Chapter 45

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 45

Chapter Title: The World Beyond the Open Door

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Erna Hardy came clutching a pillow. It was just as Baroness Baden was closing her prayer book and preparing for bed.

"I'm sleeping here tonight. Okay?"

Baroness Baden gazed quietly at her granddaughter, who was acting more spoiled than ever before, then nodded indulgently as if she couldn't resist. Erna ran over with a beaming smile and lay down beside her.

It was the last night.

She had thought she'd let go of any lingering attachments when she sent her father off to his side, but now that the wedding was right around the corner, an emptiness and sorrow incomparable to that time welled up inside her. It had grown even stronger that afternoon when the carriage loaded with Erna's belongings departed for Schwerin Palace. Starting tomorrow, that place would be Erna's home. The foundation for a new family and a new life.

"I feel so strange, Grandmother."

Erna whispered softly as she fiddled with the hand clutched tightly under the covers. Baroness Baden turned to face her granddaughter.

"Are you scared?"

"A little."

It's okay. Instead of the lie she'd hidden her feelings behind for so long, Erna revealed a careful thread of truth.

In truth, she'd been afraid the whole time.

From the unbelievable day she received the proposal right up to this moment, every single day had been like that. The fact that she was getting married, that her partner was none other than Prince Biern, and all the events unfolding because of that marriage—it all felt overwhelming and frightening to Erna.

"Why did His Highness propose to me?"

"Because he loves you, of course. Unlike the rumors, the Grand Duke has the eye to recognize a hidden gem."

Seeing the infinitely kind smile on her grandmother's face, Erna couldn't help but let out a silly laugh.

Ever since the marriage had been decided, her grandmother's opinion of Prince Biern had done a complete 180. It was as if she'd completely forgotten her past habit of harshly criticizing the royal family's problem child.

No, Grandmother. He doesn't love me.

That was why Erna couldn't bring herself to voice that truth.

Just as Erna had been lying, she knew her grandmother was doing the same. Beneath the joy that her granddaughter—nearly ruined by scandal—would now ascend to the position of Grand Duchess lay the profound sorrow of forever sending away the being she loved as much as her own life.

"Erna, to be honest, I was afraid you'd end up sharing Annette's fate."

Baroness Baden gazed deeply into Erna's large eyes for a long while, then cupped her granddaughter's cheek with her wrinkled hand.

"A man who cheats, divorces, and even abandons his own child—chillingly just like Walter Hardy. It made my skin crawl. I didn't know what to do about you falling for a man like that, so I boiled inside and ended up coming here on impulse. But now, at least, I don't have that worry. Prince Biern is not the villain from the rumors."

Baroness Baden smiled with reddened eyes.

During her boisterous time in the city, she had learned bone-deep how much rumors could distort and ruin a person. So she intended to trust her own experiences and judgment over baseless gossip.

Just as Erna was not the kind of child the city folk carelessly gossiped about, perhaps the prince wasn't either. Biern Dynister, whom she'd observed over the past few months, was at least a man worthy of that much trust. It might be wishful thinking born from her desperate hope for her granddaughter's happiness, but she'd never once thought that way about Walter Hardy, so it didn't feel entirely off-base.

"There's no need to be afraid, Erna. You'll surely do just fine."

Baroness Baden gently brushed back Erna's hair.

"Just be yourself, exactly as you are. That's more than enough."

"Really?"

"Of course. Absolutely."

Erna knew it wasn't an objective assessment, but she nodded and smiled anyway. She wanted to leave lightly. Without leaving any worries in her grandmother's heart.

"My dear child, please be happy—for Annette's sake as well."

Pressing a kiss to Erna's forehead, Baroness Baden whispered in a voice thick with emotion.

"Yes, Grandmother. I will."

Erna smiled as she gave a confident reply. Yes. I definitely will. She repeated it brightly several times, like the happiest bride in the world.

It was a night when she thought she wouldn't be able to sleep, but Erna closed her eyes in her grandmother's embrace. The scent of dry flower petals. The soft heartbeat and breathing. The warmth of wrinkled skin. As she etched those sensations she never wanted to forget into her memory over and over, the night deepened.

It was only around dawn, after barely dozing off, that Erna slowly opened her eyes to her grandmother's gentle voice calling her name.

"Erna, it's time to become a happy bride."

It was an autumn morning so clear it was dazzling.

"That insolent bastard. Treating me, the father of the Grand Duchess, like this?"

Walter Hardy ground his teeth as he glared down at his bandaged leg. He wanted nothing more than to rip off the annoying thing right then, but with the promise already made, he had no choice.

"Just bear with it a little longer, dear. It's only for today."

Brenda Hardy handed a crutch to her husband, who had stood on his perfectly fine legs. Trembling with humiliation, Walter Hardy took it meekly anyway.

Prince Biern had shown up unannounced at the Hardy residence two evenings ago. Walter had been thrilled at the thought of finally being treated as the Grand Duchess's parents, but what happened next was the opposite. Right in front of them, the prince brazenly said something no sane person would utter.

'Miss Hardy will walk down the aisle holding my hand.'

It was a one-sided notice—no, a command. Walter Hardy, flustered, argued about traditions, decorum, and all the virtues a prince of a nation should uphold, but the prince didn't bat an eye. It felt like facing a massive wall.

