They're just kids

Matteo

I tried to keep as neutral an expression as possible while escorting the whole group of young troublemakers to the Queen's presence. I still didn't understand the dynamics of the place very well, and dealing with the Aristocracy wasn't something I was used to, but I could see that I wouldn't be short of content for free entertainment. 

I arrived in the country two weeks ago after leaving my homeland in search of a better life. I got the job thanks to a referral from a friend who, like me, had left the military in search of a quieter life.

 And I have to say that I was curious about everything in that place, and my curiosity had just been heightened by the presence of Anna Madeline Lechner. The moment she got out of that car, fixing her gaze on mine was etched in my mind, and the sound of her heels against the hard marble floor made me aware of her presence, even though I pretended to ignore the group of people I was escorting.

I opened a large double door, waiting on the other side until everyone had entered the Queen's private chamber, where she and the Brandstatter were already waiting. For a moment, I was in doubt as to whether I should take up my post inside the room, or just withdraw, giving everyone a little privacy.

I decided on the second option, because of the presence of so many important people for the royal court, including the future heir to the throne, and started to close the door on my way out, but Queen Johannah herself stopped me.

"Mr. Bertozzi, stay. This is not a private conversation.”

I bowed briefly in response, knowing that our voices should be heard as little as possible while we were on duty, closed the door and positioned myself in one of the corners of the room. Trying to focus my gaze on a neutral point on the wall.

"Great, we'll be humiliated in public." my gaze was drawn to Anna, who muttered disgruntledly.

That comment didn't go unnoticed by the queen.

"Did you say something, Ms. Lechner? " The queen raised both eyebrows, giving her a challenging look.

The young woman looked around, seeming surprised to have been heard, while her parents gave her annoyed looks.

"No, Your Majesty, not at all. I'm too drunk to say anything that makes sense right now," she explained, causing her colleagues to hold back their laughter as her parents looked as if they were about to faint.

A smile threatened to break out on my lips at her words, but my years of military service had taught me to control myself and keep my expression neutral. 

"Anna, be quiet," Mrs. Lechner whispered.

"Auntie, can't we do this later? I'm…”

"Silence, Frederick." the queen scolded, sitting down on a chair before indicating the comfortable sofas where the prince's parents were sitting "Mr. and Mrs. Lechner, you can sit down.

Anna took a step towards a chair, but was interrupted.

"Just your parents, Mrs. Lechner, you stand with the others." the queen ordered. 

She seemed ready to protest, but Phillip Brenner pulled her back, making her stand next to him.

Discreetly, I lowered my eyes to her legs, observing the long boots that must have had a heel of at least 15 centimeters, which gave her an elegant and sensual posture, but in return I imagined how difficult it must be to stand with those heels, even more so when she was completely drunk.

I moved my gaze up her body once more, surprised to find Anna looking directly at me with a questioning expression. 

I went back to staring into the void, scolding myself for that slip-up. I knew I had to control myself, I couldn't lose this job. Not after having an opportunity like this.

"Aren't you going to say anything? " the prince complained after a few minutes.

"I'm waiting until everyone is there," she declared.

The three friends looked at each other, seeming surprised by the answer, but before they could question, the doors we had passed through earlier were opened, revealing another brown-haired boy and an older couple accompanied by another guard, who then took up a position next to me.

I assumed it was Alexander Weisman, the fourth guy they'd been looking for all night.

"Finally, Mr. and Mrs. Weisman, please sit down." the queen indicated to the couple.

For a moment I thought that the punishment the group of young people would receive would be to spend the next few hours standing there while their families fraternized with the queen, but after a few minutes talking as if they didn't exist, the woman stood up, walking in front of the four, watching them.

"Here they are, the greatest examples for our subjects, the future of our glorious country. Completely drunk, ashamed and dressed inappropriately." The woman walked back and forth in front of the group, maintaining a haughty pose as she spoke.

She stopped in front of the young Lechner, measuring her from head to toe, as if she had only just noticed her outfit.

