Chapter 6

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 6

Chapter Title: If You Eat It, You'll Die

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“She'll be more beautiful than any young lady you've ever chaperoned. I'm sure you'll agree once you see her.”

Brenda Hardy chattered on while sneaking a glance at the table clock. Of all times for her to go out for a stroll when something this important was happening. There wasn't much about the girl that pleased her, all things considered.

“She had better be, Viscountess.”

Countess Victoria Meyer's gaze, which had been indifferently staring out at the garden beyond the window, turned toward Brenda Hardy.

“Otherwise, it'll all be a waste of time—and I loathe wasting my time on pointless matters.”

Her voice was soft, but her eyes were ice-cold. Swallowing the urge to retch, Brenda Hardy forced a smile. They were the ones in need, so there was nothing to do but endure it.

Countess Victoria Meyer was a legendary figure in Lechen's marriage market. Born the daughter of a modest baronet, she had risen to become a countess and successfully married off her own daughters to houses so grand they could make jaws drop. Her eldest became a countess, her second the wife of a New World magnate—an achievement beyond envy. She had even found excellent matches for the young ladies under her chaperonage, and once word spread, mothers across high society lined up to enlist her services.

For such a woman to be sitting in the Hardy family drawing room now was nothing short of a miracle. She had declared she wouldn't take on any chaperonage duties this season, planning to spend the summer abroad with her second daughter. But when that daughter departed on a long trip with her husband, plans changed. Before any other family could swoop in, Brenda Hardy had pulled every string she had.

Sell off her daughter, indeed.

When she first heard it, Brenda Hardy thought her husband had finally lost his mind. But he was deadly serious, and his wild ambition had a certain plausibility to it. In high society, putting a daughter on the marriage market to save a family on the brink wasn't all that unusual.

All marriages in society were transactions at heart, after all.

Of course, being so blatant about it was a bit undignified, but the Hardys were in no position to stand on ceremony. And Erna—surely, she would make for top-tier merchandise.

In the end, Brenda Hardy pretended to reluctantly accept her husband's mad proposal. Deals like this required speed, so she was determined to see it through before summer's end.

“Ma'am, Miss Erna has arrived.”

A maid delivered the welcome news just as a deep furrow formed between Countess Victoria Meyer's brows. Forgetting decorum, Brenda Hardy shot to her feet.

“Come in, Erna dear! We've been waiting so long.”

She greeted Erna, entering the drawing room, with genuine warmth. Countess Victoria Meyer set down her fan and turned to look at Erna as well. Despite all the new clothes they'd bought her, Erna was still wearing a dowdy old dress.

“Come say hello. This is Countess Victoria Meyer.”

Brenda Hardy's voice was edged with anxiety as she prodded Erna. Stiffening at the sight of the stranger, she looked every bit the country bumpkin. This wouldn't do. Brenda Hardy was terrified Victoria Meyer might storm out at any moment.

“Hello, ma'am. I'm Erna Hardy.”

Erna approached hesitantly but managed a proper greeting. Countess Victoria Meyer's eyes scanned her from head to toe, then back up again, sharp as a blade.

“Well? What do you think, ma'am? Do you like our Erna?”

Unable to bear the silence any longer, Brenda Hardy spoke first.

“I can certainly see you're not exaggerating.”

Victoria Meyer's inscrutable expression finally softened into a nod. She rose slowly, with elegant poise, and approached Erna.

“Delighted to meet you, Miss Hardy. Let's make this a success, shall we?”

The countess extended her ungloved hand for a shake.

“I'm Victoria Meyer. I'll be your chaperone, Miss Hardy.”

The snipping of scissors cutting fabric fell silent, and the bedroom slipped back into quiet.

Erna, who had been hunched over her desk industriously, let out a long sigh and straightened up. Gazing at the finished peony, her eyes brimmed with overwhelming joy and satisfaction.

When her mind grew cluttered, she focused on work.

It was an old habit of Erna's. Ever since she started helping Mrs. Greve make and sell flower arrangements, her hands would instinctively reach for the scissors whenever lost in thought. It steadied her mind and earned her living expenses—a win all around. Bringing work back here was a bit silly, but these tools felt like extensions of herself now.

After tidying the scraps and tools, Erna went to the bathroom and washed her hands meticulously. Her small hands, stained with glue in spots, soon regained their white, smooth perfection.

This year might not go as smoothly as hoped, she thought blankly, staring at her reflection in the ornate brass mirror.

It had been nearly ten days since moving into the Hardy estate. Each day dragged on endlessly, yet the ten days together had whooshed by like rapids.

Since arriving in Schwerin, Erna had spent most of her time with the viscountess—or rather, being dragged around. She had no say as they flitted from one lavish shop to another, amassing piles of purchases. She was dressed and undressed, carted about like luggage. It felt just like playing with dolls.

