Side Story 13. It Was Love
It was love!
That was the only thought Erna could think of at the lunch table, which had been reduced to ruins in an instant after being hit by a bomb.
Oh my gosh, it was really love!
Erna, barely regaining consciousness, quietly put down the fork she hadn't even realized she was holding. However, the other royal family members seated at the table stared blankly at Leonied, who had dropped such a shocking bombshell, their faces still in a daze.
Bjorn, holding a half-tilted wine glass; Princess Louise, completely oblivious to the meat juices dripping from her fork onto the tablecloth; Prince Christian, who was squeaking as he heard the sound of a sack of meat; and Duchess Arsene, frowning, clutching a knife with a menacing look on her face.
“Marriage? Leo, you getting married?”
After a long while, Bjorn put down his wine glass and asked a question with a laugh, breaking the heavy silence that had been weighing on the lunch table.
“Are you really going to declare that you’re going to marry the state or something?”
“No, Bjorn.”
Leonid, pushing up his glasses, shook his head calmly, uncharacteristic of someone who had astonished everyone.
"I'm talking about a normal marriage. A marriage with a woman other than Letzen, specifically with Miss Rosette Preve."
The name he spoke with such force and clarity caused yet another stir. The only ones who remained calm were the royal couple, who already knew the full story, and the unfamiliar Grand Duchess of Schwerin.
"Preve? Are you talking about Rosette, the daughter of the Count of Preve? That weirdo?"
Princess Louise's eyes widened as she asked a question as sharp as a scream. The chunk of meat dangling from the tip of her fork eventually fell to the table, but no one paid it any attention.
"That's Rosette. But Louise, Madame Preve is no eccentric. She's a wonderful lady."
"Oh my God, my God. Are you really going to marry Rosette Preve right now? Your brother, the Crown Prince of Letzen?"
“Exactly.”
Leonid retorted calmly, his voice once again free of emotion. It seemed as if he had anticipated the accusations that would be leveled at him and had prepared a countermeasure.
Louise put down the fork as if throwing it away and placed her hand on her throbbing forehead.
Since the Grand Duchess, who had decided to divorce and left, returned, she had been living a life of self-reflection. She rarely attended gatherings of the royal family, and when she had to be with the Grand Duchess, she would remain silent, like a still life, before departing. So she had intended to continue that way today. Until the absurd idea of marriage came out of the mouth of none other than Crown Prince Leonid, the very embodiment of the Leyzen royal family's honor.
“Have you forgotten what kind of person Count Preve is?”
Louise burst out laughing in shock.
Count Preve wanted to send his daughter, who had shown remarkable talent for mathematics since childhood, to university. However, no university had ever admitted female students, and the University of Schwerin was no exception. So, Count Preve filed a lawsuit challenging national law. It was a shocking case: a marginalized nobleman, unable to adapt to the turbulent world order, sued the Royal University, considered the most prestigious institution on the continent.
The matter was a hot potato in Letzen's social circles for a while. The attention was particularly close because it coincided with the year the twin Princes were scheduled to enter the university.
It was a battle like throwing eggs at a rock, but he didn't give up easily. He even demonstrated his ability by personally visiting the professors at the Royal College with his daughter, and even showed his tenacity by leading them to petition, which ultimately led the president to relent.
That year, Rosette Preve, then just sixteen years old, became the first female student at the Royal University of Schwerin. It was also the year that Preve's name entered the ranks of eccentrics, a name that would forever be remembered in the history of Letzen.
"Louise, don't criticize Lord Preve's infidelity like that. It was a reasonable request, and so it was duly accepted."
Leonid responded calmly, without batting an eyelash. It was as if he were facing a solid wall.
“Father, Mother! Are you really allowing this marriage?”
Louise's arrow, now lost in thought, was aimed at the King and Queen seated at the head of the table. They exchanged a quiet nod, then silence confirmed their agreement. It seemed she could finally understand why their faces had been so troubled for the past few months.
“Brother, are you crazy?”
Louise looked at Leonied with a serious expression, as if to say that this was the only way to explain the situation.
“Even Bjorn didn’t do something like this!”
Filled with indignation, Louise hurled the harshest accusations she could muster.
