Chapter 23

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 23

Chapter Title: Token of Promise

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The carriage carrying the two of them came to a stop by a quiet riverside.

The coachman discreetly stepped away, leaving just the two alone inside. The air filled with a thick silence. While Biern gazed at Erna and Erna stared down at her hands folded in her lap in this strange standoff, the sunset reached its peak.

"You didn't come here for this."

Biern's voice seeped into the breeze carrying the gentle sound of the water. Only then did Erna startle and lift her head. Their eyes met in the red glow of the sunset.

"Speak."

He commanded calmly, his bored gaze holding Erna captive.

"You wouldn't have waited for me like that without something important to say, right?"

His words struck right at the heart of it, making Erna's shoulders shrink. She was grateful for the sunset that hid her surely flushed face.

Just sneaking out of the Hardy house and boarding the stagecoach, Erna had felt bold. Even standing on the Grand Duke's bridge waiting for the prince's carriage to pass.

Return the clothes, apologize for that day, and make a firm promise to repay the debt.

The more she recited what needed to be done, the calmer her heart became. But facing Biern now brought this suffocating feeling, which bewildered her all the more.

"First, let me return this."

Steeling herself, Erna held out the large box at her feet. It was the evening coat the prince had draped over her that night. Seeing his well-maintained garment, Biern gave a faint smile.

"Surely the Hardy house has a servant who could have done this errand for you."

"That's true, but I wanted to return it myself."

"Why."

His direct stare grew burdensome, so Erna lowered her eyes and swallowed dryly.

"To... say hello."

Erna twisted the hem of her already wrinkled dress again.

"Thank you so much for helping me, Your Highness. And I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"You got falsely accused because of me. I was the one who hurt Mr. Heinz, but the rumor spread that it was you who started the fight..."

"Ah. That."

Biern cut her off dismissively.

"It's not a false rumor."

"Pardon?"

At the incomprehensible words, Erna snapped her head up. The colorful silk flowers on her hat trembled with the motion.

Biern eyed her anew with intrigued eyes. In her pink dress adorned with white lace, plus all sorts of flowers and ribbons, Erna looked like a walking wedding cake.

"I hit him."

"You hit him? Your Highness, that man? Why?"

"Just because. He deserved it."

Amused by Erna's shocked reaction, Biern turned a bit mischievous.

"The wounds from my fists are ten times worse than the ones from you, Miss Hardy. So strictly speaking, it's not a false accusation."

"Are you all right, Your Highness? You didn't get hurt, did you?"

Biern burst into laughter at the woman earnestly worrying about him.

"That's unexpected. The lady who assaulted me is now fretting over my well-being."

"Assault? That day, it was because Your Highness..."

"It's fine."

Biern smiled again, this time much softer.

"As you can see, I'm unscathed. The rumors aren't false. So no more greetings or apologies are needed. We can consider that matter settled."

While Erna sat stunned, he neatly summarized the situation.

"Anything else you want to say?"

"Uh... yes! There is. I do."

Erna hurriedly rummaged in her basket and pulled something out. Silverbells. Recognizing the flower arrangement, Biern's eyes darkened.

"Don't tell me you came to sell flowers."

"No. I am selling them, but... not to you, Your Highness."

Erna shook her head as she stammered her explanation. It was too earnest to be called cute provocation.

"I'll sell this to pay for the trophy you lost. I promise."

"You, Miss Hardy, will sell flower arrangements yourself?"

"Yes. I've done it before, so I can manage. This is one I made too."

Erna held out the silverbells again. Decorated with a blue ribbon, the arrangement looked so delicate and lifelike it could pass for fresh flowers. When Biern took it, Erna finally relaxed with a relieved expression.

"You have quite the skill, Miss Hardy."

"Thank you. Actually, Mr. Pent said the same."

Even at his cynical jab, Erna beamed innocently. Biern let out an incredulous chuckle.

"Mr. Pent?"

"He's the owner of the hat shop at Soldau Department Store. He agreed to buy my arrangements."

Confusion filled Biern's eyes as the woman spouted ever more baffling words. Oblivious, Erna laid out her detailed plan for earning money to repay the trophy's value.

"So, you're going to sell this now to pay off the debt?"

Biern lightly shook the silverbells in his hand and countered.

"Can you pay it all back before I end up in a coffin?"

