099. Burning cold
“Are you sure nothing is wrong?”
“...I said there isn’t any.”
Ruth kept glancing at her master as she changed the bed sheets.
The girl was holding a chess piece in one hand and a textbook in the other, without taking her eyes off the chessboard.
Are you really okay?
The girl notices that I am tilting my head, lets out a short sigh, and opens her mouth.
“How many times do I have to tell you that the wagon wheel gave me enlightenment?”
“...”
“Why would a perfectly good wheel suddenly break down? It was God’s warning. He wanted you to realize how rude and self-deprecating it is to secretly approach a man like that.”
The pieces on the chessboard moved around, meaningless movements that Ruth didn't notice.
“It was a stupid idea. I’m glad I realized it before it was too late.”
“But why don’t you get out of bed? And why do you lie about being sick?”
A light, breathy laugh escaped Bianca.
“It’s such a cliché and cliche, you know... Sometimes you have to refuse, right? Thanks to that, you even got a gift like that.”
Ruth followed the girl and turned her gaze towards the rich bouquet of flowers in the vase.
An hour ago, Basilion's butler, Tobias, showed up with those flowers and a large box of chocolates.
'The master is very worried about the young lady's health. He asked me to tell her that he hopes to see her again soon and in good health.'
Ruth was very disappointed, but the young lady didn't seem to care at all. She really seemed to want to avoid Master Meyer.
“Should I read a book? Something like ‘Lady’s Dating Skills’. It says you have to be good at pushing and pulling, but I don’t think you have the talent for it.”
The girl shook her head and returned her focus to the chessboard, successfully dispelling some of Ruth's doubts.
Well... nothing special happened that day other than the carriage accident until the girl suddenly changed and declared that she had to go home.
It was the right decision.
Even though Ruth had never been in a proper relationship in her forties, going to a man who wanted to rest alone was, no matter how I thought about it, a hurtful and unattractive act.
“Just keep the show to yourself and come out of the room. If you keep staying in bed like that, I’ll start to worry that something is wrong.”
Ruth grumbled and crumpled the sheets into the basket. The young lady frowned without answering and just focused on the chessboard.
“If anything comes up, call me. I won’t bother you.”
The door closed and the nanny disappeared.
Bianca, left alone, stared at the chessboard with unfocused eyes. The cold air was twisting her mind and rising to the top of her head.
Woof, woof, the suddenly rough wind blows through the cracks in the window, chilling me deep into my bones.
Cold.
Bianca sat in a chair in front of the fireplace. Watching the logs crackle and burn away, she felt endlessly sad.
It was definitely Hardy. It couldn't have been anyone else.
So who was the woman? The small, white woman hanging from his shoulder like a doll...
A variety of possibilities came to mind, from a noble lady to a prostitute.
Whatever the answer, Bianca was burned black. Just thinking about that scene made her eyes go dark, and her thoughts wouldn't move forward at all.
She also knew very well that this kind of reaction was by no means desirable.
He is a noble man. To a noble man, government is as natural as a needle and thread.
Doesn't her father have countless women? If she includes one-night stands, she can't even count them on one hand.
However, mother and father are called a lovebird couple. Parents have their own order and rules, and they care for and love each other in their own way.
Bianca thought she would take it well too. But it was arrogance. It was pride. It was a misjudgment.
Hardy's government, lover, or one-night stand.
No matter what she said, her hands started shaking and her heart felt like it was going to burst.
The boy who leaned against the wall and lusted after the woman was completely different from the boy Bianca had known before.
He is a man.
The preconceived desire that she had never imagined existed inside him drove Bianca to despair.
“I heard that Duchess Meyer is secretly worried. She says that she raised her successor too ascetically. But I like him. I hate a son-in-law who is a philanderer.”
Her mother always said that. Her father never complained about that either.
“A man’s true colors show when he turns fifteen, and that’s certainly the case with Hardius. I think Duke Meyer’s influence was probably a big factor in his development. I think he’s doing it on purpose so as not to end up like his father.”
Everyone believed it, but they were completely fooled.
What kind of woman is she...?
Bianca repeated the question that had been on her mind for the past three days. Each time, there was one thing that always lingered like dregs filtered through a sieve.
That woman.
A woman who charmed men at every banquet.
The Meyer family's fiancée in name only, with blonde hair and white skin and a doll-like beauty.
'I was trying to spread a rumor about that country girl.'
'To prevent public opinion from worsening, Prince Meyer tried to please the woman and pretended to keep the engagement in front of people.'
'If she had been a sly and greedy woman, it would have been easy to deal with her, but she was the complete opposite. She had faithfully followed the King's orders for five years, and had shown an impeccable attitude even at banquets.'
