The Problematic Prince
Chapter 5 - The Beginning of Rumors

✧ The Beginning of Rumors✧

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*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

“I don’t want to see you! Get out of my room at this instance!” Baroness Baden angrily shouted with vigor, shaking the tranquil atmosphere of the country house. Right after the loud shout, startled cries of various chickens and geese, who were freely roaming in the backyard, could be faintly heard from the open window.

“I’m sorry Grandma, I know what I did was wrong….” Erna said quietly with a bit of guilt while taking a few cautious steps towards her grandmother. Baroness Baden, however, continued to ignore her as she sat silently on a chair by the window. The two had been at an impasse after the Baroness found out what Erna did while she stayed in Schuber.

“If you’re really aware of your wrong doings then quickly cancel your deal with that man. I will never make such a nonsensical deal with Walter Hardy!” The Baroness finally faced her after a long time, still vehemently standing on her ground.

“You know I can’t do that, Grandma. The Hardy’s family lawyer will meet Thomas Baden today to close the deal since Father legally owns this house in the end. However, Father promised me that he will let me inherit the house sooner or later, so after that we can just live here without any worries forever.”

“My dear Granddaughter, why do you have to sell yourself for this old house?” The Baroness asked despondently.

“Sell myself? What are you saying, Grandma? I absolutely didn’t do that!” Erna replied with a frown, as if hearing something absurd.

“The current arrangement will benefit everyone involved, I can protect this house and live together with Father.”

“Are you serious Erna? Is this what you really want?”

“….Yes” Erna replied after a few seconds, a small smile on her lips.

“This is what I wished for, Grandma.” She added while looking at the old woman. However, seeing the Baroness’ eyes that were filled with sadness, it seemed that Erna’s attempt to lie couldn’t completely fool the wise old lady.

Her father did indeed agree to lend her a hand, assuring her that he would buy the country house from Thomas Baden and hand it over to her. Erna was shocked when she heard this proposal, to the point that her soul almost flew out of her body. She knew how reckless she was to cling to this plan as her last hope, but the situation didn’t give her much of a choice so she could only daringly do what she could. She didn’t expect this outcome and for her Father to willingly offer his help, much more in a way that benefits her the most. Although she had to pay back for the help that she received in the end, it was still too good of a deal for her to miss.

As a condition of granting her daughter’s request, Viscount Hardy made an unexpected demand of living together as a proper family. To leave his only daughter alone in a distant place until she became a young lady of marriageable age was something that bothered him as a father.

‘One year. At least give this father of yours only that much time.’

When Erna hesitated, her father pleaded hastily.

‘Let’s stay in Schuber for about a year. Go out and socialize with the other nobles and take time to expand your connections that you might need in the future. For me, it is a father’s duty to provide his children with at least this level of foundation for you to debut into society.’

Without batting his eyes, Viscount Hardy offered his help fervently. His enthusiasm in helping her to live like a proper noble lady was praiseworthy, and such a life of lavishness that only nobles could attain would be appealing for a lot of people. But, for Erna, such promises were only meaningless chatter.

She liked the quiet life of this place; where today, yesterday, and tomorrow were not that different from one another, each day continuing peacefully. If these days of her life were completed as beautifully as a patchwork quilt made by her grandmother, then there was nothing more for her to wish for.

Nonetheless, she still agreed to her Father’s request because it was the best thing for her to do. Erna wanted to protect the country house at all costs, even if it was a foolish insistence on her part. It wasn’t too bad of a deal to get this house in exchange for staying with her father for about a year.

“I don’t want to hear any more of your excuses. Get out.” Baroness Baden said sternly as she turned her head away from her granddaughter.

“Grandma…….”

“Please, Erna. I think I need some time to be alone.” She solemnly pleaded, her eyes that were staring out the window turned even redder.

Erna could not speak any longer and left her grandmother’s bedroom in the end, only a very long shadow followed her powerless footsteps.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

On a certain lively party.