“Miss!”

The maid lit up as Erna emerged from the bathroom.

“I was so worried when I couldn't find you!”

“Sorry if I worried you.”

“No need to apologize for that!”

Flustered, Lisa waved her hands in protest.

Erna smiled shyly and approached the table set for afternoon tea. Lisa hesitated, then shuffled over to join her.

Bring an extra teacup next time.

That was four days ago during tea time. Realizing too late what Erna meant, Lisa nearly let out a horrified shriek.

P-please don't do that, miss. It'll be trouble.

Why not? I used to have tea with Mrs. Greve at the Badens'.

No matter how Lisa explained, Erna just tilted her head innocently.

Who's Mrs. Greve?

Lisa had whispered anxiously,

The housekeeper at the Badens'.

Erna had replied in kind, breath held.

Thus began their secret tea times with the young lady, proceeding peacefully for days now.

She was a bit odd, Lisa had to admit, agreeing somewhat with the servants' whispers about the Hardy miss.

The young lady who appeared out of nowhere had nothing noble about her—from attire to demeanor. But accusations of haughtiness or eccentricity were nonsense. She seemed standoffish, shy and quiet, but up close, she was quite kind.

“Wow, did you make that, miss?”

Lisa's eyes widened at the lush arrangement on the desk. Erna nodded, cheeks faintly pink. Her long lashes fluttered like butterfly wings with each slow blink.

“It's so pretty! You're really skilled. I could swear it's real flowers.”

Lisa was genuinely impressed. Seeing Erna beam with delight made her feel oddly dazed.

They're selling off everything now, even the daughter.

The servants gossiped thus about Viscount Hardy suddenly bringing in his first wife's daughter from her maternal relatives.

She'll fetch a high price, so it's no wonder. Whoever they sell, as long as the family stays afloat, it's good for all of us, right?

Some subtly defended the master. Having the young lady right here, Lisa could almost grasp the malice in those words.

Did this girl even know her own situation?

The sudden thought troubled Lisa. Just then, Erna sidled up and offered her the arrangement.

“Are you... giving it to me?”

Disbelieving, Lisa asked again, and Erna nodded.

“No, miss! I didn't mean it like that! I just thought it was pretty...”

“It's a gift. It'll look nice on a hat. Or as a brooch.”

Erna placed it directly in Lisa's reluctant hands.

Unable to refuse the gesture, Lisa accepted. Erna smiled in relief—like one of her pretty flowers.

“Shall we go for a walk? Schwerin's still so unfamiliar and awkward for you. As thanks for the gift, I'll show you all the best spots.”

Suddenly enthusiastic, Lisa jumped up. Erna looked up at her with wide eyes.

“Am I imposing?”

“Of course not! Serving you well is my job.”

Lisa grinned brightly and fetched Erna's parasol and hat.

“Let's go, miss!”

Schwerin was a great city rivaling the capital.

Nobles kept estates mostly in the southern district, where the royal summer palace, Schwerin Palace, stood. Lined with upscale shops, grand hotels, and opulent theaters, it boasted the splendor of a resort city drawing the kingdom's elite for the summer season. Farther north lay a massive port linking to the ocean, making Schwerin a hub of commerce and finance since antiquity.

Erna walked slowly, listening to Lisa's excited chatter. She knew these things from books, but seeing the city firsthand made everything feel fresh.

“That hotel there's the best in Schwerin.”

Lisa paused and pointed to the hotel at the crossroads of three boulevards.

“The restaurant and tearoom are hugely popular with ladies. Let's go sometime, miss.”

Before Erna could reply, Lisa added eagerly. Her flushed, expectant face was endearing, so Erna nodded agreeably. That's when a tall man caught her eye.

Striding out of the hotel with wide steps, he ignored the woman beside him speaking to him, hurrying on. Servants followed at a discreet distance. Drawing all eyes from passersby, he seemed quite famous.

“No, miss!”

Captured by a strange sense of familiarity, Erna turned toward him—only for Lisa to grab her arm.

“Yes, he's quite the sight. I get it, but no. Just... no.”

Frowning, Lisa now clicked her tongue.

Puzzled by the cryptic words, Erna glanced back at the blond man. The carriage carrying him and the woman soon vanished down the boulevard.

“Absolutely not.”

Sighing deeply, Lisa planted herself in Erna's path.

“Who is he?”

“You don't need to know. Don't even ask.”

“Bad reputation?”

“Ugh, what's the point of telling you.”

Lisa shook her head and tugged Erna's hand.

“Remember this, miss. That's not a man.”

“Then what?”

“Mm... right, a poison mushroom!”

Lisa's eyes sparkled as she declared it, utterly serious despite the absurdity.

“Keep it in mind, miss. If you eat it, you'll die.”