Erna replaced the flower she had removed from the hat. It was funny to see her so overly adorned, yet without any other accessories, she did look strange.
“Are you sure you want to go, why not stay here and relax a little longer?” Lisa asked.
“Yes, Lisa, I’ve been resting too much already.”
Erna completed the hat with the addition of a single flower and pulled it onto her head. She was determined to head to the Summer Palace, where the Royal Family resided. She had not yet offered them a proper apology for the disturbance back at the picnic and felt it her duty to do so.
“Your Highness, what about these flowers?” Lisa said, as she noticed a pile of discarded corsages on the table.
Erna glanced down at the flowers she had crafted. They were lovely blossoms, but even artificial flowers can get worn out with use. Erna wondered if it were possible for a person to live their life like a harmless, beautiful flower.
Erna shook the question from her mind and adjusted the seat of her hat. She pulled on her gloves and grabbed her parasol, then headed for the carriage that was waiting for her out the front of the mansion.
Even though the Summer Palace was within the walls of Schuber Palace, the ambiance by the shore was significantly different. As the carriage came to a stop, the calls of Gulls and the soothing sound of the waves flooded her senses, underlined with the fragrant scent of roses.
Getting down from the carriage, she could see that she was not the only guest today. There was another carriage that bore the crest of the esteemed Duke Heine family.
*.·:·.✧.·:·.*
At the far end of the garden, there was a small tea table set up for three people. It was the very spot where Erna had first met the Queen, late last summer.
Erna looked down at the pergola, now adorned with roses in full bloom and turned to face Isabelle Dniester, who was beaming at her benevolently, just like that first day they met. Despite her deepening sense of guilt, Erna couldn’t help but feel grateful for the Queen’s unwavering care towards her. By her side, Princess Louise shot her a disapproving glare.
“I’m so sorry, because of me, everyone…”
“Erna,” Isabelle interrupted, “lets put all that behind us now. You mustn’t blame yourself, for you did bare the brunt of it all. There’s no need to beg us for forgiveness, am I not right Louise?”
As Louise locked eyes with her mother, who dared her to respond, Louise simply let out a lenguid sigh.
“Well, lets not forget who bore the greatest burden, my brother. He’s the one who worked tirelessly to resolve it on your behalf, Erna.”
“Louise,” Isabella snapped.
“I know, of course, she’s not entirely at ease with the situation. For her, it’s a private matter concerning her father, but ….ah I forgot, he’s not her father any more.”
Even as Louise hung her head low, she kept a cynical eye on Erna, as if she harboured some deep seated mistrust that could not be so easily shaken.
“Well, congratulations are in order, truly and speaking of which, please forgive my tardiness in wishing you well for your pregnancy.”
“Thank you,” Erna said, with a soft smile. She consciously clasped her hands on her stomach.
“I hear that you have been struggling with severe morning sickness, I hope that it has passed now, how are you feeling?”
“I’m doing well.”
“It seems that the child growing in you is turning out quite considerate. When morning sickness strikes, it retreats, it understands. Then when the worst is passed, it emerges stronger and more resilient than ever, bringing comfort to its mother.” Louise’s comments were laced with exaggerated admiration. “I take comfort in knowing that the Grand Duchess possesses a stronger constitution than her outward appearance might suggest. I remember all too well the lengthy battle I had with morning sickness, and Princess Gladys’ too.”
“Louise, if you insist on continuing to be impolite to my daughter-in-law, then I will have to ask you to leave.”
As expected, Isabelle came to the defence of Erna. Louise was neither surprised, nor insulted by her own mothers actions anymore.
“My apologies, Mother. That wasn’t my intention, but I suppose the topic of pregnancy made me forget myself for a moment. I’ll be more mindful.”
Louise deftly avoided any criticism, casting a quick glance at Erna. How natural she looked, taking on the appearance of an innocent sinner. If I hadn’t already known what a shameless and ferocious woman she really was, I might have been taken in by the facade.- Louise thought.
As Louise fell silent, the Queen gracefully took the reins of the conversation. The topics of discussion were ordinary enough and amiable, mostly inquiries about Erna’s health, well wishing and light hearted anecdotes. Slowly but surely, the once-tense atmosphere began to melt away, aided by the arrival of a large fruit platter presented by one of the maids.
“Mrs Fitz mentioned to me that the little one in your belly has a penchant for fruit,” Isabelle said. “Erna, please remember that the well-being of both you and your child is of the utmost importance. Keep that at the forefront of your mind.”
“Thank you, I will.”
Erna spoke in a state of bewilderment as she took in the fruit display. Their vibrant colours and jewel-like shapes arranged perfectly on the platter.
“Though there is an abundance of fruit to choose from, this particular platter is a gift from Grandma to you. Please accept it, but don’t give it to Bjorn, it is for you and your little one.
The Queen’s playful remark birthed a rare smile from Erna, who had been solemn and guarded throughout the gathering. The use of ‘gift’ made it sound like such a sweet melody, akin the alluring scents permeating from the platter.
Isabelle looked at Erna expectantly and Erna realised the Queen would not relent until Erna picked something to eat. Reluctantly, she picked up her fork and sampled the fruit.
Erna savoured every bite of the sweet, juicy fruit. At first, she was wary of the Queen staring at her as she ate, but once Erna was engrossed in the magnificent and exotic flavours, she forgot all else and became ravenous in her consumption of the fruit.
