129. You and I side by side
“Please help me, Your Highness.”
Duke Arthuscher pleaded. He was one of the investors, the same man who had long ago advised Hardius Meyer to impress Bianca Leichnen and gain the upper hand in negotiations.
“Are you going to just let the Meyer family fall into ruin like this?”
Hmm.
Hannes sighed deeply and stubbed out his cigarette.
It's been four months since the incident broke out.
When he first heard the news of William Richard's murder, Hannes was determined to somehow save the Meyer family and demonstrate to his investors that their alliance was still strong.
But his prospective son-in-law had betrayed and disappointed him beyond belief. It was sickening. If it weren't for Bianca, he would have ruined him somehow.
“Didn’t you say it was a blood alliance, not an alliance?”
One of the investors, unable to contain his frustration, shouted out.
“Although businesses like Meyer Steel are on the decline, with Your Highness's help, they will immediately recover.”
"He's still young. It's only natural that he'd feel lost after his mother, whom he relied on, suddenly died. Please help him come to his senses."
But this was by no means a "brief wandering." Hardius Meyer had completely lost his mind and was on the path to ruin.
Hannes stroked his chin, seeming deeply troubled. Of course, he'd already made up his mind.
The next day, when he finally showed up at the clubhouse, people told him a completely different story from Duke Arthurcher.
"While the Meyer family is a remarkable one, strictly speaking, it's true that they're only slightly inferior to the Grand Duke. Not only has Kaitlyn Meyer become like this, but even the Prince we trusted has become like this. It's time to start thinking about the word 'cutting ties.'"
As if he had been waiting, someone spoke again. It was a marquis from the Birmingham Empire, which bordered the country.
“Have you heard the story? The Empress of Birmingham mentioned Lady Leichnen’s name at a recent party.”
Hannes's eyes flashed.
"Their family secretly expressed their delight at this development and asked if the Young Lady needed a suitable match. They say everyone present was surprised by their probing questions."
"Yes?"
"Yes, I don't think the Imperial Family will make the first move. Having already been rejected once, they'd probably consider it rude. If Your Highness wishes, I could ask an acquaintance of mine to arrange a meeting with Her Majesty the Empress."
A large ripple appeared in Hannes's chest.
The decisive event occurred three days later. Despite her father's objections, Bianca visited Basilion House again with Enria.
When she arrived, what awaited her were bottles of alcohol strewn about and some drunken men asleep.
The servant, who was quietly moving among them and cleaning up, was startled when he recognized Young Lady Leichnen.
“What is this...?”
“Oh, that’s....”
Pip quickly erased his hesitation and continued speaking.
"The Master has invited all his Elport alumni and acquaintances. It's a casual gathering for gentlemen..."
"Ha!"
Bianca looked around once more.
The air was permeated with the stench of cigarettes and alcohol, and faintly mingled with it was the unmistakable scent of cheap powder. Long ago, back in the convent, a mischievous comrade had brought home something with a similar scent, just for fun. He said it was the kind used by prostitutes.
“A casual gathering between gentlemen?”
At the cold question, Pip couldn't help but shrink like a turtle.
Bianca laughed.
Alcohol, women, and men, a wild and messy party.
Among the men lying around were men like Hessen and Bolliner, notorious in high society as debauchers. They were the kind of men that noblewomen would never even look at if they were associated with such a type.
Enria looked around the messy room with a pale face. Then, panting and laughter came from somewhere. The groans were interspersed with the occasional growl of a beastly man.
The mother and daughter turned pale as they realized what the strange sound meant.
No one said the man in the room was Hardius Meyer. But in Bianca's mind, he was already having an orgy with prostitutes.
Bianca achieved her goal. She felt relieved. It felt as if a whirlwind from deep within her heart had completely swept away every last lingering regret.
That's the kind of man he was.
She waited for five years with longing for that kind of man.
Enria held her daughter's trembling hand tightly.
"Let's go. I don't want to stay here for another second. I don't want to experience this again."
She hummed coldly and led her daughter and nanny out of the terrible place.
The breakup was so easy and simple.
Enria Leichnen took her daughter Bianca to Birmingham under the pretext of 'resting'.
For nearly a month, Bianca had been as empty as a soulless doll. Since she was obviously sick, no one found her sudden trip strange.
A week later, rumors began to circulate in the top clubs that a new engagement had been concluded between the Princess of Leichnen and the Birmingham royal family.
The biannual bazaar at the Dimitri Clubhouse was one of the few events that brought together Nowak's elite.
This event was also packed with people and items from many families showing off their wares.
The five booths that had the best share were assigned to charities in the order in which they had donated, but one of them was empty: the Meyer family's.
As they passed by the empty booth, people shook their heads in disbelief and whispered to each other.
