Re: Blood and Iron

Josef was dressed in a finely tailored suit. While of excellent quality, it was not from any extravagant designer. The materials were finely spun, and the craftsmanship was perfect but Bruno was never the kind of man to throw money at a name for recognition alone.

Among Bruno’s eight children, Josef was one of two who had inherited the rare but ever-present red hair that traced through the family’s bloodline. It was neatly styled and combed. His teal eyes glistened in the mirror as his mother ensured he looked perfect for his upcoming meeting.

Heidi, ever the doting mother, gently patted his shoulders, brushing invisible dust from the fabric of his beige three-piece suit. His wine-colored silk tie and matching pocket square had been perfectly placed, though she continued to fidget with them out of reflex.

Josef barely recognized himself in the mirror. He seldom wore such formal attire, except during major holidays or family events. Yet here he stood, groomed like a miniature gentleman; because this was not just another dinner.

As Heidi straightened his tie for the fifth time, she whispered in his ear, voice gentle but serious.

“Now, Josef… The young lady you’re about to meet may be a bit older, but she is the Duchess of Hohenberg, and your fiancée. You’d do well to remember that she lost both of her parents in a terrible tragedy. So act with tact, as the little gentleman I know you are.”

Bruno, standing in the doorway in a plain but well-fitted civilian coat, raised a brow with mock impatience.

“Heidi… The boy looks clean enough. His fiancée has been waiting five whole minutes. Is he finally presentable to your liking?”

Heidi turned sharply, glancing at the nearby grandfather clock. Her expression turned sheepish as she realized time had indeed flown by. She gave Josef one last pat and stepped back.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize. Go on, darling. Behave yourself.”

Josef passed by his father with a quiet nod. As he did, Bruno leaned down slightly and said with a smirk:

“Now don’t tell your mother, but I may have lied just now. Your date is not waiting for you at the venue yet. But if I had to watch your mother brush your coat one more time, I might’ve been forced to say something unkind. And that wouldn’t be appropriate, now would it? How are you holding up, kiddo?”

Josef hesitated, then gave an honest reply, looking drained:

“Is it always going to be this tiring?”

Bruno chuckled and slung an arm around his son’s shoulder.

“Kid… You haven’t even scratched the surface. Just be thankful you’re going through a courtship, not what came after the old traditions vanished. The ‘alternative’ is a hell I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy…”

Josef couldn’t have known his father was remembering the madness of 21st-century dating from his previous life. The apps. The lies. The loneliness. There was a reason Bruno had never married in that world. Nor did he desire to see it return.

But Josef wouldn’t have to suffer that fate. He had something almost no one did anymore: time. He didn’t need to seduce or impress in some high-stakes game. He simply needed to grow up, be decent, and build a relationship on mutual trust.

And with that in mind, Bruno led the boy to the reserved venue. It was a quiet, upscale restaurant in Innsbruck, rented out for the day. True to his word, they were the first to arrive. Appetizers were already laid out. Staff stood quietly at attention. Bruno’s security detail lingered nearby, ensuring nobody, staff or otherwise, could threaten the young couple.

It was no more than five minutes that passed before the door opened. Sophie entered, dressed as elegantly as Josef, if not more so. Her family after all had spared no expense to ensure she looked appropriate for the date. It was a luxury they could afford, and Karl was willing to pay for the sake of making this betrothal work.

She was stunning in the way an older girl seemed to a boy just beginning to understand the idea of beauty. And as a result Josef stared, mouth nearly open, as his nerves rushed to the surface. Sophie, for her part, looked equally uncomfortable.

After all, she wasn’t accustomed to formal conversation with children half her age. Yet, when she sat down across from him, she gave a graceful, practiced greeting.

“I suppose some introductions are in order… Sophie von Hohenberg. It’s a pleasure to meet your acquaintance. I… I suppose I shall be in your care from now on…”

Her face flushed the moment the words left her lips. It felt too awkward speaking with such formality, knowing the intent behind them, to someone so much younger than herself. She averted her gaze and brushed a loose strand of hair from her cheek, a simple gesture that somehow only made Josef’s heart beat faster.

Josef tried to respond with equal formality, but his mouth got ahead of his brain.

“Josef von Zehntner! I mean, my name is Josef. And… the pleasure is mine…”

Sophie laughed softly, unable to contain her amusement. Josef’s face turned red in an instant.

From afar, Bruno and Heidi listened in with fond amusement. Bruno tipped his hat, a smirk tugging at the edge of his mouth.

“Ah… to be young again. And in love.”

Heidi rolled her eyes.

“You’re not even forty, dear. Don’t start pretending you’re some withered grandfather just yet.”

Still, even she couldn’t deny the quiet ache in her heart, watching yet another of their children begin to grow up. Ultimately, the day would go well for Josef and Sophie. No grand gestures were made, nor were they necessary to impress.

They simply got to know one another, alone, over a nice meal at a nice restaurant. And when they parted, a promise to meet again when the time was appropriate to do so. Nothing more, nothing less. And in the world of courtship, that was considered a success in and of itself.

And though Sophie had entered expecting awkward silence, she left with the faintest smile, wondering what kind of man the boy might one day become.

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