Tyranny of Steel

Berengar sat in his office with a glass of black spiced rum in one hand, and a cigar in another. The German empire had control over the world's tobacco trade, and because of this, there were many companies that had popped up over the years to produce cigarettes, cigars, and bunt wraps.

The two most popular brands of tobacco products manufactured their goods on the Island of Lindstadt. Which was known as Cuba during Berengar's past life. Out of all the items that were produced on this Island, tobacco and rum were among the most popular.

Though the colony of Neuhafen was a city of vice run by Bäcker Entertainment. The agricultural fields outside of it were owned and operated by the Gunther Merchant Company. This, however, did not stop Henrick from sending his goons to seize native lands for his own uses.

Because of this, a father and his son ran the two biggest competitors in the cigar market. Berengar personally favored the Gunther Merchant Brand of tobacco products, but that was partially because he had a close relationship with the owner of the company.

Sitting across from the Kaiser was his most favorite wife. Linde had a folder in her hand, which contained information she had recently collected. The redheaded beauty gently placed the documents on the table and passed them over to the man while wearing an expression of amusement on her pretty face.

"You know, when you suggested that we distill liquor from potatoes and ship it into the Rus states for pfennigs on the thaler, I thought for sure you were out of your mind. After all, how could we gain a profit on such a thing? However, I understand now what your intentions were all along. I must say, even I am impressed with how far you are willing to go to destabilize a region..."

A brief chuckle erupted from Berengar's mouth as he took a slight swig from his glass of distilled spirits. He had to admit, the scheme he had concocted was fairly impressive, even by his own standards.

"Vodka... Something so simple, yet so destructive... Personally, I can't stand the stuff, but those ruskies are addicted to it. It was the same way in my past life. Aside from the massive corruption that plagued their society, this simple drink was the primary reason they never achieved anything great without the aid of other civilizations. Their greatest contribution to human history was a failed state that survived as long as it did because of foreign material support and captured German scientists.

I figured all I needed to do in this life to prevent the rise of Russia as a unified state is to sell a simple beverage to the Rus dirt cheap and leave them to their own devices. With the amount of vodka we are funneling down their throats, they will never become a threat to our dynasty."

The strawberry-blonde locks of the angelic beauty flowed in the air while she shook her head in feigned disagreement. A mischievously smirk appeared on Linde's luscious lips as she made a rather crass remark about her lover's character.

"Tsk...tsk...tsk... You are one devious bastard, you know that?"

A brief chuckle erupted in the room as Berengar leaned back in his chair and feigned a defensive gesture. He quickly pointed out that while what he did may have been morally bankrupt, it was not his initial intention.

"Hey, I'm not the one who carved a smile on the Grand Duke of Moscow's face... I had other plans for the Rus, but your little boy ruined them. So now I have no choice but to poison their population with more vodka than they can handle..."

A finely tapered brow raised on Linde's exquisite forehead as she heard these words. While it may have been a jest on Berengar's part, she took the words rather seriously, and quickly interrogated the man for a proper answer.

"My little boy? Are you blaming me for what Hans did to that little bastard?"

With a sip of his rum, Berengar narrowed his mismatched eyes into a rather serious expression. What had started as a playful ribbing had turned into a full-scale argument, and he was quick to point out his perspective with a single question.

"Who else would he get it from?"

Linde could hardly believe the words she was hearing, and quickly reached over to a nearby desk mirror, and shifted it so that Berengar could look at his own reflection. She had a confident smirk on her pretty face as she pointed out who she believed to be at fault for their son's violent actions.

"I think you already know the answer to that..."

With a slight nod of his head, Berengar accepted the woman's statement. He had to admit that he set a certain example as a parent and thus took part in the blame. Even still, he refused to accept the entirety of the responsibility for this matter and quickly interjected.

"I suppose the little monster does take after me in some ways, but you still have your fair share of blame on the matter."

The redheaded beauty continued to drink from her glass, not willing to dignify such a statement with a response. It was only after several moments of awkward silence that she switched the subject.

