Into the Lion's Den

by Tionne Rogers

  “It's all right. You had no bad intentions, but I would prefer if you call me by my Christian name. The other was in the letter I read.”

  “I understand, it will not happen again.”

  “Don't think you're free from her. She comes back in a week to inspect where he plans to move and where she will live as she can't stay with him. I guess, she wanted to bring her two nieces and nephew here.”

  'Oh, joyful moment,' “I'm afraid all positions within my staff are fulfilled. You should speak with Friederich.”

  “No, please. I love Fairuza, but this is your house. You were very kind to let her stay with me in Frankfurt, but I realise that she's more apt for my father's lifestyle than yours. She was also too much for Friederich's nerves.”

  “He threatened with going into retirement, Guntram. For some reason, he blames me of this situation. He will never bring me coffee in the mornings again,” Konrad complained and Guntram chuckled again at his grievous face.

  “Let's rejoin your father before I loose my cook too.”

  “He promised to behave with you, if you could do the same, everything would be fine.”

  “I will treat him with the courtesy he deserves as father of my Consort.”

  They entered in the large living room where Michel and Alexei were talking in amiable companionship.

  “Michel, you should see the babies! They're very cute!” Guntram said excitedly, rushing toward him.

  “Some other time, perhaps. I must return to Geneva today. Tomorrow, we can have lunch if you want, Guntram,” Michel stopped his son's exuberant joy. “I have a meeting with Elisabetta von Lintorff at the Foundation and I hope we can reach an agreement.”

  'Good luck, my Aunt will eat you alive.' Konrad thought deeply satisfied.

  “I believe the lady was not informed about this change in the leadership, my Griffin.” Michel said very displeased at Konrad.

  “Dr. von Kleist did his best to speak with her, but the princess would prefer to speak with the new president,” 'You survive it, it's not my problem.'

  “Yes, I've already spoken with her and we agreed that she will keep her position as President and be in charge of the public relations while I take care of the executive and strategic decisions. It would be a pity to loose her as she has good and sound relationships with most of our donors,” Michel said, rising from his seat. “I'm leaving now.”

  “Would you not like to stay for lunch?” Konrad said, secretly glad to get rid of him but somehow concerned that Elisabetta and him had avoided a clash and were cooperating with each other.

  “No, thank you. I have to drive back to Geneva,” Michael refused curtly and approached Guntram to give him a hug—much to Alexei's surprise that his Duke was not jumping to strangle the man for touching “his”

  Consort “Take care and we will see each other soon. Don't get tired around the children, Guntram.”

  “Do you have to go?” Guntram lamented.

  “It's for the best. You should get used to this and rest a bit. We will see each other tomorrow and perhaps could come to the great house hunting with me.”

  'What? What about the part, visit twice per month?' “My chauffeur will drive you to the airport, Mr.

  Lacroix,” Konrad said out loud, without missing the look of deep sadness in Guntram's eyes.

  “Thank you, but my own people are here with my car. We drive now.”

  “Good-bye, sir,” Konrad said and extended his right hand.

  “Take good care of him, sir.” Michel preferred to let the rest of the sentence dangling in the air.

  “Most certainly I will,” Konrad fulminated him with his eyes but the French didn't seem fazed at all and only hugged his son once more, muttering “à demain,” before leaving the room.

  “Allow me to accompany you to the door,” Alexei offered and went away with him, leaving them alone.

  “Déja vue, Guntram,” Konrad shrugged and sat where Michel had been sitting, glancing through the window do check that Lacroix was really away. 'Darn! The commie has a Maybach fifty-seven? Good choice. Karl Marx must be turning in his grave.'

  “I beg you pardon?” Guntram said dumbfounded and already feeling concerned about his father as he watched the large car drive away.

  “The first time you came here. Everybody ran away and it was just the two of us for lunch,” Konrad smiled at the memory. “You were quite edgy.”

  “From one Mafia boss to the next, but I didn't know that at the time. And he looked sterner than the other.”

  “I had no idea of how was your character. I was expecting someone very different.”

  “I imagine, a crazy artist, living with Constantin. Not the best introductory card, I admit,”

  “Both our lives changed in a 'dates' house', and here we are now. I'll do my best to make you happy living with us.”

  “I was always happy with you, Konrad. I'm now with Klaus and Karl. It's just the other thing.”

  'The 'other thing'? Why can't he be more specific? But if he starts to speak with riddles, I'm on the right path.' “I'm glad of this. You also make me very happy, Guntram,” he replied softly and both men fell into a tense silence.

  “Why do you tell that the lawyer is family? He has no family!” Jean Jacques mumbled to his boyfriend, busy with the pidgeon's sauce and controlling from the distance what his new helper was doing with the salad, the kitchen brimming with activity. “Get your hand away!” he hit Alexei when he tried to steal one of the pastries for the afternoon. “Just checking for poison!” the Russian chortled.

