55. Probably cruising
Pavel, who had been looking back and forth between the familiar handwriting and the unfamiliar seal, put the letter down with a slightly disappointed smile.
Erna Dniester...
As he repeated that name, which he had never quite gotten used to, he remembered her. His little sister, who would forever be remembered as Erna Hardy. Erna Hardy, a lovely girl from a rural village.
'I'll write a letter.'
Erna's face, as she saw him off with a bright smile, floated above the letter paper filled with neat handwriting.
On an autumn evening, not long before their wedding, Baroness Baden invited him to dinner, expressing both gratitude and apology for the great favor she had bestowed upon him. Erna was delighted, but Pavel had a vague sense of the Baroness's ulterior motives for settling their emotional debt before the wedding. His heart thumped like a sandstorm, but he, too, shared the Baroness's sentiments, so he accepted it calmly.
It was the last.
It was the last moment Pavel Lore and Erna Hardy could face each other without hesitation under the guise of friendship. That's why. He said the end in front of that child, who smiled so beautifully.
"No. Don't write. Our friendship ends here, Your Highness. That's how you can be happy."
Pavel smiled softly and extended his hand to the friend he was now supposed to say goodbye to. Erna, who had been staring blankly at him, finally took his hand after a long moment. She nodded, as if to say she understood what he meant, her face trying to form a bright smile.
'Goodbye, Erna.'
In response to a soft greeting,
'Goodbye, Pavel.'
Erna answered in a wet voice.
That night, Erna stood guard at the front door for a long time, watching Pavel's back as he left. Just before turning the corner, he suddenly looked back and saw her waving softly. Just like the little girl from back then, with one of her front teeth missing.
Pavel, who had unconsciously raised his hand, slowly lowered it, unable to shake it. He then bowed silently, offering his final farewell to the Princess who could no longer be his sister.
Pavel slowly opened his eyes, as if trying to erase the afterimage of that memory, and began reading the letter again.
"I understand what you mean. I completely understand. But Pavel, I wanted to say goodbye for the last time. Mrs. Fitz said it's proper etiquette to write a letter to your family after the wedding, thanking them for the past years. That made me think of you, as if it were a given.
Thank you.
Thank you for reaching out to a lonely child walking home covered in mud. I loved the mule cart you gave me. Thank you for not being bothered to follow me around. I loved the snacks you gave me, and the pretty drawings. I won't forget them. Thank you for being my refuge even in this unfamiliar city. And I'm sorry. I owe you so much, but I can't repay you and say my final goodbyes.
I won't write you anymore. I promise. I really mean it. So don't worry about me.
Our friendship ends here, but I will cherish the precious memories it has given me for a long time. So, Pavel, I hope you are always happy.
Goodbye."
Pavel smiled quietly, feeling the sincerity contained in each and every neat letter.
"To Mr. Pavel Lore, who will undoubtedly be the best painter in Letzen."
Grand Duchess Erna Dniester, who has a long way to go but is full of determination.
Seeing Erna's spirited final greeting, he felt somewhat relieved.
Pavel carefully folded the letter, placed it deep in his desk, and left the house, carrying his paintbrush. Before he knew it, the fallen leaves had painted the path leading to the art studio a crimson red.
If only the torrential rain hadn't poured down that day. If only he could have arrived at their meeting place before the Prince found Erna wandering alone in front of the station. If only, if only.
The pointless thoughts that had been drifting through his mind like leaves blown by the wind soon vanished. So did the question of why the Prince had taken Erna as his second wife.
The past cannot be undone, and Erna is now a Grand Duchess, embarking on her honeymoon. So, all Pavel can do is pray for Erna's happiness in this marriage.
I hope he loves his wife.
Pavel found it ridiculous to harbor such a wish, but he truly desired it. It would be Erna's happiness.
Bjorn's bedroom was empty. The faint sound of water suggested he was taking a shower.
Erna quietly closed the door and entered her husband's space. She felt a little guilty about being rude and entering without permission, but since Bjorn was like that, she figured it would be okay for once.
Erna, who had been looking for a suitable place for the uninvited guest to stay, sat down on the sofa in front of the dock and caught her breath.
The captain, whom Lisa and her met while strolling along the deck, told them they would soon be passing through waters frequented by pods of dolphins. Elated, Erna turned around and hurriedly headed for Bjorn's bedroom.
“Bjorn!”
Finally, the bathroom door opened, and Erna greeted her husband with a smile. His eyes narrowed as he caught sight of Erna, who had been absentmindedly looking.
