Chapter 29

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

Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 29

Chapter Title: The Midsummer Sun

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

The team led by Crown Prince Leonit claimed victory in this year's rowing competition as well.

It was an expected outcome for everyone, yet the cheers that poured in were still fervent. Flowers of congratulations thrown by citizens densely lining both banks of the river splendidly embroidered the sparkling water surface in a riot of colors.

Even gasping for breath in near exhaustion, the crown prince did not forget to return a courteous bow to the audience. The ladies in the VIP seats, who had been whispering primly among themselves, were now cheering his victory with shrieks close to screams.

Erna was completely absorbed in watching the wondrous spectacle. The rowing race she was seeing for the first time in her life was fascinating. For Erna, who had expected something like the rafts rural boys played on in village ponds, it was a scene that couldn't help but shock her. The boundless energy emitted by countless people and the boisterous festival atmosphere were the same.

Forgetting her plan to slip away at an opportune moment, Erna got caught up in the crowd heading to the award ceremony and crossed the lawn. In the end, it wasn't a very good choice.

While watching Crown Prince Leonit's rowing team lift the winning trophy, Erna averted her gaze, embarrassed by the players' outfits that seemed a bit too revealing.

To think that shorts shorter than knee-length for adults existed in this world!

To avoid the bare skin of their limbs on full display, she had no choice but to focus on their torsos, but that was indecent in its own way, so Erna eventually turned her head away completely. She realized Prince Biern was standing right there only after their eyes met once again.

Startled, Erna stepped back unconsciously, and Prince Biern raised an eyebrow with a short laugh. His face, bathed in sunlight, shone vibrantly. She could almost understand the maids' hypocrisy in cursing the "poison mushroom prince" while clipping his photos from newspapers and magazines.

"Erna? Erna!"

The viscountess's voice suddenly intruded, snapping Erna out of her daze. Lifting her surprised eyes, she saw the audience moving toward the palace garden. It seemed the celebratory party was about to begin.

"You're really so absent-minded. When on earth will you manage to act like a proper lady?"

Even as she scolded, a gentle smile lingered on the viscountess's face. From afar, they would look like they were having a warm conversation.

She still didn't fully understand the etiquette these people talked about, but Erna didn't argue back. Thinking that just one more week and it would all be over, she could endure it all—the glares from people stemming from malicious rumors about her family-that-wasn't-family, and this strange feeling too.

Adjusting her parasol, Erna began following behind the Hardy family leading the way. The click-clack of her brisk footsteps echoed on the sun-heated cobblestones.

As dusk fell, the colored glass lanterns lining the riverbank began to light up one by one. Their glow extended all the way to the other side of the river where the commoners' summer festival was in full swing.

The lively melody of a dance tune played on violins and boisterous laughter carried over on the cooling river breeze. The palace garden, where the VIPs' party was underway, was also lively with bright laughter and music.

Setting down her untouched champagne flute, Princess Gladys Hartford gazed at the midsummer garden bathed in sunset hues with eyes full of regret. Though she had spent her brief honeymoon with Biern in the capital's royal palace, this Schwerin Palace felt more familiar. It was because of the childhood memories of spending summers here.

How wonderful it would be if she could turn back time.

Seeing Biern with his friends, Gladys's eyes reddened even more.

Their group kept glancing toward the Hardy family's young lady, laughing and chatting animatedly. Biern participated by occasionally adding a laugh or glancing at her.

Gladys closely observed the woman receiving his attention. Countess Victoria Meyer was parading the Hardy lady around to this man and that like a traveling salesman. She was undoubtedly a beautiful lady, as the rumors said.

Once she objectively judged that Biern would find her interesting, her chest began to ache with sharp pangs. Even knowing she had no right to feel jealousy, her heart wouldn't settle.

It was a well-known fact across the continent that Lars's princess would become Rechen's crown princess. As foretold, Gladys became engaged to Rechen's crown prince and had a grand wedding two years later. She thought their relationship had no room for love. Foolishly so.

Looking back, it had been love from the start.

Gladys had been thrilled and proud at the fact that she would become Prince Biern's bride. Because there was no man more beautiful and noble in the world. But at that time, Gladys was young, and to a young princess raised in absolute love, he was too unfamiliar and intimidating.

Being by Biern's side made her feel so insignificant. Even though he was a man who never lost his smiling face and gentle demeanor, it was always like that for some reason. Gladys realized the reason only after the engagement had been announced to both kingdoms.

He was a man who didn't care who the crown princess was.

Even if it had been any other woman in the fiancée position, Biern would have shown the same kindness and smile. For Gladys, who had always been the most special and envied being wherever she went, it was an unbearable humiliation.

He was a man like the sun.

A midsummer sun, violently brilliant, blotting out all other lights in the world with its own radiance. And in that light, Gladys had lost her way.

Did that poor girl know?

With pitying eyes, Gladys looked at Erna. Having just escaped Count Leman, she was catching her breath under a magnificent tree adorned with colorful glass lanterns on its branches. As a smile softened her tense face, her expression became much more youthful and gentle.

