Chapter 57

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 57

Chapter Title: Tea Party Aboard Ship

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My goodness. She really showed up.

The noble ladies who spotted Lechen's Grand Duchess at Viscountess Forrester's tea party aboard the ship gasped in unison, exchanging wary glances.

Sending her an invitation had been nothing more than a provocative prank.

They'd simply wanted to remind that country bumpkin, who had risen above her station, of Princess Gladys's existence. Who could have imagined that Prince Biern's second wife would attend a gathering hosted by relatives of his divorced first wife?

As the guests murmured behind their hands, Erna Dynister crossed the hall. The Grand Duchess, wearing an elegant dress topped with a hat adorned with ostrich feathers, stunned them once more—she looked nothing like the vulgar woman from the rumors.

"She puts on a good show of being a lady, doesn't she?"

"Looks like the rich prince is showering his new wife with money. Wonder how long that'll last."

Just as mocking whispers spread silent laughter, Erna flinched to a halt. All eyes turned to where the startled Grand Duchess was staring—Princess Gladys.

"Heavens. She really had no idea."

Viscountess Forrester, who wore the most awkward expression of all, whispered as softly as she could.

A strange mix of pity and humiliation flickered in Gladys's gaze as she watched the flustered Grand Duchess flounder. For a prince consort to embarrass herself by not even knowing which families were within her social circle... It burned Gladys's cheeks, as someone who had once held that position.

"I'm sorry. It was just a little joke, but now you've put Gladys in a tough spot too."

"No, I'm fine. Don't worry about it."

Gladys rose slowly from her seat and approached the Grand Duchess. She couldn't just stand by while her rival's wife suffered humiliation—that would reflect poorly on Prince Biern as well.

"Welcome, Grand Duchess."

At the gentle greeting, Erna finally turned her head.

"I've been wanting to meet you. I'm so glad you came."

A bright smile lit up Gladys's face as she faced the uninvited guest. For Biern. Repeating that mantra to herself, she found she could genuinely welcome this poor woman.

"I'm sure everyone feels the same. Don't you agree?"

No noble lady could contradict the princess's softly commanding question.

"How is Count Leman faring? It's been ages since we last saw him."

One lady exchanged glances with Viscountess Forrester and raised her voice to prattle on about Count Leman.

Throughout her endless chatter about ties to that family, her eyes stayed fixed on the pale-faced Grand Duchess. The other ladies at the tea table were no different.

"I do hope he's in good health. At his age, it's worrisome."

"Oh, I don't think you need to worry. He was trying to take a third wife just recently, after all."

"My goodness. Really?"

Viscountess Forrester's lips twitched as she fought back a laugh.

The gossip flowed ceaselessly alongside the fragrant tea. From Count Leman to the troublemaker of House Heinz. The noble ladies elegantly sneered as they diligently name-dropped people they wouldn't normally bother with.

Erna lifted her neatly folded hands from her lap and grasped her now-tepid teacup. Only now did the tangled mess in her mind begin to sort itself out.

House Forrester were relatives on Princess Gladys's maternal side, and the two were close friends. That meant the invitation sent to her could never have been a gesture of goodwill. Yet she'd foolishly jumped at it with a delighted reply and shown up here. All because she'd relied solely on her husband's word.

Even after realizing it, she couldn't turn back—for the weight of the title "Lechen's Prince Consort," which she bore responsibility for. If it couldn't be undone, better to endure the thorns than flee and invite even greater ridicule.

"You don't say much, do you, Grand Duchess?"

As Erna set down her untouched tea, Gladys approached. Without any order given, the ladies seated beside Erna hurriedly vacated their spots.

"Is the party boring you?"

Gladys settled naturally into the empty seat beside her.

"No, not that... It's just a bit unfamiliar."

"Ah, right. You're from the countryside, aren't you?"

Gladys nodded with a smile, as if understanding completely.

"Still, your taste is impeccable. That hat is lovely—it suits you."

"Ah... Thank you."

"But you might want to tone down the embellishments. Biern prefers something simpler and more elegant."

After her kindly advice, Gladys signaled a waiter standing at a distance. He hurried over, poured fresh tea into a new cup, and retreated. Erna's face flushed visibly as she lightly gripped her cup and examined it.

You hate me enough to force this choice on me.

