53. Eternal Second
"It's okay."
Erna calmly relayed the conclusion she had reached after much thought.
“I’ll have dinner alone.”
She didn't forget to add a kind smile.
The servants, who had been feeling uneasy, unable to wake Bjorn or keep Erna waiting indefinitely, finally complied with the order. Having prepared early and been on standby, dinner was quickly set.
“Thank you. It’s really pretty.”
Erna smiled again at the maids, who were still watching her closely. It wasn't a fabricated lie. The dinner table set in the sunroom was truly magnificent.
A centerpiece harmoniously woven with pale flowers, snow-white lace, and silver candlesticks inlaid with delicate and ornate patterns—it was a luxury she never imagined she could enjoy on board. Nor did she anticipate spending the first day of her honeymoon alone.
Erna began to eat slowly. She had no appetite, but she didn't want to worry anyone unnecessarily.
She spent the whole day exploring the cruise ship with Lisa. They drank tea, strolled the deck, and explored the splendid banquet hall and casino. It was a delightful time, enough to completely erase the dejection she's felt at being neglected by her husband. By the time she returned to her cabin, she felt like this was a decent start to their honeymoon. It wasn't until they were freshened up for dinner that she realized Bjorn was asleep.
Erna, who had chewed her food thoroughly and swallowed it with difficulty, looked around with a timid gaze. The space, filled with the warmth of the fireplace and the bright light, suddenly felt like the vast ocean outside the window. The shadows cast by the large palm leaves were ominous, and the clatter of dishes and cutlery echoed in the silence, becoming excessively loud.
After getting married, she often found herself sitting alone at the dinner table. She's attributed the past two weeks to Bjorn's excessive busyness, but even after our honeymoon began, nothing had changed.
Can you really be happy?
Erna took a deep breath to suppress her agitation and pushed a small piece of string bean between her trembling lips.
'It's been a while, Bjorn.'
His name, as Princess Gladys called it, suddenly came to mind amid the clatter of dishes.
'Call my name.'
The soft command he gave on the first night also followed that memory.
Yes, they were a couple.
A fact she already knew well scratched her heart anew.
To her, Bjorn was just another name for all firsts, and the thought that she would forever be nothing more than a second to him made her feel lonely and melancholy like a chill. At the same time, a sad understanding of her husband's indifference began to creep in. He probably wouldn't feel this excitement and anticipation. All of this would be nothing more than a tedious repetition of the past.
Erna briefly put down her cutlery and pressed her hands against her hot eyes. Perhaps the unfamiliar surroundings had weakened her heart. The Grand Duke's residence was also unfamiliar, but at least it didn't feel as vast and lonely as the vast ocean.
How long will the second one last?
Erna knew full well that some would make such a vicious bet against her. There were countless voices in the palace, and no matter how hard she tried to avoid them, many words would reach her ears.
Let's not be swayed by careless words. Let's be good wives. Let's do our best.
Every time, she makes a firm resolution, but she really doesn't know. How can I be happy in his second, eternal life?
"Don't cry."
Erna muttered repeatedly in a subdued voice.
It's not like she didn't know. So don't act like an idiot.
Erna, having emptied her glass of water, picked up her cutlery again. She began eating with even more enthusiasm than before.
When you're hungry, your mind tends to become weak. A weakened mind is prone to negative thoughts, and negative thoughts bring misfortune.
So the best thing to do now is to eat well first.
Erna dug her fork deep into the meat, cutting it into pieces as large as her would. It was only when she stuffed it halfway into her mouth that an unexpected face suddenly appeared.
“Hello, Erna.”
Erna turned her head towards the greeting mixed with laughter, and just blinked blankly with a piece of meat in her mouth.
That was it.
Her naughty Prince, another name for all firsts, Bjorn.
Even though the sauce had long since been wiped off, Erna picked up a napkin again and wiped her lips. It was quite cute, but it must have been quite humiliating for the young lady.
“If it’s embarrassing, I'll forget it.”
Erna's expression turned sour at the words thrown out with a smile.
“It’s a bit too intense a memory for that, though.”
Amused by her reaction, Bjorn added a word subtly. Erna wiped her reddened lips once more and faced him with an unnaturally upright posture.
“This wouldn’t have happened if the Prince had just kept to his mealtimes.”
“I guess you’re angry?”
“A little.”
“Then you should have woken me up earlier.”
Bjorn responded calmly, tilting his head slightly. His still-wet hair swayed gently across his forehead.
“Is that okay?”
Erna, who had been lost in thought, asked an unexpected question with a serious expression. Thanks to this, Bjorn was able to laugh cheerfully once again.