Please, if it weren't for that woman... I'd rather she be a prostitute who acts promiscuously in a brothel.
Bianca buried her face in her knees, unable to bear the feeling of her whole body collapsing.
That woman is no good. She is just a trap set by the cunning Joseph to break the alliance.
If you were the successor to the Meyer family, you would never want to get close to him. That wasn't the only problem.
Her father had been strict about not allowing her to have a mistress until after her marriage and before the birth of her first child. There was a reason why her father made such an excessive demand. It was because of Hardius's father, Duke Meyer, who had been involved with a mistress before the marriage and almost ruined the family.
Mrs. Meyer also agreed. Hardius must be well aware of that fact.
But what if it was that woman?
But what if Hardy had still managed to make her his?
"Ha..."
Bianca was breathing hard.
What should I do now?
Should I just accept it? As my man's mistress?
Tears streamed down her flushed cheeks. Bianca sobbed miserably without even thinking about wiping them away.
Damn Hardy... Can you not stand it that much? That much?
The wind was howling like an animal, shaking the windows.
The owner did not go to visit the patient in the end. He did not head to the zelkova forest either.
He had been walking along the stone path leading to the garden for dozens of minutes, lost in thought.
Grojean, unable to shake off his anxiety, followed the young master and stepped on the rustling fallen leaves.
A few days ago, Pip told him that the Master had come back from the festival with Miss Bern and her sister. It was truly heartbreaking.
If it had been before the breakup, it could have been easily overlooked. Even if it had been discovered, it could have been made up of excuses such as public opinion or the King's majesty.
But now they have broken off their engagement.
Thanks to the passage of the Rochester Bill in its amended form, the term "abandoned fiancée" is no longer used in Congress. There is no reason for the two to meet.
But he couldn't understand why the master did such a reckless and impulsive thing.
It's not simply a matter of emotion or desire. Isn't it no different from putting the woman you've worked so hard to protect for five years in danger with your own hands?
“Grojean.”
Hardius suddenly stopped walking.
“Are you sure Kramwitz’s chimney sweep is ready?”
“Yes, as I told you before, I have planted evidence all over the villa and am ready to go after Jetson.”
Hardius looked at the fallen leaves rolling around and was lost in thought for a while. Then, when he opened his mouth again.
“...I have to go to Kunt.”
"Yes?"
Grojean was so surprised that he couldn't help but ask again.
“Are you talking about now?”
“Yes, now. Prepare the carriage.”
Exactly three hours later, the two were in the middle of a fir forest where the cold wind was blowing. Large and small factory buildings were clustered along a stream that ran through the forest. Unlike the quiet entrance, the sound of the engine and the cracking of the stone crusher could be heard continuously.
Hardius entered the factory entrance, blocking the wind with his collar.
A man smoking a cigarette at the entrance narrowed his eyes when he saw the two people getting out of the carriage. Then he shouted in disbelief.
“Young Master!”
He ran up to Hardius and stood in front of him. He had bushy hair and a long beard. He was Kunt's general manager and inventor, Bermer.
“How come you came here so suddenly?”
“You’re having a hard time.”
Hardius looked around. It was filled with extensions, machinery, and noise, then shook hands with the sweaty Bermer.
A few workers who were putting coal in the large furnace glanced at them curiously. Of course, they had no idea that the strange visitor was a representative of Meyer Steel. His identity was known only to Bermer.
Hardius followed Bermer around the factory.
“Do you have time? Can we talk for a moment?”
“...Yes, come this way.”
They left the factory and headed to a quiet, empty lot. After giving up his only chair to Bermer, who was vehemently refusing, Hadius leaned against a large wooden pillar.
“It’s impossible to shorten the period?”
“Yes, unfortunately, that is so.”
Bermer answered quietly, wiping his greasy hands on his trousers.
“What if more workers were hired? Could the production period for the electric furnace be shortened?”
“Yes, that is true, but...”
“Tell me exactly. How many more workers do you need to produce steel in one month?”
Bermer looked up at the sky and muttered something, calculating something. Then he answered.
It was an absolutely impossible number in Grojean's opinion, but Hardius straightened up, saying, "Yes."
“I’ll fill in the required numbers, so make sure you succeed.”
Grojean and Bermer could not help but look at each other in surprise.
This place is operated in the utmost secrecy. The necessary capital and materials were secretly delivered through the royal family, and the workers even swore a secret oath. In such a situation, adding more workers meant greater exposure risk. Above all, money is needed.
As far as Bermer knew, Hardius Meyer had used up all the money he could to build a secret factory in this abandoned land. Even if he was the heir, he would not be able to secretly take out company funds, and at will.
How on earth are they going to fill the necessary manpower?