  “Imbecile! Get out of my kitchen!”

  “All right, I thought you wanted to hear the rest of the story.” Alexei shrugged, perfectly aware that the chef's curiosity will make him rethink his threat.

  “All right, take it as it's ruined. So the lawyer does not stay for lunch?”

  “No, he's French, from Saint Cyr, and the next CEO of the Lintorff Foundation. He specialises in corporate law and Guntram was staying with him.”

  “Why?”

  “According to the Duke, he's his godfather, but they look very similar and in a way, he reminds me a lot of Guntram. He was very kind to me and knew that I took the boy to the hospital. But, here comes the big part; The Duke dislikes him very much, but tolerates him. In fact, this Lacroix moves his Excellency at will. How did he become the next CEO?”

  “Answer me this. Should I serve apple ice cream with strawberries?”

  “I guess not, Guntram stays in his older room.”

  “Merde! I have a mission for you, Alexei.”

  After lunch, Konrad and Guntram stayed together in the library as it was too hot and sunny to be outside. Like before, they sat together, speaking in hushed tones about non controversial subjects like Economy or what Guntram had seen from Germany. They took the babies out and once more, Klaus preferred to be in Guntram's arms while Karl was with his father. They walked across the forest and had dinner together. Guntram was surprised that how easy it seemed for him to return to his old routine and before he knew he was once more sitting in his usual spot at the library sketching the babies' faces while Konrad had his usual glass of cognac.

  The Duke noticed how tired Guntram was and decided to call it for the night, walking him up to his room and bidding him good night.

  “Did you put the wooden blocks under the mattress?” the cook whispered when Alexei sneaked into his room, after dinner. “It's the most stupid idea I've heard in years, Jean Jacques. I could be in great troubles.”

  “Trust me, Alexei. My people invented the art of gallantry! It's just a slight push in the right direction.

  Those two being friends only? Please! What if this continues and the boy finds someone better? If we consider the raw material we have here, Guntram will be running away in two weeks! The Duke is really a turn off for anyone. You can't make a sirloin out of an old dry bone!”

  “Leave them alone! It's their problem!”

  “No, it's not their problem: it's ours too!
I've spoken with the nurses and Guntram is great for the babies.

  He calmed the little pest in no time, without mentioning the larger pest. For the first time ever, the Duke fed one of his children! Today, I served him Brussels sprouts and he ate them all. Any other day, he would have sent the dish back to the kitchen! They should fix their problems and the best is to do it in the bedroom!”

  “What makes you think it will work at all?” Alexei whined.

  “Trust me. I know exactly what I'm doing,” the cook said very confidently of his skills. “I saved some ice cream for you,” he grinned. “It would be a pity to waste it.”

  “Leave it for afterwards,” the big Russian chuckled and winked. “I think I deserve a prize for risking my neck for you.”

  Guntram couldn't understand what was wrong with his bed. It has never been so uncomfortable. Once more he turned around trying to find a comfortable position, but it was impossible as he felt that there was something sharp in there. 'Not something, but several things. It wasn't like this before!' 'Brother, there's nothing wrong with it and you know the real reason for your uneasiness. You want the other bed as it's warmer than this one.' his inner voice intruded once more.

  'Bad mattress, that's all!'

  'In a several millions castle? Please! Lie to yourself but not to me!'

  Guntram checked his watch; 1 a.m. In the darkness of his room, he looked for Mopsi with his eyes and found her in her basket, sleeping and snoring. 'Gosh, she's really loud for a dog. Was she not staying at Konrad's before? He must have had a hard time with her. She's not helping me at all!'

  He sat on his four posted bed and switched on the bedside light, hoping that the pug would awake, but she continued to snore a bit louder than before. The lad sighed and realised that he was not able to sleep with her around or with the mattress.

  'Time to ask for political asylum, brother. You're certainly welcomed upstairs,'

  'Shut up!'

  'Big bed, noiseless,' his inner voice tempted him.

  Guntram sighed, aware that the dance with his conscience could last till dawn and made up his mind.

  'Just sleeping there, nothing else. Only for tonight, till I find a place for Mopsi.' He dressed with his robe and put on his slippers. 'I hope Konrad does not kick me out for this, but honestly all the servants are sleeping and I don't want to bother them. Sleeping with Alexei is totally out of the question. Jean Jacques would kill me in the morning!'

  Very carefully, he opened his door and peered into the deserted hallway, noticing that Alexei's door was closed. He shut down his door, doing his best not to disturb his dog and full of doubts walked toward the stairs.

  Still hesitating, he debated with himself once more about the convenience of knocking on Konrad's door.

  'He must be sleeping by now,' he thought, but saw the light coming through the door, as if he were reading or working in his living room. 'Just once, if he's still up, he will come, if not, I return to my own bed and complain tomorrow to Friederich.' He knocked softly, but said nothing.