Katelyn Meyer, the Empress of Meyer Steel, was found guilty yesterday of abetting murder in a carriage robbery.
“She denied it to the end, didn’t she? Even with such clear evidence?”
“She’s a truly terrifying person. How can she be so shameless...”
"That's right. She's been fooling the world for the past few decades. A capable businesswoman, a kind lady, a wise hostess..."
"I hear the remaining two cases will be tried soon, too. She'll certainly be found guilty there, too. I completely understand how Prince Meyer ended up like this. The mother he trusted and followed turned out to be a murderer who even tried to kill hia father..."
The noble ladies, their mouths covered with fans, trembled as if in horror.
“Anyway, the Meyer family is completely finished.”
"Then what happens to the joint venture? It'll fall through, right?"
"Of course. It's a project that's been in the works for over ten years, so I'm sure the Grand Duke's family is disappointed, but they have to be content with their daughter becoming the Crown Princess."
“Oh my, look over there!”
One of the murmuring crowd flinched and pointed to the entrance.
Bianca Leichnen appeared just then. The faint smile that spread across her face indicated she had fully recovered from her sudden illness. With her hair elegantly styled in a pompadour, she looked almost queenly. People flocked to her like a swarm.
Just after the commotion, a small sigh escaped someone's mouth.
“But where on earth is Prince Meyer?”
“Well, I heard he's not as drunk as he used to be...”
"I heard from Her Majesty the Queen a few days ago when I visited the Ricardi Palace. Prince Mayer might be leaving Nowak? Because he's being chased by his creditors."
At that moment, Hardius was really leaving Nowak.
The carriage carrying him raced forward diligently, cutting through the thick fog and darkness.
A brief flash of light flashed through the eyes of the man who was sinking into the abyss, in front of a brightly lit store at the entrance of Mephix Street.
The lights in the fancy restaurant went out, and a girl in shabby clothes was seen walking out after greeting someone who appeared to be the owner.
The child sighed, blew on his hand, and pulled his dark brown coat tightly around his neck. Then he walked somewhere, following the streetlights.
Perhaps he's working all night and is on his way home to catch the stagecoach.
Grojean, who was wondering why the master was looking at the child so intently, suddenly realized something.
They look alike...!
Hardius ordered the carriage to stop. He then stared blankly at the girl. Even though she had completely vanished, he couldn't take his eyes off the empty street.
“Grojean, I need to turn the carriage around for a moment.”
Hardius's voice was as cold and lonely as a winter night. It was also desperate, as if he had reached his limit.
The carriage, which was about to leave Nowak right away, ended up being delayed for another day.
It was a few days later that a woman who had received Grojean's request arrived in front of Hethel's two-story house.
Dressed in the latest fashion, she was Elier, the owner of a clothing store.
She was very excited that the time had come for Prince Meyer to keep all the promises he had made to her.
“Hello. I don’t know if you remember me. I’ve come at Mr. Grojean’s request.”
Emilia also recognized her immediately.
How could she forget the woman who showed up with the seven dresses in question when she was still the nominal fiancée of the Meyer family long ago?
Today, she held something entirely different in her hands. The first was documents and letters related to the New World.
The moment she read the man's neat handwriting, Emilia couldn't stop the sobs that burst out.
Here, I hope you and I can stand side by side. From your Mayer.
“Don’t cry yet, Miss Bern. This is the real story.”
She took a box out of the carriage.
It was the very music box that Emilia had dared to throw to the floor in front of Prince Meyer long ago.
Emilia was so overwhelmed with emotion that she couldn't even think about accepting it. Elier looked at her with pity, then gazed at her rather bulging belly.
"Honey, your father asked me to tell him it'll be over soon. Can you hold on just a little longer?"
Elier pulled the music box out of the box. The beautiful melody that had so captivated Hardius as a child resonated throughout the yard.
After leaving Nowak, Hardius stayed in Kunt for a month.
He personally walked among the deafening roar and the hot machines spewing molten metal, giving various instructions and taking care of every little detail.
At the same time, Grojean began to liquidate the Meyer family's assets. He sold all real estate except for the ancestral estates of Ratsna, Basilion House, and Kramwitz, and liquidated all extravagant businesses, including the Meyer Bank.
People thought it was to make up for lost investment funds and pay off debts.
The Meyer family was now left with little more than Meyer Steel. Investors and executives were rapidly leaving, leaving only a handful who remained faithful to the company.
One day, the bitter cold wind that blew every day through the fir forest that embraced the factory stopped.
“Master! Master!”
Bermer, the factory manager, shed tears of joy.
"At las!"
Grojean, too, was unable to contain his overwhelming emotion and fell to his knees.
Hardius Meyer watched quietly with his arms crossed and his usual calm gaze.
Before them stood the continent's first steel, just coming out of the rolling mill, burning red.
