Panzerfaust

Chapter 48 - The Duce

19th of April, 1946, Charlottenburg, Berlin, Greater German Reich

'We should get a live in nanny soon. I believe all noble women had at least two, rearing their offsprings.'

Otto Skorzeny says as he watches his wife tuck in her babies to sleep, leaning his tall stature against the door of the nursery.

'Thank you for your concern, but I can take care of my children.' Sophia Edelsheim says as she makes sure Teddy is within arms reach of Armin - just in case.

'I wasn't implying the opposite... But once I become Reichsführer of Italy, you'll be the First Lady of the Country. You won't have time to put your little sons to bed every night.'

'Is that what you want?' Sophia asks once she closes the door to the nursery behind them, ushering him to get out before he wakes her sons sleeping in their cots with his blabbering. boring her eyes into his. 'Rule Italy with your friend, Benito Mussolini?'

'My wants and needs have not much to do with it; it's my duty to fulfill any task the Führer decides to give me.'

Sophia needs all her willpower not to roll her eyes at his words. 

He sounds just like Joachim Peiper, utterly brainwashed. How could I not see this earlier?

If Otto Skorzeny noticed her disdain, he hid it well, continuing in a conversational tone - the same he had been using with her for the last 24 hours, going through the ellaborate circle of the Duce under his watchful gaze.

'And my dear friend holds some grudges against us; the Gestapo executed his entire Grand Council for treason.'

'Including his very own son-in law, Count Galeazzo Ciano, Edda Mussolini's husband.'

'Exactly.' He clutches her head in his large palms to show she pleased him with her answer; a gesture that once would have bring joy to her heart; but not anymore. 

'I still don't understand one thing.' She asks in a small voice, not daring to remove his caressing fingers from her face.

'Which is?'

'Why does the Duce still trust you? You're just as a German as the ones who shot his family dead.'

'Does he have a choice? You'll be there to remind him to pick his chances.'

20th of April, 1946, Charlottenburg, Berlin, Greater German Reich

'Be careful with Sigurd Peiper.'

Obersturmbannführer Otto Skorzeny says to his wife as he adjusts his many medals on his proud chest, getting ready for the celebration of the Führer's birthday.

'She said her husband won't mind if she comes over with the girls. Do you?'

'I don't either, but I am sure Lina Heydrich does. They're best friends with Sigurd Hinrichsen, Sophia. They have been for years.'

'I... didn't knew that.' She drops her hand applying lipstick sitting by the vanity table, feeling really stupid and betrayed.

'I thought so. Don't let them use your kindness against you.'

'I can be unkind.' She quips back, green eyes coming alive with anger. It is time that Sigurd Hindrichsen learns about that too.

'Don't let that spoil your mood now.' Large hands squeeze her shoulder in encouragement before placing a velvet box on her dressing table, revealing dazzling sparkles of precious gems.