Chapter 2: The Prince of Austria
The arrival of Prince Friedrich von Habsburg to London's elite social circles was an event no one dared to ignore. A scion of one of Europe's oldest and most powerful dynasties, Friedrich was a man whose gaze carried the weight of history, and whose shoulders bore the pride of his lineage. His commanding presence was inevitably remarked upon in every salon, and his name became a whispered topic of conversation within the elegant halls of the Ritz London Gallery Hotel.
Friedrich was no ordinary man, nor merely a prince. He had been educated at the finest institutions in Germany and England, where his brilliant mind had been refined by great masters of philosophy, politics, and economics. At thirty-eight, he had already participated in significant military campaigns, earning not just medals but also a permanent injury to his left leg that required him to use a cane. Far from diminishing his imposing presence, this mark of his courage only enhanced it. His cane, made of polished ebony with a silver handle sculpted into the form of an eagle, was an accessory he wielded with an elegance that bordered on theatrical.
His face was a portrait of strength and determination, with a chiselled jawline, piercing ice-blue eyes, and a long, meticulously groomed moustache that added to his aristocratic air. What made him even more intriguing, however, was the combination of his noble bearing and a sharp intellect paired with an uncommon vision for the future. Friedrich was a forward-thinker who dreamed of a modern empire deeply rooted in tradition.
He had never married, a fact that fuelled endless speculation. Princes of his stature rarely remained bachelors for so long, but Friedrich seemed immune to courtly pressures. It was said he was demanding, seeking in a woman not only beauty but also intelligence and strength—qualities rarely found together.
When he purchased a medieval castle in the hills near the Ritz, the rumours only intensified. The castle, an imposing fortress from the 14th century, had been abandoned for decades. Yet, in a matter of months, Friedrich transformed it into a palace of splendour. Each stone was restored, the gardens revived with white roses and cypress trees, and the moss-covered towers now gleamed in the sunlight.
What truly caught attention, however, was his apparent interest in Aurora Ritz.
The First Encounter
Aurora and Friedrich first met during one of the Ritz's most exclusive dinners. The dining hall, illuminated by crystal chandeliers, was filled with royalty, magnates, and renowned artists. As always, Aurora was the centre of attention, gliding through the room in a golden silk gown seemingly designed to reflect every ray of light.
Friedrich arrived late, his entrance marked by an almost reverent silence. He was dressed in an impeccable black tailcoat embroidered with gold details, his cane tapping lightly against the polished floor with each step. The sound was barely perceptible, yet it announced his presence unmistakably.
Their eyes met the moment he entered. Unlike the other men who vied for her attention, Friedrich did not gaze at her with overt admiration but with something deeper, as though he were trying to decipher her. Aurora, rarely caught off guard, felt the warmth rise to her cheeks.
When they were finally introduced, Friedrich inclined his head slightly, taking her hand with a deliberate gentleness.
"Miss Ritz, I have long heard of your elegance and intelligence. I must confess, the accounts fall short of the reality," he said, his voice deep and melodious, with a faint German accent that lent each word a captivating allure.
Aurora smiled, but a quiet unease stirred within her. Friedrich was unlike the other men who surrounded her. There was an intensity about him, a magnetism that unsettled the composure she so carefully maintained.
A Growing Proximity
In the days that followed, Friedrich became a constant presence at the Ritz's events. He was discreet, yet his presence invariably drew attention. Always impeccably dressed, his aristocratic charm contrasted with his ability to discuss a wide range of topics, from Kantian philosophy to the latest industrial innovations.
Aurora, accustomed to being the focal point, noticed something peculiar: Friedrich never competed for her favour like the others. He didn't send extravagant gifts or make grand public declarations. Instead, he found subtle ways to be near her—discussing art at an exhibition in the hotel or sharing a historical anecdote during a dinner.
She sensed that he was studying her, though not in an intrusive manner. He seemed genuinely interested in discovering who she truly was, and this both fascinated and unsettled her.
The Castle and the Invitation
Then came an unexpected invitation. It was a simple yet elegant handwritten note from Friedrich, inviting Aurora to dinner at his castle. The handwriting was precise, but there was something personal in every curve of the letters, as if each word was a deliberate gesture.
The castle, when Aurora arrived, looked like something out of a fairytale. The gardens were lit with torches, and a gentle mist cloaked the towers, creating an almost ethereal atmosphere. Friedrich awaited her at the grand entrance, dressed in traditional Austrian attire adorned with silver details.
During the dinner, served in a banquet hall with vaulted ceilings and ancient tapestries, Friedrich revealed an even more fascinating side. He spoke passionately about his battles, recounting the horrors he had witnessed but also the lessons he had learned. He shared his plans to transform the castle into a centre of art and culture, a place where the past and future could coexist.
Aurora, accustomed to the hollow words of powerful men, found herself impressed by his sincerity. Friedrich did not merely speak; he lived his words.
An Unspoken Tension
As the evening progressed, Aurora began to notice a shift within herself. Friedrich's presence unsettled her in a way she could not ignore. It was not just his appearance or his wealth. It was the depth of his gaze, the way he seemed to understand parts of her that even she struggled to comprehend.
When the night drew to a close, Friedrich accompanied her to the castle's entrance. The gentle breeze carried the fragrance of white roses, and the stars sparkled brightly overhead. He held her hand once more, this time with a firmness that made her heart race.
"Miss Ritz," he said, his tone carrying more than mere words, "there is something about you that transcends beauty and elegance. It is as though time itself pauses in your presence."
Aurora remained silent, unable to reply. Their eyes met once more, and in that moment, she felt something she had never experienced before: vulnerability.
As the carriage took her back to the Ritz, Aurora could not banish thoughts of Friedrich from her mind. He was a man unlike any other, and that deeply unsettled her. For the first time, she felt as though she was not in complete control of her own destiny, and the thought left her both anxious and intrigued.
It seemed that fate had plans for Aurora and Friedrich, but what it held in store remained shrouded in mystery.