Erna Hardy was a well-mannered girl.

Now that she grew up into a polite lady, it was her turn to be a refined wife.

To sum up the content of the lengthy paragraph, it was a very different reply than what she expected as it especially destroys her chance to be a good wife to a decent man.

“No way.”

Erna’s eyes, which had been looking down at a letter for a long time, were full of determination as she said to herself.

“This is ridiculous!”

Even on second thought, the conclusion was the same. Standing up from her seat, Erna walked up to the window. It was an afternoon when the dazzling rays of the spring sun were pouring in, but it felt depressing.

Opening the panes with a squeaky sound, she sat on the frame, holding her knees close to her chest. Located high above the ground, the village’s landscape could be seen from the mansion of the Badens. Erna’s gaze, briefly pausing on the single chair lying on one side of the garden, slowly wandered over to the gentle slope of the orchard, streams, and hills covered with yellow cherries.

The world was not interested in one man’s misfortune.

It obviously made her uncomfortable. Even if she had a loving family and was on the verge of being kicked out of a place full of life, a world full of joyous spring was beautiful. If one heard this stupid complaint, they’d laugh. She felt relieved, a bit of cynicism added to it.

“Lady! Lady Erna!”

The voice of Mrs. Grebe, a housekeeper, reached her from the far side of the hallway. It seemed like it was already time to have lunch.

“Yes! I’m here! I’ll be right there!”

Erna declared, hurriedly getting off the window frame. The ridiculous letter was hidden deep inside the drawer so that it could not be seen, and her disorganized clothes were tidied.

She was fine.

While heading to the dining room on the first floor, she murmured as if memorizing a spell.

“It’s okay. Everything is going to be fine.”

“Have you seen a lawyer, Erna?”

Baroness Baden, who had been rambling about today’s weather and new sculptures, came up with it only after she finished eating. She tried to stay calm, but her eyes showed an indescribable nervousness.

“No, grandma. Not yet.”

Erna answered in a stern tone.

“I’ll make sure to meet one before this week ends.”

Sunlight that was penetrating through the glass of the window was falling on Erna, lighting up her neck and waist. Her heart was hammering loudly, her lips were drying up, and her fingers were curling up into a fist. Fortunately, the Baroness nodded without further questioning.

“Yes, you should. I wish I could find a way.”

A gentle sigh permeated into the air of an overly still room.

Erna looked up at her grandma as she stared at her hands on her knees. She had become old and frail in a month. She had lost her husband overnight and would hand over all her little assets to a relative who was no better than others. So how could Erna tell the truth?

Erna had already sat back in her right posture, swallowing the dry lump in her throat. Her lips were stubbornly sealed, not to reveal the truth.

Actually, she met a lawyer earlier. The answer that came was no different from what Erna already knew.

Having no son, Baron Baden’s property was to be inherited by his nephew.

Erna had long known that such ridiculous laws exist. It was upsetting and unfair, but if there was no way to change the law, they had to come up with a countermeasure. It was about time that Erna began to raise money by increasing her work little by little. So that she could buy this house in a fair manner again one day, but that ‘one day’ arrived too early, and the money she collected was not enough.

‘Unfortunately, that is how the inheritance law works, Miss Hardy.’

The lawyer consistently responded insincerely whenever Erna begged for a different way.

‘For now, it would be best to explain the situation to Mrs. Baden and ask for mercy.’

The lawyer bit on his smoking pipe, ending his remark. It was a rude gesture, but Erna endured it. There weren’t that many lawyers who welcomed customers who were in a difficult position to pay the consultation fee properly.

That afternoon, Erna wrote to Thomas Baden. She had to do it, unable to find a suitable lawyer. And today, Thomas Baden’s reply turned a faint-hearted repentance into utter despair and anger.

“Everything will be fine, grandma. Don’t worry too much.”

Erna, who lied, gave a smile to reassure her grandmother and got up from the table before putting on an apron. She was very skilled at helping Mrs. Grebe, who arrived slowly, to organize the table.

Everything was not fine.

While scrubbing the dishes, Erna accepted the truth that she could no longer avoid.

