The Substitute- Book II
Chapters 1 to 6
Chapter 1
September 12th, 2008
Buckling two little bundles of energy was a difficult task, no matter how simple it looked for the untrained eye. Milan Mihailovic had given up long time ago to fight with the four and a half years old sons of his employer, Konrad von Lintorff, Duke of Wittosck. For the Serb bodyguard, it was much easier to leave the task to the boys' tutor and dedicate all his efforts to keep one child inside the car, while the twenty-five year old man wrestled to get the eldest -the most problematic case- sat and quiet while he fastened the seat belt. Only a whispered “Klaus, the more you waste your time, the later you'll get your tea,” accompanied by an accomplice smile, convinced the child to remain still and let the young light brown haired young man finish the task.
“Are we going to the forest today, Guntram?” Klaus asked.
“Depends on your homework. We have to read together, Klaus and Karl has to finish that collage for Monday,” Guntram said softly as he caressed the child's face and did his best to ignore the boy's pouting at the mention of the abhorred homework.
“It's Friday,” whined Karl Maria, the second child and twin brother of Klaus Maria, while he shook his very blond head.
“If we finish homework today, we will have the weekend free. Your father told me this morning that he has a surprise for you,” Guntram said and both boys' faces brimmed with happiness and excitement, asking what was it about.
“I have no idea. He was quite mysterious this morning.” Guntram smiled, remembering how his lover had almost choked him with his ravaged kisses at 5 a.m. and frenzy love making. 'I know who's going to give me my next heart attack,' Guntram thought briefly. “He only told me that it's something you have never seen before,” he explained to the quiet boys.
“What is it? A rocket?”
“No, nothing so big and I don't know. Honestly,” Guntram answered and finished to buckle the second child. “It's also a surprise for me, it seems because your father only told me, 'bring the boy's texts'.”
Milan chuckled softly when he heard the boys loud laments at the mention of the books. 'Typical from the Duke. If he gives something with the right hand, he takes it away with the left. You'd better learn it, unless you're Guntram, who can keep his Excellency at bay when it suits him. It's a pity that now that they have sorted out their differences, the Duke does as he pleases again because Guntram is in one of his “blind love” phases and he supports each one of his decisions. Who am I kidding? The Duke does as he pleases with or without Guntram's consent. We are the ones who suffer his bad mood when the boy shouts with him because he has done something nasty.'
Milan took the highway to the airport and Guntram was surprised by the change of route. “I hope the journey is less than 20 minutes because these two gentlemen are waiting for their tea time,” he told the Serb, focused on the driving.
“The stewardess will give them something. She learned well her lesson and has muffins this time.”
“I see,” laughed Guntram, evoking the memory of the last time he had brought the children aboard his father's private jet... and the subsequent greasy fingerprints all over the plane and crumbles. “Do you want to bet if there are plastic cover seats?”
“No, Guntram, that's easy money for you,” Milan chuckled. “The Duke spoke long with Ratko, a few days ago as he has three children, asking him how he keeps this car clean.”
“No cookies” “No sodas” “No chocolates,” the boys recited in no time, interrupting the conversation they have been carefully snooping.
“And no lollipops or candies. If I ever see chewing gum near the car, you take the school bus,” Guntram finished the decalogue for the “well mannered young prince in the car and his relationship with his security personnel”. “I thought the Duke had already learned that by now.”
“Ratko made a colourful description on what a toddler can do to your bespoken jacket and his Excellency had several proofs over the past months,” chuckled Milan. “Goran asked me to tell you that he got rid of the package today. Too bad you go away because we are going out to celebrate it without him. He wants to go to bed early.”
The words “got rid of the package,” drove Guntram very nervous as he was well aware of the head of security methods to dispose of threats or nuisances to the Order. A couple of young, recently married, traders from UBS was not fitting in any of those categories, but keeping the Summus Marescalus of one of the most powerful and secret organizations in the world sleepless, was a serious offence. The young couple had laughed shamelessly at his face when Goran had complained five weeks ago, much to Guntram's horror.
Contrary to the popular belief, Goran “fixed the problem” in peaceful and civilized way; first the young Americans had a visit of the local police for being noisy at 1 a.m. and the police found some marijuana in their flat. They swore it didn't belong to them, but they had to accompany the police officers to the police station. Two days later, the couple was released without charges, but with a serious warning.
Instead of taking the normal and sensible course of action, the Americans decided to throw one party after the other and Goran's lack of sleep was trying everybody's patience as he was more impossible to deal with than ever before. He was not going to relinquish his territory: that was very clear for him.
Finally, Goran bought the flat two weeks ago, and evicted the rowdy young couple, offering a compensation of 20.000 Francs if they left the flat in less than ten days.
“The yuppies moved out yesterday, Guntram. Goran told them he was planning a party with General Kalashnikov. The idiots didn't believe it and their dog went to the south for holidays.”
Guntram paled at the last sentence and quickly checked if the children had heard it, but they were busy exchanging trading cards from the Sendung mit der Maus with each other.
“Please Milan, not now,” he whispered.
“Nothing happened. The yuppies left yesterday and the flat is in perfect conditions. Goran hasn't lost his touch. For a second, we all thought that he was getting softer, but it's as he tells; “an operation would cost me over a hundred and this is only twenty, but I don't think they'll ever cash that check.”
“Did he buy a flat to get rid of some people?”
“Exactly. It needs a painting job. Great view over the lake.”
“I'm glad everything went well,” Guntram whispered, knowing that only a dog down was a small price to pay compared to the stories around the Serb, known as the Master Executioner,according to the late Constantin Repin. Guntram still couldn't believe the story of Konrad beheading five men for treason. 'Russians have crazy imaginations. My Konrad is violent, I know, but he wouldn't do something like this! It's just too barbaric!'
The black Audi Q7 parked in the airport's private area, near the jet's nose and the boys ran to the engines to make a close inspection of them, while Marie, the stewardess did her best to look professional and bear the required complimentary smile.
Guntram noticed that Konrad's car had not yet arrived and there was no one from the bank around. He called the boys and they ran back to him and climbed the stairs up, excited to be in their father's plane once more, after Guntram had given them a long lecture on how to behave inside planes. True to their word, the boys behaved like two young gentlemen in the flight back from Vienna, drawing or playing with some cars over the mahogany table.
“Hello, Marie,” Guntram said and the children jumped on her, crumbling her pristine uniform.
“How do you do, Sir. It's a short flight today and I have prepared a small refreshment for the princes.”
“Thank you, Marie,” Guntram entered in the plane and he guessed almost immediately Klaus' intentions of jumping on top of his father's chair, so he coughed lightly and the boy stop dead on his tracks. “Remember what I told you. No savagery this time,” he warned them and returned his attention to the woman. “When do we take off?”
“In two hours time. At 7 p.m., sir,” she answered kindly while she extended a large white tablecloth over one of the tables -no the Duke's favourite one- “Excuse me, please. I have to serve the food.”
“Go and help Marie, boys,” Guntram said to her astonishment, but Marie bravely showed the kitchen to the children and started to explain them how the gullets were used for storage and the coffee machine.
“If you ever get the boss to do that, I'll marry you,” Milan chuckled, seeing the boys behaving very well and listening attentively to all what she was telling them.
“I thought you were the last golden single man of the pack,” Guntram laughed back.
“No, I've been replaced by Mirko. I'm the spinster now. So it happens, Guntram. Even Holgersen got a girlfriend in the internet.”
“Yes, indeed.” Guntram replied and watched how the boys set the glasses and dishes with sandwiches and croissants. 'Not even muffins for them,' he thought very amused. The boys waited for Marie to serve them a glass of milk and ate in silence while Guntram searched for his mobile phone in his jacket. He dialled Goran's number and the Serb answered after the second ring as usual.
“Hello, little brother. Are you in the plane now?”
“Hello, Goran. How do you know? Right, don't tell me. Stupid me. Milan told me that you got rid of the bugs in your flat.”
“Just before I had to call the pest controller. I'll sleep much better.”
“I'm glad for you. Tell me if you need some paintings for the walls.”
“Little brother, get your own storage place,” Goran answered in good humour.
“Hey, I'm a respected artist! A published one even!” Guntram laughed, secretly happy that the brooding Serb had recovered his dry sense of humour.
“Tell your manager to get you an exhibition hall because you're not going to use my new walls to organise one,” Goran laughed, something that happened very rarely.
“You just got me there. Sleep well before the construction workers invade you.”
“I need some time to recover before I have a hammer concert on top of my head. Three nights at the Opera or in a concert to cast away that dreadful music made by low-class gangsters from my mind.”
“They're called rappers, Goran.”
“I just don't get how people allegedly attending to good Universities need to feel identified by some poor glue sniffers. This is not folklore or even pop music! It's simple vulgarity disguised as “cool” by a thousand dollars champagne bottle!”
“Did you just say “cool”, Goran?” a very shocked Guntram asked.
“Yes, it's contagious. I'll go home and open a Facebook account and another in Twitter too.”
Still chuckling, Guntram hung up and checked that his young charges were still being nice. 'Stomachs full, time to make the homework and be free tomorrow,' he thought before checking the boys' agendas. After a minor fight with Klaus, Guntram had them sitting peacefully and tearing pieces of paper to make small balls to glue to the contours of the letters “M”; “P” and “T”, so completely engulfed in their task, that the brothers missed their father's arrival.
Konrad stood at the entrance, unnoticed by Guntram, more focused than the boys in drawing some reading cards, and contemplated the domestic scene he had yearned for so long to participate, but he had been denied because of his own foolishness and Guntram's stubbornness. He removed his jacket and tie and gave them to Marie, silently standing behind him, with a “serve dinner when we reach cruising altitude.” The stewardess left the cabin and closed the curtain as Konrad advanced in silence, willing to keep the magical air for as long as possible.
'I almost lost him in Paris. Repin would have stolen my Guntram had it not been for the distraction his wife created. Getting rid of that slug was the best thing ever. My boys couldn't have found someone better than my Kitten and I couldn't have had them without him. He's my life.”
Still unnoticed, Konrad crouched next to Guntram's large seat -the young man was concentrated on the final touches of the BEAR- and noticed his two little devils containing their laughter and pretending to be busy. 'They behave like normal children again. Thank God'- and kissed deeply his love on the lips, almost making him shout at the unexpected attack.
“Konrad, the children!” Guntram whispered, blushing violently as he did every time the banker was kissing him with so much ardour in front of the boys.
“Does it pose a problem for you young men?” Konrad asked his children seriously, stifling their giggles and looking at the scene with great interest.
“No, it doesn't,” Karl said nonchalantly, but glad that Guntram and papa had finally decided to be friends again.
“Guntram is mine,” a very jealous Klaus grunted, defiantly looking at his father.
“Young man, when you're older, you can try your luck and get one of your own,” Konrad answered with a superior smile. “Guntram is mine.”
“No, he takes care of me,” the boy sternly clarified to his father. “Karl, you can keep papa if you want,” he added for his brother.
“Fine,” the child shrugged and both men laughed at their faces.
“It seems you're not the hottest stock in the room any longer,” Guntram joked.
“Clever boys.” Konrad chuckled and kissed his lover again, enjoying how shy Guntram turned at the smallest show of affection he received in front of people. 'We live together since 2002 and he still blushes if I look at him.' and chuckled again at the 'Konrad!' slurred against his lips. “What? Is good for them if they see we have a sound relationship,” he answered, looking like the picture of abashed innocence. Guntram preferred to keep himself quiet while the other man took the seat on the opposite side.
“Are you going to tell us where we're going?”
“It's nearby. There's a huge Dinosaurs exhibition again, Giants from Argentina or something like that with the largest dinosaur in the world. Unique pieces and the boys should take a look at them before they return to the Pampas.”
“Most dinosaurs come from Patagonia, not the Pampa. Where is it?”
“Frankfurt. We will stay at my house there. Mrs. Rosenkrantz will take care of the boys. Once you have finished your homework and dinner, you can watch a video,” Konrad said, getting a DVD from his portfolio: Bibliothek der Sachsgeschigsten: Autobau.
Once the boys gulped their dinners in their haste to watch the film, Konrad sent them to sit in the aisle of four seats and allowed them to watch the film, while he dined more relaxed, sitting next to Guntram, enjoying when the boy leaned his head against his shoulder, looking for some cuddling and comfort.
* * *
Guntram de Lisle's Diary.
September 15th Monday.
Fulda
When will I learn that Konrad von Lintorff has always something hidden up his sleeve? His “your inattention is what makes you so cute” phrase-compliment (?) makes me want to strangle or kiss him. I still don't know.
Once more, I've been moved and forced to take holidays for a full week and no one bothered to ask me if I had free time. Had it not been such a wonderful idea, I would have been shouting with Konrad for a long time. I'm in a hotel-farm near Fulda now, in the middle of a natural park and we're supposed to stay here till Sunday afternoon when we will return from Frankfurt to Zurich. “We need to do this, Guntram. We were apart for a long time.”
Friday night, we arrived to Frankfurt and the boys went straight to bed, too tired to fight with the “surrogate” nanny -and I don't think this woman would take any crap from them- and slept the whole night long in their shared bedroom. Fortunately, Carolin, their nanny didn't forget to pack their stuffed animals; Karl's ant bear and Klaus' teddy bear and that compensated the fact that they were sent to an “adults guest room” and had to share a large double bed.
The boys don't believe this house belongs to their father; there's no children's room like in Zurich, London, Rome, Sylt or Buenos Aires. It's a turn of the century villa in Frankfurt, near Kennedy Allee and I'm still surprised how can you still own such a large places, surrounded with trees and quiet, less than 10 minutes away from the main financial area. It's just across the river, so to speak. I was shocked by the frenzy pulse of the city. I mean, I saw all those skyscrapers from the distance and when we were crossing the bridge, but it's really impressive once you're in.
Konrad has an office, well not really “an office”, think more of “a building” near the ECB and the Commerzbank (all pals together!) in Taunusstrasse. It was very funny for me to find that not even 100 metres away from the “klein Manhatten” is the red light district and they work on Monday mornings. “Wow, the hot girls and the bankers together! Is there no risk of mistakes?” I asked him with a dork face when we were driving to his office.
“No, the prostitutes' fares are cheaper than ours,” he answered me with great dignity and I laughed with all my heart. “This is because of the main train station's proximity.”
“Really? Because in Buenos Aires is the same. Hot girls and hot stocks living in peace and harmony.”
“It has its uses,” he told me and ignored me because his mobile rang. Guess, Monday mornings are also the bankers' working days.
The car left us in front of his building; belongs to him, but only uses the six upper floors for his business -it has wonderful views of the city- and the rest is rented to some of his friends or associates. To my surprise, it was modernly decorated, with good paintings and “modern”: we reached the XX century up to 1945!! “I have to put “these” things somewhere and I can't stuff the house in Manhattan any more” (???) he told me when I asked him about a small and very early Miró drawing of a woman in his office. “I'll tell the secretary to show you around as I have a meeting in ten minutes.”
The employees run here exactly as they do in London or Zurich and I got the “Consort treatment” from many of them. I briefly saw Ferdinand. At 12:30 was the “Duke's feeding time” and Konrad just grabbed me to go for lunch. As it was sunny, he told me we could walk to the Something Frankfurter Hof, a hotel where he normally has lunch when he is in the city. It was a huge shock to see him speaking to the newsboy -well a man past his 80's, who had a news stand on the square where the ECB stands-. He spoke for some minutes with him and I couldn't understand a single word and the spoken language seemed to be German.
“He has been selling newspapers to my father since 1974 and to the bank,” Konrad explained me.
“I couldn't tell a word of what you were speaking. Perhaps I should return to school.”
“It's a dialect, old Frankish, no one speaks it any longer. It comes from the Darmstadt area. My father learned during the war because this man and he were comrades in Stalingrad. His family had a farm and moved to Frankfurt in the 70's. My father learned the dialect in the trenches and taught me some. We were always speaking it when we had to discuss personal or sensitive matters.”
“I had no idea your father served in the war.”
“Yes, he went to Russia and returned alive and almost unscathed. He was one of the last soldiers to leave Berlin. Surrendering to the Russians was a hard blow for his pride, even if he was nothing more than a lieutenant in the regular army. Our lands in Mecklenburg were seized by the Russians and our castle bombed. At least, we were able to get all the artworks and send them to Switzerland before the war started. After the war, my grandfather moved to Vaduz and lived there, reconstructing all that was destroyed. He relaunched the Order and made its rules more flexible. My father married and moved to Zurich with my mother, although she wanted to remain in Liechtenstein or go to Vienna.”
“Friederich told me it was very hard for you.”
“For both of us, Kitten. Arranged marriages are not a good solution. My parents barely tolerated each other and after having my brother, my mother didn't want more children. It took seven years for me to come and when I did, for some reason she despised me since the first day. I did my best to please her, but nothing was good enough. When my brother passed away, she hated me more than ever before. It wasn't really my fault. I was not even there.”
“It was an accident and you have to understand her. You don't know how you would react if you lose a child. I don't know too.”
“You're too kind to her, but I will never resume contact with that woman. She's dead to me. Elisabetta was like a real mother to me. You and the boys are my family now.”
“You're my family too,” I whispered just before we entered in the hotel and went in a straight line to the restaurant, where his table was already set for five people.
We had lunch with other three bankers -I remember Ralf and Dieter from past dinners and the other was new- As usual I kept my mouth shut while they were discussing Greece's financial problems and how convenient it would be to withdraw from the country. I saw Heindrik Holgersen sitting in a table nearby and just when I was thinking that he had been stuck with the baby sitting job again, two industrials I know, sat at his table and started to do business with him. Guess, the prince -the guys call him like that at his back- is in the big leagues now. Coming to think, since a year or two, I don't see him around and he has an office at the bank in Zurich. Constantin told me once that “Holgersen is Lintorff's favourite lap dog; in training to become Councillor or Magnus Commendator even.” I learned more about the Order's internal organization in a week with Constantin than in seven years with Konrad.
In theory, the Consort is the highest councillor of the Seven Magnificent; Ferdinand, Goran, Michael, Adolf zu Löwenstein, Albert, grandpa Alrik Wallenberg, and Georg von Lintorff (I never met him, he's Konrad's cousin, brother of Gertrud and they don't like each other) I can nullify any order Konrad's gives -figures!!!- if only he would have granted me the power to sit in the Council. Sure thing, I, Guntram, the alien, de Lisle sitting there. No way in Hell. I'm very glad to be the Tutor (that's the Consort's main occupation) and nothing else. My candidacy as Consort was even voted! They're crazy, all of them crazy, but I have to put my best face and do my best for Klaus and Karl.
I was glad that lunch didn't last for too long and much more when I saw a “normal” Mercedes waiting for us at the entrance. I noticed the chauffeur gave the keys to Konrad and disappeared. “Can I drive?” I asked.
“No, I want to reach my sixties,” he answered me with a grin.
“Come on, it's just back to the house. I can't do much damage.”
“I am driving you to Fulda. Highway,” he clarified and took the driver's seat.
“Just one pot of flowers down and I'm labelled as the most dangerous driver in the whole Switzerland,” I huffed, taking the passenger's seat because I had no idea what Fulda was or where it was and I didn't want to take the bus. Right, Guntram, as if Konrad would ever let you ride alone in the bus.
“Yes, I've heard the story. The daisies jumped under your wheels. I had no idea flowers could commit suicide till 2007.”
“Why do you have rear view mirrors and add a back camera on top? It confuses anyone!”
“The idea behind parking assistance devices is to protect poor wild flowers from dangerous people like you. I'm still considering to implement a valet parking service at home,” he chuckled and stopped at a red light. Bastard, how can he stop the car exactly before the white stripes? I can't! Either I'm too far away or I'm on top of them. Life is so unfair.
“You didn't complain so much back in 2007,” I growled.
“No, I only ordered someone to drive you around. A chauffeur will be always cheaper than your insurance.”
Ha, ha. Konrad can be so funny!
While we drove in silence, I wondered myself how had we come to this. On Saturday we were in this large Dinosaurs' exhibition and the boys were overwhelmed by the monster size of the bones. I was also. I'll watch Jurassic Park with much more respect in the future. One of the things, the Argentinosaurus, was 35 metres long and I'm glad they only found one of his vertebrae. We arrived there early in the morning and stayed for two hours, till the boys had enough and Konrad decided to take them to the zoo. When we were driving there, someone phoned him and I and the boys were dropped at the zoo's gate, with Mirko Bregovic, my new bodyguard as Milan and Ratko are “back in their original positions”. He's Goran's third cousin if I understood correctly, related to the great Mladic Pavicevic, Goran's uncle and former Summus Marescalus. The guy must be as old as the former prince Löwenstein, but all of the men fear him still. He lives in Italy, in Como and I spoke with him once and he called me “Lord Consort” and I was not older than 22!
Anyway, Mirko looks very similar to Goran, but he's around 33 years old. A bit taller and lankier, but with the same dangerous silence around him. He's quieter than Ratko, and that's a lot to say. We walked around the zoo with the children and they loved the Night House with the nocturnal creatures. I also liked it a lot and Mirko was very unhappy to be in a dark, enclosed, full of people place. We had a late lunch in an open cafeteria -honestly I can't imagine Konrad standing in line with the “populace” to get a sausage and some fries but Mirko and the boys had no problems at all- We sat in a table under the trees and the children only minded their food.
“Are you my new baby sitter?” I asked him.
“Yes, I protect the Lord Consort,” he told me gravely.
“Never call me like that, I'm Guntram or de Lisle. Nothing else.”
“As you wish, sir.”
“Milan and Ratko are released?”
“The original threat has been removed so they can return to their former duties. I'm an Executioner as them, too. I will fulfil my duties toward you. My life is devoted to the Consort,” he said seriously and I didn't want to know what the word “Executioner” means.
“Do you work with Holgersen, like Larsen or Hartick?”
“No, they are normal security people. We are above them. We're part of the Order like Holgersen is. I've seen several of your paintings and you seem to really follow our Lord's ways. We're very pleased of that. You're worth of your title and rank, sir.”
And that was it. The guy had introduced himself and spoken his mind in the middle of a crowded park with two children eating ice cream with apple cake in front of him.
Great, I got someone sounding as if he were coming out from the Spanish Inquisition and I'm supposed to live with that.
“Why are we driving to Fulda?” I asked Konrad when we were entering the highway.
“I have a wedding there.”
“A wedding? On a Tuesday?”
“No, next Saturday.”
“That's in a week!”
“I decided to take holidays. I saw the photos of the place and thought it would be good for you to see from where the Guttenberg Sachsen come. I even spoke with the patriarch, Udo. He's more than willing to meet you and suggests that we have lunch with him next Wednesday at one and spend the afternoon with him. He tells me that Gerhard Guttenberg Sachsen will be there as he has returned from Africa. He was a cousin of your father. Perhaps you would like to meet him. He's a nice man. I have a good memory of him.”
I was overwhelmed and speechless. “I don't know if this is a good idea. The Guttenberg Sachsen never cared about me and I never used the name. They never answered any of the letters my lawyer in Argentina sent them.”
“That's very strange, Guntram because Udo told me he never heard about you again till 2004. He didn't write to you because you were not using the name or showed any interest to meet them. They're quite well known in the south of Germany. He was very surprised that you had never attempted to establish any kind of contact with them after you were named Consort. He nearly had a heart attack when I phoned him,” Konrad chuckled at the last sentence.
“Why did you do it? I don't want to see them!”
“You have to meet your family and they want to see you too. You're a Guttenberg Sachsen by birthright.”
“No, I'm not! I'm a de Lisle and I will appreciate if in the future you keep your meddling to yourself.”
“That was rude, Guntram.” He sounded truly offended.
“I don't want to meet them!”
“Why not? You look like one of them. They're a nice family. A bit bohemian for my taste, but they have provided good consorts to many houses. Their wines are good too and Würzburg is a beautiful city.”
“How am I supposed to meet several strangers that never cared about me?”
“They do care about you. For some strange reason, they never knew where you were all these years. I asked them about you several times and they were clueless! I believe Udo Guttenberg Sachsen's word. He was surprised that I called him and asked for a meeting. His family is also linked to mine.”
I decided to ignore him because I was about to explode while he drove on the highway direction Würzburg. On Sunday, we were in Mass and just like that he dispatched -yes no other better word- the boys back to Zurich in the plane, without telling me a thing or asking for my opinion!
Poor dears, I think they were so sad to leave me. The memory of last June-July's events is still fresh in their mind! What did Konrad tell me when I realised that my children had been taken away?
“Don't worry, Friederich put everything valuable away and the house insurance is paid if they throw a tantrum. They can survive a full week without you, Guntram. We need to be some time alone. You and I, without them around, so we can reconnect again as a couple, not only as parents. Since they were born, I have not been a single day alone with you. They have jumped on top of you for the past month. Now it's my turn to do so.”
I left the room before I would tell him something horrible. He came to me an hour later and said. “Do you want to go to the Archaeological Museum? It's very nice and we can walk around and have dinner in the city.”
I looked at him astonished. I opened my mouth to tell him to go to hell, but he added “please,” and my fury vanished like ice under the sun.
“All right, I'll get my jacket,” I sighed and closed the big sketch pad where I was working. He drove to the Museum and left the car near the river. We visited it -and my anger, vanished as there was an exhibition about golden treasures from Samarkand and I got lost in their designs. We had coffee there and he asked me about my projects with Ostermann. I was surprised at his question.
“Not much,” I shrugged, holding tight the styrofoam cup. “Ostermann wants to publish the second volume of children's stories for this Christmas and then, work in another of Opera's scripts, like Tristan und Iseult or Das Niebelungenlied, I don't know still. It looks too German for me.
