The Problematic Prince
Chapter 75 - Emotional Abuse

✧Emotional Abuse✧

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“That necklace would have looked beautiful on you today. I wanted to see it.It’s unfortunate,Your Highness.” The words spoken by the baroness,who sat at the far end of the table,changed the flow of the conversation.

The noble ladies,who had been delighted about the upcoming fair early next month,suddenly began to chat eagerly about the Grand Duchess’diamond necklace, which had been causing quite a stir in Lechen for quite some time.

“I heard that it is a precious and beautiful jewel.”

“The two of you seem to get along really well.”

“I envy you.”

Everyone who provided compliments was brightly smiling and polite. Erna,however,could easily see the thorns behind their eyes.It was because she now had some social experience, albeit not enough.

“I didn’t wear it because I didn’t think it would be appropriate for a luncheon,”Erna responded appropriately,attempting not to exhibit any signs of embarrassment. Her heart began to race and her stomach began to ache,but she kept a smile on her lips. Requests to see it next time, laughter, and praises for the loving newlyweds were exchanged as sweetly as the aroma of flowers filling the garden room.

Erna managed to host the meeting and serve as the hostess,despite gripping and kneading her cold,rigid hands. She delivered acceptable responses without losing track of the context of the conversation, and she devoted herself to grasping the season’s trend. She was fatigued after a walk in the spring flower garden and drinking tea,and she had a slight twitch at the corner of her mouth,but she never lost her smile.

The Grand Duchess,who was enjoying a lavish honeymoon. It was after she returned home when she realized that her reputation was like a vulgar snob who had cleverly sabotaged the prince’s reunion with Princess Gladys, snatched the prince,and spent his money to luxuriate.

It was Erna Dniester.

It was a scandal caused by news from Pelia that Prince Bjorn had bought an expensive diamond necklace for his wife. Of course,there had been no chance for a proper explanation.

You are this kind of person. Others defined, judged, and displayed an image of herself that she was unaware of. Erna’s best bet was to be careful and even more cautious not to let things escalate further.

It was late afternoon by the time the ladies had finished their tea and left. Princess Louise was the sole remaining guest in the garden room.

Thank her,invite her to dinner,and talk about fountains and flowers.

Louise,who had been staring at Erna as she smiled at her, sighed deeply and folded her fan.The warm smile that had been on her face throughout the meeting was

gone,and her face plummeted coldly.It looked a lot like Björn’s. Erna stared at Louise,perplexed,unable to continue the flow of the conversation she had planned in advance. Many aristocratic ladies from Schuber had attended today’s meeting,sponsored by the Grand Duchess, thanks to Louise’s efforts.Even the disapproving ladies had accepted the invitation once the envious princess had convinced them.

Erna had been relieved that Princess Louise,who had been chilly to her,had finally opened her heart to her.It was the reason she had been both terrified and looking forward to today.

“D-did I,by chance,make a mistake?”

“The reason I publicly support you is to save face for my brother and the royal family.I hope you don’t consider it a friendship between us.” Louise rose up from the table when Erna attempted to sit across from her. It was a sign of blatant refusal.

“Regardless,you’ve been a great help, so thank you for that.”

“Can’t you think a little more than about my brother and the royal family?” Louise’s eyes returned to Erna after it had wandered around the new decorative plants,the marble pieces

between them,and the glass walls through which sunshine penetrated.

“Even if it’s simply the jewelry that everyone is talking about. Was it really necessary for you to cause trouble by purchasing such pricey diamonds in a foreign country?”

“It was a birthday present from His Highness. It’s not that I asked-”

“If you want to be extravagant,do it in Lechen.I’m not going to say anything more about it.”Louise frowned, as though she didn’t want to hear any more.”And I don’t like letters that hint at an unduly close relationship,”she added.

“It’s a misunderstanding,Your Highness.That was not anything I expected.I simply wanted to say hello. It was just like between families and friends.” Her voice began to shake,but Erna maintained her calm demeanor.

Mrs.Fitz was the one who had advised her that sending regular letters of sympathy to members of the royal family was a suitable courtesy.It was one of the duties assigned to the Grand Duchess, and Erna faithfully carried it out.

“However,Your Highness,we aren’t that close.” The lines between Louise’s brows became more pronounced.”Don’t you think it’s emotional abuse for me, Gladys’best friend, to selfishly force friendship on you?”

Erna could no longer respond to Louise’s cold question. Every word Louise uttered without raising her voice seemed to sharpen and sever Erna’s heart.