It was not an exaggeration to say that the estate of Baron Baden, a fallen aristocrat, was now only this house in the countryside. However, the house was soon to be occupied by Thomas Baden, the legitimate heir. And he was going to sell this land without even a moment’s hesitation.

Erna breathed deeply in her suppressed anger. The soapy water, which resulted from the rough squeeze on the sponge, left a small stain when it reached her rolled-up sleeve and apron.

Thomas Baden said he could fully understand her. However, because he had his own reasons, he could not delay the disposal of the house until Baroness Baden died.

She wouldn’t have felt this way if he only had expressed such a determined refusal.

After washing the dishes, Erna headed to the backyard with her apron rolled up. When she sat on her grandfather’s chair under the beautiful ash tree, her eyes burned up in tears.

The ridiculous reply contained one compromise offered by Thomas Baden. If Erna Hardy married him, he was willing to be particularly generous.

The view of the beautiful spring landscape became hazy, but she held back her tears with her eyes wide open. She didn’t want to cry because of such a person. A father who treated his helpless relative, who was not yet living up to her age……

“Father.”

She muttered without realizing. She had forgotten about him for a long time, but she was sure he still existed in this world.

‘Yes, father!’

Blinking her eyes, she leapt from her chair. The strings of the unclasped apron fluttered along with the spring breeze.

****

What woke Björn was the noise outside, which even closed panes and thick curtains could not block. The loud cheer that began in the river flowing next to the grand reservoir filled the dim bedroom.

He tried to sleep again with his head buried under a pillow and a cushion, but he finally gave in.

“Peppy crazy bastards.”

Björn walked out of his bed, spouting abusive language. When he slid the curtain covering the western window, he spotted a group of people practicing rowing on the other side of the river.

Every summer, on river Abit, which flowed across the city and into the sea, a rowing game of nobles was held. It was hard to do anything because the summers were too long to hold up buttery parties and gossip, but the problem was that the river was close to a large reservoir. It was difficult to get accustomed to this terrible noise from the spring when the practices usually began.

Leaning obliquely against the window, Björn’s disgusted gaze sat on a narrow boat, glaring at the enthusiastic boys atop.

‘You could rather have sex if you couldn’t control your overflowing energy, you maniacs.’

It would be a much more beneficial hobby than a fleeing task when they needed to sweat unnecessarily. In the worst case scenario, they could even leave at least one child to make a minor contribution to the rise in the power of the kingdom’s growth. Of course, it would be a headache in personal history, but the tragedy of the uncontrolled fools was none of his business.

Taking a sip of warm water from the table, Björn turned around, running his fingers through his messy hair. Wrapping a robe around him, he rang the bell that called his butler, Greg.

Greg, who was well aware of the reason for the bell ringing at noon, rushed to report before his master asked.

“The number of the teams participating this year increased, which made it a little noisier.”

Chuckling at the tragic news, Björn added.

“They’re very enthusiastic about Leonid Denyster about winning the championship, and a bunch of lunatics being bridesmaids.”

“Would you like to move your bedroom?”

“Nah, it’s fine.”

“Then, I’ll prepare the meal.”

“Just fruits. To the balcony.”

Björn, leaving a short order, entered the bathroom. After a long shower of cool water, a table on the balcony of the bedroom awaited him.

He stared at the view under his feet, drinking a cold whiskey soda. The great fountain of water, known as the specialty of the Schwerin Palace, was dancing. Gold statues decorating the fountain and breaking water streams glimmered under the cremated spring star.

Björn’s gaze reached the waterway where the stream of water flowed past the fountain and followed the slope of the stairs connecting the Grand Park and the garden. There was still a loud roar coming from the river Abit, which reached the end of the long waterway.

“His Highness, the Prince has finished eating.”

Greg, who came in a hurry, said when Björn was about to place his glass on the table.

After wiping the remaining water off his finger with a napkin, Björn nodded shortly, picking up an apple. Shortly after the butler left, Leonid entered the bedroom, striding up and sitting opposite to him. It was obvious that he ran away from the rowing practice.

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”

Björn greeted his younger brother elegantly, contrary to his arrogant posture with his legs crossed. When his head flicked, water droplets at the end of his platinum strands dripped down.

