Chapter Six - Making Plans
Granzreich, 1883
A knock at the door drew Heine's attention. "Come in," he called, and Helene the maid entered with a tea tray and an envelope.
"As requested, Professor Heine, your afternoon tea. I also have a letter for His Highness." She set down the tray, then handed the envelope to Bruno and curtseyed. "If you'll excuse me."
"Thank you, madame," Heine replied politely, and she gave him a quick smile before departing.
Bruno's attention, however, was on the envelope, which he quickly opened and read. His eyes lit up, and Heine gave him an interested look.
"Good news, prince?"
"Indeed," Bruno said with a smile. "After my presentation at Wienner University, a request was made by one of the audience members for me to speak at Granzreich University as well. They've extended me a formal invitation for a presentation in six weeks' time."
Heine's eyes crinkled in satisfaction, an expression that by now Bruno knew was his equivalent of a beaming smile. "I see. Well done, Your Highness. I am gratified that your hard work has paid off so well. Tell me, do they wish you to present on the same paper, or are they requesting something new?"
"No, the invitation is for me to provide the salient points of my paper and then oversee a symposium from other scholars on how these ideas might be implemented at varying levels of government and other institutions." It almost took the young man's breath away to even think about it. That other scholars should be writing papers and presenting ideas based on my writings! It's almost too much to take in!
For a moment, Bruno cradled the envelope to his chest, his head bowed, eyes closed, and shoulders shaking. "Master... this would never have happened if not for you. Had you not challenged me, I could never have done this." He looked up at the tutor, his eyes shining. "I cannot begin to thank you."
Heine shook his head. "No, prince, it was all your doing. A teacher can motivate his students, but the production of ideas and results is all yours. You should be proud."
Bruno was quiet for a minute, then he said hesitantly, "Master... there is something I'd wanted to discuss with you. You had offered once before to listen, and... and I think that is what I need right now."
Heine sat back on the sofa and studied the prince. He did not seem ill at ease or upset, but by now he was familiar enough with Bruno's moods to know when he was trying to work his way through a problem.
"Of course, Highness. I am always here if you need me."
Bruno nodded once, then he got up and began slowly pacing around the room, trying to decide how to begin.
"It is something I've been pondering ever since I turned down Doctor Dmitri's offer."
"Are you having second thoughts, Highness?"
The prince shook his head. "No, it's not that. It's..." He sighed in frustration and ran his fingers through his light brown hair, then he turned to Heine and held out his hands in a silent plea. "Master, everything you do, you succeed at brilliantly... have you ever once considered what would happen if you were to fail in an undertaking? Or do you only ever face each challenge with confidence, certain you will overcome it?"
Heine gave Bruno a long, measuring look. "Of course I consider what would happen if I fail. It would be the height of arrogance to assume that I am beyond mistakes. And not even I can plan for every eventuality - factors might come into play over which I have no control, and those might cause my efforts to fall short of the mark or fail entirely. But I cannot let myself be paralyzed by 'what ifs.' I must still at least make the attempt, giving it my all."
Bruno nodded, but still looked uncertain. "And... and what happens if you fail?"
"I do the only thing that I can do, my prince. I try to learn from the experience." He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he studied his pupil. "And I assure you, Your Highness, no matter what you might think of me, I have indeed known failure. I have undertaken endeavours both great and small, and sometimes, either through my own actions or inactions, or through forces I could not control, I failed. But it is how you deal with failure that defines your character. Will you give up after a single attempt? Or will you try again, having learned from your failure? No one can decide that but you. And if I may speak frankly, Prince Bruno, your resolve is a truly formidable force."
Bruno lowered his head, but not before Heine saw his faint blush.
"It's kind of you to say so, Master."
"It is not kindness, prince, it is fact. A lesser man would have given up upon perceiving that his eldest brother was all but seated on the throne. A lesser man would have accepted a different but no less challenging career as a scholar rather than seek kingship. That is not you."
Bruno hid his face in his hands, and Heine could see how much his praise meant to the young man. He rose from the sofa, crossed to Bruno, and reached up to rest his hand on the prince's shoulder.
"You once swore that you would never disappoint me. Trust me when I say that I believe you, Highness."
His face still hidden, Bruno nodded.
Later that evening, as Heine sat at his desk grading the princes' homework, he heard a firm knock at his door, and without turning, called out, "Come in!"
The door opened, then closed, and then he heard, "I'll trade this fine Niedergranzreich wine for an hour of your time, Royal Tutor."
