Into the Lion's Den (63 page)

They sat and ordered dinner, letting the boys be together in the round table. In less than a minute the men lost interest in them and started to discuss their business in German.

“Konrad told me that you're moving to Zurich soon,” Guntram said to start the conversation.

“Yup, I'm a dead man walking. They changed the execution time just because of a small incident in Salou.”

“Where?”

“Spain. Some friends from the University and I were celebrating a bit and you know how things are. We met a few girls, also drunken as we -the place is incredible, one disco or a pub after the other and you can drink all what you want-and went to the beach as we had no money left for the hotel. I don't know why they make so much fuss about it. Everybody does it there. We were having a good time, all of us, all together and boom! The Spanish police came out of nowhere! We were detained for indecent exposure, alcohol consumption and two of the guys for minors' corruption. Who would have thought that those hot little things were only fourteen? Lord, those two knew much more than us!”

“How many of you were arrested?”

“In total? Let me see. About thirty people I would say. But there were no drugs involved.”

“That sounds like a Roman orgy to me. The Spanish must have been shocked.”

“Yeah, we were in the newspapers even. Only the initials, of course. The major expelled us from the city.

Uncle Konrad exploded and here I am. Probably my father will abandon me here.”

Guntram was shocked, looking at him with big eyes. “Please, don't tell me you're a prude like my uncle.

He was even shouting me for having oral sex in public. Where's the fun if you don't do it like that?”

“In the act by itself?” Guntram asked, still digesting the news. 'I'm not surprised Konrad does not let Marie Amélie come to the house if we have a satyr around.'

“Tell me once thing, Guntram. How is it for you? Is he not too boring? I mean, you're the Consort now, therefore you have to attend all the meetings and protocol things.”

“I was invited to the dinners before. You'll get used after a week or two. It's not that bad.”

“Well, at least he disappears to the States when we return to Zurich for twenty days or more. That will be good,” Armin whispered.

“Look Konrad, those two are already conspiring against their elders,” Albert joked. “Seems they're going to be friends,” Both boys looked at each other with barely concealed contempt. “Perhaps, not. What do you think?”

“Your son should learn from Guntram the proper behaviour of a gentleman. He perfectly fulfils his duties as my Consort and has learned in less than half a year to be one of us.”

“The good breed finally shows, cousin. Guntram has my respect for all what he has overcome and for taming a lion. Armin, learn from him.”

“Thank you, Albert,” Guntram mumbled, hating to be the centre of attention.

“Thank you? No, my friend. You have to come to our next Board meeting when I'll present my bank's results. We are going to need a lion tamer,” he chortled. “Just kidding, cousin. Everything will shine that day.”

“When will Armin move with us?” Konrad decided to ignore the joke in order to keep the good ambiance over the table. “Do you want to return with us to Zurich? We leave in four days.”

“I would prefer to remain with my family, my Duke.”

“All right, I will be expecting you on August 15th in Zurich. Your school starts in September and it's time to prepare yourself for it. Dr. Dähler has informed me that he could use your services from August 16 th. You start at eight in the morning. Being a relative of mine means nothing for me in the office. Therefore you will be treated like one of my employees. Is that clear, Armin?”

“Yes, Sire.”

“Good. You drive in the morning to work or to the University. During school time, you're allowed to take two days off during the week to study in the afternoon, but the rest of the time, you work. On weekdays, dinner is at 8:30. If I have guests, you're excused from accompanying us. In a few months, I will reconsider my decision if you prove to be worthy of being with the adults.”

“My Duke, when will I study?”

“First rule, you don't speak unless you're spoken!” Konrad barked and Guntram flinched. 'He was never that hard to me!' “You can study on weekends and after dinner. Use wisely those two days off you have. You're not allowed to go out in the evenings till further notice.”

Armin was shocked but he hid his fury because he knew that shouting would only enrage his “uncle”

much more. He threw a glance in Guntram's direction and saw that the other boy was also shocked and looking at him with sympathy. “Your behaviour as a Lintorff leaves very much to be desired,” Konrad continued, “I will not be as lenient as your father. Guntram can tell you that I don't allow playing or loafing in my house. Work and study and everything will be fine between us.”

August 17th

Yesterday Armin arrived with his things. I'm afraid that his idea of “shaking the house” should be
postponed for some time. The poor guy got a “preventive scold” from Konrad at his studio and a long “Not to Do”

list. In a way it's worst than boot camp. Konrad's idea of “fun” was to send him for a walk to the forest! I mean, I
enjoy walking with him, but I'm not the normal kind of youth, besides I need to have some peace.

Armin is in the yellow room, on the other side of the castle. It's a nice place on the second floor with
good light, furniture, private bathroom and a small desk. He can hang around with me. Poor guy! I was busy with my
painting in the room Friederich sent me in the gallery on the third floor, the former nursery area, and didn't pay much
attention to him. I spoke with Ostermann about this Volcker's offer of an exhibition and he said that he will speak with
the guy. Also, he had spoken with Cardinal D'Annunzio and I'm supposed to try my luck with the portrait of Cardinal
Righi Molinari for the Vatican. Both men liked my style and I'm supposed to do something similar. I will get paid

€
3,000. Yes, Ostermann takes half and the tax office thirty-six percent more of my share. He also checked all my
material and said that I was improving “a little, don't get it to your head'.

So, it seems I have to work because my bank account is really thin. I don't want to use Constantin's
money and what I received from the exhibition, I donated to father Patricio. I couldn't take that money, even if it was
the work of two years. I'm not the man who made those paintings. I always did my best to avoid touching the money
from the scholarship because I felt that I was already abusing him with all the things he was giving me, besides letting
me live in his house and paying part of my school from his own money. I was living mostly from the leftovers
Robertson was selling.