“Are you sure nothing is wrong?”
“...I said there isn’t any.”
Ruth kept glancing at her master as she changed the bed sheets.
The girl was holding a chess piece in one hand and a textbook in the other, without taking her eyes off the chessboard.
Are you really okay?
The girl notices that I am tilting my head, lets out a short sigh, and opens her mouth.
“How many times do I have to tell you that the wagon wheel gave me enlightenment?”
“...”
“Why would a perfectly good wheel suddenly break down? It was God’s warning. He wanted you to realize how rude and self-deprecating it is to secretly approach a man like that.”
The pieces on the chessboard moved around, meaningless movements that Ruth didn't notice.
“It was a stupid idea. I’m glad I realized it before it was too late.”
“But why don’t you get out of bed? And why do you lie about being sick?”
A light, breathy laugh escaped Bianca.
“It’s such a cliché and cliche, you know... Sometimes you have to refuse, right? Thanks to that, you even got a gift like that.”
Ruth followed the girl and turned her gaze towards the rich bouquet of flowers in the vase.
An hour ago, Basilion's butler, Tobias, showed up with those flowers and a large box of chocolates.
'The master is very worried about the young lady's health. He asked me to tell her that he hopes to see her again soon and in good health.'
Ruth was very disappointed, but the young lady didn't seem to care at all. She really seemed to want to avoid Master Meyer.
“Should I read a book? Something like ‘Lady’s Dating Skills’. It says you have to be good at pushing and pulling, but I don’t think you have the talent for it.”
The girl shook her head and returned her focus to the chessboard, successfully dispelling some of Ruth's doubts.
Well... nothing special happened that day other than the carriage accident until the girl suddenly changed and declared that she had to go home.
It was the right decision.
Even though Ruth had never been in a proper relationship in her forties, going to a man who wanted to rest alone was, no matter how I thought about it, a hurtful and unattractive act.
“Just keep the show to yourself and come out of the room. If you keep staying in bed like that, I’ll start to worry that something is wrong.”
Ruth grumbled and crumpled the sheets into the basket. The young lady frowned without answering and just focused on the chessboard.
“If anything comes up, call me. I won’t bother you.”
The door closed and the nanny disappeared.
Bianca, left alone, stared at the chessboard with unfocused eyes. The cold air was twisting her mind and rising to the top of her head.
Woof, woof, the suddenly rough wind blows through the cracks in the window, chilling me deep into my bones.
Cold.
Bianca sat in a chair in front of the fireplace. Watching the logs crackle and burn away, she felt endlessly sad.
It was definitely Hardy. It couldn't have been anyone else.
So who was the woman? The small, white woman hanging from his shoulder like a doll...
A variety of possibilities came to mind, from a noble lady to a prostitute.
Whatever the answer, Bianca was burned black. Just thinking about that scene made her eyes go dark, and her thoughts wouldn't move forward at all.
She also knew very well that this kind of reaction was by no means desirable.
He is a noble man. To a noble man, government is as natural as a needle and thread.
Doesn't her father have countless women? If she includes one-night stands, she can't even count them on one hand.
However, mother and father are called a lovebird couple. Parents have their own order and rules, and they care for and love each other in their own way.
Bianca thought she would take it well too. But it was arrogance. It was pride. It was a misjudgment.
Hardy's government, lover, or one-night stand.
No matter what she said, her hands started shaking and her heart felt like it was going to burst.
The boy who leaned against the wall and lusted after the woman was completely different from the boy Bianca had known before.
He is a man.
The preconceived desire that she had never imagined existed inside him drove Bianca to despair.
“I heard that Duchess Meyer is secretly worried. She says that she raised her successor too ascetically. But I like him. I hate a son-in-law who is a philanderer.”
Her mother always said that. Her father never complained about that either.
“A man’s true colors show when he turns fifteen, and that’s certainly the case with Hardius. I think Duke Meyer’s influence was probably a big factor in his development. I think he’s doing it on purpose so as not to end up like his father.”
Everyone believed it, but they were completely fooled.
What kind of woman is she...?
Bianca repeated the question that had been on her mind for the past three days. Each time, there was one thing that always lingered like dregs filtered through a sieve.
That woman.
A woman who charmed men at every banquet.
The Meyer family's fiancée in name only, with blonde hair and white skin and a doll-like beauty.
'I was trying to spread a rumor about that country girl.'
'To prevent public opinion from worsening, Prince Meyer tried to please the woman and pretended to keep the engagement in front of people.'
'If she had been a sly and greedy woman, it would have been easy to deal with her, but she was the complete opposite. She had faithfully followed the King's orders for five years, and had shown an impeccable attitude even at banquets.'
