Published at 9th of October 2026 6:09 am

Chapter 979: Reunion

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Claire returned from her little outing back to her family’s estate in Orleans. Her brothers were dressed in military uniforms, with badges and orders given simply due to their hereditary status.

France had not seen combat since it surrendered in 1939. The only units who actually had put their lives on the line were the French Gendarmes and law enforcement agencies.

The Army itself was the ground component of the French Self Defense Forces, and they were at best a glorified border guard.

It was a breeding ground for the new aristocracy to do nothing and claim glory by virtue of "serving" as officers in the army.

Whenever Claire saw her brothers, now retired, dressed in formal military attire, with a ribbon bar of accolades despite none of them ever having fired a weapon other than during qualifications and training. She couldn’t help but internally sigh and roll her eyes.

But she never expressed the contempt. She simply smiled and passed her brothers by. All of which looked at her as with the same contempt she concealed beneath her grace. But for entirely different reasons.

One of the brothers looked at another and muttered something not so quietly beneath his breath.

"Isn’t it about time she finds herself a husband? She has rejected every suitor who has ever tried to take her hand. And quite brutally at that. At this rate, I think our dearest sister will be a spinster for life."

Claire pretended not to have heard the comment as she walked towards the main phone in the house, located in the kitchen.

She dialed a number, one that she had known for many years but had never dared to call. That is until today...

Her brothers joked and laughed at her expense in the background, but she didn’t pay any attention to them.

Instead, she waited patiently as the line ringed once, twice, thrice. Then it connected. And instantly, when she spoke, the flawless Alemannic dialect in which she spoke German caught the attention of all her brothers, with a series of fierce gazes cast her way.

Not that they could understand a word she said.

"Hello, this is Claire de Rochefort... I was wondering if Bruno von Zehntner is available?"

Her brother’s ferocity was instantly quelled into silence, as they dispersed the moment they heard the name of the German Chancellor.

They had no idea what was said in between, but the mere mention of that man was enough for them to slink away into the shadows like snakes.

Claire finally smiled once they were gone, but not because of her brothers’ flight, rather the voice on the other end was what made her happy, as she played with the phone’s cord unconsciously.

"Might I be correct to presume this isn’t a social call, Claire?"

Claire sighed, a heavy weight crashing over her chest as she heard the words. She knew why Bruno would say this and was quick to address the elephant in the room.

"I should apologize... Even after how things ended, you have been kind enough to invite me to your family gatherings, and year after year I have rejected your friendship. I wish I could say it was simply because my family feels uncomfortable with how I turned out after studying in the Reich, but... that is not entirely the case...."

Bruno didn’t say anything, not at first, which caused Claire to grow all the more anxious. But his voice wasn’t stern, or filled with hidden wrath.

Or contempt, instead there was a heavy sigh, followed by a sound that could only be described as two pieces of ice clinking in the bottom of a glass.

Then there was a brief silence once more before Bruno finally spoke.

"I understand... It was unfortunate that we parted in such a pitiful manner. I have expected for some time that you still hold some resentment towards me for that. I would apologize again, but I’m afraid if that were enough to satisfy you, you would have come home long ago."

Come home... The words made tears pool in the corner of Claire’s eyes. She shook her head, trying to remain in control of herself.

She knew that Bruno had thought of her as an adopted member of his family, even if there was no official status of such a thing. And if she were to be honest with herself, she had felt the same for many years now.

Still, Bruno’s next words were carefully spoken, with a heavy weight tied to each.

"I suppose I have another sin to apologize for.... Though, in truth, it’s not mine to bear, and yet I feel weighted by it all the same.... If the reports on my desk are to be believed, then it would appear that very soon, Princess Isabelle will request you as her personal handmaiden. Considering you are significantly older than her, I am concerned she may have heard rumors about the relationship between you and Karl-Franz and is planning this as a humiliation ritual. I have people looking into her intentions as we speak, but unless she plans to actively threaten your physical well being, there is not much I can do to stop this."

This news did not crush Claire, unlike how Bruno expected it to. In fact, it served as a reminder of the reason she called. Causing her to laugh lightly at the cosmic timing of it all.

"It’s funny you say that, because I was about to call you to ask for a very similar favor... I’m not sure how much you know about the situation in France. But our noble class.... Is not the beacon of merit like yours is. And the people are growing resentful of the decadence and waste that plagues Versailles. I want to change that... but first I need greater access to the court... And I need the help of an old friend."

Bruno didn’t speak, not at first... He simply sipped his liquor at the other end of the line. And Claire knew it, too. When he finally spoke, it was only after she heard the glass being placed on his desk.

"You have grown up, Claire... Although I shouldn’t be surprised at this point... Very well, so long as you don’t intent to actually overthrow the court of Versailles, and instead intend to reform it into something more stable, my resources are at your disposal. And Claire, you should speak with Karl-Franz... I know you still speak with Maria and Theresa. But it would do Karl-Franz some good to have a woman in his life he actually cares for. I have to go now, think about what I said."

Bruno hung up the line, leaving Claire to sit with his words. She didn’t know what was more shocking: that the young Princess Isabelle wanted Claire to personally attend to her, especially as the wedding was coming up. Or that Karl-Franz had no feelings whatsoever towards the woman he was about to marry.

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