87. It will be okay
Erna was fast asleep. I sat beside her and watched her for a long time, but she didn't move even slightly.
Bjorn felt relieved by that fact. Perhaps this was better than just awkwardly staring at each other, unable to find the words to say.
Bjorn, turning off the lamp on the nightstand, looked at his wife in the early evening darkness. The attending doctor had said that, aside from a slight shock, there were no major health problems. Knowing this, he found it amusing that he was so anxious.
It was just an unfortunate incident.
An outrageous crime committed by a mentally unstable person. The perpetrator was arrested and would soon receive his just punishment. Fortunately, Erna was unharmed, so it was easy to forget about it.
"Maybe I just wanted to make sure everything was okay," Bjorn thought, staring at the shadows of Erna's long eyelashes falling across her eyes. "Bjorn." He wanted to see her bright smile as she called his name. He thought maybe then he could shake off this miserable feeling.
It was already expected that Gladys's shadow would consume Erna. It wouldn't have been any different for any woman, not just Erna. The ill-fated Crown Princess Gladys had become a legend. There was no way to win against an invisible enemy. So this woman would lose and lose again for the rest of her life, simply because she became Bjorn Dneister's second wife.
Bjorn slowly raised his head and faced the ceiling. His prominent chin twitched slowly.
It's tough, he knows.
Bjorn's gaze brushed over the furniture and reached the ceiling.
But in the end, wasn't this life the best for this woman?
The life of Erna Hardy, tossed around in the marriage market before being sold to the man with the largest sum of money, was depicted through the darkness. At best, she would be married to an old nobleman, facing a funeral soon. Had she been less fortunate, she would have become a plaything in the hands of a scumbag like Heinz.
The woman who had such a fate became the Princess.
Even though she had become a sacrifice offered to the temple of the ill-fated Crown Princess, there was no better life for Erna.
Only after reaching that clear conclusion did Bjorn lower his gaze again to face his sleeping wife. Erna's decision to escape her father's clutches and the red-haired painter were ruled out. Those weren't variables worth considering.
Bjorn got up from his seat and stood at the head of the bed.
He saved this woman and gave her the best life possible.
As he reflected on that fact, a long, soft sigh escaped him.
Gladys's temple would remain strong for generations to come. Bjorn had no intention of giving up the immense national benefits it had brought. He simply couldn't.
Therefore, his second wife would live on that altar for the rest of her life. However, the rewards were countless, and Bjorn was more than willing to give them away. It was a perfect deal, one that neither side would lose.
Bjorn slowly bent down and kissed his sleeping wife's cheek.
The thought of those sparkling eyes that had been fixed on him all day brought a sense of peace to his heart. Bjorn knew that tomorrow, Erna would once again gaze at him with those same eyes. This was the greatest benefit of this beautiful woman.
Bjorn closed the curtains and left his wife's bedroom. Before he closed the door, he wiped away the strange feeling that had suddenly crept into him.
It will be okay.
Because it's Erna.
“I’m glad she looks okay, Isabelle.”
Philippe Dneister, who was looking out the window, suddenly blurted out something unexpected.
Isabelle Dneister approached her husband with a quiet smile. The carriage carrying the Grand Duchess was speeding along the coastal path leading to the Summer Palace.
The Grand Duchess came here every morning to greet them. The day after the surprise attack was no different. Seeing her resolute demeanor, everyone finally felt relieved.
"It seems like Bjorn has chosen a pretty good bride. I don't know about anything else, but I'd say she resembles me in one way: her eye for women."
He made a subtle joke with a serious expression. Isabelle Dneister, who was looking at her husband, burst into laughter, echoing throughout the sun-filled living room.
“Where has His Majesty the King, who was displeased with the daughter of the Hardy family, gone?”
“Well, maybe he went on a vacation somewhere far away.”
“When I see you like this, you’re definitely Bjorn.”
“That’s some pretty harsh stuff.”
His serious face soon became covered with a gentle smile.
"I hope both children are doing well. What do you think? Is Bjorn doing well?"
"How can you possibly know the inner thoughts of a grown child? I can only hope that Bjorn will be a son who takes after his father."
"That's true. If he becomes a husband who listens to his wife like me, happiness will naturally follow."
Even in moments of shameless self-praise, he didn't bat an eyelash. The distant memories of her struggles to tame this wolf came flooding back, but Isabelle Dneister ended up laughing.
“But Isabelle, what the heck is that?”
Philippe Dneister's eyes narrowed as he looked out the window again. Erna had just stepped out of the stopped carriage, holding a bouquet as large as her body in her arms. A slightly larger bouquet had been left in the carriage.
The two people who had been staring at each other blankly burst into laughter without anyone saying anything first.
