In the city of Kufstein, a dense torrent of rain bombarded the denizens of the Austrian Capital. It was an utterly depressing atmosphere as the wind and rain swept away any stains that may have existed in the city's streets.

Linde gazed out the windows of the Royal Palace with a virgin strawberry daiquiri in her hand and a sullen expression on her pretty face. There was nothing she wanted more than to drink an actual alcoholic beverage at this moment, however she was pregnant with what could very well be her beloved's last child, and she would never threaten the safety of such a precious gift.

It had been nearly twelve hours since she had received word that Berengar had gone missing shortly after arriving in the New World, and she was in a state of complete and total despair. As she lounged away in the bar of the Royal Palace, she sighed to herself. Without her noticing, Hans had approached and gazed upon his mother's look of grief with a painful heart.

He did not know what had caused her to end up in such a depressing state, but he knew it probably had something to do with his father. Thus, the boy casually approached his mother, and grabbed hold of her dainty hand, instantly gaining her attention. With a forced smile, he tried to comfort the woman for whatever may plague her mind.

"It'll be okay mommy, whatever happens you still have me!"

Such kind words from her young child brought a bitter smile to Linde's face as she stroked the boy's strawberry blonde hair. While Hans had been gifted with her brilliant hair color, he had received the eyes of his father, and she gazed deeply into those sapphire gems as tears formed within her own eyes. The Second Empress of Austria struggled to fight back her tears, but in the end, the waterworks presented themselves.

"Oh Berengar... please be alright!"

It was at this point Hans knew something had happened to his father, and could not help but ask about it.

...