With Leonid staring at him as if amazed, Björn looked down at the great fountain in the garden. The crunchy pulp he took from the fruit was as sweet as the scent of flowers hovering in the wind.

“Tell me what you need.”

After the servants had the prince’s share of the ride withdrawn, Björn faced Leonid with squinted eyes.

Schwerin, where the Grand Duke’s Palace was located, was a resort city where nobles of Letchen visited to spend the summer. It was still early, but the prince, who was crazy about coordination, moved to the Schwerin Palace early on and added in his brother’s daily life.

With a light sigh, Leonid replied by dropping the newspaper he had brought on the table. The first page of the famous tabloid, which specialized in social gossip, contained a large picture of its regular customer, Björn Denyster.

[Is the royal poisonous mushroom all right?]

Björn’s forehead crumpled at the ridiculous headline.

“Poisonous mushroom?”

“You didn’t know? I thought it was your new nickname?”

Poisonous mushroom.

After a slow review, Björn laughed, putting down the paper. However, the fact that they put a pretty nice picture was a praiseworthy article.

“Gladys is coming back to Letchen.”

Leonid, who was still looking at the side view of Björn’s face, carefully opened his mouth. Gladys. The scandal caused by the name erased the smirk off Björn’s lips.

The tabloid’s article, which he read thoroughly, also contained the news about Gladys Hartford, the princess of Lars, who decided to spend the summer in Letchen.

A beautiful princess who was once loved by all of Letchen. But the return of the unfortunate woman, who was betrayed by her husband and lost her child, was indeed a gossip that people could go crazy about. With her ex-husband, who was once a prince but was now strategized as the poisonous mushroom, a more plausible picture would be created.

“Are you going to appeal, Björn?”

“Let’s see.”

Björn’s attitude was serious enough to make Leonid laugh.

Björn, who stopped taking a bite off the apple, wiped the juice from his fingers while leaning back on the chair. The eyes that did not contain much emotion were just calm.

Spring. It was a good season for poisonous mushrooms to grow.

The train to Schwerin entered the platform on time. It was around the time when the blue light of dawn had dissipated and the morning had just begun to arise.

Erna, who was standing in a posture as stiff as a stick, walked up to the front of the carriage. The rural station, where the first train had just arrived, was quiet. After a few passengers hurried to board, Erna was the only person left on the platform.

“Hey, miss. Aren’t you going to ride?”

The blunt question posed by the stationmaster awakened Erna, who had been in a daze.

“Ah……Yes.”

Erna turned her eyes from looking around anxiously and faced the stationmaster. Her hand that gripped the trunk with all her might began to tremble slightly.

She must have found the letter by now.

Erna’s eyes recalling the past incident deepened.

She couldn’t bring herself to tell her grandmother that she was going to meet her  father. It was because she knew  well that her stubborn grandmother, the Baron of Baden, would rather be left out on the streets than seek help from her son-in-law, whom she regarded as an enemy. Erna, who had been struggling, eventually left behind a letter explaining the situation, and took the path not quite ladylike.

Father.

As she repeated the strange name that gave her a foreign feeling, my heart beat faster.  Their last meeting was at her mother’s funeral, so it has been eleven years since she had been there. She knew that he was no different from a stranger, no, he was inferior to others, but for now, he was Erna’s last hope. Maybe she’ll get hit at his doorstep.

Erna grabbed the trunk and took a deep breath, then raised her head to face the train standing in front of her. A heavy black iron gleamed menacingly in the morning sun.

“If you don’t ride…….”

“Oh no!”

Erna hurriedly shook her head and shouted. Her blue eyes gleamed with determination.

“Sorry. I’ll ride, I will ride!”

Love fate.

Recalling that sentence that was the keynote of her life, Erna took a trembling step.

This world doesn’t care about a person’s misfortune, so one’s life must be managed by one’s own strength. It is better to love all the fates that have come your way, since nothing can be changed by struggling with self-pity. If you love, you will work hard, and doing your best is better than resignation in any case.

If it was a given fate to hang on to even a glimmer of hope, Erna was going to love that fate as well. In any case, Viscount Hardy was Erna Hardy’s father. A person who has the duty to take responsibility for his child. But a person who has neglected that duty for a long time. But, even now, that person has to fulfill that duty.