“You’re catching up with the tower of trouble that Bjorn has been building for 27 years in a single fell swoop.”
Duchess Arsene, still clutching the knife, added a sharp, blade-like slash.
Bjorn Dneister, the name presented as the absolute standard for a problematic Prince, simply stared at his twin brother in silence. Leonid, too, gazed at him with silent eyes.
Rosette Preve.
The more he thought about it, the more astonishing the name became, and the corners of Bjorn's mouth tilted crookedly as he repeated it.
The only connection between that boring, old-fashioned Crown Prince and the numbers-obsessed lady was university. He attended that very university with Leonied, and even studied in the same department as Rosette Preve, yet he never once suspected their connection. No, he never even imagined there could be any connection between them.
Rosette Preve, who entered the school amidst harsh glares, steadfastly carved out her own path despite all the contempt, persecution, and discrimination. Never daunted by the swarming male class, she slapped back with both cheeks for every blow she received, earning her the nickname "Mad Dog." However, the nickname was later revised to "Mad Swan" due to concerns that it overlapped with another Mad Dog in the mathematics department, Bjorn Dniester.
Those crazy swans, Rosette Preve and Leonid Dneister. No one in their right mind, no, not even a slightly sane one, could possibly connect those names.
Bjorn sighed and snorted softly, taking hold of the wine glass placed before him. Slowly, he raised his head again and faced the Crown Prince of Letzen, who, as it turned out, possessed quite perverted tastes.
“This sneaky bastard.”
Bjorn, who threw out those words as if they were a congratulatory speech, tilted his glass with a look of astonishment on his face.
For the people of Letzen, who love royal gossip and romance, this summer seemed destined to be a season of great blessings.
It was well past midnight, and the streets of Schwerin were plunged into deep darkness.
Erna gazed, deep in thought, at the soft moonlight flowing across the Abbey River. Normally, it would have been a time when she would have fallen into a deep sleep, but she didn't feel drowsy. It seemed the shock had awakened her consciousness.
The Crown Prince's engagement would be announced at this year's summer festival. The royal couple intended for the wedding to take place next spring, around the time of the Letzen founding ceremony. Even though they had clearly seen and heard this firsthand, it still felt unrealistic because it was Leonid himself who was taking such an unconventional action.
What will happen when this engagement is announced?
Just imagining it sent a chill down Erna's spine. It was certain that the uproar would be several times greater than the Grand Duke of Schwerin's wedding, yet Leonid showed no sign of hesitation.
“It was truly love.”
Erna's softly whispered voice seeped into the silence of the carriage. Bjorn, who had been staring at the night scenery beyond the window, slowly turned his head to face his wife.
“I should have offered you a bet. Then I would have won your money.”
When their eyes met, Erna smiled brightly and offered a lighthearted joke. Judging by the unusual sparkle in her eyes, it seemed like her words were somewhat sincere.
A smile appeared on Bjorn's lips as he gazed intently at the deer, tainted by the world and corrupted by it. Only then did Erna show a look of relief.
“Are you worried a lot?”
Erna's gloved hand touched the back of his hand. Bjorn shook his head calmly and took her hand.
“Well, I’m sure the Crown Prince will take care of his own wedding.”
In contrast to his playful tone, Bjorn's gaze, staring into space, was serious.
Leonid's taking on a challenge meant he was prepared to take full responsibility for it. Of course, the repercussions of the marriage might be greater than Leonid anticipated. But Bjorn knew full well that the perfectionist would have taken that into account.
I knew you would do well, so I trusted you.
That's all. There was no need to further emotionally interfere and burden Leonid's every step. Of course, the insidiousness of his years of deception was quite irritating.
“But is there anything we can do to help?”
Erna, who had been lost in thought for a moment, looked at him with a still worried expression on her face.
“Why are you so nosy?”
“His Highness the Crown Prince and Lady Preve will be getting married in a way that will be met with public condemnation.”
"So?"
“We know how hard it is.”
Erna's eyes were clear, filled with genuine concern. They were eyes that clearly showed the woman's past wounds, making him feel like a complete bastard.
"Just quietly support him. Leonied isn't the type to be swayed by public opinion, and I'm sure Miss Prevet is very determined."
