Beijing, China - April 25th, 1940, Evening
Kylian and Wolfgang sat in a private dining room at one of Beijing's most renowned restaurants, the kind of establishment that catered to the city's elite and demanded reservations weeks in advance. It was late evening now, the sun having set perhaps an hour earlier, and they had come here to unwind after spending the entire day exploring Beijing's historical treasures. They had visited the Temple of Heaven with its stunning circular architecture and mystical acoustics, walked reverently through the Ming Tombs where emperors slept in elaborate underground palaces, and wandered through several ancient temples and classical gardens whose beauty had left them awestruck.
The restaurant they had chosen or rather, that Foreign Minister von Hausen had recommended and arranged for them was quite high-end, representing the pinnacle of traditional Beijing dining culture. The entirety of the multi-story building embraced red themes with almost obsessive thoroughness: red silk curtains framed the windows, red carpets with golden dragons woven into their patterns covered the floors, red tablecloths adorned every surface. The color was both regal and majestic, creating an atmosphere that was simultaneously formal and warmly inviting.
The building itself was constructed in traditional architectural style, featuring the distinctive upturned eaves that characterized classical Chinese design, massive wooden columns supporting the upper floors, and intricate carvings depicting scenes from mythology and history. Various bonsai plantsdotted the restaurant's interior spaces, adding living art to the already elaborate décor.
The establishment was frequented by Beijing's most affluent citizens, as the two officers could observe from their vantage point. Foreign diplomats in Western evening dress mingled with Chinese government officials in both traditional robes and modern suits. Wealthy merchants conducted business discussions over elaborate meals, while Chinese socialites, women in stunning dresses and men in impeccably tailored clothing occupied the best tables on the main floor.
The two officers had been granted a private dining room of their own on the restaurant's upper floor. As they walked along the interior balcony toward their reserved room, they took in the magnificent sights below: bronze statues of Buddhist and Taoist deities standing in alcoves, hundreds of red lanterns hanging from the ceiling and creating a warm, golden glow, and a small ensemble of musicians playing traditional instruments on a raised platform, creating an atmospheric backdrop to the dining experience.
Everything about this place was perfect, Kylian thought. The atmosphere, the attention to detail, the seamless blend of tradition and luxury, it all contributed to making this final evening in Beijing feel both celebratory and bittersweet.
They had ordered generously: a large jar of premium rice wine accompanied by various stir-fried vegetables prepared in various styles, multiple varieties of mushrooms cooked to perfect texture, and an assortment of meats ranging from tender beef to delicate squid. This was their last night in China before returning to the Hanseatic Empire, and they were determined to end their diplomatic adventure on a high note despite its various complications.
"I have quite a lot of photographic film to develop once we return to Theodosia," Wolfgang said with satisfaction, holding his beloved camera with his right hand and examining it fondly. "I'm genuinely satisfied with what I've managed to capture today. The Temple of Heaven alone provided dozens of magnificent shots."
They were sitting on the floor in the traditional manner, positioned opposite each other on elaborate carpets whose patterns incorporated Silk Road influences, weaving Chinese and Perisan art seamlessly.
"I sincerely hope my photographs turn out well," Kylian replied with a slight grin, taking a sip of wine from his delicate porcelain cup. "I wouldn't want these good memories to be ruined by terrible photography revealing your complete lack of skill with a camera."
"Now, now," Wolfgang replied with mock offense, "I have always been the one taking your photographs, von Reichsgraf. You should be profoundly grateful that you have a friend willing to document you. Without me, you'd have returned home with nothing but your own unreliable memories."
This drew a genuine laugh from Kylian. "How could I possibly manage without a friend like you?"
Wolfgang's expression softened into a warm smile. "I'm genuinely touched, Kylian. Truly." His eyes gave a playful look to his friend as he took a measured sip of wine before continuing, "But I must also confess I'm somewhat disappointed that you haven't said 'thank you' even once today, considering everything I've done for you—the photography, the navigation through the city, the translation help, all of it."
Kylian raised both his eyebrows in surprise, lifting his arms in a gesture of mock surrender. "Well, Wolfgang, I was planning to thank you properly and comprehensively when we arrive in Ravara. I thought I would wait until we're on your home territory to express my full gratitude. After all, it will be quite a long while before we see each other again after that."
