Side Story 27. Happily Ever After
The first to start was the royal couple.
As they stepped out onto the central balcony of the Vernet Palace, a roar that shook heaven and earth rang out.
Erna flinched involuntarily and held her breath. It had been several years since she became a Princess. She had thought she was accustomed to standing before the public as a member of the royal family, but this was a crowd she had never encountered before.
Erna peered over the balcony railing with trembling eyes. The plaza in front of the palace, the street behind it, and even the alleys between them were filled with people out to see the sights.
“I’m really nervous today, too.”
Princess Greta approached the frozen Erna and whispered softly.
“I’ve never seen crowds like this in my entire life.”
When she told her those words, Princess Greta shook her head. Although her life had only lasted fourteen years, it was hard to deny that it had provided some comfort.
As Erna took a deep breath after expressing her gratitude to Princess Greta, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, who had been married only a week prior, were introduced. As the Crown Princess, taking over from the Grand Duchess, once a tabloid regular, Rosette Dneister was met with intense interest.
Erna took her hand, which was growing cold and stiff, and kneaded it, catching her breath. Perhaps the reason her heart was trembling so much was that today was the first official day the Grand Duke's twins would meet the world.
While the Crown Prince and his wife waved back to the cheers, Erna adjusted her attire. She felt the top of her head, checking the shape of her tiara, and straightened the pendant on her necklace, which felt a little crooked. It was the same blue diamond Bjorn had bought her on their honeymoon, the one that had once sparked a barrage of accusations of being an extravagant seductress. Now, no one had any issues with it, but rather, it had become the symbol of the Grand Duchess of Schwerin.
As the Crown Prince and his wife's greeting drew to a close, Erna's heart began to flutter like a glass bell in a strong wind. She knew how much the people adored the Grand Duke's twins, so why was she so anxious and nervous? It was a feeling she couldn't even fathom.
Erna smoothed out the wrinkles in her new dress, the first she'd worn that day, and adjusted the ribbons and frills. Lisa had put a lot of effort into preparing it for her, as it was her first official appearance since giving birth. So, there shouldn't be any room for nitpicking. Perhaps because it had been so long since she'd been in an event like this, she wasn't immediately confident.
“Erna.”
A soft voice rang out above Erna, who was smoothing the blue band around her chest. She raised her head and saw Bjorn, the beautiful Prince who had led her beyond the door she'd thought was a wall, into the world beyond. The ornate draperies that adorned his robes shone in the dazzling sunlight.
"Breath."
He whispered slowly, looking at Erna's pale face. Just like that night at the debutante, when he had saved the terrified country girl who had blocked his path.
Breath.
Erna nodded, silently repeating the words.
Bjorn, looking down at Erna as she breathed steadily, smiled faintly and took her frozen hand. The mere force of his grip, tightly intertwined, conveyed his feelings. And as always, that feeling became Erna's salvation.
Am I pretty?
She decided to put aside the embarrassment she felt about asking. Bjorn's gaze already contained the answer to that question.
“Now, let’s get ready.”
A royal servant approached the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess, who were holding hands tightly, and gave a word.
At Bjorn's nod, the nannies who had been waiting, holding the twins, approached. Wrapped in cream-colored lace, the babies wore large blue satin ribbons around their necks, marking them as members of the Dniester royal family. A soft smile spread across Erna's previously rigid lips as she gazed upon their adorable form.
After handing over the ceremonial sword to his attendant, Bjorn returned to his seat first, carrying Ariel. Erna quickly adjusted her gloved hand and embraced Frederick. At the same time, the Crown Prince and his wife, having finished their greetings, turned around.
Now it was the turn of the Grand Duke of Schwerin.
Bjorn Dneister and his wife, Erna Dneister.
The voice of the attendant, listing the dazzling titles bestowed upon their names, echoed high above the Letzen sky. As the introductions concluded, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess, holding their twins, stood before the balcony railing.
The cheers that shook the entire city were carried by the spring breeze. The curtains and national flags on the balconies fluttered powerfully in the breeze.
Erna, catching her breath, gave a small wave to the seemingly endless crowd. She was nervous about dropping her baby, but Bjorn, holding her daughter in one arm, waved with his usual skillful and elegant hand, fulfilling the expectations of the crowd gathered to witness the royal balcony greeting.
Amidst the deafening cheers, the twins' names were occasionally called out. They were cheers filled with affectionate concern, dispelling Erna's vague anxiety.