Bjorn smiled at his wife, his gaze softening. Meanwhile, the carriage pulled into the Grand Duke's Bridge, brightly lit even in the deep night. The warm light passed over the faces of the two people who gazed at each other.
“Yes, I will.”
As they neared the end of the bridge, Erna nodded. Only when he saw her smiling face again did Bjorn realize he was gripping his wife's hand tightly, as if worried about losing it again. It was pathetic, but he didn't want to let go.
"But what kind of person is Miss Preve? Do you think she'll like me? I hope we get along well."
Erna's worries now flowed in a different direction.
"Well."
A vague smile appeared on Bjorn's lips as he recalled the mad swan of Schwerin University.
Rosette Preve never got along well with anyone, but looking back, the world was equally hostile to her. Seeing as how she drove Leonid Deneister mad, it seemed her heart wasn't filled with numbers and pi. So, while she might have liked Erna, who bore some resemblance to her fiancé, she wasn't readily convinced.
“I should say hello for the first time by giving her the flowers I made during the summer festival.”
Even before hearing the answer, Erna's face was already set on becoming friends with the crazy swan. Not wanting to pour cold water on the situation, Bjorn nodded.
“Erna, how did you know?”
Bjorn's eyes, which were looking at his wife, suddenly furrowed.
"The reason Leonid acted like a madman. I told you it was like love."
"Oh, that's right. Last spring, His Highness the Crown Prince seemed somewhat similar to you when you visited Buford. That's why I thought maybe the Crown Prince was in love, too. Since you're twins, maybe even your love is similar."
Erna's face, as she explained in a soft voice, was extremely calm and clear. She possessed a remarkable talent for striking others with her angelic face.
“Is that a curse?”
When he asked with a frown, Erna naturally shook her head.
“Not at all. No way would happen.”
The carriage stopped as the two men stared at each other. Since a message had been left saying there was no need to wait, the entrance to the Grand Duke's residence was deserted.
“That’s a compliment, Bjorn.”
Erna, who took his outstretched hand and got out of the carriage, smiled and whispered.
“Love is a good thing.”
It felt like another slap in the face, but Bjorn smiled back. After all, it wasn't a mistake.
It was love!
That was the only thought Erna could think of at the lunch table, which had been reduced to ruins in an instant after being hit by a bomb.
Oh my gosh, it was really love!
Erna, barely regaining consciousness, quietly put down the fork she hadn't even realized she was holding. However, the other royal family members seated at the table stared blankly at Leonied, who had dropped such a shocking bombshell, their faces still in a daze.
Bjorn, holding a half-tilted wine glass; Princess Louise, completely oblivious to the meat juices dripping from her fork onto the tablecloth; Prince Christian, who was squeaking as he heard the sound of a sack of meat; and Duchess Arsene, frowning, clutching a knife with a menacing look on her face.
“Marriage? Leo, you getting married?”
After a long while, Bjorn put down his wine glass and asked a question with a laugh, breaking the heavy silence that had been weighing on the lunch table.
“Are you really going to declare that you’re going to marry the state or something?”
“No, Bjorn.”
Leonid, pushing up his glasses, shook his head calmly, uncharacteristic of someone who had astonished everyone.
"I'm talking about a normal marriage. A marriage with a woman other than Letzen, specifically with Miss Rosette Preve."
The name he spoke with such force and clarity caused yet another stir. The only ones who remained calm were the royal couple, who already knew the full story, and the unfamiliar Grand Duchess of Schwerin.
"Preve? Are you talking about Rosette, the daughter of the Count of Preve? That weirdo?"
Princess Louise's eyes widened as she asked a question as sharp as a scream. The chunk of meat dangling from the tip of her fork eventually fell to the table, but no one paid it any attention.
"That's Rosette. But Louise, Madame Preve is no eccentric. She's a wonderful lady."
"Oh my God, my God. Are you really going to marry Rosette Preve right now? Your brother, the Crown Prince of Letzen?"
“Exactly.”
Leonid retorted calmly, his voice once again free of emotion. It seemed as if he had anticipated the accusations that would be leveled at him and had prepared a countermeasure.
Louise put down the fork as if throwing it away and placed her hand on her throbbing forehead.
