Tyranny of Steel

The Bohemian Princess known as Veronika continued to weep into Berengar ’s tunic for some time as the young Monarch consoled her. While this was ongoing, Dagmar, the former Queen of Bohemia, glared at her daughter and Berengar with an intense fury.

What Berengar had just proclaimed greatly diminished her perceived rights as the mother of Veronika, and more importantly, as Queen of Bohemia. She refused to believe that her time as royalty had come to an end, despite all evidence pointing to the contrary.

However, with Berengar ’s royal guard eying her closely, she could not make a move on the man who had usurped power in her family ’s lands. As such, she was forced to watch the intimate display between Berengar and Veronika while stewing in her hatred.

Veronika had wept for nearly thirty minutes; by the end of it, she had no tears left to cry despite her sorrowful state. Berengar had consoled the girl during this entire time. He could only imagine the horrors she was forced to endure as a person with heterochromia in the medieval period.

As such, he took pity on her; after all, there was a special place in his heart for pretty and broken things. After a while, Berengar began to wipe the now dried-up tears from the girl ’s eyes before reassuring her that she was safe under his protection.

”Veronika, was it? Do not worry; you will not suffer abuse or humiliation so long as you are my ward. If anyone dares to do so, they will be strictly punished. ”

When Berengar said this, his gaze shifted from Veronika to her mother with a chilling stare that warned the harsh woman. Evidently, she understood Berengar ’s intent because her vicious glare immediately faltered as she succumbed to the oppressive presence of the Austrian King.