Tyranny of Steel

Linde sat on a love seat with one leg crossed over the other. She wore a pretty smile on her exquisite face while the white gold and sky blue topaz jewelry she was wearing glistened under the light of the sun that flowed through the nearby windows. She had gone all out on her appearance for this meeting with the young Hungarian harlot who was pursuing her seven-year-old son. 

Even Noemi was impressed by the woman's stunning appearance while she sipped on a teacup filled with coffee. Though the girl was shivering in fear of what might happen to her. A squad of guards who belonged to Imperial Intelligence escorted her to the palace, and by the looks of the woman sitting across from her, this was an interrogation. Linde could tell the teenage girl was intimidated by her presence, causing her to smile as she lectured the girl about everything she knew. 

"Vászoly Noemi, age thirteen, date of birth July 2nd, 1412. Born in the neighboring Kingdom of Hungary to a major noble family, you immigrated to Germany less than a year ago after your family suffered from economic setbacks caused by the Catholic World's economic sanctions. You have one deceased older sister, and a living older brother who is the heir to your family's lands. 

Currently, you are being taken care of by a servant of your family named Dudás Lilla, who is currently the mistress of a young German Officer in the Border Guard. You live in the city of Kufstein with a sizeable allowance from your family and attend the Royal Kufstein Academy as part of the gifted program. 

Roughly half a year ago, you first contacted my son. At first I thought you were just a friend that my little Hans has made, but today you made a scene by sparking conflict with Princess Veronika. Because of that, I am convinced you have ulterior motives towards my son. So how about you spill your intentions before I resort to some more forceful methods to learn the truth..."

Noemi's skeleton nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard the beautiful redheaded woman across from her accurately state so much information about her life. When those furious sky-blue eyes cast their gaze upon her, the inexperienced girl immediately blurted out her reasoning for approaching Hans.

"I've always wanted a little brother!"

Linde and Hans gazed upon the teenage girl with suspicion and confusion when she said these words, with Linde interrogating her further.

"What do you mean by that?"

Though she looked calm, the director of intelligence was gripping the hand rests of her sofa intensely. If she had a bit more strength in her hands, she might possibly be capable of snapping them in two. This did not go unnoticed by both Hans and Noemi, causing the girl to take a deep breath before speaking of her intentions in a way that made sense.

"I'm the youngest in my siblings, with an older sister and brother. The two of them spoiled me when I was a kid, so much so that I've always wanted a little sibling of my own to share the love I received. Specifically, a little brother. When I first saw Hans, he was like the spitting image of what I always envisioned for a little brother.

He was so cute, and too smart for his own good. So I watched him for several weeks, trying to figure out the best way to talk to him. I noticed that he always finished the food that was prepared for him with a happy smile on his face, except on Thursdays, where he had a particular casserole that he never seemed to finish. 

Because of this, I made him a tuna sandwich and gave it to him, knowing that he would be interested in eating it, instead of what was prepared for him that day. Since then I have maintained a friendly relationship with the Prince so that he thinks of me as a big sister..."

Hans was not an idiot. He had guessed the girl's intentions since the first time he met her. Despite knowing her schemes, the fact remained that he enjoyed being spoiled by beautiful older women with big boobs, and though Veronika was young, she was more developed than the other girls in his class. Thus, he tolerated her shenanigans, not thinking anything of it.

However, when he heard the girl confess to the fact that he was throwing away his mother's lunches on Thursdays, the young Prince stiffened in terror. The ever watching gaze of his mother's sky-blue eyes peered into his soul as she wore a pretty smile on her face. However, Hans knew that behind this smile was the black heart of a woman scorned. Thus, it was no surprise when she addressed this point.

"Hans... Is what this girl says true? Are you throwing away my lunches and eating her cooking instead?"

Hans lowered his head, in fear of looking upon Linde's vicious gaze. Noemi noticed this and could tell something was wrong with this situation. She could only look upon the boy and apologize by silently mouthing the words.

"I'm sorry..."