Since the Grand Duchess, who had decided to divorce and left, returned, she had been living a life of self-reflection. She rarely attended gatherings of the royal family, and when she had to be with the Grand Duchess, she would remain silent, like a still life, before departing. So she had intended to continue that way today. Until the absurd idea of marriage came out of the mouth of none other than Crown Prince Leonid, the very embodiment of the Leyzen royal family's honor.
“Have you forgotten what kind of person Count Preve is?”
Louise burst out laughing in shock.
Count Preve wanted to send his daughter, who had shown remarkable talent for mathematics since childhood, to university. However, no university had ever admitted female students, and the University of Schwerin was no exception. So, Count Preve filed a lawsuit challenging national law. It was a shocking case: a marginalized nobleman, unable to adapt to the turbulent world order, sued the Royal University, considered the most prestigious institution on the continent.
The matter was a hot potato in Letzen's social circles for a while. The attention was particularly close because it coincided with the year the twin Princes were scheduled to enter the university.
It was a battle like throwing eggs at a rock, but he didn't give up easily. He even demonstrated his ability by personally visiting the professors at the Royal College with his daughter, and even showed his tenacity by leading them to petition, which ultimately led the president to relent.
That year, Rosette Preve, then just sixteen years old, became the first female student at the Royal University of Schwerin. It was also the year that Preve's name entered the ranks of eccentrics, a name that would forever be remembered in the history of Letzen.
"Louise, don't criticize Lord Preve's infidelity like that. It was a reasonable request, and so it was duly accepted."
Leonid responded calmly, without batting an eyelash. It was as if he were facing a solid wall.
“Father, Mother! Are you really allowing this marriage?”
Louise's arrow, now lost in thought, was aimed at the King and Queen seated at the head of the table. They exchanged a quiet nod, then silence confirmed their agreement. It seemed she could finally understand why their faces had been so troubled for the past few months.
“Brother, are you crazy?”
Louise looked at Leonied with a serious expression, as if to say that this was the only way to explain the situation.
“Even Bjorn didn’t do something like this!”
Filled with indignation, Louise hurled the harshest accusations she could muster.
“You’re catching up with the tower of trouble that Bjorn has been building for 27 years in a single fell swoop.”
Duchess Arsene, still clutching the knife, added a sharp, blade-like slash.
Bjorn Dneister, the name presented as the absolute standard for a problematic Prince, simply stared at his twin brother in silence. Leonid, too, gazed at him with silent eyes.
Rosette Preve.
The more he thought about it, the more astonishing the name became, and the corners of Bjorn's mouth tilted crookedly as he repeated it.
The only connection between that boring, old-fashioned Crown Prince and the numbers-obsessed lady was university. He attended that very university with Leonied, and even studied in the same department as Rosette Preve, yet he never once suspected their connection. No, he never even imagined there could be any connection between them.
Rosette Preve, who entered the school amidst harsh glares, steadfastly carved out her own path despite all the contempt, persecution, and discrimination. Never daunted by the swarming male class, she slapped back with both cheeks for every blow she received, earning her the nickname "Mad Dog." However, the nickname was later revised to "Mad Swan" due to concerns that it overlapped with another Mad Dog in the mathematics department, Bjorn Dniester.
Those crazy swans, Rosette Preve and Leonid Dneister. No one in their right mind, no, not even a slightly sane one, could possibly connect those names.
Bjorn sighed and snorted softly, taking hold of the wine glass placed before him. Slowly, he raised his head again and faced the Crown Prince of Letzen, who, as it turned out, possessed quite perverted tastes.
“This sneaky bastard.”
Bjorn, who threw out those words as if they were a congratulatory speech, tilted his glass with a look of astonishment on his face.
For the people of Letzen, who love royal gossip and romance, this summer seemed destined to be a season of great blessings.
***
It was well past midnight, and the streets of Schwerin were plunged into deep darkness.
Erna gazed, deep in thought, at the soft moonlight flowing across the Abbey River. Normally, it would have been a time when she would have fallen into a deep sleep, but she didn't feel drowsy. It seemed the shock had awakened her consciousness.
The Crown Prince's engagement would be announced at this year's summer festival. The royal couple intended for the wedding to take place next spring, around the time of the Letzen founding ceremony. Even though they had clearly seen and heard this firsthand, it still felt unrealistic because it was Leonid himself who was taking such an unconventional action.
