TS 2 Part VI Chapter 10

Chapter 10

December 21^st, 2010

Zurich

“I still don't know if this is a good idea, Eberhard.” A very gloomy Friederich contemplated the almost three metres high Christmas tree being carried inside the large ballroom by four of the men. “Careful with the chandelier!” he shouted when the tree top hit with vengeance the crystal lamp.

“Maybe we should put a carpet near it,” Eberhard said, purportedly ignoring the old man. “Children sit on the floor near the tree to open the presents.”

“The parquetry design would be lost then,” Friederich counter-attacked.

“But the would be wood safe if the small ones drop food over it. Is this a laminated floor? He asked with a smirk, already knowing the answer, but determined to make his case sounder.

“Of course not!” an incensed Friederich exclaimed.

“Grease stains -like the ones from cream puffs- are impossible to remove from the wood. I know it perfectly well. We have a wedding in the castle every week. My grandfather, the Baron, had to switch to laminate. It was a hard decision for him.”

“I can perfectly understand him.” The image of an unnaturally shinning “convention centre floor” assaulted Friederich's mind. “We must have something in the deposit, Eberhard. I'll tell Dieter to take care of it.”

“Excellent then,” Eberhard replied with a smile. “The boys are very happy to have invited their class for a Christmas party. It will keep their minds away from the other thing.”

“Perhaps,” Friederich said, looking gloomier than before. “Excuse me, I have to check the kitchen.”

The young tutor consulted his watch and saw that it was about time to pick up the boys from his last school day. 'Tomorrow is the Huns invasion at four. Klaus and Karl will be busy with their friends till bed time and on the next day arrive the other Lintorff cousins and stay here till New Year. That should keep them entertained. What to do with Konrad, is something else. He's already depressed and locked up in his studio since breakfast. Maybe I could convince him to come out and help to decorate this monster.'

* * *

With a lot of effort and using all his authority, Eberhard was able to force the twins to remove their mud-snow dirty caked shoes just before they would have left their footprints all over the corridor. Bouncing like to energy-balls the boys asked if “it was here,” and Eberhard smiled and took them by the hand to show the large Christmas tree.

“Careful, they're setting the carpet,” he warned them sternly.

“Guntram used to let us decorate the lower parts,” Klaus said excitedly.

'So much for my theory.' “Well, we can do it too. The top is for the professionals, all right?” He asked with an edge but both boys ignored him almost running over him to enter in the room. 'Bloody Lintorff selective hearing as Guntram used to call it,' he thought as he caught both six years old boys by their jerseys.

“We have two people decorating it. They can climb the stairs and you can't. Falling from that height won't kill you but it will ruin your holidays if you get a cast in an arm or leg. Is that clear enough?”

“Yes, Eberhard,” both boys nodded, looking like the perfect picture of innocence.

“Good, no troubles. All right?” Eberhard checked the level of commitment once more.

“No troubles at all,” Klaus promised very seriously and Eberhard was glad. If the eldest promised to behave, then the second one will follow him and... there should be no problems.

“What about accidents?” Karl asked.

“Let's try to keep it safe, shall we?” Eberhard said sweetly but with a warning edge to the voice and both boys nodded.

They ran to the large tree and gasped at it, keeping a good “safe distance” from the decorations and the tree as they looked at it with large and marvelled eyes. “I have confirmation from your whole class for tomorrow,” Eberhard said with a jovial voice. “You still have to sign the cards for the presents you are going to give, so there is work for you, gentlemen,” he added very seriously and both boys groaned in despair.

“The cards are on the table. You have to sign each one of them. I'll see if I can get your father to help you with the decorations.”

* * *

“Is his Excellency free, Dieter?” Eberhard asked the butler standing guard at the library's entrance.

“A lawyer from Argentina arrived this morning. He has been speaking with his Grace and Mr. Pavicevic since two in the afternoon.”

“I see,” said a worried Eberhard. “Could you please tell me when he's free? I'm in the ballroom with the princes.”

“Is everything to your liking, sir? I was thinking to use the embroidered with Christmas motives tablecloths. The ones, Mr. Elsässer suggested are very formal for a children party.”

“Yes, If he asks about the change, tell him we reserve the good tablecloths for the Lintorff family. This Dutch linen must be very delicate.”

“Indeed, sir.”

