Author's note: I am taking creative license with nobility titles in this story, even though these titles are not allowed to be used in Austria since before 1918. Enjoy!
*****
"Thanks for meeting with me today, Mr. Wagner. Please come in. We have a lot to go over today." the middle-aged lawyer said to the young business man as they shook hands.
"Please, Mr. Anderson, call me Luke. I hope we can keep things casual. Formalities and I don't mix well." The dark-haired twentysomething replied as he took a seat in the attorney's well-apportioned office.
"Very well, Luke," Anderson continued, "As you know, I've been working on your father's estate for some time and I believe we finally have it resolved. From our previous correspondence, you are aware that your family had holdings in Europe, specifically Upper Austria where your father's ancestors are originally from. As it turns out, the holdings are quite a bit more significant than we first thought. Financially, there is enough to make you quite a rich man. You'll most likely never have to work again. But there's more. There's also a home near Freistadt, near the Czech Republic border. Well, not so much a home. More like a castle. A very large one, actually. And, most intriguing of all, you have a royal status."
"Excuse me?" Luke interrupted. "Did you say a royal status?"
"That is correct," the lawyer responded. "Your great-great grandfather held the title of Count and it is hereditary, even though your great grandfather immigrated to America before World War One. Since you are the only heir to your father's estate, you are entitled to the nobility. You are now Count Wagner XII."
Luke sat stunned in the barrister's office.
Royalty?
he thought.
Why hadn't his father said something before? What does a Count do? Am I still an American or an Austrian?
The questions swam through his head. "Mr. Anderson, what should I do next?" he asked.
"Well, Luke," Anderson replied, "If I were you, I would want to go see my new inheritance firsthand. You have the funds to fly there today and stay as long as you like. I have statement here with your various accounts and the ways and means to access those funds immediately if you'd like. The local baroness and her family currently live in the castle. They have been notified of your imminent arrival and have assured me that the transition will be smooth."
"Thank you, Mr. Anderson," Luke said as he too the account books. "I believe I'll go as soon as possible. I've always wanted to travel to Europe. Now I have a reason to go."
+++++++++++++++
Lukas Wagner thought himself as far from royalty as one could get. He was born in Gravel City, Michigan, the only child of Gil and Dana Wagner, and had to grow up fast. Luke's mother died of a heart attack at the age of 29. Luke was 7. His father took on more work and various part-time jobs which left Luke in after-school programs and occasional sitters until he was 11, then on his own at home throughout middle and high school. Luke and his father had a good albeit disconnected-at-times relationship. Gil always made sure that he and his son had a roof over their heads and food in the fridge, but their time together in Luke's formative years were slight.
Despite his disadvantages at home, Luke graduated from high school fourth out of over 300 which earned him a full-ride scholarship to the Ivy League university of his choice, but he decided to stay a little closer to home. Southern Michigan University School of Business gladly accepted Luke and he earned his degree in Business Management in just under four years. Although he set a rigid study pace, he still had time to socialize and had his share of college flings. Coed dorms made it easy for students to explore the opposite sex and enjoy one another.
Luke had a few girlfriends but decided against getting serious with anyone until after he graduated. Focusing on career, he landed a job with a local firm and in two short years was promoted to office manager then junior vice-president a year after that. Now, two years after the second promotion and nine months after his father's passing, Luke had more money than he could spend in two lifetimes, a castle in Austria, and a royal status. How fortunes can change from one moment to the next!
+++++++++++++++
"Good Evening, passengers. Austrian Airlines Flight 201 to Innsbruck will be landing in a few minutes," the flight attendant's voice squawked over the intercom. "Please return to your seats and fasten your seatbelts. Thank you for flying Austrian Airlines."
Luke had chosen not to charter a private flight to Europe, opting to fly commercial (he did go first class though) and take his time and see a few sights like London, Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam. Now on approach to Innsbruck, Luke would have to contract a private flight to Linz then figure out transportation to Freistadt and the castle twenty miles northwest. After resigning his position with his employer, Luke purchased both software to try to learn the Austrian German language/dialect and a German/English dictionary for translation help on the fly.
Luke bought some new clothes and stayed the night in Innsbruck then chartered a private plane to take him to Linz. From Linz, Luke rented a car and drove the last 40 miles to Freistadt then on to his new home. The castle was visible a couple miles out and was nestled in the lower part of the Gratzener Bergland mountains. When Luke finally approached the citadel, he stopped the rented car and got out, aghast at the sheer size and beauty of the structure. He shed a few tears wishing his father could see the incredible sight that was now his, then got back in the car and continued up the mountain drive to the front gate.
Luke parked the European sedan near the front door on the circle drive and walked to the door. He had a duffel bag of new clothes and account books with millions of Euros. He puzzled at what he should do next. It was his house, his castle, he thought, but didn't want to just walk in without announcing his arrival. The decision was made for him when the door opened and a short, slender woman in her mid-fifties met him.
"Welcome, Count Wagner," the woman spoke in English and bowed slightly. Her accent turned the W's into V's and reminded Luke of the old vampire movies he used to watch on late-night television. "I am the Baroness Valentina Lehner. We have been expecting you. Won't
(Von't)
you please come in and make yourself comfortable after your long journey?"
"Thank you, Baroness," Luke replied and returned her bow with one of his own. "Thank you for your hospitality."
"Thank you for yours, my Lord," the titled lady said. "My family has lived in your castle for three generations. We are still trying to find new accommodations, but my family and I will be out of the castle by tonight."
"Baroness," Luke replied, "Please accept my invitation for you and your family to stay here until your new accommodations are ready. There seems to be more than enough room for all. And I would enjoy the company of someone familiar with this place and with the local history. Please stay and be my guest for a while."
"You are most kind, Sire," the Baroness answered. "There is only myself and my daughter Sophia. The staff is, of course, pledged to you and will stay after we leave. Now, please, my Lord, come inside and familiarize yourself with your new home."
+++++++++++++++