Stealing the Heir

Part 1

Archduke Ferdinand's Master of Mechanics lived in a quaint little house in a middle-class Prague suburb. All seemed well in the Otto Klopp household. The Klopps were all seated around the dining room table, with their bellies full of chicken, and mashed potatoes, along with steamed vegetables that Otto's two boys hadn't touched.

It was a very satisfying feast that had been prepared by Otto's pregnant wife, Diana Klopp, who was due any day now with their third child. It was unlikely that anyone wanted another meal from Otto. The closer Diana came to her due date, the more protective the mechanic became. That meant that she had been forced to do as little as possible, thus the house fell into disarray and the family was served mediocre meals. But not tonight, the house was in order and no engine oil was found in the meat.

It was evening, and by now everyone was tired and weighed down from supper. Bracing herself against the table, Diana lifted her swollen body out of the wooden dining chair. "What are you doing?" Otto asked protectively.

"I was standing up. That is, if you don't mind."

"Oh," Otto looked at her flustered.

"Don't worry Otto; I will let you know when the baby is coming. Meanwhile you have two other boys to worry about." Diana looked at the miniature versions of Otto and pointed up the stairs, "You should already be in bed."

"Five more minutes?" the older boy whined.

"All of Prague is asleep and you should be too," said Otto.

"You do not know that."

"Yeah," the younger son chimed in, "I bet Prince Alek is still up."

"You do not know that."

"That's not fair, we just said that."

"Well, you could stay up but you know what will happen if you do…"

"What?"

"Oh, I don't want to scare you."

"Tell us!" they said simultaneously.

"Well if you aren't in bed when your parents tell you, little leprechauns will come and eat your brains."

"Really?" the younger boys gasped.

"Yup. So if I were you—"

"We're going!" the boys ran upstairs as fast as they could.

"You know, they are only going to have nightmares now," Diana said.

"We can deal with that later." Otto looked to his side and saw his senile mother asleep in her chair, then turned back to his wife. "Why can't they sleep like her?" Otto's mother stayed with them two years ago on the notion that it would only be temporary, but it was clear now that his old mother would be a permanent occupant in their home.

"Who are you?" the senile old woman asked suddenly. Otto looked down at his small mother peering at him through round bifocals. She looked acute but her mind was not.

"I am your son, mother."

"Otto?"

"Yes that's right."

"But you are so big. I only gave birth to you yesterday."

"No," Otto shook his head, "you're confused. I wasn't born yesterday."

"Are you sure? I think I would know."

"I am quite sure. Today is June twenty-eighth, nineteen fourteen. Didn't you take your pills this morning?"

His mother waved the question away with her hand, "I know what I'm doing."

"Mother please, you know what the doctor said."

"Yes, yes. But what does he know? As far as I am concerned, I only take it when I need it. Today, I am as sharp as a whip."

"What's today's date?"

"December fourteenth, seventeen twelve."

"No, mother I just told you. Please take your medicine now."

There was a sudden knock at the door, a banging rather, and the elderly woman lost Otto's attention. "Who could be paying us a visit this late at night?" Diana said as she headed towards the door, the rapping kept going at a deafening pace. "My Goodness."

"I will get it Diana, don't move," Otto got up and walked across the room. The rapping became more urgent every passing second, and when that had not received an answer the visitor started ringing the doorbell. "I'm coming I'm coming!"

"I could have gotten the door Otto, I am not completely helpless," Diana pointed out, "you act as if I will shatter at any moment."

Otto shrugged, turned the brass doorknob and opened the door. The door bell rang and vibrated in his ear until the last second. To Otto's surprise he found himself eye to eye with Wildcount Volger who let himself in without waiting for an invitation.

"What took you so long to open the door?" Volger spat.

Klopp decided not to respond the way he wanted to respond to the count, not in front of his wife and mother. Who knows, the baby may be able to hear inside the womb as well. So he hid his annoyance and apologized for the delay using the air of speech he preferred to use around nobles.

"What brings you to our home at this late hour, Count?" Diana placed here hand on her swollen stomach out of habit. Volger took a few deep breaths and looked back and forth between her and Otto. Otto hadn't realized it before but the count was sweating and panting hard, he looked tired and upset as if he had just ran across the country.

"Is everything okay, Count?" Klopp asked cautiously.

Volger's eyes were still fixed on Diana, "May I speak with you privately, Master Klopp?"

Otto looked at him, concerned, "Why yes, is it serious?"

"Would I be here otherwise?"