Chapter 56

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 56

Chapter Title: Mine

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Erna opened her eyes amid the dazzling sunlight.

While blankly staring at the golden motes drifting in the light, listening to the crackle of the firewood burning in the fireplace, her consciousness gradually sharpened. As memories of the moment she fell asleep resurfaced, Erna flinched and clutched the duvet tight. She followed the low chuckle coming from beside her and shifted her gaze to see the face she expected—Biern.

He was propped up against the headboard, gazing down at her. His tousled hair gleamed like golden thread in the midday sun. His face, wearing a languid smile, shimmered the same way.

What on earth had happened?

Erna gripped the feather duvet pulled up to her chin, staring blankly at her husband. Biern wasn't particularly diligent in most things, but when it came to his duties, he was thorough—and this seemed to fall into that category. No matter how much she begged that she couldn't take any more or passed out from exhaustion, he wouldn't stop until he'd satisfied his own desires. Because of that, Erna usually couldn't remember the end very well.

I should have obediently followed Mrs. Peg.

Erna mulled over her now-useless regret of choosing the wrong mentor, avoiding her husband's gaze. The sea where they were supposed to see dolphins was probably long past by now. They hadn't even gone out on deck together, let alone crossed the threshold of this room, yet the clock already pointed to afternoon. At this rate, she might end up spending another full day just in bed.

"Is there still a long way to Lars?"

The silence filling the bedroom had grown burdensome, so Erna mustered her courage and spoke first. Biern closed the book he'd been reading, set it on the edge of the bed, and lay down beside her, propping his head on one arm.

"About... three days left now?"

His hand, which had been stroking her disheveled hair on the sheets, reached the edge of the duvet.

"From here, following this route, we're about here now."

As he pulled the duvet down, his long index finger trailed gradually lower, climbing up her left breast.

"A bit further, docking at Lars."

The finger that had slowly circled her hardened nipple began moving downward again.

"Then back on the ship, to the next country. And after that..."

"You don't need to say any more!"

Erna hurriedly grabbed his hand, now at her navel. Biern looked at her with an expression of utter incomprehension, his face shamelessly brazen and carefree.

"Weren't you the one who was curious?"

"You don't need to explain it like this."

"Why not."

Biern smiled languidly, as if her refusal meant nothing to him.

"I like this map, though."

Good heavens.

As Erna's mind went blank in shock, there came a sharp knock at the door.

"Your Highness, the delegation has sent an updated report. I know it's presumptuous, but they asked if you could review it urgently."

"Yes."

Biern withdrew the hand that had been roaming further down her body and sat up again.

"Come in."

He haphazardly shrugged on the knight's robe that had been tossed aside, and at his command, the bedroom door opened.

Erna, stunned nearly to fainting, yanked the duvet over her head and buried her face in the pile of pillows. It was so embarrassing and mortifying that she could barely breathe, but Biern casually took the report from the maid.

Only after the maid finished a brief exchange with him and left did Erna finally manage to lift her flushed face.

"Shall we have tea?"

Biern asked, flipping carelessly through the documents. Erna shot him a look tinged with resentment.

"I hate that."

"That?"

"When other people come into the bedroom like that."

"Erna, no one here doesn't know what we're doing."

As if her fuss was incomprehensible, Biern gave a matter-of-fact reply, loosely retied his robe, and got out of bed.

"Tell me if you're not in the mood for tea."

Before opening the door, he turned his head and asked.

"No! I want some!"

Erna frantically shook her head and cried out.

"But... I think I need a little time."

It stung her pride to be treated like a foolishly fussy child, but Erna simply couldn't muster the nerve to step out of the bedroom in just a robe like he was.

Fortunately, Biern chuckled dismissively and nodded.

"As you wish, my chaste wife."

Before entering the sunroom where the tea table was set, Erna straightened her attire once more. It was just a comfortable indoor dress with a shawl draped over it, but she'd put quite a bit of effort into choosing something she liked. The loosely braided hair was also Lisa's handiwork, executed with full flair.

"Lisa, do I...?"

"You look beautiful."

Lisa answered before the question was even finished.

"You look absolutely stunning, so don't worry and go!"

Lisa, who had opened the door herself, gave Erna's hesitant back a firm push.

Crossing the threshold in a daze, Erna tried to compose her flustered expression and approached the tea table with light steps. Biern, focused intently on reviewing the report, only looked up at his wife once she'd reached right beside the table.