"Gladys."

Princess Luise's sigh-mingled voice seeped into her awareness.

Gladys startled and turned her head. The noble ladies seated around the table, who had been chatting, now had their gazes fixed on her. Facing their eyes full of sympathy, Gladys's cheeks faintly flushed.

"Don't pay attention to that kind of woman. Your brother isn't serious either."

Having checked where Gladys had been looking moments ago, Luise frowned. Erna was looking around like an excited child. It was an innocently bright face in stark contrast to Gladys's worry-filled one.

"How can she be so shameless? After causing such a scandal, and still making that face... Gladys!"

Spotting Gladys quietly rising from her seat, Luise's eyes widened.

"It's fine, Luise. I'm just going to exchange greetings."

"That's ridiculous. Why would you greet that woman!"

"Because it's more natural that way. We can't keep ignoring Miss Hardy forever."

Shaking off Luise's restraining hand, Gladys slowly approached the now quite intriguing Hardy lady. The noble ladies at the table, fidgeting and glancing at each other, hurriedly followed the princess.

The onlookers, surprised by the unexpected situation, began to murmur, their gazes focusing under the magnificent tree. Oblivious to the approaching princess, Erna was still deeply engrossed in taking in the lively party atmosphere in the garden.

By the time the rumor spread like wildfire to Biern, Gladys halted her steps.

Under the beautifully lit tree, the two women's eyes met.

"My goodness." Someone's exclamation seeped into the sudden silence.

"Hello, Miss Hardy. This is the first time we're exchanging greetings like this. Nice to meet you."

Gladys was the first to break the silence. Gently looking down at the frozen Erna, she offered a kind greeting with a smile. The gazes of the following noble ladies and onlookers were now all on Erna.

"Miss Hardy?"

Urging the silent Erna, Gladys called her name again, emphasizing it.

Only then did Erna come to her senses and hastily observe the proper etiquette toward the princess. Her voice trembled terribly, and her movements were stiff, but it was the best she could do now.

It's because of the prince.

The moment her eyes met the approaching Gladys, Erna realized it in a flash. The society people with eyes and ears all knew that scandalous rumor; there was no way the princess, who had once been his wife, wouldn't know.

First the queen, now the princess.

Thinking about how far the scandal's reach would extend made her feel suffocated. If she could, she just wanted time to pass quickly. So that one week would hurry by and she could escape this world resembling an intricate spiderweb.

Even after exchanging greetings, Gladys didn't leave.

As if meeting a delightful old friend, she led a natural conversation with various friendly topics. It was an exceedingly graceful and dignified demeanor that made one understand why Princess Gladys was the envy of Rechen high society's ladies.

"I hear you don't belong to any circles yet. It must be quite lonely, Miss Hardy."

Delivering words laced with pity for the ostracized country girl, Gladys subtly glanced toward Biern. He was merely watching from afar like an amusing spectacle, showing no particular concern.

As expected, it was just idle gossip, Gladys concluded clearly. Then, she suddenly felt genuine pity for the girl before her. Thinking that she was being used by Biern because of her, a sense of guilt accompanied it. That's why she decided to show unexpected kindness.

"By the way, Miss Hardy. Are you interested in theater by any chance?"

"Yes? Theater?"

Erna asked back in surprise. She was a coarse girl who couldn't hide her emotions well.

"In ten days, there's a charity theater performance for the city's orphanage fund. It's an event my circle is preparing, and if it's alright, I'd love for you to attend too, Miss Hardy."

Now, Gladys could smile from the heart.

It was ridiculous to sharpen her claws against such a harmless childlike opponent. She wanted to give this country girl, who was hated by high society ladies because of Biern, at least a chance to make friends. Of course, Luise and the other members wouldn't like it, but getting their consent wouldn't be impossible.

"Um... that is..."

After a hesitant silence, as if bewildered by the unbelievable invitation, Erna cautiously opened her mouth.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness."

Contrary to her fidgeting demeanor, Erna's voice was clear and calm. Gladys's eyes wavered at the completely unexpected response. It was the first time since starting this conversation that she lost her composure.

"First, I'm truly grateful for your kind consideration. But I don't think I can attend that theater performance. I'm really sorry."

Clasping her fidgeting hands, Erna even bowed her head politely in greeting. Her lips moved as if there was more to say, but she didn't voice it. Instead, she bowed even deeper than before to express her apology.

After the silence like cold water being poured passed, the onlookers began to whisper excitedly.

The Hardy lady has greatly embarrassed Princess Gladys!

How quickly the rumor was spreading was evident from the glances from afar. Biern was one of them.

Striving not to show agitation, Gladys glanced toward where Biern stood. He seemed to have just heard the news from Lord Peter Bergen, who had rushed over, frowning slightly as he looked at her. Then he smirked. Unbelievable, but true.

What on earth did that smile mean?

Even in the abyss of humiliation, as she clung to a sliver of hope feeling wretched enough to cry, Biern turned away. The gazes of the people gathered to watch the melodrama now focused on the prince approaching the two women.