Tyranny of Steel

Within the confines of the dining hall of the German Imperial Palace, the von Kufstein family sat together and dined for the first time in a long time. Berengar gazed at his children and smiled. It had truly been some time since been together with all of his kids in one place. While the German Emperor was inspecting his children, one boy in particular was digging into his food with an ecstatic expression.

Hans, much like his father, was an avid eater, and thoroughly enjoyed the foreign dishes that Yasmin cooked whenever she found herself in the kitchen. Taking a lesson from his father ’s playbook, the Crowned Prince smiled and complimented the chef for her skills.

”Mommy Yasmin, your cooking is amazing, as always! ”

Such a compliment caused the Moorish Princess to grin in delight as she tussled the boy ’s strawberry blonde hair. After doing so, she served up another slice of roasted lamb for her husband ’s oldest son.

”I ’m glad to see that you like it so much Hans, here have some more… ”

Hans did not hesitate to take a bite out of the succulent lamb. While this was going on, Linde was glaring at her son. The boy was so quick to compliment Yasmin ’s cooking, but not her own. Thus, the redheaded vixen hurriedly shoveled a pile of Käsespätzle that she had prepared for this occasion onto her son ’s plate, as if she were competing with the Moorish beauty.

”Hans, have some of mommy ’s Käsespätzle, I ’m sure you will enjoy it just as much as Yasmin ’s lamb. ”

Hans did not deny his mother, and quickly took a spoonful of the noodle dish and ate it with a delighted expression.

”Thanks mommy, your cooking is good too! ”

As per usual, the boy acted his own age around his parents. Neither Linde nor Berengar were fully aware of just how intelligent the boy was, or the schemes that had festered in his mind. As for the Emperor, he frowned as he saw his two favorite wives compete for his son ’s affection and not his own. Thus, he decided to stir the pot by turning to one of his other brides.