127. I'm sorry
“Is that true?”
Hannes asked back in disbelief.
“Yes, this is what Basilion’s servants and Meyer Steel’s staff saw and heard firsthand.”
"Ha!"
Hannes sighed and placed his hand on his forehead.
"He rarely comes home. He'd come home drunk, late at night, and then be gone before daybreak. He'd even invite friends over and start drinking parties in broad daylight. His aides and butlers were incredibly worried."
He frowned and shook his head, then looked back at the butler.
"By the way, what on earth is the reason? Why is Prince Meyer even refusing our visit? We need to know that first."
“The young master said he needed some time alone to collect his thoughts until things calmed down.”
"This person..."
Hannes, who was grinding his teeth, seemed ready to spit out a curse at any moment.
“You’re really crazy. You’re crazy... in these times...!”
"Honey..."
Enria worriedly watched her husband's face, which was becoming increasingly flushed. Hanes raised his hand, indicating that he was okay.
"Hardy Meyer is out of his mind. He's completely lost without his mother. He used to say he was so independent, but now he's so viciously whining and trying to completely destroy the family..."
“No, Father. That can’t be.”
It was Bianca who dared to interrupt the Grand Duke. Her daughter's bewildered voice wrung Hannes's heart painfully.
"Vicky..."
“Prince Meyer could not be that... that weak.”
Bianca shook her head vigorously, her body trembling.
"If it doesn't work out, I'll step in and help. I won't let him fall apart like that. He'll get over it quickly, I'm sure."
Unfortunately, Bianca's hopes were completely dashed. For the next few days, Nowak's social circles were plagued by a steady stream of shocking news.
The successor of the Meyer family is said to be frequenting a back alley bar where drugs are bought and sold.
It was a series of unbelievable incidents, such as him getting drunk and getting into fist fights with gangsters, or inviting prostitutes to his house.
One of the worst days was when the Meyer Steel executives visited.
When they, dissatisfied with their CEO's failure to appear at the office even after his release from detention, went to see him, Hardius Meyer greeted them with the stench of alcohol. The dozens of bottles of alcohol and tranquilizers scattered around him shocked everyone.
“It has been said for a long time that Prince Meyer cannot sleep without tranquilizers.”
"Perhaps it's because Duchess Meyer remains entrenched in the suspicions. Prince Meyer seems to have been much more dependent on his mother than the world realizes."
"I'm beyond worried. If the Duchess doesn't return, I fear he will never come to his senses."
Although Hardius Meyer succeeded in clearing himself of the charges, it became an established fact that he was still suffering from the shock and anxiety caused by his mother's absence, and such rumors were strangely reported in the newspapers.
A few more days passed like that.
Katelyn Meyer is not cleared of murder charges against William Richards.
Will the successor of the Meyer family fall like this?
A cruel family history that destroyed a solid young man
“Your Highness, look at this.”
Enria pointed to the newspaper article at her husband. Her trembling fingers, as if ready to tear through the paper, were filled with an unbearable rage.
"No matter what... I never imagined it would turn out like this. Really..."
Hannes's face hardened. He, too, was extremely disappointed with Hardius, who showed no signs of improvement.
Even though he shook his head as if he was going crazy, he couldn't completely give up the hope that remained in his heart.
"Let's wait a little longer. Isn't it his mother who's being investigated for murder? Not one, but three. One of them is for attempting to poison his father..."
“...”
"I'm also getting angry, but at the same time, it's a shame. Come to think of it, didn't he grow up perfectly, just as Kaitlyn told me to? Everyone goes through times of wandering, so let's trust and wait a little longer."
“That’s... but...”
Contrary to the answer, the wrinkle carved between Enria's eyebrows showed no signs of disappearing
"That's what Duke Arthurscher said. Prince Meyer, no matter how skilled he is at negotiating and how well he's established himself among investors, seems to have relied heavily on his mother for important decisions and unconditionally followed her wishes."
"Ha..."
He sighed and seemed ready to nod at any moment, but Enria suddenly straightened up with a sharp gaze.
"But Your Highness, I'm no longer so sure. To think he was such a shaky and creaky man... No matter how difficult and painful it was, he would indulge in alcohol and drugs."
Hannes, too, swayed like a reed. Hardius Meyer had been the source of both hope and disappointment for the couple over the past month.