"What's the matter?"
He slowly approached and sat down next to her on the sofa. Fortunately, he didn't seem to have any intention of mistreating an intruder, so Erna felt relieved.
“Have you ever seen a dolphin?”
"Yes."
“So, do you like dolphins?”
"No."
He brushed his wet hair back and gave a dry reply. It was a reaction completely different from what Erna had expected.
“Still, Bjorn. They say seeing a dolphin brings good luck.”
“Ah. Good luck.”
Bjorn replied calmly, looking at his wife. She looked like she'd put a lot of effort into her outfit since morning, from her hat and gloves to the parasol resting discreetly on her lap.
“I heard we’re about to pass through a sea where dolphins often appear. Would you like to go and see it together?”
"No."
In contrast to his sly smile, Bjorn's tone was firm.
He vaguely knew where his wife had heard it and what it was. It must have been somewhere in this sea that he saw a pod of dolphins on his first honeymoon.
He was escorting Gladys to a party on board. As he followed the passengers who were frolicking on deck, he saw a pod of dolphins swimming alongside the ship.
They say that seeing a dolphin brings good luck.
He thinks someone told him that superstition that day, too.
I hope your marriage will be very lucky.
Someone who likes to flatter others added something like that.
They watched the dolphins swim with indifferent eyes, then smiled like a beloved Crown Princess and her husband before leaving the deck.
Good luck. Good luck.
Bjorn let out a soft sigh and opened the cigar box on the table next to the sofa.
“If you’re curious, come and see, Erna.”
“Me alone?”
"Yes."
Bjorn leaned back against the sofa cushions, an unlit cigar held loosely between his fingers. Erna, lost in thought, shook her head slightly and put down her parasol.
“Then I’ll see it next time.”
Even though she knew that he wasn't the type of man who would accept such complaints, Erna looked at Bjorn with a look of slight anticipation.
After a moment of thought, he nodded nonchalantly and pulled Erna into his arms. Erna, who had already climbed onto his lap, realized the situation and saw Bjorn already removing her hat.
As Erna floundered in confusion, her hat and cigar fell to the floor. Her gloves, shawl, and effortlessly removed dress soon followed. By the time she finally realized what had happened, all that remained of her were her stockings and shoes, which had fallen below her knees.
“What are you doing now?”
Even when facing Erna, who was frowning, Bjorn smiled as if nothing had happened.
“A husband’s duties.”
The lips that whispered the nasty answer swallowed Erna's chest, which was bathed in white light pouring into the ship's hold.
Erna stared blankly at her husband, absorbed in a duty completely different from her own. While she wasn't as fearful as she had been at first, the shame lingered. Bjorn, seemingly unable to understand her feelings, licked and sucked until her breasts were soaked, clouding Erna's consciousness.
Erna found it fascinating how her husband's desires were so unabashed. It was amazing how he could kiss her, touch her shamefully, and desire her without even loving her.
Recalling that fact made her heart pound, but she decided to believe it nonetheless. Like a ship on a cruising course, this marriage was on track. Since she's avoided the fate of a newlywed being shunned by her husband, that seemed like a reasonable conclusion. Of course, there were a few things that didn't quite add up.
Erna, remembering what she had learned over the past few days, stroked Bjorn's fine, soft hair and let out a gasp. She felt him heat up between her thighs, hardening. Deeply embarrassed, she tried to avoid him, but Bjorn cut her off with a firm hug from the back.
“Why are you running away?”
A hot hand slowly swept down her waist and reached between her legs.
“Leave it wet like this.”
Bjorn smiled mischievously and whispered.
Erna, gripped by a feeling of her mind going blank, averted her gaze, breathing heavily. The sky beyond the dock was clear. A sudden wave of shame washed over her as she realized this.
"Ah..."
The moment she reached for the curtain, Bjorn gently lifted Erna and thrust himself into her. The sigh that escaped his lips was as passionate as Erna's.
“I, Bjorn. Bjorn.”
Holding Erna tightly as she struggled to escape, Bjorn dug as deep as he could. A sharp cry and a harsh sigh erupted simultaneously. As Erna, who had been swaying on his shoulder, finally regained control of her body, Bjorn began to move without hesitation.
Ah. Erna whispered softly, parting her lips as she had learned. Bjorn gently kissed her, as if praising a diligent student, and stroked her stiff spine. The woman's insides, gradually becoming more flexible, were now twitching and tightening. It was still immature, but at least it wasn't as bad as it had been at first. The foolishness of her gasping for breath and desperately trying to close the curtains was somewhat irritating.
