The Problematic Prince - Side Story 13 - It Was Love

It was love!

Astonishment filled Erna’s mind as she found herself consumed by the revelation that had just unfolded before her. The mysterious force that had turned their peaceful luncheon table into a scene of chaos and disbelief.

Oh my god, it really was love.

In that moment, she couldn’t believe it. The word had struck like lightning on a clear afternoon, leaving her completely unaware of the fork she was placing back on the table. Around her, the other members of the Royal Family sat in stunned silence, their eyes fixed on Leonid, the one responsible for the unexpected announcement.

Bjorn held his wine glass as gentle as ever, the only one seemingly unaffected by the confession. Princess Louise did not notice the gravy juices dripping from her fork onto the snow white table cloth. Prince Christian was murmuring to the one sat next to him, his brows turned inward disapprovingly. The Duchess Arsene’s expressing simply darkened.

“Marriage, Leo? Are you really saying you wish to marry…” Bjorn broke the silence, laughter corrupted his words as he spoke. “you wish to marry the country, in some attempted diplomatic alliance?” Bjorn was grasping for an explanation.

“No, Bjorn,” Leonid said, his calm expression and complete betrayal of the scene he had just caused. “Not a political marriage, a regular marriage, to Miss Rosette Preve.”

As he spoke the name again, a wave of shock rippled through the dinning room once more. It seemed that the King and Queen were already made aware of Leonid’s plans, they were the only ones that remained composed.

“Preve? The daughter of Count Preve, that…geek?” Princess Louise’s eyes widened, her voice rising to a shrill wail. She dropped the fork, it forgotten under the pressure of more important matters.

“Yes, the very same, but Louise, Miss Preve is not a geek, she is a fine lady indeed.”

“Oh my brother, you’re a Crown Prince, how can you truly say you wish to marry the daughter of that count?”

Leonid was well prepared for the barrage of questions and arguments his family were going to throw at him. “Exactly,” he said, in a calm and rapid response.

Louise felt overwhelmed by the situation, sitting back on her chair and pressing the back of her hand to her forehead. She wished she had left when she had the chance. She would always make her excuses and vacate an area where she would be in company with the Grand Duchess. Ever since her declaration to divorce, Louise could not bring herself to share the same space as that girl.

“Have you forgotten who Count Preve is?” Louise said faintly, but still managing to sound incredulous.

The Count had wanted to send his daughter, a prodigal maths genius, to collage, but no university had ever admitted a female student before. So the Count filed a lawsuit against his own country, challenging the very prestigious Royal University.

Naturally, the whole endeavour caused a stir. It blew up all over Lechen as it coincided with the twin Princes enrolling into collage themselves.

Despite the odds being stacked against him, the Count proceeded, refusing to back down. He took his daughter to meet the professors at the Royal University, to demonstrate her intellect and even persuade them to petition on his behalf. The president relented.

At just sixteen years old, Rosette Preve became the first female student at the Royal University of Schuber, and the Preve name was forever etched into Lechen’s history of pioneers.

“Louise, don’t disparage the Counts efforts like that. It was a legitimate request and it was legally accepted,” Leonid said, his expression unchanged and his tone calm.

“Father, Mother, do you truly approve of this?” Louise screeched, turning to the King and Queen. The pair looked at each other before nodding in unison. Louise understood the cause of their recent concern.

Louise turned back to Leonid. “Have you lost your mind?” Louise glared at Leonid. “Even Bjorn never went this far.” In her anger, she hurled the most sever accusation she could muster.

“You’ve managed to outdo the mountain of trouble Bjorn has caused in the 27 years in one move.” The Duchess Arsene decided it was time to add her weight to the argument.

Bjorn Dniester, the epitome of a troublesome prince, simply looked at his twin brother in silence. Leonid met his gaze with a steady eye.

Rosette Preves. As Bjorn thought over the name, a smile came to his lips.

The university was the only thing that connected the innocent Crown Prince, and the enigmatic, maths-genius, Rosette Preves. Bjorn saw it all and never took much notice until now. He never thought to connect the dots Leonid must have kept this relationship secret from everyone for a very long time and did a very good job.