"But I can't just break off the engagement so easily. We've already taken a significant amount of money under the guise of this partnership. Above all, I believe Hardius will come to his senses soon. It's too much of a waste to just abandon businesses like Meyer Steel."
"But Your Highness, you feel the same way, don't you? Before the merger, marriage comes first, and your daughter's happiness comes first."
“That’s true, but...”
It was the moment when Hannes pressed his temples as if he had a headache. Following a knock, the footman opened the door and came in.
“Your Highness, this is a letter from Basilion House.”
From the wax seal to the handwritten signature, it was undoubtedly written by Prince Meyer.
The couple looked at each other. There was a hint of hope, a sense that Hardius had finally come to his senses.
Hannes eagerly accepted the letter. But the moment he opened the paper, his last hopes were dashed.
The content was concise.
...This incident left Meyer feeling disillusioned and powerless about the alliance.
...After much deliberation, I realized how much conflict could arise if we only thought about each other's interests while forcing ourselves to maintain an alliance.
...so Meyer has no intention of maintaining an alliance with Leichnen any longer.
That is, he wanted to break up with Leichnen and end their relationship that had lasted for over ten years.
The unexpected decision was secretly relayed not only to Tobaro but also to the newspapers. The footman at Basilion House had leaked a letter intended to be delivered in complete secrecy to reporters.
The next day, the media all reported the breaking news.
Hardius Meyer cut off his last lifeline, Leichnen, and jumped off the cliff, bringing about his own downfall.
The sentence, which had spread throughout the world through newspapers, had also reached Hethel's two-story house.
“Wow, really... really amazing. How can you do this?”
Ingrid put down her newspaper with a sound that was neither a sigh nor a gasp. Across from her, Kalia, who was knitting, let out a short sigh.
Although she couldn't read, she had already heard from Maesen what was written in the newspaper and what news she would hear in the future.
"The Meyer family will be in a state of crisis for a while. The process will be fully reported in the media, but rest assured. The young master has already planned everything, so there's no need to worry."
But when she actually heard the word "fall," she felt an unbearable sense of unease. Ingrid, perhaps aware of Kalia's feelings, continued to babble incessantly.
"If Grojean hadn't warned me in advance, I would have been seriously worried. If something were wrong with him... it would be a huge problem."
Ingrid's gaze turned to Elaine, no, Emilia, sitting on the sofa. She had been concentrating on Latang's ledger for hours.
Ingrid found it hard to believe her.
From the moment Hardy Meyer burst through the restaurant door and appeared, it had been a series of unbelievable events.
Dishwasher Elaine Mob was secretly engaged to Hardy Meyer, pregnant with his child!
Ingrid called Emilia, chewing over the shocking and surprising fact, no matter how much she thought about it.
"Right, Elaine? Is this all planned out, as Sir Grojean said? Things are going according to plan, step by step. So, only good things will happen soon, right?"
There was a hint of concern in her light-hearted question. Emilia raised her head and met her eyes.
"Sure."
A calm smile appeared on her small, slender face. For a moment, Ingrid couldn't help but tilt her head again.
Even if it was a staged play, how could she smile so calmly when her man was in danger?
Ingrid began to wonder what Elaine's true feelings were. Perhaps her curiosity stemmed from the fact that she hadn't had a proper relationship in well over thirty years. She had no idea how Elaine felt right now.
"Anyway, this is truly amazing. That such a great man would go to such lengths to have the wedding of the century with you. I still can't believe it. It all feels like a dream."
Emilia smiled silently once more and turned her eyes back to the ledger.
Ingrid's eyes suddenly caught sight of Emilia's lower abdomen, which was just beginning to swell.
The words of a man named Grojean, a few months ago, began to echo in my head.
"Don't forget, Lady Bern is the future Duchess of Meyer. You must help her find stability and not overwork herself. If necessary, even if it means taking away her work."
"Please don't forget. Only when you two marry safely and have children can I give you all the things I promised you, Miss Ingrid."
Ingrid quickly turned to Emilia. It wasn't just because of the unimaginably enormous reward Prince Meyer had offered. She genuinely loved Elaine Mob and wanted her to be happy.
“Just stop now and give it to me. That’s enough.”