His tone made clear he was being completely genuine despite the lightness of their exchange. The prospect of separation after years of near-constant companionship weighed on him more than he had anticipated.
Wolfgang's lips curved upward at Kylian's admission, and he leaned forward with interest. "What's this? Are you already lamenting the fact that we're going to be separated because of our respective duties? You're getting sentimental because of me, von Reichsgraf?"
"Well... kind of, yes," Kylian admitted, meeting his friend's gaze directly. "I've been with you continuously since I was ten years old. It's only now that duty is starting to dictate and separate our lives in ways it never has before. That feels... significant."
He paused to pour himself another cup of wine and drank it in a single swallow, the alcohol's warmth spreading through his chest and slightly dulling the melancholy edge of his thoughts.
"I will visit the Hanseatic Continent sometimes, you know," Wolfgang assured him, his tone carrying both affection and gentle teasing. "It's not as though I'm going to be chained to Ravara permanently. I do have duties that will occasionally bring me to Theodosia. Besides, I genuinely miss visiting your family's estate, Your brother's library alone is worth the journey."
"You are always welcome there, my friend." Kylian smiled warmly. "You know, my brother Torres tells me regularly that he sees genuine potential in you becoming Legate of the Ravaran Black Roses one day, commanding the entire provincial legion. He speaks of you with so much respect."
Wolfgang let out a short, surprised laugh. "Maybe in the next twenty years, perhaps. After all, I'm only twenty-two. It seems that because I chose this particular career path, everyone suddenly expects me to reach the highest possible office." He drank another cup of wine before continuing, his tone becoming more thoughtful. "Not that I mind, really, I chose this path willingly with full understanding of what it would demand. But your brother seems to think I'm a far more capable person than I actually am. I've never fully understood what qualities he sees in me that inspire such confidence."
His bright green eyes conveyed complete sincerity as he spoke. This wasn't false modesty, he seemed genuinely puzzled over the Chancellor's high opinion of his potential.
"Well, I cannot claim to know exactly what forms his assessment," Kylian admitted thoughtfully. "People's opinions will always differ based on what they value and prioritize. But Torres certainly has certain expectations of me as well. He has his own sophisticated methods of evaluating people's potential as Imperial Chancellor, I would assume."
"True enough," Wolfgang mused, taking another measured shot of wine. "People in positions like his develop their own frameworks for assessing talent and loyalty." He paused, then asked with genuine curiosity, "What does he actually think of your career choices, then? Does your brother believe you should be doing something other than serving in the Imperial Guard? Has he ever expressed disappointment in your path?"
Kylian ate a piece of perfectly prepared mushroom while Wolfgang waited for his response, chewing thoroughly while he formulated his thoughts. "I'll be completely honest, I'm not entirely certain what he thinks of my career trajectory. He never comments on it directly, never offers explicit criticism or praise. It seems he's generally fine with the choice I've made, or at least accepting of it." He paused to take another bite before continuing. "But whenever we do discuss career matters, he consistently tells me I should consider joining the Intelligence branch of the Imperial Guard. He's even expressed willingness to recommend me personally for diplomatic assignments. It's a recurring theme in our conversations."
"The Imperial Intelligence Corps?" Wolfgang asked with surprise, and Kylian nodded in confirmation. Wolfgang leaned forward, his elbows on the low table. "That's quite intriguing, actually. But do you have any genuine interest in intelligence work? I can tell you right now it's definitely not for me."
"I'm honestly not certain yet," Kylian replied thoughtfully, his elbow now resting on the table as he leaned on his closed fist. "I have been actively thinking about it, giving it serious consideration. I'm drawn to it because I would still technically be part of the Imperial Guard but I'm genuinely unsure whether spending my time working through dossiers and paperwork is how I want to invest my life and talents."
"But you would also get to accompany diplomatic missions with von Hausen and other senior officials," Wolfgang pointed out with an encouraging smile. "Provided the court believes you're capable and trustworthy, of course. International travel, exposure to different cultures, involvement in genuinely important negotiations, I think those are significant positives that shouldn't be dismissed lightly."
"When you frame it that way, the positives are certainly compelling," Kylian acknowledged. "A part of me genuinely thinks I should join Intelligence and develop into a diplomat over time but another equally strong part of me simply wants to fulfill my childhood dream of becoming a Field Marshal, of commanding armies and winning decisive battles. That ambition hasn't disappeared just because I've matured and recognized other possibilities."