He guessed she still had the energy to care about that kind of thing.
Somehow offended, Bjorn threw Erna down onto the sofa. Just as he was about to grab the edge of the curtain, his body tilted, causing Erna to scream in surprise. The brighter sunlight poured down on her pale body, thrown onto the deep red velvet sofa.
“Bjorn, curtains...”
"No."
Ignoring her pleas, Bjorn thrust into Erna again. The tightness of his body filled her, suffocating her and causing her to struggle, unable to continue her plea.
“You are delicious.”
Erna's eyes, which were starting to blur with heat, widened as he whispered while licking her ear.
“How is your inside? It’s warm.”
Bjorn slowly began to move his waist while facing Erna, who had a blank expression on her face.
“Smooth. Soft.”
He smiled, grabbing Erna's face as she tried to turn her head. Even at that moment, the sticky sound reverberating from the joint continued unabated.
“Anyway, this is fucking great. I’m going crazy.”
With those last words, which were spat out as if chewing, Bjorn's patience came to an end.
He let go of the shocked Erna, sat up straight, and spread her trembling legs even wider. The faint bruise on his groin made the smile on his face deepen.
"...Oh my god."
Erna covered her face with tears in her eyes.
Oh my gosh. I think I'm crazy.
Bjorn chuckled at the sob-like mumbling. It felt like the values of a virtuous lady were shattered and scattered. Perhaps it was a relief that something as shameful as being naked in the bright sunlight was no longer a thing.
Looking down at his now-reddened bride, Bjorn began thrusting with even greater force and ferocity. He nervously tossed aside the gown, already halfway down and draped over his upper body, exposing his smooth, sweat-soaked back. Beneath his shadow, Erna shook, letting out a scream.
Listening to that sweet moan, Bjorn suddenly realized that this woman had a rather fine voice. It was a calm, not too high or low, with a remarkably clear and soft resonance that was impressive. Perhaps that's why her chattering words didn't bother him too much.
Bjorn, who had been about to tell her that moaning in that voice would drive him crazy, changed his mind and simply let out a hot, dry laugh. He wanted to look forward to the next fun, but more than anything, he had no more room left to talk.
Beyond the curtain that Erna had not yet drawn, the sky and sea began to sparkle with even more brilliant light.
Pavel, who had been looking back and forth between the familiar handwriting and the unfamiliar seal, put the letter down with a slightly disappointed smile.
Erna Dniester...
As he repeated that name, which he had never quite gotten used to, he remembered her. His little sister, who would forever be remembered as Erna Hardy. Erna Hardy, a lovely girl from a rural village.
'I'll write a letter.'
Erna's face, as she saw him off with a bright smile, floated above the letter paper filled with neat handwriting.
On an autumn evening, not long before their wedding, Baroness Baden invited him to dinner, expressing both gratitude and apology for the great favor she had bestowed upon him. Erna was delighted, but Pavel had a vague sense of the Baroness's ulterior motives for settling their emotional debt before the wedding. His heart thumped like a sandstorm, but he, too, shared the Baroness's sentiments, so he accepted it calmly.
It was the last.
It was the last moment Pavel Lore and Erna Hardy could face each other without hesitation under the guise of friendship. That's why. He said the end in front of that child, who smiled so beautifully.
"No. Don't write. Our friendship ends here, Your Highness. That's how you can be happy."
Pavel smiled softly and extended his hand to the friend he was now supposed to say goodbye to. Erna, who had been staring blankly at him, finally took his hand after a long moment. She nodded, as if to say she understood what he meant, her face trying to form a bright smile.
'Goodbye, Erna.'
In response to a soft greeting,
'Goodbye, Pavel.'
Erna answered in a wet voice.
That night, Erna stood guard at the front door for a long time, watching Pavel's back as he left. Just before turning the corner, he suddenly looked back and saw her waving softly. Just like the little girl from back then, with one of her front teeth missing.
Pavel, who had unconsciously raised his hand, slowly lowered it, unable to shake it. He then bowed silently, offering his final farewell to the Princess who could no longer be his sister.
Pavel slowly opened his eyes, as if trying to erase the afterimage of that memory, and began reading the letter again.
"I understand what you mean. I completely understand. But Pavel, I wanted to say goodbye for the last time. Mrs. Fitz said it's proper etiquette to write a letter to your family after the wedding, thanking them for the past years. That made me think of you, as if it were a given.
Thank you.