“What about your painting?”
“I'm working on several ideas I had. Andreas Volcker wants to make another exhibition with my things and then, send it to Paris and New York, but we haven't spoken about numbers. Will it be a problem for you?”
“No, of course not,” Konrad said nonchalantly, feigning disinterest.
“Why are you still jealous of him? We never had anything going on!”
“Your jealousy is also volcanic, Kitten,” he laughed.
“I have many reasons,” I growled, but finally laughed too.
We walked around the city and the river, spent some hours in a large library where he almost jumped into the History Section, glad to be able to look at the books he was going to buy. I guess he's tired of ordering over the internet. He never has time for himself and his agenda is simply crazy. I'm glad I have a good relationship with Monika so she gets me an interview now and then. We had dinner in a normal place and returned home.
It was strange to be alone with him on our own. Strange but strangely sexy. Now I understand why most couples depend so much on grandparents to survive. Even if we live in a more than 3.100 square metres house, I'm always alert if the boys have a nightmare or run a fever. Even if the children are on the other side of the house, I'm always trying to as quiet as a mouse when I was with Konrad. Now, they were away and we were alone.
All to ourselves in a long time. Since 2003.
I watched him, sitting comfortably in his large sofa in the master bedroom and drinking his cognac while checking his new books, like a child with a new toy and frowning just a bit. I found him so endearing and adorable, the fine wrinkles around his eyes giving him a distinguished air. The years had been great to him, I mean, he looks much better than when I met him in Venice. Maybe it's just because I love him. How can he tell or think that I will run after some other? He's just crazy for that. I would never find someone exactly like him! Konrad's drives me crazy, that's for sure, but I only want to be at his side till my last breath.
I left the bed and crouched next to him and caressed his forearm lovingly, admiring his ice blue eyes that can be so terrifying and soft at the same time. He carried on with his reading and I remained there. Some time later, he closed the book with a thud and looked at me curiously; “something wrong?” he asked me and I smiled.
“I love you very much. I want to stay with you till the end.”
He looked at me shocked and blushed, yes, he blushed and mumbled; “you're my life, Maus, and I only ask God that we can be together till the end and afterwards. I do not fear Hell, I fear to spend the eternity without you, Guntram.”
“Will this work again?”
“I'm more than willing to try, Maus. This is why we need to be together again. You and I. My love is for better or worse times. It never faltered.”
“I loved you even if I should have hated you and I hated myself for it,” I confessed.
“I should have been forthcoming since the beginning. I gave you every reason to hate me. I'm sorry if I took the boys away from you. I swear to God that I will never do that again.”
“I did many things to you. You lied to me, but I bought all your lies too. I lie to myself when things don't go fine. I wanted to punish you and now I realise that I pushed you to your limits.”
“I also did. I begged you to stop the wedding and you turned your back on me.”
“I was furious and hurt. I only wanted you to go away so I could start anew. I wanted to leave but I couldn't and it wasn't because of the children. Alexei told me once that if I was not eating, I should let the others do and he was right.”
“We can start again and this time share the dish.”
“Yes, I would love to do that,” I said, getting lost into his eyes. “I love you despite all.” I rose from the floor and sat on his lap to kiss him better and he returned my kisses with much more ardour than I ever had, crushing my ribs with his fierce embrace. I protested a bit when I felt him rising from the sofa scooping me in his arms as if I weighted nothing or were a girl, but he only said “let me do it please,” and I let him play the medieval knight.
He fell on top of me on top of the bed and devoured my mouth and bit my neck several times and I returned his kisses with the same fever that was roaming all over us. He tore my clothes off and I think I broke one of his sleeves in my anxiety to get him naked. It's just amazing how he needs to do nothing to drive me absolutely mad with desire.
I cried in wonderful agony when he penetrated me and let him take over as it's an incredible feeling to have someone so powerful as he is, rendered mad at you, caring for every little thing you do and doing his best to make me happy or caring that I'm fine. I simply love when he pulls the covers around me almost immediately after we have our climax.
We laid spent for a long time, recovering from the stress of the exercise, and I felt filled with happiness and love for him. I buried my face in his chest and he chuckled holding me stronger than before. We fell asleep embraced and I knew I was very blessed for having him in my life.
Although it gives me a bad feeling to leave the boys behind for a full week, Konrad is right that we need to reconnect with each other. We arrived to Fulda, after three hours driving and he didn't stop in the city but went to a small hotel-farm away from it. The signs to find it were not very easy to follow, but we managed to find it in the middle of the Natural Park it's located. It's an old farm transformed into a hotel (3 stars only!!) that I like very much. Nothing posh and luxurious, but very beautiful and austere. Konrad knows me well and he knows that I prefer a hundred times to be in a place like this than at any of those uptight places with butler and everything.
I mean, he rented the place all for ourselves -plus several bodyguards- and left the owner to keep the reservations he had for the wedding we are invited. The place is surrounded by forests and practically nobody comes here. People mostly come during the summer holidays and then, the hotel owners survive on weddings or celebrations. The menu is what you get in the market -incredible mushrooms soup and meat today, nothing fancy-. I assume the nice rabbits we saw will be in the menu at some point and the hens provide the eggs. They have three very old horses and two small Shetland ponies for the children.
We arrived today at six p.m. and the security personnel was already here with Mirko in charge of everything and very concerned because they have to use the hotel's internet connection and not their own. (no signal: it's really far away in nature) Konrad almost had a fit when his mobile said “no signal” -worldwide coverage is not as big as you might believe- but decided that if something bad was going on, they could phone him the traditional way. He was living without a mobile phone till mid 90's and things were done. It was very funny to see his shocked expression.
We had dinner at the restaurant -at 7:30!- where was a very old couple with his children celebrating their 50th Anniversary and having the famous wild mushrooms, but in a sauce with semmelknödel. Konrad tells me this is very Bavarian dish. That was smelling really good and I wouldn't mind to “reconnect” with my own diluted German roots just to try them. Würzburg is in Bavaria, right?
I was glad to be surrounded by “normal people” -not bankers or industry tycoons or politicians- hearing their talks or just watching them. Konrad was speaking long with the hotel owner, about economics and took it quite well when the man ranted about the bankers and politicians. The summer season had been very slow and the man didn't know from where else to cut some more in order to reduce his rates. They spoke for some time and Konrad behaved much better than as he normally behaves when he's around his own kind. Perhaps he didn't feel that the man was after getting something from him.
We went to our rooms: two interconnected suites; I guess it's too much for these people to have two men sleeping together. Fifteen minutes later after I started to write this, Konrad moved in with book and everything to my room.
* * *
September 16th
Tuesday
This morning we went for a walk in the forest, alone, without any of the bodyguards -too busy eating at the restaurant, the food is really good-. We wandered for a long time in silence, just holding hands. We were in peace and we liked the silence. In a way, it was exactly like when we were in Florence, discovering each other and we almost not spoke at all, just looking at each other.
We had lunch at the hotel and there was a convention of some local dairy company and Konrad did his best to keep a low profile, taking the farthest table in the place.
In the afternoon, we visited Fulda, walked around and visited the Cathedral and a Romanesque church Konrad was very interested to see. We had coffee in a small restaurant in front of the Residenz and I truly enjoyed his conversation like I used to do so many years ago. Perhaps we didn't change so much as I believe and deep inside us, we're still the boy looking at him in awe and he's the big bear trying to hide his shyness behind a mask of self sufficiency. He caught me smiling softly at him in the middle of a lecture about Romanesque arches.
“I never imagined architecture could be funny.”
“It's not. You're funny.”
“I?” He really sounded surprised.
“Yes, you. Do you always seduce your dates with a history lesson?”
“Normally my name and a good bottle were enough to get me where I wanted, Guntram,” he retorted a bit upset.
“Strange because the first time I thought how handsome you were was in the middle of a lecture about the Venetian trade routes, just like now,” I smiled and he looked at me shocked.
“I thought you said that I behaved like an idiot.”
“That was part of your charm too.”
“I was almost dying of nerves, afraid to said something stupid. I had no idea what you tell to a nineteen years old.”
“So you gave me a history lesson?” I chuckled because the idea simply sounded ridiculous.
“It seems to have worked fine as you still remember it.” He told me with great dignity and I laughed with all my heart.
“Never change, Konrad. You're priceless. You're also not from this world.”
“You too: you're a gift from God.”
I was rendered speechless at his words and blushed like a teenager. He smiled at me and lightly patted my hand.
I guess these holidays are a good idea after all. Tomorrow we visit the famous Guttenberg Sachsen; Europe's greatest providers of non troublesome princes and princesses.
Chapter 2
Guntram de Lisle's diary
September 17th
The Guttenberg Sachsen Residence was some 30 kilometres away from the city and it's a Baroque building in the middle of several vineyards. I believe they range between 60 to 70 acres and that's big for European standards. The house looks like could have a revamp, specially the windows, but who has enough money to change 200 windows at €10.000 per piece price as Alasanne told me? I had no idea that maintaining a house could be so expensive. Perhaps I should ask one day Friederich how much we spend in heating, power or just cleaning it.
Maybe not. I could have a heart attack.
Anyway, the car crossed the big gate through the gravel path and parked in front of the building where a school bus was also parked. Konrad looked at it puzzled and was even more shocked when a stampede of children, running from one side of the house, nearly stomped him, and burst into the house, using the main entrance.
We looked at each other in awe and I joked, “the Guttenberg Sachsen may be planning to marry all European houses. Those were like thirty children.” Coming after the children was a woman informally dressed in jeans “Hi, you must be Konrad and Guntram. I'll tell the grandfather that you're here. I'm Elisabeth Green.” We both shook hands with her. “If you don't mind, could you wait here just a minute? I have to get the children to the workshop before they destroy something,” she said and literally ran after them. The three teachers that passed beside us showed no interest at all in controlling their pupils.
“Do you understand anything?” I asked Konrad, just fuming a little that HE had been left at the door.
“Nothing at all, but it looks like a school is visiting the house. Some of us have to resort to such practices to maintain the properties, but normally you get a sponsor or help from the State if it's a historical property.”
“I'm glad to be part of the middle class,” I said and Konrad looked at me with a smirk dangling from his lips.
A young man dashed out of the house to greet us and said that he was Alassane Guttenberg Sachsen, second son of Gerhard Guttenberg Sachsen. He was around thirty years old and was almost as tall as Konrad and had a contagious smile. Konrad looked at him in shock for a second, but he composed himself in no time. That's a prince's education and I only thought, 'well my love, you can't say any longer that I look like the Guttenberg Sachsen,'
Alassane was black as the night with nice features and was born in Ivory Coast “My brother, Eberhard will do his best to be here at tea time, but today his class was travelling to Munich to spend the day there. He's a school teacher and I'm a vet. My sister Louisa will be here right after lunch. She has to pick up her baby from the day care centre. Come with me and I'll take you to my grandfather. He's in the library.”
“What are those children doing here?” Konrad asked, unable to keep himself quiet any longer.
“Fifth class from a school in Würzburg. They come for the day, see the vineyards, learn about grapes processing, visit the cellars and learn about wine production and to end, they have a small heraldry course. I suppose they will have a picnic in the garden. Elisabeth, that's my wife, teaches them all about dragons, griffins and unicorns and why you have them in your coat of arms. Grandfather hides in the meantime. It's too much for his nerves.”
“I can imagine,” Konrad mumbled. Yes, our Duke needs a day of rest after the Sunday Easter invasion no matter how much he likes it.
We entered in the house -not as richly decorated as Konrad's or many I've seen, but it was very nice, respecting the style but not too ornamented-. Konrad looked astonished that several of the five doors from the distributor had a velvet rope across them.
“That's to keep the children and the tourists away from the rooms. The family does not use these official rooms any longer. We all live in the east wing and this is only for showing. The worst are the weddings; people has a hard time to understand that only the newly wed can make photos inside. Would you like a tour? Grandfather told me you were very interested in porcelain, my Duke.”
“Perhaps later, I wouldn't like to keep the Baron waiting.”
“Certainly sir, this way. My father remembers you from his holidays in Sylt.”
“How's your father faring?”
“Fine, you will see him at tea time. He had to work at the hospital this morning. He returned from Somalia five years ago because his health was frail and the conditions in the mission were very hard for him.”
“I'm sorry to hear this.”
“He's much better and thinking to return, but the grandfather has forbidden it and even at eighty-four years old, he still rules the family,” Alassane said before knocking briefly on a heavy wooden door. A deep voice let us in and I was more nervous than ever. In theory, this man was my grandmother's younger brother, almost like a grandfather for me, and I didn't know how he would receive me. I stood motionless, but Konrad pushed me inside while Alassane held the door open for me.
The very old man sitting in front of his desk rose to his feet, circled the table and came forward looking at me as if he couldn't believe that I was there. Without saying a word he embraced me and patted my head as if I were a child.
“You're Jerome's living image, my child. Where were you all these years? After your father died, we couldn't find you anywhere. Your mother's aunts had no idea of where you were and after all what had happened with your family, we thought that perhaps your father had done something similar to you. He was so depressed after your mother's death and everything happened so fast. Is it true that you lived in Argentina? Jerôme told Gerhard that you were in New York.”
“I lived since I was three in Buenos Aires. I had a lawyer who took care of my affairs.”
“I spoke with the Duke many times over the years as he was your legal tutor, but he also couldn't find you. Sybille went almost mad with grief. We only knew about you in 2003, but you showed no interest to speak with us.”
“I always believed you were not interested in me. My lawyer told me you answered none of his letters.”
“We received nothing,” Udo told me shocked. “Where were you living?”
“In a boarding school in Buenos Aires. My father's inheritance covered my education till I was eighteen.”
“That's very strange. The money he received from my late sister was worth several million Marks, without mentioning the family jewels and my sister gave them mostly to Jerôme and Roger as Pascal would have received a larger portion of your grandfather's fortune.”
“There were no jewels or anything like that. I saw his properties description and there was only a small flat in Montmatre which was sold about a month before his death. He had mostly cash money in an account under my name. I only got some family pictures.”
“You look so much like him, but you have my sister's eyes,” he said now examining me very closely. “Alassane, could you see if everything is ready for lunch?”
Alassane only nodded and left the library, closing the door behind him and Udo approached Konrad and bowed his head to him. “My Griffin, it's certainly an honour to receive you in my house. Please forgive me if I cannot use your title in front of my family. My grandchildren do not belong to the Order as their father renounced to it in 1990.”
“I thank you for your invitation and I would be honoured if you call me by my Christian name. You're almost Guntram's grandfather,” Konrad answered offering his hand. “This is a private visit, Sire.”
“Thank you, Konrad and please call me Udo. My son Gerhard is still sore about the events regarding the treason. He does not share our Code and preferred to leave.”
“Guntram's father understood our ways and behaved like one of us. His son shows many of his traits, Udo. Although he was very young when he returned to us, he has earned the Council's respect and appreciation. He fulfils his duties as Consort to our entire satisfaction.”
“I'm very glad to hear it. If Guntram has let go all the offences against his line go, then we can hold no grievances against you.”
“I never considered the Guttenberg Sachsen part of the plot against my life, Udo. I never acted against you.”
“I thank you that you still consider us as your wine providers. Your name has opened many markets for us.”
“I'm glad for you, but this is just a private visit so Guntram could meet his family.”
I was shocked, those two knew each other? Had they been speaking about me in the past? Did the Guttenberg Sachsen ever take into consideration to adopt me? I was a mess.
“Come, Guntram. Tell me, why didn't you want to speak with us when you came to Europe?”
“I had no idea who you where. My father never mentioned your family, only my grandmother. He never said that I had the right to wear the title as my lawyer told me. He didn't like much his brothers and my lawyer never knew what had happened in 1989. I didn't find it out till 2005. He only told me that he never could make contact with my father's family. Papa never spoke about any of you; only about my mother. I know she had some aunts, but I assume they died, too.”
“Did you live alone all this time?” He asked me horrified.
“I was in a boarding school, sir.” I smiled nervously. “You can't be alone there.”
“No contact with any other member of your family?”
“No, it was just my father and I. The principal informed me about his death ten days later.”
“Incredible,” Udo mumbled. “I spoke with Konrad many times as I received a copy of the documents naming him your legal tutor two or three weeks after your father's passing.”
“Yes, I remember that, but we couldn't find you,” Konrad said nonchalantly and I was shocked. Had he really tried to look for me as he told me when we fought in 2005? He showed me those papers as a proof that my father really had considered him as a suitable guardian for me, but I never believed him that he had truly looked for me. I felt ashamed for not believing in his word.
“We looked for you in France, America and Germany, but nothing came out. We went to the police, but they also came empty handed. Where you living under your own name?” Udo asked me.
“Yes, of course. Some parents in the school even knew that my grandfather belonged to the French nobility, but I never believed it till I found out that it was true. One of these amateur genealogists discovered it when the school made all our family trees as a school project. Papa never mentioned it and there was nothing in that sense among his papers. I thought it was just a coincidence.”
“But the family photos you have must have been taken in St. Cyr! It was a magnificent castle. One of the best preserved in France. Did you were not curious about it?”
“I thought it was a place for holidays. My father never told me it was his home. I understand he didn't share his father's views.”
“No, that's true, Jerôme was like Gerhard. Had it not been that he had met your mother, he would have also ran to Africa with him,” Udo sighed. “Jerôme detested formalities and your grandfather was very strict with his children. I was even standing to attention when he was entering the room.” He laughed at the memory. “I still don't understand why my sister married him when she was a free spirit. He was a banker and she was a fine pianist.”
“I got her piano; it's in Zurich now.”
“Yes, Jerôme was her favourite child and he was exactly like her. The rebel of the family behind that serious appearance. He was truly a very generous man, possessing an intelligence out of this world, probably it came from his father's side, not from us. Pascal was also clever and very pragmatic while Roger did the best he could, considering his abilities.”
“What was your opinion of Roger?” Konrad interfered and I would have preferred that he would have left that particular question out of the picture.
“Roger? He was a nice boy, a bit spoiled, but always the youngest is. He always needed someone to show him the way because he felt lost if he was left to himself. People immediately loved him and he was very funny. My son Gerhard was best friends with him. His brother Jerôme practically rose him after my sister passed away when Roger was 10 years old. According to my son, what you used to call a difficult child years ago was nothing more than an Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. His schooling was a total disaster and he could never finish his accounting studies. This is why he kept a job as stock broker where you have enough activity as to keep you interested. Without Jerôme's help, he wouldn't have finished the high school. He was terribly impulsive and his father had a very hard time with him. He acted without thinking or caring about the consequences, but I don't know what became of him. We never saw him again after 1989 and he had broken contact with us after his marriage in the early 80's.”
“Do you have more children beside Gerhard?” I asked because the topic was too much for me.
“Oh yes, Gerhard is the eldest. The youngest is Oskar and he works in Frankfurt at an insurance company; he's still single but we are confident that at some point he will see reason and marry his girlfriend. My daughter Hildegard is married with a surgeon and lives in Cologne. She's a kindergarten teacher and had no children. Gerhard has already turned me into a great grand father. He married very young with Maria Raiffen and had a child, Eberhard -he's 33 years old now and a schoolteacher-, but the marriage didn't last as my son went to Africa with a very young child. His wife returned after a month and filed for divorce. Fortunately, she didn't go away and stayed with me and I could have my grandchild. She organises social events. Not even a year later, Gerhard re married in the Ivory Coast and you know Alassane and you will meet Louisa too. They all returned a few years ago as Gerhard's health was not good enough as to stay there. Alassane studied veterinary and Louisa journalism, but she doesn't work as such. She married a Muslim and decided to stay at home with her child. The husband comes from Dubai and met her during an interview she was making for the magazine she used to work for. He works in one of their banks, and she converted to marry him. Between us, Gerhard never cared much about religion and his children were never baptised. At 58, he's too old to be scolded.”
I swear Konrad blanched at the mention of the conversion, but he recomposed himself very quickly.
“Alassane has two little girls; they're four years old. You will meet them when Louisa brings home the three babies.” Udo looked at Konrad visibly amused at his composed and blank face and said: “The Guttenberg Sachsen have changed over the years; we can provide your family with a broad multicultural background now. The blonde princesses are long over. Perhaps if Eberhard ever marries, but I doubt it.” Udo almost laughed at Konrad's shocked expression.
I chuckled and much to my love's relief, Alassane returned to announce that everything was ready.
Lunch was one of the funniest I've been to. Nothing that could be compared to anything I've been invited in the past seven years. Informal and good food, nothing fancy or uptight; no service (poor Konrad had to bring his dish to the sink and he was truly lost, debating with himself if he should “take the liberty” of doing exactly as the others were doing or wait and break the unspoken rule of being a good guest. I mean, I only saw once “our Duke” eating in the kitchen; in Venice and it was a piece of cake and he was in holidays (therefore he could do “crazy” things) The small dining room was adjoined to the kitchen and the one cooking was Helga, the long time housekeeper and she sat with us.
As background noise we had the school class having their picnic in the garden and trying to put boats in the pond. When Helga decided to stand up and save the baby sturgeons living there, Udo just shrugged and said “let them be, we all were children and they come from the city. The teachers will tell them to pick the trash up. As long as they don't come near the porcelain collection, everything is all right.”
I found the family very normal and I got along with Alassane and his family. My “grandfather” was very kind and found terribly funny to shock Konrad, telling him about the progresses of the Green Party in Germany, but then he switched the conversation to the vineyards and ecological production methods and Konrad was very glad for the change. Alassane had studied the first years in Africa and returned to Germany after his mother passed when he was 15 years old. His sister came later and finally his father when he turned 52 years old as his kidneys were seriously damaged. “Fighting with the Mission's goat to save my homework made me realise that I wanted to be a vet. My office is in Würzburg.” Moreover, Alassane's wife and Maria Reiffen, manage the “house operation” as it's a good income source and helps to pay the taxes over the property. School children in the mornings and businessmen or weddings in the afternoon. Nothing like an old Château to “give a new coat of silver to the old coat of arms,” joked Alassane. The wine production helps with the house maintenance -but it's not enough- and supports the family.
Udo asked Konrad if he wanted to see some of the old family portraits and the porcelain collection and they went away while I remained in the garden with my “cousins”. At about coffee time, Louisa and the children arrived and she was very nice to me, asking me about my artistic career. I will have to send her a copy of the old and new books. She's married and has a son while Alassane has two girls absolutely delicious.
Gerhard, arrived from the hospital he works at four. No doubt, he's a doctor because he asked me if I was feeling fine after just one look at me. I confessed my heart condition and he checked my pills. He greeted Konrad very informally as they both knew each other when they were going to the same polo club in Sylt. He told me I was looking exactly as my uncle Roger. Oh joy!
“I remember your father very well. I was shipped to France every June to practice my French and Jerôme was in charge of Roger and I. What my father never knew was that we were speaking German most of the time when we were playing. We used to drive Jerôme mad, but he had a lot of patience with us and I lost count of how many times he checked my Récit before giving it to the private teacher that was there every summer to help Roger with his homework and to tame me.”
“Did you meet my mother?”
“Very briefly. When your father married, I was doing my internal residence and practically living in a hospital at Hamburg. She passed away when you were born and we lost contact as Jerôme was severely depressed and refused to do anything else than working. The last time I saw him was at your baptism at the family's chapel. Your grandfather was very proud to finally have a boy in the family because Roger had a girl and Pascal two girls. The boy came later.”
“I was under the impression my father and my grandfather didn't like each other.”
“Yes, that's true. Your father was a free thinker and the black sheep. A revolutionary, if you compare him with uncle Louis. On top, he married a girl without fortune or name, sending the poor Sybille to hell. They didn't get along, but Jerôme was his son. Anyway, Louis was very proud to have someone to carry on the name and let's admit it, your father rubbed his ego when he named you Guntram plus Philippe Alphonse, exactly as him, and baptised you as soon as he could return from the States. The last we heard from you was that you were living in New York with one of your mother's aunts.”
“I moved to Buenos Aires when I was three. My earlier memories are from our flat there. I have no recollection of New York. In fact, I was never in America.”
“After your father and family's disappearance, we tried to locate Roger, but I understand he moved to South Africa. We even spoke with Lintorff on several occasions but nothing came up. I don't understand why your father didn't contact us no matter if we were not speaking for some years. Family is family. I was away, but my brothers were here and my father too.”
“I have no idea,” I sighed. “I understand less and less about him.”
At least his version matches to the many stories Nicholas Lefebvre has told me about him when he was a young lawyer. Gerhard told me that he was very generous and that he had truly considered to go with him to Africa. That he was working nonstop to make money for me and that he didn't believe in inheritances and preferred to do his own money.
When we were about to have tea in the garden -with Konrad back from his tour with the patriarch-, a tall and elderly woman arrived and was introduced to me as Sybille von Lippe. She was truly elegant and aristocratic with her white hair and fantastic blue eyes. She must have been very beautiful when she was young. Konrad paled just to see her and I was very surprised when she -after I was introduced and effusively kissed with a “you look so much like your dear father; the hair and eyes must be from your mother's side- said simply “hello, Konrad. It's been 20 years or so.”
“Madam,” he only said.
“Please, don't be so formal with me. I have no further issues with your family, Konrad. You were still a boy when it all happened. It wasn't your fault your friend was duped into that marriage. What was his name?”
“Ferdinand von Kleist. He divorced in 2003 and will marry again next April.”
“I hope he's happy now. If he lived 20 years with that snake, he deserves much better now.”
“Ferdinand acted in good faith when he married Gertrud.”
“I know, but it was truly a low blow, Konrad.”