  Konrad was surprised that someone was knocking at his door so late. It could only mean troubles and put aside the book he had been trying to read since several hours, unable to sleep, too excited and plethoric in his bliss, as his kitten was back. He went to answer the door and was shocked to see the young man standing there.

  “Hi, I'm sorry to disturb you but I can't sleep in my bed. I don't know what's wrong with it. Could I stay here?” Guntram blurted at full speed and Konrad was speechless.

  “I'll go away, if I'm bothering you,” the boy added, feeling very ashamed that he had disturbed Konrad, who was only gaping at him.

  “No, no. I can't also sleep. Come in. It's very late. I don't know if we could prepare another bedroom for you. I apologise for the inconvenience, Guntram.” Konrad recovered from his shock and quickly thought that calling one of the servants would be very daft and counterproductive for him.

  “No, I'm sorry to be such a bother for you.”

  “Not at all. I was going to bed now. We can share it, if you don't mind,” the man suggested. “I swear to keep my hands to myself,” he added at full speed.

  'Bugger!' Guntram's inner voice yelled, but the boy managed to keep a straight face. “Thank you, Konrad. I'm sorry to disturb you.”

  “Get in the bed and I'll change into my nightclothes.” He moved away from the door frame allowing the boy to come inside and go in a straight line toward the bedroom. He followed and took his own pyjama from under the pillow on the right side while Guntram went automatically to the left side, with the confidence of a shared intimacy. Konrad had to make a supreme effort not to stare at the boy when he removed the robe and left it over one of the chairs as he always did and returned to the bed and slid under the covers.

  Konrad went to the bathroom to change himself. 'I have to let him make the first move.' He put on his pyjama and made a ball with his clothes, without caring about the jacket and cursed when he squeezed the toothpaste almost pouring all its content over the sink. 'Calm down or you'll screw it up!'

  Taking a deep breath he opened the door and stood motionless when he saw again Guntram in his bed, lying as always on his right side, curled up and almost asleep. 'He's everything I have, if he would just give another chance.' Konrad turned off the light and walked toward his side of the bed and removed the covers, still afraid that this move could scare away his kitten. But nothing happened and he slid in, checking that he was well covered. He settled in the bed and turned around in his attempt to ignore that he was there.

  He laid awake for a long time, remembering how it was before and all the joyful moments they had shared. 'Others will come with the children, even if we are only friends.'

  In his sleep, Guntram turned around and his put his arm around Konrad's waist, seeking for his warmth and protection, and surprising his lover. Konrad turned around and gathered the youth in his arms as they used to sleep in the past. 'Maybe he shouts at me tomorrow, but I will not miss this opportunity,' he sighed and closed his eyes, revelling in the small body curled in his arms, sleeping deeply for the rest of the night.

  Friederich was surprised when he found out that he was missing one young French boy. Obviously, Guntram had not slept in his room and what was Antonov doing there so early? “Have you seen Guntram, Mr. Antonov?”

  “I would look for him upstairs, Mr. Elsässer,” Alexei sauntered, glad that he had been fast enough as to recover the wooden cubes and slid them in his pockets one second before the butler entered in the room with a tea and Guntram's morning pills. “I'll take the dog out, now. Come, girl, come.” He crouched and patted his thighs to call the dog, jumping from her basket. 'I have to make another suicidal mission and return them to the nursery. I'm getting old for this job.'

  Still gaping, Friederich could only mumble “I see,” before leaving the room to order Dieter to move everything back to the Duke's quarters, once they were out of bed. 'It's impossible to run a house under these conditions!'

  *

  More relaxed that he had ever been in months, Guntram woke up in Konrad's arms, disoriented for a fleeting second of his whereabouts. He looked at the other man's face and smiled, remembering how much he loved to watch him in the mornings, looking like a small child. 'It wasn't that bad, Guntram. We could give each other another chance after all.' He caressed his face delicately to wake him up and smiled at him when he opened his eyes, still partly asleep. “Good morning, I have to disappear before Friederich comes in.”

  “He will not come, he's crossed with me since Vienna. I have to fetch my coffee downstairs now,”

  Konrad whined and Guntram's smile broadened. “It's not funny. He told me to get it by myself!”

  “I'll get dressed and I can help you to get to the dinning room. It's far away, but we will manage,” the young man teased him and laughed when the other closed his eyes in delight at the caresses he was receiving from Guntram. “You were right about something else.”

  “What?�
��

  “My dog snores very loudly. It's impossible to sleep with her around. I will have to move out.”

  “I'll tell Friederich to look for another place for her.”

  “No, she's happy there as I am here,” Guntram whispered and blushed.

  “Then we will move you here and leave the dog there, Maus,” Konrad said softly and bent his body to kiss his kitten, happy to feel his kiss returned without reserves and with true love.

  Finis

  March 12th, 2011