Thank you for reaching out to a lonely child walking home covered in mud. I loved the mule cart you gave me. Thank you for not being bothered to follow me around. I loved the snacks you gave me, and the pretty drawings. I won't forget them. Thank you for being my refuge even in this unfamiliar city. And I'm sorry. I owe you so much, but I can't repay you and say my final goodbyes.
I won't write you anymore. I promise. I really mean it. So don't worry about me.
Our friendship ends here, but I will cherish the precious memories it has given me for a long time. So, Pavel, I hope you are always happy.
Goodbye."
Pavel smiled quietly, feeling the sincerity contained in each and every neat letter.
"To Mr. Pavel Lore, who will undoubtedly be the best painter in Letzen."
Grand Duchess Erna Dniester, who has a long way to go but is full of determination.
Seeing Erna's spirited final greeting, he felt somewhat relieved.
Pavel carefully folded the letter, placed it deep in his desk, and left the house, carrying his paintbrush. Before he knew it, the fallen leaves had painted the path leading to the art studio a crimson red.
If only the torrential rain hadn't poured down that day. If only he could have arrived at their meeting place before the Prince found Erna wandering alone in front of the station. If only, if only.
The pointless thoughts that had been drifting through his mind like leaves blown by the wind soon vanished. So did the question of why the Prince had taken Erna as his second wife.
The past cannot be undone, and Erna is now a Grand Duchess, embarking on her honeymoon. So, all Pavel can do is pray for Erna's happiness in this marriage.
I hope he loves his wife.
Pavel found it ridiculous to harbor such a wish, but he truly desired it. It would be Erna's happiness.
***
Bjorn's bedroom was empty. The faint sound of water suggested he was taking a shower.
Erna quietly closed the door and entered her husband's space. She felt a little guilty about being rude and entering without permission, but since Bjorn was like that, she figured it would be okay for once.
Erna, who had been looking for a suitable place for the uninvited guest to stay, sat down on the sofa in front of the dock and caught her breath.
The captain, whom Lisa and her met while strolling along the deck, told them they would soon be passing through waters frequented by pods of dolphins. Elated, Erna turned around and hurriedly headed for Bjorn's bedroom.
“Bjorn!”
Finally, the bathroom door opened, and Erna greeted her husband with a smile. His eyes narrowed as he caught sight of Erna, who had been absentmindedly looking.
"What's the matter?"
He slowly approached and sat down next to her on the sofa. Fortunately, he didn't seem to have any intention of mistreating an intruder, so Erna felt relieved.
“Have you ever seen a dolphin?”
"Yes."
“So, do you like dolphins?”
"No."
He brushed his wet hair back and gave a dry reply. It was a reaction completely different from what Erna had expected.
“Still, Bjorn. They say seeing a dolphin brings good luck.”
“Ah. Good luck.”
Bjorn replied calmly, looking at his wife. She looked like she'd put a lot of effort into her outfit since morning, from her hat and gloves to the parasol resting discreetly on her lap.
“I heard we’re about to pass through a sea where dolphins often appear. Would you like to go and see it together?”
"No."
In contrast to his sly smile, Bjorn's tone was firm.
He vaguely knew where his wife had heard it and what it was. It must have been somewhere in this sea that he saw a pod of dolphins on his first honeymoon.
He was escorting Gladys to a party on board. As he followed the passengers who were frolicking on deck, he saw a pod of dolphins swimming alongside the ship.
They say that seeing a dolphin brings good luck.
He thinks someone told him that superstition that day, too.
I hope your marriage will be very lucky.
Someone who likes to flatter others added something like that.
They watched the dolphins swim with indifferent eyes, then smiled like a beloved Crown Princess and her husband before leaving the deck.
Good luck. Good luck.
Bjorn let out a soft sigh and opened the cigar box on the table next to the sofa.
“If you’re curious, come and see, Erna.”
“Me alone?”
"Yes."
Bjorn leaned back against the sofa cushions, an unlit cigar held loosely between his fingers. Erna, lost in thought, shook her head slightly and put down her parasol.
“Then I’ll see it next time.”
Even though she knew that he wasn't the type of man who would accept such complaints, Erna looked at Bjorn with a look of slight anticipation.
After a moment of thought, he nodded nonchalantly and pulled Erna into his arms. Erna, who had already climbed onto his lap, realized the situation and saw Bjorn already removing her hat.
As Erna floundered in confusion, her hat and cigar fell to the floor. Her gloves, shawl, and effortlessly removed dress soon followed. By the time she finally realized what had happened, all that remained of her were her stockings and shoes, which had fallen below her knees.
“What are you doing now?”
