Heinrich von Zehntner was the second son of Erwin von Zehntner, named after his mother's adopted father, and Erwin's own godfather.
He had grown up in the House of Zehntner within the main line of succession. And yet, throughout his life, he was expected to maintain a standard of discipline that would have been unthinkable for the aristocratic sons of the previous era.
Bruno's reforms had changed things. Not just in the military, but in society as a whole.
The new nobility, those ancient families of merit elevated to the ranks of the realm, were expected to behave like guardians, not dilettantes.
Their sons were raised like warrior-philosophers, men who bore stoic virtues as creed, who swore to uphold the old European concept of chivalry, and pledged their rifle and bayonet to the defense of the common man in accordance with the revived spirit of Noblesse Oblige.
A new aristocratic class, bred not for privilege, but for responsibility.