"O-Of course it'll take time, but my arrangements sell for more than you think, Your Highness."

Offended by the slight to her pride, Erna bristled. She seemed timid and fearful at first glance, but she could speak her mind clearly when it mattered—a peculiar woman.

"It might sound boastful, but I really am good at making them, Your Highness. I love flowers."

"It does show."

Biern burst out laughing after counting six arrangements on her hat and dress alone. In the unreal purple light, the woman chattering unreal tales looked as beautiful as a clear summer evening.

"Well, do as you like, Miss Hardy."

Biern replied offhandedly.

He had no intention of ever taking the trophy money back from her anyway, so it didn't matter what she did. To him, Erna was just someone guilt-driven to climb into his bed, hand him victory and spoils, then vanish.

If her absurd scheme brought a bit of amusement, there was no reason to refuse. He could think of it as interest on the debt she owed.

"Thank you. I'm truly grateful you understand, Your Highness."

Erna repeated the same thanks joyfully several times.

"I'll give you that flower."

When Biern tried to return the silverbells, Erna shook her head slightly.

"Think of it as a token of my promise."

Facing his bewildered look, Erna smiled brightly. It was a smile like the flower petals she offered him.

Fortunately, Erna made it home before dinner. Thanks to the stagecoach that had sped nonstop from the stop to the Hardy house.

"Miss! Where have you been?!"

Lisa, who had been pacing anxiously over the missing young lady, cried out in relief.

"Sorry, Lisa. I just... went for a little walk..."

Collapsing into the chair by her bedroom window, Erna panted and stammered her lie. She couldn't dream of telling Lisa the truth about meeting Prince Biern, whom she despised. Thankfully, Lisa didn't pry further and focused on her duties.

While changing her dress and rebrushing her hair, Erna replayed the evening with a buoyant mood. Having successfully completed everything as planned filled her chest with emotion. Though she still struggled to adapt to this unfamiliar city and often got lost, at least she hadn't devolved into a useless fool—that reassurance came too.

The prince had praised her flower arrangements.

Above all, that thrilled her. That's why she gave him her favorite silverbells, the prettiest one she'd made. Arrangements like that could serve as gentlemen's boutonnieres. If he put it to good use, she'd feel immensely proud.

He is a bad person.

Erna's view of the prince hadn't changed. Based on his reputation, that was clear.

But at least to Erna Hardy, he is kind.

She readily accepted that as fact too.

A bad but kind person.

With that fitting conclusion, a smile spread across Erna's lips.

Her fingertips itched faintly. Probably from the soft rustling sound of the brushing.

"Why are you so late?"

Seeing Biern arrive an hour past their appointment, Leonit fired off a stiff question first. Even setting down his book showed his clear displeasure.

Biern glanced at the clock and sat across from him at the reception table with an unconcerned smile.

"Something unexpected came up."

"What?"

"Personal matter."

Biern grinned impudently. Knowing his twin brother was most stubborn with that expression, Leonit let out a deep sigh instead of wasting energy on pointless argument. Just then, the butler entered to announce dinner was ready.

"What's that?"

Leonit, about to rise, frowned and asked. Biern held a flower. The kind used to decorate ladies' hats or dresses—an arrangement.

"Ah."

Biern looked as if he'd only just realized what he held.

"Don't tell me you met Gladys."

Recognizing it as silverbells—the very flower the princess loved—Leonit's face hardened coldly.

Biern stared silently at the flower in his hand before casually tossing it into the ashtray. The pure white petals were soon soiled by ash.

"Biern."

"Shall we go, Your Highness."

Biern walked ahead with light steps. No different from usual. As if he'd never even seen the discarded flower.

"For being late, I'll spot you one shot in the game."

He proposed magnanimously to Leonit, who eyed him suspiciously. Recalling their agreement to play billiards after dinner, Leonit scoffed.

"Not something for an amateur to say to a pro."

"True. Billiards is Your Highness's specialty."

Biern laughed agreeably.

Keep an eye on that one.

Recalling their mother's subtle request, Leonit scrutinized him closely. He seemed a bit suspicious, but nothing worth raising issue over.

Just Mother's over-worrying, Leonit tentatively concluded as the brothers arrived at the terrace where dinner was set. A fresh night breeze from the garden blew through on this peaceful midsummer evening.