The Problematic Prince

✧ Amor Fati✧

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

The morning sky started to brighten up with the sun slowly rising upwards while the purplish-blue hue of dawn receded. The rural station was starting its day as its first train, which was bound to Schuber, arrived at the platform. After a few passengers hurriedly boarded the train, the mildly busy station fell silent. Erna, who was standing stiff as a stick, was the last one to board as she absentmindedly made her way to the carriage.

“Hey miss! Aren’t you going to get on?”

‘’Ah……Yes!” The sudden question asked by the stationmaster awakened the dazed lady that was walking towards the carriage after anxiously looking around. Her hand, which was tightly holding the handle of her luggage, trembled slightly. ‘She must have found my letter by now’, Erna thought as her eyes deepened while recalling what she had just done.

She couldn’t bring herself to tell her grandmother about her plans to meet up with her father. She knew that the stubborn Baroness of Baden would rather be left out on the streets than to seek help from her son-in-law, whom she regarded as her enemy. Erna, who had been struggling mentally, eventually decided to leave behind a letter that explained her current situation. In the end, she did something unladylike that her past self wouldn’t have done.

‘Father…’

A very typical word, but to her it was such a foreign name that gave her a strange feeling. The last time they met was during her mother’s funeral, which was already eleven years ago. She knew that they were not much different from strangers, no, their relationship was even worse than that; but for now her father was Erna’s last hope. Even when she knew that a closed door might be the only answer that he would give to her, she couldn’t stop her heart from beating faster. Whether it was from anticipation or nervousness, she wasn’t sure.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

With renewed vigour, she grabbed her luggage and took a deep breath. She raised her head and faced the train, which gleamed menacingly in the morning sun, in front of her.

“If you’re not going to board the train…..”

‘Oh no!’ The stationmaster’s words brought Erna’s thoughts back again to the present. She hurriedly shook her head to clear up her head.

“Sorry! I will board! I will board the train!” Eyes shining with determination, she finally made up her mind. She can’t back out now, her current situation didn’t give her much time to dilly-dally.

Amor Fati. To love one’s fate.

With trembling steps, she recalled that phrase; which was the theme of her life if it was a theatre play. The world doesn’t care about anyone’s misfortune, so your life should be controlled using your own strength. To live such a life, one must be able to accept all that life has to offer with positivity since nothing would change by struggling with self-pity. Working hard and doing your best with a positive outlook was way better than resigning and giving up.

If it was Erna’s given fate to hang on to such a meagre chance as her hope, then so be it. She was going to accept and love this fate of hers. Nonetheless, Viscount Hardi was still her, Erna Hardi’s, father. He, as a father, naturally has duties and responsibilities he has to fulfil. Even though he neglected these duties and responsibilities for so long, he still has to conform to these responsibilities in the end.

She hurriedly got on the train, leaving the stationmaster donning a fierce expression behind. Followed by her urgent movements, the hem of her fine, floral muslin dress fluttered like a flower blooming in spring. After she left her hometown, hand in hand with her mother, Erna was finally returning home; albeit alone this time.

Her long journey finally begins; whether it would be a happy ending or a tragedy, no one knows.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

Bjorn, who was sitting flawlessly and elegantly inside a beautiful parlor bathed in spring sunshine, slowly put down his tea cup. His languid manner as he crossed his long legs was akin to a lazy leopard stretching under the sun.

“Are you even listening to me!?” A lady’s loud voice rang in the parlor, disrupting the beautiful scene inside.

“Why are you not answering!? Does that mean that the article is real!? Is it? Is it??” A barrage of queries rang one after another, each question was asked louder than the last.

The man tiredly rubbed his face with his hands. After making sure that the tea was now at a proper temperature for drinking, he grabbed the teacup again and took a sip. The warm and fragrant tea flowing down his throat helped his dazed mind to clear up.

“Bjorn!”

Being ignored for so long waiting for an answer, the exasperated lady stood up; a single ray of sunlight shone down on her like a stagelight. Together with the man sitting in front of her, who was dressed impeccably and was tranquil as a lake without ripples, her haggard appearance was made even more prominent. She couldn’t be fully blamed for her current appearance as she quickly made her way from the capital to Schuber after receiving the news.