He flashed a bright smile and nodded toward the seat opposite him before returning his gaze to the documents. Feeling a bit awkward, Erna quickly sat down. A maid quietly poured the tea, its fragrant bergamot scent wafting up—like the scent of Biern's body.

"These are for Your Highness."

The maid set a small tray of ornate invitations at the end of the tea table. Seeing her husband fulfilling his role as prince, Erna felt a thrill at the chance to show herself as a fitting princess.

"You'll need to send replies by the end of the day."

"Yes. I'll look them over."

Erna nodded with a shy smile. With Mrs. Fitz not accompanying them, there was no one to advise her, which only made her more determined to do well.

Mrs. Fitz had told her to seek help from the eldest maid in the retinue—Karen, who had just delivered these invitations—when unsure. But Erna knew Karen was one of those who'd bet that the second princess consort wouldn't last even half a year.

'It'd be best if it ends before she has a child. That way, reuniting with Princess Gladys will be smoother.'

Erna had overheard those giggles exchanged with the other maids. In a corridor not far from the grand duchess's bedroom, and loud enough that they clearly had no intention of hiding it.

Erna straightened her posture as if erasing the memory and began examining the invitations one by one. She could feel Biern's gaze occasionally upon her, making her want to embody the dignity of a grand duchess all the more.

But she couldn't decide which to accept and which to decline. She recalled a few that were clearly aligned with Princess Gladys, but the names on the remaining four were unfamiliar.

"Biern."

Erna carefully adjusted the blue ribbon Lisa had tied at the end of her braid and softly called her husband's name.

"Yes."

His gaze briefly flicked to her before returning to the papers in his hand. Feeling like an intruder, Erna hesitated but gathered her courage again.

"Do you know House Hawkins?"

"No."

Hawkins was out. The next two names were eliminated as well.

"What about Forrester? Do you know them?"

"Yes."

Biern's low reply came with the rustle of turning pages.

"Then, is it a house I could safely associate with?"

"...Yes."

Another page turned.

Forrester.

Whispering the name to herself, Erna adjusted the ribbon once more and rang the bell to summon the head maid.

"Prepare stationery for replies."

At her command, Karen promptly brought paper and pen.

Erna took the pen with excitement. Biern's gaze remained fixed on his documents.

Even as Erna, pen in hand with a fluttering heart, finished composing her acceptances, Biern's eyes stayed only on his papers.

It stung a little, but she decided not to show it. This journey wasn't just a honeymoon for him. She didn't want to act like a spoiled, whiny child.

Calm and elegant. A lady at all times, anywhere.

As she recalled her grandmother's teachings, Biern finally finished reviewing his documents and looked up. Once the maid had gathered the prince's signed papers and Erna's replies and departed, the tea table felt much more intimate.

"Your handwriting is so elegant."

Erna fiddled with her teacup and offered the sudden compliment.

"And your hands are so large and beautiful."

Too shy to meet his eyes properly, she nonetheless boldly continued her flattery.

What kind of out-of-context conversation is this?

Biern stared at her in bewilderment before finally breaking into helpless laughter.

"You're beautiful too."

As he poured liquor into his glass with the hand she'd complimented, Biern replied nonchalantly. The aroma of dark tea mingled with whiskey tickled her nose.

"Especially that ribbon."

Biern's playful gaze landed on the ribbon tied at the end of Erna's hair. Thanks to his constant tugs loosening the knot whenever he got the chance, it was now at least twice its original size.

"Oh, this? Thank you."

It was meant to tease her, but Erna beamed happily. Watching his young wife grin with a ribbon as big as her face, Biern let out another soft chuckle, even gentler this time.

People they'd met on deck. Jokes overheard from the maids. The evening menu. Erna's trivial chatter filled the relaxed tea time, along with the pleasant tea aroma.

Biern changed his mind about heading back to bed and simply watched his wife. Her chirping voice like a singing bird, her eyes revealing shy excitement, her fidgeting little hands and flushed cheeks—he savored them leisurely, appreciatively.

"Biern...?"

The lengthening silence must have unnerved her, as Erna cautiously called his name.

Only when her blue eyes—filled with him—began trembling anxiously did Biern nod. The autumn sunlight pouring in from the porthole finally illuminated a relieved Erna.

As Biern gave a slight smile, a radiant one bloomed on Erna's face. Her expectant eyes sparkled, her cheeks flushing an even fresher rose.

In that moment, gazing at the beautiful smile he'd created, Biern suddenly realized.

Ah. She's mine.

I possess this woman entirely.