* * *

Konrad looked at the lawyer sitting next to Goran once he finished explaining how the case had been finally closed as no formal charges had been brought against anyone, with the only exception of his own declaración indagatoria. 'I have the forensics results since December 2009 and one year later, the Argentinean government graciously decides to send me a copy,' he thought darkly as the dark haired man continued with his presentation.

Pedro had directly flown from Montevideo, where he had been living since the Duke's attempted murder. 'Poor man, they really fucked up his life,' he thought as he continued to explain the methods used in the DNA identification tests. “Dr. Verón is very sick to travel to visit the Holgersen family and he has asked me to do it in his name. I will also give a copy of the death certificates issued for Mr. John Emerich and Peter Bowles to their widows.”

“The families would prefer their remains, Dr. Lanusse.” Goran said.

“I'm afraid this is impossible, sir... The biological samples were... lost in the process,” he said, gulping nervously.

“Lost in the process? I find very hard to believe that FBI could be so careless.”

“The FBI returned everything. It was a problem at the airport, sir. The packages containing the evidence were lost.”

'How? The serpent of Lacroix is working for us now,' thought Goran. “How could this happen?”

“Dr. Verón explained me that there was an internal problem among two fractions of the cargo service trade unions and many things were lost during the fight. Namely, they dumped them in the... city dump.”

“Are you telling me that Mr. Holgersen's body is in the dump?” Konrad shouted, finally losing his temper.

“Yes, sir. That's right.”

“Your judiciary system took an extra year to make some sorry DNA tests in a foreign country and then, just lost three bodies?”

“I'm afraid so. The good news is that Guntram was not there or Mr. Larsen.”

“And this is supposed to make me feel better?” Konrad roared. “Guntram is not resting on a mountain of trash, but perhaps the vultures feasted upon his bones?”

“My duke, please,” Goran said softly. “Dr. Lanusse is on our side and has risked his life for you. This is not his fault.”

“I'm terribly sorry to bring you such news and I'm very ashamed of my own country antics, but I assure you that Dr. Verón and I will continue to press the judiciary system till we get some results. The new judge wants to have a hearing with me in February, after the holidays. I'm most confident that once we have explained him our...”

“Don't go there. Leave it,” Konrad said very calmly as Pedro gaped at him.

“It's a new judge and he's not linked to the deceased Martínez Estrada. He's from our own people and perhaps the investigation takes a new impulse.”

“It's a trick to make you come back to Argentina. Losing the bodies was a message for us,” Goran explained him. “They will kill you.”

“I don't think...”

“Dr. Lanusse, how many kidnapped victims do you know that have survived over two years?” Konrad asked with a very sad voice.

“There was this Austrian girl...” Pedro started but the words died on his lips. “I can't believe he's gone.”

“I also not, but risking your life or Professor Verón's is very stupid. We will continue our search but with private investigators,” Konrad said with a determined voice.

“I...”

“I never had the opportunity to thank you for your assistance in Buenos Aires, Dr. Lanusse,” Konrad continued with his talk.

“Don't mention it, sir. I consider Guntram as my friend,” Pedro whispered, unable to believe that the man was giving up so easily. “Things will change after the elections. The leftists are losing power with each passing day and we will discover the truth at some point.”

“Perhaps you could consider to work with our legal team in Zurich.” Konrad ignored once more the lawyer. “We might have a position for you, Dr. Lanusse.”

“I will not do well away from the Pampas, sir,” he answered with a shallow smile. “We are farmers since six generations.”

“You are perfectly aware that it's impossible for you to return in the moment,” Goran intervened. “You saw the conditions his Excellency's car was left and know that a terrorist tried to kill him at the airport. He only saved his life thanks to your warnings. This kind of military actions can only be carried out with the support of the highest power strata in a country. Can you imagine what they would do to you, sir?”

“I...”

“Why don't you stay for the Christmas celebration with us? Visiting the Holgersens now will be very bad for them. I can accompany you after Epiphany Day.” Konrad said. “Alrik Wallemberg is a dear friend of my family and his grandchild worked for me since he was twenty-six years old. His grandfather sent him to me to “civilise him”. I'm obliged to them.”

“I do not want to intrude, but you are right. Christmas is a very bad time for the victims' families. I will take a holiday and travel around Europe,” Pedro answered.