He took a bite of tender squid and washed it down with wine, savoring both the food and the honest conversation with his closest friend.
"I don't recall you ever telling me explicitly that you wanted to become a Field Marshal," Wolfgang said with genuine surprise. "That's quite an ambitious goal. Why didn't you simply join the Imperial Army directly instead of the Guards if battlefield command is what you truly want?"
"My father..." Kylian paused, pouring wine from the ornate pitcher into his cup, then drinking it before continuing. "My father believes quite firmly that I should focus more on diplomatic service and eventually enter politics the way my brother did. He envisions me following Torres's path, perhaps not to the Chancellorship, but certainly to some significant political office. But I have absolutely no interest in fighting for political positions with other noble houses, in all those endless intrigues and competitions for influence. That's precisely why I chose the Imperial Guard instead, at least it offered a way to serve with honor while avoiding the political battleground."
His tone was soft, reflective, and Wolfgang nodded in quiet understanding, leaning on his own fist on the table as he absorbed what Kylian had revealed. "Kylian, never change..." he said warmly with a genuine smile, then took a sip of wine before continuing. "I'll say this, though, and I mean it sincerely: I think politics and our lives are fundamentally inseparable as long as an emperor sits on the Griffin Throne. You can try to avoid it, but it will find you regardless. Even military service is ultimately political at the highest levels."
He reached for more of the stir-fried vegetables he had been enjoying throughout the meal. "As for me, I think my future is essentially predetermined. I'll finish my career in the Ravaran Black Roses, hopefully achieving some rank of distinction. I'll marry a pretty Hanseatic noblewoman, probably someone my father selects based on political and economic considerations. Eventually I'll inherit my father's Ducal title and spend my later years managing estates and representing Ostalia at court. I feel like my entire future is already written in stone, predetermined by my birth and my choices thus far. That's simply how I see my life playing out."
There was a note of resignation in his voice, but also acceptance. He had made peace with his predetermined path.
"I understand that feeling completely," Kylian replied with empathy. "I often feel the same way that the major contours of my life are already decided. But I also try to remember that having a predetermined path is in some ways a blessing. You have meaning and purpose built into what you do. Your service matters to your family, your province, your nation. That's not nothing, it's actually quite significant."
Wolfgang contemplated this for a moment, swirling wine in his cup. "You're right, of course. I do enjoy my service in the Imperial Guard, you know. I'm genuinely proud of it, proud to wear this uniform and represent our Emperor." He took another drink, then a thought seemed to strike him and his expression brightened. "You know what? I was just thinking about how remarkably privileged we actually are to have been selected for a diplomatic trip to China with von Hausen. Instead of senior diplomats or more experienced officers, they chose us. I genuinely don't know what qualities they saw in us that warranted this opportunity, but I'm certainly grateful for it."
He laughed a little as he spoke, the wine clearly beginning to affect his mood and loosen his tongue.
Kylian dropped his head and nodded, a slight smile forming at his lips. "This trip to China has certainly been an experience. A complicated, often stressful, sometimes wonderful experience." He paused, holding his wine cup and seeming to observe it contemplatively for a moment. "I find myself growing quite fond of this place, actually. There's something about it."
Wolfgang's gaze toward Kylian suddenly intensified, becoming more focused and penetrating. He set down his cup deliberately before speaking. "It's about her, isn't it?" he asked simply, the question emerging naturally, without judgment but with complete certainty.
Kylian's head snapped up to meet Wolfgang's eyes, surprise evident in his expression. He didn't say anything, caught off-guard by his friend's directness and perceptiveness. For a moment, only the distant music and the footsteps of waiters could be heard as Kylian pondered what Wolfgang had just asked.
"What do you mean?" Kylian finally asked. His eyes were wide, conveying a multitude of unspoken questions.
"The Third Princess, Princess Changning," Wolfgang stated plainly, pausing to eat a piece of fried beef before continuing. "I observed you talking with her at the wedding ceremony. You were clearly engaged in conversation. It appeared to me that you were genuinely enjoying that interaction, my friend. Now I find myself quite curious about what you actually discussed during those hours."
His tone carried some glee, the satisfaction of someone who had successfully identified a secret his friend thought was hidden.
"Nothing particularly remarkable," Kylian attempted to dismiss it with a sweeping gesture of his right hand. "It was simply diplomatic courtesy, formal exchange of pleasantries. Nothing worth discussing."
