The Problematic Prince - Side Story 14 - The Gentle Evening Wind

The sound of the clacking keys of the typewriter filled the Grand Duchess’ room. Lisa watched her Mistress with admiration. Her typing had improved drastically since her days of fumbling around the keys, while looking through textbooks. Her thin white fingers now danced over the keys and words without typos appeared on the crisp sheet of paper.

“I hope you are not doing this because you were forced,” Lisa said, smiling proudly.

Lisa had always tried not to be suspicious of others, but a sudden thought came to her, rooted in her over protectiveness of the Grand Duchess, who had been mistreated and taken advantage of far too many times.

“No, not at all,” Erna said, her fingers pausing over the keys. “I said I would take on the task and I do it happily.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really.” Erna reassured Lisa with a nod, turned over the document on the reading table and the sound of typing refilled the room.

Erna had recently joined the women’s society, at the recommendation of Countess Rocher, and they were holding a charity event at the end of the season. This summer, they intend to hold a charity auction, to raise money to fix up the poorhouses. Erna needed to make a comprehensive list of all the items that had been donated.

She was becoming part of the world. Erna liked the idea of that. She was afraid that putting herself in the spotlight would only open herself to criticism, but her excitement soon drowned out that concern.

By the time Erna was done with the typing, Bjorn should have returned. They would have dinner, then meet with Mrs Fitz to discuss the rowing competition to be held next week. They were particularly worried about that day because that was the day Leonid would announce his engagement.

Once she was done with the list of auctioned items, she would then have to busy herself with writing out the invitations. The guest list was longer than expected, but she would be able to finish it in time.

“Are you still concerning yourself with this?”

As Erna was completing out the third invitation, the familiar voice almost made her jump. Bjorn came over and perched on the end of the desk.

“Oh, Bjorn, when did you get in?”

Bjorn laughed. He had been in the room, so close to her, overshadowing Erna as she filled out the invitations “Lets go out, I have something I want to show you.”

Erna suspected that Bjorn might have another gift for her, that could be the only reason he came home early, but Erna didn’t have the time right now.

“I’m sorry, Bjorn, can it wait? I need to finish these invitations first.”

Clara Rocher, Bjorn knew it was all because of her. Erna chattered that name pretty much every night. It almost felt like Rocher haunted their lives. Now, Clara’s friends, and their friends’ friends were getting involved too. Bjorn heard a lot about the women’s society and the charity auction that he could recite all the details without making a single mistake.

“Why don’t you use the typewriter for the invitations as well?” As the sound of a snapping nib almost made Bjorn laugh aloud.

“You can’t type something so personal, like its a receipt,” Erna said with a huff.

“Then let the servants do it.”

“How rude,” Erna said, preoccupied with changing the nib of the fountain pen.

“No matter how much effort you put into it, people aren’t going to care if its typed or written.” Bjorn felt weary as he looked down at Erna. “Most of them won’t even be interested and those that are, will always find something to nit pick at, no matter what you do. One or two of them might understand your sincerity and good intention.”

“I know,” Erna said, raising her head to look at Bjorn. “Nevertheless, I will remember. You might not be willing to put in the effort for things you don’t care so much about, but this is enough for me.”

“Do you think this pointless thing?”

“I can’t force it, so even if you do forget, I’ll understand.” Erna smiled softly, then turned her attention back to the next invitation.

To Bjorn, most of the things Erna preoccupied herself with were pointless toils, but to Erna, it was all simple and precious joy’s.

He didn’t have any negative feelings toward Erna’s curiosity and desire to try all kinds of different things. He may feel left out when Erna spent more time with her friends than she did with him, or trying to achieve her share of achievements. Most of the time, he even felt like simply watching her grow.

This woman before him was the real Erna. Calm, stubborn, cried a lot, laughed just as much, a desire to try out everything at least once. Sometimes she was like a pampered child, but at other times, she was like a rugged explorer.

Bjorn fetched a chair and sat opposite Erna and before he could sit, the gatekeeper of hell made herself known, she had become very well practised in hiding in plain sight.

“Get out,” he ordered Lisa, more out of shock to find her in the room. She left only once her eyes met Erna, who nodded.

“Is it finished?” Bjorn said, picking up an invitation.

Erna’s eyes widened, like she expected Bjorn to tear it to pieces. “Yes, that one is done.”

“How many more?”

“If I work hard over the next three days or so, I should be able to get them all done.”

Bjorn’s jaw dropped in shock. “Are you inviting the whole of Schuber?” Bjorn smiled and grabbed a pen.

“Are you helping me?” Erna blinked in surprise., her cheeks flushing. She looked so beautiful.

Bjorn responded by dipping the nib of his pen into the ink and scratching it across the paper.

“You need to remember one thing, Erna, this is not decency, or sincerity, it is madness, pure and simple.”

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

The horse strode leisurely around the paddock next to the stables of Schuber Castle. It was a beautiful horse, with a shiny brown coat.

“Do you like it?” Bjorn said, breaking the silence.

Erna looked up at him in surprise. “You mean, this is what you wanted to show me?”

Bjorn nodded lazily. He made a gesture and the stable master came over. He had been leading the horse around the paddock and now brought it over to the Grand Duchess. The horse stood calmly before them both.

“Greet her Erna, she is yours now.” Bjorn smiled and urged Erna to step closer. It was strange to see a woman who had treated a calf like a puppy, hesitate in front of a horse now.

“You really mean…”

“You should learn to ride a horse.”

“Yes, but…” Erna finally approached the horse. Bjorn heald a soft smile as he watched her awkwardly greet the horse.

It was a beautiful and docile young mare, a perfect match for one such as Erna. Bjorn might have paid more than it was worth, but he didn’t mind.

“Be courteous, Erna, she’s a lady too.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, look, she is wearing a hat and delicate white gloves.” Bjorn pointed to the crown of white around the horses head and to her white socks that were only on the front legs. Erna burst into laughter.

“I see, she really is a lady.”

Bjorn took Erna’s hand and stroked the horses mane. She was a good lady in her own right and always got her way.

“What is the lady’s name?” said Erna, who plucked up enough courage to pet the horse.

“You have to name her.”

Erna looked in shock. “No, I can’t, its your gift, you must name it.”

Thinking of Krista, the calf who was almost named Divorce, Erna wondered if she had made the right decision. Bjorn could see the realisation on Erna’s face and burst into a delightful laugh, Erna liked that laugh and joined in. They laughed together like excited children.

“Classes start tomorrow,” Bjorn said as he gently held Erna’s hand.

Erna thought about how she was going to have to climb onto the horses back and knew she was going to look very clumsy. “Can I really ride a horse well?”

“Just pretend you’re riding me.”

The response Bjorn got was a glare that could have melted ice. Erna wanted to ask him not to say such things outside, but her good teacher already sealed her lips with a tender kiss.

“You have a good trainer, you will be riding the horse like a professional in no time,” said Bjorn.