Emilia was about to say it was okay, but then changed her mind. For the time being, the child took precedence over work.
"Yes, here it is. If you send the receipts and other ledgers to Uncle Beppy, I'll organize them and send them to you within this week."
“Yes, thanks.”
As Ingrid prepared to leave, Kalia approached Emilia, patting her on the shoulder.
“Would you like to have dinner before you go, Miss Ingrid?”
“Again?”
Ingrid couldn't take her eyes off the stove, which was overflowing with a savory smell.
“I wonder if that will work...”
"Of course. You gave me some salted cod last time. I heard Ingrid was coming, so I made some delicious steamed potatoes."
Ingrid had no choice but to slowly make her way to the table. Kalia Bern was a cook as skilled as Latang's chef, Mr. Hellock.
“You know what? Meeting the Bern family is the best luck of my life.”
“Oh, don’t say that...”
Kalia and Ingrid looked at each other and smiled.
Meanwhile, Emilia quietly opened the door and stepped outside. Something cold from the sky fell on her nose.
It was snow. Her heavy breathing became pure white vapor and broke into thin air.
The snowflakes dancing down brought back memories of the last time she saw him. It's only been two months, but everything feels so distant, like years have passed.
She thought of him every day, every moment.
From the moment they met at their engagement party to the last night, when they held each other breathlessly in an embrace.
Memory is so convenient that it erases all the fears, horrors, and terrifying moments, leaving only the thrilling, almost cruel ones.
His black hair fluttering in the wind, and his eyes staring at her as if he didn't care about anything in the world.
As she gazed up at the sky, tears welled up in her eyes again. Emilia rolled her eyes and blinked them away, trying to shake them away.
I won't cry. I won't sigh or feel heartbroken.
Living her daily life bravely was the best she could do.
"Emilia, dinner is ready. Come in, it's cold!"
Kalia opened the window and shouted.
"Yes!"
As Emilia turned, her gaze was drawn to a small, yellow petal blooming between knee-high rocks and amidst the pure white snow. She crouched before it. As a snow flower, she assumed it would be fragrant, but the scent carried by the winter wind was strong and intense.
'Mom and Dad will always be by your side. I will speak to you like the fragrance of flowers.'
That day, a feast of flowers that had been in full bloom in her dream unfolded before her eyes.
Mother, father.
Emilia held his hand.
Please protect that person. Please help him once more, just as you protected our child.
The hand that had been clasped moved towards the lower abdomen, which had become quite bulging.
My baby.
Just calling that name dispelled the chill that had gripped her body, and a wave of warmth filled her. Emilia could now fully sense the child's presence in her mind and heart. She sank into a gentle peace, as if playing in a river bathed in warm sunlight.
If only I could convey this feeling to that person right now.
Emilia closed her eyes.
If only he could feel the wonderful joy that our child brings...
That night, Emilia wrote a letter before going to bed. She knew she couldn't send it right away.
The moment she asks someone to write him a letter and deliver it, countless people will go to extraordinary lengths to keep her secret, perhaps even risking their lives.
But she wasn't writing letters to send them. She just couldn't stand not writing.
To my master.
The moment she wrote that short sentence, a chuckle burst out from Emilia's mouth.
'My Master'!
Her face felt hot, and my spine felt itchy; she couldn't stand it.
She was laughing bashfully to herself, covering her flushed cheeks with her hands, when suddenly she felt a hot fire rising from deep within her heart.
A sob burst out like a puff of steam.
It burned black from the lower abdomen to the throat, and the heat was repeatedly exhaled, making her throat apple ache.
Her eyes burned. Hot blood raced through her body, threatening to burst every blood vessel.
Emilia covered her mouth with her hand, her eyebrows furrowed.
She tried not to cry at all.
But no matter how hard I try to hold on, she can never, ever stop the things that are pouring out like a flood.
The tears that had flowed down her cheeks, pitter-pattering, finally soaked the letter. They spread through the ink. It was sadness that instantly squished and soaked the pitch-black letters. It was a longing that burned me to a crisp.
"Sorry."
Because I am such a powerless mother.
“I’m sorry, Young Master... Really...”
Because I can't be by your side.
For leaving you alone.
Emilia burst into tears. Unable to even try to hold back her tears, she burst out crying like a child.