The children of various prestigious families, who are members of a social club, were currently having fun together. They would often meet up with each other, having conversations about the latest happenings and various gossip in society. Hence, the atmosphere would always turn boisterous in a matter of minutes because of their endless enthusiasm. But today’s party was more exuberant than normal, especially when the story of the winner of the latest horse races came out. A mixture of admiration and jealousy focused on Bjorn, as the famous stallion that won various horse races in the kingdom was actually owned by the Grand Duke. However, this lucky stallion that attracts envy from various horse racing enthusiasts couldn’t be seen in any races as of lately.

“Bjorn, if you are not interested in horse racing, how about selling your horse? Even if you ask for a huge price I’m sure there will be people waiting in line. In fact, I will be the first one to line up if you do that.”

“If you’ll do that then I’ll give you double of what that bastard will offer.”

“I’ll double his double.”

Everyone excitedly waited for Bjorn’s answer.

“I have no interest in horse racing.”

Bjorn put down his emptied glass of wine and responded calmly. Everyone’s eyes were now gleaming with anticipation they couldn’t hide.

“I’m not going to sell it though.”

“You are not even interested, so why still hold onto it?”

“Because it’s mine.” Bjorn bluntly replied. Various disappointed sighs erupted everywhere and all sorts of conciliation and persuasion followed, but the Grand Duke, as always, just listened indifferently.

“You’re a prince who doesn’t even listen to the pleas of the people of his kingdom.” Peter said with a smirk while shaking his head.

“What’s with your twisted logic of holding onto something even if it doesn’t interest you anymore? That just shows how perverted you really are.” While grumbling with a grimace, Peter filled up Bjorn’s empty glass.

The topic, which had been heated for a while due to horse racing, moved to stories related to women as if it were a natural phenomenon. Bjorn didn’t bother to join the others, and just stared at the grandfather clock placed in the diagonal direction, with his long legs crossed and chin on his palm.

“Ah! The new maid from the Hardy family is really beautiful, isn’t she?”

Someone suddenly threw in a new firewood just when various stories about multiple socialite ladies who were famous for their beautiful looks were over.

(P/R: it means to say a new thing.)

“You mean that Hardy Family? That family couldn’t even afford to hire a new maid and the maids who were there before their fall must have already left the house.”

“Is she a maid who has been working there for a long time then? Anyway, I saw her go into that house for sure.”

“What? You even stalked her back home?”

“What do you mean by stalking? We met by chance on Tara Avenue and I thought I should say hello because of her beauty. In the end, she got scared and ran away so I couldn’t even ask her name. She was very timid and obviously looked like a country girl at first glance.”

“To scare a beautiful woman with just a greeting, it was certainly because of your ugly face. Look, if it was our Prince, even a cowardly country girl would have greeted back sweetly like honey.”

“Shut up!”

Stories mixed with laughter were exchanged along with the scent of alcohol.

Hardy.

Bjorn stood up from his seat as he once again heard the name that he hears often these days. The glass of brandy that he held in one hand shook in the rhythm of his steps as he stepped further away from the party.

“Everyone arrived quickly.” Bjorn greeted with a smile after he entered the library on the second floor of the club. The various directors of the bank, who were sitting around the reception sofa, raised their eyes in unison and looked at him

“It’s not that we’re early, it’s because you’re late.”

“Well well…” Bjorn sat at the top seat and leaned back while pointing at the clock.

“I’m on time now, right?”

As soon as his words were finished, the clock’s hand pointed exactly at 4 o’clock. His smiling face was as fresh as a flower unfurling its petals in the early morning sun, an image far from someone who had been drinking alcohol since broad daylight.

Bjorn, who put his empty glass down on the edge of the table, held a thick document presented by a lawyer. It was a detailed report on foreign and municipal bonds that had newly flowed into Lechen’s financial market. He began to carefully read the documents. Even after drinking quite an amount of wine, it was difficult to find any sign of intoxication anywhere in his calm eyes.