What will happen when this engagement is announced?
Just imagining it sent a chill down Erna's spine. It was certain that the uproar would be several times greater than the Grand Duke of Schwerin's wedding, yet Leonid showed no sign of hesitation.
“It was truly love.”
Erna's softly whispered voice seeped into the silence of the carriage. Bjorn, who had been staring at the night scenery beyond the window, slowly turned his head to face his wife.
“I should have offered you a bet. Then I would have won your money.”
When their eyes met, Erna smiled brightly and offered a lighthearted joke. Judging by the unusual sparkle in her eyes, it seemed like her words were somewhat sincere.
A smile appeared on Bjorn's lips as he gazed intently at the deer, tainted by the world and corrupted by it. Only then did Erna show a look of relief.
“Are you worried a lot?”
Erna's gloved hand touched the back of his hand. Bjorn shook his head calmly and took her hand.
“Well, I’m sure the Crown Prince will take care of his own wedding.”
In contrast to his playful tone, Bjorn's gaze, staring into space, was serious.
Leonid's taking on a challenge meant he was prepared to take full responsibility for it. Of course, the repercussions of the marriage might be greater than Leonid anticipated. But Bjorn knew full well that the perfectionist would have taken that into account.
I knew you would do well, so I trusted you.
That's all. There was no need to further emotionally interfere and burden Leonid's every step. Of course, the insidiousness of his years of deception was quite irritating.
“But is there anything we can do to help?”
Erna, who had been lost in thought for a moment, looked at him with a still worried expression on her face.
“Why are you so nosy?”
“His Highness the Crown Prince and Lady Preve will be getting married in a way that will be met with public condemnation.”
"So?"
“We know how hard it is.”
Erna's eyes were clear, filled with genuine concern. They were eyes that clearly showed the woman's past wounds, making him feel like a complete bastard.
"Just quietly support him. Leonied isn't the type to be swayed by public opinion, and I'm sure Miss Prevet is very determined."
Bjorn smiled at his wife, his gaze softening. Meanwhile, the carriage pulled into the Grand Duke's Bridge, brightly lit even in the deep night. The warm light passed over the faces of the two people who gazed at each other.
“Yes, I will.”
As they neared the end of the bridge, Erna nodded. Only when he saw her smiling face again did Bjorn realize he was gripping his wife's hand tightly, as if worried about losing it again. It was pathetic, but he didn't want to let go.
"But what kind of person is Miss Preve? Do you think she'll like me? I hope we get along well."
Erna's worries now flowed in a different direction.
"Well."
A vague smile appeared on Bjorn's lips as he recalled the mad swan of Schwerin University.
Rosette Preve never got along well with anyone, but looking back, the world was equally hostile to her. Seeing as how she drove Leonid Deneister mad, it seemed her heart wasn't filled with numbers and pi. So, while she might have liked Erna, who bore some resemblance to her fiancé, she wasn't readily convinced.
“I should say hello for the first time by giving her the flowers I made during the summer festival.”
Even before hearing the answer, Erna's face was already set on becoming friends with the crazy swan. Not wanting to pour cold water on the situation, Bjorn nodded.
“Erna, how did you know?”
Bjorn's eyes, which were looking at his wife, suddenly furrowed.
"The reason Leonid acted like a madman. I told you it was like love."
"Oh, that's right. Last spring, His Highness the Crown Prince seemed somewhat similar to you when you visited Buford. That's why I thought maybe the Crown Prince was in love, too. Since you're twins, maybe even your love is similar."
Erna's face, as she explained in a soft voice, was extremely calm and clear. She possessed a remarkable talent for striking others with her angelic face.
“Is that a curse?”
When he asked with a frown, Erna naturally shook her head.
“Not at all. No way would happen.”
The carriage stopped as the two men stared at each other. Since a message had been left saying there was no need to wait, the entrance to the Grand Duke's residence was deserted.
“That’s a compliment, Bjorn.”
Erna, who took his outstretched hand and got out of the carriage, smiled and whispered.
“Love is a good thing.”
It felt like another slap in the face, but Bjorn smiled back. After all, it wasn't a mistake.
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