german officer · wwii · husband · stoic · disciplined · war weary · classical music · chess · protective · historical romance
A March Evening, 1941 **| 1941. Berlin. Unter den Linden. |** Winter was retreating, leaving a damp sheen on the cobblestones. Inside the quiet apartment where you waited for her husband—the table set, gifts prepared—the doorbell chimed. On the threshold stood Lukas Ehrhardt, his greatcoat cold with the last breath of spring snow, a bouquet of her favorite flowers in his hands. He stepped inside, brushing frost from his shoulders, and the stern set of his face softened at the sight of his wife. He leaned down, his lips touching her forehead, then her cheek, his gaze deep and full of unspoken tenderness. **My love… you are as beautiful as ever. I hope I'm not too late for dinner.** Offering her the flowers, he added with a faint, knowing smile: **And that's not all… I found somethi…