Erna raised her slightly heated eyes and looked at Bjorn. Soon, Bjorn's gaze turned to his wife. Erna smiled brightly, and he smiled back.
Erna slowly opened her eyes and mustered up a little more courage to greet the cheers.
She suddenly remembered the small room in the Baden family home, where the window opened to reveal a panoramic view of the village. The orchards, swaying with apple blossoms, the stream, the fields overflowing with flowers, each season a different color.
With each slow blink, memories flowed back to her, from the small, quiet world she lived in, to the time she became a Princess and stood on this balcony. Erna could look back on that time without further pain or tears.
What kind of memories will our time ahead hold?
Erna looked up at her Prince, her eyes sparkling with curious anticipation. As if answering her question, the Prince bowed and kissed his wife.
It was a moment that would be remembered as the most impressive moment in the royal palace balcony greeting ceremony, which was attended by an unprecedented crowd of people.
“Mom-.”
A shout that reminded her of the shouts of that day seeped into her dream.
The warm spring sunlight fell upon Erna's face, which smiled brightly even in her sleep. Each time the beautiful patterns cast by the sunlight through the lace curtains fluttered in the gentle breeze, the children's cries of waking their mother grew louder.
Bjorn stood by the bedside, watching the baby Dniesters faithfully fulfill their duties. They repeatedly pulled at his hair and kissed him with their drool-soaked lips. Finally, the drunken mother deer opened her eyes.
“Get up, Erna.”
Looking down at Erna, who was blinking blankly, Bjorn opened his pocket watch with a leisurely movement.
“There are 3 minutes left.”
"Yes?"
“You talked so much about creating a tradition, but I guess you’ve completely forgotten about it?”
Tradition.
Erna, who had been quietly mumbling those words, gasped and sat up with a startled sigh. The twins' applause, welcoming their revived mother, echoed through the clear sunlight.
Erna, hastily straightening her hair, which had been tousled by her children, looked around for clothes. Tradition was precious, but she couldn't allow rumors of the Grand Duchess appearing naked on the balcony of the fountain's first day of operation to spread throughout Schwerin Palace.
“1 minute.”
Bjorn, who had been annoyingly giving her the remaining time, handed her a gown. Erna quickly put it on, then ran out onto the balcony, holding Ariel close by.
“Bjorn, come on!”
The person who overslept has been nagging me again this year.
Bjorn chuckled and picked up his son from the bed. He understood his wife's impudent attitude. It was a tolerance granted by the rather satisfying eve of the wedding, which had clearly become part of the tradition.
Bjorn carried the struggling Frederick out onto the balcony. He waited a moment, standing beside the mother and daughter, their brown hair fluttering in the wind. The first fountain of the year sprang up in a refreshing gushing motion. The children's wide, sparkling eyes and joyful cries wafted through the garden, carried by the flower-scented breeze.
“It’s really become a tradition for our family.”
Erna, who had been quietly gazing at the sparkling water, whispered. Bjorn pretended not to notice his wife's reddened eyes, still fond of assigning meaning to trivial matters.
The twins were so excited, Erna was in tears, and this spring day was beautiful.
“Shall we eat breakfast in the greenhouse this morning? The orange blossoms are in bloom.”
Erna, rubbing her wet eyes, smiled brightly. Bjorn nodded again. The twins were very fond of the peacock that lived in the greenhouse, a gift of friendship from the Queen of Lorca. Watching the bird would keep them quiet, making for a rare quiet family meal.
Fountain.
Bjorn's gaze softened as he looked down at his daughter, who was clumsily repeating the words she had learned from her mother.
This winter, when Ariel was old enough to hop and skip across the snow, he planned to build a snowman with her. The sweet smell of cookies lingering in his nostrils as he hugged the child who ran to him, calling him "Daddy," was no longer a nightmare.
There was a hint of mischief in his gaze as he gazed at Frederick's face, held in his arms. People called him Rick, but Bjorn always gave him the nickname Bibi. He wanted to tease him more effectively when the day came when he felt embarrassed by his own manly pride.
And his wife, Erna.
A smile like the spring breeze appeared on Bjorn's face as he faced his wife, who was looking at him with eyes filled with love.
Following the tradition of the Grand Duke Schwerin, they admired the view together as the fountain's water flowed along the long canal until it reached the Schwerin Bay.
Flowers will bloom, fall, and bloom again.
And Bjorn knew they would live through those flower days.
Like the ending of a beautiful fairy tale, where a Prince loves a Princess, they live happily ever after.
