Chapter 24

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 24

Chapter Title: Scandal

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Sunlight poured through the shop window, so dazzling that Erna narrowed her eyes. Even then, her upright posture holding the teacup didn't waver in the slightest.

Erna moistened her lips with the lukewarm tea and gently set the cup down. Though the cup was chipped and the tablecloth bore stains in several places, considering the price of tea here, it wasn't a bad tea time at all. Her stomach rumbled faintly, but she decided against the scones. It was a lesson learned from last week's ordeal of forcing down those sandy lumps she couldn't bring herself to spit out.

Erna took a steadying breath and began scanning outside the window with eyes full of anxious anticipation. From this window seat in the tea room, she had a view of the Sordau Department Store. That was why Erna came here every Tuesday.

After enough time had passed for five carriages to roll by, Lisa appeared, bouncing with excitement. Erna waved back at Lisa, who was waving enthusiastically. Seeing her so happy was a relief—delivery had gone smoothly again this time.

"They paid even more than last week today!"

Lisa rushed into the tea room, breathless, and held out the money pouch with a face full of awe.

"You're amazing, miss. Mr. Pent said your work is so skilled and your hands so quick—he couldn't stop praising you."

"It's thanks to your help."

Erna smiled shyly and handed over Lisa's share. Knowing refusals were pointless, Lisa gratefully accepted the money.

"Thank you, miss. I mean it."

"Me too."

Erna lifted the teapot and poured into Lisa's cup.

"Thank you so much, Lisa."

Lisa's eyes reddened at the kind greeting passed along with the teacup.

When Erna first asked for help selling flower arrangements, Lisa had thought the miss must have lost her mind. A noble lady earning money that way? It was utterly absurd.

But in the end, she couldn't refuse Erna's plea. Erna wanted to earn money to send to her grandmother in the countryside. Lisa understood that feeling better than anyone—she sent half her wages to her own family back home.

The flower arrangement business with the miss had gone smoothly from the start. At first, Lisa only helped with buying materials and deliveries, but thanks to Erna's teachings, she could now make simple arrangements herself. Even if it wasn't much help, Erna always made sure to pay her full share.

After a short tea time, the two stepped out onto the bustling street together. Chatting and laughing about this and that, they soon found themselves nearing the Hardy residence.

"Let's make more this week."

Erna answered Lisa's ambition with a laugh. It was then that a distressed-looking maid came running up to them.

"Please hurry inside, miss. The master is urgently looking for you."

"Father, for me?"

"Yes. He said to go straight to the study..."

The young maid trailed off, her voice trembling as if on the verge of tears.

Exchanging baffled looks, Erna and Lisa hurried into the mansion's entrance. The air inside felt starkly different from that morning—grave and oppressively dark, though she couldn't say why.

Once the legal review of the overseas loan was complete, the study fell silent again. All eyes naturally turned to Prince Biern Dynister, seated in the place of honor.

"This is what we've reviewed. The decision is now yours, Your Highness."

The bank's lawyer concluded his report with a polite bow.

"You make me feel like an all-powerful god. Not bad at all."

The smile playing on Biern's lips was as fresh as the river breeze drifting in through the open window.

Here in the palace, receiving guests with full formality for once, there was no trace of the rogue drawing all of Lechen's ire. Even more astonishing was that his judgment remained as sharp as ever, even when drunk and summoning them to the social club's library.

The middle-aged lawyer regarded the young grand duke with renewed admiration.

The prince had first stepped into the capital markets at just eighteen. Selling bonds inherited from his grandfather, he'd raised funds and begun serious investments based on his own analysis. Considering how many nobles still viewed it as vulgar merchant work, it was a shocking decision for the crown prince.

He no longer even guessed how much that seed money had multiplied. One thing was certain: if he'd ascended the throne as planned, he would have built a prosperous kingdom. His survival beyond that was less assured.

"Proceed as planned."

Biern tossed out the crisp reply with a smile. At that moment, a forceful knock echoed through the study. The unexpected intruder was Queen Isabel Dynister, her face stern.

Biern dismissed the guests and received his mother. It was rare for her to visit the grand ducal residence this way.

"Tea is ready."

Queen Isabel Dynister politely dismissed the waiting servants. Once alone with her son, her expression darkened further.

"Will you explain this to me, Biern?"

She sighed deeply and set down the newspaper she'd brought. The front page of today's tabloid was dominated by the grand duke's story.

Biern quietly took the paper. Dissatisfied with mere brawl-mongering, the article strained to link it to Erna Hardy.

Biern chuckled and set the paper down. Their talent for sensational headlines was unmatched in the kingdom—sales would soar. A sudden, serious urge to acquire the paper welled up.

"We should raise the palace walls higher."

Biern flashed a light smile at his worried mother, as if it were no big deal.

"Is that all you have to say?"

"A bit regrettable, I suppose."

Biern unconsciously closed the cigar box and let out a short sigh.

"Should've aimed for Heinz's mouth instead of his head."

No trace of serious concern showed on his smiling face.

"Biern! This isn't something to brush off lightly."

"It's hardly the first time. No reason to take it especially seriously."

"This time Gladys is involved! And Miss Hardy too!"

Queen Isabel Dynister's expression was stern as she scolded her son.

"Even if no reunion with Gladys happens, I'm deeply worried about this public opinion forming."

"The more they condemn the former crown prince, the stronger Leonit's legitimacy becomes. Don't worry too much, Mother."

"Biern, I'm worried about you right now. Not Leonit—you, my most painful thorn, my beloved firstborn son's life."

Her usually composed eyes glistened with moisture.

"We don't want to sacrifice you to secure the throne. You've already sacrificed enough for that. I just want you to be happy, Biern."

"I am, Mother. More than enough."

Biern's voice, stripped of all jest, replied calmly. It was his truest sentiment, without a hint of falsehood. Yet the queen sighed repeatedly, unable to relax.

"Are you seriously considering Miss Hardy from House Hardy? If so, tell me honestly. We can discuss it with your father."

"Hardly."

Biern let out a hollow laugh and picked up his water glass.

He would've made the same choice no matter who that woman was. It was a headache being tied to such a grand scandal, but it was just fleeting gossip that would fade with time.

"If not, what about the damage this does to Miss Hardy?"

"Well."

Biern shrugged lightly and gazed out the window. The cloudless sky and piercing sunlight reminded him briefly of that woman's beaming smile and the soot-covered silver bells.

"Not my concern."

Turning from the summer vista, Biern concluded with a bright smile. That too sprang from his truest heart.

Reaching the end of the second-floor corridor, Erna took a deep breath and opened the study door. Viscount Hardy and his wife sat side by side on the sofa, faces flushed with anger.

"You wanted to see me..."

"You shameless wretch!"

Viscount Hardy shot to his feet, bellowing like thunder and cutting Erna off.

"Slipping away early from House Haber's party because you were ill? You fooled us with that innocent face!"

"Father?"

"Tell the truth. Were you really with the grand duke, Erna?"

He shook the newspaper in his hand as he interrogated her.

Erna's face paled at the tabloid headline. The viscount, staring in incredulity, burst into forced laughter.

"It's not... like that."

As she tried to explain, Viscount Hardy's large hand flew toward her face. She realized what was happening only after the sharp slap echoed.

One strike. Another. Unable to withstand the escalating blows, Erna lost her balance and collapsed onto the carpet. Viscount Hardy flung the crumpled newspaper at her feet.

A drop of blood from her split lip fell with a splat onto the article's photo of the prince.