Bjorn raised his droopy eyes, which were now accustomed to the brightness of noontime, and stared at the agitated lady facing him. It was around dawn when he returned home, by the time he took a shower and threw his tired body to the bed to sleep, the sky was already bright. It was safe to say that it was still midnight for the tired man and now was not the right time for him to be awake; evenmore deal with such trivialities.

He fully opened up his gray eyes, that gleamed like the most exquisite opals, and leaned deeply at the back of the cushioned chair. Loud cheers could be heard from the window that was in front of the river, the rowers of the upcoming contest seem to be practising hard today as well. What a pleasant way to start his day.

‘Good fucking morning…..’

With an exasperated sigh mixed with mirth, he grudgingly picked up the newspaper thrown by the agitated lady that recklessly confronted him so early. The front page of the said newspaper was decorated with the latest news and various gossip, the same articles that were on the newspaper that Leonit brought a while ago.

“REKINDLING THE FLAME OF PASSION BETWEEN THE FORMER CROWN PRINCE AND HIS EX-WIFE! RELIABLE INFORMATION OBTAINED THROUGH CLOSEST OF AIDES!!”

He glanced at the bold headlines with large photos of himself, then proceeded to read the article beneath with narrowed eyes.

“According to the reports provided by close associates, who requested to not be identified, the atmosphere between the former lovers was unusual as of lately! It is never wise to forgive an ex-lover, much more after such a shameful act; but Princess Gladys , who’s weak hearted, seems to be swayed! Will there be a chance for the two of them to be together again?? With such passionate news, Lechen’s social circle is burning hot, hotter than the blazing sun in the summer!”

Such carefully written gibberish filled the entirety of the article. It was evident that the well captured images were the newspaper’s only good points. With a slight smile, he casually put the newspaper down. The lady, who had been watching him with bated breath, was now showing evident contempt on her face.

“You don’t even have the courage to explain yourself to me?” She tearfully asked with clenched fist while staring at the handsome man. Bjorn, on the other hand, just calmly listened to her.

“Let’s break up!” She exclaimed solemnly after expectantly waiting for an answer, or even just a reaction. But alas, she received neither of those so all she could do was make the first move. With a cigar between his fingers, the former crown prince finally stared up at her.

“I don’t think there’s any reason for us to continue this relationship for much longer. There’s already a Count asking for my hand and we will get engaged by the end of this spring.” She boldly declared. Contrary to the triumph and confidence in her voice, her eyes showed impatience and a hint of expectation that couldn’t be hidden. He, however, continued to stare at her as he slowly moved his hand to lit his cigar.

He did not deem her as a bad lover. In fact, her elegance with a bit of vulgarity makes her company more enjoyable compared to the other noble ladies. Furthermore, they were both well aware of the nature of their relationship; both of them knew that they would have to return to their own lives to fulfil their duties after enjoying each other’s company. That was what he thought until she angrily came over, clamouring loudly about Gladys Hatrford while grasping a cheap tabloid newspaper in her hands.

“Congratulations on your upcoming engagement then Lady Perez.” Bjorn nodded happily with a smile. The words that came out together with wisps of smoke from his cigar were said gently, but these words made Lady Perez feel cold all over. If someone who was not aware of their true relationship heard this, they would likely mistake his words for soft whispers of encouragement that was given to a close friend.

“….I beg your pardon?” She couldn’t believe what she just heard. His answer caused her thoughts to freeze for a few seconds; she blinked her eyes slowly as she processed the man’s words. Her state of shock faded away after a few moments and was slowly replaced by rage and humiliation.

“You cold-blooded, selfish to the bone, wretched man! How can you do this to me after all the time we’ve spent together!?”

“You are the one who wanted to leave, not me.” He replied calmly while brushing the rim of the teacup with the tip of his fingers.

“I just fulfilled your wish… Isn’t that what you wanted?” He asked her while tilting his head sideways like an innocent child, his lustrous hair following the movements of his head similar to spun silk. Hearing his question, she could only wordlessly bit her lips in indignation. Bjorn stood up and made his way to leave her humiliated figure behind knowing that she couldn’t respond. Wisps of smoke from the cigar that was thrown away into the ashtray silently flow with the wind from the window, filling the room with its scent.