Even when facing Erna, who was frowning, Bjorn smiled as if nothing had happened.
“A husband’s duties.”
The lips that whispered the nasty answer swallowed Erna's chest, which was bathed in white light pouring into the ship's hold.
Erna stared blankly at her husband, absorbed in a duty completely different from her own. While she wasn't as fearful as she had been at first, the shame lingered. Bjorn, seemingly unable to understand her feelings, licked and sucked until her breasts were soaked, clouding Erna's consciousness.
Erna found it fascinating how her husband's desires were so unabashed. It was amazing how he could kiss her, touch her shamefully, and desire her without even loving her.
Recalling that fact made her heart pound, but she decided to believe it nonetheless. Like a ship on a cruising course, this marriage was on track. Since she's avoided the fate of a newlywed being shunned by her husband, that seemed like a reasonable conclusion. Of course, there were a few things that didn't quite add up.
Erna, remembering what she had learned over the past few days, stroked Bjorn's fine, soft hair and let out a gasp. She felt him heat up between her thighs, hardening. Deeply embarrassed, she tried to avoid him, but Bjorn cut her off with a firm hug from the back.
“Why are you running away?”
A hot hand slowly swept down her waist and reached between her legs.
“Leave it wet like this.”
Bjorn smiled mischievously and whispered.
Erna, gripped by a feeling of her mind going blank, averted her gaze, breathing heavily. The sky beyond the dock was clear. A sudden wave of shame washed over her as she realized this.
"Ah..."
The moment she reached for the curtain, Bjorn gently lifted Erna and thrust himself into her. The sigh that escaped his lips was as passionate as Erna's.
“I, Bjorn. Bjorn.”
Holding Erna tightly as she struggled to escape, Bjorn dug as deep as he could. A sharp cry and a harsh sigh erupted simultaneously. As Erna, who had been swaying on his shoulder, finally regained control of her body, Bjorn began to move without hesitation.
Ah. Erna whispered softly, parting her lips as she had learned. Bjorn gently kissed her, as if praising a diligent student, and stroked her stiff spine. The woman's insides, gradually becoming more flexible, were now twitching and tightening. It was still immature, but at least it wasn't as bad as it had been at first. The foolishness of her gasping for breath and desperately trying to close the curtains was somewhat irritating.
He guessed she still had the energy to care about that kind of thing.
Somehow offended, Bjorn threw Erna down onto the sofa. Just as he was about to grab the edge of the curtain, his body tilted, causing Erna to scream in surprise. The brighter sunlight poured down on her pale body, thrown onto the deep red velvet sofa.
“Bjorn, curtains...”
"No."
Ignoring her pleas, Bjorn thrust into Erna again. The tightness of his body filled her, suffocating her and causing her to struggle, unable to continue her plea.
“You are delicious.”
Erna's eyes, which were starting to blur with heat, widened as he whispered while licking her ear.
“How is your inside? It’s warm.”
Bjorn slowly began to move his waist while facing Erna, who had a blank expression on her face.
“Smooth. Soft.”
He smiled, grabbing Erna's face as she tried to turn her head. Even at that moment, the sticky sound reverberating from the joint continued unabated.
“Anyway, this is fucking great. I’m going crazy.”
With those last words, which were spat out as if chewing, Bjorn's patience came to an end.
He let go of the shocked Erna, sat up straight, and spread her trembling legs even wider. The faint bruise on his groin made the smile on his face deepen.
"...Oh my god."
Erna covered her face with tears in her eyes.
Oh my gosh. I think I'm crazy.
Bjorn chuckled at the sob-like mumbling. It felt like the values of a virtuous lady were shattered and scattered. Perhaps it was a relief that something as shameful as being naked in the bright sunlight was no longer a thing.
Looking down at his now-reddened bride, Bjorn began thrusting with even greater force and ferocity. He nervously tossed aside the gown, already halfway down and draped over his upper body, exposing his smooth, sweat-soaked back. Beneath his shadow, Erna shook, letting out a scream.
Listening to that sweet moan, Bjorn suddenly realized that this woman had a rather fine voice. It was a calm, not too high or low, with a remarkably clear and soft resonance that was impressive. Perhaps that's why her chattering words didn't bother him too much.
Bjorn, who had been about to tell her that moaning in that voice would drive him crazy, changed his mind and simply let out a hot, dry laugh. He wanted to look forward to the next fun, but more than anything, he had no more room left to talk.
Beyond the curtain that Erna had not yet drawn, the sky and sea began to sparkle with even more brilliant light.
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