6. If you eat, you will die.
“She is the prettiest girl you’ll ever work with. If you see her, you will definitely agree with me.”
Brenda Hardy glanced at the table clock, trembling nervously. Always during important times like this one, she will go out for a walk. She was a kid ,that the Viscountess didn’t like in many ways.After
“That has to be the case, Viscount.”
Countess Meyer’s gaze, who was looking down at the landscape of the garden through the window, turned to Brenda Hardy.
“Otherwise, you are wasting my time, and I hate wasting my time on pointless things.”
Contrary to her soft voice, her eyes were cold. Suppressing her upset stomach, Brenda Hardy smiled as she struggled. It’s a pity that this situation has to be endured by being patient. .
Countess Meyer was a standing figure who was known as a legend in the Lechen socialite marriage market. Born as the daughter of a humble half-baron , she rose to the rank of countess, and succeeded in marrying into a family that was so great with even making her daughters marry into a great family. The eldest daughter became the countess, and the second daughter became the wife of the wealthy merchant. She even succeeded in finding a good husband for the girls in her chaperone, and when the rumor spread, women from all walks of life started lining up.
It was almost a miracle that such Victoria Meyer was now sitting in the living room of the Hardy family. Originally, she announced that she would not be taking the chaperone this season. So that she could spend the summer with her second daughter abroad. However, plans went awry when the second daughter went on a long trip with her husband. Brenda Hardy had to mobilize all her contacts before another family could take her away.
He wants to sell his daughter
Even when she first heard it, Brenda Hardy thought her husband had finally gone insane. But he was pretty serious, and even that ambition had a pretty plausible corner. For a family driven to the edge of a cliff to offer their daughters for sale at the wedding market, there was nothing special in the social world.
In fact, all marriages in the social world are all transactions in the end.
Of course, exposing blatant business practices is somewhat of a low-class thing, but the current Hardy family was not in a position to judge such a thing. Above all, Erna. That girl was sure to be a top-notch sale.
In the end, Brenda Hardy accepted her husband’s crazy proposal, pretending not to win. This kind of business is supposed to be a speed game, so they were going to see a match by the end of this summer somehow.
“Madam, Miss Erna has arrived.”
Just as the wrinkles between Countess Meyer’s forehead were noticeably deepening, a maid brought good news. Brenda Hardy got up from her seat, forgetting her face for a moment.
“Come here, Erna! I waited a long time.”
As she entered the drawing room, she handed her a sincere greeting. Countess Meyer, who put down the fan, also turned her head to look at Erna. Even after buying a bunch of new clothes, Erna was still wearing a rustic dress.
“Come here and say hello. Countess Meyer.”
Brenda Hardy brushed up on Erna with an anxious voice. When she saw a stranger, she looked like a hardened countryman. Look how she reacts. Her blood almost dried up for fear that Victoria Meyer would leave her seat at any moment.
“Hello, Mrs. My name is Erna Hardy.”
Erna, who approached with a crouch, luckily greeted her with proper manners. Countess Meyer’s eyes were as sharp as a blade, carefully examining Erna from top to bottom and from bottom to top.
“How is she, madam? Do you like our Erna?”
Brenda Hardy, who could not stand the silence, broke down first.
“I guess you were not lying.”
Countess Meyer, who had a strange look, nodded her head. And slowly, with an elegant gesture, she got up and walked towards Erna.
“Nice to meet you, Ms. Hardy. Let’s try to do it well.”
The Countess reached out her gloved hand in front of Erna and asked for a handshake.
“My name is Victoria Meyer. I will be in charge of Ms. Hardy’s chaperone.”
* * *
When the noise of the scissors cutting the fabric ceased, the bedroom fell into silence again.
Erna, who was almost lying on her desk, diligently moving her hands, let out a long sigh and sat up with her back upright. In the eyes looking at the finished peony, there was a feeling of overwhelming joy and satisfaction.
Concentrate on your work when your head is cluttered.
It was Erna’s old habit. After helping Mrs. Greve to make and sell artificial flowers, it was natural to grab scissors when caught in thoughts. It was useful in many ways because she could make up my mind and earn a living. It’s a little funny that she brought her work all the way here, but to Erna, these things now felt like a part of her body.
After organizing the scraps of cloth and tools, Erna went to the bathroom and washed her hands thoroughly. The small hand, which had been smeared with grass marks, soon returned to its original, smooth, white appearance.
Maybe it’s not going to be a very smooth year, Erna thought blankly as she looked at her reflection in the gorgeous brass mirror.
It had already been ten days since she moved to the Hardi family’s mansion. Each day seems to go by very slowly, but the ten days of each day just flowed by like a torrent.
After arriving in Schwerin, Erna spent most of her time with the Viscount. To be more precise, it might be more accurate to say that she was dragged around. It was because Erna was not given any choice while going to and from the many colorful shops and buying piles of things. It was all about putting on, taking off, and being baled from place to place. It was like playing with a doll.
“Lady!”
The maid, who saw Erna coming out of the bathroom door, exclaimed with delight.
“I was surprised to know where you went!”
“I’m sorry if I caused you concern.”
“That doesn’t mean you have to apologize!”
Embarrassed, Lisa waved her hands and clapped.
Erna, who smiled a little shyly, slowly approached the table where afternoon tea was served. Lisa, who was hesitating, also approached her.