“Sybille, I believed her and my uncles were the ones who pressed him into the marriage.”
“I'm not here to speak about this. I only wanted to meet Guntram in neutral grounds as his father was an excellent person.”
I was dumbfounded at that point. What the hell had Ferdinand to do with all this? He was too young for her! I must have looked really dumbstruck because she took pity of me and decided to explain me the mess during tea.
“I'm Theodoric von Lintorff second wife. I married him when I was only 20 years old and looked after him when he was so sick. I was a trained nurse and he was more than fifty when we married. He had bone cancer and it was very bad for him in the end.”
“Sybille married my father's cousin; the father of Gertrud and Georg.” Konrad said briefly.
“And he wanted to give me when he was alive all his painting collection aside from what I would have received as her wife: 50% of all his money.”
“Theodoric was not happy with his children and wanted to keep their money under control till they will be older,” Konrad said darkly.
“To be honest, they would have received only 26% of his wealth as he had already transferred to me two of his companies. Gertrud was the youngest and she was quite wild and disobedient, driving her father mad. Georg was no better, so he left a clause in his will that they will not get their money until they turned 35 years old or married and had children. All was put in a trustee fund under my control. Your father, Konrad, was quite furious to share his power with a woman and your uncle Hermann nearly had an ulcer.”
I looked at her shocked. Gertrud? The Blonde Iceberg wild? But Konrad blushed and I knew that her words were true. “In order to speed up things, she seduced Konrad's best friend and claimed that he had left her pregnant. You can imagine the scandal; the young... lieutenant? had taken advantage of the innocent Gertrud. Ferdinand married her in less than a month and she miscarried the child on the fourth month.”
“We can't be sure about it,” Konrad started to defend her cousin, but she only rose an eyebrow at his direction and he kept quiet. Yes, we can be sure. “Ferdinand did his best to continue with his army career and his marriage. The judge was right to give her that money to support the children to come.”
“I have no claims regarding the money, Konrad and you know it. It's the other thing what makes me still upset. After Theodoric passed away in 1968, I was in the middle of a legal fight with Georg, supported by Karl Heinz and Hermann von Lintorff over the inheritance. In March 1969, I was in Paris and met your father, Guntram, in a charity party. My dear boy, you look like a very handsome young man, but your father was gorgeous to the point of being stunning. Not only good looking with those big green eyes, but extremely intelligent.”
I looked at her in shock. She and my father? When? Why? I looked at Konrad but he had his well known blank face; he only asked me. “do you feel all right, Guntram?”
“Yes, of course. I'm just surprised.”
“Madam, Guntram's health does not allow him to be under any kind of stress. If you would excuse us,” Konrad told her very sternly as he was leaving his chair.
“Please, Konrad. I feel fine,” I said, lightly touching his arm as he was just turning into his psycho mode.
“Believe me Konrad, I have nothing else but good words to tell about Jerôme de Lisle. He was a generous person. You were just a child when it all happened and perhaps don't know my side of the story.” She told him and directed her attention to me. The younger members of the Guttenberg Sachsen left the table without being told and only Udo and Gerhard remained.
“As I was saying, I met your father, a young law student and I fell madly in love with him. I had just turned into a widow and was recovering from a very bad experience with my husband. I loved him deeply and his end was very bitter. In the meantime, I had to fight his last will in the courts and the Lintorffs were trying to get me out of my companies. My relationship with Karl Heinz was very bad, to say it lightly.”
“Your father's enthusiasm and love of life were simply toxic for me and I lost my head for a man -well a boy-, eight years younger than I. I even went to that soup kitchen he was helping or gave money to that NGO he was working for. We dated a couple of times and when I asked him to marry me, he simply rejected me, telling me that he didn't love me. I was devastated and I insisted several times more, but he kept telling me no and returning my letters unopened.”
“Michel Lefebvre told me that his family was upset with him because he rejected a very rich woman's marriage proposal when he was a student,” I said perplexed.
“First, I thought that the age difference was the main issue, till your father came to me one night in 1971. He told me to be very careful with the Lintorffs and his own father because they wanted to ruin me as they had found some of my earlier letters and wanted to force a new investigation on my husband's death -something totally absurd because he died in front of 30 doctors- and had offered him a lot of money to marry me to gain control over my companies. He gave me a letter from Hermann von Lintorff to him. He repeated that he didn't love me, but they had no right to do this to me.”
“I had no idea,” Konrad said slowly. “I was told that you were an adventurer who had seduced Theodoric.”
“I can imagine, Konrad,” she said jovially. “Jerôme was a good man while any other person would have taken the money and ruined me.”
Well, that explains why my grandfather was upset with Papa; he screw up an internal “job” of the Order. I bet a hundred Francs that they lost a lot of money with his disobedience.
“Your father, Konrad, bought part of my companies at a very good price just to recover the control and I paid Gertrud when she married in 1981. Georg got his own part in 1976 and bought the rest of the bank with a credit from your own family.”
“I know, Georg had to renounce to all his profits for seven years just to pay me and you still control 22% of the bank.”
She chose to ignore his rebuke and focused again on me. “When I heard that your mother had passed away, I waited some time to visit your father again. He rejected me once more telling me that he was already married to Cécile, no matter if I offered to adopt you and give you a family, Guntram. He was overwhelmed by his loss and having a baby, as he told me. He had no idea of what to do and was so lost. He was very sore with his family for not accepting his wife and having tried to use him.”
“I didn't know it. He never mentioned you, Madam.”
“I can imagine that, Guntram, you were a small child and I never believed that he was involved in any way in what happened with the Crédit Auvergne bankrupt.”
“My father was a decent man, I'm sure of it,” I said, feeling a bit sick for defending the obfuscation-charade the Order fabricated to destroy my father, instead of defending his good name more strongly.
“Yes, indeed. You should be always proud of him. He truly loved you. He showed me many photos of you and your drawings. I still keep a rooster you made when you were six years old. I have it framed in my office. You had a great talent because several people had asked me where did I buy such an intriguing artwork.”
I blushed and said. “I've improved over the years. I paint professionally though I studied Economics.”
“I would like to see you again, Guntram. You're the child I didn't have.”
“I live in Zurich, Madam. With Konrad and our two small children. My health does not allow me to travel much,” I said curtly.
“If you allow it, I would like to visit you some other time, Guntram.”
I checked quickly with my love and he was already looking furiously at her. Bad sign and I don't want to ruin the chances of restarting our lives together in peace. “If you would be so kind as to give me your address I could write to you in the future.” Lame, I know, but it was the best solution till I calm down the tiger or convince him that she's not going to throw me on a bed, believing that I'm my father. She looks clever enough as to understand what means “I live with Konrad and our two small children.”
We spoke long, well, Sybille and Udo cross-examined me about my studies, work, past life in Argentina, friends now, projects and the big K.
That was too much for him and decided that it was time to drive back to the hotel as it was already seven and we had about an hour or more of driving ahead of us.
I said goodbye and followed him because I knew it was too much for Konrad. He was very quiet on the journey back to the hotel and we had dinner in the restaurant alone and he kept the conversation to the Museum visit or that perhaps tomorrow Michael Dähler would drop by. When we went to bed, I asked him what was wrong with him because I was very happy after meeting some of my relatives (distant, but relatives nevertheless) and they were very nice people. I was very grateful that he had taken the liberty of calling them because I would have never done it on my own and etc.
“Guntram, I did it because you need to know your roots. It's not what I expected, but I also see that they're generous persons. Too bohemians for my taste, but kind. What I dislike is that Udo called this woman and didn't warn me of her coming. My father's opinion of her was very bad and over the years she has caused me several headaches. She's not a kind dove as you might think. A real she wolf in business who has enlarged her fortune several times. Her money is now into the fashion industry and steelwork. She also has some real estate developments in Latin America and Asia. She's one of the largest fortunes in Germany. 3.5 billion euros I would say.”
“What's the problem then? I assume she's no part of the Order.”
“Never! She costed the Lintorff family several hundred millions and I don't believe what she tells about my father or my uncle paying Jerôme de Lisle to marry her and recover the control over the companies we had. My father bought her share in 1978 and lent the money to Georg to do the same. We had to give her most of our cash. It was a perfectly legal takeover. The courts were on our side and three different international rating agencies valued her assets.”
“What did she have that was so important for your family to have to force her to sell?”
“About 22% of the Lintorff Privatbank, 35% of Mecklenmburg Insurance; 36% of Ruhr Industries Conglomerate. She was a stone on my father's shoes.”
“I had no idea at all.”
“We paid her what the judge said and it wasn't cheap! She used that money to buy broken companies and resale them in the 80's after “cleaning” them. Like that Gordon Gekko you hate so much, but in a designer's skirt. Do you have any idea how many she left unemployed at fifty years old? You have to admit that it's very tasteless to come to a widower to offer yourself to take care of his child,” he told me, getting more and more irritated.
“Please Konrad, I don't want to ruin a wonderful day with a fight with you. I would like to meet her and see what she could tell me about my father. That's all. Is there something she could tell me that could make me argue with you?”
“No, she was never part of the Order and has no idea of what transpired in 1989. We never liked each other, but it was nothing more than commercial rivalry. I worry that she might make you nervous.”
“I've heard the worst so far, my love. If it makes you happy, I will not write to her.”
“It's your decision, Guntram.”
So here I'm, writing in my laptop without sleeping. The best is if I leave all this aside for a little while till I decide what I want to do. I should speak with Nicholas also. Maybe he knows more about this. I should take things calmly and not run after the first thing I see.
* * *
Guntram woke up with Konrad's feverish kisses and chuckled a little more than ready to meet the other man's eagerness. They made love at a slow pace, enjoying each moment with the certainty that gave a long time shared intimacy.
“Is it only 9 o'clock? Guntram shouted when he checked his watch, forgotten the previous night over the night table. “Which time did you wake me up?”
“At 7 a.m. so we had time for being together. Michael comes for a meeting at 11 a.m. and he will stay for lunch.” Konrad answered with a merry voice.
“Psycho!” roared Guntram and hit him with the pillow. “We're in holidays!”
“That's why if get up now, have breakfast and go for a short walk in the forest, we could be back at 11, right on time for my meeting.” Konrad chuckled, very amused at his lover's frown.
“It seems you don't need Monika any longer,” he growled and the other man laughed, finding terribly adorable how even after seven years, Guntram still yearned to spend a full morning in bed. 'Not in this life, my Kitten.'
Totally awaken, Guntram left the bed and went for a shower and getting dressed as it was impossible to argue with Konrad if he wanted to start one of his mad runs. 'There's an Energizer Bunny in his family tree, or a bunch of them, coming to think.'
Both men had breakfast in the hotel's restaurant and Konrad told him that the owner had spoked about a nice path that lead to a pond full of frogs and herons. “They're back, herons ran away in the 70s because of pollution, but they're slowly returning. The owner tells me there are storks in the summer.”
They returned at quarter to eleven and Guntram was surprised to see the hotel manager sprinting toward him to tell that a lady was waiting for him in the foyer. Konrad, almost didn't hear the man as his mind was focused on returning to his room to fetch his laptop for the meeting; he barely registered Guntram's “could you bring me the square sketch pad and the tin box with the pencils?” request.
Guntram entered in the foyer and was surprised to see Sybille von Lippe sitting like a queen in one of the modest sofas, with a young woman keeping her company. He approached the ladies and greeted them and blushed a bit when she embraced him and kissed on the cheek briefly.
“I wanted to see you before I fly to America for a full month. I have several pending business as we are buying some companies. I have something for you but unfortunately, my secretary's flight was delayed and she couldn't bring it from New York on time yesterday.”
“You shouldn't have,” Guntram started but she shut him up with a smile.
“Nonsense. I believe this is more yours than mine. Your father gave it to me in 1988 and I kept it because it was something very special for him. Now that I've seen you, I think you should have it,” She said pointing with her head to a thin large rectangle wrapped in a simple white paper.
“What is it?”
“Open it and find it by yourself,” Sybille said with a grin.
Guntram took the package and placed it over the coffee table while the other woman left the room to allow him some privacy. Under the scrutinizing stare of Sybille, he carefully tore the paper as he had already guessed that it was a paining. He was more than surprise to find a young woman's combing her large chestnut hair in front of a commode with an oval mirror portrait. Her features were very delicate and well proportioned, a slim figure. Her grey eyes showed intelligence and kindness at the same time. The portrait's artistic quality was good but nothing out of the ordinary, but Guntram's heart nearly stopped when he saw the signature: “C de Lisle”.
“It's a self portrait from your mother's. She painted it in 1978 and your father had it with him all the time. He gave it to me when he was so sick and told me to keep it. We were good friends. When Udo phoned me to tell me about your visit, I decided to bring it back from New York and give it to you.”
“It's very beautiful, but my mother had blue eyes,” Guntram said very moved and puzzled at the same time.
“I know, but your father told me she wanted to have brown eyes like all her aunts had. For some reason, she didn't like her eye colour and said that blue eyes were very bad for being under the sun and the glare was uncomfortable for painting outside and sunglasses were out of the question. She was always getting headaches with the sun. Perhaps this is why she painted them in grey, but taking a closer look at yours they seem to be grey in the darkness.”
Guntram chuckled because he had the same idea and was always looking for a shadowy corner to sketch. Sun and light were good but too much. His eyes took in all the small details in the picture, the sleeveless simple light blue top she was wearing, the small string of pearls carelessly left over the top of the commode with the brushes and pins abandoned there and the old small porcelain powder box containing some of her bracelets and rings.
“Jerôme told me that this box belonged to your grandmother and he had given it to your mother when he met her. She kept her jewels there and those pearls were her favourite. He gave them to her for their first anniversary.”
“You know about them a lot.”
“I was very disappointed when your father married, that's for sure, but we became friends after her death. He told me many things about her and I realised that he would never love any other woman than her. I've had several relations over the years and I grew over my fixation with him. In the end, I was just very grateful to him because he saved my fortune and gave me many good advises over the years.”
“How fortunate for you,” Konrad smirked, creeping from behind her and making Guntram jump, totally lost in her story and the picture. “Hello, Sybille.”
“Konrad,” she answered very coldly.
“My mother painted herself, Konrad. I had no idea this existed,” Guntram said, looking still in ecstasy at the gift. “Sybille has given it to me and I have no words to thank her. Isn't it wonderful?”
“Indeed,” Konrad grunted. 'Now, I won't get rid of her so easily. What is she up to now? Guntram has nothing and if she wants to attack me through him, she's dead.' “Guntram, why don't you take the painting back to the room? I'm afraid it could be stained here.”
“Yes, you're right, Konrad,” Guntram said quite taken aback. What was wrong with him again? 'Not his jealousy striking again and much less for a woman who could be his mother!' “If you would excuse me, Sybille, I'll be back in ten minutes,” he said meekly as he was well aware that this was not the moment to start an argument with Konrad.
“Of course, Guntram,” she said and sat again, eyeing Konrad disdainfully. She waited for the boy to leave the reception area and be well out of hearing range before speaking. “Not your usual, environment Konrad. Heavily hit by the crisis?”
“Family wedding on Saturday and Guntram prefers to keep things as simple as possible. Luxury drives him very nervous and he needs his peace,” Konrad answered with a stern voice, refusing to sit next to her.
“He is exactly as his father,” she sighed.
“What do you want this time?”
“With your manners, I'm not surprised you never really married, Konrad. You're exactly as your father.”
“My father had his reasons to be thus and was a very good character judge. You still haven't answered my question. I've never believed that women could be so sporty regarding their rivals.”
“I just want to know him, that's all. Yes, I loved his father and I would have adopted him without a second thought. I want to see if he's worthy of becoming my heir. I have no children or close relatives and giving everything to charity seems to be a waste of money. I would be very grateful if you let me spend some time with him.”
“I admit, Sybille, that this one is the most generous bribes I've been offered in my whole life,” Konrad sneered. “Leave him alone; he has more than enough with what he will get from me. He needs nothing from you.”
“Shouldn't it be his decision?”
“And you come to him now? Where were you when he made less than a thousand per month? He never mentioned you before. I know you very well, Sybille.”
“I looked for him, but he was nowhere to be found. You also did.”
Konrad looked at her dispassionately and only growled, “you're warned, Sybille, he's mine.”
Guntram's entrance in the room, accompanied by Michael, Monika and three other managers from the hedge fund, stopped the upcoming fight and both adversaries returned to their polite personae.
Konrad had to leave the room with his people to his meeting while he heard Guntram softly asking his visitor if she wanted to have lunch with him at the hotel. He made a discreet sign to Mirko and the man approached him silently. “Stay with him all the time,” Konrad whispered. “He should not leave the premises with her. Masons. Is that clear?”
“Yes, my Duke,” the man answered and dashed after the young man, already taking her to the small restaurant.
* * *
Mirko sat in the corner, in the empty room, glaring at the woman, wondering who could she be. The Duke was always very discreet and that he had mentioned the word “Mason” was a bad omen. So far she had asked Guntram about his past life and it was also good for him to find out more about his new charge. When she had asked about the Duke, Guntram had evaded the question very politely and started to ask about his own father. 'Clever boy, never trust them.'
After an hour, the woman said that she had to leave and Guntram walked her to her car and opened the door for her, overtaking her chauffeur. She kissed him on the cheek and patted his face with motherly affection, telling him to write to her and send some pictures of his own work. Guntram thanked her again for the picture and waved his hand when the car left.
“Really Mirko, the word discretion is not in your dictionary. Didn't Goran tell you that snooping is bad?” Guntram threw him one of his murderous looks when he approached the man, standing at the hotel stairs, no more than a metre away from him.
“I comply with my orders, Lord Consort,” Mirko answered, choosing very well the words so the boy would understand that this was a direct order from the Duke and a matter from the Order, nothing personal.
Guntram buffed and rose his eyes to the sky, going back to the hotel's foyer where he had left his sketch pad and pencils. With any luck he could draw in peace by the pond till teatime. 'Konrad is playing with his friends and it seems they will play for long,' he thought.
When he sat in one of the loungers in front of the pond, he noticed Mirko taking the next to his, armed with a large book, “Meditations with Meister Eckhart”. Guntram took out his mobile and grunted to his forced companion. “Do you mind? I'm calling Mr. Elsässer to check if we still have a nanny.”
“Very well, sir,” Mirko answered impassive, but remained seated where he was.
* * *
Konrad stopped the meeting with Michael, Cohen and St. Claude for some minutes. The quickly deteriorating situation with the Colombians drug lords was a main source of concern due to the many petty challenges he had been forced to face in the past months. The Colombians -following the Mexicans example-, had been refusing to use the Order own channels to process their profits or pay tribute, alleging that the “gringos” were offering much better prices than him and demanded no tribute at all. 'Outcasts, all of them outcasts. Not even good enough for the worms. I will send those monkeys back to the jungle,' thought Konrad as he looked through the window in one of the hotel galleries.
He sensed Michael standing next to him, but the former Navy officer said nothing. “Michael, it's time to cut some wings, don't you think?”
“The Americans could get some revenues after all the money they have invested in the area,” Michael suggested.
“Hand over the mules to the local government so trade and production are stopped. I want all the protection they have over their fields terminated. We have no need for them any longer. I prefer Russians much more. Latin Americans are too wild and lawless for my taste.”
“Yes, Sire. I also don't like guerrillas and much less this new populists. Which one should I give away?”
“The old revolutionary guard, on a silver plate. Exactly as the Russians did with Dudayev in Chechnya. Would be good for the locals' moral and for the Americans' too.”
“It will be done,” Michael answered curtly and left the room.
Konrad's gaze travelled across the garden at his feet. He saw Guntram's form sitting next to the pond, with Mirko Bregovic at his side, explaining him something about his book. 'It's good that my Kitten gets some lessons. He was running wild for too long. Bregovic will teach him all what he needs to know to properly educate my children. Sending him to Pater Bruno might be too harsh for his taste and I need someone with a more solid theoretical background than Friederich.”
'Oblomov will keep his part of the deal and stop the weapons trade to the area in exchange for my financial support in his war. Russians also prefer Peruvian and Bolivian products and they already have a strong presence in the borders and production zones. Repin was right. Trafficking is not the answer; controlling the trade routes is.'
Chapter 3
Guntram de Lisle's Diary.
November 2nd, 2008
Today Coco came up with the most crazy but incredible idea; to make a tour across the United States to promote the children's tales first book -English Edition- and the second book, German and English Editions together, ready to be released on November 15th. She says that the second book's edition is very large for her publishing standards (over 35.000 copies) and we need to be active to get rid of it. She wants to go to New York, Boston, Massachusetts, Washington and maybe San Francisco. She has everything organized and I will fly alone. Ostermann agrees with her idea, but I should be back on December 3rd on time for the opening in Vienna.
I was never in the United States -as baby and for a few months doesn't really count), and I'm dying to see it. From Argentina to Europe and never out. I want to explore more of the world on my own too. What concerns me is that the whole trip would take around two weeks and that's a lot of time to leave the children alone. They're used to see Konrad go away for three weeks, but they always have a bad time when I'm not around, even if it's for a day.
Also Dr. van Horn has been pestering me with something about staying “out of the spotlight” for a few months till the arrhythmia is better, but I'm going to a nice place like New York. He can say a thing against it.
The only problem is who we know. He's going to explode the minute I show him the itinerary and schedule of presentations, but it's not as much as it looks. Only a few nice words and then, signing books for five hours. He does more in a day than I do.
I guess it's a matter of well presenting (selling) the package, when he's in a fantastic good humour.
I'll ask Jean Jacques if he can help me and cook his beloved Rouladen for tomorrow. That should appease the beast.
* * *
November 4th, 2008
It's impossible to discuss anything with Konrad! He's like a stubborn pig! Yes, exactly like that. Try to get a pig inside the barn if it doesn't want to! You push and the animal just stays there, rooted to the ground.
Yesterday night, Konrad returned home from Brussels in a good mood and I thought that it was a good time to tell him that Coco had everything arranged and booked -she's fast but her secretary more- to start on the 15th in New York and take a night flight on the 1st to be in Vienna on the 2nd, ready for the final inspection and the vernissage on the 3rd, exactly as Ostermann wanted.
Did Konrad von Lintorff behave like a normal human being? NO, he behaved like Konrad von Lintorff.
We were having dinner alone and he frowned at Dieter when he presented the dish (Rouladen) to him. “What is this?”
The poor man didn't know how to answer and paled, so I interceded to save his skin (and job) “It's Rouladen, exactly as you like them. Jean Jacques prepared them.”
“This comes from a microwave, Guntram,” he grunted. “Leave it here,” he growled at the poor Dieter who was already doubting if he should place the offending dish in front of “the master”. He did and ran away.
How the hell does Konrad know? Jean Jacques had to fly to Cologne to record five episodes of his new TV show (something like Hell's Kitchen but in German and he's one of the judges; plus four episodes more of another show: “Cooking in the Old Times”) but he left everything ready and the sous-chef knows how to do it. Konrad was just being childish.
“I don't think so, Jean Jacques left this morning, but Johan can cook too. You liked the soup and the salad so far.”
“Anyone can boil some broccoli to make a soup. This is different.”
I would love to see you in the kitchen fighting with the broccoli. I give you five minutes before you call for help. “Konrad, it tastes very well.”
“I refuse to eat from a tupperware. I work hard and I deserve to have something fresh on my table when I'm home. This is my house, not a hotel.”
I see now why it took him 50 years to get married. No woman nowadays would wait for him with the “fresh food” in the oven. Does he think that I'm going to do it? Well, he has it all wrong.
“Konrad, it's only for one night and you agreed to this. Jean Jacques is an artist and needs new challenges. The option was that he was going away and starting his own restaurant in Paris. Alexei did his best to convince him to return to us.”
“I know, and now I have to suffer for it.”
Konrad can be really melodramatic, and for someone who had been forced to eat a despicable piece of meat, he had stuffed in half of the dish.
“There's something I wanted to tell you, Konrad.” I waited after dessert to open negotiations -his favourite vanilla ice cream with a hot sauce of blueberries and raspberries- and when he was in the library, keeping company to his cognac- looking relaxed and happy to cuddle me in the sofa- to speak up.
“About time you decided to tell me what you're after tonight. I was thinking that you were going to keep the suspense till tomorrow,” he smirked. “I'm listening.”
“Coco van Breda, my publisher wants that I make a tour to present my new book and sign some copies in the USA. I will fly on the 15th and be back on the 4th in the afternoon.”
“I thought you had to be in Vienna on the 3rd.”
“I'll fly from New York to Vienna.”
“All right, tell me about it,” he told me softly and I bought it like the idiot I am.
“It's a big tour, starting in New York on November 16th in a Barnes and Noble Store. According to Coco is a huge place and I will only have to sign copies for the children and mothers for five or six hours. One children's author will make a short introduction or read a story.”
“Sounds interesting.”
“Then we go to Washington for three days, Maine for one, Chicago for three days and we fly to San Francisco for another five days. The agent thinks he can add something in Sacramento for free those days. We fly back to Cambridge and from there to New York where I'll fly back to Vienna.” I showed him the paper with the schedule and he took a look at it.
“It's a great opportunity for me. This is a very large edition, Konrad. Over 35.000 copies.”
“I see. Which company are you flying?”
“I don't know. I guess it's Delta or American Airlines. I have an American citizenship so I will have no problems with the controls. I always wanted to see it.” I said smiling and convinced that he was buying it.
“Do you have list of the hotels she's sending you?”
“Yes, of course,” and I gave it to him.