“Nonsense. Tomorrow there is a party for thirty children and my cousins Albert and Armin will bring their families along. Over twenty people more. My godson planes to announce his marriage to Miss Mirjiana Stantic on the Christmas lunch to the family,” said Konrad. “Stay with us please and meet Guntram's children.”

'I'm not exactly welcomed at my family dinners. They cope with me because I own sixty percent of the fields and have saved their asses many more times than I can count. Playing the “gay uncle”, who has to be patronized and sat next to an impossible to marry old spinster is simply horrible. On the other hand, I'm too old and tired to go to a disco for a stupid Christmas party,' considered Pedro.

“Mirjiana is my goddaughter,” explained Goran softly. “She studied Spanish in Salamanca.”

“Congratulations, Mr. Pavicevic,” Pedro said evenly.

“Dr. von Kleist will baptise her daughter Maria Cecilia on the 28^th at our chapel,” Konrad added. “He is also very grateful to you, sir.”

“It will be a honour to accept your invitation.” 'It can't be worst that my own family and at least they won't be looking at me as the official pervert and keeping the children away.'

“Very well, Dieter will show you your room,” Konrad said with a rare and genuine smile. 'Christmas in a lone hotel room is horrible for anyone.'

* * *

Once they were left alone, Goran looked at Konrad, distractedly passing the pages of the thick volume with the translations of the most important findings of the investigation.

“They certainly love papers in Latin America,” he smirked, unsuccessfully trying to hide his frustration.

“Like all lawyers,” Goran mumbled.

“I hate to break such news to Wallemberg. Heindrik didn't deserve this.”

“He was a brave soldier and died fighting. That is worthy of him and he should be remembered for this. The rest is not important, my Duke,” Goran said. “Strauss gave them his results and all the remains he could identify. It's not an empty grave, sir. Maybe we should avoid them this pain.”

“We have time to think about it,” Konrad answered with a sigh, feeling utterly exhausted.

“Are you planning to include him on the legal team investigating Lacroix's evidences?”

“No, they are all members and Lanusse is an Opus Dei collaborator. They are not like us and you already know Pater Bruno's opinion of them. If they were to find out our own resources, we would never get rid of them.”

“I don't think Lanusse would betray us.”

“I also not, but this is not for him. A position in the legal office will be perfect for him. He did very well before. He's a good man and can serve us without being a part of the Order,” Konrad finished the conversation but Goran didn't move from his seat. “Is there something else?”

“I still don't understand quite well his devotion toward Guntram's cause.”

“They went to the same school,” Konrad said with an embarrassed voice.

“The age difference between them must be around fifteen years, sire,” the Serb pointed out.

“I believe Lanusse fell in love with Guntram when he left school but didn't have luck at all. He lived nearby.”

“I see...” Goran answered quietly, as a plan was forming in his mind.

“Will that be a problem for you?”

“No, why?” he answered innocently. “I'm not interested in lawyers or farmers.”

“We have been working together since 1989, my friend and I know when you are up to something. Spit it out.”

“I? Not at all. I was just considering how things changed in the past years... Ten years ago, a brat like Martiarena Alvear was a thorn in our sides and now we are considering to introduce him to the Order. Mirko likes him and thinks he could be a great asset. When we were in Venezuela, it was like following one of the crazy Spaniards after El Dorado. He puts duty before his life and is certainly fearless. He could be a good leader some day and my men liked his way of doing things.”

“That is what we require from people nowadays, but that's not what you are really thinking.”

“All right, where are you going to sit the lawyer tomorrow at dinner?”

“I don't know. Ask Friederich!” Konrad said shocked. “Do you want to sit next to him, perhaps?” He asked with an affected grin.

“I? No, I'm going home!” Goran blurted out, blushing at the suggestion. “Put him next to the teacher. Perhaps we are lucky and kill two birds with a single stone.”

“Next to Eberhard?” Konrad asked very shocked.

“The teacher looks exactly like Guntram and likes boring brunettes. Perfect match. I'm tired of changing his bodyguards and obviously, he needs something fixed at home. Last week, Ratko made perfectly clear that he will not follow him to another of those places, discos or whatever. He says he's a married man and I perfectly understand his concerns.”

“Are you planning to organize a dating agency, perhaps?” Konrad joked and Goran looked more sombre than before.