‘Next time, bring another teacup.’
It was during tea time four days ago that Erna suddenly said something absurd. Lisa, who understood the meaning of those words too late, almost screamed in shock.
‘Don’t do this to me, miss. If that’s the case, you will get in trouble.’
‘why? I’ve been having tea time with Mrs. Greve in the Baden family.’
No matter how hard she tried to explain, Erna only tilted her head with a blank face like now.
‘Who is Mrs. Greve?’
Lisa lowered her voice and asked nervously,
‘The housekeeper of the Baden.’
Erna, who held her breath at the same time, responded in earnest.
The secret tea time with the young lady that started like that had been going on peacefully for several days.
She’s definitely a bit of a weird girl. Lisa somewhat agreed with what the Hardi servants were whispering.
The young girl of the Hardi family, who suddenly appeared one day, had no aspects of an aristocratic lady. From her appearance to her attitude, it was in every way. However, such accusations of being arrogant or eccentric were pure absurdity. She hides her face a lot and doesn’t talk much, giving the impression of a childish, but looking at her closely, she was a pretty sweet girl.
“Wow. Did you make that?”
Lisa’s eyes widened when she discovered the coveted harmony placed on the desk where she unintentionally threw her eyes. Erna blushed a little and nodded her head. The shadow of her long eyelashes, which swayed with each slow blink, was like a butterfly flapping her wings.
“So pretty! You’re really good at it. I would believe it even if it was a real flower.”
Lisa was truly amazed. When she met Erna’s face, who was happy with the compliment and smiled broadly, Lisa felt a bit dazed.
‘Sell and sell, now you’re trying to sell your daughter, huh?’
When Viscount Hardi suddenly wanted to bring the daughter of his ex-wife, who had left home, into this house, the employers often murmured such accusations.
‘Obviously they will sell for a pretty high price, so that’s good enough. No matter what they sell, isn’t it good for all of us that this family is still alive?’
Some even secretly attacked the owner. With the young lady like this, Lisa seemed to be able to understand the meaning of those bad words.
Does this lady know about this?
A question that suddenly came to mind disturbed Lisa. It was at that time that Erna, who had come to her side at some point, suddenly brought out harmony.
“Are you going to give it to me?”
When asked in disbelief, Erna nodded her head slightly.
“No, miss! I didn’t mean it that way! I’m just pretty…….”
“I’ll give you a present. It will be pretty if you put it on your hat. It can also be used as a brooch.”
In Lisa’s perplexed hand, Erna gave the harmony directly.
Lisa, unable to refuse the sincerity, decided to accept the gift pretending not to win. At that moment, Erna smiled in relief. She was a pretty girl smiling like a flower she had made.
“Shall we go for a walk? Schwerin must still be very unfamiliar and awkward, but in return for the gift, I will show you a lot of good places.”
Lisa jumped up from her seat with a renewed enthusiasm. Erna looked up at her with her round eyes.
“Maybe I’m causing trouble?”
“I can’t! It is my job to take good care of her.”
Lisa, who smiled brightly, quickly brought Erna’s parasol and hat.
“Come on out, miss!”
* * *
Schwerin was a large city second to the capital.
The nobility usually had their mansions in the southern part of the city, where the Schwerin Palace, the royal summer residence, was also located. From densely packed high-end shopping districts and hotels to luxurious theaters. It was a bustling downtown boasting the splendor of a resort town where famous nobles of the kingdom come to enjoy the summer season. A little further north, there is a huge port that connects to the ocean, so Schwerin has been a city where commerce and finance have developed since ancient times.
Erna listened to Lisa’s exasperated chatter and took a slow pace. It was something she knew from reading books, but when she looked at this city with her own two eyes, everything felt new.
“That hotel is the best hotel in Schwerin.”
Lisa paused for a moment and pointed to the hotel located at the intersection of three avenues.
“The restaurant and tea room over there are very popular among the ladies here. See you next time, miss.”
Before Erna could even reply, Lisa quickly added. Erna nodded her head gently, as she liked to see her face full of anticipation. It was then that a tall man caught her eye.
The man who came out of the entrance of the hotel walked with a wide stride. The woman standing next to me didn’t care what she said to me, and just hurried my way. Behind these two men followed suitably spaced users. Seeing the attention of passersby all at once, he seemed to be a fairly famous figure.
“Oh no, miss!”
Erna, possessed by a strange feeling of dizziness, turned to face the man, and Lisa grabbed her arm.
“Yes, miss. It’s nice to see. I know that feeling well, but I still can’t. I can’t use it.”
Lisa frowned, and now her tongue clenched.
Tilt her head at the unfamiliar words, Erna shifted her gaze to the blonde man again. The wagon carrying him and the woman soon disappeared over the other side of the highway.
“Because it’s never going to happen.”
Lisa took a deep breath and stopped in front of Erna.
“Who is that person?”
“that… … You don’t even need to know that. Don’t know.”
“Do you have a bad reputation?”
“Ugh. Tell me what are you doing?”
Lisa shook her head and grabbed Erna’s hand.
“Remember, miss. Not him, that one.”
“then?”
“Well… … . That’s right, a poisonous mushroom!”
Lisa shouted with her eyes twinkling. Even though he said absurd words, he had a more serious expression.
“Remember, miss. If you eat it, you die.”