"Now, von Reichsgraf," Wolfgang said with a knowing smile, "that was the first time I've ever witnessed you engaging in extended conversation with a woman with such complete attention and interest. I know what I observed was real. It cannot have been merely formalities when you were seated beside her for three consecutive hours, clearly absorbed in whatever you were discussing."
He took another sip of wine, his eyes never leaving Kylian's face.
Kylian felt a burning sensation beginning in his cheeks, and the effects of the alcohol they had consumed certainly didn't help matters. But it didn't matter anymore, the secret was out, at least between them. He took a deep breath and sighed.
"Yes, I talked with her at the wedding," Kylian admitted, hoping Wolfgang would not draw inappropriate conclusions. "But believe me when I say I didn't say anything improper or inappropriate. I maintained complete protocol throughout our conversation. Nothing I said would have been out of place in any diplomatic context."
"I know you wouldn't have," Wolfgang replied reassuringly, his expression becoming more serious. "You're far too conscious of propriety and duty to behave inappropriately. But I can also tell that a woman as remarkable as Princess Changning would have been able to see who you really are—to recognize your character. I really believe she saw something genuine in you that interested her."
This observation made Kylian's heart race uncontrollably. Did Princess Changning truly feel that he was a person worth her time and attention? Had she enjoyed their conversation as much as he had? The thoughts of her came flooding back with overwhelming force—her tilted head, her sparkling eyes, her intelligent observations about governance and philosophy, the way she had teased him gently about the chopsticks.
Kylian found himself unable to deny what Wolfgang was suggesting. She was indeed remarkable. Extraordinary, really. Unlike anyone he had ever encountered.
"It's forbidden, Wolfgang," Kylian finally said, his voice heavy with resignation and barely suppressed emotion. "I find myself profoundly captivated whenever I see her. My thoughts want to betray me constantly, dwelling on her when they should be focused on duty and protocol. But I'm not going to disrespect her or dishonor the Hanseatic Empire because of my personal desires, no matter how strong they are. The truth is..." He paused, then forced himself to complete the admission. "The truth is I think I desire her. Not just physically, though that's certainly part of it. But I desire to know her better, to understand her thoughts and perspectives, to hear her voice and see her smile. It's consuming me in ways I don't fully understand."
He took another shot of wine, hoping the alcohol might dull the intensity of these feelings he was finally articulating aloud.
"I thought as much, my friend," Wolfgang said quietly, his tone sympathetic rather than mocking. "My observations throughout this trip tell me that your feelings are probably mutual, that she's equally interested in you. But it had to be a princess, didn't it? Not just any princess, but the daughter of the Son of Heaven himself, one of the most politically significant unmarried women in the world."
He paused, then couldn't help but crack a small laugh. "I'm sorry, but I do find it somewhat amusing that you, Kylian—who has dozens of eligible noblewomen interested in pursuing you back home, any of whom would make a politically advantageous match, find yourself captivated by literally the most forbidden woman you could possibly have chosen. A Chinese imperial princess. The absurdity is almost poetic."
Despite his distress, Kylian found himself smiling at his friend's observation. He too understood the absurdity of the situation, the cosmic joke of it all.
"I didn't ask for this, you know," Kylian protested mildly, attempting to sip another cup of wine. "I wasn't trying to fall for anyone, least of all her. It simply... happened. Against all reason and better judgment, it happened."
"Kylian, listen to me," Wolfgang said, leaning forward with surprising intensity given his increasingly wine-affected state. "You could theoretically have access to almost any woman in the world. Well, perhaps excepting imperial princesses and queens. You're wealthy, handsome, from one of the most distinguished families in the Empire, accomplished in your career. It's not a bad situation at all. But I understand, I genuinely do. The heart wants what it wants. Logic and practicality have nothing to do with it."
His tone was both sympathetic and matter-of-fact.
"In this particular case, my heart apparently wants something impossible and forbidden," Kylian added with a tone of grim finality, as though closing a door on any possibility.
"I wouldn't dismiss it quite so simply," Wolfgang interjected, pausing mid-chew of a piece of beef. "I wouldn't give up on this so easily."
"Why not?" Kylian asked with genuine surprise. "What possible future could there be? She's a Chinese princess, I'm a Hanseatic officer. The gulf between us isn't just cultural, it's cosmic. Unbridgeable."