“I should be glad this woman has not sent you by a low cost company,” he mumbled after reading it. What is his problem with Westin Corp.? “Is to be expected from some successful shopkeepers. They always keep the same policies,” he said disdainfully, returning the paper to me. “One last thing, Guntram. Do you have permission from your doctor to fly for over eight hours and be on the run for fifteen days?”
“No, but there's nothing wrong with it.”
“No, of course not,” he said sarcastically. “Tell me another thing, are you planning to sleep with Mirko Bregovic? Labour laws forbid me to ask him to sleep on the floor.”
“What?”
“Are you planning to share your bed with Mirko Bregovic? The hotel bookings only mention you and no one else. I don't know if he snores,” he added sarcastically.
“I'm not taking him with me!”
“Then you have your answer, dear,” he told me sweetly and I looked at him in disbelief. “No,” he clarified for idiot me in case I didn't understand him.
“You can't forbid this. I have a compromise with her. She has made a huge investment in this.”
“How many books did you sell so far? In German only.”
“I'm not sure. Five Editions; about 25.000, I guess.”
“And we are speaking of the English speaking countries' market now? 35.000 copies is nothing.”
“We are speaking of 300.000 dollars invested!”
“A good necklace. And she plans to send you by trains and planes in economy class to three stars hotels, without security just to increase her profits? If I remember correctly your book costed around €29.”
“There are hundred of costs associated with the promotion!”
“Guntram, the answer is NO. I will not let you endanger your health for something so trivial. You, running in the snow in the middle of Washington DC just to get to a store, to be on permanent tension for six hours? Not in this life.”
“I will not let Coco down with this. You have no right to tell me what to do!”
“I'm your husband I decide what is best for your interests. I will not let you do it in this way. Van Horn would never approve this crazy idea.”
“I'm twenty-six years old! I'm not a baby you can order around. Coco might lose money with this, after she had given me this opportunity.”
“Tell her that I will buy all the books for €12 and distribute them by myself. See if she wants to give them up.”
“You have no right to do this. I want to go to America. I was never there.”
“I have nothing against a visit to New York or Salt Lake City. Take the plane, the children if you want, and stay for a week at the house in Manhattan. Visit the MoMA and check our collection there. It's all modern and I don't like it, but you may appreciate it. Bring something along if you like.”
“I want to do it on my own. I'm an adult!”
“An adult who has a serious heart condition and needs rest for at least half a year. Maybe we could go together to New York. The house is at Madison Avenue and I would be more comfortable if you're in a protected environment.”
“A protected environment?” I asked in shock.
“Or maybe you prefer to stay with me in the pent house at Fifth Avenue. Wonderful views over Central Park and it's very cosy. Big enough for two. This week without the children was very good for us and we could repeat it after the Christmas holidays. Three weeks with them could be very taxing for us. I almost died from a nervous breakdown when I was left alone with them.”
“That was your own doing, Konrad.” I retorted very irked with him. “I want to go to America on my own, without you or a bodyguard. I'm old enough as to decide what I want to do.”
“Guntram, tell this woman to prepare an appropriate plan that includes real good lodging and travelling arrangements for you, show it to van Horn and then, we will reconsider it.”
I was too furious to send him to Hell as he deserved. I glared at him and he just looked at me with his big blue eyes. It's hard to keep your fury when he does, but I did.
“Why don't you go to London? To a nice place like Harrod's? You can take the Dassault, fly there, stay in the house at Melbury and return in four or five days. You can visit the Museums and the galleries, too. It's a short flight and you will be comfortable. Do you have any idea how horrible is to fly crammed for six or seven hours, praying that you're not placed between two elephants?”
“Do you know it?” I asked in disbelief.
“No, but I've heard stories,” he told me with sufficiency. “Your health prevents you to take such a stupid risk. Fly to America if you want, but with my rules and your doctor's permission, otherwise, you stay at home.”
I stormed out the library and went to our bedroom. I changed myself and slid under the covers and turned off the light to sleep. He came later and joined me in the bed, trying to catch me into one of his bear hugs. I squirmed and moved to the border.
“Don't be upset with me Guntram, because I'm protecting your interests and you know it well. Tomorrow, I will speak with this woman's husband and he will set things right,” he told me and turned around.
“You have no right to do this!”
“Your manager is Ostermann and I doubt very much Mr. “Artists should eat caviare every day” has agreed to this nonsense.”
Just like this he ended the conversation. Today, Ostermann yelled with me in the morning for “selling myself so cheap! I've just sold two of your pieces for 85.000 euros and you want to play the penniless student? This is the last time you arrange anything at my back!”
Later, Coco's secretary phoned me while I was in my studio and told me that the American tour had been cancelled as my doctor had strictly forbade it and that Coco had no idea that my condition was so delicate. She was going to call me later because she was speaking with her public relations manager (?) and she was sure to get me something in London at the end of the month.
Guess what? Half an hour ago Coco phoned me when I was painting in my studio at home to tell me that how sorry she was for not taking into account my health condition -I'm not a bloody cripple!- and coming with such a demanding schedule on me. I look so young, energetic and willing to do things, that she didn't realise it. Anyway, she wants to know if I want to go to London because the public relations manager “managed” to get me a signing at Foyles', at Charing Cross. Easy job, I should read a story and perhaps, if I want and my hand is not too stressed, draw something for the children and sign some copies. It will be a 3 hours presentation, to be repeated on the next day. On a weekend so the children can come. November 15th and 16th from 4 to 7 p.m.
I guess I have my orders, now.
* * *
November 16th, 2008
London
I left Zurich on Friday afternoon, still a bit sore with Konrad because of his meddling -although he prefers to call it “defence of your interests”- with my business. As usual, the poor Mirko Bregovic will have to baby sit me, along with Soren Larsen -already got four signed copies of the second volume for his daughters and nieces- and Jan Hartick. I'm supposed to stay in Konrad's house in Melbury Road and be nice as a kitten.
I kissed the boys goodbye in the morning and told them that I would be back on Monday afternoon -no question about flying at night after all the stress of sitting for three hours to meet people. I should be a good boy, sleep in my bed and take the plane back from London with Ferdinand-. The boys promised to be nice to their father and nanny. They have already planned to take Konrad to the cinema. In a way, I pity him; they want to watch Kung Fu Panda or Ice Age 3. I think that's enough punishment.
Strangely, Konrad had not ran away to his office after breakfast. “I suppose you have to go the studio. Drive with me. There's something I want to give you.”
Surprised, I asked him five minutes to look for the portfolio I wanted to show to Ostermann and he didn't complain. Out of breath, I entered in his car where he was already playing with his Blackberry. Sometimes, I think someone has an addiction problem. I sat next to him, doing my best to accommodate the big portfolio, without touching him.
“What's that?”
“Just sketches for some projects. It's a new series I'm working in and what I told you about this project for the operas. I want to show them to Ostermann and get an opinion.”
“Guntram, I realise that you're upset with me about London, but I only have your best interests in my mind. I spoke with the doctor and he told me it was impossible what you wanted to do. He says that maybe in six months more, you could do it. I went mad when I saw that you wanted to risk yourself again. You know I can't lose you.”
With those words, he melted my anger toward his actions and I was speechless when he said “I'm sorry.” I kissed him on the lips briefly and gave him a light punch on the arm. He chuckled utterly relieved.
“I have something for you. I thought maybe you need it,” he told me shyly and offered me a small package, wrapped in blue.
I opened it and inside was a fountain pen, a Montblanc, and I didn't know what to say. “Thank you, it's very beautiful.”
“I hope you can use it many more times, Maus,”
“I thought you disliked the idea,”
“Not at all. I think you're very talented and it's a good thing people knows your work. I always liked your books and perhaps a few children learn to appreciate art with them. You can never know what draws their attentions. I hated the idea of you risking your health for nothing. I hate when people take advantage of your kindness and good will. You're too good for this world, Maus. I only want to protect you.”
“Wasn't this one of your psychotic strikes? Like the last time I was in London? Did you force Milan to take me to all those places?”
“He was only doing his work. One second of inattention and that viper of Olga Repin was trying to lure you into one of her little wars with her husband. Guntram, I can't lose you again. Do you understand this?”
“Konrad, I don't want to go away either. I need you and the boys in my life.” I kissed him again and he returned the kiss with passion.
I leaned my head against his shoulder and stayed there till the car left me in front of my teacher's studio.
I took the plane, the “small one” the Dassault to London with Mirko, Hartick and Larsen. I had to drive with Mirko and got the master bedroom as before, not a guest bedroom like the last time I was here (no complaints at all; it was an incredible room)
Today in the morning, I went to the National Portrait Gallery and stayed there till one when Mirko dragged me out for lunch and then, he left me alone to buy a present for the boys; I know they want the airport from Lego and the school from Playmobil. I'm glad I got them both. At 3:45, Mirko accompanied me to the big book store and I didn't know what to do. Fortunately, he took the matter into his hands and grunted to one of the employees to get the manager because “Mr. de Lisle is here”. The man and a woman -Coco's public relations manager- came to us and she thanked me for being so punctual and told me that everything was ready. Just when I was walking toward the children's section, the store manager caught me and told me we were going to the second floor, to the Art and Leisure Section.
“This is a book for kids,” I protested.
“Yes, we sold many there, but the bust was in the Arts section. Our five hundred copies were sold in less than a month.”
“Both volumes?”
“Only the first, when we heard you were coming, we decided to reserve the second volume for today and tomorrow. We already have a long queue upstairs. I had no idea you were so young.”
“There's a photo and a biography in the back cover,” I answered.
“I didn't think it was real.”
My soul sank to my feet literally when I saw about 40 people in front of the table they had set for me, with a pile of books and a poster with both books behind. There were some mothers with children, but no more than 15 of them; the rest were people on their late 20's and early 40's. I gulped when they looked at me with a mix of surprise and admiration.
All right, Konrad was right, standing in front of so many persons can be stressful. Heck, the closing speech in the school was easier to give than standing in front of those strangers.
The Public Relations Manager -thank God- knew what to do and she took me by the arm and crossed the crowd like Moses crossed the Red Sea and sat in the table, forcing me to do the same.
The people gathered around the table and were nice enough as to let the children occupy the front row. She made a short speech telling how fortunate they were to have a talented young artist like myself, with several works hanging at the Vatican and in great private collectors hands, looking into the classics we all loved so much and bringing them to life in such a moving way.
I believe I never blushed so much in my life. My great words: “Thank you very much for coming. If you please would let the children come forward.”
The people looked disappointed at my oratory skills but I'm a painter, not a politician; they talk nice. The children didn't wait to be told again and rushed toward the table and a book landed in front of me and I asked from whom it was and a small girl told me it was a present from her grandmother and that she had liked the mouses and lizards from Cinderella's story.
Konrad was right again; you never know what a child can like.
I took the pen out of my jacket, glad to have some ink cartridges with me, and quickly draw two mouses and a salamander (that was on the story) looking at the “To Eliza, with affection, Guntram” dedication. All of the children were fascinated and wanted a drawing too.
I only drew for the children and fortunately four of them were sharing a book, but each one said what he liked and I did my best to please them all. The grown ups were also looking carefully how I was working and many men and woman tried to engage me in a conversation, but Mirko, standing next to me, scared them away.
I steadily wrote till 7 p.m, when I noticed that I still had a queue of 30 people more. I lost count how many times I wrote the same line “To X, with affection, Guntram.” Every time I was drawing for a child, I had like ten adults peering to see it.
The manager was very happy and said something like “at this rate we'll finish our stock tomorrow morning. I'll ask the other stores to send us some reinforcements. We sold today over 250 copies!”
Tomorrow, I'm supposed to start to sign at 1 p.m and finish at 6 p.m.
When I was finishing my work, I was almost dead on my feet and was not making any more eye contact with the people. Mirko had been replaced by Soren Larsen. Distractedly, I took a book from the pile and when I opened the first page to write the dedication, a voice said. “To Constantin, please.”
My blood froze and I looked at the man and there was Boris Malchenko, Constantin's former secretary-assistant in Paris. I “lived” with the man for three weeks and he was always very kind to me.
“Constantin is my son. He's four months old and I want to give him the books when he grows older. How are you, Guntram?”
“Hello, Boris. I'm very surprised to see you here.”
“I'm in London for business and I heard about your book. It's very beautiful and I'm glad you did some parts of it at home.”
Soren Larsen was immediately on top of me and looking at Boris with a killing look. “It's all right Larsen. Mr. Malchenko is a member,” I said and he backed off... to phone someone.
“Would you like to have a coffee with me when this is over, Guntram?”
I hesitated because this is strictly forbidden, but I said. “Yes, of course. We can have something around. I'll just check with my security.”
“Tell them that we can go to the Savoy. They know it as the Duke also goes there. I have a table at 8 p.m. at the River Restaurant. I can drive you there.”
“No, thank you. I have the car with me.”
He took the book and went away and Soren returned. When I finished the signing it was more 7:45 p.m and I didn't have time to change myself or anything before dinner. I told Soren about the plan and he said that it was OK, that the place was secure and if he was a member, it was all right.
I shrugged and crossed my fingers that my jacket was enough for the Savoy. Soren drove me and went inside with me, telling me that Mirko was away “on business” and Hartick had to go to the house. The maître already knew who I was because he only said: “follow me please, Viscount.” I truly hate it. Malchenko had a table on one side and he was kind enough as to have a side table “for goons” where he had two of his boys and a place for my own one. Sometimes, I don't understand them at all. They are at each others throats and have dinner together.
I excused myself for the delay and he only smiled and said, “you had quite a fan club there. Tomorrow, will be worse.”
“I hope not. I really don't know what to tell when someone asks me from where the inspiration comes or what I was trying to tell with a green brocade dress for Cinderella. Nothing! I liked the colour and copied the dress from a painting I saw, but I'm babbling as usual.”
“I'm glad to see you again.”
“I'm so sorry about what happened. I had no idea of Mr. Repin's troubles with the Tax Office.”
“Guntram, it wasn't your fault at all. We all have too many things around and if you're not careful, it catches up with you. You can't run away from your destiny for ever.”
“I only knew what happened through the news and the Duke didn't let me read the newspapers because my health was in a bad shape. What happened in Smolensk?”
“Repin was betrayed by his own wife and henchman. Olga Fedorovna gave the authorities information about his dealings with RusTrans and RepOil. It was never so much as the news told. Only a few millions taxes failed to declare. In total, fifteen or twenty million dollars. Someone filtered the wrong numbers to the press and the government didn't correct them because it suited our politicians to show that they were doing something against corruption. Mr. Repin was too clever to be caught in something so stupid as this. He was arrested in his house in St. Petersburg and sent to a prison in Smolensk without any kind of legal representation. His lawyers' lives were threatened and some of them had to run away from the country or they would have been imprisoned too.”
“I don't really know what happened in Smolensk, Guntram. I only know that he was stabbed to death in one of the yards. The doctor tried to save his life at the infirmary, but he bled to death. Very strange because Mr. Repin had a fantastic training from his time in the KGB and never gave up training.”
“Constantin was in the KGB?” That was really shocking to hear.
“He was the son of the General Secretary for the Black Sea provinces. Of course, he was part of the KGB. Where do you think he met Oblomov?”
“He told me they studied together.”
“Yes, they went to the Moscow University together, but after their training. Constantin was an agent in Paris from 1976 to 1980 when he returned to the URSS to study. He was very young and extremely clever. More than a French capitalist spoke willingly to him and the Soviet government learned a lot about the Order.”
“I never knew it,” I said shocked. But it makes sense, according to Alexei you had to be in the Party if you wanted to achieve something and being part of the KGB was the best way to do it. “How old was he?”
“I guess he was 19 years old when he started, right after the military service. In his line of business you have to show a lot of strength if you want to be respected and Mr. Repin had not a single bone of mercy in his body.”
“I never wanted this end for him. His death was a great shock for me. No matter what everybody tells me, he was a good and loyal friend to me.”
The waiter brought our orders and served us and I was glad to have something else to do than talking about what has been eating me up since Vienna.
“I never saw Mr. Repin so happy than when he was with you,” Malchenko said and I looked at him surprised. “I met several of his boyfriends in the past and all of them were a source of trouble and disappointment than joy. With you, he was happy, not so sour or brooding like always. He loved Arts so much because beauty was the best impersonation of life.”
“He told me he loved Sergeant and that my style was similar to his, but different. I miss him, too. We used to write to each other a lot in 2005 and 2006 and in a way, he formed my taste for Arts. Most of the books I read were because Constantin had recommended them to me. Most of my painting from 2005 onward came from his ideas or suggestions and still it's like that. I could draw well before I met him, but nothing else. My big artistic leap came after we met in London. I questioned myself many things after it. When the children were born, I stopped painting for a while, but I resumed it stronger than before when I broke up with the Duke. Constantin convinced me to paint to exorcise my demons or to escape reality when it was too much. Without him, I would have jumped in front of a train,” I confessed finally.
“I had no idea that it was so bad for you. You were very stiff when I mentioned your rank.”
“I never wanted to be named this. I only loved Konrad. I didn't know I was the bloody Griffin's Consort till September 2003 when Constantin told me. I didn't know that I was in office since Easter 2003. I always thought that “consort” was an elegant way to say “boyfriend”.”
“Yes, I suppose so. I never saw you at the Council meetings and the Hochmeister, the Griffin, never granted you such power.”
“And I'm glad for it. I have no wish to be involved in whatever they're up to. This is not my game. I'm just an artist. Nothing else.”
“Mr. Repin was truly in love with you. I saw him going to that small bakery by himself to get you those mini croissants you liked so much every morning you were together. He also loved them when he was a child.”
“I know,” I smiled at the memory. “How do you know it?”
“He lived in that flat during his first eight or nine years of life; it belonged to his mother, Catherine Arseniev. We used to have those croissants on weekends only if we were very good during the week and we had to fight hard to keep my sisters away.”
“I beg you pardon?”
“Didn't he tell you? We know each other since infancy and this is why he chose me as his assistant in 2005. May I ask you a personal question?”
“Yes, of course. We shared the roof.” I answered, smiling weakly.
“Do you think you loved him?”
I was taken aback. I never expected this.“He was a great friend for me, but that's not love, Boris. I was very happy with him too, because he knew and understood me better than anyone else, including Konrad, I mean, the Duke.”
“Do you think you could have loved him if you had met him before the Duke?”
“That's not a valid assumption. It never happened so it's just a guess.” I said, trying to evade the question.
“What if you would have met him in Buenos Aires?” he pressed and I looked at him in shock, but he didn't cast his dark eyes away.
“I don't know, probably yes, I would have had an adventure with him and maybe fall in love with him, but his business were always despicable for me. If Constantin would have been nothing more than a Russian engineer with a regular job, I would have probably fell for him. If you overlooked the fact of who he was, he possessed a dashing personality and incredible intelligence. But this is just a speculation. I saw the Duke and I liked him instantly. Falling in love with him took some time, but we are still together after all and perhaps till one of us dies.”
“Yes, you have been and excellent Consort to our Griffin. The prince zu Löwenstein had you in his greatest esteem and many of the associates I know, were very impressed with the way you educate the children. They saw them in Vienna with you.”
“I was lucky that on that particular day they have decided to behave,” I chuckled. “It's not always like that, Boris. What happened with Mr. Repin's children?”
“They live with their mother in London, in a flat at Knighstbridge.”
“What happened with the house at Ilchester Place? Did the Russian government take it away?”
“No, they can't touch it. As I said, what they could only find were less than 20 million dollars failed to declare and that was paid with what was in one of his accounts. The rest is in a trustee fund for the children's use when they turn twenty-one years old.”
“So the mother manages that money?”
“No, Mr. Repin left everything into the hands of some lawyers in Brussels. She can't touch a single penny of that money and the lawyers pay her a generous alimony. He would have never let her come near their money.”
“But she's entitled to half of his fortune. The Duke told me she had money deposited outside Russia.”
“Most of Mr. Repin's fortune was invested in different societies. His wife has no access to his fortune by his own will. Do not be concerned about the children's future. They're well provided.”
“I'm glad about it.”
“I heard Olga Fedorovna plans to sell some of the paintings she had next January at Mountpleasant's. The portrait of Sofia is included. I was thinking to bid for it as my wife loved it. There's another; three kids with a large dog that she loves so much. There are also some Miró, Picasso, two Degas, one Monet that was in the house in London, among others. Didn't you receive the catalogue?”
“Yes, maybe, I don't know. I never look at them.” I said with my mind in turmoil, well overheated would be a more appropriate term. “Why would she sell her daughter's portrait? She asked for it and paid it generously.”
“Olga Fedorovna never liked you Guntram. Mr. Repin considered very seriously to leave her and go away with you. She would have only received 200 million dollars instead of the billions she was expecting to get. You were serious competition for her, indeed. Had you just said a thing about wanting to leave the Duke, Mr. Repin would have taken you and to hell with the consequences.”
“I asked myself many times if I didn't commit the biggest mistake of my life by staying with Konrad, especially after my stay with Constantin in London. Then, the boys came and I loved them since the first day. We had troubles during the past two years, but I stayed for Klaus and Karl and I don't regret it because we finally could sort out our differences. I didn't ask you, how are things for you inside the Order?”
“Fine,” he shrugged. “I was a very, very bad boy and now I am punished,” he told me ironically.
“Are you in troubles?” I asked and I thought 'here it comes, I have to speak with Konrad on his behalf'.
“Just for the next two years. I didn't tell you were with Constantin Ivanovich and I am shunned from the Glorious Easter Meeting till 2010. I have to pay a fine too to the Foundation for my “lack of cooperation”. As I told you, I was a very bad boy.”
“I don't know if Konrad would hear me but I could speak with him. After all, it was my idea not to tell him.”
“I'm not a snitch and I'm old enough as to decide if I rat a friend out or not. I told you the truth when I said that my loyalties lay with the Arseniev family before the Order. In a way I'm saving two boring meetings. You can't really do a thing against the Council's decisions and you just raise your hand like a monkey when Lintorff wants to be cheered up. Things will not be half of the funny they used to be without Repin around. He was really making Lintorff and von Kleist sweat.” He chortled at the memory and I looked at him surprised. Is he so sporty?
“Is there something you would like to tell Constantin Ivanovich?” he asked me out of the blue and I blushed because I have a hundred of pending things regarding Constantin.
“Are you a medium by any chance?” I laughed to hide my embarrassment.
“No, but people always wants to talk with the departed,” he told me as if it were of no importance, dropping the other subject -his punishment removal- out of the agenda and that was a first in a long time. When someone comes to me, it's because he thinks that I'm some kind of “postman” and the prick doesn't give up till he gets the mandatory “I will do my best to inform the Griffin about your situation” sentence. Assholes all of them!
I doubted for a minute if I should speak my mind, but this was the only opportunity I had to speak with one of Constantin's friends. “Only that I'm terribly sorry about what happened and that he was very important in my life, more that he knows. That had it not been because of him, I would have ended everything and that I will be eternally grateful to him because he sent me back to Lintorff, sacrificing himself for my happiness. I feel very guilty for his death and I'm sorry he faced it alone and no one was there to mourn him. Where is he buried? In St. Petersburg?”
“In Smolensk. The family didn't claim the body and it was buried in a normal grave.”
“Why did she do it?” I asked anguished. I felt my eyes watering because no one deserved this.
“Why would she do it? She hated him and I guess she danced when she heard the news. I wanted to claim the body and give him a proper burial, but I was not a direct relative and the authorities denied me the authorization.”
“Constantin deserved much better,” I whispered.
“Tell me about your projects. Don't think about this any longer, Guntram. What's past is past.”
I was glad for the change of subject and we talked about my stuff, upcoming exhibition in Vienna, some new commissions and then, about nothing in particular. It was eleven when we finished and he offered me a ride, but I refused as probably Larsen had enough of Russians in his life.
Malchenko gave me a very Russian hug and patted me on the back with a “you're a good kid, pity it didn't work between you,” and drove away in his Rolls Royce. I had a more “modest” BMW with chauffeur and Larsen. Inside the car I looked at my bodyguard and asked him if he needed more information for his report.
“No need to, sir. You have met with a member and discussed nothing about the Order. It was a personal talk. If you want I can write that you had only dinner there.”
“You'll get into troubles with Mirko Bregovic.”
“No, if you don't tell a thing, sir.”
You know what? I'm sick of being spied on a permanent basis and I really didn't want to explain Konrad all what we said. On the other hand, I didn't want the other “blackmailing me” in the future. “I will keep my mouth closed but if you come to me with something, then it's your head which is going to roll.”
“I know.”
So this is how we agreed to keep both our mouths shut. I, because I wanted to avoid the questioning and he because he preferred to avoid a long explanation of why I was eating with a former mobster's secretary.
I can't stop thinking about Constantin. I let him down. I was not for him when he needed me and he was always for me. He never told me “call me later” or “I'm busy”. I would love to have his forgiveness or see if he's fine where he's now. It kills me to know that he was thrown in an nameless grave when he had done so much for many artists. All right, he was a mobster, but his Foundation paid more than 250 scholarships each year. He was a great friend and I didn't see it coming. I feel very dirty because Konrad used me to plot against him. Only 20 millions and a good press campaign against him? That sounds very much like Konrad's doing. A prison fight? Who in his right mind would go against the top predator? I'm sure all of them knew who he was. OK, some of his competitors would have paid to eliminate Constantin, but who? Oblomov? I know nothing about their messes, but I feel Konrad lied to me once more. What was he doing in St. Petersburg when everything happened? A meeting because of Lehman Bros. situation? I find hard to believe it, unless the Americans were begging the Russians for money.
I feel very bad about Constantin. He deserved much better.
