For the next several days, Krebs was preparing to become Burgdorf's husband. Günsche had been assigned to help him, as Krebs did not know the customs of marrying into a higher up's family - especially someone with the status that Burgdorf had.

The two were in the bunker's empty room. "So, shall we get started with today's work?" Günsche asked.

"Yeah," Krebs replied. "Thank you for all your help."

Günsche's strict instructions made it clear rather quickly that turning into the chief of army personnel's husband would be no easy task. Can I really do everything right?

"Don't look so concerned," Günsche suddenly said. "I'm only strict with you so that you may become the most magnificent groom. Not that I doubt that, of course."

"I know," Krebs murmured. "I'll do my best." Every time Günsche had been forced to scold him, he had always soothed the wound with a gentle smile shortly afterwards. Of course, he had been doing the best he could, as he wanted to do it properly.

"When you enter, approach from the doors this way, out of the corridor." As soon as Krebs felt Günsche's hands on his back, the side door to the room opened, with Burgdorf's head sticking through. Again … Krebs winced. Actually, this had been how things were for several days.

Burgdorf watched silently, until Günsche finally let out an exasperated sigh. "My apologies." He took a deliberate step away from Krebs, returning to his previous place. There's no way we're going to get anywhere like this … All he's trying to do is help me do things right, but Burgdorf clearly doesn't see it that way. Just as Krebs sighed as well, he heard a voice from down the hall.

"Burgdorf, can't leave him alone again?" Fegelein glanced through the crack in the door, grinning.

"He really is working hard for you, slaving away day after day," Hitler laughed.

"Shut up," Burgdorf growled. "Go … over there."

They're making fun of him. Günsche glanced at Krebs. "I fear a racket will occur. This is enough for today."

"You're right," Krebs agreed. "I will see you again tomorrow."

With that, the door to the room opened, and Hitler, Fegelein, and Goebbels walked in.

"Where's Burgdorf?" Krebs asked.

"He went to his room," Hitler replied. "But he's getting fun to watch lately. To think, he's letting himself be sullen, or smile when the mood strikes him … it reminds me of how he used to be."

"Now that you mention it," Goebbels said, "he used to follow his father around all the time. I guess he didn't know what he really was capable of. His father was loving and kind … but that wasn't who he truly was. But he's back to how he was."

Krebs let out a sigh. He was joyful to think that perhaps Burgdorf had finally returned to how he was before he had been forced to kill his father.

Several days later, the bunker had been given notice that Patton's forces had charged their way into Germany in order to help an uprising. Now the army was preparing to leave, with Burgdorf in charge.

Krebs padded over to the general, who was checking the artillery. "Burgdorf, please return home safe."

"Don't worry about me," Burgdorf reassured him, his blue eyes glowing with the light of battle. "All I'm doing is capturing the fools who dare cause a rebellion against us. It will be easier than shooting someone who's cornered."

The following day, Burgdorf and his armies returned, pristine and unharmed, like the day they had left. After, they had been offered to go to the garden for another dinner. Krebs was about to join them, looking for Burgdorf, but instead, Günsche stopped him.

"Forgive me," Günsche said, a hesitant, drawn look on his face. "I cannot offer your lessons today. Instead, may I ask you to go talk to Burgdorf?"

"Yes, of course," Krebs said. He seems different … what's troubling him? He did think it was strange, but for now, he decided the best thing to do was to go see Burgdorf.

It took Krebs some time to locate Burgdorf, but he heard his voice - and another voice - in the planning room.

"Are you certain you are not going too far?" Günsche's voice was strangely terse.

Krebs pricked his ears. Günsche never gets upset. What's going on? He let himself in the room, concerned, and Günsche looked over to him.

"Burgdorf, I'm here-" Krebs began, but Burgdorf cut him off.

"Mmn." His voice was low, irritated. Krebs sighed, knowing that he was in one of his moods. The atmosphere was tense enough that Krebs felt as if it was better to give them some time and go, but before he was able to, Burgdorf placed a hand on his shoulder. He gave him a look that warned him not to go, and Krebs bit his lip.

Günsche, who had seen the whole thing, went on as if Krebs was not even there. "This is the first time I have heard of denying anyone the power given to them by the people. Saying nothing of actively clearing out their armies out of the city."

Burgdorf is trying to deny power to the President that had been elected as a puppet in Hitler's place … and he's been trying to cause uprisings, too. Günsche continued, his voice growing higher with each word. "What do you intend to do if this causes the surrounding armies to rally around the government and stand against us?"

Burgdorf tilted his head. "He started it when he declared that he was going to start a resistance movement. He should have expected nothing less than to be utterly crushed. Frankly, I have every right not only to drive him out, but send him into exile."

What?

"Do you truly require that much power if your intent is to bring an end to the wars?" Günsche snapped, his voice so fierce that it made Krebs flinch.

But Burgdorf was not intimidated. "I know I told you this, Günsche. Bringing everything under my control has everything to do with me ruling."

"If that is the case, then why depose the president outright?" Günsche protested. "Is the existence of the government, even if it's a puppet to represent a democracy, truly such a blight upon you?"

"I need absolute power," Burgdorf said, "in order to bring a rule to the country and to drive out imposing armies. Only with that power will I be able to bring peace and prosperity. That is why I must make certain that I stand below no man. It is not as if the government will have any need of power with their ways in the first place."

Burgdorf's grand ambitions left Günsche utterly speechless. Oh, Burgdorf … Even though their goal of peace for the sake of their people should be the same, why are they acting like this?

But Günsche wasn't done. "Even so, the power power you have, the more others will wish to start wars to steal it out from you."

"Your feelings are of no consequence to me," Burgdorf rumbled. "Just go ahead and do what you have to."

Günsche stood without a word, but his inability to accept what Burgdorf had said was written all over his face. Once the door slid shut, Burgdorf let out an irritated sigh.

"That fool … why does he refuse to understand that now is our time to reform what has been broken?" Burgdorf looked up at the ceiling, shutting his eyes.

"Burgdorf …" Krebs murmured. They both should have been doing everything they have done for the sake of his rule … but I never once thought that their vision of how to get there could be so different.

The blonde general turned to Krebs, a frown on his face. "What, you want to complain now too?"

Krebs said nothing.

Burgdorf regarded his silence for a moment, before looking away, his blue eyes turning distant.

I may not be as familiar with all of this as some, but I do know one thing for sure … "No matter what happens, Burgdorf, I am always on your side. That is all the more reason why I do not want to see you at odds with Günsche, and lose your rapport with him besides."

Burgdorf shut his eyes and tossed his head. But, even in Burgdorf's silence, Krebs could feel the rejection in it, keen and sharp like a needle in his heart.