With an exasperated look, Heine turned around to see Viktor leaning against the door, a bottle of wine in one hand and two glasses in the other.
"No jokes about giving wine to a child? Dare I hope that you've finally given up on that?"
"Well, the thought did cross my mind, but I feared you would summarily throw me out of your room if I did," Viktor said with a chuckle.
"It's your palace, Viktor, it would hardly be my place to throw you out." He eyed the bottle in Viktor's hand, then sighed with a faint smile. "Still, a brief respite would not be amiss."
The king smiled and took a seat at the table, putting down the wine and glasses.
"So, tell me, Heine. How goes my boys' studying?" Viktor poured a glass of wine for himself, and another for Heine, then handed the glass across the table to the tutor.
Heine accepted the glass with a nod of thanks, and they clinked glasses and drank.
"All four are making progress, each in their own way. Are you wanting a formal report, or is this more of a casual inquiry?"
"Over wine, I should think casual."
Heine nodded. "Prince Kai makes excellent progress in speaking to others. He still tends to limit his conversational topics to inconsequentials, but he is proving to be an excellent listener. Many among the palace staff have commented that they no longer feel afraid to approach him and make conversation."
Viktor closed his eyes briefly and sighed in relief. "I am so pleased to hear that. Truth be told, Heine, it broke my heart every time I saw how frightened the staff was of him."
"As for Prince Leonhard, he is slowly mastering the basics and seems to actually enjoy learning. His ambition occasionally outstrips his common sense, but I think he will surprise us both at how far he progresses. If he can avoid tripping over his own pride, that is."
Viktor chuckled and rubbed the back of his head self-consciously. "Well, I think we can both guess where he gets that from."
Heine took a sip of wine, then idly swirled the pale liquid around in the glass.
"Prince Licht's 'studies' at the café seem to be serving him in good stead. He has become quite the expert in reading people and discerning the opinions and thoughts of others just from casual conversation. Admittedly, he is far too easily distracted by women, and I do worry what that might do to his reputation as time goes on. Harmless flirting is one thing, but I have been reluctant to ask him what else he's indulging in." Heine's cheeks went slightly red and he awkwardly cleared his throat. "That... may be more a matter between father and son."
The king sighed and stared into his glass. "He is at that age. Then again, his brothers don't exactly seem inclined to go chasing girls. But you're right. I will speak to him in private."
The tutor went on. "Prince Bruno's studies proceed at an incredible pace. He seems to thrive on challenge, and his desire for learning is like nothing I've seen in all my years of teaching."
"What about him learning to think more flexibly?" Viktor asked, finishing his glass.
"He's shown great improvement there. I had him accompany me to Maria Vetsera on one of my off days, and the children took quite a liking to him. Just between us, he'd make an outstanding tutor himself... if he can get past those self-esteem problems of his."
At that, Viktor frowned and leaned forward. "What do you mean? Bruno has always struck me as confident in his abilities."
Heine hesitated, then sighed. "Please understand, Viktor, this is strictly in confidence. Prince Bruno is almost consumed by self-doubt and insecurity. He is fiercely jealous of others' success, and he despises himself for it."
Viktor set down his glass and rubbed his face tiredly.
"Oh, my son," he mused sadly, "you hold yourself to such impossible standards."
"Not so impossible," Heine pointed out. "After all, look at yourself and Crown Prince Eins. You have both set an extremely high bar, and Prince Bruno will do anything to meet it."
Viktor was quiet for a long time, then he lifted his eyes to Heine's with a faint smile. "It's funny, but I wouldn't have guessed you as one to play favorites, my friend."
"What do you mean?"
"Oh, I know that you care for each of your students. You always have. It's one of your most admirable traits. And I know that you give my sons equal attention and instruction... their progress clearly indicates that. But I think you have a certain affection for Bruno, probably because he reminds you so much of yourself."
Heine opened his mouth to protest, then closed it again.
Is he right? Do I see something of myself in him? That drive to succeed against all the odds, that constant need to prove myself when others thought I was incapable of more. Yes... I think I can understand that.
"That may be so," he said finally, but then he drained his wineglass and set it down on the table. "I just wish that it weren't."
The following morning, Heine sighed and rested his chin in his hand as he sat at his desk, his books scattered around him.
Ever since Eins' return, and the younger princes' declarations that they intended to surpass him, the tutor had found himself thinking of how he could best assist them in doing so. If Viktor truly felt that Eins was not a worthy successor, there was no time to lose.