When he woke up, it was past nine o'clock. He figured she must have forgotten their dinner plans since she hadn't woken him yet, so Bjorn took it lightly. After a leisurely shower, he headed to the living room. His surprise at seeing his wife devouring meat like a hungry beast was all the greater.
“I don’t think I’ll be charged with treason for waking the Prince.”
His portion of food, which had been hastily prepared, was placed on the table.
"Maybe."
Bjorn smiled at his wife, who seemed unimpressed, and began to eat leisurely. Erna, who had been sitting motionless, simply staring at him, slyly picked up her cutlery again. The sight of her timidly picking at the food she'd cut into small pieces, almost as if she were chopping it, was adorable.
For a while, the sound of dishes and cutlery clanking resonated through the dining table, but it wasn't long before Erna's chatter began to fill the space. For a while, her tone was sharp, as if she was venting her lingering anger. But at some point, she chattered like a bird, clear and twittering, excitedly recounting her day's events.
“Is this your first time on a boat?”
A smile appeared on Bjorn's face as he watched Erna describe the cruise ship with a steady exclamation of admiration. Erna, lost in thought, rolled her eyes and shook her head slightly, poking a pea on her plate.
“No, it’s the second one.”
"Really?"
“Yes. We rode together back then.”
A single bean dangling from the tip of a fork disappeared into her tiny lips.
“It was the night of the rowing competition. At the festival.”
Erna looked at him with serious eyes, putting another pea in her mouth and chewing it.
Bjorn, realizing this wasn't a joke, burst into laughter, spreading through the soft darkness and light. To think this was a serious boarding experience? She had a knack for making people laugh with unexpected remarks.
Bjorn, smiling so hard his cheeks tingled, rang the bell to summon the servant. Soon, a bottle of wine was placed on the dinner table.
Staring at the deep crimson wine filling his glass, Bjorn suddenly remembered his first honeymoon. Gladys was mostly crying or lost in thought, and he was absorbed in his own work. It wasn't much different when they sat across from each other at the table. There had never been a moment like this, a moment of joyful conversation and laughter. In the entirety of their short marriage, not even once.
The servant who had filled Bjorn's glass walked around the table to Erna. Just as he was about to pour her a drink, Bjorn gave an impulsive command.
“No. Don’t fill my wife's cup.”
Erna's eyes widened at the unexpected words. The servant, who had been observing the two, left the Grand Duchess's glass empty before leaving.
“I can have a drink too.”
"I know."
“But why?”
“You should study, my wife.”
The tone was so plain and dry that Erna had to think for a while before she could understand what he meant.
"Oh my god..."
Bjorn slowly emptied his glass, staring at Erna, who muttered in shock. Even if that woman were to act as irritatingly as she had that night, he felt he could no longer see Gladys in her face. Bjorn could now admit that this was the reason he had been reluctant to visit his wife's bedroom for the past two weeks.
“Why do you look like that?”
Bjorn did not call a servant, but filled his own cup again with his own hand.
“You teach me. You’re so good at babbling.”
“That’s true, but...”
Erna suddenly felt anxious and looked at the plate in front of her. All that was left were two peas, a piece of potato, and a little sauce.
If she had known this would happen, she would have eaten more slowly.
While Erna was lamenting her bitter regret, Bjorn filled his third glass. Even though he had accepted the request, he hadn't sought out the bedroom, so at some point, Erna had forgotten about it.
“Did you eat everything?”
Bjorn leaned back in his chair, holding a wine glass in his hand. Erna, unable to answer, mumbled and rolled the peas, her cheeks already flushed a peach. Bjorn's eyes, recalling the memories of the night brought by that color, deepened like the night falling on the sea.
“Then stop...”
“I have to wash!”
Erna shouted desperately, as if it were her life's goal.
"Just wash. You have to do it anyway.”
Bjorn, who had casually dismissed the claim, drank the remaining wine and emptied his glass.
“No. I want to wash now. Yes?”
As he set down his empty glass and tried to stand, Erna pleaded urgently. Bjorn's brow furrowed as he watched his wife, so provoked, only to find herself plotting an escape.
“I need time, Bjorn.”
"Why."
“You ate.”
"So?"
“But if I do that right now... huh, what if I throw up?”
Erna's serious concern left Bjorn a little dazed.
So, for that woman, that was something that made her want to throw up.
It was quite a humiliating remark, but at first glance, it seemed understandable, so Bjorn just laughed.
"But."
Bjorn poured another glass of wine.
“That would be a bit difficult.”
As he nodded and gave her a wink, Erna quickly stood up from her seat.
The sound of Bjorn's laughter echoed refreshingly as he watched the back of the lady, who was buying time to avoid vomiting.
A night of colorful baby deer feasts is prepared.
It seemed like a pretty good start to a honeymoon.
