drag your name through every gutter in Europe."
Marie froze mid-step, her smile faltering. For a long moment, her face twisted between embarrassment and frustration. This was not the first time Bruno had deflected her advances. But it was the first time he had done so with such blunt finality.