Chapter 4

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 4

Chapter Title: A Fortune Rolls In

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"Fine. We're teetering on the edge of bankruptcy anyway, so there's no reason not to give your ex-wife's daughter a share. She is your daughter, after all."

Brenda Hardy snapped sharply at her husband, who had clamped his mouth shut. Her mind, which had been numb with shock the night before, was now filling with belated fury. Whatever. Walter Hardy just silently tilted his glass.

"Are you even listening to me? Dear! Hey, Viscount Hardy!"

Brenda Hardy irritably snatched the wine bottle away as she shouted. Ever since they'd been swindled, he'd been drinking nonstop day and night, but today it grated on her nerves more than ever.

'Um... a lady from the Hardy family came by.'

Last night, when the flustered maid had hesitantly relayed the message, Brenda had assumed it was some lunatic. Erna Hardy. If the maid hadn't mentioned the visitor's name, she might have ordered the servants to dump a bucket of filthy water on her and chase her off.

Annette's daughter had shown up. Out of the blue, why?

Unable to believe it, Brenda had rushed over, only to be met with a sight that left her jaw dropping. The girl looked so much like her own mother. It was as if the dead Annette Baden had come back to life, sending chills down her spine. Of course, the girl's ridiculous outfit was equally shocking.

"Dear! What on earth are you going to do about that girl? Huh?"

"Send her back."

Walter Hardy, who had been watching the fire from across the river, finally spoke up.

"Persuade her properly so she understands, and send her packing. That's all there is to it, Brenda."

"You say that so easily. Yes, I'm sure she'll listen to reason. That's why she came all the way here with that absurd demand. Of course."

Brenda Hardy snorted derisively, openly mocking him.

Keep the Baden countryside estate safe? The girl's request was utterly ridiculous and brazen. Even with her face tense with nerves, she had rattled off her plea clearly and precisely—just like Annette Baden. To keep from throwing the girl out on the spot, Brenda had to muster every ounce of patience she possessed.

"Master, Madam. Breakfast is ready. Miss Erna has come down as well."

The maid's cautious knock and announcement cut off Brenda Hardy mid-rant.

"Make her understand and send her away properly. You have to. Got it?"

Leaving his nagging wife behind, Walter Hardy rose from his seat.

They'd let her stay the night and fed her—that fulfilled the bare minimum of duty. With that, he was firmly resolved to kick her out immediately. He had no desire to add another headache like a debt collector in the form of his daughter to his already troubled situation. That was certain. At least until he faced Erna, waiting quietly in the breakfast room.

As their eyes met, Erna hurriedly stood from her seat. Morning sunlight poured through the wide garden-facing window, bathing her completely. Was it because he'd been so drunk last night? It felt like seeing the girl for the first time.

"Good morning, Father."

Erna, who had been blinking her large eyes while holding her breath, offered a shy greeting. Her voice was clear and soft.

"Um... Father?"

She tilted her head slightly and clasped her fidgeting hands tightly together. Her petite, delicate frame and dainty features were a perfect likeness of her mother. The only trace of him seemed to be her brown hair.

Swallowing dryly, Walter Hardy scrutinized his daughter with intensified focus. Even in that absurd outfit, she was strikingly pretty. Dressed properly, she would undoubtedly be a great beauty. She might even rival Princess Gladys, whom the whole kingdom had fawned over.

As his thoughts reached that point, Walter Hardy unwittingly let out a short exclamation. It felt like a massive fortune he'd completely forgotten about had just rolled in.

"You eat first."

Uttering words utterly at odds with his earlier resolve, he looked at his wife beside him with a suddenly serious gaze.

What the hell are you doing?

Brenda Hardy glared at him with bulging eyes and mouthed her reproach, but he didn't budge.

"Let's have a little talk, dear. I have a feeling it'll be very important."

The grand duke's carriage didn't return until morning had fully broken. At least in Schwerin Palace, it was just another unremarkable scene of daily life.

"Good morning, Mrs. Fitz."

Biern greeted the stern-faced Mrs. Fitz with his usual carefree demeanor. The faint whiff of alcohol carried on the crisp morning air deepened the furrow in her brow.

"You're home quite early, Your Highness."

Even at her barbed reply, Biern just flashed a bright smile.

He gave a slight nod to the lined-up servants and strode across the hall. Not a trace of last night's indulgences could be seen in his straight, elegant posture. Mrs. Fitz let out a silent sigh and followed behind him.

"An invitation has come from the palace as well."

Mrs. Fitz added emphatically while reporting on the flood of invitations to various social gatherings. Biern, who had just reached his bedroom door, glanced back over his shoulder at her.

"From the palace? Why?"

"His Majesty the King has commanded that, no matter what, Your Highness must attend the founding festival ball this year to fulfill the Grand Duke of Schwerin's duty. He said that if you do not, all the servants of the grand ducal household will be held accountable."