* * *
November 17th, 2008
Monday afternoon, as agreed I took the plane back to Zurich, after spending the morning in the National Gallery still thinking about Constantin. Heck, I couldn't stop thinking about him during the whole Sunday and I was like absent during the signing. I drew things for the small ones, but kept my talk with the grown ups to the minimum. I just don't know what to tell them and at 9 p.m., the closing time, I was dead on my feet. When I was leaving, the manager gave me a cardbox full of notes from the people who had been there and I don't know what to do with them. I will read them, but should I answer them? It's a big box.
At five I was sitting in the plane and waiting for Ferdinand only with Mirko around because the other two bodyguards had disappeared. I looked at the many magazines spread over one of the tables distractedly and I saw a copy of an “Important Russian Contemporary Art Collection” catalogue from Mountpleasant's. I took it and started to pass the pages. I saw the forest from Monet I liked so much, estimated between 5 to 10 millions, several paintings I remembered from Constantin's house, some pop art and Chinese contemporary artists. Among the last were seven of my paintings; Sofia's portrait; the children and the dogs; the ladies in the Art classroom; the three dogs; a couple in a café; three of my last series of the children in the slum. I chortled when I saw the price they were valued; £80.000 per piece in that series. The portrait had costed £10.000 and now was starting in £65.000.
Olga Fedorovna will make a lot of money if she gets it. Constantin paid £20.000 for each one of them, but this is a price for a Hirst. She may hate me, but she knows how to make money out of me.
Konrad liked a lot the one with the children, but I don't think he will be so childish as to insist upon it. I mean, it was fine but more than £5.000 is too much. I was writing in my folder when Ferdinand entered in the plane and he greeted me very warmly.
“Konrad will be here soon. He's wrapping something up, but we will take off at 5:30 p.m. to be on time for dinner.”
“I had no idea he was here.”
“Surprise inspection visit it's called,” Ferdinand chuckled. “Relax Guntram, there were not many casualties this time. St. Claude is recovering well from the shock but told me that next time you are in London, you should give him a fair warning.”
“I'll do my best.”
“What do you have there?” he asked me. Old habits die hard and checking on the Consort is never a bad idea.
“It's an art catalogue.”
“Already choosing your Christmas present, Guntram?” he joked and I felt empty. It was hard to crack a smile.
“I'm in.”
“Are you at Mountpleasant's? Well, that's incredible, boy. Congratulations!”
“It's Constantin Repin's collection. Did you know the Russian government cleared him from the tax evasion charges brought against him? I read it in Google.”
“No, I had no idea. It's not my problem. Why is his collection for sale then?”
“I suppose his wife wants to make some cash. Some pieces are impressive, Ferdinand.”
He took the magazine from my hands and looked at my works. “I'm very glad you're here finally. You really deserve it.”
“I just was in the right lot.”
I heard a soft whistle when he saw the values. “Too bad you didn't sell options on your work,” he chuckled like a child. “Guntram, I need to ask you something.”
“Sure, Ferdinand, but if Konrad is upset with you, there's nothing I can do.”
“No, Konrad loves me beyond all,” he joked. “I'm getting married with Cecilia next April and I need a good wedding present. I thought about jewels, a house, a nice trip, hell I even considered a puppy!” I laughed at the idea because he already has two bull mastiffs at home and I don't think that's Cecilia's idea of a pet. “But I have it finally: a painting.”
“Shouldn't you speak with Ostermann? He knows much more than I.”
“I want you to paint her portrait. As a surprise; you know her and I can steal her photo album. I want something that shows how special she is.”
“Ferdinand, after my last portrait, I've painted nothing in that sense and I'm doing my best to avoid any kind of commissions. It really went out of hand.”
“You would never do something like this! By the way, I liked Stefania's portrait very much.”
“No, Ferdinand. I like your wife very much as to ruin my friendship with her.”
“Nonsense. Please do it and I'll let Ostermann rob me all what he wants.”
“I can't take money from you.”
“All right, write the sum you like and I'll donate it to that priest in Argentina.”
“I have a wild imagination, Ferdinand,” I snorted, my resolution not so strong as before; Cecilia's green eyes are incredible with her dark hair and sun tanned skin. Colombian women are out of this world. Must be the Caribbean breeze in their blood.
“If Volcker paid 99.000, I can give you 120.000 Francs. Imagine all what you could do with it. Tax free. Look, this one with the girl on the bed is fantastic,” he told me, showing me the full page photo of Sofía's portrait.
“Does Cecilia really want a portrait?”
“Guntram, most of our ladies want one from you. Cecilia will be delighted to have one. I was thinking in something that can be placed in the living room, on top of the French chimney. There's one that Gertrud bought years ago and I took it just because she liked it so much, but I hate the thing.”
“It's a very good Mucha!” I said shocked.
“Anyway, you would be doing me a favour if I can get rid of that thing. Do you like it? You can have it. I looks like an outdated beer poster.”
“It represents Undine!”
“Say yes Guntram; money for your parish and a nice poster for your bedrooom.”
“Konrad is not ready for a Mucha at home,” I laughed. “Give it back to Gertrud if you hate it. Will look great at the Hamptons.”
“Never and my boys also hate it. Too feminine.”
“Then, sell it!”
“It's a fair trade, Guntram. You make the portrait and I pay the church. You get a check if the painting is suitable for my wife and kick your ass if not. Finally you get the Mucha for nothing.”
I sighed. “I hope I don't screw it up. Promise you will tell me if you hate it.”
“Don't worry about that. I'm a prissy customer.”
Konrad joined us a few minutes later with “there it is. I thought I had lost it,” when he saw the catalogue. He kissed me on the forehead briefly and started to tell Ferdinand that finally he was going to be able to buy the one he liked so much. Ferdinand told him about his idea and Konrad said that I should have dribbled till 150.000 because he can afford it and both laughed like lions. They started to discuss business and I focused my attention in the discarded magazine. I felt a little displaced and it irked me somewhat that he didn't ask me how things were in London.
We arrived at 9 p.m. and I was very glad to see the boys sleeping in their beds. The sight of them cast away Constantin's ghost for a few hours.
* * *
November 22nd, 2008
I don't know what's wrong with me. I feel so sad and I don't know why. I'm working fine, the books are selling fine, the children are fine, Konrad and I are fine, but I'm not fine with myself.
I can't stop thinking about Constantin. It's not that I was in love with him, but he was a great friend and I miss him. I never had the time to mourn him -Konrad would have had a fit if I would have cried once more for him- or visited his grave.
I felt really bad when I learned that Sunday night, just by browsing Google that he had been cleared of all the accusations. I know who he was, but I can't help to feel dirty because I contributed -unaware- to the scheme to destroy him. He was generous to me and risked his position for me and Konrad destroyed him without a single regret.
I know Konrad had many reasons to do so, starting by the children's security -but I still don't believe that Constantin could have done something against them- to the “insult” of going to bed with me. We had nothing going on for over two years and he had married and dated many others in the meantime! He had no right to feel insulted. I don't belong to him!
Poor Constantin.
He was one of my best friends and the person who really understood me. Here, I'm nothing more than a nice flower vase that keeps the Griffin happy and productive and raises well his children. I'm just an extension of his will.
Constantin considered me as a person. “Crazy to an adorable point,” he told me once. “All artists are insane but your insanity is simply wonderful.”
Chapter 4
Guntram de Lisle's diary
November 23rd, 2008
I don't know if I should be furious with Konrad or disappointed at him. Why the hell did he give me the speech of “I forgive you all because I love you” if he's still as sore as the first day?
I never mentioned Stefania after she passed away and I could charge him many of her insults because he instigated them. I'm certain of that.
She was so concerned about getting his wallet to risk her position with a stupid and childish series of petty attacks. If she ever went for my neck, it was because he had allowed (or eve encouraged) it. What kind of man keeps his former lover in front of his brand new wife? The whole Zurich society knew about us! Why the hell did she accept him? Money? Nothing could have paid the humiliation she suffered under him. She didn't need him and I believe she loved him in her own way.
A few hours ago Konrad and I were sharing an intimate moment. I didn't feel in the mood, but I let him do it because he had nothing for over a week and that's a lot for him. We started to kiss in the bedroom and in two seconds he was on top of me. Naturally, he realised I had little enthusiasm, so he went for the seduction part, butterfly kissing me on the neck and collarbone and going down, making me shiver as he only can do. He kissed me in the chest and bit me on the stomach lightly, making me laugh and relax. I gasped when he took my member in his mouth and sucked me, giving me so my pleasure. I was about to reach my climax when I muttered “oh, Kon...”
“How fortunate for you,” he said sarcastically and pushed me aside.
“What?”
“Our names. Both are “Kon”. Is it with a C or with a K? Did you mean Constantin or Konrad?” he slurred the words with great fury and contempt.
“Will you ever forgive me?” I shouted. “Fuck, you have nothing to forgive me! You almost killed me like you killed my whole family and here I am, hearing your jealousy rants! How many did you fuck right under my nose? Even Goran was shocked!”
“You're still thinking about him!” he had the nerve to accuse me.
“You're pathetic. You're jealous of a corpse. Are you so insecure that a rotting body is better than you?” I yelled.
“You are a shameless whore like your uncle!!” he roared and added. “It was just a matter of time before you would start to fuck around.”
“You're right. I'm a slut because I still sleep with you. I had enough. Good night,” I said and redressed in my clothes.
I went to the kitchen and took one of the small cars keys and immediately I had Hartick standing in front of me with a “Should I drive you somewhere, sir? It's very late to be on your own.”
“Move aside,” I growled.
“Sir, please, don't make things difficult. Return to your quarters.” Another Alpha had the nerve to tell me. I exploded there. Literally. Very fast, I took his weapon from its holster and pointed at him. He feinted but he got the cannon on his forehead. “I disarmed Pavicevic once and shoot the Duke. Don't try your luck.”
Milan rushed into the kitchen and said “Back off, Hartick. The Dachs can shoot better than any of us.” The man moved aside and I opened the door and drove away.
Of course, a black Audi followed me, but I didn't care. It's their call if they want to do overtime. I parked in front of a 24 hours gas station and went inside the restaurant, full with lorry drivers and late travellers. I took a table by the window and ordered a hot chocolate. In my fury, I had forgotten my overcoat and I was missing it. I shuddered and drank my beverage and started to write with a pencil and a notepad I bought there. I needed to vent out the fury and the frustration and those pages truly helped me.
I feel bad because we both were on our throats not even after a second of arguing. I wonder if things are going to be like this from now on. One minute, I'm living in bliss with him and the next we're doing our best to destroy the other. I fear we will never recover what we had before. I don't trust him and vice versa. Constantin was my best friend, but nothing more. He knew it. Why can't Konrad learn it or believe me?
“If you have troubles you order a whiskey or at least a cake to go with that cup of chocolate, little brother,” I heard Goran's voice booming over my head.
“Hi, Goran. Do sit down, please.” I answered and moved my papers away. “Do you want a coffee?”
“This coffee should be in the Mass Destruction Weapons' List, Guntram. How's the chocolate?”
“Likewise,” I said and he made me smile with his joke.
“So it's not the ambiance and the food what brings you here. Do you want to tell me what happened?”
“The Duke and I had an argument.” I confessed. “I lost my head and threatened one of your men. I will apologise tomorrow to him.”
“Not one of my men, Hartick belongs to Holgersen's team. Kick their bottoms as much as you like, Guntram,” Goran said in a good mood. “We have to cope with them for the everyday things.”
“I said “Kon” to him and he said that it was a fortunate coincidence for me that he and Repin had similar names. He called me whore and I called him freak.”
Goran looked at me and sighed. “Little brother, I will not tell you how you have to run your relationship with the Duke. What happened in the middle? You were so happy after that week in Fulda.”
“I'm afraid he will never forgive me and I can't also let go of everything that happened. I did my best to ignore, but the past is there, waiting to jump on my neck.”
“That's the job of the past, little brother. Ignoring your past will not make it go away. Face your mistakes and forgive yourself. The others will do it or not. It's immaterial, believe me. You have to make your peace with yourself and the rest will come by itself.”
“I blame myself for Constantin Repin's fate. It was my fault. Konrad told me so.”
“Come home with me. This is nothing to discuss here. Sleep at my flat and cook those bread with eggs in the morning and then, decide if you want to return to the castle or stay with me for a few days. Your room is always ready, little brother.”
“You're very kind to me, Goran,” I said and stood up, leaving some money over the table. He scolded me for forgetting to get my coat and gave me his. “I come from Krajina, this is nothing for us,” he grunted.
We drove back to his house with his Mercedes and he parked in the garage, taking almost two places. “You have no idea of the pleasure it gives me to do this,” he told me and I realised, that this was the “yuppies” former parking site. I chuckled a bit. Goran can also be a bit childish sometimes.
In his kitchen, he prepared a tea for me and we sat at the table. “As I was saying, you have to forgive yourself. Men are like dogs who can smell your fear and insecurities. It's inbred in all of us. You had nothing to do with Repin's death. It was done by his own people and he was a gangster. They all finish like this. No loyalty or respect among them.”
“Maybe you're right, but Konrad used me to plot against him. You have no idea how dirty I feel after this. I'm nothing more than a toy for him.”
“That's not true, little brother. His outburst tonight proves how sorry he is. He risked everything with this gamble because he was truly cornered. He's realising now the true consequences of his acts and feels ashamed too. The Duke did many stupid things over the past two years and he's furious with himself for almost destroying everything he had. In a way, you're more mature than him. Speak with him and tell him all what is lurking within you. You have no idea how much he misses you.”
“How do know that?”
“I know him very well. I started to serve directly under him after my father was killed in 1989.”
“Do you mean my grandfather …?” I asked horrified.
“Yes, but it's nothing of your doing. You were 7 years old. In a way it's ironic that God gave me my second chance with the son of my father's executioner. I always thought that you were a good kid and needed to be protected. What happened in Güstrow stays there.”
“Thank you,” I muttered with all my heart. Goran is my best friend and I wouldn't like to lose him.
“Stop interrupting me then,” he smiled. “When I met the Duke he was a machine. Cold, calculating and always looking for the best way to bend people to his will. Good traits for a ruler, like he is. I saw the change in him not even a day after he had dinner with you in Venice. He felt vulnerable for the first time in years and understood that he was human like all of us. He was touched by fear and doubt; almost on the brink of a nervous breakdown when he asked me to deal with the Albanians. We thought that the Russians wanted to settle the score with you and after finding the two prostitutes bodies, you would have been the next. Normally, he wouldn't have bothered to deal. You were playing in our territory without our permission and the Komtur had the right to execute you on sight. There are hundreds of boys like you, and for him, finding a replacement was just a matter of minutes, Guntram. I was surprised when he ordered me to get you out of the trouble and offer money to the Komtur or dispose him, if he was difficult to me. I saw him like a vulnerable man for the first time in 15 years. He was desperate because you didn't come to him as most people would have done and tried to solve the problem by yourself. He felt for the first time in his life that all his money and power were useless in front of your eyes and that was his first lesson in humility in his whole life. He learned that if he wanted to win you over, none of the things in which he had relied upon in the past were going to help him.”
I looked at him in shock and Goran chuckled. “Like always, you have no idea. Ferdinand told me that the poor Duke tried to impress you with a list of his banks and you didn't react at all!”
“I had no idea what “investment bank” meant,” I defended myself. “I was nineteen years old!” Goran laughed louder.
“Guntram the words “I own a bank” are honey for most ears. You were utterly happy when you got a pencils box when a one night stand was getting a luxury watch for several thousand euros. You showed the box to Michael!”
“It's a very good box. I still keep it.”
“And it was the only thing you took with you when you left.”
“I said I like it.” I repeated acidly.
“The Duke's world crumbled when you left him in Buenos Aires, just because of him, not because you had something better. Once more, all his power was useless to keep you beside him. Most people wouldn't let a billionaire escape and much less sent him to hell like you did. Lesson number two: you're not so incredible as you think and there's more joy in helping the others than in using them. You had no idea of what a week he had when you were so sick. Men truly bow unto God was your last lesson.”
“On top, you have made him happy and given him his two sons. He can't let you go and now realises how dangerous his game was. He's furious with himself and has to forgive himself before he can move on. Go to bed now, it's late and tomorrow you have to make my breakfast.”
I could only nod and went to the guest room I'm always staying. Goran had left a pyjama. So here I am, still writing the rest and more lost than before.
* * *
November 24th, 2008
Yesterday morning, I was watching Goran devour the French toasts when the the bell rang and I heard the maid -already cleaning the flat- going to get it. I was in shock when I saw Konrad standing, wearing casual clothes in a working day, at the kitchen's door. Goran rose from his chair and only bowed his head at him, before he took his dish and left the place.
“You forgot your coat yesterday night, Guntram,” Konrad said shyly. “I brought it here.”
“Shouldn't you be at the Goldman Sachs' party?” I said with a lump in my throat.
“They can live without me,” he answered me, fixing his eyes into mine. “Should I bring the rest of your things?”
“No, the coat is fine.”
“Let's go home, Maus. Please. I'm sorry for all the stupid things I said yesterday.”
“I was very mean to you. Can you forgive me?”
“Yes, let's go home, Guntram,” he told me and I nodded before going to kiss him.
I thanked Goran for his hospitality and he only said “whenever you want, Guntram.” I returned home with Konrad and we were together speaking in the library about many things but not what had happened. For the first time, we both were glad to fix things and evade the problem at the same time. We had lunch together and a brief walk in the forest before he left to take his plane to Moscow.
* * *
November 20th, 2008
Brussels
Boris Malchenko examined a bit puzzled, the medium size painting hanging from the wooden panelled wall. It was a classical work, depicting a young couple sitting in a café. 'That thing looks very much as if it were Guntram's. Odd for a lawyer to have this. Normally they have flowers, horses or landscapes. I'm starting to sound like Constantin.' His gaze travelled once more the large and elegant, although a bit Spartan for his taste, room, enjoying how comfortable was the large sofa he was sitting in front of a small coffee table on one side of the office.
“I'm sorry for my delay, Mr. Arseniev. I hope my people has treated you well,” an elegant man exclaimed as he entered the room. He had an unmistakable air of superiority around him and in a way, he reminded Boris of his own grand grandfather's pictures, the Prince Constantin Arseniev, councillor to the Czars.
“Your secretary was very kind, Mr. Lacroix.” 'So this is the big bad wolf. Looks quite harmless; the worst kind.'
“Has Mr. Petrov provided you with what I asked him?”
“I have recorded it by myself. At the Savoy in London. Everything is there,” Malchenko said as he handed to the over sixty years man a small disk.
“Thank you. Please, tell Mr. Petrov that if I'm pleased with this, I will proceed as agreed. Of course, the voices should be authenticated.”
“You will certainly be pleased. Guntram always had Mr. Repin in his greatest esteem. I witnessed it. The only thing preventing him to go to Russia were those children.”
“Guntram de Lisle, according to my information, has always been very dedicated to his duties as Tutor or to anything he does,” the man said imperturbable. “It's a trait he carries since infancy.”
“He's a good boy, a bit on the naïve side, but unable to hurt a fly. My cousin was very pleased with his performance and behaviour all over these years. It's a real pity that things didn't turn out as expected.”
“Perhaps, it's time to set things right, Mr. Arseniev. Guntram de Lisle's days as Consort are numbered.”
Chapter 5
Guntram's de Lisle Diary
December 7th, 2008
I can't get out of my head the guilty feeling I have over Constantin's death. I should forgive myself as Goran tells, but I have to ask him his forgiveness first. I know he's dead, but I should have at least visited his grave to say goodbye. Over the weeks I've learned how to get to Smolensk. It's really far away. The airport is closed and you have to take a train from Moscow to get there. It's a 7 hours trip.
I don't think Konrad will allow me to go there. For some unknown reason, he's very cross with Ivan Oblomov upon his return from Russia. I could ask -yes, like a five years old- if I can travel there, but he will say no and be alerted. He would explode once more over the “Repin issue”. I have to do it on my own and bear with the consequences. If he's furious in the aftermath, I'll go away to Zurich. I'm also tired of being just his puppet.
* * *
December 13th, 2008
My main concern was to get rid of Konrad in the most efficient way. I didn’t want to get the others in troubles if by any chance they “would lose me” (as if I were a baby that you should look after in the park!) A “third escapade” could prove too much for Goran's nerves and Konrad’s tolerance. Milan or Ratko would not like to be on troubles with his boss and I also don’t like the idea of making their lives harder.
I had to find the way to evade Konrad himself.
The opportunity came by itself a few days ago. Köln. Jedicon 2008. Oh yes, the mighty Herzog von Wittstock would never come near to a Star Wars Convention, but I need to get him there so I can fly to Frankfurt and from there to Moscow and train for 7 hours to Smolensk.
I took a deep breath before facing the bull in the library. I opened the door, and there he was, relatively unaware (yeah, right, Guntram) of his surroundings, reading a book on Early Merovingian Art comfortably sitting in one of the leather couches.
”Is it tea time already?” he asked me, without leaving the book or looking at me.
”We just had lunch two hours ago. Are you hungry?”
”Not really. I‘m reading.”
“Konrad, do you know this Roman Glass Museum in Cologne?”
“There’s no Roman Glass Museum in Cologne.”
“But they have this very big collection there. Ostermann told me about it some time ago!” I protested.
“Perhaps you mean the Roman Archaeological Museum. There’s a big collection, but that is because most Roman glass was produced in the area.”
“Yes, that’s right,” I said, slightly pissed off with Mr. Perfect. “I wondered if you were going to Germany in the next weeks and if you could drop me in Frankfurt. I would like to visit it.”
“Take a plane and fly directly to Cologne. Take Mihailovic with you. He likes these “cultural things,” as he calls them.”
“Yes, I can imagine. Entrance fee: 10 euros, Flight Zurich-Cologne: €4.500 because you won’t let me buy a normal ticket for €100. It’s too much!”
“Guntram, did I ever refuse anything to you? You can’t be in tourist class! Ask Monika to book you a flight and a hotel. You never go anywhere.”
“Yes, but we’re in the middle of a financial crisis. It’s obscene to spend so much money on a whim. There are hundreds of jobless people who have nothing to support their children.”
“So, which is your great idea to boost the international Economy? Fly a Low Cost company? If you fly business, the stewardesses keep their jobs and the people in the VIP Lounge can justify their salaries.”
“All right, if you don’t want me in your plane just say it.”
“No, you tell things clearly. You want a ride? Say it.”
“It was the first thing I said, but you were not listening to me. Fly to Frankfurt with you and then take a train to Cologne.”
“No. You can fly with me to Frankfurt and then continue with the plane to Cologne. You don’t have to be at a special hour. I have a meeting in Taunusstrasse next week. On Tuesday. You can come with me to to Frankfurt, return in the afternoon and we both fly back in the evening.”
“Oh.”
“What’s the problem now? Save me global warming speech!” He really looked irked at me.
“No, not that. It’s that I would have not enough time.”
“What are you planning to do in the Museum? Three hours is more than sufficient time!”
“There is this Jedicon, next week...” I confessed with my best dork face and looking ashamed.
“Heindrik is away on holidays and you won’t convince Mihailovic to enter in such a place. He hates it. Maybe you’re luckier with young Bregovic, but don't count on it.”
“Perhaps you could take a day off, on Wednesday, and come with me... You also like Roman Art.”
“I like Roman Art and I like that Museum a lot. I was there several times but I don’t share your love for Star Wars. That's final.”
“Why don't you come to the Museum only and I go to the Jedicon alone?”
“And what do I do? Should I ask for an appointment with the Emperor or should I cross to the Dark Side?” he mocked me.
“You can stay in your nice plane. It's not the first time you do it,” I answered sweetly. “You can work there in peace.”
“I refuse to be parked in a plane! On a working day on top! No way Guntram!”
“All right, then I'll stay home, I guess,” I sighed and made puppy eyes.
“Guntram, this is unreasonable! Why do you want me there? Buy the Museum's catalogue!”
“I wanted to find something we could do together, without the children. Just you and I. No Schnitzel or toys around. As we used to do before they were coming. Do you remember when we spent that Christmas in Paris or when we were in Rome for Caravaggio's exhibition?”
“Guntram, if we don't go out more is because you don't want to leave the children alone! They have a perfectly well qualified nanny in Mrs. Meyers and she can manage them well. They stay here and if Friederich shouts, they will not hassle her. They're old enough as to survive a full day without you! We were in the Summer in Fulda while they went to School and nothing happened. Heck, you don't even want to go out for a dinner or a party! I always have to go alone!”
“I have enough with your business dinners, Konrad! Do you think I like them? A party? I had enough of parties after your marriage!”
“I have apologised many times over it. It was dreadful of me to force you to assist, but you should let it go! Tita invited you several times to her villa in Como and you evade her! You didn't come to the Löwensteins' party or to any of the Foundation charity dinners!”
“I don't want to be with these people. Period. I just don't fit in!”
“You blend perfectly well with them! Most of them like you! You just broke any kind of contacts with many of them since 2005! We broke up and you just stopped talking to them! Only with some of the women from Ostermann's studio. My Aunt Elisabetta complained several times that you were not visiting her any longer, unless you were bringing the children to her!”
“This is your world, not mine! Respect this!”
“You're my Consort and you have your duties to fulfil!”
“Duties to fulfil? I didn't know I was in the bank's payroll. I look after the children the best that I can.” I was furious with him. “I hated this since the first time I was here. I'm no diplomat, no politician nor a businessman! I hate to put my best face and keep myself quiet while some cretin with millions tells me that “we have to reduce labour costs in order to save the financial system”. How many billions did all of you get to cover your own rubbish? I'm going to get an ulcer! Therefore, I avoid it! Go you and play with your banker friends because if it were for me, I would plant a bomb to give the world a better start! I cope with your shit because I love you, but don't press me too much over it because I'm on the limit!”
