Chapter 127: Rake

Chapter 127: Rake



After breakfast was over, Bruno was required to report back to the Kaiser, the man had after all made a personal request of him to become closer to the Tsar, and while Bruno had achieved some modicum progress in this regard it was not exactly like a strong bond of

friendship could be built overnight.

Unless, of course, there were some extraneous circumstances like Bruno saved the Tsar's life, or they endured some trauma together like a survival situation, or fighting on the battlefield. And none such occasion had occurred during his time in Russia.

Because of this, Bruno appeared at the Kaiser's palace where the man was clearly expecting his arrival, as he had quickly been welcomed into the home. Bruno saw the Prussian Princess Victoria-Louise upon entering the building, and though he tried to say hello to her, she simply glared at him as if he was some pile of refuse before walking off while pouting, all without saying a word.

Bruno had no idea what he had done to antagonize the young princess, but frankly knowing women it could have been something incredibly mild, or it was just one of those days, and thus he walked into the room where the Kaiser was waiting for him without saying another word.

The Kaiser seemed pleased to see Bruno, no doubt his spies in the court of the Tsar had reported everything about his visit to Russia to the man shortly after they happened, and because of this Wilhelm couldn't help but make a comment of jest at Bruno's expense.

"There's the Russian Prince we all know and love..."

Frankly speaking, Bruno did not consider himself on friendly enough terms with the Kaiser to receive such camaraderie from the man, especially when it came in the form of not so friendly banter. Even so, there was not exactly anything he could do about it. I mean, what man would be foolish enough to reprimand an emperor for trying to be friendly with them?

Because of this, Bruno sighed and made a comment in a rather grumbled tone about the whole ordeal.

"So, I suppose you know everything already..."

The Kaiser stood up from his seat and approached Bruno, patting the man on the back as he confirmed this was indeed the case.

"Oh, of course, from what I have heard, it came as quite a surprise to you and your lovely young wife when you learned of the status you received months prior at the end of the Russian Civil War. Honestly, I'm starting to suspect that you simply do not listen to me, when I speak to you... Or perhaps is it just ceremonial affairs that you have a hard time enduring?"

I myself am all too aware of your ultimate objectives. Securing a Japanese victory in the East, and saving the House of Romanov, were actions that will benefit Germany substantially in the years to come. Even of those old codgers in the Bundesrat can't see that yet.

Until your efforts come to full fruition, I'm afraid all I can grant you for your merit is what I have already given you. Still, it makes me proud to know that your allegiance still stands with the fatherland. So, I appreciate that, even if I can't fully show you how much it means to me.

If you think being a Russian Prince is so unbelievable, then it makes me yearn to see your face in the coming decades when you hold an equal status here in the fatherland. I truly believe you have such meanings. So don't disappoint me, my friend.

Now, I have taken up enough of your time. You are needed back at the Central Division, are you not?"

This was Wilhelm's way of saying Bruno was dismissed, and because of this, he quickly saluted the German Emperor before walking out of the room. On his way out of the palace, he was confronted by Princess Victoria-Louise once more, who was in just as foul of a mood as

she was before.

Though Bruno wanted to say something, she simply passed by him, leaving behind a single word of condemnation as she did so, which only caused Bruno to collapse into a state of

further confusion.

"Rake..."

Bruno looked back at the girl with a look of bewilderment but by the time he did so, she had already absconded from sight. The term rake, while having fallen out of the common language by the 21st century, was historically used as far back as the mid 1600s to describe a man of ill repute. Specifically, when it came to womanizing.

Unlike the term Casanova, which held roughly the same meaning and could in some circumstances to be used as a means of praising a man's ability to woo the opposite sex. The term Rake was almost always, if not always, used as a term of condemnation of the highest

degree.

Even so, Bruno could not for the life of him understand why the Prussian Princess had referred to him by such a term, considering he was nothing but loyal to his wife. Because of this, he would continue to mull over this slanderous statement for the rest of the day without ever coming to a proper conclusion.