It looked like the twin Princes' birthday was going to be a very fragrant one.
Big.
That was the first thought that came to Leonie's mind.
This bouquet is big. Very big.
“I sincerely wish you a happy birthday, Your Highness.”
When their eyes met, the Grand Duchess smiled like the flowers she had brought.
Leonie nodded absentmindedly and accepted the massive gift. Christian, who had been watching in astonishment, stifled a laugh, and the awkward silence filled the air.
“Have I perhaps committed a breach of etiquette?”
“No. I just... didn’t expect you to take care of me like this.”
Leonid hastily lifted the corners of his lips. Erna, who had been nervously observing him, finally smiled.
Erna spoke a few more words about the upcoming banquet at the Grand Duke's residence before departing. She left with a somewhat reserved greeting, uncharacteristic of a lady who had brought a bouquet of flowers, boasting a distinct air of elegance.
"I congratulate you again, brother. I guess I wanted to come see His Highness the Crown Prince this morning just to see this sight."
As the Grand Duchess left, Christian burst into laughter, unable to contain himself any longer. Flowers and Crown Prince Leonid? It would be hard to find a more incongruous pairing. Even in these moments, Leonid's consistently serious expression made the vibrant flowers stand out even more.
“This is it, it really looks like the Grand Duchess made it herself.”
Christian, examining the massive bouquet held in the dignified Crown Prince's arms, reached a firm conclusion. Even to the boy's unfamiliar eyes, the bouquet didn't appear to have been handcrafted by an expert.
“Wow. That must be really nice of you, brother.”
“Don’t belittle someone’s sincerity like that.”
“No. That’s not what I meant!”
Christian's face, which had been playing around and joking, changed in an instant.
“I just... what should I say... It’s cute.”
“The Grand Duchess is Bjorn’s wife, Chris. She’s your superior.”
“I know, but can’t superiors be cute too?”
Leonid responded to Christian's protest with a light sigh. But in the end, he too ended up chuckling. In any case, it was fortunate that she wasn't deeply hurt by the incident. It seemed Christian's claims weren't entirely wrong.
“But, brother, will brother Bjorn receive a bouquet of flowers too?”
Christian, who had been lost in thought for a moment, suddenly asked with a serious expression on his face.
“Of course.”
“Oh, my God.”
Christian decided to correct his previous opinion that there couldn't be a more incongruous pairing than the Crown Prince of Letzen and flowers. Compared to the former Crown Prince, the current Crown Prince could easily be considered a flower fairy.
“I should have gone sightseeing!”
Christian sighed and ran to the window. The open-top carriage was just leaving the annex, carrying a bouquet of flowers slightly larger than the one held by the Grand Duchess and Leonid, who sat in a dignified posture.
“Happy birthday, Bjorn.”
A voice full of excitement was carried on the sweet breeze.
Bjorn slowly opened his eyes, lowering the arm that had been covering his face. His gaze passed the curtains, billowing and sinking in the breeze from the wide-open window, and then rested on the massive bouquet of flowers standing beside the bed.
“The weather is really nice, as if the heavens are celebrating you.”
While he was startled, thinking he saw a flower ghost, Erna's face appeared quietly.
Bjorn, who had been staring blankly at his wife, who appeared carrying a bouquet of flowers the size of his body, sat up with a bewildered laugh. Erna smiled shyly back and placed the massive bouquet in his arms.
“I made this myself with the flowers that bloomed this morning.”
“It looks like that.”
The flowers and dazzling colors poured out without restraint were Erna's work, even with her eyes half-closed.
“Don’t you like it? His Highness the Crown Prince liked it.”
“Did you bring this to Leonid too?”
“Yes. Because it’s both of your birthdays.”
Erna looked quite pleased.
“Still, Bjorn, yours is a little bigger.”
Bjorn, who was watching his wife talk as if it were some great privilege, burst out laughing.
“Do you like it?”
Erna, with a serious expression, asked again.
At this point, Bjorn nodded, feigning defeat. He decided not to mention that it would have been a far more impressive gift if she had shown up with a ribbon tied around her naked neck. Erna's smile was beautiful, and as always, the beauty of Erna satisfied him.
Bjorn, who had just put down his enormous gift, called out to Erna. He approached her cautiously and embraced her; her softness, warmth, and fragrant scent were unbearable.
Lips like sunlight streaming into the room touched his lips, holding a tired smile. The playful kiss that had begun with a gentle kiss soon deepened.
Now, wrapping his wife's hair around his, who was quite a kisser, Bjorn slowly closed his eyes.
He was right.
Erna quickly returned to her normal self, and their daily life became cozy and peaceful. And Bjorn was confident that days like this would continue for the foreseeable future.
As long as Erna is Erna, forever.