“I didn't ask from a single cent from the public aid packages! My institutions stand fine!” Konrad bellowed.
“I didn't mean you personally. Your friends and associates did! I bet you even helped them to cut the beggars' line!”
“I will not discuss my business with you!”
“Fine!” I shouted and left the room almost slamming the door behind me. I didn't do it because I didn't want the children to find out were arguing once more. The perfect “consort” for him was Stefania; she loved that shit and was good at it. Hell, several times I thought she was going to break her neck running the stairs down with those high heels! The Call of the Wild. I hate it!
Konrad and I have different natures and ideals. That we love each other doesn't mean we can live together. Before I was younger and willing to accept his world and bend myself to it, but I'm 26 years old, and, let's admit it, more stubborn than before. Fuck, they should also accept me as I am. I need some freedom and authenticity to create and I never wanted so much money in my life!
Maybe I should take some distance from all this, but in a way that doesn't hurt the children. I don't want Klaus or Karl to suffer again because of our misunderstandings. I can't tell him that I need to go to Russia because he will explode and lock me up under seven locks. Is it normal? NO, of course not! He would shout something like “the Consort should not visit another territory without the Council's permission.”
I walked toward my studio, but checked on the children's room before but they were away in the forest with Nanny Carolin and their sliders, so I went there to continue with what I'm working now. I started to paint, but I was still too enraged and almost ruined it. I stopped and decided to sit for a while by the window, looking at the snow in the garden.
An hour later, I knew what I should do. I got out my mobile and dialled Goran's number. He answered it after the second ring -yes, that's Goran, if he doesn't pick it up after the second, he does not want to talk with you-.
“Hi, Goran. I've been thinking what you told me the other days and perhaps I should do it.”
“Little brother, speak clearly because the thing with the thing kind of phrases are not my speciality. What did I tell you?”
Ha ha, how funny Goran can be! “The flat on the floor on top of yours, the one with your former tenants.”
“They were never my tenants. I would have never accepted a couple of yuppies in my house.”
“Yes, I know. You would have never taken such people in, but did you not buy the flat two months ago?”
“To evict them! They were driving me mad with their noise and parties! Fortunately, they're away and I have my peace again,” Goran sighed. Yes, I know. It was hard for everybody. A sleepless and cranky Goran is bad. On top, the recently married couple had many, many friends who loved hardcore and rap music. Alexei was nearly running to Karachi to avoid him!
“I wonder, what are you going to do with the flat?”
“Nothing. I had enough of noise and footsteps on top of my head for the rest of my life. I haven't thought about it. I don't need more space.”
“How much did you pay for it, if it's not too much to ask?”
“Over a million francs. It was a good price.”
That's too much for my finances. I have over 300.000. “Could I rent it?”
“What for? Are you at odds with the Duke?”
Better be honest with Goran. He knows immediately if you're trying to lie to him. “Not yet, but soon to be honest, my friend.”
“Why? Was he nasty to you?”
“No, no. Nothing like that. It's just that our characters don't complement each other so well. Also we are on the edge almost all the time. I guess we can't let go of our grievances. I think on Stefania and he thinks on Repin. I'm not sure if this will work at all.”
“I see. Do you want to move here with me for some time?”
“No, no. I want to have a place of my own. I feel that my time here is almost over and I want a place where I can be with the children if we break up. I can't live through another experience like the one from 2006 to 2008. The pressure nearly killed me and if we fight, we need a clear cut. I would like to move my studio to this flat and I promise to be quiet as a mouse. I don't even have an iPod! I could pay rent. I'm more or less known and have an average income of 3.000 Francs per month, unrelated to the bank.”
“Little brother, you know I would never charge you, but is it a good idea, really? The Duke will explode the minute you set a foot outside the house.”
“I can imagine. This is why I have to go to a place where he can be certain about my safety. Can you imagine me smuggling a lover under your nose?”
“No, not really,” Goran chuckled. “But you don't need to pay me rent.”
“No, I want to. I want something I can call my own. Nothing that belongs to another.”
“Why don't you buy a part of it? What I paid was a fine price as the owner needed cash.”
“Goran, a million is too much for me,” I admitted.
“How much do you have?”
“A quarter of it, in bonds expiring next February and some stocks.”
“I thought you had less,” he told me, sounding quite surprised.
“I was lucky with the market.”
“All right, I can sell you a part of it. Let's say a 33% for 275.000? Can you meet those terms?”
“Goran, you paid more than a million for it! I can pay with a lot of luck 25% of it, considering taxes and paperwork!”
“Forget it it. It's on me. My option is to have a million euros stuck in a flat I will never use or make profit out of it. I have no children to leave it, so for me is better to recover part of my cash. But there are several conditions Guntram. First; NO parties or any kind of noise. If I hear music, footsteps or that dog of yours, you're out. I want to have my peace. Second: no people inside beside us. Third: You share the security with me and say nothing when I send one of my teams to fix it before you move in. This is not open for discussion. Take it or leave it. Fourth; you pay the expenses and the insurance it has. We share the taxes proportionally. Fifth, I chose your domestic service. Sixth: No alterations to the property without my written consent.”
Wow! And he likes me! “All right, Goran, but I can give you an advance on the money from the stocks and the cash, till I sell the bonds.”
“No need to. I can wait till its maturity date.”
“Goran, you're losing money.”
“No, I can recover it in the market in no time. I'm perfectly fine with those terms, little brother, but you will have to tell the Duke that you want to move with me.”
Small detail I had forgotten. “I'm not moving with you, just organizing things and going to paint there. It's near Ostermann's. I only want to have a place just in case we have to part our ways. I don't want to leave the children.”
“Call this lawyer friend of yours and he should phone me on Monday to the bank. My lawyers will speak with him and prepare the documents. The flat is newly painted. You can change the colour as long as it's not pink or red. Take Holgersen to IKEA. The prince could use some reality in his life,” he snorted.
“IKEA? What's that?”
“Look for it in Google, Guntram,” he chortled. “Perhaps is also good that you take a walk on the wild side too,” he laughed now and hung up the phone.
Disoriented I doubted if I should look in Google for this IKEA guy, (perhaps he's a trendy designer and I have to go his studio with Posh Heindrik, brimming with happiness) or call Nicholas Lefebvre, my father's best friend in the University and “my lawyer” since 2005. The man has been very generous as to help me with several documents like when I had to stop the school fund Konrad set for my University expenses and we were ignoring each other, check my contracts with galleries or with the publishing house and he never wanted to see a cent from me. Nicholas also draw the papers when I wanted to resign my duties as Tutor or Guardian of Estate for Klaus and Karl. He charges several thousand euros just to hear your problems. I met him at a Christmas party in 2005 and since then, he has been a good friend of mine. I gave him several of my paintings and he visited most of my exhibitions. He has a law firm, a very large one, with five more partners and they have offices in Brussels, Paris and Geneva: Corporate Law are magical words indeed.
I decided to call him as it was no more than four and it was still a good time to call on a Saturday. I dialled his number and an unknown voice answered it.
“Lacroix speaking.” Damn! I got the other partner. The Senior Partner -yes, with capital letters as he owns 65% of “Wolfensohn and Partners” and has more thorns that a hedgehog. I mean, according to Nicholas, he does all the legal work and manages everything, but he never visits people as he hates socials. “Hell of a lawyer, Guntram. As good as your father was.” I think he bought one of my paintings in Berlin last April.
“Hello, Mr. Lacroix. My name is Guntram de Lisle and I thought I was calling Mr. Lefebvre's phone, but I guess I have it wrong. I apologise for the inconvenience,” I said very sheepishly. The less I want is to get troubles with Nicholas' boss!
He took his time to answer me and I could hear him grasping. It's not that bad to speak with me! Even if you're a hermit, according to Nicholas!
“No, it's all right, Mr. de Lisle. This is Dr. Lefebvre's mobile. I have it for the weekend as he's gone to Geneva to run some errands. How may I help you?”
“I'm sorry to bother you, Mr. Lacroix. I'll call him on Monday.”
“No, it's no bother at all. You can leave him a message with me. Nicholas would be most upset with me If I don't speak with you. He considers you as the son he didn't have when he was young.”
Great! I've been adopted by a Corporate Shark Lawyers Firm! I wonder who's the greatest shark there; the lawyers or the tycoons? “Really, Mr. Lacroix. It's nothing.”
“More than thirty years in this business have taught me that when the client calls on a Saturday, it is because he is in troubles,” he chuckled. “Forgot to make your tax declaration?”
“No, nothing like that, sir,” I also laughed and strangely I felt compelled to speak with him because he had a kind grandfather's voice. “I agreed to buy a part of a flat in Zurich to a friend and he told me to ask Nicholas to contact his lawyers to draw the papers. Nothing else.”
“Why are you buying a flat?” he asked with real curiosity.
“It's not a flat. In the moment I can't afford a flat in Zurich. A part of it; 33% I think it's time to have something of my own in the city.”
“Troubles with your... boyfriend?” he asked me and I never heard so much contempt in the last word as today. Great, the lawyer is homophobic and here we are, discussing over this.
“No, nothing like that. It's just I have some spare cash and I wanted to have something in the city.”
“Strange that you're buying only a part. Will he not help you or let you have a mortgage at his bank?” Again he spoke with real contempt in his voice.
“I want to leave him out of this. It's my money and I don't want to make debts. I pay the part I can afford and I hope to buy the rest in the future,” I said very sharply. “It's a large property in front of the lake. Almost a 100 square metres.”
“Guntram, you can tell me if there are problems between you two. I know Lintorff's way of doing business and several of his companies use our services. I wrote the documents when you wanted to resign and leave his service.”
“There are no problems between us, Mr. Lacroix. We're fine. It's just that I want to have something unrelated to him.”
“Guntram, don't think that you're alone, child. Many people care about you,” he told me softly and I was astonished. From where the hell came that?
“Thank you. It's just that...”
“Things are not going well. I'm not surprised. You ceased for some time to live together and once something is broken, it's broken no matter how many times you try to mend it. There's always something bitter around, poisoning you.”
He's right, but I don't want to accept it. “I think that if we don't work out fine, I should have a place to move and still see the children. I will not repeat the Tutor experience again. I just can't. The stress nearly killed me,” I confessed to a perfect stranger.
“Who's the seller?”
“Goran Pavicevic. He's a good friend and the Head of Security in the Lintorff Privatbank.
“Guntram, child, all these people are on his side. You have already felt it.”
“Not Goran. He was a good friend and fought on my behalf several times. I trust him.”
“Still, I think you should not buy a part of the flat. Send the details to Nicholas by e-mail and I'll ask my people to check the property. One never knows what kind of surprises could show up. Nicholas will be in Geneva next Thursday. Have lunch with him there and he will give you my answer,” he told me. “Good bye, Guntram. It's been a pleasure to speak with you.”
“Likewise, Mr. Lacroix. Good bye.” I tried to say, but he had already hung up. This Lacroix is very bossy. He has already organised a lunch for his partner without asking him first! Coming to think, he's the boss.
I went to my desk and opened my laptop to write the e-mail for Nicholas and I realised that in less than two seconds, Konrad and the whole software team in the bank would know that Guntram de Lisle had started to play in the Real Estate Market. I'm sure they still check my things as they did in the past!
Konrad paranoia has no limits!
I took a paper sheet out from my drawer and started to write in the old fashion. I'll post the letter from Ostermann's studio. I know it's stupid to do this because Goran will tell Konrad on Monday, but I'm sick of being spied on.
No, Goran will say nothing. He's silent as a grave. He will let me do it at my own pace unless he sets a deadline “for telling the Duke”. If Konrad shouts with him, he will only give him one of his cold stares (and freeze your blood) and let him rant.
Just when I had finished the letter for Nicholas, explaining him my reasons to do it (and spending most of my capital), I heard a soft knock in my door. “Come in,” I said and it was Friederich.
“The Duke wants to have tea with you and the children now, Guntram.”
I would have preferred to stay in my studio, but I didn't want troubles with the small ones. “Yes, of course, Friederich. I'll come downstairs in a minute. Are the children ready?”
“Mrs. Meyers is changing their wet clothes.”
“Thank you,” I said and he looked at me suspiciously. He knows already we were arguing again! Does he have a radar or what?
I went to the small dining room and the table was already set and Konrad was sitting alone -without his book this time- I said nothing and sat at his right as usual and he looked at me very carefully, exactly as Friederich. It was an awkward silence as none of us said a word nor exchanged looks. I was too busy checking that the silverware was shining. Fortunately, the boys ran into the room and jumped on top of their father.
“Are you better Guntram? Papa told us you have a headache,” Klaus said when he saw me and left his father to sit on top of my lap and Karl wanted to do the same, but his brother occupied all the space and put his arms around my neck, ready to defend his position. Karl preferred to expand himself in his father's lap.
“I'm much better, thank you. How was your afternoon with the sliders?”
“Great! Karl fell many times over!” Klaus told me excitedly and I smiled.
“Not true! You also fell! Seven times! I counted them! You hit the tree too!” Karl defended himself. “Papa!” he whined.
“You fell nine times!” Klaus rebuked. “Guntram!”
I sighed. The original plan of sliding up and down the hill to make them tired had miserably failed. They were feisty as usual and hungrier than ever. “It's enough boys, this is not a competition.”
“Take your places and be quiet,” Konrad finished the discussion sharply. “Little children should be seen and not heard.”
“Will you play with us later, Guntram?” Karl asked while he left his father's lap and went to his place at his left and Klaus imitated his brother's movements. After all, they don't want troubles with him, too.
“Leave Guntram alone for one day. He's tired and needs to rest,” Konrad said very sternly and I looked at him.
“I'm feeling much better, Konrad. We will go to the playroom and draw something. We have to check also your homework, young men,” I retorted, a bit irked with his ways.
“As you wish,” Konrad answered and shook the napkin open. “Dieter, you may serve now.”
He was certainly in the mood! The boys were clever enough as to be quiet and don't fight over their pieces of cake.
We played in the playroom and made the homework together, Klaus complaining a bit about the fact that he had to work on weekends too. At 8:30 I had them ready to go to bed and with their dinners in and bathed and they accepted their nanny would tell them their bedtime story. I kissed them good night and went to my bedroom to change myself for dinner.
I was expecting to find Konrad in his studio, where he had locked himself after our “exchange of opinions”, but he was not there.
He was in the bedroom putting on a Patek Philippe on his wrist... One that matched his double breast tuxedo.
“Is it not too much for home?” I asked.
“It's a black tie party. Rainer von Lindenburg's wife's birthday. You were invited too, but I assume you don't want to come. Good night. Don't wait for me up.”
“I don't remember refusing to go,” I said calmly.
“You were perfectly clear this afternoon, Guntram,” he told me very coldly and took his overcoat, gloves and white scarf. “I'll see you tomorrow at Mass.”
“Are you not coming back?”
“No, I'll prefer to stay at the Ritz. It's there and I don't want to drive back so late.”
“As you like. Enjoy your evening.”
“Rest assured I will,” the idiot dared to gloat and I nearly smashed something against his head. I truly wanted to. How right was Stefania to hurl things at him! I can totally understand her! He passed next to me and I had to move to let him pass.
Now is almost 10 p.m. and Guntram, the idiot, sits on a Saturday night at his desk writing his diary like the little good boy he is. I had dinner alone, as even Friederich disappeared to something from the Church, and went to my studio to write and now I should turn myself in.
No way in hell! I'm 26 years old! He's 51 and probably drinking and looking for someone to fuck! I know him perfectly. If he doesn't come home means that he has something murky lurking there. Normally if he goes to a party, he immediately comes back home to sleep with me! Staying at the Ritz? He has someone booked for the “after hours”! I know exactly his modus operandi from his time with Marcello Moncenigo, when he had no problems to almost fuck with him under my nose!
I will not give him the satisfaction of a jealousy scene, but I will not stay here too, like the good wife! I'm going out too!
* * *
Guntram de Lisle's Diary
December 14th, Sunday
Yesterday night, I wanted to go out. To the movies -big escapade if we consider that my “consort” was probably in the middle of one of his romps- but I met Soren Larsen, the Enforcer, at the kitchen when I was looking for the BMW's keys.
“Are you going somewhere, sir?” he asked me very politely.
“To Zurich.”
“It's almost eleven, sir. Most places are closed now.”
“I'm going to the cinema. Is that a problem for you, Larsen?”
“It's minus 8ºC tonight and the movie will finish very late for you, sir.”
Does he think that I have a bedtime like the children? “Thank you for your concern. I'll be fine.” I mumbled and took the keys from the box. “I'll drive back directly.”
“I'm afraid I can't let you do this, sir.”
“Are you forbidding me to go out?” I asked incredulous.
“No, Sir. I can't do that, but I will lose my job if you go out at this hour, with this cold weather and without an escort as you plan to do. I have a family to support and a mortgage to pay. Please, stay at home and I'll drive you tomorrow wherever you want.”
“This is insane!”
“Your heart condition does not allow you to be in the cold or driving in the night. It's very stressful and the roads are full with young careless drivers. Please, sir, return to your quarters.” And he blocked the door! Really! I just looked at him in shock and fury. “Please, I have two daughters.”
He got me there. After all, I don't that the guy gets in troubles because of the asshole I have for Consort. I huffed and turned around to return to my room and at 11:17, I was in bed, with lights off.
This morning, I woke up very early and said asshole had still not returned from his party. Guess he's not so fit as before to repeat his earlier “bed jumping”. Guess, he needs to sleep longer to recover himself. I got dressed for the service at ten and went to have breakfast with the children.
Konrad certainly arrived for Mass, as promised and went directly to change himself. I ignored him and preferred to leave my place in the pew to Adolf zu Löwenstein and his wife, remaining with the children in the back part of the Chapel. I nearly had a fit when I saw him going to confession!
Now I'm positively sure he was into something!
It was very hard for me to “fulfil my duties” as consort and speak with Adolf, Ferdinand and their wives before lunch. They left after coffee and Konrad took the children for a walk in the forest. I remained working in my studio and preferred to avoid teatime as I was so furious with him that keeping a straight an amiable face in front of the boys would have been impossible. I had finally gotten yesterday's announced headache! I worked the whole afternoon and only left the studio to kiss the children goodnight.
Around 8;30 p.m, Friederich told me that the Duke was waiting for me to dine. “No, thank you. I'm not hungry. Please, offer him my excuses.”
“As you wish, Guntram.”
“Friederich, is there any free bedroom that is ready?” He was shocked to hear the question and just looked at me with big eyes. “Is there one or should I drive away now?” I repeated.
“No, you can take the blue one in the second floor of the tower. I'll tell Dagmar to prepare it for you. It's a room for family guests.”
“Thank you.” I assume Friederich ran away to tell Konrad.
I moved some of my personal things like my pyjama and tomorrow's clothes to the other room, the maid looking at me with big eyes. Sorry, Dagmar; your boss is going to be cranky tomorrow, but he leaves early in the morning.
I was in bed at 10 p.m.!
* * *
Monday
This morning, I found a bug in my bed in the blue room. A large and nasty one.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” I shouted and pushed Konrad out of my bed, but I couldn't move him. How did he dare to sleep in my bed after I had moved away from his? Does he not understand that I'm furious with him?
“You didn't come to bed, so I came here,” he just said.
“Well, you never have no problems to find some place or someone to accommodate you.” I mocked him, trying to keep my voice low. “Where did you sleep on Saturday? Or should I ask with whom did you sleep with?”
“I stayed at the Ritz!” he roared. “Since you're back from London, you're absolutely impossible to deal with!”
“Am I impossible to deal with? Who smuggled himself here? I didn't ask you to be here!”
“You're my consort and we sleep together!” he shouted me. “For the past three weeks you have been suffering from permanent headaches!”
“And you needed to go to the Ritz for some aspirins?”
“Don't be vulgar, Guntram!”
“Really? I know you very well. You were running to confession!”
“This is too much! This is a sacrament! First you accuse me of something and now you take lightly our beliefs?” He really sounded offended, but I know him better to buy his crocodile tears or “innocent dove attitude”.
“I'm not mocking my Church, you have been into something Lintorff. I'm perfectly sure. You can't even look me in the eyes! Who was it? A woman or a trader? You look exactly as when you were fucking with Moncenigo!”
“What do you want me to tell you? That I met someone from before, had a few drinks and we went to bed because I got nothing for the past month? Is that what you want to hear?” he challenged me. “I'm also tired of all this.”
I was mute and shocked. I took my robe and went for the bathroom to change myself. I heard him closing the door and I felt like dying. Had he really done it?
He never bluffs.
He wouldn't dare.
I took the children to school and went to paint at Meister Ostermann's studio till 4 a.m. I picked up Klaus and Karl from the school and they were playing with me in the nursery till their bath time.
Friederich told me that Konrad had flown to London and New York and will be back on Friday.
I'm now positively sure he was doing something wrong and wants to hide it. I have nothing to back my theory, but he had not denied it and even shouted that I'm guilty because I'm not “fulfilling my duties” in the bedroom.
Did he bother to ask why I didn't want to do it any longer after that horrible fight? He does not really forgive me for Constantin's and I have to forgive him everything he did to me during those two years. He paraded all his lovers in front of me! He was getting crazy every time I was going out with Alexei or Goran! I was never in an University party! He almost shoot down the poor Andreas!
I feel very bad for all what happened with Constantin. He was my friend despite all and I inadvertently betrayed him. His wife used his inattention to plot against him! His own people raised against him! Konrad used me to lead the others to depose him! He was so alone in the end.
I don't know if I'm a piece of shit for being the bait or an idiot for not realising that I was just one of Kornad's pawns.
* * *
December 16th, 2008
Tuesday
I was surprised to get a call from Michel Lacroix, Nicholas' partner, but he was to confirm me that Nicholas would meet me for lunch on Thursday in Geneva.
“Mr. Lacroix, there's really no need to bother Mr. Lefebvre for this. I can send him the conditions by post.”
“I insist as I was checking on your father's last will and found a clause that allows me to anticipate the transfer of St. Lazarre's safe box. According to the last will I have in my power, you were not supposed to be informed of it until you turned thirty years old, unless some reasons of force majeure would made me think otherwise. He preferred that you learned to fend by yourself and worked to support yourself. In my opinion, that you need to buy a house in Zurich is a good enough reason to do it.”
“Did you know my father too? Nicholas never said a thing!”
“No, I had no relation with Jerôme de Lisle. I'm just the executor of his last will. He wrote it in 1989 and left it to Wolfensohn. I inherited it, so to speak, after he sold the buffet to me. I never met him. I have spoken with Nicholas, and he thinks that you have proven to be a responsible young man and your finances look good for someone so young who started with nothing.”
“What's inside that safe box?” I asked truly shocked. “My inheritance was settled in 1989! My lawyer in Argentina saw to it!”
“I don't have the detail with me but I seem to remember that it was some jewels, gold bars and a painting. Very valuable.”
“Which painting?” I asked with a knot in my throat. It couldn't be it! I had a copy of a Bronzino Madonna in my room as child and it had vanished after he died! I thought it had been sold like the rest of his belongings and I loved it because my papa had given it to me! He said that it reminded him about my mother.
“I don't know. You should look. Something from the Renaissance and original. Very valuable. If you sell it, you can pay for the entire flat.”
“If it's the one I think it is, I will never sell it. It was a gift from my father. I believed it lost forever! It was in my bedroom in Buenos Aires, hanging over my bed and my father used to sit there to tell me bedtime stories or something about my mother. I had a teddy bear too, Jacques.” That part escaped from my lips and I felt very ashamed to tell something so personal to a perfect stranger. I'm a dunce!
“Do you miss him?” he asked with a quiet voice.
“More that I want to admit. I visited my parents graves in Paris the last time I was there and left him a letter. I guess this was when I finally realised that he was gone,” I confessed “I'm taking your time, Mr. Lacroix.”
“It's all right. Speak with Nicholas on Thursday and go to the bank. They're not associated with Lintorff and it's a safe place for you or if you want to leave the things there. The safe box is rented till 2015.”
“Thank you, Mr. Lacroix. It's very kind of you.”
“It's certainly a pleasure, Guntram. Good bye. Be there at 12:00.”
He can be certainly bossy. No doubt. Almost as Konrad.
I called Goran to tell him that I was going to meet my lawyer for the papers on Thursday noon and he told me to take Mirko along with me. Oh, joy!!
Chapter 6
Guntram de Lisle's Diary
December 18th, 2008
I'm still in shock. I can't simply believe what I found in Geneva. According to Goran it must be around 2.7 million euros without counting the drawing. Ostermann says that it's worth another half a million as badly sold.
In the morning I drove with Mirko and Johannes, the chauffeur to Geneva. I met Nicholas already sitting at the table in the Restaurant and I dashed to it, embarrassed that I have kept him waiting.
“I'm sorry to be late, Nicholas.”
“You're perfectly on time, Guntram. I'm early because I had a business meeting before. Lacroix sent me this morning the papers with your father's last will. You have to sign and give them to me so I can treasure them,” he chuckled with his good humour and made me laugh also. Although he must be over his sixties, he's very funny and no one would tell that he's a corporate lawyer, despite he looks like one.
The restaurant was a posh place in the financial area and I was a bit surprised because I was expecting to meet him near the Courtrooms.
My laughter made the man, having lunch alone in the table next to us fix his eyes on me and I blushed and did my best to suffocate it without choking in the process. In a way, the old man -I guess he was sixty-something- reminded me of my father with his green eyes and grey hair. I guess I was very affected because of the talk with Nicholas' business partner.