"What is that you're wearing, Ms. Lechner?”

"A dress, Your Majesty" she crossed her arms in a defensive pose, but a stern look from her father made her adjust her posture in front of the queen.

"And where is the rest of this dress, Ms. Lechner? Did you forget it in your closet? Do you think that's the right way for a future countess to dress?" the queen gave her a hard look.

That was an exaggeration for me, they were just young people who got carried away at a celebration. How many times in my life have I not done the same? But I didn't dare interfere in that interaction, I kept my posture, pretending not to see anything that was going on.

"No, Your Majesty. But we just went to a party, and..." she began to justify herself, but was soon interrupted by her father.

"Madeline, listen quietly," he said in a harsh tone.

Queen Johannah narrowed her eyes, analyzing each of the young people in the group, leaving an uncomfortable silence in the room before she spoke again.

"I'd just like to understand who had the brilliant idea of taking the heir to the throne out of the country without any security, spending the whole night without any news and coming back in this state, could you help me with that part, Mr. Weisman?”

"I would have to say that this brilliant idea came from the heir to the throne himself, Your Majesty," the boy replied simply, and next to me, I could see the effort my colleague was making not to react at all to the scene.

It was clear that none of them were taking the situation seriously, perhaps because they had been through it many times before.

"Do you think this is a joke? When are you going to face up to your responsibilities? " the queen raised her head, walking from one to the other, giving them a haughty look before stopping in front of the oldest of them "Mr. Brenner, what would your father say if he saw you in this situation? Where is your responsibility to your lineage, to your father's title and name? You're almost twenty-six and you don't have a wife or children!”

That comment seems to have hit him, since he looked down at the floor. Satisfied with his reaction, the queen moved on.

"You'd better find yourself a suitable woman, or I'll do it for you. What about you, Anna? What would they think if they saw you dressed like that, knowing that you went out alone with three Men without being engaged to any of them? 

"I think the whole country knows about our friendship, Your Majesty "she began her explanation, but was interrupted.

"And that justifies your clothes? Ludwig, please tell me, would you like to see your daughter dressed like that? Or your grandson's future wife?”

"Not at all, Your Majesty," the man replied.

The young woman narrowed her eyes, looking confused by the interaction.

"You need to think about your responsibilities as…”

"I don't need to increase any family, Your Majesty.”

"What?” 

My colleague and I exchanged a discreet glance at the queen's perplexed expression at having been interrupted.

"Phillip, as the last Brenner, has the responsibility to continue his family's line, but I don't. Unless you plan to marry me off to him, which I doubt. " I shifted my gaze to the Lechners who remained seated, looking tired of the whole situation.

"In that case, perhaps you'd be better off serving at St. Monica's," the queen returned.

That statement drew an involuntary laugh from the prince.

"Maddie in a convent? Come On." he defended himself at the look he received from his Aunt while the young woman widened her eyes in a warning sign to her friend.

"I swear…”

"Your Majesty, perhaps you'd better let me deal with this, " Maximilian Lechner stood up "go get some rest and get ready for today's appointments.”

We watched the indecision take over the queen's face as she thought about the proposal.

"Thank you, Maximilian. And don't think it's over, I'll want a private audience with each of you when you're sober "she warned before walking away, leaving the imposing man in her place.

Everyone watched the queen leave the room, and for a second silence reigned among them 

"I wonder when you will come to understand that you are the future of this nation," he began, causing the four of them to lower their heads, although they didn't look the least bit sorry "And right now, the future of the nation is drunk and aimless. For God's sake, I want you to get out of my way, have a shower, coffee, anything that will sober you up enough for the opening of the new hospital area later, you know it's an important event for the Queen, I expect you to be impeccable.” 

"Yes, Mr. Lechner.”

The rest of the family members present at that meeting stood up, ready to go home.

"Maddie, we're not finished yet," he warned his daughter, who let out a disgusted groan.