Chapter 30

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 30

Chapter Title: Let's Make a Deal

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The past woman and the present woman. Whispers speculating which of the two the prince would side with blended with the refreshing roar of the grand fountain's jets.

But Erna, flustered by the onslaught of condemning glares, failed to notice. She felt like she'd made a grave mistake, but with no idea what it was, she was utterly mortified.

Was it the etiquette of high society to never refuse an invitation from a lady of high status?

Yet Erna had never seen any such rule in an etiquette book. For someone leaving in a week to falsely promise attendance at a gathering ten days away—wasn't that deception, the height of rudeness? At least, as far as she knew.

Or had her tone and manner been disrespectful?

She hadn't given a proper reason, so maybe that was it. But with plans to flee her father in just a week, how could she admit she couldn't attend the play?

At a loss, Erna parted her lips to offer another apology. At that moment, a heavy shadow fell over her head.

"Ah..."

Looking up in surprise, Erna let out a soft gasp despite herself. Prince Biern. It was unmistakably him, gazing down at her with a smile. She stepped back reflexively, but his hand shot out to seize her arm even faster.

"Is your conversation with Miss Hardy over now?"

Biern asked the princess, his arm wrapped around Erna in an almost possessive hold, his demeanor perfectly calm and polite, as if nothing were amiss.

"...Yes."

Gladys finally managed a strained reply after a long pause. Her pleading cerulean eyes brimmed with tears.

'Don't cry, Princess.'

On the day he'd announced their divorce, he'd looked down at her sobbing like a child and commanded her coolly.

'You need at least that much dignity, don't you think?'

At his quiet addition, Gladys had finally stopped her tears.

Biern now regarded her with the same gaze he'd had then, watching his wife choke back sobs. Fortunately, the memory seemed to hit her too; Gladys managed to stifle her tears.

"In that case, I'll take Miss Hardy with me."

Gazing at his ex-wife, who had at least preserved a shred of dignity, Biern announced politely. Erna squirmed, trying to escape, but he subdued her feeble resistance with one arm.

"Let's go."

Biern shifted his gaze from the princess to Erna. She stared back with a stubbornly defiant face, refusing to budge.

"Don't be stubborn for no reason, Miss Hardy."

Biern leaned down, whispering into her ear. The startled gasps from the surrounding ladies only heightened the amusement of the moment.

"I'm in the middle of talking with Princess Gladys."

Erna flinched back and whispered.

"Well, I doubt the princess sees it that way."

Biern nodded toward Gladys. Erna glanced over, and bewilderment crossed her face. Gladys's cheeks burned red as she struggled to hold back tears—a far cry from someone ready to continue the conversation.

"But..."

"Your best option right now is me."

Biern's eyes swept over the ladies glaring with sharp blame and hostility before returning to Erna.

"Isn't it?"

Only now realizing her predicament, Erna began to tremble visibly. She looked utterly unprepared for this turn of events. Gladys merely watched the two, still unable to speak.

"Then, I'll be off. Have a pleasant evening, Princess."

With a courteous farewell, Biern escorted the bewildered Erna away. The onlookers fell silent and parted, making way as they passed.

Watching the pair depart arm-in-arm like lovers, there was only one conclusion to draw.

The current woman had won. Decisively.

The grand fountain's jets fed into a channel that wound through the garden to the riverbank.

Biern and Erna walked together along the promenade beside the long, straight canal. Arches of flowers and lanterns lit the path, creating a dreamlike beauty under the night sky.

Biern stopped at the end, where the path met the river. Erna still wore a dazed expression.

"Miss Hardy."

Calling her name snapped her back to awareness, and she finally looked up at him.

"Did I wrong the princess somehow?"

Erna's cautious voice trembled faintly, her eyes full of worry.

"Did you stand up to Gladys without any plan?"

Biern stared at the naive woman, and an incredulous laugh escaped his lips—the same one he'd let out upon hearing Peter's report.

"Stand up to her? I'd never!"

"I heard you refused the princess's invitation. Right in front of her, no less."

"I did decline the charity play, but I meant no harm! How could I ever do something like that?"

Her eyes narrowed, deepening their blue hue.

"Is refusing an invitation from someone of high status against the etiquette here?"

"No strict rule, but considering Gladys's position, it's an unwritten code. Crossing that princess means making enemies of every lady in society."

"Was my refusal taken that way?"

"Probably."