Hans remained silent, which only cause Linde to become more furious.

"Hans, you answer me this instant!"

Upon hearing the woman's voice raise, he nearly jumped out of his seat and quickly sang like a canary. 

"Yes, mommy..."

Hans tensed up and shut his eyes in fear of what his mother might do to him. However, the unexpected happened. Her furious gaze lightened, and she grabbed hold of her son and sat him in her lap while clutching his head to her bosom, all while speaking to him in a caring tone.

"Hans, you should have told me if you didn't enjoy that dish, I would have gladly prepared you another in its place! I'm not a mind reader, you silly boy. You must tell mommy when you don't like a meal..."

Hans gazed up at his mother's beautiful face and sighed in relief. He thought for sure he was going to be in trouble when this secret of his was revealed. However, in the next moment, the woman's voice turned ice cold as she gazed over at Noemi, who looked upon the scene of confusion.

"As for you, you will apologize to my daughter-in-law for causing a scene, and then you will never speak to my little Hans again. If I find out you are approaching him after today, I will have you transferred to another school. Do I make myself clear?"

Hans was about to protest when Linde shot him a fierce gaze and pressed her finger to his lips before scolding him on his errant behavior.

"Don't think you are off the hook just yet, young man. You are way too young to be spoiled by a woman other than your mother. I am going to make sure you sit in your room and think about what you have done before you I allow you out of my sight again!"

Noemi was sitting in silence with a downcast expression. She had really enjoyed her time with Hans, but if the Empress of Germany was giving her a command, then she had no choice but to submit. Who was she? She was an immigrant girl, and if she kept pursuing Hans in his family's territory, Linde could make her life extremely difficult. The young Hungarian beauty could only sigh in defeat as she wiped the tears from her eyes and agreed to Linde's orders.

"Alright, I understand. I won't approach Hans anymore... I'm sorry for the mess I have caused... Goodbye, Hans."

After saying this, the girl was escorted from the room. Where Hans began to puff his cheeks in consternation. He pouted towards his mother, who stroked his strawberry blonde hair in an attempt to calm his inner fury.

"Oh, Hans, you are only seven years old. There will be plenty of time for other women to spoil you. Just let mommy have this while you are still young and adorable. You also need to apologize to Veronika. It is never acceptable to strike a lady!"

Hans refused to look into his mother's eyes and thus averted his gaze as he muttered under his, brought about his disagreement with the woman's last statement.

"That's not what father says..."

Apparently, Linde heard the boy's remark and glared at him before speaking her thoughts aloud.

"Your father is an ass."

Linde was being a bit of a hypocrite, as she was a masochist who loved being punished by her "master". However, she could not easily tell her young son that it was okay to be rough with a woman when she consented to it. That was a conversation he was way too young to have. Hans, however, stared in awe at his mother before questioning what the woman had just said.

"I thought you loved father?"

In response to this question, Linde gazed upon her son with confusion in her sky-blue eyes. What did she say that implied she did not love Berengar? She quickly clarified her stance so that the boy wouldn't have any confusion about his parents' relationship.

"I love your father more than anything, but that doesn't change the fact that he's an ass. I just happen to find that aspect of his personality attractive..."

Hans gave his mother a strange look before commenting on her personality.

"You're weird..."

Linde simply smiled and patted the boy's hair before responding to this statement.

"And you're my son, so do as I say and apologize to your little fiancee, or I will confine you to your room for a month"

The Prince pouted once more, as he tried to object to his mother's orders.

"But father says-"

Linde's fierce gaze pierced through Hans's soul as she spoke in a stern voice, silencing him before he could finish his thought. 

"I don't care what your father says, you will do what I say!"

Hans could only lower his head in defeat and agree to his mother's request. Perhaps if Berengar was here at this moment, he would convince Linde that the boy shouldn't apologize. After all, what he said was true for the most part.

However, when the Kaiser was busy with work, Linde's rule was absolute as far as household affairs were concerned. Thus, Hans could only approach Veronika and apologize for what he had said, even if he didn't mean it.