NOVPUBBruno stayed at Luise's estate for the afternoon, reminiscing with her about his time serving alongside Erich. He hid nothing. Neither did she.
They spoke of how they had each come to know him. Luise went first. They had met by pure chance at a coffee shop in Berlin. She was visiting distant family, in a hope of getting a small loan. But they had rejected her.
In a state of destitution and depression, she was about to spend her last pfennig on coffee, when Erich chose to buy it for her. And from there, they hit it off. It was a romantic story, something one might see out of a romantic comedy.
He didn't voice it aloud, but Bruno suspected that from the way she described Erich, that Luise had fallen in love with the mask that Erich wore in public to conceal the demon behind it.
Then came Bruno's turn to share. At first, he kept it light and jovial. Speaking about his first meeting with Erich where the man was little more than a spoiled aristocratic brat at the academy, was a revelation that left Luise stunned.
"You wouldn't believe it now, but he was a pampered brat when we met at the academy," Bruno said with a dry chuckle. "Too proud to tie his own boots at first. But the field humbles everyone, eventually."
Then his tone shifted, like a shadow passed over the memory.
"He never mourned the dead. Not even ours. After Mukden, I watched him give the kill order like it was routine. The last of the Russians were holed up in a gully, wounded and waiting. 'Finish it.' That's all he said. And they did. Every last one.
That was when I realized something in him had changed. Or maybe it had been there all along, just waiting for a war cruel enough to awaken it."
Luise was silent for a long time... She didn't know how to respond to this. She wanted to deny it was the truth, to defend the man she loved. But she also knew how he had met his end. And she knew in that moment.
She knew that Bruno told the truth, as best as he could remember it. It was obvious from the look on his face that there was no comfort in the telling, but there was honesty. And in the end, Luise received something she hadn't had in three long years: closure. She didn't feel better. Not at first. But she finally understood.
Just as Bruno was about to take his leave, they both heard something; light footsteps tumbling down the stairs, quick and eager.
"Mommy! Mommy!"
A little girl, no older than three, appeared from the stairwell. Raven-black Dutch braids framed her face, but her eyes a deep denim blue were unmistakable. She froze at the sight of Bruno, half-hiding behind the wall, curiosity and fear dancing in her gaze.
A maid hurried after her, clearly flustered.
"I'm sorry, my lady. I told her not to come down yet! She doesn't listen to me!"
It took Bruno only a moment to realize whose eyes the child had. His voice caught in his throat as Luise walked over, scooping the girl into her arms.
"Erika," she said gently. "I want you to meet someone. This is Bruno. He was your father's friend… They served together for a very long time. Can you say hello?"
The child buried her face in Luise's chest. Luise laughed softly, apologizing with a glance.
"She's usually not this shy… I don't know what's come over her. In any case, Bruno, thank you for everything. But I think it's time for you to return to your own family, isn't it? Don't be late."
Bruno stood there, stunned. A daughter. Erich had left behind a daughter. And judging by her age, she may have been born after his death. It was entirely possible he'd never known she existed.
Still reeling, Bruno nodded.
"You're right. I lost track of time. Reminiscing… a dreadful habit of mine. But I meant what I said. If you need anything, especially now, please, reach out. It's the least I can do."
He took his leave without another word. The train ride back to Tyrol was long and silent.
When the door closed behind him, Luise let out a long sigh. Erika peeked out from her hiding spot, gazing up at her mother with quiet curiosity.
Wolfgang stepped forward, his voice gentle.
"My lady… now that you know the truth… Do you feel better? Can you finally move on?"
Luise looked down at her daughter, then back at Wolfgang with a bittersweet smile.
"What choice do I have? A house full of servants doesn't raise a child. She's already lost her father… So now I'll have to work twice as hard to raise her right."
--- 𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒑𝒖𝒃.𝙘𝙤𝒎
Bruno returned home exactly when he expected to. In the Reich, trains ran with absolute precision.
His palace, still under construction, was far from complete. Designed as both a monument and a future home for generations of von Zehntners, it would not be finished for years.
But Bruno didn't notice the scaffolding or marble dust. Instead, he noticed the blur of movement, and suddenly found himself tackled.
His two oldest daughters pounced on him like wolves.
Bruno instinctively caught both Eva and Elsa mid-air, holding them upright so they didn't hurt themselves. They looked up at him, breathless and excited.
"Father, are you alright? Mother told us about your visit—"
"Daddy, do you need anything? A cold beer, perhaps?"
A third voice cut in with sharp authority.
"Way ahead of you, girls. And didn't I tell you not to jump on your father like that? Neither of you are as dainty as you think! You're just lucky he's strong enough to survive that kind of assault!"
Heidi appeared with a full liter of beer, which she handed to her husband with a knowing smile. Eva and Elsa sheepishly backed away.
Heidi, ever the rock in Bruno's life, knew exactly what he needed after a long day. Her presence alone was calming.
"Your beer is fresh, and the spa is ready. Go take a soak. When you're done, come back and I'll have dinner waiting."
Bruno leaned in and kissed her softly, gratitude in his touch.
"Thanks, sweetheart. You're the best."
As Bruno walked away, Heidi turned to their daughters, now sulking with mock defeat.
"And that, girls," she said smugly, "is why your father has never once even considered taking a mistress. Remember that."
She left the room, leaving Eva and Elsa to glance at each other in awe, like they had just uncovered the secret to a long, happy, and lasting marriage.
