Tyranny of Steel

”When you have found the Dukeʼs sisters, bring them before me. I donʼt want a single strand of their hair harmed. If I find out that they have been mistreated, the abuser shall have his head removed!”

The guards immediately nodded their heads. They would do as commanded. With that said, the King of Austria was about to get some much needed rest as his soldiers secured the city. Thus, he quickly found himself in the Dukeʼs former quarters and shut the shades as he drifted off to sleep.

A few hours later, a knock resounded on Berengarʼs door, quickly awakening the young king. He slowly rose from his bed before wiping his eyes. After doing so, he retrieved his eyepatch from the nearby bedstand and placed it over his scarred eye.

Only after he had ensured that he was visibly appealing did he open the door to reveal Heimerich, along with several members of the Royal Guard. These men currently held onto three women in their early to mid-twenties. A look of fear was on their faces as they gazed at the Austrian King who now sat within their brotherʼs quarters. The Field Marshal was quick to announce their presence.

”Your majesty, we have secured the Dukeʼs sisters, and I have brought them here as requested.”

Berengar merely yawned before motioning for the guards to bring the women into his room. The three young women were trembling in fear as they gazed upon the man whose armies had so rapidly conquered their lands. As Heimerich was about to leave Berengar alone with the three women, the voice of his monarch stopped him.

”Not you... Stay”

The man instantly froze to his spot, before turning around, where he forced a smile before bowing.

”Of course, your Majesty.”

He did not know what Berengar could want with him, but rumors of the Kingʼs odd tastes in the bedroom were quite abundant, and thus, he feared the worst. Berengar only made matters worse as he motioned over to the women and said a simple phrase.

”Pick one”

Heimerich immediately struggled to understand what was going on and thus asked for clarification on the matter.

”Excuse me?”

Upon seeing the confusion in his subordinates face, Berengar sighed heavily before revealing his intentions.

”A duchess is a rare and valuable commodity. You have brought me three of them, thus I am giving you the one you desire most to be your lawfully wedded bride. You have earned this reward, donʼt you think?”

It dumbfounded the Field Marshal of the Royal Guard to hear this claim. He glanced towards the three women and back to his monarch with confusion in his heart. Truthfully, such a reward was beyond his measure of valor, but he accepted it nonetheless. After all, marrying a duchess would give him prestige, and that would allow him to gain favor with his father towards the succession.

Thus, he examined the three women. Rather than focus on aspects such as bust, hip, or rear size, the Field General gazed into the eyes of each of the three women. He would choose his bride based on how they reacted to his scrutiny.

The first of the three women immediately looked away in fright when his cold gazed pierced into her soul. The second fared little better. She instantly trembled and practically fell to her knees in fright. Finally, when he gazed at the third, and youngest of the three women, she met his glare with equal resolve. There was no fear, no hesitation, only fierce determination. Upon seeing this, Heimerich chuckled and grabbed hold of the womanʼs dainty hand before kissing it. As he did so, he smiled and put on a charming facade.

”Your grace, might I have the pleasure of knowing your name?”

The womanʼs sisters gazed at her with relief and a bit of pity. They considered themselves lucky for being passed over. As for the young duchess in question, she sighed before revealing her identity.

”I am Margaret von Luxembourg. I presume you have selected me to be your bride?”

The cold indifference in which she announced each word displayed her utter sense of defeat. She knew what her fate entailed now that her brother had lost the war that he provoked. She could only pray that her husband was a kind man. When Heimerich heard these words, he could tell that she was suffering from depression, thus he grabbed ahold of her face with his hand and stared her directly in the eyes.

”I did not choose for this to happen, but since the King has given his orders, I promise to provide for you, and treat you with the respect and dignity I should afford a woman of your position. If you will have me, that is...”