"So how is that little eunuch doing, anyway?"

A slight gasp of air escaped Berengar's lips as he began to pour the two of them another glass of rum. After taking a sip from his own cup, he responded to his wife's question with a hint of pity in his voice.

"He's an androgynous teenage boy who has been castrated and forced into a labor camp filled with men. Men who no longer have women to abuse thanks to the treatment that little French harlot received. How the hell do you think he is doing? I bet he is real popular with the prisoners."

Rather than what he expected, Linde simply giggled like a schoolgirl upon hearing about the horrific fate that awaited the young Grand Duke of Moscow. She was quick to voice her opinion on the matter.

"He deserves it after what he tried to do to Veronika..."

Berengar took another sip of his rum as he silently nodded in agreement with the woman's statement. He fully agreed with his wife. There was no place for rapists in his society. The price for such a crime was steep in Germany, and the Grand Duke of Moscow had suffered dearly for it. It was at this moment Berengar thought of something important and quickly voiced his concern.

"So... When was the last time you saw Hans, anyway? I feel like he's avoiding us now that he's at university. Were we really that bad of parents?"

After taking a sip from her glass, Linde scoffed before correcting Berengar's perspective. She knew her firstborn boy better than he knew himself and could accurately surmise what the problem was that was preventing him from returning to the palace.

"First off, the boy is at that age where he is getting rebellious. So it wouldn't surprise me if he had some negative feelings towards us. Especially you, Mr I'm going to go on a campaign every six months while my son is but a small child!

But no, he's not avoiding us, he's avoiding Ingrid. I think it's about time we send the bitch home and break the betrothal. She has done nothing but cause problems for Hans and his girls. Why the hell did you even agree to that proposal in the first place?"

A feigned expression of offense appeared on Berengar's handsome face as he leaned back into his chair and spread his arms into the air in an attempt to defend his actions.

"The boy likes beautiful older women with big breasts. I thought they would hit it off. How was I supposed to know she was a spoiled cunt who wanted to turn Hans against his other girls? The next time I see the boy, I'll ask him what he wants to do about her. One thing has become clear to me, though. Ingrid is not worthy of the von Kufstein name. As for Astrid, she's a sweetheart. It's amazing the two are related..."

A sharp glint formed in Linde's sky-blue eyes as she heard these words, causing her to switch the subject to something else once more.

"Speaking of sweethearts, what are you going to do about Priya? She's practically following you around the palace like a little puppy now. It would be wise of you to give her a son sooner rather than later. If Dharya finds a woman and impregnates her before you put a baby in Priya's belly, the consequences could be dire..."

After taking a swig from his drink and a drag from his cigar, Berengar cast his woman an intimidating glare with his mismatched eyes while he responded to her question.

"I gave the boy my word that I would not touch a hair on his precious little sister's head unless she approached me first. She has yet to work up the courage to ask me to be intimate with her, and thus I will leave this matter be until she feels ready.

I know it may not mean much to you, but as a man, when I give my word to someone, and I mean it, I must abide by it. I will not coerce the girl into my bed, nor will I force myself upon her. Judging from the puddle I saw outside my door this morning, I'm guessing she is close to making up her mind about what she really wants. She just needs only to reach out and ask."

Fearing that an argument was about to occur about the foolishness of a man's pride. Linde swallowed the choice words she had in store for Berengar and instead, decided to steer the conversation in a more constructive direction.

"She and Yas seem to be getting along alright. I see the two of them in the kitchen together every day. I think I have even caught the two of them in the bath together once or twice. Perhaps your Moorish bride can help move things along. Wouldn't that be the dream threesome for you? Two busty exotic beauties servicing you together?"

Berengar narrowed his eyes when he heard the woman's lewd suggestions before asking the question that was most immediate on his mind.

"Let me guess... You want to watch?"

A playful smile appeared on the busty redheaded beauty's face as she licked her lips seductively. She leaned over across the desk and whispered into her husband's ears the words she knew that would entice him.

"Only if you'd let me..."