“Is that true?”
Hannes asked back in disbelief.
“Yes, this is what Basilion’s servants and Meyer Steel’s staff saw and heard firsthand.”
"Ha!"
Hannes sighed and placed his hand on his forehead.
"He rarely comes home. He'd come home drunk, late at night, and then be gone before daybreak. He'd even invite friends over and start drinking parties in broad daylight. His aides and butlers were incredibly worried."
He frowned and shook his head, then looked back at the butler.
"By the way, what on earth is the reason? Why is Prince Meyer even refusing our visit? We need to know that first."
“The young master said he needed some time alone to collect his thoughts until things calmed down.”
"This person..."
Hannes, who was grinding his teeth, seemed ready to spit out a curse at any moment.
“You’re really crazy. You’re crazy... in these times...!”
"Honey..."
Enria worriedly watched her husband's face, which was becoming increasingly flushed. Hanes raised his hand, indicating that he was okay.
"Hardy Meyer is out of his mind. He's completely lost without his mother. He used to say he was so independent, but now he's so viciously whining and trying to completely destroy the family..."
“No, Father. That can’t be.”
It was Bianca who dared to interrupt the Grand Duke. Her daughter's bewildered voice wrung Hannes's heart painfully.
"Vicky..."
“Prince Meyer could not be that... that weak.”
Bianca shook her head vigorously, her body trembling.
"If it doesn't work out, I'll step in and help. I won't let him fall apart like that. He'll get over it quickly, I'm sure."
Unfortunately, Bianca's hopes were completely dashed. For the next few days, Nowak's social circles were plagued by a steady stream of shocking news.
The successor of the Meyer family is said to be frequenting a back alley bar where drugs are bought and sold.
It was a series of unbelievable incidents, such as him getting drunk and getting into fist fights with gangsters, or inviting prostitutes to his house.
One of the worst days was when the Meyer Steel executives visited.
When they, dissatisfied with their CEO's failure to appear at the office even after his release from detention, went to see him, Hardius Meyer greeted them with the stench of alcohol. The dozens of bottles of alcohol and tranquilizers scattered around him shocked everyone.
“It has been said for a long time that Prince Meyer cannot sleep without tranquilizers.”
"Perhaps it's because Duchess Meyer remains entrenched in the suspicions. Prince Meyer seems to have been much more dependent on his mother than the world realizes."
"I'm beyond worried. If the Duchess doesn't return, I fear he will never come to his senses."
Although Hardius Meyer succeeded in clearing himself of the charges, it became an established fact that he was still suffering from the shock and anxiety caused by his mother's absence, and such rumors were strangely reported in the newspapers.
A few more days passed like that.
Katelyn Meyer is not cleared of murder charges against William Richards.
Will the successor of the Meyer family fall like this?
A cruel family history that destroyed a solid young man
“Your Highness, look at this.”
Enria pointed to the newspaper article at her husband. Her trembling fingers, as if ready to tear through the paper, were filled with an unbearable rage.
"No matter what... I never imagined it would turn out like this. Really..."
Hannes's face hardened. He, too, was extremely disappointed with Hardius, who showed no signs of improvement.
Even though he shook his head as if he was going crazy, he couldn't completely give up the hope that remained in his heart.
"Let's wait a little longer. Isn't it his mother who's being investigated for murder? Not one, but three. One of them is for attempting to poison his father..."
“...”
"I'm also getting angry, but at the same time, it's a shame. Come to think of it, didn't he grow up perfectly, just as Kaitlyn told me to? Everyone goes through times of wandering, so let's trust and wait a little longer."
“That’s... but...”
Contrary to the answer, the wrinkle carved between Enria's eyebrows showed no signs of disappearing
"That's what Duke Arthurscher said. Prince Meyer, no matter how skilled he is at negotiating and how well he's established himself among investors, seems to have relied heavily on his mother for important decisions and unconditionally followed her wishes."
"Ha..."
He sighed and seemed ready to nod at any moment, but Enria suddenly straightened up with a sharp gaze.
"But Your Highness, I'm no longer so sure. To think he was such a shaky and creaky man... No matter how difficult and painful it was, he would indulge in alcohol and drugs."
Hannes, too, swayed like a reed. Hardius Meyer had been the source of both hope and disappointment for the couple over the past month.