“Please help me, Your Highness.”
Duke Arthuscher pleaded. He was one of the investors, the same man who had long ago advised Hardius Meyer to impress Bianca Leichnen and gain the upper hand in negotiations.
“Are you going to just let the Meyer family fall into ruin like this?”
Hmm.
Hannes sighed deeply and stubbed out his cigarette.
It's been four months since the incident broke out.
When he first heard the news of William Richard's murder, Hannes was determined to somehow save the Meyer family and demonstrate to his investors that their alliance was still strong.
But his prospective son-in-law had betrayed and disappointed him beyond belief. It was sickening. If it weren't for Bianca, he would have ruined him somehow.
“Didn’t you say it was a blood alliance, not an alliance?”
One of the investors, unable to contain his frustration, shouted out.
“Although businesses like Meyer Steel are on the decline, with Your Highness's help, they will immediately recover.”
"He's still young. It's only natural that he'd feel lost after his mother, whom he relied on, suddenly died. Please help him come to his senses."
But this was by no means a "brief wandering." Hardius Meyer had completely lost his mind and was on the path to ruin.
Hannes stroked his chin, seeming deeply troubled. Of course, he'd already made up his mind.
The next day, when he finally showed up at the clubhouse, people told him a completely different story from Duke Arthurcher.
"While the Meyer family is a remarkable one, strictly speaking, it's true that they're only slightly inferior to the Grand Duke. Not only has Kaitlyn Meyer become like this, but even the Prince we trusted has become like this. It's time to start thinking about the word 'cutting ties.'"
As if he had been waiting, someone spoke again. It was a marquis from the Birmingham Empire, which bordered the country.
“Have you heard the story? The Empress of Birmingham mentioned Lady Leichnen’s name at a recent party.”
Hannes's eyes flashed.
"Their family secretly expressed their delight at this development and asked if the Young Lady needed a suitable match. They say everyone present was surprised by their probing questions."
"Yes?"
"Yes, I don't think the Imperial Family will make the first move. Having already been rejected once, they'd probably consider it rude. If Your Highness wishes, I could ask an acquaintance of mine to arrange a meeting with Her Majesty the Empress."
A large ripple appeared in Hannes's chest.
The decisive event occurred three days later. Despite her father's objections, Bianca visited Basilion House again with Enria.
When she arrived, what awaited her were bottles of alcohol strewn about and some drunken men asleep.
The servant, who was quietly moving among them and cleaning up, was startled when he recognized Young Lady Leichnen.
“What is this...?”
“Oh, that’s....”
Pip quickly erased his hesitation and continued speaking.
"The Master has invited all his Elport alumni and acquaintances. It's a casual gathering for gentlemen..."
"Ha!"
Bianca looked around once more.
The air was permeated with the stench of cigarettes and alcohol, and faintly mingled with it was the unmistakable scent of cheap powder. Long ago, back in the convent, a mischievous comrade had brought home something with a similar scent, just for fun. He said it was the kind used by prostitutes.
“A casual gathering between gentlemen?”
At the cold question, Pip couldn't help but shrink like a turtle.
Bianca laughed.
Alcohol, women, and men, a wild and messy party.
Among the men lying around were men like Hessen and Bolliner, notorious in high society as debauchers. They were the kind of men that noblewomen would never even look at if they were associated with such a type.
Enria looked around the messy room with a pale face. Then, panting and laughter came from somewhere. The groans were interspersed with the occasional growl of a beastly man.
The mother and daughter turned pale as they realized what the strange sound meant.
No one said the man in the room was Hardius Meyer. But in Bianca's mind, he was already having an orgy with prostitutes.
Bianca achieved her goal. She felt relieved. It felt as if a whirlwind from deep within her heart had completely swept away every last lingering regret.
That's the kind of man he was.
She waited for five years with longing for that kind of man.
Enria held her daughter's trembling hand tightly.
"Let's go. I don't want to stay here for another second. I don't want to experience this again."
She hummed coldly and led her daughter and nanny out of the terrible place.
The breakup was so easy and simple.
Enria Leichnen took her daughter Bianca to Birmingham under the pretext of 'resting'.
For nearly a month, Bianca had been as empty as a soulless doll. Since she was obviously sick, no one found her sudden trip strange.
A week later, rumors began to circulate in the top clubs that a new engagement had been concluded between the Princess of Leichnen and the Birmingham royal family.
***
The biannual bazaar at the Dimitri Clubhouse was one of the few events that brought together Nowak's elite.
This event was also packed with people and items from many families showing off their wares.
The five booths that had the best share were assigned to charities in the order in which they had donated, but one of them was empty: the Meyer family's.
As they passed by the empty booth, people shook their heads in disbelief and whispered to each other.