“I had enough with looking after you in the 90s, my Griffin. The lawyer and the teacher could reach an arrangement between them. Gandini was complaining a lot about Merenghetti's work over the past weeks. Lanusse is a good professional and diplomatic enough as to tell Merenghetti what to do without rubbing his ego. The Italian Komturen like Merenghetti, so firing him is out of the question. Lanusse could settle down in Zurich and hold his hand as he draws the documents. Both like the countryside too and he has more cows than the Guttenberg Sachsen could ever count in their lifetime.”

“Let's don't forget his wheat fields and sheep flocks in the South. He has several million dollars in the pocket and practices law as a hobby. A really good match for anyone who's not afraid to hear a long talk on cows,” Konrad smirked. “Eberhard will not inherit much from his grandfather's side and what he gets from his own father, will be a disaster. The most he can aspire is to become the property's manager. The Baron shouldn't oppose to this and Eberhard is under my supervision for the time being.”

“Didn't the teacher like vineyards? Cows are far more exciting than grapes,” Goran sneered in return.

* * *

'Does Pavicevic make a casting of hot brunettes every month?' Eberard thought as Konrad introduced him to the tall, dark haired lawyer from Argentina, gaping at him as he would have seen a ghost.

“This is the children's tutor, Eberhard Guttenberg Sachsen,” Konrad said as the young man extended his hand to a shocked and mute man. 'Is this a good or a bad impression?' he wondered. “Dr. Lanusse has worked with us in Argentina,” he added, trying to break the heavy silence that followed his previous words.

“I'm thankful for your help with my cousin's case.” Eberhard shook the petrified lawyer's hand with some strength to make him react and Pedro stared at him.

“Cousin?” he stuttered.

“Second degree cousin, from the paternal line,” Eberhard clarified.

“Guntram had no family.”

“We only met in 2009. He never knew the Guttenberg Sachsen were looking for him after his father passed away. His former tutor didn't ever write to us and we never knew where he was all the time. Our lands are in Würzburg and he visited us in the summer,” Eberhard smiled shyly, exactly as Guntram used to do, and both men looked at him, feeling their stomachs churn.

“The resemblance is incredible, but you must be taller than him,” Pedro said. “I mean, last time I saw him he was nineteen years old and he could have grown some more, but the police reports I read said that he was 5 foot 5.”

“Yes, I'm taller, older, German, blonder and a writer,” Eberhard answered with more energy than necessary, upset that once more somebody was comparing him with his cousin and expecting him to behave exactly as him.

“Should we eat?” Konrad asked as he realised that the young man was already bearing an attitude toward the lawyer, still gaping at him like a fool. 'No chemistry at all. Goran was wrong.'

* * *

Sitting at the daily dining room, reminded Pedro of every time he visited his grandfather and he had to sit very straight and only answer when a direct question was addressed to him. The three servants in the room gave an oppressive ambiance to the diner and he was getting more and more unnerved. The young German's resemblance to Guntram was unsettling, although after a nonstop speech over the things to do in Zurich, he missed the young school boy's shy silences and moderate talk. 'Guntram was always quiet and listening to you, asking the proper questions and making you feel at ease. This Eberhard is worst than a radio.'

“Do you have cows?” Eberhard asked, unnerved by the poignant silence in the table as he had been unable to engage the guest into any kind of conversation as Konrad preferred to keep himself silent and aloof. The foreigner had answered with three or four monosyllables to every question or remark made and was probing to be the most boring man on this earth. 'Hot scruffy brunettes are not so hot as one may believe. Last chance.'

“A few,” Pedro said nonchalantly.

“We have twelve at home. Charolais.”

“Ah.”

“We keep them for educational purposes only. When the children visit the castle. Do you have some lands in Argentina, too?” 'Really, last chance.'

“Yes, my family is from Entre Ríos and we have also lands in Santa Fe. I manage the establishment from Entre Ríos and the lands in Santa Cruz. My brother Juan José oversees the property in Santa Fe and my sisters ask for money every month,” Pedro said and returned all his attention to his dinner.

'This looks like the Bismark sinking,' Konrad thought. 'Does this man have no blood in his veins? I'm sure he liked Eberhard. I caught him several times looking at him.' He cleared his throat before he spoke. “I never visited Entre Ríos but I saw pictures of the lands we purchased there. The sunsets shots were very nice.”

“Ah, yeah,” Pedro agreed with a mumble and returned his attention to the dish.