“Nicholas, I understand nothing. How is that Mr. Lacroix had my father's will and you never told me anything?”
“Your father used the old Wolfensohn's services for a long time because I was working there. Lacroix took everything over and he literally sits on top of his cases. I had no idea at all till last Monday when he called me and asked me about your financial situation. How much money you were making with your paintings and books, how you spend it. For a second, I thought that the Tax Office had abducted Michel and replaced him with an android!”
“Why?”
“He thinks that you're old enough as to look for your own place and the thirty years old clause can be lifted. It's not that you have a brother to challenge the execution of the will,” he shrugged and handed me a leather folder with many old papers inside. “Sign where the cross is.”
“I hope this is not a mortgage,” I joked, while I started to write my name on the documents.
“No, just a slavery contract. I will keep all what you paint for the next twenty years.”
I laughed again and the man looked at me. Oops, I should learn to be quiet in posh places. “Why do you want to buy a flat? Michel told me that you might be having problems with your boyfriend,” he asked me.
“I don't know what to answer to that,” I said nervously.
“Come on, I'm your lawyer. Almost as good as a confessor!”
“I just need to have a place of my own. I live with Konrad since I was 19, for almost six years already, and the years between 2006 and 2008 were very bad for us. We gave each other a second chance, but I'm not the same person as before. I'm not certain this will work at all.”
“Don't you love him any more?”
“NO, it's not that. I do love him but I can't live with him any longer. I'm not ready to spend the rest of my life like a good flower vase in his meetings or parties. Hell, I don't even like his friends or their views! I'm not a banker! I'm an artist! I need some freedom and all this suffocates me. I will be more happy with Konrad if he were just a bank clerk. I guess I want a place to stay if we break up. I don't want to leave the children behind again. I nearly died the month I was away from them.”
“Why did you leave?”
“I was sick of all and we had a very bad fight.”
“Did he attack you?”
“No, no. I can't get too nervous because of my heart condition and we fought when I gave him the papers you prepared for me. I had to be in bed for fifteen days and when his wife returned, she fired me. I thought he had enough of me and left. But to tell the truth, I wanted to go because living with him was simply hellish.”
“Lintorff deserves to be flogged for marrying and going to bed with that woman in front of you,” he said very seriously.
“We had already split two years ago, Nicholas. He had the right to rebuild his life. I wanted to do the same,” I defended him, but felt like an ass.
“Why did you return?”
“Because I needed the children and I love him despite all what he has done to me. He made me very happy at the beginning.”
“Why did you fight with him then?”
“He lied to me, but the circumstances are mine, Nicholas. I have accepted it and forgiven him. I can only think that my father would have understood me. It seemed the right thing to do, but now, I'm not so sure. I'm willing to try it, but he's not willing to forgive me.”
“What does he have to forgive you if you broke up?”
“I had an affair with another man in Paris. A Russian who loved me since 2000. I don't know why I did it but I wanted to close that part of my life too and he also deserved to have that opportunity too.” I whispered and needed to drink some water.
“Where is he now?”
“He passed away in Smolensk, Konrad is still jealous of him.”
“I see. After lunch, we can pass by the bank -it's around the corner- and you can check your things. I have the key and papers with me.”
“I was not planning to go now.”
“Your ape is invited too,” Nicholas said, moving his head in Mirko's direction. “New Serb? What happened to the other two?”
“They had enough of me and ran away,” I laughed.
Fortunately, he decided to switch topics and we spoke about my new book, the upcoming exhibition in London and the other in Vienna at the end of the year. He told me that his cat had left him and that perhaps he should change the food's brand. We finished at one and I wanted to pay, but he didn't let me.
“No, save it for the furniture. Besides, I love to present tickets to Lacroix.”
“He seemed to be very nice on the phone, no the hermit you told me!”
“That's because you're a client, Guntram! If you were a lawyer, you wouldn't think this way! He's bossy and tyrannical. A true capitalist pig! Ebenezer Scrooge!” He laughed and the man on the next table threw an incensed glare toward Nicholas. “Anyway,” he chuckled, “ you need to go to the bank, count your money and make your mind up about the flat. Would it not be better if you buy something from someone not related to Lintorff?”
“I guess you're right, but I want that Konrad lets the children come if we break up. This time it will be more civilised than before. The flat belongs to his Head of Security and it's located on top of his own house. I have a very good friendship with him.”
“If you think so, but remember that you have many friends outside Lintorff's circle. I'm not sure if this age difference is good for you. You took too many responsibilities at a very young age. You were practically getting married with him at nineteen!”
“I was very happy with him and we are trying to recover it.”
“Guntram, if you're thinking in buying a flat, then things are not looking promising. Believe me, I'm divorced and I know what I'm speaking about. You're starting to fly on your own and he should consider retirement in a few years.”
“Konrad is not that old!” I protested with a laugh. “He's fifty-one years old.”
“With sixty-five he's out and you will be only forty years old. The age when most men marry or start to have children nowadays. Think about it. I know looking after the boys was your job before, but how many times did you come home drunken?”
“I appreciate my skin, Nicholas,” I chortled, but he looked at me seriously. “All right, never, but I have a heart condition. I can't even drink coffee. My limit is one glass of champagne per party. I'm a dork.”
“When I was twenty-two, I was every night at Montmatre and several more at Pigalle.”
“Those were the 60's!”
“Think over about what you want to really do. He already expelled you once from his house and forbade you to see the children. He can nullify the documents any time he wants, while for you is a more complex process. No matter how much you love those kids, bear in mind that he's the biological and legal father. Do nothing that could hurt them, but keep your own interests before his. Promise me this, Guntram. You don't need him at all and you're not obliged to him.”
“Please, Nicholas, don't make it harder than it is,” I sighed.
“I'm only showing you the options you have,” he said softly and I didn't know what to tell him. I drank my cup of tea in silence.
We left the restaurant and started to walk toward the bank, St. Lazarre, with poor Mirko running after us and looking furious because I was not “following the protocol” and going to an unknown destination. The bank was in an old building, well restored and looking exactly as Konrad's but with less money around. The receptionist was an old lady and she greeted Nicholas warmly with a “Mr. Lefebvre what a surprise!”
Mirko entered behind me and two apes came out of nowhere ready to kick him out.
“Please, this is my bodyguard,” I intervened before they would put their hands on him, but Nicholas ignored him and continued to speak with the lady as if Mirko were of no importance.
“This is the Vicomte de Marignac,” he told her “Can you please call Mr. de Mornay?”
“Certainly, sir. He will be pleased to meet him,” she answered and picked up her phone desk. “Would you be so kind as to wait in the small room, Sire?” she asked me.
“Thank you,” I said and looked at Mirko, somehow looking more upset than before. I rose my eyebrows inquisitively and he only grimaced at me. Lord, they can be real dense about competition!
He almost glued himself to my back and when one of the security guards tried to approach me, went into his psycho mode and the man backed away. I realised that Mirko had his hand near his pocket and I wondered if it was a gun or a knife what he carried. I have to speak with Goran about this. This is absolutely out of scale!
We sat in a small waiting room with Mirko standing at my side. Some minutes later, a very old man, in his seventies, joined us and introduced himself as “Charles de Mornay, the CEO,” calling me all the time by my title, driving me very nervous as I never use or say it.
“I had the pleasure of meeting you father and I'm still very sorry for your loss, Vicomte. Such an energetic man! Very intelligent and honest. A true loss for all of us!”
“Thank you very much,” I said very restrained.
“You look very similar to him. Not the hair or the eyes colour, but the rest is his. Cécile was a beautiful woman.”
“Did you know my mother?”
“Cécile Dubois Strinberg? Of course I did! She was a good child. My wife loved her very much when she was visiting us every summer until her marriage. She had to step down in order to be accepted by the de Lisles.”
“Visiting you?”
“My wife is one of her aunts. Lara Strinberg. Her sister married your grandfather and he was an artist too. They never had much money and died when Cécile was very young. Car crash as they were returning from a party. Your mother went to live with her father's sisters, Clara and Nicole Dubois near Reims. Cécile used to spend her holidays with us. Your father was so in love with her and was never the same man after her death!”
“I know nothing about my mother's family. My father only told me about the things she liked or what she dreamed for me. I had no idea that she had living relatives.”
“Only my wife, and she would be delighted to see you even if you live with this person. Cécile left us to pass to your father's side. She even accepted to be baptised and marry under your Church, just to appease your grandfather, but it was useless. The de Lisle's never accepted her.”
“Why? Was she from another religion?”
“We all are part of the Grand Orient Lodge for France. We believe in the Novus Ordus Seculorum,” he told me very surprised that I had no idea of where I was standing and I gaped at him.
“I'm Catholic,” I said.
“Are you Catholic because you believe or because you were taught to be one?”
“I'm a Catholic because I believe in the Triune God, One and only. He reveals his Truth to us in his infinite kindness through our Church. Man can not understand the mystery of life without Him. He granted us the gift of Reason with His Creation. We, humans did not conquer it,” I answered so there would be no mistakes. I'm Catholic because I'm convinced of it. I know there are many wrong things within the institution, but it is perfectible. And I would love to see if the others are so perfect as they tell; if they were so, the wouldn't need secrecy so much.
“But Reason can help you to see through the veil of deception placed by some men to dominate mankind.”
“It's a way to see it, but not mine, sir,” I said with a soft voice but a firm conviction.
“Guntram is one of us and follows our Order's codes,” Mirko hissed, taking one step forward and I touched his elbow softly. The least I needed was one of the Krajina Hounds starting to gutter Masons in the middle of Geneva!
“Please, Mirko, it's all right. We are only exchanging opinions.”
“Indeed, but we're not here to discuss theology,” de Mornay said, “but I'm afraid that only two persons can be in the vault at a time.”
I noticed how Mirko's back went stiff and I wanted to leave him behind, but I would have had many, many troubles at home. More than I dare to imagine if I was going with well “known bad Masons” to a dark place. Heck, Konrad, Goran, Ferdinand (and let's do not forget Friederich) and Pater Bruno, will make my life miserable the minute they find out I was knowingly making friends with Masons.
“I'm sorry to ask you this Nicholas, but do you mind? If there's something valuable inside, it's Mirko whom should decide if we take the risk of driving along with it today,” I said truly embarrassed and could feel how happy the Serb was with my choice.
“No problem Guntram, you have already signed everything. I can wait for you.”
I accompanied de Mornay just to the vault's entrance where he introduced me to a clerk and left. The man informed me that the safe box was valid till 2015 and asked me to update my data. I wrote Ostermann's address as contact and left my phone numbers. I followed him through the narrow corridor and entered into a room full of safe boxes. I gave him the key, Nicholas had given me earlier and he told me that I had to open along with him to release it from the wall.
“Wait till I'm out, sir. It's a normal safety precaution,” he told me and Mirko almost jumped on top of the metal box.
“Please! Don't be paranoid! It's just a box, not a bomb!” I shouted him.
“This is most unusual.”
“All right, you can open it,” I sighed. These Serbs can be really crazy.
He removed the lid with my key and inside were six boxes and an envelope addressed “Guntram”. I took it and opened to find a letter. “Please, sir, let me see it first.”
“It's private,” I said with my best Lord Consort's voice. “Check the other boxes.” Fortunately for me, he obeyed and I opened the letter, almost dying of a shock when I realised that it was from my father. I couldn't believe my eyes. One “uncensored” letter from him! My hands shook so much that I had to sit on top of the table where Mirko was sorting out some boxes. I had to read the header several times before I could continue it.
July 5th , 1989
My dear Son,
I hope your life has been good and full of happiness these past 20 years. You were a true blessing for your mother and me. We were always very proud and considered ourselves fortunate that you would come into our lives. Alas, God had different plans for us and we couldn't be together. I always loved you, since the first moment I saw you sleeping in that crib at the hospital. The nurses let me hold you, and you opened your eyes and looked at me for a brief moment and I loved you with all my soul.
I don't have much time left as I have to fulfil the oath I have given my superiors. I have made several decisions upon your life and I'm sorry for them. I hope you can forgive me for this. I had no other choice but to play along with their rules in order to secure your position and life.
I never wanted that you were part of my world and this is why I kept you away from Europe, where everything is decadence. The masters we are forced to serve are ruthless and tyrannical. Perhaps the people will realise one day how oppressed they are and that the ones who are supposed to protect them are the ones who squeeze up to their last breath. I wanted a new start for you and that my son could learn by himself to face the world. This is why I took the decision of only giving a part of your inheritance and reserve the rest till you were 30 years old. So much money can be dangerous for a young man. I trust Wolfensohn to carry on my wishes and de Mornay will defend what is rightfully yours.
I've been diagnosed with cancer. There's not much left to do as it's in a well advanced stage. Surgery will only delay the inevitable for a few months and the result will be the same. I don't believe that I would be able to endure it and I prefer to decide my own fate. It's selfish from me to come back to you and die at your side, forcing you to share my pain and sorrow. The damage to your psyche would be much harder that if you're only informed of my disappearance.
In this box is all what I can leave you. Don't believe anything they tell you about me. I always did what I believed to be the best course of action. All my deeds were carefully meditated beforehand and I acted with the best intentions. I never wanted anything for myself and would give gladly my life for you, as you are my greatest treasure.
I have signed all the necessary documents for Konrad von Lintorff to adopt you. He has been our employer for a long time. My father was already working for his father, but I would prefer that you remain in Argentina with the Tutor I have appointed for you. If by any chance, Lintorff decides to provide for you, never trust him and stay away from him. He's a dangerous man who only cares for himself. He has not a single ounce of generosity in his soul and will use you, like he uses the rest of us, to achieve his goals. My hand is forced to sign these papers, but if by any chance you have met him, use the money I leave you to go away from him. Your life depends on it!
Live a long, happy and honest life. Love your brothers in this Earth and respect the commandments of our Lord. Pray that we all shall be reunited in Heaven when our hour comes. I receive my death with joy and the firm conviction that it's for your best interests.
You were a wonderful Son for me and I'm very proud of you,
Jerôme de Lisle Guttenberg Sachsen
I was silent for a long time, so long that Mirko pulled from my sleeve to check if I was all right. My world had just crumbled once more. My father never wanted me to be with Konrad! This letter is more logical than the other one, written for Konrad's eyes. I'm an idiot! How could I believe that he “prayed that he would love me and cherish me?”
“What should we do with all this, Guntram?” Mirko asked and shook me again.
“What?”
“There are several things. Good all of them. Do you want to take them to Zurich?”
“I don't know, I only want the paint,” I said, still trying to collect my thoughts but it was impossible. I looked at the table and there were several jewellery boxes and a large metal box opened. Inside the largest one were 40 small gold bars in 500 grams and 50 ounces of Platinum, all of them stamped with the Credit Suisse logo, and carefully organised inside the box, with tags specifying the number of them.
“That gold and platinum must be worth around €500.000. Huge price increase because of the crisis, Guntram. But the rocks rock.” Mirko chuckled like a child at his joke.
The first one was a set of necklace, with a pear shaped stone hanging from an arabesque type of flat necklace, earrings and bracelet that matched the big brown yellow diamond. I guess the metal was platinum or white gold. Inside was the receipt from Cartier.
“That baby must be around 20 carats alone!” Mirko told me. “A truly beautiful work too. A brown yellow briolette diamond. Never saw one at short range.” He whistled softly after holding the gem against the light and rotating it.
The next was a similar set but with a strange stone. It looked like a diamond too, but of a colour I've never seen. “Do you know what is this?”
“This is a pink diamond, Guntram. Very expensive, more than the brown yellow ones. They come from Australia. Last November Sotheby's sold a monster of 24 carats for 40 million Swiss Francs. I'm glad this one is smaller. This is a fancy purplish pink colour and SI1 clarity and around 2.5 carats. I'm thinking on a minimum of 300.000 Francs for this beauty. Coming to think, the brown one should be around the million.”
The next two boxes contained two small animals brooches in each one of them; a panther, a lion, a giraffe and a bird. I nearly dropped on my ass when I read the names in the boxes and papers: Fabergé. The next box had a small crown with short and long alternated points ending in pearls inside: I guess this should be our famous viscount crown and the last contained a big necklace with diamonds and emeralds from Harry Winston.
And there it was, the large tube I had been avoiding since the beginning. I was afraid to open it because that drawing had many more memories than I wanted to remember. Crouched in the shadows, Like ghosts ready to jump at your throat. Overwhelmed, I took a deep breath before grabbing the large tube.
“This should be the Bronzino Madonna. It was in my bedroom when I was a child and I always thought it was a copy. I guess I started to paint because I loved it,” I told Mirko to ease my nervousness and I put on a pair of gloves to avoid that the grease from my hands could ruin the paper. With great care, I unrolled the drawing and had to close my eyes at the sight of the familiar, soft, angelic face of a blonde woman with her rubicund baby, rising his hands toward her face. “Yes, it's her,” I whispered and fell into a trance as I remembered all the times my father sat with me at night in bed to tell me a story under her gaze. I always thought it was a copy, but in the box there was a catalogue from Christies' with her photo and certificates.
“It's very beautiful. What is it?”
“It's from a painter from Florence, Agnolo Bronzino. Italian Renaissance. I guess I paint because of him.”
“It's similar to your stuff.”
“He was a genius. I steal from him, Mirko. She's absolutely perfect and full of grace, and no reason can explain why. Inspiration can only come from God, Mirko.”
“I'm glad you really think like that. Should we take the things now?”
“No, I'll leave them here. I'll take the drawing, the detail of the gold to ask for a valuation and make some photos of the jewels. Where did you learn about diamonds?”
“People not always pay with money, Guntram. Gems are easy to carry and trade and you don't want to know more. I would take with me the brown and pink babies too. It's a 1.5 million francs what we are speaking about.”
“What? You're crazy!”
“No, I'm not. Let's go away from here. This is no place for you.”
I did as he told me and rejoined Nicholas in the small waiting room. I was a mess, thinking on my father's letter. “Nothing is like I thought it was,” I said to him. “It never is, child. We are your true friends,” he answered me and gave me a hug.
We arrived at Zurich at 7 p.m. and I gave the things to Friederich before going to the nursery to check on the boys. I was very nervous as I've thinking all the way back from Geneva on my father's letter, reading it several times, slowly accepting the truth. He was forced to give me to Konrad and never thought that he was a good person. He hid me from him in Argentina when the logical step would have been handing me over to him as he had already signed the papers. Did Konrad not mention that they looked for me but never found me? I'm not sure.
It's true that Konrad would use me. He let me be with Constantin so he could get rid of him and so I could compare with him. “He's a better general than I thought,” told me Alexei once and he's damn right. He's a general and we are soldiers for him. Nothing else. I have a role to fulfil; companion of a personal nature, as he tells. Tutor of his children. I've never noticed till today that he always describes me by the way I'm useful for him. “I love you because you give me peace of mind.” I don't remember him saying something like “I love you for your ideas,” “I love you because you're kind to people” or something like that.
I wasn't in bed for three weeks with him, therefore he has the right to look for someone else. He told it in my face. Be productive or get fired.
Simple as that. I belong to him. “You're mine, your father gave you to me!” He shouted that phrase many times over the years. “I love you and protect you in any way I see fit.” He does, I obey and this will not change no matter how many times he tells me he wants that we have mature relationship; like equals.
I'm not a child any more, Konrad.
I entered the nursery and Klaus and Karl were playing restaurant with their nanny forcing the poor woman to eat some wooden play food. I thanked her and took her place and I was luckier as I got a tea and plush cakes.
“Guntram, are you upset with papa again?” Klaus asked me in the middle of the bedtime story.
“No, why do you say that?” I lied.
“You moved to another room. You don't sleep with papa any longer. Last time it happened, you were crossed with him for a long time. We don't want that you go away again!” Klaus said with big eyes.
“I'm not going away! You know I love you two more than my own life. I don't want to leave you!” How can they remember that? The big mess happened when they were two years old!
“If you fight with papa, he will bring another woman to be our mother and we don't want anyone but you!” Klaus told me and clung to my neck. “Please, marry papa and we will be much good to you.”
“Much better, Klaus.” I corrected him automatically. “Dear, this is something for the grown ups to speak.”
“No, it's not! Papa loves you. He told us many times! But you never did!” Karl cried and started to weep, followed by his brother. I was speechless and didn't know what to say. I took him in my arms and hugged him against my chest, feeling Karl's frame leaning on my back and also clutching me.
“Karl, Klaus, your father and I had troubles in the past and fought with each other for a long time. It's difficult for two people to forgive all the bad things we said to each other. We are trying to make it better, but we don't know if this could be possible. I promise you that this time, if Guntram and papa have to stop being friends, I'll stay in Zurich where you can visit me after school or I will come here. It will never be as bad as it was because we both have learned the lesson.”
“Will you stay, Guntram?” Karl asked me, with his voice full of hope and he broke my heart.
“I'll do my best to be with you as long as my health and your father allows it,” I swore and kissed them both. “I can't leave you, boys because I love you. You're my family and like my own sons; you're everything I have.”
“Do you love papa?” Klaus asked me and I was speechless because I didn't know what to tell. Not after my father's letter.
“I loved your father very much and I want that we find a way to be as happy as we were before. He's very clever and will make up something.” Lame, I know, but I couldn't think of something better. Fortunately, the boys bought it and calm themselves down. I kissed them good night, but had to lean against the door the minute I closed it behind me.
Friederich caught me at the stairwell and asked me what had happened in Geneva. Mirko can't keep his mouth shut for more than 10 minutes.
“My father left several things for me in a safe box in a bank; St. Lazarre. My lawyer gave me the key and I opened it. There was some money, jewels, a painting I loved very much as child and a letter for me. Nothing else. Mirko was there all the time.
“That place was not safe for you! They are Masons!”
“What will they do to me? Give me a copy of their books?”
“They are our enemies! They sully our symbols with their satanic practices!”
“I said nothing about us! They asked me if I wanted to be one of them, but I said I was Catholic! Ask Mirko or read his report! He must be typing it as we speak!” I bellowed and regretted my outburst in the minute. “I'm sorry, Friederich, it wasn't my intention to yell with you. I can't stand it any longer,” I said and I wanted to cry.
“Let's go to your room. This is nothing to speak here.”
We went back to my new bedroom and I asked him to sit in the sofa while I took the desk's chair. Without speaking I showed him the two diamonds and the painting, to finally give him my father's letter in silence. He read it and left it over the desk.
“I don't know what to do. I forgave Konrad because I believed my father wanted me to be with him, but that letter was a falsehood. He never wanted me here,” I whispered.
“Are you sure this is your father's letter?”
“Of course it is. I know his handwriting!”
“It should be authenticated by comparing it with the one we have from him and other samples of his handwriting, Guntram.”
“Why? It's very logical! Why would he let the murderer of my family adopt me? So he could finish the job?”
“You're perfectly aware that the Duke always had the best intentions regarding your welfare. You're his Consort and he loves you despite the many trials he has passed.”
“I know! I loved him too but I don't know any longer! Last Saturday he was out and I'm sure he was unfaithful to me! I know him! He even rubbed it in my face on Sunday!” I lost my patience once more.
“I don't believe Konrad capable of this. He has many faults, but he would never betray your trust! Do you have any proofs of your allegations?” He shouted me back and I burst into tears, like a baby, my sobs rocking my body as I couldn't control myself no matter how hard I tried. I felt his hands over my shoulder and he hugged me and I let myself go in his arms. I cried for some time and he said nothing, just hold me stronger till I was out of tears and exhausted. Still sobbing, I told him that I didn't know what to do; that I felt lost and wanted to finish all.
“Guntram, my child, you are like a son to me; much more than Konrad is. He was always very certain of himself and didn't need my protection. You, on the other hand, were so young when you came here. You had nothing but gave everything with an open heart. I always wanted the best for you as you returned Konrad his life, his sanity and his heart. You made possible for all of us to have Karl and Klaus. This house is not the same since you arrived here.”
“I have also changed over the years,” I whispered.
“Guntram, it is very suspicious that this letter reached your hands after almost 20 years later. If you would be unaware of the past, it would make no sense at all for you. You must check that it's real. What was your father doing in a Mason institution?”
“According to the CEO, de Mornay, my grandfather by my mother's side was a Mason and one her aunts is his wife. Strinberg.”
“That could explain why de Lisles didn't like or ever receive her in the family,” Friederich mumbled.
“I thought it was because she had no money at all.”
“I don't think that would have been a problem for the Vicomte. The Guttenberg Sachsen could have never matched his own resources, nevertheless he married your grandmother. To be a Mason was too much for him.”
“De Mornay said that she accepted to be baptised to appease my family.”
“My child, don't judge Konrad by the cannons of people that are not here. You left your father's house many years ago and followed your consort. Remember Genesis 2:24. You have built your own house now and he comes before all. Speak with Konrad and tell him about your fears and doubts. Don't keep them to yourself and don't let anyone else interfere in your relationship. If you don't speak with him, how can he know what's going on?”
“You're right Friederich. We should speak.”
“Don't take this letter so seriously until its provenance is confirmed. Give it to Pavicevic. Masons are our enemies and all this is very suspicious for me.”
“I guess you are right,” I whispered and my mobile rang, giving me a good fright: Goran, thank God. I answered and Friederich left the room whispering: “I'll send Dieter with your dinner”
“What were you doing in that place? Have you no sense, boy?” Goran shouted me even before I could say “hello”. Guess Mirko's report was not favourable to me.
“Just checking the safe box my father left me!”
“You should have informed us in advance!”
“I didn't know I was going! My lawyer gave it to me! His boss decided to disclose the information because I wanted to buy your flat!”
“Name.”