The realization of Biern's feelings filled Gladys with despair. She'd wanted to help that proud man reclaim his place, but instead, she'd pushed him deeper into the mire.

"Take good care of Biern."

The teacup clinked crisply against the saucer.

Gladys faced Erna squarely, her neck held high. With her youthful features and petite frame, the woman looked like an endlessly immature girl. There was no trace of the dignity befitting a prince consort of a nation.

"From the divorce to the child who left this world... He's a man with many wounds. So please, Grand Duchess—take care of him for my share as well."

Smiling in the radiant afternoon sun, Gladys looked noble and beautiful, like a saint from a masterpiece painting. Her platinum hair, so like Biern's, and her arrogantly elegant smile overwhelmed the now utterly humbled Erna.

"Oh, and one more bit of advice."

Gladys set down her fan and took up her teacup again with the hand that had held it loosely. To any onlooker, she appeared the picture of a noble lady enjoying tea with a friend.

"Be careful not to make mistakes like this in the future. Lars is coming up soon, and you can't afford to be this carefree. You're lucky I was here today to get you out of trouble, but it won't always be that way, will it?"

Gladys rose first and lowered her eyes. Erna could only endure that gaze, unable to find words. As if she hadn't expected a reply anyway, Gladys offered a polite farewell.

"Well then. I hope you have a wonderful honeymoon, Grand Duchess."

Once Gladys complained of a headache and left early, the tea party wrapped up ahead of schedule. It was only natural that sharp glares turned toward the culprit who had crashed the event and ruined it—Lechen's Grand Duchess.

Erna forced herself not to waver as she took each laborious step. Stepping out onto the deck, a cold sea breeze swept in.

The endless ocean, with its distant horizon in every direction, suddenly felt unbearably loathsome. Hastening her steps toward her cabin, she ran into Biern—resting with the delegation—just as she reached the first-class deck. The men smoking cigars and enjoying the breeze all turned their eyes to her at once.

"Did you enjoy the social gathering aboard ship?"

Biern stubbed out his cigar and approached with a teasing question. Neither his neatly combed-back hair nor his formal attire bore any trace of the man from last night who had embarrassed her so thoroughly.

"A tea party, was it?"

He acted as if he knew nothing. Erna stared at her husband with wide eyes, as if to say she couldn't believe it.

"Yes. Viscountess Forrester's tea party."

"...Forrester?"

He frowned at her, looking utterly bewildered.

Did he really not know...?

Erna's gaze went blank. The resentment she'd felt toward her husband for sending her there flipped instantly to bewilderment.

He'd heard it clearly. He'd even replied. So why?

"Erna."

Biern called her name like a sigh and stepped closer. Looking down deeply into her eyes, his own held no more warmth.

"Consult with Karen before accepting any invitations."

His tone was gentle, but the thorns embedded in it were easy to sense. He was scolding her. Treating her—the wife who had trusted her husband—so coldly.

Overwhelmed by sudden grievance, Erna parted her lips but couldn't muster a retort.

She recalled that day when he'd been absorbed in reviewing reports she'd urgently requested. His attitude had been indifferent, but she still cherished time with her husband. The occasional glances and smiles he sent her way felt so tender, like those of lovers.

Her heart had raced so much she'd been tense the whole time sipping tea. Eager not to miss even a brief moment of eye contact. Hoping to look pretty if it happened. She'd adjusted her ribbon and posture countless times.

But it wasn't you.

The belated realization made Erna's heart feel even smaller. Biern had been thoroughly indifferent to his wife sitting across from him. Indifferent enough to give a perfunctory reply he wouldn't even remember.

"...Yes."

In the end, Erna couldn't press him.

The delegation was present. Before being a husband enjoying a honeymoon with his wife, Biern was Lechen's prince leading these men. She didn't want to undermine his dignity and decorum in front of everyone.

"I'm sorry, Biern. I'll be more careful from now on."

Erna clasped her trembling hands and apologized softly. Only then did Biern smile—a expression much like Gladys's earlier, blending faint embarrassment and pity.

"Your Highness."

An envoy watching them prompted politely. Biern nodded and straightened up, turning away.

"Rest, Erna. I'll be back before dinner."

He whispered tenderly, like a lover once more, then led the delegation away.

Erna couldn't leave the spot until her husband's figure vanished from the deck.