'Eberhard has lost all interest on him. Let's try the other approach.' “I understand your family is linked to your country's history.” Konrad tried once more.

“My grandfather was President just before the return of the Peronist Party to the country. He was in the military junta which allowed Perón to come back to Argentina. It was this, civil war or total international isolation.”

“I met Perón very briefly in the seventies. My father admired his ability to control so many different factions within his party,” Konrad said kindly.

“It was a pity we didn't do like Franco in Spain,” Pedro answered, fulminating Konrad with his black eyes. “You already saw the “young idealists” at work, sire. Montoneros are Perón's children and they still continue to kill.”

“Things might still change,” Eberhard whispered, doing his best to calm the lawyer down, not understanding why the sombre and circumspect man's attitude had changed so much.

“Do you think so? I'm not so sure, Eberhard. Guntram's own tutor sold him to the FARC to get money out of the Duke. Did your cousin ever hurt anyone? No, he was the kindest creature I've met in my whole life and his life was crushed by the same people who had the responsibility to protect him. This case has a dense political web around it since the first minute, and honestly, the stench of it is nauseating. Guntram was not even 18 years old, when he started to live on his own. His neighbour told me several times that he had not enough money to eat after he paid the rent and he was asking him over dinner. I offered him a part time job in my law firm but he turned me down. 'This would not be fair for you, Pedro. You know I'm not interested in you or will ever be,' were his words. Any other would have taken the money and squeezed out of the last cent out of me. Guntram was a good boy who only wanted to make a life for himself. Do you know how many of them are in Argentina? Hundred of thousands. They work, take the bus and one day, some miserable shoots them for the five pesos they have in their pockets. Does anything happen then? Nothing at all! The thief is released in the next twenty-four hours -unless he has a very bad lawyer-, and our politicians say that his Human Rights should not have been violated by the State. What about the people like Guntram? Don't the have Human Rights too? None at all. Their cases are closed “till further notice”.”

“I had no idea...” Eberhard started to tell, but Pedro interrupted him once more.

“Do you know how many suspects we have so far? Zero. The largest mass murder in Buenos Aires -four servants, three local security people and three more bodyguards butchered beyond recognition and nothing happens. Did at least the local police chief resign? No, the poor man was promoted for his wonderful cleaning abilities.” Pedro finished his speech almost shouting and making Eberhard cringe.

“I think we should have coffee in the living room, Dr. Lanusse,” Konrad said very seriously and looking hurt at the memories. “I would like to show you some of Guntram's paintings, if you want.”

“Yes, of course. I apologise for my manners, my Duke.”

“It's perfectly understandable, doctor. A man like Guntram deserves the good friends he has.”

'The lawyer has some spirit after all. Maybe he deserves a second chance,' Eberhard thought as he followed both men to the living room. 'Was he after my cousin too? Guntram had quite a fans club organized here and there. The Argentinean does not look bad at all. A seven, maybe. Argentinean sirloin is very famous and trying it a bit wouldn't hurt. I'm not made for celibacy like Konrad.'

* * *

December 28^th, 2010

Friederich watched from his office window how the twins were almost killing their tutor under their combined snowballs fire. 'Like father, like son,' he thought very amused as he remembered the young Konrad fighting with the gardener's sons or unsuccessfully trying to ambush him.

'My boy, you never stood a chance against me,' he remembered with a smile the young boy's face of defeat each time his face was getting hit by a full snowball before he could even throw his own one. 'You should have trained with my sisters or in my old school yard.'

'Perhaps I should interfere before they kill Eberhard but he seems to be fine and the children are happy.'

'I wish Guntram could see the princes now. They have grown a lot in the past year.'

To see Ratko running toward the interior yard entrance with Dieter rushing at his side, alarmed him as they were not expecting any kind of visitors. He imagined that the Serb was telling the young teacher to take the boys inside and his concern grew in the pit of his stomach.

Unable to control himself and fearing that it could be someone finally bringing the dreaded news, he left his office and walked toward the main entrance just to arrive in time when Dieter was opening the door of a simple Opel Insignia. His heart almost stopped when he saw the old lady coming out of the car, haughty and aloof as always, her hair white but carrying the head in the same time her son did.

'What do I do? Last time, Konrad almost strangled her for offering to take the children away,' Friederich thought and walked toward the door to receive her.