Katelyn Meyer, the Empress of Meyer Steel, was found guilty yesterday of abetting murder in a carriage robbery.
“She denied it to the end, didn’t she? Even with such clear evidence?”
“She’s a truly terrifying person. How can she be so shameless...”
"That's right. She's been fooling the world for the past few decades. A capable businesswoman, a kind lady, a wise hostess..."
"I hear the remaining two cases will be tried soon, too. She'll certainly be found guilty there, too. I completely understand how Prince Meyer ended up like this. The mother he trusted and followed turned out to be a murderer who even tried to kill hia father..."
The noble ladies, their mouths covered with fans, trembled as if in horror.
“Anyway, the Meyer family is completely finished.”
"Then what happens to the joint venture? It'll fall through, right?"
"Of course. It's a project that's been in the works for over ten years, so I'm sure the Grand Duke's family is disappointed, but they have to be content with their daughter becoming the Crown Princess."
“Oh my, look over there!”
One of the murmuring crowd flinched and pointed to the entrance.
Bianca Leichnen appeared just then. The faint smile that spread across her face indicated she had fully recovered from her sudden illness. With her hair elegantly styled in a pompadour, she looked almost queenly. People flocked to her like a swarm.
Just after the commotion, a small sigh escaped someone's mouth.
“But where on earth is Prince Meyer?”
“Well, I heard he's not as drunk as he used to be...”
"I heard from Her Majesty the Queen a few days ago when I visited the Ricardi Palace. Prince Mayer might be leaving Nowak? Because he's being chased by his creditors."
At that moment, Hardius was really leaving Nowak.
The carriage carrying him raced forward diligently, cutting through the thick fog and darkness.
A brief flash of light flashed through the eyes of the man who was sinking into the abyss, in front of a brightly lit store at the entrance of Mephix Street.
The lights in the fancy restaurant went out, and a girl in shabby clothes was seen walking out after greeting someone who appeared to be the owner.
The child sighed, blew on his hand, and pulled his dark brown coat tightly around his neck. Then he walked somewhere, following the streetlights.
Perhaps he's working all night and is on his way home to catch the stagecoach.
Grojean, who was wondering why the master was looking at the child so intently, suddenly realized something.
They look alike...!
Hardius ordered the carriage to stop. He then stared blankly at the girl. Even though she had completely vanished, he couldn't take his eyes off the empty street.
“Grojean, I need to turn the carriage around for a moment.”
Hardius's voice was as cold and lonely as a winter night. It was also desperate, as if he had reached his limit.
The carriage, which was about to leave Nowak right away, ended up being delayed for another day.
It was a few days later that a woman who had received Grojean's request arrived in front of Hethel's two-story house.
Dressed in the latest fashion, she was Elier, the owner of a clothing store.
She was very excited that the time had come for Prince Meyer to keep all the promises he had made to her.
“Hello. I don’t know if you remember me. I’ve come at Mr. Grojean’s request.”
Emilia also recognized her immediately.
How could she forget the woman who showed up with the seven dresses in question when she was still the nominal fiancée of the Meyer family long ago?
Today, she held something entirely different in her hands. The first was documents and letters related to the New World.
The moment she read the man's neat handwriting, Emilia couldn't stop the sobs that burst out.
Here, I hope you and I can stand side by side. From your Mayer.
“Don’t cry yet, Miss Bern. This is the real story.”
She took a box out of the carriage.
It was the very music box that Emilia had dared to throw to the floor in front of Prince Meyer long ago.
Emilia was so overwhelmed with emotion that she couldn't even think about accepting it. Elier looked at her with pity, then gazed at her rather bulging belly.
"Honey, your father asked me to tell him it'll be over soon. Can you hold on just a little longer?"
Elier pulled the music box out of the box. The beautiful melody that had so captivated Hardius as a child resonated throughout the yard.
After leaving Nowak, Hardius stayed in Kunt for a month.
He personally walked among the deafening roar and the hot machines spewing molten metal, giving various instructions and taking care of every little detail.
At the same time, Grojean began to liquidate the Meyer family's assets. He sold all real estate except for the ancestral estates of Ratsna, Basilion House, and Kramwitz, and liquidated all extravagant businesses, including the Meyer Bank.
People thought it was to make up for lost investment funds and pay off debts.
The Meyer family was now left with little more than Meyer Steel. Investors and executives were rapidly leaving, leaving only a handful who remained faithful to the company.
One day, the bitter cold wind that blew every day through the fir forest that embraced the factory stopped.
“Master! Master!”
Bermer, the factory manager, shed tears of joy.
"At las!"
Grojean, too, was unable to contain his overwhelming emotion and fell to his knees.
Hardius Meyer watched quietly with his arms crossed and his usual calm gaze.
Before them stood the continent's first steel, just coming out of the rolling mill, burning red.
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