Leaving behind the stationmaster with a fierce expression, Erna hurriedly got on the train. Following the urgent gesture, the hem of her fine floral muslin dress fluttered. After leaving her hometown holding her mother’s hand, after fourteen years, Erna was returning back.

It was the beginning of a long journey.

* * *

Björn put down the teacup slowly. In a flawless and elegant movement he made  a languid posture, crossing his long legs more prominently.

“Are you listening to me now?”

The bewildered voice of a woman disturbed the stillness of the parlor which was full of spring sunshine.

“Why? You don’t want to answer? Maybe that article is real—is it? Is it?”

The voice of the woman who was angry was raised even more.

With the hand that gently wiped his still-dry face, Björn grabbed the teacup again. As he drank another sip of the properly cooled tea, he felt that his dazed mind was clearing up.

“Björn!”

The woman who couldn’t beat him got up from her seat. A single ray of sunlight flowing through the window lit up the woman like a stage light. He was dressed perfectly, unlike the woman who had run from the capital to Schwerin at less than noon.

Björn raised his eyes, now accustomed to sunlight, and looked at the woman. His gray eyes gleamed with a subtle brilliance like opal.

It was around dawn when he returned home, and  after a bright morning  he took a shower and threw himself on the bed. So at least it’s midnight for Björn. That means it was never a good time to wake up like this.

Björn opened his eyes, which was closed slowly, and leaned deeply against the back of the chair. From the window facing the river, the cheers of the group practicing rowing began to be heard.

Good fucking morning.

With a sigh mixed with laughter, Björn grudgingly picked up the newspaper thrown by the woman who approached him recklessly. The front page of a tabloid, such as the one that Leonit brought a while ago, was decorated with  articles today.

Rumors of  reunion between the former crown prince and his wife, the private information obtained from the closest aides.

Björn glanced at the grand headlines and large photos of himself, and began to read the article with narrow eyes.

According to reports from close associates who requested anonymity, the atmosphere  between the two was unusual. It is never wise to forgive an ex for such a shameful act, but Princess Gladys, who is weak at heart, seems to be swaying. Thanks to this, it is expected that Lechen’s social circle will be hot this summer. Something like that, carefully written nonsense filled the space. It was evident that the newspaper was bad at everything but the ability to pick out the best photos.

Björn smiled and put down the newspaper casually. The woman’s face, who had been watching him while her breath holding her breath, was now red with a sense of contempt she couldn’t hide.

“You don’t even have the heart to explain this, right?”

The woman now clenched her fists with tears in her eyes.

“Let’s break up.”

With a sharp voice she exclaimed, as if making a solemn declaration. With a cigar between his lips, Björn looked up to face the woman.

“I don’t think there is any reason to continue this relationship any longer. I think I need to get engaged before the end of this spring.”

Contrary to the triumphant tone of her voice, the woman’s eyes showed an impatience that could not be hidden. Björn stared at her slowly and lit the end of the cigar.

She was not a bad lover.

She was moderately elegant and moderately vulgar, and above all, it was because they were well aware of the premise of their relationship where they would return to their own lives after having a refreshingly enjoyable time. No. He thought that until she came over angrily yelling about Gladys Hartford’s name in a cheap tabloid newspaper.

“Congratulations on your engagement, Miss Perez.”

Björn nodded happily and smiled. The whisper that flowed out along with the white smoke was soft and gentle.

“I beg your pardon?”

The woman, who blinked slowly, asked back with a shocked tone.

“Cold-blooded, selfish to the bone and wretched! How could you do this to me?”

“Well. You were the one who said goodbye.”

The tip of his long finger gently stroked the rim of the teacup.

“I’ve accepted it.”

Isn’t that what you wanted?

As if asking a question, Björn tilted his head. His hair, which had been swept away randomly following the movement, flowed down. She only bit her lips, the woman did not respond at all.

Björn stood up from the table, leaving the woman with a red face. Smoke from the cigar thrown into the ashtray was blown away by the wind through the window.

“Wait!”

The woman screamed at him. Björn, who stopped walking, responded by throwing his gaze over his shoulder.

