The Subtitute 2- Chapter 6 alone

Chapter 6

Guntram de Lisle's Diary

December 18^th, 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 5^th , 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 21^st, 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.