Last time I looked, it was in £3,476.

Anyway, Ostermann told me to start to paint two concepts I showed him and we will see what comes out.

One of the ladies studying with him, Ms. Van Breda, liked several of my watercolours of the beach in Sylt and wanted
to buy them. Ostermann jumped on her and charged her €1,500 for five pieces. Much less than the £600 Robertson
was getting, but I said nothing. I got €480 cash from him. Not very useful because here they take Swiss Francs. Could
use them to buy working materials.

August 19th

Konrad went to America but before he left, he shouted at me like never before. I honestly didn't know I
was not supposed to do it!

“How dare you to take money from the Church! It's an insult to me and to your duties as my Consort!”

He roared, entering in my studio and hitting the door. I rose from my chair where I was painting with my heart rate at
top speed. Fortunately, Friederich came in almost immediately.

“My Duke, you should let Guntram explain himself before you pass your judgement.”

“What do you have to say in your defence?” He asked me in a voice that terrified me. I just froze and
looked at him, breathing raggedly.

“My Duke, for the last time, shouting at the young man will not solve the problem and will only be
detrimental for him!” Friederich shouted at him.

“He's a shameless whore! He takes money from everyone! Worthy of being Repin's slut!” He shouted
back to Friederich. His words hurt me so much, much more than any punch from Massaiev or threat Constantin could
have done.

“Don't you dare to speak in that tone to me, boy!” Friederich growled, without raising his voice.

“Remember who I am!”

“I remember very well who I am and he has disgraced our family! Like the cheap whore he is! I should
have seen it! Exactly as the other!”

They continue to shout at each other in German while I had to sit in the chair, dizzy and lost. I felt some
pain in my chest and swallowed a pill. Friederich saw it and immediately rushed to me. “Guntram, are you feeling all
right? You're pale and ashen.”

“I'm fine. I just don't understand what is all this about,” I almost cried.

“The Duke says that you accepted money for a Cardinal's portrait. He was just informed of your
commission by your teacher.”

“Yes, I have to paint a portrait but I haven't received a cent so far. It's after I deliver it. Meister
Ostermann managed the sale and set the price. He only told me to start to work with the photos I got and perhaps I
will have to fly to Rome to sketch Cardinal Righi Molinari,” I said dumbfounded.

“Guntram, you're not supposed to take money from our Mother, the Church,” Friederich explained to
me softly.

“I didn't know it! It's true! I'm almost broke and accepted the commission because it's a great
opportunity to me!”

“If you need money, just ask for it. You should be used to it by now!” Konrad said with contempt and I
nearly broke into tears because I had never felt so dirty in my whole life.

“I'm poor, not a beggar! But you're so heartless that you don't know the difference!” I shouted Konrad.

“I need to work to have something of my own!”

“Why don't you have money? I understood that your last exhibition had great success,” Friederich
asked me after giving Konrad a disapproving glance.

“I didn't keep the money I made, or the other I got in the past year. I've sold nothing since I came here
and I never took a cent more than necessary from Constantin!”

“What did you do with it?”

“I gave it to father Patricio in Buenos Aires. He needed it more than I. The government suppressed most
of the help for the soup kitchen. Pater Bruno knows about it because they write with each other.”

“How much was it?” Friederich asked me.

“I don't know exactly. Some £26,000 and later over £4,000 for some paintings I made in St. Petersburg,
but I'm not sure. Constantin sent the pieces to London and I didn't care at all. I got $2,000 more for two drawings
from one of his lieutenants' mistress.”

“In total almost
€
45,000, child,” Friederich concluded. “In comparison, that's much more than what
you give Konrad from your own profits. It's only a matter of scales. I don't remember you giving a hundred percent of
your income. Get out of this room and return when you're ready to offer your excuses to Guntram. Your behaviour is
unforgivable.”

Konrad looked truly sorry and I couldn't let him go like that. I know I'm an idiot but what can I say? He
looked certainly contrite. “Please, don't go Konrad. I didn't know I shouldn't take money from the Church. I never
meant to insult you or your family. I'll refuse the commission tomorrow morning if that fixes the problem.”

“No, Guntram! It's an incredible opportunity for you and it shows how really good you're!” Konrad
said. “Paint the portrait. I'll tell D'Annunzio that it will be a present from our family to the Vatican. I should have
spoken longer with Ostermann, but I let my temper overtake my reason. My behaviour can't be excused. I said terrible
things to you.”

“It's all right, don't worry.”

“No, it's not all right. I insulted and hurt you when I swore to protect you. Could you forgive me?”

“Yes, of course,” I said and he came to me, knelt to my side and embraced me, almost crushing my ribs
with his arms. Friederich huffed and went away, closing the door quietly. Konrad started to kiss my face and I only
wanted that they would erase the pain his words had caused me.

Some time later, he let go of me and rose from his crouched position. “Why didn't you tell me you needed
money?”

“You already have done so much for me that I couldn't ask for more. I only need to work and get money
again. I'm feeling much better and I will look for a position or something. You have already paid for the school fees,
the medical fees—which must be astronomical—the food I eat and even the paper I use for painting!”

“Guntram, that is nothing for me!”

“But it's a lot for me! You saved my life!”

“You also. My life was dark and horrible before you came here,” Konrad confessed, “and I nearly
ruined everything because of my own stupidity!”

“Konrad, next time ask and then shout,” I said and smiled at him.

“You're too good for me.”

“I'm glad to be appreciated but I think you're also great for me. I love you even if you're grumpy and
stern.”

“I love you even if you're on another planet all the time and want to hide from the world,” He kissed me
with a lot of passion and I was more than ready to go horizontal on the floor or the table, but he had other ideas.