"It's okay."
Erna calmly relayed the conclusion she had reached after much thought.
“I’ll have dinner alone.”
She didn't forget to add a kind smile.
The servants, who had been feeling uneasy, unable to wake Bjorn or keep Erna waiting indefinitely, finally complied with the order. Having prepared early and been on standby, dinner was quickly set.
“Thank you. It’s really pretty.”
Erna smiled again at the maids, who were still watching her closely. It wasn't a fabricated lie. The dinner table set in the sunroom was truly magnificent.
A centerpiece harmoniously woven with pale flowers, snow-white lace, and silver candlesticks inlaid with delicate and ornate patterns—it was a luxury she never imagined she could enjoy on board. Nor did she anticipate spending the first day of her honeymoon alone.
Erna began to eat slowly. She had no appetite, but she didn't want to worry anyone unnecessarily.
She spent the whole day exploring the cruise ship with Lisa. They drank tea, strolled the deck, and explored the splendid banquet hall and casino. It was a delightful time, enough to completely erase the dejection she's felt at being neglected by her husband. By the time she returned to her cabin, she felt like this was a decent start to their honeymoon. It wasn't until they were freshened up for dinner that she realized Bjorn was asleep.
Erna, who had chewed her food thoroughly and swallowed it with difficulty, looked around with a timid gaze. The space, filled with the warmth of the fireplace and the bright light, suddenly felt like the vast ocean outside the window. The shadows cast by the large palm leaves were ominous, and the clatter of dishes and cutlery echoed in the silence, becoming excessively loud.
After getting married, she often found herself sitting alone at the dinner table. She's attributed the past two weeks to Bjorn's excessive busyness, but even after our honeymoon began, nothing had changed.
Can you really be happy?
Erna took a deep breath to suppress her agitation and pushed a small piece of string bean between her trembling lips.
'It's been a while, Bjorn.'
His name, as Princess Gladys called it, suddenly came to mind amid the clatter of dishes.
'Call my name.'
The soft command he gave on the first night also followed that memory.
Yes, they were a couple.
A fact she already knew well scratched her heart anew.
To her, Bjorn was just another name for all firsts, and the thought that she would forever be nothing more than a second to him made her feel lonely and melancholy like a chill. At the same time, a sad understanding of her husband's indifference began to creep in. He probably wouldn't feel this excitement and anticipation. All of this would be nothing more than a tedious repetition of the past.
Erna briefly put down her cutlery and pressed her hands against her hot eyes. Perhaps the unfamiliar surroundings had weakened her heart. The Grand Duke's residence was also unfamiliar, but at least it didn't feel as vast and lonely as the vast ocean.
How long will the second one last?
Erna knew full well that some would make such a vicious bet against her. There were countless voices in the palace, and no matter how hard she tried to avoid them, many words would reach her ears.
Let's not be swayed by careless words. Let's be good wives. Let's do our best.
Every time, she makes a firm resolution, but she really doesn't know. How can I be happy in his second, eternal life?
"Don't cry."
Erna muttered repeatedly in a subdued voice.
It's not like she didn't know. So don't act like an idiot.
Erna, having emptied her glass of water, picked up her cutlery again. She began eating with even more enthusiasm than before.
When you're hungry, your mind tends to become weak. A weakened mind is prone to negative thoughts, and negative thoughts bring misfortune.
So the best thing to do now is to eat well first.
Erna dug her fork deep into the meat, cutting it into pieces as large as her would. It was only when she stuffed it halfway into her mouth that an unexpected face suddenly appeared.
“Hello, Erna.”
Erna turned her head towards the greeting mixed with laughter, and just blinked blankly with a piece of meat in her mouth.
That was it.
Her naughty Prince, another name for all firsts, Bjorn.
Even though the sauce had long since been wiped off, Erna picked up a napkin again and wiped her lips. It was quite cute, but it must have been quite humiliating for the young lady.
“If it’s embarrassing, I'll forget it.”
Erna's expression turned sour at the words thrown out with a smile.
“It’s a bit too intense a memory for that, though.”
Amused by her reaction, Bjorn added a word subtly. Erna wiped her reddened lips once more and faced him with an unnaturally upright posture.
“This wouldn’t have happened if the Prince had just kept to his mealtimes.”
“I guess you’re angry?”
“A little.”
“Then you should have woken me up earlier.”
Bjorn responded calmly, tilting his head slightly. His still-wet hair swayed gently across his forehead.
“Is that okay?”
Erna, who had been lost in thought, asked an unexpected question with a serious expression. Thanks to this, Bjorn was able to laugh cheerfully once again.