"Sounds more like a threat than an invitation."

Biern let out a dry chuckle as he opened the door. Rubbing his reddened eyes and his slow gait betrayed a fatigue that clashed with the vibrant morning atmosphere.

Every May, Lechen held its founding festival. The palace ball that kicked it off was a grand event that drew the eyes of all high society. More than a few foolish nobles spent an entire year preparing for it.

Since yielding the crown prince position, Biern had stopped attending. For them to suddenly make an issue of his absence after tolerating it for so long meant the royals' stance had shifted. The reason was probably Gladys. That name which had been grating on his nerves lately.

As the maids following him drew the heavy curtains to block the sunlight, Biern slowly removed his jacket and loosened his tie. Mrs. Fitz, who had been standing there with more to say, reluctantly turned away as he began unbuttoning his shirt.

'Is there no lady on your mind, by chance?'

Toward the end of the charity gala at the royal hospital, his mother had asked casually.

'Surely one divorce isn't enough to satisfy you.'

Biern had quipped back lightly and glibly. His mother's eyes, fixed on him silently, had deepened with unmistakable worry. The sudden invitation was probably due to that.

Biern tossed his shirt aside carelessly and collapsed onto the bed. The maids closed the last curtain and retreated with minimized footsteps.

Gazing at the ceiling motionlessly, Biern soon drifted off. Regular breathing began to fill the dim, quiet bedroom.

Something was off about the atmosphere in the house.

That was Erna's conclusion after spending the past three days at the Hardy residence. An uneasy, gloomy mood seemed to weigh down the entire household. If they would just give her a clear refusal already, she could return to Burford. But Viscount Hardy was dragging his feet on a firm answer.

Let me think about it some more.

That was the only response to her courageously posed question, and it had been for days now.

If it was the same today, Erna planned to give up cleanly. She couldn't impose as an unwelcome guest forever. She also worried about her grandmother, who must be fuming over her granddaughter's abrupt departure via a single letter, like a midnight flight.

Maybe a short walk would lift my spirits?

After pondering, Erna changed her mind. Just thinking about yesterday afternoon—when she'd gone out to escape the stuffiness and nearly met with trouble—made her hands tremble. A man she'd encountered in the square had kept talking to her and following, forcing her to flee in a panic.

"Miss! Miss Erna!"

Knock knock knock. A cheerful knock and lively voice rang out. Erna, who had been peering out the window, flinched and drew the curtains. As she hurriedly straightened her clothes, another knock sounded.

"Yes! Come in."

Erna floundered to her seat at the table by the window. Moments later, the door opened, and a maid entered carrying a tray with afternoon tea.

"Thank you."

"You're doing it again, Miss! I told you to speak comfortably."

"Pardon? Ah... okay."

A shy smile bloomed on Erna's face as she looked at the maid.

The young maid, who had introduced herself as Lisa, was in charge of attending to Erna. She was a kind girl with an impressionable, beaming smile. Erna was grateful for her attentive care in many ways, but dealing with someone her age after so long felt a bit awkward. It was the first time since Pavel had left for university.

Come to think of it, the city with the Royal Academy of Art is right here in Schwerin.

The sudden memory brought belated regret. It would have been nice if she'd gotten Pavel's address. But she'd left in such haste that she hadn't had time to think of it.

The Baden estate was the most remote spot in their rural village. It took a full hour to walk to the nearest neighbor—like living on a deserted island. The Baron and Baroness Baden had secluded themselves there, raising Erna the same way. It wasn't an exaggeration to say her life had been more familiar with flowers and livestock than people. It surely would have been, if not for Pavel.

"Um, Lisa."

When Erna cautiously called her name, the maid pouring tea lit up.

"Yes, Miss! What is it?"

"Is the Royal Academy of Art nearby?"

"About five coach stops away. Are you planning to go out there?"

"No, nothing like that. I was just curious."

Erna shook her head hastily. Suddenly showing up to find Pavel felt too rude. She wanted to stay quietly and leave without causing a fuss.

"By the way, Lisa, is something going on in the Hardy household? The atmosphere feels a bit chaotic."

Erna, settling into her seat, cautiously asked what had been bothering her.

"Pardon? Um... well, I don't know?"

The maid's expression changed in an instant as she averted her eyes.

"I don't know much about that, Miss. Really. I haven't been here long. So... um... I don't know."

"I see."

"Yes, exactly."

The maid hurriedly pushed a cup of tea toward Erna. She apparently hadn't noticed the saucer was splashed with tea.

Erna quickly wiped the saucer while the maid looked away momentarily. She also discreetly hid the handkerchief with the tea stain. It was then that a knock sounded, followed by an unfamiliar maid's voice.

"Miss, the master is calling for you."

It was the very summons Erna had been anxiously awaiting.