"But I can't just break off the engagement so easily. We've already taken a significant amount of money under the guise of this partnership. Above all, I believe Hardius will come to his senses soon. It's too much of a waste to just abandon businesses like Meyer Steel."
"But Your Highness, you feel the same way, don't you? Before the merger, marriage comes first, and your daughter's happiness comes first."
“That’s true, but...”
It was the moment when Hannes pressed his temples as if he had a headache. Following a knock, the footman opened the door and came in.
“Your Highness, this is a letter from Basilion House.”
From the wax seal to the handwritten signature, it was undoubtedly written by Prince Meyer.
The couple looked at each other. There was a hint of hope, a sense that Hardius had finally come to his senses.
Hannes eagerly accepted the letter. But the moment he opened the paper, his last hopes were dashed.
The content was concise.
...This incident left Meyer feeling disillusioned and powerless about the alliance.
...After much deliberation, I realized how much conflict could arise if we only thought about each other's interests while forcing ourselves to maintain an alliance.
...so Meyer has no intention of maintaining an alliance with Leichnen any longer.
That is, he wanted to break up with Leichnen and end their relationship that had lasted for over ten years.
The unexpected decision was secretly relayed not only to Tobaro but also to the newspapers. The footman at Basilion House had leaked a letter intended to be delivered in complete secrecy to reporters.
The next day, the media all reported the breaking news.
Hardius Meyer cut off his last lifeline, Leichnen, and jumped off the cliff, bringing about his own downfall.
The sentence, which had spread throughout the world through newspapers, had also reached Hethel's two-story house.
“Wow, really... really amazing. How can you do this?”
Ingrid put down her newspaper with a sound that was neither a sigh nor a gasp. Across from her, Kalia, who was knitting, let out a short sigh.
Although she couldn't read, she had already heard from Maesen what was written in the newspaper and what news she would hear in the future.
"The Meyer family will be in a state of crisis for a while. The process will be fully reported in the media, but rest assured. The young master has already planned everything, so there's no need to worry."
But when she actually heard the word "fall," she felt an unbearable sense of unease. Ingrid, perhaps aware of Kalia's feelings, continued to babble incessantly.
"If Grojean hadn't warned me in advance, I would have been seriously worried. If something were wrong with him... it would be a huge problem."
Ingrid's gaze turned to Elaine, no, Emilia, sitting on the sofa. She had been concentrating on Latang's ledger for hours.
Ingrid found it hard to believe her.
From the moment Hardy Meyer burst through the restaurant door and appeared, it had been a series of unbelievable events.
Dishwasher Elaine Mob was secretly engaged to Hardy Meyer, pregnant with his child!
Ingrid called Emilia, chewing over the shocking and surprising fact, no matter how much she thought about it.
"Right, Elaine? Is this all planned out, as Sir Grojean said? Things are going according to plan, step by step. So, only good things will happen soon, right?"
There was a hint of concern in her light-hearted question. Emilia raised her head and met her eyes.
"Sure."
A calm smile appeared on her small, slender face. For a moment, Ingrid couldn't help but tilt her head again.
Even if it was a staged play, how could she smile so calmly when her man was in danger?
Ingrid began to wonder what Elaine's true feelings were. Perhaps her curiosity stemmed from the fact that she hadn't had a proper relationship in well over thirty years. She had no idea how Elaine felt right now.
"Anyway, this is truly amazing. That such a great man would go to such lengths to have the wedding of the century with you. I still can't believe it. It all feels like a dream."
Emilia smiled silently once more and turned her eyes back to the ledger.
Ingrid's eyes suddenly caught sight of Emilia's lower abdomen, which was just beginning to swell.
The words of a man named Grojean, a few months ago, began to echo in my head.
"Don't forget, Lady Bern is the future Duchess of Meyer. You must help her find stability and not overwork herself. If necessary, even if it means taking away her work."
"Please don't forget. Only when you two marry safely and have children can I give you all the things I promised you, Miss Ingrid."
Ingrid quickly turned to Emilia. It wasn't just because of the unimaginably enormous reward Prince Meyer had offered. She genuinely loved Elaine Mob and wanted her to be happy.
“Just stop now and give it to me. That’s enough.”