The men sitting around the study silently waited for him to finish reviewing the documents. The reason these men, who were well-known financiers and lawyers in the kingdom, gathered at a fraternity in broad daylight and willingly worked under a prodigal son was because that prodigal son was His Highness, Bjorn Dniester himself.

It was purely because of his connections and capital that they suddenly decided to assist His Highness who was about to set up a bank of his own. He was a person who wouldn’t work diligently anyway, so having him as the symbolic head of the project was good enough for them. How could anyone expect His Highness to become a goose that lays golden eggs? It was something that no one dared to think about, much more put into practice.

So, why were they having this meeting now?

The allure of huge profit, which they would likely acquire with the help of the poisonous mushroom prince, was a fruit sweet enough to make them forget the consequences of their actions.

“Come on, let’s get started.”

Bjorn, who quickly reviewed the documents, urged with a raised eyebrow and a smile. It was a smile that foreshadowed another success for him.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

“Mister, what I did… Is it wrong?”

Handing over the iron nail she was holding, Erna asked very seriously. Ralph Royce, who glanced at her, started hammering without answering her question. The dust that had been piled up on the fence flew away with each impact of the hammer.

The flying dust made Erna sneeze over and over again, however, she still did not leave and stayed besides Ralph. By the time the half-destroyed fence regained its original shape, her nose was burning red.

“It is a matter of letting the Miss leave, of course the Madame will be very upset.” Ralph, who wiped his face with the towel Erna gave him, gave a belated answer.

“Even though the Madame was well aware that it would not be possible to let the young lady live in this village forever, in the end, this is a very sudden decision of yours.” Contrary to his blunt tone, his eyes held an apparent warmth and sadness as he looked at her.

Baroness Baden eventually accepted her granddaughter’s wishes. Erna was finally bound to leave for Schuber tomorrow, where her father’s house was. Viscount Hardy seemed to have really made up his mind as he even sent servants all the way to Buford to take his daughter. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the ɴøᴠel Fɪre.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

“I’m sorry, Mister.” Erna whispered while looking at him solemnly.

“I’m really sorry that I made this decision on my own, and that made everyone sad in the end.”

“Lady Erna…..”

“Still, I don’t regret it because I managed to save this house.” Erna said with a smile so bright that even the shade of her broad straw hat could not cover it.

Ralph, who rubbed his reddened eyes, could only nod his head in response. He was scared he might burst into tears if he opened his mouth to reply. The lady, on the other hand, quietly stayed by his side for a long time, as if aware of his turbulent emotions. The late afternoon sunlight dazzled the two of them as they leaned side by side against the renewed fence.

“Please take care of Grandma until I get back, Mister.”

Erna, who was kicking the loose dirt, cautiously requested. Ralph nodded once again, his face was even redder than before.

As the coachman of the Baden Family, he did all kinds of chores that were not originally his even after he finished his own tasks. Although his wages were lowered to the point where it was difficult for him to fund his daily expenses, he still decided to stay behind together with the housekeeper, Mrs. Greve.

They must’ve stayed because of the affection and loyalty they had for being together for many years, but Erna was well aware that it was also because they were too old to find another job.

This reason made her more eager to protect this house.

So that they, who are like her family, could stay here for a long, long time in peace and comfort. For this reason , she could endure even if it takes a year. And when the next spring finally comes, she would be able to see the beautiful and peaceful scenery of this house once again.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

Erna left Buford the very next morning. It wasn’t until a few days later that rumors about the daughter of the Hardy Family, who suddenly appeared one day, circulated in the social circles.

It was said that the daughter of Viscount Hardy, who had been receiving medical care in the countryside due to an illness, had returned and was going to make a belated social debut this season. It was said that she was as beautiful as Princess Gladys, which is something that a lot of people found inconceivable.

In the end, the source of the rumor was a bit suspicious, but it was a good story to pique the interest of bored nobles.

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