Re: Blood and Iron

Alya was not pleased by the comment made at her expense and that of her future fiance. It was one thing if these women wanted to make backhanded remarks to her face about her. That was, after all, a common occurrence among women no matter the era.

But to make such a remark about Erwin, it was entirely uncalled for, and grossly misrepresentative of their relationship. It was not like Alya had been given a choice in the engagement she found herself in.

Her adopted father was a simpleton when it came to managing such affairs, he had after all been born the spoiled brat of a family of wealthy merchants who spent his entire adulthood up until the point where he ended up taking care of her being a good for nothing playboy.

It was ultimately Heidi's decision to betrothed her eldest son to her goddaughter. And while Alya may not have had a choice in the matter, she was not shameless enough to openly admit such a thing, let alone publicly denounce the boy she would one day marry when he came of age simply to get in the good graces of her friends.

Friends whose social standing was in no way equivalent to Erwin's, let alone his father's . Because of this, she was quick to defend Erwin, and remind these bitches just what position he had at the moment.

"I wouldn't make such backhanded remarks about the nature of my betrothal if I were you. You know that my fiance's father has the love and ear of the Kaiser. Hell, after the recent blunder Hindenburg made, I would say my future father-in-law is on the fast track to becoming the next Chief of Staff ,and perhaps Supreme Commander of the entirety of the Central Powers.

You should be aware of the rumors no? Of how fierce the man can be to those he deems his enemies? I can personally attest that I have witnessed firsthand just what the Grand Prince is capable of. And would remind you that it would be in your best interest not to go around insulting the honor of his son, or god forbid, his wife, who he would move the world for…"

The subtle reminder that the highborn lady's remarks about Erwin and Alya's unusual betrothal was ultimately a slight against Heidi caused the pupils of all the noble ladies present to partake in this conversation to shrink down to the size of a pin.

Bruno was a man who had massacred an entire city, and rumor had it he had done so because the Black Hand and by extension the Serbian Royal family had targeted someone who had come to know Bruno in passing.

Being the man he is, Bruno perceived this as a threat to his own family, and decided to send his own message to the world at large. "You come after my people and I will burn the whole world to the ground if I have to."

It was the reason he was known as the "Butcher of Belgrade" within certain circles, a name that conjured the horrific image of a madman standing in front of a blazing city to all who heard it. Never mind the fact that he had gassed the city into extinction.

Fire was, after all, a far more terrifying sight for most people to imagine within their own thoughts. And because of this, the woman who had started shit with Alya quickly looked towards their other friends for support in this matter, while they themselves averted their gazes not willing to step on the toes of Alya and the family connections she had by sheer chance.

Alya, of course, had a petty and sadistic smirk when she realized she had frightened her friend into properly behaving herself, and said nothing as she sipped from her tea. All the while the woman was quick to recant her prior remarks.

"I apologize if what I said came off as rude, I assure you, Alya it was not my intent…"

It was clear by the look on the woman's face that she was properly shaken up, and while Alya was about to accept the apology, the other women in the group quickly realized that the pecking order had changed and used this opportunity to completely dismantle their friend for all the shit she had talked towards them over the years.

With one of them going out of the way to reveal just why the woman had made such a remark.

"Don't be too harsh on her, Alya, you do understand that she herself is merely jealous of the relationship you have with your fiancé. She doesn't believe you are worthy of marrying the heir to the von Zehntner-Siebenbürgen dynasty…"

How quickly news spread of Bruno's cadet branch, which now ruled over Transylvania. Backward of a region, as it may be compared to Prussia and the city of Berlin. A Grand Prince was a Grand Prince, and that was something these women who were on the lower end of the upper nobility greatly desired to marry into.

For example, the woman who had insulted Alya to her face with a backhanded compliment was a countess. But Alya would become a princess by virtue of marrying Erwin when he came of age. It simply enraged her, or at least in some subconscious way. Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire

And the mere mention of this insecurity caused the woman to glower at her friends, who had used this opportunity to tear her down in order to build favor with the new queen bee of their group. But none of the other ladies felt threatened by her menacing glances.

Because Alya now had true power backing her, and that was something that none of these women or their families actually had. The wealth, prestige, and power that Bruno wielded was comparable to a Kaiser in his own right.

And despite this, he wielded it not for himself, but for the House of Hohenzollern and the German Reich as a whole. Ultimately, at least in Germany this was the reason the man was so beloved. And that was not going to change simply because a jealous young lady made a remark about his son and presumed heir's antiquated betrothal.