“Is that all you have to say— that’s all you have to say to me!?”

The lady of the Perez family now had a face close to crying. Even so, the face was still beautiful, but he felt no particular emotion.

Björn slowly turned towards his former lover, who was not bad. And he bowed his head politely. It was a dignified greeting that did not go well with his loosely dressed gown.

“I wish you good tidings and at least a Count.”

His lips, which had a smile that seemed even mild at first glance, gleamed red in the sunlight.

Leaving behind the half-passed out woman, Björn left the parlour. Mrs. Fitz, who stood guard outside the door, followed him like a shadow.

“I’m sure you won’t be trying to put me to sleep by singing a lullaby.”

The tip of Björns lips curled softly as he saw Mrs. Fitz following her to the front of the bedroom door.

“I can do whatever the prince wants, but unfortunately there seems to be trouble now.”

Mrs. Fitz, as always, replied to his jokes in a strict manner. As the Crown Prince’s nanny, she was now in charge of managing the housekeeping of this Schwerin Palace. Even when she became an old lady with white hair, her upright personality did not change at all.

“You have to leave for the train station soon.”

“Train station?”

“There is not much time left for the arrival of Her Majesty the Queen.”

“Ah. It was today.”

It was then that Björn remembered the schedule. It was the day that his mother, who was invited to a charity party at the Royal Hospital, visited Schwerin. The Queen’s escort was, of course, him.

“Yes.”

Björn accepted the task with a light nod.

“I’m ready.”

* * *

Passing through several cities, the train began to fill with more and more passengers. The compartment, where Erna was the only one, was already full.

Erna, sitting close to the window, carefully observed the scenery flowing through the snow mixed with curiosity and anxiety. Countless passers-by and carriages were passing along the cobweb-like road between the dense buildings. Everything was so complicated and flashy. It felt like her eyes were spinning round and round.

However, if I know the address, I can easily find it.

Suppressing her nervousness, Erna struggled to persuade herself. Anyway, since it was the city where she was born and raised, there was nothing to fear too much. Although it’s a place where she didn’t live for less than five years, her hometown is still her hometown.

While Erna was making up her mind once again, the train that arrived at Schwerin Central Station, the final destination, stopped.

Erna hurriedly packed her bags and left the cabin in the midst of the other passengers. The ribbon of the hat pulled taut under the chin and the neatly braided hair swayed along the stride. But that proud look didn’t last long.

After going out into the hallway, Erna couldn’t remember very well.

She was pushed here and there, and got off the train, and when she came to her senses and found herself standing on the platform. The crowd and the noise that made both ears tingle overwhelmed Erna for a moment. She tried to get out of this place somehow, but the more she did, the more Erna was pushed further and further away from the exit.

“Come here! It’s coming!”

When someone shouted loudly, the eyes of the people who filled the platform were all focused in one direction. Erna, who was holding the trunk she had almost dropped, also turned her head towards it.

It was almost at the same time  she suddenly realized  that she was at the forefront of a crowd of onlookers and found a tall man walking from the other side.

Even in front of the crowd like a swarm of clouds, Björn showed no signs of nervousness. From the moment he was born, he had been living in the interest of the whole kingdom, and it was familiar as if breathing. The slight discomfort that accompanied it was no different.

“Stand back! Everyone back off!”

The roaring cries of the servants resounded through the crowded platform. Even in the chaos of disorder, the spectators slowly retreated, paving the way for the prince’s procession.

Björn kept his back and neck upright and took a refreshing step in strides. They even exchanged light eye-to-eye greetings with those who touched them as if they were passing by. It was a kind of habit that had been repeated over the years and got into the body.

She, too, was nothing more than a crowd with such meaningless glimpses.

It was thanks to the amazing behavior of the little girl that the time his eyes stayed a little longer. The woman in a rustic old-fashioned dress wrapped in lace and ribbon looked like she would believe she had lived through the last century alone. As if a dress full of floral patterns was not enough, the hat was also dangling in harmony.

Passing by the woman, Björn turned his gaze once more, this time towards the man with the red-hot face. The man, who had been blaming the royal prodigal son with a strong point, staggered backwards, but Björn gave him a fair smile as well. Even in the midst of the chaos of criticism and admiration, he looked as if he had just gone out for an afternoon stroll.

