no Leo in any of them. She went to her brother, who was getting his arm bandaged.He has come to and looks over at Vera.
"Vera ... I have to tell you something ... It's about Leo ..." Vera doesn't even want to hear it. She can already tell from her brother's voice that something bad had happened. She starts crying again and lays her head on Martin's chest. This tried to calm her down, but it doesn't help.

A whole year goes by and Vera no longer thinks about the return of Leo. She is making Prince Stefan's bed when he enters the room. "Vera .... I know that you mourn Leo but I ask you .... I can't see when you are sad ... I would like to make you happy. And I am convinced that you it's when you're a princess. So ... do you want to marry me? "Vera looks at him and is silent for a while.

In the evening she goes to her room. Martin is lying there on his bed reading a book. Vera sits down next to him and begins to speak softly: "Martin? .... I have to tell you something .... I'm going to marry Prince Stefan in three days."Martin looks at her in astonishment." But I thought you want to marry Leo ?! "Vera looks to the side. She sighs and closes her eyes:" I've come to terms with it ... Leo is no longer alive. He bravely went to war and fell ... He broke his promises. Left me alone .... and cannot marry me .... The prince wants to give me the comfort that I need and can no longer get from Leo. "She suppresses the sadness that is in her and leans with her back against her brother. Martin can feel her pain and understand how desperate she is. Even if he doesn't want her to marry the prince, he leaves it to her Decision.
She has to clean up the royal family's rooms three more times, and she helps Klara set the table three more times. She sleeps three more times. She wakes up on the third morning. Today she is supposed to be Prince Stefan's wife. Today, she is supposed to be the princess. Today, she should forget her last memories of Leo.She gets up and gets dressed. She no longer has to tidy up the rooms, a maid walks beside her with a folded white wedding dress on her hands. She slowly walks into a room with the maid, where many other maids and maids are waiting for her. When she comes out it is almost noon. She wears a long white wedding dress with lots of embroidery and pearls. A gold amulet is around her neck. A wreath of red roses adorns her head. The waist-length veil is attached to the wreath. She slowly struts down with the maids and maids to the small chapel where everyone is already waiting for her. Her brother and the king stand in front of the chapel. The king smiles happily at her and holds out his arm to her. The church bells begin to ring and Vera hooks the king's arm. Slowly to the beat of the music, she and the king step forward to the altar. The prince is standing there in a dark jacket and trousers.Shortly before the altar, Martin takes over from the king and leads Vera on to Stefan. The pastor begins to speak: "Dear congregation, dear royal family. We have gathered here today to marry two special people ..."
.....
"If you, Prince Stefan Wallachim, want to take Vera Schell, who is present here, as your lawfully wedded wife, answer yes, I do." "Yes, I do.", Stefan replies and smiles at Martin. Martin, however, averts his gaze. "If you want to take Vera Schell, Prince Stefan Wallachim, who is present here, to your lawfully wedded husband, answer yes, I will."
Vera gets nervous and just looks in Stefan's eyes. But these do not radiate warmth, but greed and cold. She thinks of the blue, gentle and clear eyes of Leo. At his smile and his calm but assertive manner. She looks at Martin who looks at her questioningly. The pastor asks her again: "If you, Vera Schell, want to take Prince Stefan Wallachim, who is present here, to your legally wedded husband, answer yes, I do."Vera starts to stutter:" I ... I ... Yes ... I "
The chapel door is pushed open. "Vera! I asked you first!" Came a loud voice through the chapel. Vera's heart begins to race. She recognizes the voice. She knows exactly who it is who has to stand in the entrance of the door. But she can't believe it. Everyone in the chapel is looking back. She turns slowly around. Leo is in the doorway. He leans against the first bench in the chapel. "Leo!" Calls Vera and runs up to him as fast as she can and hugs him. Tears cover her face again and Martin also has tears. Leo gives Vera a tight hug and smiles. Then he says quietly: “Did you really believe that I would break my promise?” Vera looks at him happily: “No ... But I kept telling myself ...” Stefan just watches with open mouth as Vera Leo moves to the altar. When he is about to say something, Martin presses his hand over his mouth and watches as Vera informs the pastor of the new names."So, I hope that this is your right choice now Vera ..... So .... If you, Leo Froh, want to take Vera Schell, who is present here, as your legally wedded wife, answer yes, I will." "Yes, I do" Leo smiles at Vera.
"If you want to take Vera Schell, Leo Froh, who is present here, to your legally wedded husband, answer yes, I want to." Vera looks at Leo and says: "Yes, I want that!" "You are now husband and wife. You can kiss the bride now! "Vera and Leo look at each other. Leo pulls Vera up to him and kisses her. Everyone in the chapel claps. Even the king, whose son was rebuffed, applauds.
"I keep my promises ... I've always done that!" Says Leo as he carries Vera out of the chapel.

"Come on Rebecca! Let's play hide and seek!"
"Yes! You are looking for Jerry!"
"Oh man ... Always me!"
"Well, start counting!"
"Oh no .... one, two, three, four, five, six ...."

the end

By Ulrike Wodnik