“It's all right, Friederich,” Konrad's voice boomed from the corridor. “I'll take care of this by myself,” he added when he reached the foyer and overtook the old man to descend the two steps toward the yard.

“Good afternoon, princess,” he greeted her very coldly and Marianne von Liechtenstein-Faubourg fixed her blue ice eyes on him.

“Good afternoon, Konrad,” she answered as she walked toward the door to stand in front of his son who was still blocking it. “I have flown from New York to thank you.”

“There is nothing to thank me, Madam. Good day,” he said and turned around.

“Konrad, please. Hear me out. Mr. Lacroix explained me many things and I'm terribly sorry for all the hideous things I said to Mr. de Lisle. I had no idea that he pleaded my husband's case to you even after all the sorrow I caused him,” she said very slowly and lightly touched Konrad's arm.

“Very well, Madam. Please, do come in,” he said with the same coldness he had shown earlier.

Marianne walked inside the house and saw Friederich, who bowed his head to the former Duchess. As usual, she chose to ignore him.

“Tea to the library, Dieter,” Konrad barked to the butler helping Marianne with her coat. “This way, Madam.”

Konrad waited for his mother to sit down in front of his desk before he followed her example. Still wondering what she could want from him, he preferred to let her start the game.

Marianne cast a glance around the library and save by some minor changes in the furniture, it was exactly as her first husband had left it. 'Typically Konrad,' she thought but said nothing, knowing that she was supposed to start the difficult talk.

“I've come here to thank you for your intervention on my husband's behalf. He will be released tomorrow and I'm flying to New York tonight.”

“It's a relief to hear everything was solved to your satisfaction, Madam,” Konrad commented nonchalantly.

“I would like to offer my deepest apologies to you for the way I treated Mr. de Lisle. Your lawyer, Lacroix, told me that he pleaded with you to help my husband and that you should cease any hostilities against me. Elisabetta confirmed this information too. I have spoken lengthy with her over Guntram. May I call him like this?”

“Yes, he is my husband.”

“I had the wrong impression of him. Most people described him as being naïve or absent most of the time. I thought he was nothing but a puppet you had bought for your pleasure and I was furious that he had taken over my position. My actions toward him have no excuse and I will regret to my last day that I can't ask for his forgiveness personally.”

Konrad looked at his mother as his mind quickly screamed that it was another ruse from her. “I thank your kind words,” he said blankly. “I'm sure Guntram would have had appreciated them, madam.”

“I understand words are a pitiful compensation for my acts, Konrad, but I can't think of anything else to compensate you and he,” she said very slowly and with evident pain in her voice.

“Yes, indeed. If we have finished...” Konrad said.

“I also have to apologise to you, my son. I should have never put you in the middle of my war with your father. Our marriage was a farce since the first day.”

“With all due respect, madam. That's all in the past. Perhaps, thirty years ago I would have given my life to hear those words, but now this is not part of my life. The only strong exchange of opinions I had with the Duke was when I decided to sever all ties with you, madam. It's a decision I do not regret and if I was forced to act against you, it was because you decided to pursue with your aggressions against me.”

“I'm your mother, Konrad.”

“No, you're not. Elisabetta von Lintorff is like a mother to me. I will mourn her death as such. You are a nightmarish memory and nothing else. I would be very thankful if we continue to ignore each other for the rest of our lives.”

“I would like to tell you my side of the story. You never heard it.”

“You never gave me the chance,” Konrad retorted. “Is this really necessary? Obviously, you have come here to humiliate yourself and I will obtain no satisfaction of it. Neither of us wins anything.”

“It was never your fault,” she blurted out.

“You had a funny way of showing it,” scathingly said Konrad.

“I married Karl Heinz in 1947 and he was a very sombre and stern man. I don't remember have seen him laughing or smiling until you were born. I should have never accepted our parents arrangement, but I was weak and did. We tried to make our marriage work, but it never did. Two years later, he had lost all interest in me and was going out on his own with his friends. I asked him for the divorce, but he didn't want it as he had married by the Church. I was named Consort.”

“There are not many women's names listed in our historical records, Madam. My father honoured you and that was his way to prove his love for you. He was in a war and the sole survivor of three brothers. Love is not only poetry and flowers. Love is sharing the many miseries of this life. In that sense I can consider myself blessed because Guntram was always there for me. Unconditionally.”