Erna, listening desperately to his answer, let out a despairing sigh and bowed her head. The shadow of her long lashes, cast by the glass lantern on a branch, trembled finely over her reddened lower lids.

"I just couldn't attend, so I declined. That's all. Really."

She seemed desperate to prove her innocence. Her fervor piqued Biern's interest.

"Why?"

He asked calmly, eyeing her face, pale even in the warm lantern light.

"Did you have a prior engagement that outranked the princess's invitation?"

"Well..."

Erna trailed off, averting her gaze.

She knew she had to keep it secret, but she desperately wanted to clear her name to at least one person. Especially since that person was Prince Biern.

There had been unpleasant moments, but more memories of gratitude. She didn't want to be remembered by him as rude or undignified. That was her minimal pride. Above all, there was the debt between them.

"Truth is, Your Highness, I'm leaving Schwerin in a week."

After much deliberation, Erna confessed her secret.

She felt she could trust him.

Reckless after being burned by trusting her father, perhaps, but she was certain this man wouldn't harm her.

"Heading back to Buford. To my family."

Erna held her breath, watching him. Aside from narrowed eyes, his face showed no change—a seeming indifference that eased her final wariness.

"So promising to attend a gathering ten days from now would be a lie. I didn't want to do that."

"Why not tell Gladys that?"

"I couldn't!"

Erna whispered, glancing around.

Young gentlemen and ladies were heading to the dock in small groups. The fireworks—the highlight of the summer festival—were about to begin. They whispered and glanced over, but none approached close enough to eavesdrop.

"It's... a secret."

"A secret?"

"Yes."

Erna nodded slightly, her cheeks flushed like ripe apples.

"I'm planning to leave quietly. So please, keep it secret."

"Why? Planning a midnight flit?"

Erna flinched at his laughing question, swallowing dryly. Her darting eyes betrayed clear anxiety.

Biern stared at her—she truly seemed set on running away—and burst into laughter. He'd thought her in league with her father, scheming a marriage deal, but she was just an innocent country girl, clueless about the world. Or maybe not so innocent; realizing her plight and deciding on elopement was bolder than naive.

She was no seductress or fawn, but something indefinable. The confusion she brought was unexpectedly enjoyable. Thinking of Viscount Hardy dreaming of selling his daughter for salvation, the lechers eyeing her like merchandise, and the audience ready to devour the farce made the world seem beautiful.

As darkness deepened, the lights sharpened. Biern laughed heartily for a while, ignoring the stares of startled onlookers. Until his laughter faded, his eyes stayed fixed on the flustered Erna. Timid at first glance, but boldly charming upon closer look.

"Why tell such a big secret to me?"

Biern looked down at her, a lingering smile in his eyes. Blue eyes, red lips, skin so pale veins showed through. Her small face, with its contrasting vivid hues, filled his calm gaze.

"What if I ruin your plans?"

His eyes lingered on a few soft brown strands fallen to her nape, then stopped on her wide eyes.

"I know Your Highness isn't the type."

"You know me, Miss Hardy?"

Even as he teased, traces of that boisterous laugh clung to his lips. She nodded without hesitation, her eyes innocently pure.

Blind faith must run in her family.

Even as cynicism flickered through his mind, his gaze stayed on her. Erna spoke with sudden gravity just as the brim of her large hat began to annoy him.

"Even after leaving Schwerin, I won't forget the debt I owe you. I'll repay it."

"Debt? Ah, that."

Remembering the trophy fee he'd forgotten, Biern chuckled. It felt like he'd exhausted a season's worth of laughter in one day.

"Don't worry about it. I swear on the honor of House Baden I'll repay it, I promise again."

Baden again. She acted as if it were her own name.

Unfamiliar, but worth more than Hardy, so Biern nodded agreeably. Her ambitious plan to sell flowers and repay in gold seemed intact, even with her elopement scheme.

A soft river breeze blew between them as they gazed at each other. Biern turned toward the fishy scent and lively laughter. Boats carrying matched couples glided on the river. Time to end the game.

"Shall I cancel that debt?"

Biern faced her with renewed composure.

"Carrying a debt while running away sounds too harsh. Thinking back, that night was my rudeness that caused it. Blaming only you would be unfair."

"But..."

"Let's make a deal."

Biern proposed with utmost benevolence.

"Grant me the honor of enjoying the Arbit River nightscape together."

He extended his hand courteously to the bewildered Erna.

"Do that, and I'll wipe your debt clean. What do you say, Miss Hardy?"