Erna was fast asleep. I sat beside her and watched her for a long time, but she didn't move even slightly.
Bjorn felt relieved by that fact. Perhaps this was better than just awkwardly staring at each other, unable to find the words to say.
Bjorn, turning off the lamp on the nightstand, looked at his wife in the early evening darkness. The attending doctor had said that, aside from a slight shock, there were no major health problems. Knowing this, he found it amusing that he was so anxious.
It was just an unfortunate incident.
An outrageous crime committed by a mentally unstable person. The perpetrator was arrested and would soon receive his just punishment. Fortunately, Erna was unharmed, so it was easy to forget about it.
"Maybe I just wanted to make sure everything was okay," Bjorn thought, staring at the shadows of Erna's long eyelashes falling across her eyes. "Bjorn." He wanted to see her bright smile as she called his name. He thought maybe then he could shake off this miserable feeling.
It was already expected that Gladys's shadow would consume Erna. It wouldn't have been any different for any woman, not just Erna. The ill-fated Crown Princess Gladys had become a legend. There was no way to win against an invisible enemy. So this woman would lose and lose again for the rest of her life, simply because she became Bjorn Dneister's second wife.
Bjorn slowly raised his head and faced the ceiling. His prominent chin twitched slowly.
It's tough, he knows.
Bjorn's gaze brushed over the furniture and reached the ceiling.
But in the end, wasn't this life the best for this woman?
The life of Erna Hardy, tossed around in the marriage market before being sold to the man with the largest sum of money, was depicted through the darkness. At best, she would be married to an old nobleman, facing a funeral soon. Had she been less fortunate, she would have become a plaything in the hands of a scumbag like Heinz.
The woman who had such a fate became the Princess.
Even though she had become a sacrifice offered to the temple of the ill-fated Crown Princess, there was no better life for Erna.
Only after reaching that clear conclusion did Bjorn lower his gaze again to face his sleeping wife. Erna's decision to escape her father's clutches and the red-haired painter were ruled out. Those weren't variables worth considering.
Bjorn got up from his seat and stood at the head of the bed.
He saved this woman and gave her the best life possible.
As he reflected on that fact, a long, soft sigh escaped him.
Gladys's temple would remain strong for generations to come. Bjorn had no intention of giving up the immense national benefits it had brought. He simply couldn't.
Therefore, his second wife would live on that altar for the rest of her life. However, the rewards were countless, and Bjorn was more than willing to give them away. It was a perfect deal, one that neither side would lose.
Bjorn slowly bent down and kissed his sleeping wife's cheek.
The thought of those sparkling eyes that had been fixed on him all day brought a sense of peace to his heart. Bjorn knew that tomorrow, Erna would once again gaze at him with those same eyes. This was the greatest benefit of this beautiful woman.
Bjorn closed the curtains and left his wife's bedroom. Before he closed the door, he wiped away the strange feeling that had suddenly crept into him.
It will be okay.
Because it's Erna.
***
“I’m glad she looks okay, Isabelle.”
Philippe Dneister, who was looking out the window, suddenly blurted out something unexpected.
Isabelle Dneister approached her husband with a quiet smile. The carriage carrying the Grand Duchess was speeding along the coastal path leading to the Summer Palace.
The Grand Duchess came here every morning to greet them. The day after the surprise attack was no different. Seeing her resolute demeanor, everyone finally felt relieved.
"It seems like Bjorn has chosen a pretty good bride. I don't know about anything else, but I'd say she resembles me in one way: her eye for women."
He made a subtle joke with a serious expression. Isabelle Dneister, who was looking at her husband, burst into laughter, echoing throughout the sun-filled living room.
“Where has His Majesty the King, who was displeased with the daughter of the Hardy family, gone?”
“Well, maybe he went on a vacation somewhere far away.”
“When I see you like this, you’re definitely Bjorn.”
“That’s some pretty harsh stuff.”
His serious face soon became covered with a gentle smile.
"I hope both children are doing well. What do you think? Is Bjorn doing well?"
"How can you possibly know the inner thoughts of a grown child? I can only hope that Bjorn will be a son who takes after his father."
"That's true. If he becomes a husband who listens to his wife like me, happiness will naturally follow."
Even in moments of shameless self-praise, he didn't bat an eyelash. The distant memories of her struggles to tame this wolf came flooding back, but Isabelle Dneister ended up laughing.
“But Isabelle, what the heck is that?”
Philippe Dneister's eyes narrowed as he looked out the window again. Erna had just stepped out of the stopped carriage, holding a bouquet as large as her body in her arms. A slightly larger bouquet had been left in the carriage.
The two people who had been staring at each other blankly burst into laughter without anyone saying anything first.