The first to start was the royal couple.
As they stepped out onto the central balcony of the Vernet Palace, a roar that shook heaven and earth rang out.
Erna flinched involuntarily and held her breath. It had been several years since she became a Princess. She had thought she was accustomed to standing before the public as a member of the royal family, but this was a crowd she had never encountered before.
Erna peered over the balcony railing with trembling eyes. The plaza in front of the palace, the street behind it, and even the alleys between them were filled with people out to see the sights.
“I’m really nervous today, too.”
Princess Greta approached the frozen Erna and whispered softly.
“I’ve never seen crowds like this in my entire life.”
When she told her those words, Princess Greta shook her head. Although her life had only lasted fourteen years, it was hard to deny that it had provided some comfort.
As Erna took a deep breath after expressing her gratitude to Princess Greta, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, who had been married only a week prior, were introduced. As the Crown Princess, taking over from the Grand Duchess, once a tabloid regular, Rosette Dneister was met with intense interest.
Erna took her hand, which was growing cold and stiff, and kneaded it, catching her breath. Perhaps the reason her heart was trembling so much was that today was the first official day the Grand Duke's twins would meet the world.
While the Crown Prince and his wife waved back to the cheers, Erna adjusted her attire. She felt the top of her head, checking the shape of her tiara, and straightened the pendant on her necklace, which felt a little crooked. It was the same blue diamond Bjorn had bought her on their honeymoon, the one that had once sparked a barrage of accusations of being an extravagant seductress. Now, no one had any issues with it, but rather, it had become the symbol of the Grand Duchess of Schwerin.
As the Crown Prince and his wife's greeting drew to a close, Erna's heart began to flutter like a glass bell in a strong wind. She knew how much the people adored the Grand Duke's twins, so why was she so anxious and nervous? It was a feeling she couldn't even fathom.
Erna smoothed out the wrinkles in her new dress, the first she'd worn that day, and adjusted the ribbons and frills. Lisa had put a lot of effort into preparing it for her, as it was her first official appearance since giving birth. So, there shouldn't be any room for nitpicking. Perhaps because it had been so long since she'd been in an event like this, she wasn't immediately confident.
“Erna.”
A soft voice rang out above Erna, who was smoothing the blue band around her chest. She raised her head and saw Bjorn, the beautiful Prince who had led her beyond the door she'd thought was a wall, into the world beyond. The ornate draperies that adorned his robes shone in the dazzling sunlight.
"Breath."
He whispered slowly, looking at Erna's pale face. Just like that night at the debutante, when he had saved the terrified country girl who had blocked his path.
Breath.
Erna nodded, silently repeating the words.
Bjorn, looking down at Erna as she breathed steadily, smiled faintly and took her frozen hand. The mere force of his grip, tightly intertwined, conveyed his feelings. And as always, that feeling became Erna's salvation.
Am I pretty?
She decided to put aside the embarrassment she felt about asking. Bjorn's gaze already contained the answer to that question.
“Now, let’s get ready.”
A royal servant approached the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess, who were holding hands tightly, and gave a word.
At Bjorn's nod, the nannies who had been waiting, holding the twins, approached. Wrapped in cream-colored lace, the babies wore large blue satin ribbons around their necks, marking them as members of the Dniester royal family. A soft smile spread across Erna's previously rigid lips as she gazed upon their adorable form.
After handing over the ceremonial sword to his attendant, Bjorn returned to his seat first, carrying Ariel. Erna quickly adjusted her gloved hand and embraced Frederick. At the same time, the Crown Prince and his wife, having finished their greetings, turned around.
Now it was the turn of the Grand Duke of Schwerin.
***
Bjorn Dneister and his wife, Erna Dneister.
The voice of the attendant, listing the dazzling titles bestowed upon their names, echoed high above the Letzen sky. As the introductions concluded, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess, holding their twins, stood before the balcony railing.
The cheers that shook the entire city were carried by the spring breeze. The curtains and national flags on the balconies fluttered powerfully in the breeze.
Erna, catching her breath, gave a small wave to the seemingly endless crowd. She was nervous about dropping her baby, but Bjorn, holding her daughter in one arm, waved with his usual skillful and elegant hand, fulfilling the expectations of the crowd gathered to witness the royal balcony greeting.
Amidst the deafening cheers, the twins' names were occasionally called out. They were cheers filled with affectionate concern, dispelling Erna's vague anxiety.
