Love and War: Chapter 18

"I'm really sorry," Alek apologized for the hundredth time. The morning was well on its way, but Alek had no idea what time it was. Count Volger was hidden behind his desk and a newspaper. "I heard women like flowers," he said. "You should get her flowers."

"Alek," Volger put down his newspaper indignantly. "Dr. Barlow and I have decided that a relationship would be inconvenient at this time."

"Oh," Alek frowned. "Is it because of us?"

Volger shook his head, "Not this time. We sort of knew it would end this way."

"I'm sorry."

"I know you are."

"So…wait, does this mean you are never going to see her again?" Volger didn't respond, "That hardly seems fair," Alek said, "you're in love with her."

"Must you say it so loudly?" Volger said softly. Alek felt as though he said it using a moderate tone of voice. "You know it isn't that simple, Aleksander."

The prince released a melancholy sigh, and Volger went back to reading his newspaper that Dr. Barlow undoubtedly smuggled for him. But what Alek couldn't figure out was how the count could be so undaunted by the matter. It was almost as if he were all right with not being happy, as if he were used to it. "I don't see the need to discuss it further," Volger said. "There are so many other things we could talk about."

At that point, Alek knew he wouldn't get any more information out of the man. Alek watched Volger shift painfully in his chair. "So, what did happen to you last night? I didn't even know you could bleed."

"Two Germans cornered me." Volger said, "They were out maneuvered, of course, but they were tough nonetheless."

There was a light knock on the door and a few seconds later Dr. Barlow peaked into the room. Alek looked at her strangely, and he received the same look in return. "What?" She asked innocently as she stepped in. It hadn't crossed Alek's mind before, but the woman always seemed to visit the count frequently and at random. Alek shuddered to think why. But it was rather irritating. Especially now, since he and Volger were in the middle of a conversation. What made it worse was that Volger didn't seem to mind. Naturally, the whole world had to stop for her.

She went over and sat on the corner of the desk, facing Alek. "I have some important information for you," Dr. Barlow said. Though, that was what she always said when she visited. She must have read Alek's mind. "Am I interrupting something?" She said inoffensively. And Alek figured that she didn't truly care, or she was simply being nosy.

"Volger was just telling me what happened to him last night." Alek said. He was content to leave it at that, that wasn't the case with Dr. Barlow. This meant that Alek had no choice but to divulge more information about a conversation that didn't involve her.

"He just told me how two Germans cornered him and did quite a bit of damage."

"They still lost," Volger reminded him.

Dr. Barlow looked at the count skeptically, "Is that what you told our young prince? That's not romantic at all," she said, her eyes were fixed on the man, which Alek found to be slightly unsettling.

"You said you had something important to tell us?" Alek said.

"Yes," The woman looked back at Alek. "I'm afraid your little escape won't happen," she said matter-of-factly.

"Why?" Volger responded tersely, hiding himself behind his newspaper once more. Dr. Barlow leaned over and snatched the newspaper from the man, that way she could have his undivided attention. "I was reading that," Volger said.

"After our encounter with the Germans, it had been suggested to the captain that we leave immediately. The captain agreed, and thus we will be leaving within the next hour or so. I believe we overstayed out welcome anyway."

Alek frowned. That wouldn't give them enough time to escape. And then he smiled. "That won't give us enough time to escape." He'd get to stay with Deryn.

"No it won't, I'm afraid." Dr. Barlow sighed. "So, your plot has been derailed, terribly sorry." She headed towards the door, "That's all I wanted to say."

"Dr. Barlow," Volger said her name and she looked back at him. "I don't suppose you were the one who made the suggestion?"

She appeared to think for a moment. "It seemed only logical," Dr. Barlow said and then left.

Before looking Volger in the eye, Alek restrained a smile that had been desperately trying to spread across his face. "She took my newspaper," Volger said grudgingly, the count started saying something afterwards, but Alek hardly noticed. His mind was other places at the moment. "Alek!" he heard Volger say sharply, ripping him away from his thoughts. "Are you even listening to me?"

"Oh," Alek stumbled, "I was just thinking about...Deryn."

To Alek's relief, Volger didn't comment directly. "Your Highness, you are the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, or did you forget?"

"I remember," Alek said quietly.

"May I advise that you use some discretion before you go running after Miss Sharp."

"You may," was what Alek thought about saying, but decided against it at the last minute.

"I'm sure you are aware of her breeding; or lack of, should I say." Alek smiled and nodded, the words falling on death ears. The one good thing that came out of Alek and Deryn's plot was that now, Volger honestly couldn't tell him not to see Deryn without seeming like a complete hypocrite. He would never look at the boffin and count in the same light again, the prince thought loathingly. Volger shouldn't complain about him and Deryn. This didn't mean that Volger wouldn't try and talk Alek out of it though. "Are you listening to a word I am telling you?"

"I am," Alek said softly, snapping back to attention.

"And?"

Alek smiled and shrugged, "I can't make any promises."