It looked like the twin Princes' birthday was going to be a very fragrant one.
***
Big.
That was the first thought that came to Leonie's mind.
This bouquet is big. Very big.
“I sincerely wish you a happy birthday, Your Highness.”
When their eyes met, the Grand Duchess smiled like the flowers she had brought.
Leonie nodded absentmindedly and accepted the massive gift. Christian, who had been watching in astonishment, stifled a laugh, and the awkward silence filled the air.
“Have I perhaps committed a breach of etiquette?”
“No. I just... didn’t expect you to take care of me like this.”
Leonid hastily lifted the corners of his lips. Erna, who had been nervously observing him, finally smiled.
Erna spoke a few more words about the upcoming banquet at the Grand Duke's residence before departing. She left with a somewhat reserved greeting, uncharacteristic of a lady who had brought a bouquet of flowers, boasting a distinct air of elegance.
"I congratulate you again, brother. I guess I wanted to come see His Highness the Crown Prince this morning just to see this sight."
As the Grand Duchess left, Christian burst into laughter, unable to contain himself any longer. Flowers and Crown Prince Leonid? It would be hard to find a more incongruous pairing. Even in these moments, Leonid's consistently serious expression made the vibrant flowers stand out even more.
“This is it, it really looks like the Grand Duchess made it herself.”
Christian, examining the massive bouquet held in the dignified Crown Prince's arms, reached a firm conclusion. Even to the boy's unfamiliar eyes, the bouquet didn't appear to have been handcrafted by an expert.
“Wow. That must be really nice of you, brother.”
“Don’t belittle someone’s sincerity like that.”
“No. That’s not what I meant!”
Christian's face, which had been playing around and joking, changed in an instant.
“I just... what should I say... It’s cute.”
“The Grand Duchess is Bjorn’s wife, Chris. She’s your superior.”
“I know, but can’t superiors be cute too?”
Leonid responded to Christian's protest with a light sigh. But in the end, he too ended up chuckling. In any case, it was fortunate that she wasn't deeply hurt by the incident. It seemed Christian's claims weren't entirely wrong.
“But, brother, will brother Bjorn receive a bouquet of flowers too?”
Christian, who had been lost in thought for a moment, suddenly asked with a serious expression on his face.
“Of course.”
“Oh, my God.”
Christian decided to correct his previous opinion that there couldn't be a more incongruous pairing than the Crown Prince of Letzen and flowers. Compared to the former Crown Prince, the current Crown Prince could easily be considered a flower fairy.
“I should have gone sightseeing!”
Christian sighed and ran to the window. The open-top carriage was just leaving the annex, carrying a bouquet of flowers slightly larger than the one held by the Grand Duchess and Leonid, who sat in a dignified posture.
***
“Happy birthday, Bjorn.”
A voice full of excitement was carried on the sweet breeze.
Bjorn slowly opened his eyes, lowering the arm that had been covering his face. His gaze passed the curtains, billowing and sinking in the breeze from the wide-open window, and then rested on the massive bouquet of flowers standing beside the bed.
“The weather is really nice, as if the heavens are celebrating you.”
While he was startled, thinking he saw a flower ghost, Erna's face appeared quietly.
Bjorn, who had been staring blankly at his wife, who appeared carrying a bouquet of flowers the size of his body, sat up with a bewildered laugh. Erna smiled shyly back and placed the massive bouquet in his arms.
“I made this myself with the flowers that bloomed this morning.”
“It looks like that.”
The flowers and dazzling colors poured out without restraint were Erna's work, even with her eyes half-closed.
“Don’t you like it? His Highness the Crown Prince liked it.”
“Did you bring this to Leonid too?”
“Yes. Because it’s both of your birthdays.”
Erna looked quite pleased.
“Still, Bjorn, yours is a little bigger.”
Bjorn, who was watching his wife talk as if it were some great privilege, burst out laughing.
“Do you like it?”
Erna, with a serious expression, asked again.
At this point, Bjorn nodded, feigning defeat. He decided not to mention that it would have been a far more impressive gift if she had shown up with a ribbon tied around her naked neck. Erna's smile was beautiful, and as always, the beauty of Erna satisfied him.
Bjorn, who had just put down his enormous gift, called out to Erna. He approached her cautiously and embraced her; her softness, warmth, and fragrant scent were unbearable.
Lips like sunlight streaming into the room touched his lips, holding a tired smile. The playful kiss that had begun with a gentle kiss soon deepened.
Now, wrapping his wife's hair around his, who was quite a kisser, Bjorn slowly closed his eyes.
He was right.
Erna quickly returned to her normal self, and their daily life became cozy and peaceful. And Bjorn was confident that days like this would continue for the foreseeable future.
As long as Erna is Erna, forever.
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