Capturing and throwing away meaningless faces, Björn proceeded leisurely toward the train that had just entered the platform.

* * *

Knowing the address didn’t help much. Unfortunately, Erna only found out after getting lost and exhausted from wandering. The clear darkness was slowly falling over the city as the sun had set.

Erna staggered towards the fountain in the center of the square on Tara Boulevard. It felt like she could lie down like this, but she didn’t forget to open the handkerchief before sitting down on the railing.

For today, Erna wore the clothes she loved the most. It was a muslin dress that her grandmother gave her as a birthday present last year. Now, she didn’t want to show my father well, but she need to have proper manners and dignity like a lady. It was impossible to get those clothes dirty.

Calmly and gracefully. Like a lady anytime, anywhere.

It was a life motto that her grandmother had kept for the rest of her life, and it was also a legacy she wanted to pass down to her granddaughter. Although she inherited the surname of Hardi, Erna Hardi, the unmistakable lady of the Baden family, had an obligation to uphold its value.

While Erna was meticulously adjusting her outfit, the gas lamp in the square lit up. After finishing his work, the streetlight keeper got on his bike again and left for the next area.

After a while, Erna got up again and packed her luggage after being immersed in the strange sight she had seen for the first time in her life. The pain in her swollen feet and legs disappeared spontaneously when she thought that she had to find a house before the night got deeper.

With the sound of footsteps, Erna walked along the street dyed with the light of gas lamps. It was beautiful enough to make her forget the fearful and dreary feelings for a while at night, where petals falling in the wind fluttered like snow.

“Wow……”

Erna raised her head as she exclaimed  like an innocent child. A white full moon could be seen through the branches full of flowers. Last night, it was like the moon floating in the night sky, she looked through the window after tossing and turning because she could hardly sleep. The relief given by that natural fact was unexpectedly quite large.

After holding her breath, Erna started walking down the road with a little more courage. And soon, she found the house in the address she had been repeating like an earnest prayer. An old-fashioned mansion at the western end of Tara Boulevard, the very Hardi Garal that once used to be her home.

Before ringing the doorbell, Erna adjusted her dress once more. She kept het posture straight and kept her smile as soft and sociable as possible. She didn’t know how she would look, but it was, at least, good by Erna’s standards.

“It’s okay.”

Deceiving herself with a lie that she thought was already a lie, Erna reached out her trembling hand towards the doorbell.

* * *

“I really don’t understand you.”

The chirping woman’s voice pierced through the melodies of the upbeat chamber music.

At that moment, Björn opened his eyes that had been slowly closed. As he lifted his head obliquely, Louise, who had come all the way to her nose, came into view. Unlike Louise, who was excited, Biern’s eyes looking at her sister were dry.

“You say Gladys is coming back. Don’t you know what this means?”

“Well.”

Björn’s gaze, who was slowly wandering through the hall filled with the dazzling chandelier lights, stopped again on Louise’s face.

“It’s going to be a pretty unlucky summer, or something like that.”

The blunt answer, which was thrown away with a bright smile, sounded even more poignant due to his sluggish tone of drowsiness.

“Oh my gosh. How could  brother speak of Gladys like that? Gladys, whom my brother hurt and threw away!”

Louise was furious, as if it were herself who was insulted. Even with such a sister by his side, Björn calmly grabbed the glass of water. The water droplets that had condensed on the surface of the glass flowed down the long, smooth fingers.

The charity party was a success.

When it became known that the queen, who was respected and loved by the whole kingdom, was attending, ladies from the social circles rushed to Schwerin. The corner of the mouth of the head of the Royal Hospital, moved by the amount of mercy they had demonstrated with their donations, showed no sign of going down.

Great food and music, and social celebrities who have graced the guest list. It was a party with dignity enough that the Queen’s attendance would not be in vain. The sacrifice of the Grand Duke, who gave up his sleep to escort the Queen, was also not in vain. It’s not a bad spring weekend. Except for Princess Louise, who whizzes around like an angry bee.

“Brother, please, correct the mistake now. Yes?”