“Wait!” She hurriedly screamed which stopped him from leaving. Not even bothering to turn around, his only response to her call was to direct his gaze sideways.

“Is that all you have to say to me?? To me, your lover!?” The beautiful lady of the Perez family asked him tearfully, resembling a rose full of early morning dew. Too bad such irresistible beauty didn’t affect him at all. He slowly turned towards his now former lover and bowed his head politely. His bow was full of dignity, his loose clothes couldn’t even overshadow his nobility befitting of royalty.

“I will wait for the good news of you becoming a Countess.” Bjorn replied with a small smile on his lips that appeared redder than usual because of the afternoon sun. He turned around and left Lady Perez, whose consciousness seems to be hanging by a thread, behind. Closing the parlor door shut, he encountered Mrs. Fitz who was standing guard beside the door. She proceeded to follow behind him like a shadow as they walked silently in the hallway.

“Are you planning to sing me a lullaby as I sleep?” He amusedly said with a soft smile on his lips as they stood in front of his bedroom door.

“I can do so if that is what the Prince wishes for; unfortunately, there’s some matters that need His Highness’ attention.” Mrs. Fitz, as always, replied to his jokes in a strict manner. She, the Crown Prince’s former nanny, was now managing household matters in the Schuber Palace. Even when her hair turned white and she became an old lady, her upright personality was still the same as always.

“You have to leave for the train station soon, Your Highness.”

“Train station?” He asked, confused.

“Her Majesty, The Queen is bound to arrive soon.”

“Ahh, so it’s today.” Realisation dawned on him and he finally remembered today’s schedule. It was the day where his mother, who was invited to a charity event hosted at the Royal Hospital, would visit Schuber. The honour of escorting Her Majesty, The Queen naturally fell upon him

“That’s right, Your Highness. Shall we depart soon?”

“Let’s go.” He accepted his task with a slight nod.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

Passing through several cities, the train bound to Schuber began to be filled with more passengers. A certain cabin, which contained only one passenger at first, was now completely filled up.

Erna, who was near the window, carefully observed the scenery quickly passing by with curiosity and anxiety. Countless pedestrians and carriages passed along the cobweb like roads between dense buildings. Everything seems complicated and overwhelming, her eyes felt like they were spinning around. The busy atmosphere of the city made her nervous, what if she lost her way? What if she couldn’t find her Father?

‘No need to feel so nervous, I still know the address by heart. I can easily find Father as long as I still remember it.’

She internally persuaded herself, trying to suppress her apprehensiveness. This was the city where she was born and raised, although she only lived here for less than five years, her hometown was still here. With such thoughts swirling inside her mind, the train finally arrived at its final destination, the Schuber Central Station.

She hurriedly picked up her bags and left the train cabin together with the other passengers. The ribbons of her hat were tied taut together under her chin and her neatly braided hair swayed along her confident stride. However, her proud appearance was quickly crushed by the scene in front of her.

‘Where am I? Why am I here??’

Looking around her, she finally realised that a lot had changed since the time ast came here. The Schuber that she remembered was already gone, the five years that passed by had long erased its traces. The dazed Erna was pushed here and there by the impatient passengers leaving the train, not giving her any chance to gather herself. She was dumbly standing at the station platform when her senses finally came back. The huge busy crowd coming and going, the noisy sound of chatters and activity of various individuals; everything overwhelmed her senses, her ears ringing incessantly. She tried to leave and get out; but the more she tried to find the exit, the more she felt trapped inside. It was as if this place had become a labyrinth that was made to trap her.

“Look over there! He finally arrived!”

A sudden shout, full of excitement, resounded at the busy station. Surprisingly, the attention of all the people that filled the platform were now gathered in one direction. Erna, who was holding her luggage that she almost dropped, also turned her head towards the source of commotion. At this time, she suddenly realised that she was actually standing at the forefront of the crowd of onlookers; and found a tall man slowly walking from the other side.

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