"It's actually quite simple," Wolfgang replied, his reasoning becoming more emphatic even as the wine made his delivery slightly less precise. "I can tell from the way she glanced at you during the wedding, from the fact that she spoke with you for three consecutive hours despite every protocol reason not to, that she feels the same attraction you do. I know it's an entirely different matter when it comes to parents and family approval and political considerations. But there's something genuine here, something worth fighting for. That doesn't come along often in life, especially for people in our positions where marriages are typically arranged for political advantage."
"I'm not even certain we'll ever cross paths again," Kylian admitted, his tone soft but carrying profound weight. "After tomorrow, I return to Hansa and she remains in Beijing. Our worlds will diverge, probably permanently. This entire encounter may simply become a memory—a beautiful memory."
"Life works in mysterious ways, my friend," Wolfgang said, his face clearly getting redder from the wine though his eyes remained sharp and focused. Kylian genuinely couldn't determine whether his friend was becoming drunk or whether this was his most genuine, unfiltered honesty. "Who knows? It could be that this is merely a passing moment in your life, something to remember fondly but which leads nowhere. But I don't think so. I think it's deeply significant that of all the women you could have been drawn to, it was specifically a princess. There's something almost fated about it. I don't know how to explain it, but I genuinely think you both would make an extraordinary pair."
He drank another cup, laughing slightly but also completely serious.
Kylian felt himself blushing intensely at what his friend had just suggested. They would make a good pair? The idea was almost too overwhelming to contemplate. He quickly turned his head to the left, looking away toward the room's ornate wall decorations, quietly trying to suppress the intensity of emotion flooding through him.
After several moments spent composing himself, Kylian turned his head back toward Wolfgang. He was about to speak, to perhaps articulate some response to these extraordinary suggestions, when he noticed that Wolfgang was now holding the wine pitcher upside down, trying desperately to extract every last drop into his cup. The pitcher was quite obviously completely empty.
"It seems we might need to order another pitcher," Wolfgang announced, his head tilting upward to face Kylian as he spoke. "This one appears to have surrendered all its contents."
"More wine?" Kylian asked with some concern, though he was also tempted. "I would certainly love to join you in continuing, but what about the driver waiting downstairs? We've already been here for hours. Won't he be wondering what's happened to us?"
They had just consumed an entire liter of premium rice wine between them, and while they weren't quite drunk, they were certainly well past the point of strict sobriety. Kylian worried they might be taking advantage of the man's patience.
"He's probably enjoying himself somewhere as well, Kylian," Wolfgang replied with cheerful dismissiveness, his smile widening. "Embassy drivers in Beijing know how to pass time entertainingly. Don't worry about him, he absolutely won't leave without us. It would be more than his position is worth to abandon Foreign Minister von Hausen's charges in a restaurant." He paused, his eyes taking on a pleading quality that Kylian found hard to resist. "Let's order more food too. Different dishes, new flavors to explore. This is our last night in China, we should make the most of it."
Kylian looked at their table and realized that the various dishes they had ordered had indeed all been completely consumed. The plates and bowls were empty, scraped clean, and the wine jar that had seemed so substantial when it arrived now lay empty. Time had moved so quickly, the hours slipping away in conversation and companionship.
He took a deep sigh, weighing responsibility against desire for one more evening of freedom before they returned to the rigid structures of military and diplomatic duty. "I would not normally advise doing anything that might agitate von Hausen," Kylian said slowly, "but if you frame it that way, then yes, let's order more. More wine, more food, more of everything."
For this one evening, he decided, he would try to forget all the complications and impossibilities and simply live in the moment. Their time in China was coming to an end, their youthful adventure was transitioning into more serious adult responsibilities, and this might be the last chance they had to simply be young men enjoying themselves without the weight of family expectations and career pressures.
And perhaps, taking in what Wolfgang had said—absorbing his friend's unexpected encouragement rather than dismissing it entirely—maybe there was something worth fighting for. Maybe the connection he felt with Princess Changning wasn't merely a beautiful illusion to be abandoned. Maybe it was something real, something that deserved to be pursued even if the obstacles seemed insurmountable.
Those were thoughts for tomorrow, for the long voyage home, for the weeks and months ahead when he would have time to process everything that had happened in China. Tonight was for friendship, for wine, for celebrating the extraordinary experience they had shared.