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Updated: May 13, 2025
Lieutenant Larisch only grew quite red as to the ears, when love was mentioned, although he appeared not unwilling to hear Hedwig's name. The Crown Prince had developed a strong liking for the young officer. He assured Hedwig one time when she came to tea that when he was king he would see that she married the lieutenant. But Hedwig was much distressed. "I don't want him that way," she said.
The Archduchess rose and drew herself to her full height. "I have given you confidence for confidence, Captain Larisch," she said coldly. "The Princess Hedwig has not yet been, told. We shall be glad of your assistance when that time comes. It is possible, that it will not come. In case it does, we shall count on you." Nikky bowed deeply as she went out; bowed, with death in his eyes.
All that day, until the Council met with the King, he had sat in the little office on a back street, which was the headquarters of the secret service. All that day men had come and gone, bringing false clues which led nowhere. The earth had swallowed up Nikky Larisch. "I hope you are satisfied," said the King grimly, from behind him. "It was your arrangement."
"Lieutenant Larisch," he said, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has taken a liking to you. I believe it is to you that our fright to-day is due." Nikky's heart thumped. He went rather pale. "It is my intention, Lieutenant Larisch, to place the Crown Prince in your personal charge. For reasons I need not go into, it is imperative that he take no more excursions alone.
Past a room where sat Nikky Larisch, swordless and self-convicted of treason, past a great salon where a terrified Court waited, and waiting, listened to the cries outside, the beating of many drums, the sound of multitudinous feet, old Adelbert stumped to the door of the room where the Council sat debating and the Chancellor paced the floor. Small ceremony tow.
So Hedwig prayed for many things: for the softening of hard hearts; for Nikky's love; and, perhaps a trifle tardily, for the welfare and recovery of her grandfather, the King. But mostly she prayed for happiness, for a bit of light and warmth in her gray days to be allowed to live and love. Things were going very wrong for Nikky Larisch.
And it is not like Captain Larisch to desert his post." "A boyish escapade, Highness," said the Chancellor. But, in the twilight, he gripped hard at the arms of his chair. "He will turn up, very much ashamed of himself, to-night or to-morrow." "That is what you want to believe. You know better." He leaned back in his chair and considered her from under his heavy brows.
The Council looked at a loss, rather like a flock of sheep confronting some strange animal. "I would have shot myself," said Nikky Larisch, "but it was too easy." Then, rather at a loss as to the exact etiquette of arresting one's self, he bowed slightly and waited. The door into the King's bedchamber opened. The Chancellor came through, his face working. It closed behind him.
"You are always just a little late with your information, Kaiser." Something like malice showed in the agent's face. "Then you also know, sire, that it is this Captain Larisch with whom rumor couples the name of the Princess Hedwig." He stepped back a pace or two at sight of Karl's face. "You requested such information, sire." For answer, Karl pointed to the door.
To place the little King Otto IX on the throne and keep him there in the face of opposition would require support from outside. Karnia would furnish this support. For a price. The price was the Princess Hedwig. Outside, Nikky Larisch rose, stretched, and fell to pacing the floor. It was one o'clock, and the palace slept.
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