'But Your Highness! With my father perfectly alive, how will the world react to such a shocking wedding?'

Cornered, Walter Hardy protested with a flushed face. To suffer such humiliation on the glorious day his daughter became Grand Duchess? Absurd. But the prince casually poured filth on his dignity.

'Then creating a reason wouldn't be a bad idea.'

Was he drunk and rambling?

As the stunned Walter Hardy just blinked, Biern leisurely put on the glove in his hand.

'Something appropriate, like being unwell.'

When he said it, Biern's gaze pointed squarely at Viscount Hardy's leg. His face still wore that infuriating smirk. To hold back the curses rising to his throat, Walter had to take several deep breaths.

'Why, Your Highness? Why go this far?'

Terror suddenly gripped Walter Hardy, and he asked. Perhaps Erna had spilled everything to the prince. But even a prince overstepping into a father's discipline of his daughter was clear overreach. He prepared a meticulous counterargument and awaited Biern's reply.

'Well, because she's my wife.'

After a moment's thought, Biern tossed out an answer that instantly deflated his opponent's will to fight, smiling all the while.

The prince, who had barged in and acted like a thug, bid farewell with perfect gentlemanly poise and left the Hardy residence. Walter Hardy raged and cursed up a storm, but in the end, he had no choice but to bandage his perfectly fine right leg. It was the only way to save a shred of face.

Madman. As expected, not just any madman.

With every step on the crutch, Walter Hardy cursed that damned prince. Of course, he couldn't deny that it was precisely because of such madness that House Hardy enjoyed the glory of becoming royal in-laws.

The road leading to Schwerin Palace was a chaotic throng of people like a swarm of clouds. They grumbled that it was the end times, a disgrace to Lezzen, but the onlookers scanned the far end of the road with sparkling eyes, waiting for the carriage carrying the prince's bride.

"There! There she comes! She's coming!"

As the luxurious carriage pulled by four white horses appeared, the crowd surged.

The bride's procession, led by the royally attired palace guards, was splendid and dignified. It couldn't compare to the grand wedding when Lars's princess became crown princess, but it was far from lacking in grandeur. For those ready to mock the hastily prepared ceremony, it was quite a shock.

"Treating a girl like that as if she's a princess."

The eyes peeking through the glass window of the bride's carriage sharpened.

"Well, she's the first prince's wife, so they can't slight her. The royal dignity and all."

"True, but Erna Hardy instead of Princess Gladys? The difference in rank is too vast."

Tsking sounds seeped into the street noise.

Prince Biern's second bride didn't spare a glance at those awaiting her. Her forward gaze was so haughty. Utterly unlike the always kind and approachable Princess Gladys.

The daughter of a failing noble house, yet her nose is higher than Lars's princess.

By the time that rumor spread through the street, the prince's bride's carriage had passed the grand duke's avenue. As the palace drew nearer, Erna's face, hidden under her veil, grew paler.

The moment she donned her wedding dress and boarded the carriage, her mind went blank.

From that spring day boarding the train to Schwerin up to this very moment, she wondered if it all might be a dream. A very long, strange dream. So perhaps the real Erna Hardy was still asleep in the cozy bed at the Baden estate. She'd open her eyes and the peaceful country day would begin.

Yes. It felt just like that.

Becoming a prince's wife seemed far less real. But as the carriage stopped, Erna had to let go of even that delusion. The royal chapel within Schwerin Palace grounds. Where the wedding would take place.

Erna stepped down from the carriage, suppressing her ragged breathing. Led this way and that by strangers' hands, she suddenly found herself on the red carpet.

Staring blankly at the bouquet she hadn't realized she was holding, Erna lifted her tearful eyes to the closed chapel doors. These doors about to open, and the unfamiliar world beyond—Erna still feared them.

Can I be happy?

Recalling the promise she'd made so confidently, her heart pounded as if it would burst. Her legs trembled so much she could barely stand. The flowers adorning the bouquet began to quiver along with her.

Should I turn back now?

As terrified Erna glanced behind her, a deep shadow suddenly fell over her.

"Erna."

She looked up at the low voice calling her name and saw him. Biern. The world beyond those doors had come to her side.

"Breathe."

Biern, watching her, whispered with a smile.

Breathe.

Erna frowned at the odd sense of déjà vu as she murmured the word blankly.

"Breathe."

Whispering once more with a hint of laughter, Biern took Erna's hand. Just that, but Erna could feel it. He was recalling the same memory as her. Our beginning. That night at the ball.

Erna nodded just like that day and steadily breathed in and out. Her ice-cold hand gradually regained its warmth in his.

"Thank you."

Looking up at him gripping her hand firmly, Erna whispered in a trembling voice.

"You kept my request."

Erna shook their joined hands lightly and gave an awkward smile. As if to say, that's all? Biern chuckled softly.

"I... I'll do my best."

Erna gazed at him, holding her breath, and made an impulsive vow. Biern narrowed his eyes and met her gaze.

"I'll do my best to be a good wife."

The moment she renewed her firm promise, the doors opened.

Biern answered with a low laugh instead, leading the bride forward. Into the world beyond the open doors, where beautiful light streamed through the stained-glass windows like a blessing.