Tyranny of Steel

While Berengar was speaking with his wife Linde about his past life, and everything he could recall from that world. Another important discussion was going on in a different corner of the house. A young princess was sitting in shock as her fiance had proclaimed the hidden truth he knew.

"So, Veronika, I see you still fancy my father..."

Hans was sipping from a teacup, which was filled with milk while he acted as if he was perfectly calm. A state of being, in which he was anything but. Quite some time ago, the Princess of Bohemia had approached the Emperor of Germany and asked that she be betrothed to him rather than his son.

This was a request that Berengar had denied, something which displeased the young girl. However, she was completely unaware that her actual fiance, Prince Hans von Kufstein, had overheard her, and until now had kept his mouth shut on the issue.

Hans was initially willing to let this request slide. After all, he was rather close to Veronika, and had assumed it was a mere passing fancy one, which she had gotten over. However, Hans had recently spotted his fiancee fawning over his father after the man returned from his expedition, and because of this, the boy could no longer keep his wrath confined.

The Prince of Germany was not even ten years old, but his intellect had expanded rapidly, to the point where he was practically on the same level as the Bohemian Princess who was now a young adolescent girl. Despite this, he had the emotional maturity of a child his age. The fact that he had been able to keep quiet on this issue for so long was a miracle in itself.

Veronika flushed red in embarrassment as she reflected on the past incident, where she foolishly chased after Berengar. She had no idea that the boy Hans was aware of her crush. However, she had come to terms that she was engaged to the man's son, and took solace in the fact that the boy was equally exceptional in his own way.

Her only complaint was that her fiance was still a young child, and it would be many years before he was an age where they could actually be intimate with one another. Her first instinct was to deny and deflect, which is exactly what she did once she came to her senses.

"What are you talking about? Berengar is a brute. A man who stole my father's crown, and holds me prisoner. How could I possibly admire such a man?"

Despite the princess's words, Hans was having a hard time believing her. After all, her emotions were written all over her face.

"You are a terrible liar..."

Upon seeing that she had been caught red-handed, Veronika finally admitted the truth.

"While I may have had a crush on your father in the past, I realize now that I was foolish, and I just have to be patient until you come of age."

In response to this, Hans merely scoffed as he took another sip of his milk. After doing so, he pointed out the holes in the girl's story.

"If that were true, you wouldn't have been fawning over him the moment he returned home from another one of his campaigns. What were your words... Oh yeah, I think it was something along the lines of "Oh my Kaiser, where did you go this time? Did you claim new land for our Empire? Did you kill anybody? Is there room for one more in your harem? You are so brave and strong!"

Veronika immediately protested the boy as he mocked her.

"I did not say such a thing!"

Once more, the Prince of Germany wore a smug expression on his childish face as he commented on the girl's denial.

"You didn't need to. The expression on your face said it for you..."

The Princess of Bohemia had never been so embarrassed in her entire life. Did she really look like she was harboring such thoughts? She was only admiring the hero who saved her from her mother after he had made another triumphant return. The emperor didn't truly believe she thought of him in such a way, did he? She could only come up with a suitable excuse for her behavior.

"Okay, I'll admit it. I'm a fan of your father, but that doesn't mean I still fancy him!"

Hans did not say a word. He remained silent as he let the girl's protests speak for themselves. Obviously, she could not handle the awkward atmosphere as she once more began defending her actions.

"It's hard not to be a fan of him. He single-handedly united our Empire and has never been defeated in battle. He is fearless, charming, domineering, and cares about his loved ones deeply. I'm not the only one who is an admirer of Berengar. Practically the entire Empire is as well!"

After hearing such praise, Hans felt as if he was about to have an aneurysm. He finally snapped and let out his innermost thoughts on his father.

"My father is a fool who has needlessly put his life at risk too many times to count. For what purpose? Some vain pursuit of glory on the battlefield? He is either a fool or he is a bloodthirsty maniac who can only rest after he has taken someone's life.

Either way, my mother shouldn't have to sit at home and worry about that bastard's safe return every time he goes off to war! My father is more often found on the battlefield than he is at home with his family. It just goes to show his priorities..."

Veronika was taken aback when she heard the princes' true thoughts on his father. Clearly, Hans had become bitter after witnessing his mother in a state of despair after Berengar had gone missing. He was right about one thing, though: Berengar had spent more time at war than looking after his family.

This was a major point of contention for not only Hans but Helga as well, who practically considered her father a stranger. The Bohemian Princess suddenly realized what was going on. Hans was not angry at her; he was angry at his father. Thus, she wore a smug smile as she witnessed the prince pouting.

"You know, Hans, your father is an incredibly busy man. In case you haven't noticed, the man has an Empire to run. I'm sure he simply forgets to spend time with you and your siblings. Communication is a two-way street. Have you ever actually requested that your father spend some time with you? I'm sure he would be willing to do so if you asked politely.

I can't even imagine how hard he is working to secure a better future for you, your siblings, and the German people as a whole. Not to mention he has four wives and a mistress that he has to, erm... satisfy. I'm sure it slips his mind to spend some time with his kids. If you don't ask, then you will never find out if he is willfully neglecting you, or if he simply loses track of time."

Though Hans may be a brilliant child, he was severely lacking in wisdom and maturity. The reason was simple. Those two things usually came with life experience, and he had yet to reach double digits in years, let alone the age of the majority. It had never actually occurred to him to take the initiative. After all, Linde worked equally hard as Berengar, but she always made time for her kids. If that was the case, why couldn't his father?

Fundamentally, it came down to the last reason that Veronika had listed, Berengar had too many lovers to satisfy on both an emotional and physical level. The five of them monopolized his free time, so much so that it was often at the expense of their children. There were only so many hours of the day, and Berengar had too much to do.

Hans had realized that Veronika was right, and felt ashamed of taking his anger out on her and his father. He immediately got up from his seat and bowed to the girl before departing.

"Thank you for the insight. I know what I have to do..."

After saying this, Hans ran off towards his parents, hoping to ask them to spend some quality time together as a family. He did not know what kind of major revelation Berengar was sharing with Linde at this very moment, but he was about to find out more than he had bargained for when he stumbled upon their conversation. By the time Hans had located his parents, they were deep in a discussion about his past life.

"If I told you that in that in my past life, mankind had already been to the moon, would you believe me?"

The moment Hans overheard this statement; the boy stopped in his tracks and hid outside the room, eavesdropping on his parents' conversation. Just what madness was his father speaking? This was a tremendous revelation, and if true, would explain many of the boy's questions about his father. While Berengar and Linde spent the night speaking about his past life, they were completely unaware that Hans had heard the entire conversation.