“Of my lawyer? Nicholas Lefebvre. You already snooped in his life!”
“The other!”
“I don't know. Lacroix. He's the main partner of the Law Firm; Wolfensohn and Partners. They're in Geneva and Brussels. My father left the safe box to the old Wolfensohn and Lacroix took it over when he bought the firm. Nicholas told me that he's a notaire; notary. I had to sign many papers.”
“Do you have any idea of how much money was inside?”
“No! But a lot according to Mirko. He knows a lot about gems.”
“A simple estimation is about 2.7 million euros.”
“What? That's impossible!”
“Mirko Bregovic has a good eye. I have the photos with me and the detail of the gold and platinum. Was there a letter too?”
“It's personal.”
“Guntram,” he growled.
“I will not give it to you! There's nothing related to the Order! If you're so curious, ask Friederich! He read it!”
“I don't want more troubles, little brother. I'm protecting you. I want to make sure that our enemies are not using you. The Duke will explode when he finds out where you were today!”
“So be it!” I shouted and sighed at the same time. “Goran, I don't want troubles with you or that you get in troubles with the Duke, what do you want me to do?”
“Tell me all what you know about your father's death.”
“What? He committed suicide because he had cancer and the pact he made with Konrad!”
“No, what happened to his money?”
“Money? He had none. Nicholas told me he lived in a small flat in Montmatre which was sold before his death and the money transferred to Buenos Aires. We had also a large flat there, near Plaza Francia, that's a chic place and I was going to the park there with my nanny. It was rented and most of the furniture was sold to pay my educational fund. The money lasted through high school but was not enough for the University, so I worked.”
“And he left you almost 3 million euros in a safe box in Geneva?”
“To open when I turned thirty! He wanted me to work and not being a posh bum.”
“Guntram, your father was the Head of Legal Affairs for the Duke in France. According to our records he must have had over 100 million Francs in 1989, that's about 15 million euros! Where is that money?”
“I don't know! He had not such an amount!”
“The money started to disappear from 1986 onward. He had inherited money from his mother, lands from his grandfather which he sold in 1979 for a very good price to some Real Estate developers and he had a yearly income of 15 million Francs according to his tax declarations!”
“I don't know! Luciano gave me everything I have. I had only left $50.000 and I didn't want to touch them! The Argentine Government seized the money in 2001 and converted into pesos, made a big devaluation and only $15.000 dollars were left. I got them back in 2006! My lawyer only saw him once in his life! He tried to speak with my family but found no one! He wouldn't have taken my money away! Perhaps my father gave it to my uncle to save his life! I don't know!”
“I'm going to investigate all this Guntram.”
“Do you think I'm lying to you?” I asked incredulous.
“No, you're not, but obviously someone is playing with you.”
“As you say, Goran.”
“Bring me the letter tomorrow to the office. We have to speak, little brother. The Duke returns tomorrow from the States.”
“All right, good night, Goran.”
* * *
Guntram de Lisle's diary
December 21st, 2008
Saturday
Yesterday was one of those roller coaster days and this morning too. I'm in Munich now with the children and Konrad. It's snowing outside and very cold (big surprise) We achieved the most incredible foe: the boys went early to bed; they were soundly asleep a 9!
On Friday, I had my meeting with Goran. He shouted me for being “worst than child, running after the first person you see,” (didn't I get the same words from Konrad at some point?) “Mirko nearly had a collapse when you entered there!” (Was he not one of the famous Krajina Hounds? He should be able to endure much more excitement in his life. Besides, what can happen to you inside a bank if you're not going to buy anything from them?) And many other grievances that I've forgotten. In short; I, the Noble Consort of the Mighty Hochmeister should not set a foot in a Masons infested joint. Should I cross the street every time I see a triangle with an eye? Should I avoid to touch dollars in future? Or asking for a check should be sufficient?
Are they for real?
It's seems so because he yelled me for a long time and then, focused on discussing my father finances! I had no idea at all! I only found out we had money in 2005 but it's all lost with the bank's bankruptcy. The judge took all our combined assets to pay the people and they only got 12% of their money back! The bank was sold to another family and they could take it afloat with many credits... from some people I know, all members of the Order. One hand washes the other and wolves are the best scavengers around, no energy is ever wasted.
Goran sent me to Hell (literally) when I suggested to buy the flat. It's all right for him to buy a part (and lose money) but wrong to buy it all for the market price. “Speak with the Duke first! He should decide!”
“This is my decision, Goran, not yours or his! If you don't want, I'll look somewhere else and smaller. I don't need much!”
“You'll do nothing till you speak with the Duke! The origins of these funds should be perfectly clarified before you lay a hand on them! Where are the papers your lawyer gave you?”
“I have no papers. I just signed them!”
“You should have gotten a copy of your father's will!”
“I just signed the receipts and acceptance of the will. I can ask for the copies, but I trust Nicholas. He's a good friend of mine!”
“He's a Mason and a master on top! Mirko saw how he shook hands with the other! He was his superior and de Mornay is grade 33!”
“All right, they don't go to Church. What should I do?”
“You will have no further contacts with them!! You have nothing to do with them.”
“Good you tell me because I was going to call Nicholas about the papers you want to see,” I told him sarcastically and he said, “Go home with the children, Guntram.”
I left the office before we would have had a real argument and I appreciate him too much to fight over something so stupid and childish. I went home and painted till it was the time to pick up Klaus and Karl from school. We spent the time doing their homework and playing a little before they had dinner and went to bed. I let the nanny to prepare them for bed because I had to change for dinner as Konrad announced, through Friederich, that he would arrive at 9:30 p.m.
I needed some time to calm myself and I had to knot the bloody tie like five times before I got it right. After all, this was the non tie week and I lost my practice!
Like a Swiss clockwork Konrad's car arrived at 9:25 and I went to the entrance to receive him, but at the last moment decided to stay in the dining room. The whole parade of servants standing to welcome him, is too much for my taste and honestly, I didn't want to suffer it once more. I heard him giving his overcoat to Dieter and only exchange a few words with Friederich before coming directly to the place where I was.
“Welcome home, Konrad,” I said.
“Thank you. The children?” he asked me, without looking me and taking his seat at the table's head.
“Sleeping.” I'm also good at one word sentences.
“Good.” No, he masters the Art of Human Communication. “You may serve,” he told Friederich, who only made a sign to Johannes and Dieter to take care of the matter and disappeared. I think he also gets tired of Konrad sometimes and pouring the soup over your former pupil's head is not “appropriate” even if said brat really deserves it.
We had the first course in silence, as Mr. Banker was thinking deeply in something and I was fuming because after a whole week of nothing, he had only said “Thank you. The children?” As it was Friday, there was fish on the menu and both butlers ran away after serving the salmon. Clever fellows.
I continued to eat mechanically and thinking how we were going to carry on with our lives because, he was colder than ever.
“You are the most precious thing in my life, Guntram,” he whispered and I looked at him in shock because I couldn't believe my ears. “You make me feel alive and believe in God kindness. Please, don't go away, again.”
I dropped my cutlery and gaped him again. I swallowed hard and could say nothing at all because I had no words.
“I loved you since the first moment I saw you and I only want to grow old with you and die by your side,” Konrad said very softly and all the fears, resentments and doubts I had simply vanished. I cleaned my mouth, put the napkin aside and jumped on him to kiss him like an animal, devouring his mouth and he was not shy too. We lost two glasses.
“Bed,” he mumbled in my ear when he let go of me and I said nothing because I was trying to recover my normal breathing and fighting to stand up. Fortunately, my reason told me that to do it under Karl Heinz I portrait would be too much (and definitively a turn off) and I could lift myself and walk (yes, walk, not run) toward the door with him almost chomping my neck. “wait, the service,” I mumbled and he stopped before I opened the door. Dieter and Johannes looked as stoic as usual and didn't look at us.
“You may clear the table,” Konrad said with great dignity. Well, all the dignity you can have in such situations. We walked through the corridor without touching each other and reached the stairwell without much troubles. To take the second one, the one that leads to the upper part of the tower, just in the corridor of the room where I was staying, was problematic because he crushed me against the wall, knocking the air out with the bump and his ravenous kisses. My head turned around and I was more than ready to do it over the carpet, but he stopped and let me go.
“Come to my bed, please,” he pleaded with a hoarse whisper and I only nodded, rushing over to his-our bedroom.
He growled at the poor Birgitte, unpacking his things, and she ran away. The minute she closed the door behind her we jumped at each other and started to tear clothes like two animals in heat. Konrad claims that I tore off one of his jacket's sleeves, but I think he did it by himself in his haste to get rid of the clothes. We could reach the bed with half of the clothes still on (my silk tie is ruined and it was his fault, not that it is “bad quality” as he claimed this morning. All right, next time I'll buy polyester as it is more resistant)
I went mad with desire when he came on top of me, kissing and licking my neck, saying something in German, but I couldn't care less what he was telling me because I only wanted to feel him inside me. I laced my arms across his powerful neck and shoulder and pulled his body against me with a “don't stall!” I remembered that he had his trousers on, and my hands left his neck to push him away lightly, so they could get rid of them.
Writhing in pleasure I felt him penetrating me and I felt in bliss when our bodies began to move in unison. I almost had my climax when I felt his hand massaging my member. He drove me mad as he changed the speed and angle several times, stopping the moment we were going to finish to make it last longer. Time ceased to exist but finally we couldn't hold any longer and we came together.
It was one of those moments you don't forget easily.
He crumbled next to me, panting while I looked for comfort in his arms, burying my face in his chest, covered with sweat. I was just overwhelmed, utterly weary but I had a feeling of happiness and completeness engulfing me when I felt his large hand stroking my hair and side of my face lovingly. I increased my hold over his waist and pressed myself closer to him and he chuckled and kissed me on the forehead. I sensed that he wanted to ask me something, but the question died in his lips and he only asked me if I wanted to take a shower with him before going to sleep. All what I wanted to tell him also died in my lips.
I sat on the bed and recovered part of the clothes, and dressed myself just to remember that I didn't need to look for my pyjamas downstairs because I still have most of them here. To my surprise there was even a pair of them under the pillow on the left side of the bed. I took them and went to the bathroom to fill the bathtub. Five minutes later, Konrad joined me and without saying a thing we started to kiss again, this time more languorously and tenderly than before, enjoying the moment and making love more slowly than before. He took me with his mouth and I had to hold myself to the marble wall to keep steady and it was just incredible.
Konrad took me once more in the bathtub and the hot water relaxed me as I let him ride me as he pleased. To let him have control is the most erotic experience you can have; you surrender yourself to him and leave all your fears behind as you have to trust your lover.
I was almost dead when we finished and I didn't complain when he dried me as if I were a small child and helped me with the buttons, before I collapsed on the bed totally spent. I guess, Dr. van Horn is right; once is more than enough for me and I should leave some time between to rest as it taxes my heart too much. I felt Konrad covering me and lacing his arms around my waist to cuddle, exactly as he knows I love to do afterwards.
I relaxed myself into his embrace and closed my eyes, ready to sleep.
“Why are you so crazy since you returned from London?” he asked me and my blood froze. How the hell did he know? Is he psychic or something?
“I met Malchenko,” I blurted out the truth.
“Who?”
“He's Constantin liaison officer with the Order. He's at odds with Ivan Oblomov, who controls St. Petersburg. He's a member too.”
“Do you mean Boris “Malchenko” Arseniev? Repin's cousin?”
“His secretary. The Fürst recommended him for the job. But he told me he was Boris Malchenko and Constantin never said a thing about being family! He was appointed as such after Repin joined the Order. A tall, lanky man.”
“His real name is Boris Petrovich Arseniev. His father was the head of the family. Malchenko is a nickname; the Russian word for lad, boy or youngster is mal'chik and he was the smallest of five sisters. For some reason the family called him Malchenko and that nickname lasted till school. All of us know him as Boris Malchenko.”
“I never heard Constantin calling him Boris Petrovich, just Malchenko or Boris.”
“That's because they're family and the rest just call him Malchenko, but the real last name is Arseniev. What did he tell you?”
“We spoke about Constantin's death. He told me that he had never seen him so happy in his life as when he was in Paris with me.”
“How did he die? We have many stories around.”
“Someone stabbed him in prison. Internal problems among Russians. They tried to save him in the infirmary but, he died there.”
“How many wounds?”
“I didn't ask! We had dinner together at the Savoy, after I finished the book signing and I felt very bad for Constantin. I know you don't like him and think the worst of him, but he was a good friend to me. Much better than many of those who swore loyalty to me. He, Goran and Alexei, were the only ones who stood by me after 2006. We spoke about Constantin and he told me where he was buried in Smolensk, that Olga Fedorovna never loved him and wanted to destroy him and that she had betrayed him by joining forces with you.”
“I have no business with that woman. In fact, I would love to see her out of this world.”
“He said that she wanted to take Constantin's place, but Oblomov prevented it and she had to run away from the country. Oblomov wants to kill her and I should stay away from her if she asks for my help. He told me she's very dangerous and hates me because Constantin wanted to leave her for me.”
“That marriage was arranged. They never loved or even liked each other. After knowing her, I would have also preferred boys. It's no secret that I don't like or trust women and that woman gave me more reasons.”
“I want to visit his grave, Konrad. I need to go. I've been thinking on it since I saw Malchenko,” I confessed softly.
“No, you will not set a foot in Russia. That's no place for you!” He shouted me.
“Why? I have to take a flight to Moscow and then a train there. Only for a day!”
“There's nothing there! He's dead and well buried!!”
“I know and I put him there!”
“You did not! Some hot blooded Russian did! Hell, he had more enemies than friends! I was not the only one who wanted him dead!”
“But you used me to do it! And I fell like an idiot for your trick! I never wanted to hurt him when he was a good friend to me! I never imagined you would use his inattention to get him down! That you would use his friend Oblomov against him! You practically declared war on him!”
“I had enough of his meddling in my private life and he was a threat to my own children! He hated them because they were the only thing that prevented you to go to him! Why do you think Milan and Ratko were the whole time with you? Because I'm paranoiac? NO! It was because I had good reasons to believe he would have sent my boys into the next life just to get you! He was obsessive when it came to you! Do you think I forbade the children to go to birthday parties because I'm an elitist? NO, I did it because those families couldn't guarantee their safety as well as we! Do you know how much money I donated to their school for new security measures? Think in hundreds of thousands, Guntram!”
“I had no idea. You never told me a thing!”
“So you would do something stupid like going to Russia to speak with him? So you would have another heart attack because of the stress? I forbade Goran to say a word to you!”
“But Milan had no problems to let me speak with his wife and Goran also!”
“Because they knew the last thing she would have done was giving you to him! Guntram, I will not let you go there!”
“Why not? He's dead! Let me make my peace with him!”
“No, and that's final! Now, let's go to sleep because it's very late and we both have to stand up early!”
“You can't send me to bed!”
“It's nonsense what you're asking!”
“You're being irrational! You're still jealous of Constantin! What do you think I'm going to do? Dig him up and kiss his skull? You don't trust me at all! Last Saturday you exploded and disappeared to do who knows what and with whom!”
“Now it's your jealousy speaking Guntram! What did I exactly do?”
“I don't know! You practically told me that I had forced you with three weeks of “permanent headaches”! I don't go to bed with you and it's open season for you? Can I do the same?”
“I'm always willing to perform my duties as your husband,” he told me with a lot of sufficiency. “I try to compensate frequency with quality.”
The asshole got a pillow right in his face and he chuckled like an idiot. “Come here, Maus, let me hold you. I swear I didn't make love on Saturday. It was a boring party with boring people. I turned myself in bed at 12! Why are you always so jealous? How could I look at another when I have you at home? I should be concerned! Not you! I'm fifty-one and you're just twenty-six! People throw at your feet the minute they see you! I'm very glad that you never look at them!”
“Do you swear you did nothing?”
“Of course, I do! I have made love to no one else but you in the past year! I do love you, Guntram!”
“I also love you, but I fear we can't live together.”
“We'll discuss that in the morning, my love. Let's sleep together now. I have a surprise for you and the children tomorrow.”
Someone shook me awake in the morning: Konrad, who else? And it was still dark! Does he never sleep? Since January 2002, I can't sleep longer than 9 a.m.! No matter what, someone gets me out! Even in hospitals they wake you up at 6 a.m. to get some blood out!
“Come Guntram, it's time. Don't tell I didn't warn you,” he chuckled and shook me some more and I went deeper under the covers. “You do need some stimuli to get out, don't you?”
“Depends on what you have,” I croaked and he kissed me like only he can do. When I was lacing my arms around his neck and deepening my kisses to convince him to come back to bed and let me sleep, I heard several barely contained giggles, like two little witches laughing. There, standing in front of the bed were Klaus and Karl, observing everything with great interest. I almost pushed Konrad away. Such displays are not for little children! I blushed like a tomato.
“You see, now? Guntram is not upset any longer with papa,” he announced to the giggling boys triumph ally. I could have died of shame! “Go back with your nanny.”
“Why are you red Guntram?” Klaus asked and his brother joined him in no time: “Are you hot, Guntram?”
“No, it's just the surprise. Do as your father told you,” I answered and both laughed again and ran out of the bedroom, obviously happy about something. I was furious with him!
“How dare you to get the children in the middle!”
“They interfered by themselves. The first thing I was asked this morning was if I had apologised to you. I told them the truth; we have settled our differences. I was only reinforcing their sense of security and you started to kiss me,” Konrad said, looking like the perfect image of innocence. “Hurry up and get dressed because they're ready and our flight plan is due at 11:30 and we are going to have lunch in the plane.”
“Where are we going?”
“Surprise. Hurry up or I'll send the cavalry in. They're most excited about this. The nanny had a hard time dressing them.”
“I hope you keep this optimistic outlook once they attack a pack of cookies inside your plane. Marie had a surmenage last time we were there.”
“No cookies on board this time. Only cake.”
It doesn't help, but Konrad should discover some things by himself. Only sandwiches do the trick. I got dressed, wondering where we were going or if I was going to get something for breakfast. After all it was 7:30! We had breakfast and the children were almost jumping on their seats, while I did my best to keep them quiet, but they had decided to tell their nanny how “Guntram was kissing papa,”
Trust those two to keep a secret. Teachers must get a full account of our lives every morning!
By sheer luck they didn't choke themselves with their breakfast in their haste to finish and run to the car. I saw Friederich in a good mood that morning and he smiled at me briefly when Konrad was busy trying to get the boys into their overcoats. Welcome to my day! That's harder than getting money from another banker. He ordered the boys to drive with Mrs. Mayers because “I have to discuss adults' issues with Guntram.”
When I sat in his limo with him I was already expecting: 1. Another cross examination and 2. Some yelling for “going after an unknown man like a child.”
“Why do you want to buy Goran's flat?” he asked me very softly and took my hand, breaking all the wonderfully mounted defence line I had.
“I want to have a place of my own. Somewhere to stay if we split,” I confessed and couldn't hold his gaze.
“I don't want to break up, Guntram. This is for keeps.”
“We still fight a lot and I don't think things will be like before.”
“I don't expect them to be. We both have changed. You have also hurt me when I never believed you could. You had no idea what it's to have everything and lose it in one go. To see that the person you love above all despises and rejects you everyday. It was much worse than finding out that your uncle Roger was the man who paid those killers in 1989. They missed me but Goran's father was killed.”
“I didn't know that,” I whispered as I had no idea that my own family had hurt so much the man who had been so kind to me in many occasions. Goran is like a brother to me.
“Why should you? It's none of your doing. You were a small boy in a far away country,” he sneered. “Your father was very clever to keep you away from all this.”
“You hurt me all the time too. You betrayed my trust with your lies, you used me to quench your thirst for Roger and to look after your sons. Instead of letting me go, you fucked every man or woman that came across, married Stefania and she even made me look for the flowers and the champagne. You said nothing and encouraged her to treat me like a dog. You behaved like a piece of shit. You have also showed me that you can hurt me too. I nearly had another heart attack and I don't know if I will turn forty because my heart condition has worsened over the years. I don't know if I can forgive all this, Konrad.”
“You were with Repin.”
“Ah, I've forgotten that part. You used me to deceive a man and have him killed.”
“Guntram, I'm willing to try,” he told me very softly and stopping the upcoming fight.
“I also, but it's too much water under the bridge. I want Goran's flat so I can stay in Zurich if we won't make it. I don't want to hurt Klaus and Karl any longer.”
“All right, you can have it. I will not interfere, but you will not pay for it. Let me give it to you as a Christmas present. I have nothing so far.”
“No, this is something I have to do by myself.”
“Guntram, it will be yours! I'll not touch it!”
“No,. If Goran still wants to sell, I will pay it by myself. My father didn't want me to have anything from you, Konrad. I've failed him in many things, but I don't want to fail him once more.”
“As you wish, but it's crazy to use a third of your capital in a house.”
“I'll make more in the future, Konrad. I can support myself. I was able to save some money over the years.”
“I never had any doubts you can fend for yourself, Guntram. You did when you were eighteen and had nothing but your talent. You have earned my admiration.”
“Thank you,” I whispered and I felt a knot in my throat because I sensed those were sincere words. “Where are we going or is it still a secret?” I asked because I needed to lift the dark cloud over us.
“Munich. I want the children to see a large Christmas Market. It's very entertaining for them and they should choose a Nutcracker too. They haven't got one yet.”
“Konrad, you nearly had a heart attack when a rabbit nibbled the XV century cabinet on the south corridor! Are you sure you want our boys running around armed with something designed to break nutshells?”
“I was expecting you would be running after them and only hand the Nutcrackers on Christmas Eve. Perhaps on Christmas too,” he told me with real seriousness.
“Don't come to me crying if you find nutshells in our bed!” I laughed and he looked at me with adoration.
“That's right, my love. Our bed, our children,” I was speechless and did the only thing you can do in such cases: I kissed him.
When we split, just before we left the highway, he told me “besides, my father also took me to Munich when I was six to buy one. Friederich has stored it somewhere.”
“Probably catalogued and packed,” I smiled.
“I was very happy with him that time. He took us to Munich for a whole weekend. I had a chocolate at Dallmayer's and it was one of the few times, I could speak with my father.”
“You never speak much about him.”
“There's not much to tell. He was very stern and aloof. I had a closer relationship with Friederich because he was always there for me. He coped with me so many times that he's like a father to me. He will stay in our house till his final day. He's the best councillor I ever had, even if he never wore the title of Consort.”
“I beg you pardon?” I gasped.
“I believe he and my father were more than friends. They never said a thing to me or to anybody, but Friederich was with him when he died and mourned him more than anyone else. He was very good looking when he came here and had a caring nature. I always wondered why he had been named Tutor in front of the whole Order when he was only twenty-two years old and my father had decided that I was going to succeed him. The Old Guard still holds Friederich in the highest regard. My mother was furious because my father, the Duke went to Munich with him. She wanted to fire him, but he prevented it.”
“I had no idea! He never told me a thing!”
“It's just a speculation, Guntram. My father left him 20 million Marks in 1982 and that was a lot of money, but he rejected his legacy and agreed to stay with me. When I asked him why, he only said “because that was what Karl Heinz wanted.” When my mother left, they became closer over the years, but I don't know if something ever happened. Once, Friederich could get rid of me (yes, I was not going to bed willingly) he was staying with my father in our quarters, reading or chatting together. Tutors don't do that normally.”
“I see.”
“Friederich never judged me for my choice of mate when I was expecting a war with him over Roger. He didn't like him, that's true, but it was because of his character and age difference.”
“I'm overwhelmed.”
“When I told him I was going to marry Stefania, he took a plane the next morning to Rome to shout with me, and brought Pater Bruno along. I swear those two train together to yell at me. Löwenstein also was furious with me.”
Yes, I remember that. Friederich left the house and went to Rome for two days before he told me he was getting married, and never served a dish to Stefania. Hell, he treated her like trash, but in his trademark way; patronizing her (and sometimes Konrad gets some of it, too). I wonder why he never does it to me. I normally get the “fatherly scold” from him... the kind that makes you feel like a dunce.
“He gave me everything he had and asked nothing in return. He convinced Löwenstein to accept you as Consort and the Prince never regretted it.”
“I didn't know that.”
“Yes, he did. He appreciates you very much and was furious with me when you left.”
“I couldn't stand the situation any longer.”
“Did he tell you he called Stefania “insignificant courtesan, good enough for the stubborn mule you married,” in front of the whole staff? This is why she burned down all your paintings.”
I was speechless. No way! Friederich is a gentleman, he would never do something like that! Although the description sounds very much like his.
“He told me you preferred her over me.”
“He wanted you to go away so I would realise my mistake and stop my stupid and childish campaign. He never expected you to run away! He was very concerned about your health because of Stefania's attacks.”
“We have to leave all this in the past and start again, Konrad. Dwelling on it will solve nothing.”
“You're right, but grant me a truce this weekend. I have to run after two boys in a market full of people and presents,” he told me with a smile.
“It was your idea, my love. Good luck.”
To shorten a very long story, I will tell that the boys were running all over the square in front of the cathedral and enjoyed the Natural Sciences Museum in front of the Izar. Konrad couldn't go against his nature and bought two monster Nutcrackers for the boys in the Market. Klaus chose the Husar with the red jacket and Karl preferred the blue one. They're more than 50 cm long! I fear for their little fingers.
Oh my God Tionne, I read these six chapters with so much pleasure!
ReplyDeletePlease, tell me you will publish the second book soon, I can't wait to have it in my hands!
Believe it or not, but I have important exams this week and I'm here reading this... I must be insane...
Keep up the good work please, you're doing an incredible job!
-
Plume d'Ange