CH 132

Mrs Fitz couldn’t believe what she just heard. She stood in the middle of the room staring at Bjorn, who simply leaned back in his chair and smiled.

“She looked so much better when she was last here, healthy and lively. It seemed as though she had no regrets whatsoever when she decided to step down from her role as the Grand Duchess.”

“So, what did you say?”

“I said yes.” Bjorn casually placed the teacup he was holding onto the table. “Let’s do it.”

While Mrs Fitz came to terms with the turn of events, Bjorn got up and went over to the window. He stood with her hands clasped behind his back,  the sunlight streaming in through the window casting him in dazzling light.

The prince loves his wife.

Mrs Fitz knew better than anyone that the love story of Prince Lechen had been spreading was not entirely a lie. She couldn’t pinpoint the exact moment, but she had been feeling that way for some time and only got stronger when the Grand Duchess left.

During the turbulent days when Bjorn had divorced Princess Gladys and stepped down as Crown Prince, Bjorn was not shaken. Even when his life changed over night and criticism from the whole nation poured out, he carried on as normal, living his leisurely life.

The prince remained unwavering in the face of public scrutiny following his divorce from Princess Gladys. The relentless chatter of the people did not cause him to waver even once. However, he was deeply shaken by his wife’s departure, for a petite lady, for reasons other than love that can’t be explained.

“Do you really want a divorce?” Mrs Fitz stepped toward Bjorn and took her place beside him. His gaze had been fixed on the distant sky, his eyes squinted. But as soon as he sensed her presence, he turned his body towards her. Mrs. Fitz looked at him, “Clear out all distractions and focus on what you truly desire, Your Highness.” 

“No,” Bjorn said, staring up at the expansive sky, as if peering into the depths of the cosmos.  “I do not.”

Bjorn turned to look at Mrs Fitz. He had thought about this on the train journey back from Buford. He had not taken a sip of alcohol, or smoked a single puff of a cigar, his mind was as clear as it could be and he had made up his mind.

A wife who abandons her husband and demands a divorce can no longer be considered harmless. With the truth about Gladys finally revealed, there was no need for a Grand Duchess to use as a shield against those who wanted Bjorn to get back together with the Lars Princess.

If a thing is no longer of use, throw it away.

Abiding by that life principle had been a breeze for him. Yet, after embarking on a difficult journey, he had arrived at a conclusion that starkly contrasted with his initial expectations.

“Does it not bother you how this will affect your reputation, the Prince who got divorced for a second time, after only a year of marriage?”

The question made Bjorn laugh.

“What does it matter?”

“Then why?” Mrs Fitz asked.

Bjorn looked back out the window, deep in thought. He had married Erna because he thought she would be a quiet wife, who would stay by his side and make his life peaceful. It was an hour of his life that felt like he had a colourful bouquet of rustic flowers, Erna’s favourite Lilly of the Valley.

Looking back on it now, it was a marriage that was nothing like how he had expected. From the beginning Bjorn paid a very high price for his wife.

“Erna is my wife,” Bjorn said with a sigh. “I want Erna to be my wife.”

Right and wrong, who could tell, but he felt like this was the worst choice she could make. Even though their love had ended, she was the wife of Bjorn Dniester, the only woman that should be by his side, there was no other truth to it.

“Then get ready my Prince,” Mrs Fitz said. “Go to Buford and get her back.” 

Bathed in the soft winter sunlight, the elderly woman stood tall, her unwavering gaze fixed upon the prince. 

The Prince’s first love of his life was his second wife.  Mrs Fitz was sure that there was no other love in his life. This whole ordeal had been some sort of miracle, it was clear and if Erna stepped down from the position of Grand Duchess, then the position would remain vacant forever. 

Erna was the only hope.

“I believe you will succeed,” Mrs Fitz said, straightening the Princes collar, “because a Dniester never plays to lose.”

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

The Grand Duke’s residence was busting with activity and commotion, something Leonid had not been expecting.

“What’s happening?” he said without formality.

He entered into the Grand Dukes suite and posed the question to Bjorn, who replied with perfect formality, never removed his hat or his coat, as if to convey that he was going to be leaving soon, despite any distractions.

“It doesn’t look like a simple outing, are you going on a trip?” Leonid asked.

“Well, firstly, what’s the purpose of your visit, Your Highness,” Bjorn said and looked at his watch. “And please keep it brief, I am on a tight schedule.”

Leonid could tell from Bjorn’s icy gaze that he was not in a jesting mood.

