Chapter 456: Too Old For Games
Before Elsa could truly ask her father if his words were true, the Tsar himself found Bruno and the rest of the group still gathered in the hallway, discussing the painting.
And upon seeing that the subject of the portrait had finally had a chance to witness it in person, Nicholas — ever the jovial and lighthearted figure — couldn’t help but ask if the man had been pleased with the end result.
"There you are, my old friend. I heard from my staff that your car had arrived, but I hadn’t seen you yet, so I came rushing down to check. I see now why it took you so long — you looked at yourself in the mirror on the way to find me, didn’t you? Well? What do you think? Is it to your liking?"
Bruno turned back to the painting one more time, taking its image fully into his mind. Not thinking about what it meant to him — but about what it meant to everyone else who gazed upon its glory. Especially the future generations of the House of Romanov.
After a long and solemn contemplation, Bruno finally smirked and nodded in approval. He voiced the words he knew the Tsar wanted most to hear.
"It’s brilliant. It captures my regal and handsome features perfectly. Don’t you think, Elsa?"
Elsa looked at her father as if he had gone from being exceptionally humble to the most egotistical man alive in such a short span of time. She didn’t even recognize him anymore. The look of disbelief and disgust on her face did not go unnoticed — especially when she delivered the line that would echo through the halls of the Winter Palace in laughter for years to come.
"Who the hell are you, old man, and what did you do with my beloved father?"
Bruno tried his best to remain stoic, but the dagger of her words pierced even him — and instead, he burst out laughing. His laughter, in turn, disarmed her defenses, melting away years of social anxiety and the icy veneer she’d worn for so long.
Elsa giggled into her hands, so swept up in the moment she forgot she was in a semi-public setting. All her usual worries evaporated. Even the Tsar himself was momentarily struck silent by the sight.
Ultimately, however, Bruno knew that the path between the older and younger generations had to part here and now. His visit wasn’t for leisure — and it certainly wasn’t a vacation. He was in Russia to discuss the future of the world with the Tsar.
Elsa, on the other hand, was here to become more acquainted with her future husband. And so Bruno turned to Olga and gave his instruction.
"Olga, I trust you’ve developed the rare trait of wisdom by now — and will chaperone my daughter and your little brother with the utmost professionalism and courtesy while I take your father to discuss some dull matters that you kid would find much too uninspiring to join in on, yes?"