“I wanted to let you know that I am still Gladys’friend and that our friendship is very important to me.Of course,as the princess of Lechen, I will support the Grand Duchess for the sake of my brother and the royal family,but please do not press for a deeper relationship.And I genuinely hope you will behave appropriately for the first princess of Lechen.”After

giving her a frustrated look,Louise left without saying goodbye.

Emotional abuse?

Erna understood what the princess meant when she had talked coldly, but she still wanted to put an end to it properly.

Erna took tired steps back to her room. She sighed deeply as she sat in the chair in front of the desk. She was fortunate to be turned down before inviting her to

have dinner with her. If that had been the case, it would have been far more embarrassing.

Bjorn had been right.Erna had to accept the fact she didn’t want to admit. If so, should she live without any expectations and accept the hatred of everyone who

loved Princess Gladys?

The question,to which she couldn’t find an answer, hurt her heart no matter how many times she thought about it.

Emotional abuse.

Erna was a little upset and ashamed of the label linked to her efforts.

Erna remained silent,repeating her questions until the room was tinged with the colors of the sunset. She suddenly missed her grandmother. Perhaps it was due to her long and busy day.

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“Not bad,” Bjorn said, he could scarcely believe the report he held in his hand.

   Bjorn approached the fireplace and tossed the report into it without hesitation. The repost of the atrocities caused by Count Hardy and his wife went up in flames.

   “From now on, I want you to report to me every two weeks,” Bjorn said to the butler who had brought the report.

   “Yes, Your Highness,” Greg the butler said flatly.

   Seeing that the reporting period was reduced from one month to two weeks, Greg was satisfied that the Prince was at least aware the situation needed to be kept an eye on. His mind was relived.

   It was on the night of his wedding that Bjorn decided to keep an eye on Walter Hardy. Even during his honeymoon, he had been receiving reports and telegrams. For awhile, it looked like Walter Hardy was taking care of himself, touching on minor luxuries and investments and as time went by, the fence got a little bigger.

   The report of the day was that Walter Hardy had been selling his son-in-laws name to raise investment money. It was still in its early stages, but it seemed like a lot of people were being affected by the name Prince Bjorn.

   Bjorn left the study after confirming the weeks schedule. The conscious, ever present smile, faded as he climbed the stairs and walked down the long corridor. 

   He had foreseen the Hardy families lax behaviour coming and was prepared for it. There was nothing to be surprised, or angry about and Bjorn was determined not to get involved unless they crossed a line. To appease a noisy child, give them sweets.

   Bjorn headed straight for Erna’s room.

   “Her Highness is not yet finished, Your Highness,” said Lisa, Erna’s maid.

   She quickly approached him when he came into the drawing room and bowed her head. After checking the time, Bjorn nodded happily and walked over to Erna’s desk to sit down. There was plenty of time before the painter finished preparing.

   “That’s okay, I’ll wait right here.”

   Bjorn sat cross legged in the chair, that had a delicate length of lace draped over it. The maid bowed and continued about her business.

   Pavel Lore.

   As Bjorn thought about the name, a strange sense of desolation came over him. He felt concerned by it.

   Bjorn looked about the room and found his gaze fall upon the golden antler he had given Erna, whole utterly under the influence of alcohol. She had tied a little ribbon at the top. His tight lips relaxed gently.

   It had been the weekend after the honeymoon that he had seen the ribboned trophy. He was leaning out of the window, looking at something, then when he turned his eyes inward, he caught sight of the jagged shape.

   “What the hell is that?” He had said in surprise.

   “There are so many trophies in this house, I tied a ribbon on my to distinguish it from the rest,” Erna said, looking up from her writing desk.

   She had the poise of calm and grace about her, as she turned back to her writing, like someone completely unaware they had just done something out of the ordinary.

   That day, when Bjorn laughed so loud, Erna gave him a confused look, the ribbon tied around the trophy had been blue. Today, the ribbon was pink. It seemed like Erna changed the ribbon depending on the season, or her mood.

   Bjorn smiled as he fingered the ends of the pink ribbon, just as the door opened and Erna stepped in. She wore a watery blue dress, adorned with gold, pearls and delicate lace. She was more splendid and beautiful that Bjorn could have imagined.

   Bjorn stood in front of her with a satisfied smile. His gaze, which had been slowly examining the sparkling tiara, elaborately braided hair, veil and dangling earrings stopped on the nape of her neck.

   “Where’s the necklace I gave you?” Bjorn’s eyes narrowed as he considered the sparkling pearl necklace about his wife’s neck.

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