“Well, I just wanted to say the aligning opinions of Lars has been completed and the delegation was sent home late yesterday.”

Leonid had been left with the arduous task of picking apart every clause of the legislation, to look for any loop holes that would exonerate Lechen from blame, and he found it, with the book being published by Catherine Owen, the mere fact that it was published in Lechen did not hold Lechen accountable for Miss Owens actions.

When ever Prince Alexander was backed into a corner, he would turn to drinking and because Bjorn had acquitted himself of any involvement, it was left to Leonid to handle the Prince as he got drunk. He certainly felt overwhelmed.

Leonid took on the responsibility gladly, though, to allow his brother time to deal with his issues. He would always make sure a teacup was placed in front of him when ever Alexander reached for a drink. Much to the foreign Princes disapproval.

The silent Mad Dog~ From that day onward, Leonid was dubbed with the nickname. Though the moniker was somewhat crude, he didn’t take too much offense to it.

“It was determined that the Lechen Royal Family did not express an official stance, or provide factual evidence, regarding the matter. I thought that was reasonable, I mean…”

“Leonid,” Bjorn interrupted his brother, “you are not my representative, you can only act according your own judgement and assume responsibility for your own decisions.”

Bjorn smiled a little, his lips barely moving and Leonid studied him as he paced about the room, like a child eager to get travelling. The bright sun bathed the two brothers as Bjorn turned to Leonid.

“I’m not going back,” Bjorn said, taking a step toward his brother. “You are the Crown Prince of Lechen, now and forever, that will never change, Leo.” The smile on his lips never faltered, but his eyes were serious. “That position suits you. It’s dull, conventional, lacks any sense of grandeur. It’s a perfect fit for a future king who embodies traditional values and lacks excitement.”

“Are you trying to insult our father?”

“If you want to tell him, sure, go ahead. Feel free to do so.”

The two let themselves fall into laughter and enjoy the exchange of pointless jokes. Sometimes, the title of Crown Prince made Bjorn feel shackled to the throne, but he tried not to dwell on the thought too much, then when he gave up the position to protect Princess Gladys and gained significant advantages from the divorce,  he felt a sense of liberation from the burdens that came with the crown. He felt like he was free again, something he hadn’t felt since he was a kid, and he would get into mischief with Leonid.

Bjorn couldn’t help but recall the time they were seven and snuck into their fathers office and caused quite the commotion. It was supposed to be a harmless prank, but ended with them being physically punished by their father for the first time. Leonid got two switches, but Bjorn got three, the additional one serving as a symbolic reminder of his perceived failure to fulfill his responsibilities as the Crown Prince.

Bjorn calmly observed his own reflection in the delicate, gold-framed glasses that were reminiscent of Leo’s signature style.The sunlight danced upon the glasses, casting a mesmerizing glimmer and sparkling allure.

Leonid started wearing glasses at the age of ten to set himself apart from his twin brother, making it easier for people to differentiate between them.

Despite having flawless eyesight, the royal family fully supported his choice to wear glasses. With the understanding that it was crucial to establish clear distinction between the twins, the decision was made. If one of them had to bear any discomfort, it was deemed preferable for it to be Leonid rather than Bjorn, the designated Crown Prince. 

Such was the nature of the time they found themselves in. The two princes were born at the exact same day and hour, yet only one could ascend to the esteemed title of Crown Prince. Bjorn was chosen for this esteemed  position, granting him a greater array of privileges compared to Leo.

“You don’t need to wear these glasses anymore,” Bjorn approached Leo, and suddenly snatched his glasses. “It’s time to stop wearing them.” He gently placed the glasses on the table. “From now on, you should live as the rightful owner of that position.”

“Hey, Bjorn.”

“Congratulations on getting one more slap in the ass, Your Highness. “You are the King that Lechen needs right now,” Bjorn said after a moment.

“And what about you?”

“I am too busy enjoying a life indulging of self interest and it seems that Erna is more interested in her cookie jar, than being Queen.”

Bjorn checked his watch again, just as a knock came at the door and a servant informed the Prince that the preparations had been complete.

“It seems I no longer have the time for you, Your Highness.”

“Where are you going? You have to tell me.”

“To win my wife’s love.”

After giving the quick response, Bjorn turned to leave. As he left, Leonid couldn’t help but burst into laughter. “Isn’t divorce the only option for the two of you?”

Bjorn turned his head, “Oh, hush now, Your Highness,”

The Grand Duke’s response, accompanied by a smile, was undeniably disloyal.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*