Rosette Preves, the Crazed Swan. Her appearance at the university had caused a lot of controversy, but being constantly surrounded by male peers, Rosette never backed down and proved herself any number of times, earning her that moniker, Crazed Swan.

Bjorn sighed and took a sip of his wine. He never once took his eyes of his brother, who looked at him, waiting for what was to come next. No doubt he had spent years preparing for this, ready with retorts for every accusation and declaration of insanity. Bjorn his his smile behind his wine glass as he drank.

Bjorn raised his glass, as if in toast. “Leo, you crazy bastard.”

This year’s summer will be great entertainment for the people of Lechen, who love royal gossip and love scandals.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

Deep into the night, Schuber Street was shrouded in an all-encompassing darkness.

Erna looked out over the Abit River, cast in darkness and reflecting the moon. Normally she would be sound asleep by now, but sleep eluded her. The shock of recent events got her excitement up.

The Crown Prince’s engagement would be announced during this years summer festival, with plans to get married in the spring, around the time of Lechen’s Foundation Ceremony. It all still felt so surreal.

What would happen once the engagement was announced?

Erna shivered at the mere thought, the uproar would be far greater than that surrounding the Grand Duke’s marriage announcement and Leonid showed no signs of hesitation.

“It must be true love,” Erna said to herself. Bjorn turned his attention from the starry night to look at his wife. “If we had made a bet, I would have won your money,” Erna said, trying to make light of the situation. “Bjorn, are you worried?” she asked, placing her gloved hand on the back of Bjorn’s. He shook his head as he calmly took her hand.

“The Crown Prince can handle his affairs.”

If Leonid chose this path, it meant he was prepared to face the consequences and take responsibility. The repercussions of the marriage might be greater than he anticipated, but Bjorn knew his brother, being the perfectionist he is, has likely considered every angle of attack and defence.

Bjorn trusted Leonid would be able to handle the storm coming his way. There was no need to burden him with his involvement. The thought of his deception over the years was testament to how sly his brother could be.

“Is there anything we can do to help?” Erna asked.

“Why, are you worried?”

“The Crown Prince and Miss Preve are entering a marriage that will be criticised by the world.”

“And?”

“Well, we both know how difficult that can be,” Erna said, her eyes filled with genuine concern. Bjorn could sense the scars of the past, the hardship she had to endure, and it made him feel guilty.

“We just have to quietly support them as best we can. Leonid will not be swayed by public opinion, and Miss Preve will be very resolute.” Bjorn looked at his wife with a soft gaze and a smile.

“Yes, okay then.” Erna nodded. Seeing her smile restored, Bjorn realised that he was holding his wife’s hand tightly. As if he was afraid of losing her again. He didn’t want to let her go.

“But who is Miss Preve, will she like me? I hope we can get along.” Erna voiced her main concern.

“Well,” Bjorn said with a vague smile as he recalled the Crazed Swan of Mathematics. She had never been one to form close bonds with anyone and in retrospect, the hostilities of her peers could be accounted for that.

To think that she had captured Leonids heart suggests that she isn’t completely consumed by numbers. Perhaps she might yet find a connection with Erna, who shared similarities with her own fiance. It was difficult to predict.

“I’ll present her with a specially prepared bouquet of flowers when we first meet at the festival,” Erna said excitedly, determined to befriend the enigmatic swan. Bjorn did not want to discourage her, offered a measured agreement.

“Erna, how did you know that Leonids wild behaviour was fuelled by love?”

“Ah, well, the Crown Prince was acting differently from last spring, much like you when you arrived in Buford. I just thought perhaps he was in love too. After all, you are twins.” Erna gave Bjorn a wink and a cheeky smile.

“Are you cursing me?” Bjorn said, his brow furrowed in confusion.

Erna simply shook her head. “No, not at all, why would I?”

The two exchanged silent glances and a shared smile of affection.

“Its a compliment Bjorn.” Erna did her best to sound reassuring, taking his outstretched hand. “Love is always a good choice.”

Though it felt akin to a slap in the face, something Erna was very skilled at doing, with her angelic face and innocent demeanour, Bjorn couldn’t help but smile at her. What ever it was between Leonid and Rosette, it didn’t feel wrong.