He frowned to himself. While I do not doubt that Prince Bruno is certainly determined to achieve that goal, I cannot shake the feeling that Prince Licht is still undecided. Perhaps it is not that surprising, as he is the youngest of the five. Not to mention his secret job as a waiter in town seems of greater interest to him than his royal studies. And try as I might, I admit I have difficulty seeing Prince Kai as successor. He would make an excellent advisor, but as of yet, I fear he lacks the courage to truly lead. Perhaps that is where he requires the most instruction. And Prince Leonhard is still building upon the basics.
Heine tapped his pen against his lips as he sat at his desk, his gaze distant and thoughtful.
If Prince Bruno intends to seriously challenge Crown Prince Eins for the throne, he must continue to build a base of support. As Prince Eins already pointed out, several key military figures would support him, as would many on the Council. On the other hand, Prince Bruno has garnered the support of Granzreich's academic community and several others abroad.
He leaned back in his chair and stared up at the ceiling. There must be a way to parlay that into something useful for the prince. Perhaps a diplomatic exchange where the prince studies abroad, continuing his academic and social development while improving diplomatic relations with other nations as his brother does.
The tutor thought for a while longer, then began making a list of the various nations that Granzreich bordered, as well as those that he knew Granzreich had significant treaties with. It would have to be someplace that could not only benefit Granzreich in a political sense, but also a societal one. A nation furthering the ideals that the prince has already begun putting forth to such positive response. Diversity, freedom, societal reform, equality. But where?
With an impatient sigh, he blew his bangs out of his eyes and rested his chin in his hand. Then there is also what he can achieve here. Prince Licht mentioned at the café that the educational system in Granzreich is in desperate need of reform. Perhaps that is a cause that Prince Bruno could champion - an investment in the future of Granzreich.
Heine rose from his desk, collected several papers into his file, then headed to Viktor's office.
"Ah, Royal Tutor Wittgenstein... do come in."
Heine nodded politely to Erich, who bowed to the king and then closed the doors behind them.
"So, Heine, what can I do for you?" He gave the tutor an amused look. "As you did not bring wine with you, am I to presume this is business and not pleasure?"
Heine gave a long-suffering sigh and took a seat in the chair near Viktor's desk. "Honestly, Viktor, how you still exasperate me after all these years is something I will never understand."
"It's nice to know I still can," Viktor replied with a chuckle.
Heine pushed his spectacles further up his nose. "How much do you know about the current state of the educational system here in Granzreich?"
Viktor sobered and leaned back in his chair. "Enough to know that it is in dire need of revision. While literacy rates for our people are high, too many are still denied proper schooling, as most children simply cannot be spared from work to attend secondary education."
Heine frowned in thought, and Viktor gave him a level look. "I know that expression, my friend. Tell me, what's on your mind?"
"I'm thinking of Prince Bruno. Between ourselves, he is looking for a way to secure an advantage over Crown Prince Eins in terms of support. He has already begun making a name for himself for his papers on how to make Granzreich a modern society. Perhaps if he were to champion education as a cause, a subject already near to his heart, it will give him that advantage."
Viktor sighed and gazed out the window. "Tell me, Heine... is Bruno happy?"
Heine looked startled. "Why do you ask?"
"He told me not long ago that he declined Doctor Dmitri's invitation to study in Erosz because of his devotion to pursuing the throne and living up to my expectations. I told him I was grateful for his consideration, but that I only wanted him to be happy and healthy. I fear... that wasn't what he wanted to hear." Viktor looked back at Heine in concern. "Was it wrong of me to say that?"
The tutor thought about that one for a while, then eventually shook his head. "No. Your devotion to your sons, and wanting only the best for them, is something to be admired, not ashamed of. That said, while Prince Bruno is more assured of your approval than Prince Leonhard is, he does still need the occasional affirmation that he is on the right path."
Viktor was quiet for a moment. "It's strange, Heine," he mused at length. "Of all of my children, I worry about Bruno the least. He has always been the calm, steady, reliable one, even as a child. He has shown extraordinary patience with his siblings, and always done his best to do right by them."
He turned to look at a photograph on his desk, where the princes were quietly smiling for the camera.
"But I wonder if I did him no favours by encouraging his studies, even at such a young age, rather than treating him as the child he was."
Heine thought about that one for a while, then he stood up and said quietly, "You have given me an idea. Thank you, Viktor."
The king smiled. "I leave my son in your capable hands, Heine."
To be continued...
