A New Enigma
I do not know how long I stood frozen after Augustin von Bayern had disappeared, standing a few steps away from the fountain, staring after him in total bewilderment. His last phrase repeated itself in my brain like the beat of a drum: Because I did not want to marry my stepmother . . . .
According to what I had read regarding Teuton traditions of past centuries, the keys of Teuton cities used to remain in one family until that family’s male heirs died out. Cities chose their own Ladies to embody their collective souls, needing no human intervention in that aspect. The position of Keyholder, however, was a man’s choice. We women never have the choices men have, and it doesn’t matter. All that matters is what you do with the situations that are given to you. I remembered my m