Erna was puzzled by her own behaviour, it was as if she hadn’t eaten anything for days, but her focus was entirely on the next mouthful, as she skewered another piece of fruit.
Erna felt an uncomfortable gaze pierce her feeding frenzy and when she looked up, Louise was glaring at her. Their eyes met, but the Princess did not try to hide her stare.
“Don’t stop on my account, it’s good to see you eating well,” Louise said, shaking her head.
Louise’s beaming countenance matched that of the Queen, but there was a distinct difference, a certain emotion that seemed to emanate from her piercing gaze.
A sense of contempt, coupled with a hint of sympathy.
Erna felt a lump rise to her throat, making it impossible for her to take another bite, or reach for another piece of peach. Her embarrassment was not noticed by the Queen, who was watching her Grandson and the other children frolicking in the water on the beach.
“Eat more,” Louise said, softening into a gentle smile.
Erna couldn’t help but feel self-conscious, but managed to put the last peach slice into her mouth. Louise let out a sigh and looked to her children playing on the beach, their laughter carried in by the sea breeze.
“Ha, look, she fell in the end,” Isabelle said through a soft laugh. “That kid is just like her dad, thick skinned.” A smile that mirrored her mothers graced Louise’s face, filling Erna with a sense of warmth and familiarity. As she watched the two women converse about their children, Erna’s mood shifted and she felt a twinge of embarrassment and loneliness. She averted her gaze, staring down at her peach.
I’m fine.
Seeking solace, Erna caressed her stomach, finding some comfort that her unborn child was still with her, providing her with little company. She slowly chewed and savoured every mouthful of the fruit.
The taste was heavenly.
*.·:·.✧.·:·.*
“Her Highness is at the Summer Palace,” Mrs Fitz said, as the carriage door opened to let Bjorn out. She anticipated the question Bjorn always asked when first arriving back home.
He nodded, suppressing the habitual question he was about to ask. The sound of his footsteps in the entrance hall was accompanied by the barely audible swishing of servants and attendants.
Climbing the stairs, Bjorn paused at the top, where he stood in the shadow of the towering palm leaves. The radiance of sunlight streamed in from the highborne windows and sparkling through the crystal chandelier.
The brightness of it was almost too much to bear, the sweltering heat added to the discomfort, but above all, it was the incredibly noticeable silence that struck him the most.
Bjorn gazed about the building, like it was submerged into the deepest depths, where sound was muted, his eyes furrowed in concern. This was the arrangement he had originally desired, a tranquil existence that he could safeguard, placing Erna at the centre of it all as his wife.
Now that everything was in its place and fulfilling their intended purpose; harmless, quiet and beautiful, just as he hoped, Bjorn was content.
With a nod, Bjorn continued on to the study, Mrs Fitz at his side, bringing him up to speed on all the matters of the household.
“It should be time for her to return,” Mrs Fitz said, seeing Bjorn glance at his watch.
Bjorn nodded at yet another pre-empted question and turned his attention to a silver tray on the table, stacked with letters. He opened each one in turn with a letter opener. He had made it clear that he would not be attending any social events this summer, there was not much mail to go through.
“I bet she is having a wonderful time, Her Majesty, the Queen, cares for the Grand Duchess very much,” Mrs Fitz said. “Today, Her Highness’ physical condition appears to be improving remarkably well and the physician has confirmed that the child is growing strong.”
Bjorn nodded as Mrs Fitz answered another question that Bjorn didn’t need to ask and lit a cigar.
“Since when did you become a mind reader?” Bjorn said, puffing out smoke, Mrs Fitz just shrugged.
“Hmm, what if the child grows like me?” Bjorn said, thoughtfully.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness, what do you mean?”
“The child, growing in my wife’s belly, what if it grows like me?”
As predicted, a week after the doctors visit Bjorn started to see signs of the baby growing in Erna’s belly. It wasn’t much right now, but there was a bump to her delicate frame. He noticed it the other morning, when he watched Erna out on the balcony getting some fresh air. There was a new curve to her. Erna noticed him looking at her and covered herself in a shawl, turning away as she did so.
It was the first time he had truly grasped the fact that his baby was growing inside Erna. She was such a small and delicate woman, and he was such a large man.
“My wife is small, but I am big. If it grows to be like me, she might not be able to handle the birth…” Bjorn held the cigar to his lips, staring off into nothingness.
“Babies are born small, Your Highness, as you and the Crown Prince were, and you were twins. You both were far smaller than a normal newborn. It’s hard to imagine seeing you two so big and tall now.” Mrs Fitz replied.
Bjorn chuckled dryly, surprised at himself for laughing so nonchalantly. As he stood from the desk, urgent footsteps approached and shouts suddenly shattered the tranquillity of the mansion.
To his surprise, it was Leonid who appeared at the door, rushing to him with a book clutched in his hand. Bjorn frowned at his normally contemplative and discreet brother. The title of the book Leonid thrust at him was ‘In The Name of Love and Abyss.’
Bjorn frowned as he glanced at the title, which seemed too high brow for something Leonid would normally read, but as he was about to inquire into the nature of this disturbance, he saw the name of the author.
‘Gerald Owen’
The world renowned poet and Princess Gladys’ lover.