Please, if it weren't for that woman... I'd rather she be a prostitute who acts promiscuously in a brothel.
Bianca buried her face in her knees, unable to bear the feeling of her whole body collapsing.
That woman is no good. She is just a trap set by the cunning Joseph to break the alliance.
If you were the successor to the Meyer family, you would never want to get close to him. That wasn't the only problem.
Her father had been strict about not allowing her to have a mistress until after her marriage and before the birth of her first child. There was a reason why her father made such an excessive demand. It was because of Hardius's father, Duke Meyer, who had been involved with a mistress before the marriage and almost ruined the family.
Mrs. Meyer also agreed. Hardius must be well aware of that fact.
But what if it was that woman?
But what if Hardy had still managed to make her his?
"Ha..."
Bianca was breathing hard.
What should I do now?
Should I just accept it? As my man's mistress?
Tears streamed down her flushed cheeks. Bianca sobbed miserably without even thinking about wiping them away.
Damn Hardy... Can you not stand it that much? That much?
The wind was howling like an animal, shaking the windows.
***
The owner did not go to visit the patient in the end. He did not head to the zelkova forest either.
He had been walking along the stone path leading to the garden for dozens of minutes, lost in thought.
Grojean, unable to shake off his anxiety, followed the young master and stepped on the rustling fallen leaves.
A few days ago, Pip told him that the Master had come back from the festival with Miss Bern and her sister. It was truly heartbreaking.
If it had been before the breakup, it could have been easily overlooked. Even if it had been discovered, it could have been made up of excuses such as public opinion or the King's majesty.
But now they have broken off their engagement.
Thanks to the passage of the Rochester Bill in its amended form, the term "abandoned fiancée" is no longer used in Congress. There is no reason for the two to meet.
But he couldn't understand why the master did such a reckless and impulsive thing.
It's not simply a matter of emotion or desire. Isn't it no different from putting the woman you've worked so hard to protect for five years in danger with your own hands?
“Grojean.”
Hardius suddenly stopped walking.
“Are you sure Kramwitz’s chimney sweep is ready?”
“Yes, as I told you before, I have planted evidence all over the villa and am ready to go after Jetson.”
Hardius looked at the fallen leaves rolling around and was lost in thought for a while. Then, when he opened his mouth again.
“...I have to go to Kunt.”
"Yes?"
Grojean was so surprised that he couldn't help but ask again.
“Are you talking about now?”
“Yes, now. Prepare the carriage.”
Exactly three hours later, the two were in the middle of a fir forest where the cold wind was blowing. Large and small factory buildings were clustered along a stream that ran through the forest. Unlike the quiet entrance, the sound of the engine and the cracking of the stone crusher could be heard continuously.
Hardius entered the factory entrance, blocking the wind with his collar.
A man smoking a cigarette at the entrance narrowed his eyes when he saw the two people getting out of the carriage. Then he shouted in disbelief.
“Young Master!”
He ran up to Hardius and stood in front of him. He had bushy hair and a long beard. He was Kunt's general manager and inventor, Bermer.
“How come you came here so suddenly?”
“You’re having a hard time.”
Hardius looked around. It was filled with extensions, machinery, and noise, then shook hands with the sweaty Bermer.
A few workers who were putting coal in the large furnace glanced at them curiously. Of course, they had no idea that the strange visitor was a representative of Meyer Steel. His identity was known only to Bermer.
Hardius followed Bermer around the factory.
“Do you have time? Can we talk for a moment?”
“...Yes, come this way.”
They left the factory and headed to a quiet, empty lot. After giving up his only chair to Bermer, who was vehemently refusing, Hadius leaned against a large wooden pillar.
“It’s impossible to shorten the period?”
“Yes, unfortunately, that is so.”
Bermer answered quietly, wiping his greasy hands on his trousers.
“What if more workers were hired? Could the production period for the electric furnace be shortened?”
“Yes, that is true, but...”
“Tell me exactly. How many more workers do you need to produce steel in one month?”
Bermer looked up at the sky and muttered something, calculating something. Then he answered.
It was an absolutely impossible number in Grojean's opinion, but Hardius straightened up, saying, "Yes."
“I’ll fill in the required numbers, so make sure you succeed.”
Grojean and Bermer could not help but look at each other in surprise.
This place is operated in the utmost secrecy. The necessary capital and materials were secretly delivered through the royal family, and the workers even swore a secret oath. In such a situation, adding more workers meant greater exposure risk. Above all, money is needed.
As far as Bermer knew, Hardius Meyer had used up all the money he could to build a secret factory in this abandoned land. Even if he was the heir, he would not be able to secretly take out company funds, and at will.
How on earth are they going to fill the necessary manpower?
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