When he woke up, it was past nine o'clock. He figured she must have forgotten their dinner plans since she hadn't woken him yet, so Bjorn took it lightly. After a leisurely shower, he headed to the living room. His surprise at seeing his wife devouring meat like a hungry beast was all the greater.
“I don’t think I’ll be charged with treason for waking the Prince.”
His portion of food, which had been hastily prepared, was placed on the table.
"Maybe."
Bjorn smiled at his wife, who seemed unimpressed, and began to eat leisurely. Erna, who had been sitting motionless, simply staring at him, slyly picked up her cutlery again. The sight of her timidly picking at the food she'd cut into small pieces, almost as if she were chopping it, was adorable.
For a while, the sound of dishes and cutlery clanking resonated through the dining table, but it wasn't long before Erna's chatter began to fill the space. For a while, her tone was sharp, as if she was venting her lingering anger. But at some point, she chattered like a bird, clear and twittering, excitedly recounting her day's events.
“Is this your first time on a boat?”
A smile appeared on Bjorn's face as he watched Erna describe the cruise ship with a steady exclamation of admiration. Erna, lost in thought, rolled her eyes and shook her head slightly, poking a pea on her plate.
“No, it’s the second one.”
"Really?"
“Yes. We rode together back then.”
A single bean dangling from the tip of a fork disappeared into her tiny lips.
“It was the night of the rowing competition. At the festival.”
Erna looked at him with serious eyes, putting another pea in her mouth and chewing it.
Bjorn, realizing this wasn't a joke, burst into laughter, spreading through the soft darkness and light. To think this was a serious boarding experience? She had a knack for making people laugh with unexpected remarks.
Bjorn, smiling so hard his cheeks tingled, rang the bell to summon the servant. Soon, a bottle of wine was placed on the dinner table.
Staring at the deep crimson wine filling his glass, Bjorn suddenly remembered his first honeymoon. Gladys was mostly crying or lost in thought, and he was absorbed in his own work. It wasn't much different when they sat across from each other at the table. There had never been a moment like this, a moment of joyful conversation and laughter. In the entirety of their short marriage, not even once.
The servant who had filled Bjorn's glass walked around the table to Erna. Just as he was about to pour her a drink, Bjorn gave an impulsive command.
“No. Don’t fill my wife's cup.”
Erna's eyes widened at the unexpected words. The servant, who had been observing the two, left the Grand Duchess's glass empty before leaving.
“I can have a drink too.”
"I know."
“But why?”
“You should study, my wife.”
The tone was so plain and dry that Erna had to think for a while before she could understand what he meant.
"Oh my god..."
Bjorn slowly emptied his glass, staring at Erna, who muttered in shock. Even if that woman were to act as irritatingly as she had that night, he felt he could no longer see Gladys in her face. Bjorn could now admit that this was the reason he had been reluctant to visit his wife's bedroom for the past two weeks.
“Why do you look like that?”
Bjorn did not call a servant, but filled his own cup again with his own hand.
“You teach me. You’re so good at babbling.”
“That’s true, but...”
Erna suddenly felt anxious and looked at the plate in front of her. All that was left were two peas, a piece of potato, and a little sauce.
If she had known this would happen, she would have eaten more slowly.
While Erna was lamenting her bitter regret, Bjorn filled his third glass. Even though he had accepted the request, he hadn't sought out the bedroom, so at some point, Erna had forgotten about it.
“Did you eat everything?”
Bjorn leaned back in his chair, holding a wine glass in his hand. Erna, unable to answer, mumbled and rolled the peas, her cheeks already flushed a peach. Bjorn's eyes, recalling the memories of the night brought by that color, deepened like the night falling on the sea.
“Then stop...”
“I have to wash!”
Erna shouted desperately, as if it were her life's goal.
"Just wash. You have to do it anyway.”
Bjorn, who had casually dismissed the claim, drank the remaining wine and emptied his glass.
“No. I want to wash now. Yes?”
As he set down his empty glass and tried to stand, Erna pleaded urgently. Bjorn's brow furrowed as he watched his wife, so provoked, only to find herself plotting an escape.
“I need time, Bjorn.”
"Why."
“You ate.”
"So?"
“But if I do that right now... huh, what if I throw up?”
Erna's serious concern left Bjorn a little dazed.
So, for that woman, that was something that made her want to throw up.
It was quite a humiliating remark, but at first glance, it seemed understandable, so Bjorn just laughed.
"But."
Bjorn poured another glass of wine.
“That would be a bit difficult.”
As he nodded and gave her a wink, Erna quickly stood up from her seat.
The sound of Bjorn's laughter echoed refreshingly as he watched the back of the lady, who was buying time to avoid vomiting.
A night of colorful baby deer feasts is prepared.
It seemed like a pretty good start to a honeymoon.
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