Marianne ignored Konrad's words and continued to speak. “Your brother was born in 1950 and Karl was the most brilliant presence in my life. I loved him with all my soul. You can understand this, as you also have two sons.”

“Yes, I do but I never made any differences between them. Klaus and Karl have very different personalities but I love them the same.”

“Your birth's circumstances were different than your brother's.”

“This is when you tell me I'm the son of the washerwoman and you had nothing to do with my birth? That I was an orphan my father picked from the garbage can?” Konrad sneered. “I expected something of better taste, madam. Your blows were much better.”

“No, you're my and Karl Heinz von Lintorff's son. Karl on the other hand never had any drop of Lintorff blood. Perhaps that's why he never showed any of your ways.”

Konrad looked at her shocked and bit his lips before he could shout her his mind or ask who was the real father. 'It's none of my concern,' he told himself firmly. 'This changes really nothing.'

“Did my father know it?” he asked instead.

“No, when Karl's problem began to be evident, Karl Heinz believed it was his fault for being too old when we had him. He never saw any of the brilliant things your brother could do. He was the sweetest creature and loved everyone, but your father needed a heir for his line and nothing else. He became colder than ever to me.”

“My earliest memory is about Karl,” Konrad said very slowly and for a second his eyes were full of pain. “Funny, I have no images of you or my father during my childhood, but I clearly remember my brother picking me up once I had fall from the cherry tree. I must have been four or five years old. I remember also a frog he gave me but I don't remember why. I never could understand why you hated me so much. You were practically rejecting me everyday. The only good persons in my life at that time were Karl and Friederich. You have no idea how much his death hurt me and you accused me of being the culprit. I was seven years old when it happened and it was a stupid hunting accident. I was not even there, but in a museum with Friederich, Madam. I only saw his body again when it was laid in the chapel in a closed coffin, sneaking in like a burglar in the night because you forbade me to come near him. Friederich took me there so I could say goodbye. He was with me when I mourned Karl.”

“When you were born and began to show your own abilities, your father began to have his suspicions. Karl looked like nothing to him. I never wanted to have you but he forced me to produce another child. If you would have been less perfect, perhaps Karl Heinz would have let it go.”

“You lied to my father and ruined his life, madam. Your duty as his wife was to give him offsprings. That's a queen's duty and nothing else. You wanted to be one but you did not live up to what was expected of you,” Konrad said sternly.

“You are exactly as your father, Konrad,” she said with contempt.

“I will take this as a compliment, Madam. Are we finished?”

“Not yet,” she said with the cold and stern voice he remembered too well. “Know that the circumstances regarding your birth were very hard for me and you displaced your brother from his place in less than a year. Your father only lived for you and began to reject Karl more and more. When you were six years old, he put him out of the succession line and ended his life to avoid any future discussions.”

“Madam, the police determined his death was a hunting accident. He shot himself in the head when he fell over the weapon.”

“Who gives a handicapped child a weapon? Only a murderer. His death served your father's purposes; to protect your future rule. Karl was the eldest and he should have been named Griffin.”

“He was conceived out of our line. My father only set things right with his decision and you should have accepted it. I still can not understand why you harbour so much rancour against me if your grudge was against my father. If you were not glad with his treatment, you should have go away and face public shame.”

“Konrad, you're exactly as he. I've come here to apologise and you show no care for my words. Have you no heart?”

“My heart was crushed when my brother died. I recovered it again when Guntram showed up in my life, but you managed to break it again. I would have loved to be the washerwoman's son. My father would have been happier with a woman of that quality.”

“Konrad!”

“I'm truly glad he found love or comfort in my own tutor's arms when he died. This conversation has lasted long enough, Madam.”

“Could you ever forgive me?”

“No. Perhaps if Guntram were here, he could find the way to convince me, but he's not. I have nothing else to say to you. We are finished. Good day.”

“Would you not even let me see my grandchildren? They are also my blood.”

“Those “abominations” as you called them? No. They have no need of you. They are perfectly happy as they are. It took me years to rebuild my life from the shambles and I would be the greatest idiot in this world if I let you in once more. Do you want to play grandmother now? Do you feel the coldness of the grave blowing unto you? God is the one who has to forgive your sins because I don't want to see you ever again in my life. I have fixed all my wrongness against you or your new family.”

“Konrad...” she said, but he ignored her and left the room, closing the door behind him.