Emilia was about to say it was okay, but then changed her mind. For the time being, the child took precedence over work.
"Yes, here it is. If you send the receipts and other ledgers to Uncle Beppy, I'll organize them and send them to you within this week."
“Yes, thanks.”
As Ingrid prepared to leave, Kalia approached Emilia, patting her on the shoulder.
“Would you like to have dinner before you go, Miss Ingrid?”
“Again?”
Ingrid couldn't take her eyes off the stove, which was overflowing with a savory smell.
“I wonder if that will work...”
"Of course. You gave me some salted cod last time. I heard Ingrid was coming, so I made some delicious steamed potatoes."
Ingrid had no choice but to slowly make her way to the table. Kalia Bern was a cook as skilled as Latang's chef, Mr. Hellock.
“You know what? Meeting the Bern family is the best luck of my life.”
“Oh, don’t say that...”
Kalia and Ingrid looked at each other and smiled.
Meanwhile, Emilia quietly opened the door and stepped outside. Something cold from the sky fell on her nose.
It was snow. Her heavy breathing became pure white vapor and broke into thin air.
The snowflakes dancing down brought back memories of the last time she saw him. It's only been two months, but everything feels so distant, like years have passed.
She thought of him every day, every moment.
From the moment they met at their engagement party to the last night, when they held each other breathlessly in an embrace.
Memory is so convenient that it erases all the fears, horrors, and terrifying moments, leaving only the thrilling, almost cruel ones.
His black hair fluttering in the wind, and his eyes staring at her as if he didn't care about anything in the world.
As she gazed up at the sky, tears welled up in her eyes again. Emilia rolled her eyes and blinked them away, trying to shake them away.
I won't cry. I won't sigh or feel heartbroken.
Living her daily life bravely was the best she could do.
"Emilia, dinner is ready. Come in, it's cold!"
Kalia opened the window and shouted.
"Yes!"
As Emilia turned, her gaze was drawn to a small, yellow petal blooming between knee-high rocks and amidst the pure white snow. She crouched before it. As a snow flower, she assumed it would be fragrant, but the scent carried by the winter wind was strong and intense.
'Mom and Dad will always be by your side. I will speak to you like the fragrance of flowers.'
That day, a feast of flowers that had been in full bloom in her dream unfolded before her eyes.
Mother, father.
Emilia held his hand.
Please protect that person. Please help him once more, just as you protected our child.
The hand that had been clasped moved towards the lower abdomen, which had become quite bulging.
My baby.
Just calling that name dispelled the chill that had gripped her body, and a wave of warmth filled her. Emilia could now fully sense the child's presence in her mind and heart. She sank into a gentle peace, as if playing in a river bathed in warm sunlight.
If only I could convey this feeling to that person right now.
Emilia closed her eyes.
If only he could feel the wonderful joy that our child brings...
That night, Emilia wrote a letter before going to bed. She knew she couldn't send it right away.
The moment she asks someone to write him a letter and deliver it, countless people will go to extraordinary lengths to keep her secret, perhaps even risking their lives.
But she wasn't writing letters to send them. She just couldn't stand not writing.
To my master.
The moment she wrote that short sentence, a chuckle burst out from Emilia's mouth.
'My Master'!
Her face felt hot, and my spine felt itchy; she couldn't stand it.
She was laughing bashfully to herself, covering her flushed cheeks with her hands, when suddenly she felt a hot fire rising from deep within her heart.
A sob burst out like a puff of steam.
It burned black from the lower abdomen to the throat, and the heat was repeatedly exhaled, making her throat apple ache.
Her eyes burned. Hot blood raced through her body, threatening to burst every blood vessel.
Emilia covered her mouth with her hand, her eyebrows furrowed.
She tried not to cry at all.
But no matter how hard I try to hold on, she can never, ever stop the things that are pouring out like a flood.
The tears that had flowed down her cheeks, pitter-pattering, finally soaked the letter. They spread through the ink. It was sadness that instantly squished and soaked the pitch-black letters. It was a longing that burned me to a crisp.
"Sorry."
Because I am such a powerless mother.
“I’m sorry, Young Master... Really...”
Because I can't be by your side.
For leaving you alone.
Emilia burst into tears. Unable to even try to hold back her tears, she burst out crying like a child.
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