Louise now began to speak in a tone that seemed to appease even a child. Louise, who was also Gladys’s friend, supported Biern’s marriage more fervently than anyone else. After a tumultuous divorce, she turned into a more ferocious critic than anyone else.

“Of course, it’s not the kind of fault that can be forgiven, but if Gladys forgives, I’m sure the two of… … .”

“The Duchess of Heine.”

Björn put down the glass of water and cut off his sister’s words. Unlike his smiling lips, his eyes and tone were calm enough to give a sense of ingenuity.

“It seems that the duke is looking for his wife, but how about returning to your husband’s side?”

Björn blinked and pointed to the Duke of Heine, who was sneaking through the crowds of ladies beyond the hall. Louise licked her lips a few times, but with a deep sigh, replaced the unspeakable words.

When Louise reluctantly left, Björn got up. After a brief break, the band now began to play the waltz.

Björn leisurely passed among the ladies who threw their eyes at the coexistence of vigilance and anticipation. The terrace leading to the garden was crowded with men coming out to smoke cigars.

“Björn! here!”

Seeing a familiar face beckoning, Björn turned towards it. The crowd that normally should have been engrossed in a nonsensical discussion was quiet today. Some of the dogs were sipping their drinks with somber faces that looked like they were about to burst into tears at any moment.

“The investment failed.”

said Peter, who held out a glass filled with amber brandy. Björn leaned at an angle to the railing and took a glass of wine.

“Investment?”

“I invested in foreign bonds, but it was a scam or something.”

Peter clicked his tongue and delivered the tragic news. Only lightly frowned, Björn showed no reaction. It seemed that the number of idiots caught up in the fanciful investment craze that had stirred up other social clubs for a while was greater than expected.

“Thank you, my lord. Thanks to you, I am alive.”

Peter, who moved closer to Björn, lowered his voice and whispered.

After receiving the investment information that appeals to his ears, he went straight to Schwerin Palace. Because the orthodoxy of the social circles that Prince Björn must have had a gift from God, at least in two fields: women and money.

That day, after hearing the explanation from Peter, who was excited, Björn summarized the situation with a concise answer.

Sick bastard.

How insulting was that mundane word with a low and low voice. Peter Bergen almost committed a serious crime of assaulting the royal family. If it had been an opponent that could have been defeated, it would have certainly been.

But how about…

For a moment, he had to protect his property in exchange for becoming an asshole, so there was nothing that he couldn’t bear. Besides, didn’t he see a pretty big profit by investing in a steel company with the information he got from beating Björn? Just thinking about it made Peter feel like he could fall in love with that unlucky prince.

How much did Björn earn as he earned that level of income, who only barely tasted it after entering the water? Anyway, one of the talents of rolling money was certain to be something close to a gimmick. It was one of the important reasons for continuing this friendship by enduring it even if it was dirty and disrespectful.

“You must catch it by all means, Björn! It’s a serious crime with no one or two victims. isn’t it?”

The heir of a countess, who made eye contact with Björn, began to weep and recite the names of the scammers. Most of them were children of noble families who were members of the fraternity, but there were also some rather strange names mixed in.

“Viscount Hardi lost almost all of his fortune. He’s on the verge of committing suicide with a pistol right now?”

Hardy. The tedious grumbling ended with an unfamiliar name, perhaps the most serious idiot.

After smoking a cigar, Björn turned towards the garden over the railing. Through the hazy smoke, the colorful spring flowers with the water rising to the fullest were seen.

Biern’s gaze, who was slowly admiring the scenery, suddenly stopped on the flower bed full of small white flowers.

Lily of the valley.

Björns eyes narrowed as he remembered the name of the flower. The bouquet Gladys wore at the wedding. Thanks to this, the lily of the valley, which was nicknamed the flower of the Crown Princess, was loved enough to cause a shortage for a while. Of course, its popularity faded in less than a year.

Come to think of it, it was the flower that adorned the hat of the austere woman he saw at the station. That lily of the valley that has long since passed the fashion.

Björn hummed the waltz from the hall and let out the long cigarette smoke once more.

No wonder.

Leaving the lily of the valley flower bed without any regrets, his gaze was now on the white moon hanging over the night sky.

Even if he glanced at it, there was no luck.