Erna raised her slightly heated eyes and looked at Bjorn. Soon, Bjorn's gaze turned to his wife. Erna smiled brightly, and he smiled back.
Erna slowly opened her eyes and mustered up a little more courage to greet the cheers.
She suddenly remembered the small room in the Baden family home, where the window opened to reveal a panoramic view of the village. The orchards, swaying with apple blossoms, the stream, the fields overflowing with flowers, each season a different color.
With each slow blink, memories flowed back to her, from the small, quiet world she lived in, to the time she became a Princess and stood on this balcony. Erna could look back on that time without further pain or tears.
What kind of memories will our time ahead hold?
Erna looked up at her Prince, her eyes sparkling with curious anticipation. As if answering her question, the Prince bowed and kissed his wife.
It was a moment that would be remembered as the most impressive moment in the royal palace balcony greeting ceremony, which was attended by an unprecedented crowd of people.
***
“Mom-.”
A shout that reminded her of the shouts of that day seeped into her dream.
The warm spring sunlight fell upon Erna's face, which smiled brightly even in her sleep. Each time the beautiful patterns cast by the sunlight through the lace curtains fluttered in the gentle breeze, the children's cries of waking their mother grew louder.
Bjorn stood by the bedside, watching the baby Dniesters faithfully fulfill their duties. They repeatedly pulled at his hair and kissed him with their drool-soaked lips. Finally, the drunken mother deer opened her eyes.
“Get up, Erna.”
Looking down at Erna, who was blinking blankly, Bjorn opened his pocket watch with a leisurely movement.
“There are 3 minutes left.”
"Yes?"
“You talked so much about creating a tradition, but I guess you’ve completely forgotten about it?”
Tradition.
Erna, who had been quietly mumbling those words, gasped and sat up with a startled sigh. The twins' applause, welcoming their revived mother, echoed through the clear sunlight.
Erna, hastily straightening her hair, which had been tousled by her children, looked around for clothes. Tradition was precious, but she couldn't allow rumors of the Grand Duchess appearing naked on the balcony of the fountain's first day of operation to spread throughout Schwerin Palace.
“1 minute.”
Bjorn, who had been annoyingly giving her the remaining time, handed her a gown. Erna quickly put it on, then ran out onto the balcony, holding Ariel close by.
“Bjorn, come on!”
The person who overslept has been nagging me again this year.
Bjorn chuckled and picked up his son from the bed. He understood his wife's impudent attitude. It was a tolerance granted by the rather satisfying eve of the wedding, which had clearly become part of the tradition.
Bjorn carried the struggling Frederick out onto the balcony. He waited a moment, standing beside the mother and daughter, their brown hair fluttering in the wind. The first fountain of the year sprang up in a refreshing gushing motion. The children's wide, sparkling eyes and joyful cries wafted through the garden, carried by the flower-scented breeze.
“It’s really become a tradition for our family.”
Erna, who had been quietly gazing at the sparkling water, whispered. Bjorn pretended not to notice his wife's reddened eyes, still fond of assigning meaning to trivial matters.
The twins were so excited, Erna was in tears, and this spring day was beautiful.
“Shall we eat breakfast in the greenhouse this morning? The orange blossoms are in bloom.”
Erna, rubbing her wet eyes, smiled brightly. Bjorn nodded again. The twins were very fond of the peacock that lived in the greenhouse, a gift of friendship from the Queen of Lorca. Watching the bird would keep them quiet, making for a rare quiet family meal.
Fountain.
Bjorn's gaze softened as he looked down at his daughter, who was clumsily repeating the words she had learned from her mother.
This winter, when Ariel was old enough to hop and skip across the snow, he planned to build a snowman with her. The sweet smell of cookies lingering in his nostrils as he hugged the child who ran to him, calling him "Daddy," was no longer a nightmare.
There was a hint of mischief in his gaze as he gazed at Frederick's face, held in his arms. People called him Rick, but Bjorn always gave him the nickname Bibi. He wanted to tease him more effectively when the day came when he felt embarrassed by his own manly pride.
And his wife, Erna.
A smile like the spring breeze appeared on Bjorn's face as he faced his wife, who was looking at him with eyes filled with love.
Following the tradition of the Grand Duke Schwerin, they admired the view together as the fountain's water flowed along the long canal until it reached the Schwerin Bay.
Flowers will bloom, fall, and bloom again.
And Bjorn knew they would live through those flower days.
Like the ending of a beautiful fairy tale, where a Prince loves a Princess, they live happily ever after.
-END-
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