Chapter 440: The Trap at Neuschwanstein
Bruno’s eyes and ears were everywhere in the Reich. Nearly twenty years of seizing power and control over intelligence networks—or building them from scratch—had given him an unprecedented level of access to threats inside and outside the Reich’s borders: to himself, to his plans, and most importantly, to his family.
And there were always those among the ranks of the discontented who knew that selling out their comrades could secure a better outcome for themselves. The fact that a lower prince of the von Wittelsbach Dynasty had orchestrated a little meeting did not go unnoticed by Bruno’s agents.
Not one bit.
In fact, it was the King of Bavaria himself who alerted Bruno to what one of his distant relatives was plotting within the halls of a family palace. Not just as a way to bury the hatchet between their ancient lineages—or the wrongs done to Heidi in her youth—but also to reassure Bruno that the royal house of Bavaria had no part in the conspiracy.
Bruno’s response was simple:
"This is your house. Put it in order as you see fit."
And that was the end of it—at least from Bruno’s perspective.
However, the moment the young prince said the words, "Bruno von Zehntner must die," silence followed. Then, one by one, the other aggrieved old houses threw their lot in. An agreement was made—witnessed not just by one another, but by hidden operatives of King Ludwig III.
Retribution didn’t come with the crash of glass or the roar of flashbangs. No elite forces rappelled from the windows. Instead, it came with boots—polished, deliberate—clacking across the tile.
And then King Ludwig III himself appeared. There was no sneer, no smirk. Just cold judgment. His tone was as dreadful as the expression on his face.