6. It's Fatal if You Eat It
"She'll be more beautiful than any young lady you've ever taken charge of before. Once you see her, you'll certainly agree."
Brenda Hardy clucked her tongue and glanced at the desk clock. Of all times, to go out for something as trivial as a walk on such an important day. There was nothing about this child that pleased her in any way.
"It had better be so, Viscountess."
Countess Meyer, who had been listlessly gazing out at the garden beyond the window, turned her gaze toward Brenda Hardy.
"Otherwise, this will have been a wasted trip, and I detest spending my time on meaningless matters."
Her voice was soft, but her eyes were cold. Suppressing the urge to retch, Brenda Hardy forced a smile. She was the one in need, so there was nothing for it but to endure and endure again.
Countess Meyer was a legendary figure in Rechen's social marriage market. Born as the daughter of a humble baronetcy, she had risen to become a countess and had succeeded in marrying her daughters into remarkably prestigious families—families that would leave anyone's jaw dropping. Her eldest daughter became a countess, and her second daughter became the wife of a wealthy man from the New World—an achievement so remarkable that she wanted for nothing. She had even succeeded in finding excellent suitors for the young ladies she chaperoned, and once the rumor spread, ladies with daughters throughout the social scene began lining up.
That such a Victoria Meyer was now seated in the Hardy family's drawing room was nothing short of a miracle. Originally, she had declared she would not serve as a chaperone for this season. She had planned to spend the summer abroad with her second daughter. But when her second daughter left on an extended journey with her husband, those plans went awry. Brenda Hardy had to mobilize every connection she possessed to secure her before another family could snatch her away.
To sell a daughter.
When she first heard those words, Brenda Hardy thought her husband had finally lost his mind. But he was quite serious, and his ambition had a plausible aspect to it. For a family driven to the edge of a cliff to put their daughter up as merchandise in the marriage market was not particularly unusual in society.
In truth, weren't all marriages in the social world essentially transactions?
Of course, revealing such crass commercial calculations was somewhat lacking in dignity, but the Hardy family was in no position to concern themselves with such things. Above all, Erna. That girl would surely become a top-tier commodity.
In the end, Brenda Hardy reluctantly accepted her husband's outrageous proposal. This kind of business required speed, so she intended to settle matters before the summer ended.
"Madam, Lady Erna has arrived."
Just as the furrow between Countess Meyer's brows became noticeably deeper, a maid entered with welcome news. Brenda Hardy rose abruptly from her seat, momentarily forgetting her dignity.
"Come in quickly, Erna! We've been waiting quite a while."
She offered a greeting filled with genuine warmth toward Erna as she entered the drawing room. Countess Meyer, who had set down her fan, also turned her head to look at Erna. Despite having bought her numerous new clothes, Erna was still wearing a dowdy dress.
"Come here and greet her. This is Countess Meyer."
Brenda Hardy pressed Erna with an anxious voice. Seeing a stranger, Erna had stiffened completely—the very image of a country bumpkin. This was exasperating. She felt her blood run dry at the thought that Victoria Meyer might storm out at any moment.
"Hello, Madam. I am Erna Hardy."
Erna, who had approached hesitantly, fortunately offered a properly courteous greeting. Countess Meyer's gaze swept meticulously from top to bottom and back up again, sharp as a blade.
"Well, Madam? Does our Erna please you?"
Unable to bear the silence, Brenda Hardy spoke first.
"I can see for certain that you weren't lying."
Countess Meyer, whose face had given nothing away, finally nodded. Then slowly, with elegant movements, she rose and approached Erna.
"A pleasure to meet you, Miss Hardy. Let us do well together."
The countess extended her ungloved hand toward Erna for a handshake.
"I am Victoria Meyer. I will be serving as your chaperone, Miss Hardy."
* * *
When the sound of scissors cutting through fabric fell silent, the bedroom was once again submerged in stillness.
Erna, who had been working diligently while practically slumped over the desk, let out a long sigh and sat up straight. Her eyes as she gazed at the completed creation overflowed with overwhelming joy and satisfaction.
When her mind was troubled, she focused on her work.
This was Erna's long-standing habit. After she began helping Mrs. Grebe make artificial flowers to sell, reaching for scissors became second nature whenever she was consumed by troubling thoughts. It was beneficial in many ways—she could settle her mind and earn living expenses. Bringing her work all the way here was somewhat amusing, but these things now felt to Erna like part of her own body.
After organizing the fabric scraps and tools, Erna went to the bathroom and washed her hands thoroughly. Her small hands, which had been marked here and there with grass stains, soon returned to their original fair and smooth state.
Perhaps this would be a year that was not so smooth after all, Erna thought vaguely as she gazed at her reflection in the splendid brass mirror.
It had been nearly ten days since she moved to the Hardy family's mansion. Each day seemed to pass slowly, yet those very days piled together had swept past like a rushing torrent.
Since arriving in Schveerin, Erna had spent most of her time with the viscountess. To be precise, it might be more accurate to say she was dragged about. Throughout their visits to countless splendid shops to purchase mountains of goods, Erna was given no choice whatsoever. She simply wore what she was told, removed what she was told, and was carted about like baggage from one place to another. It was exactly like playing with dolls.
"Young Laaaady!"
The maid cried out with delight upon seeing Erna emerge from the bathroom door.
"I was so startled! I thought you might have gone somewhere!"
"I'm sorry if I caused you worry."
"That's not something you need to apologize for!"
Flustered, Lisa waved both hands and shook her head.
Erna smiled slightly, a bit shyly, and slowly approached the table where afternoon tea was laid out. Lisa, who had been hesitating, also sidled up beside her.
'Next time, bring one more teacup.'
Erna had made that sudden, unexpected remark four days ago during tea time. Belatedly understanding the meaning, Lisa had nearly cried out in shock.
'P-please don't do this to me, my lady. This will cause terrible trouble.'
'Why? I used to have tea time with Mrs. Grebe at the Baden house.'
No matter how earnestly she explained, Erna only tilted her head with an innocent expression, just as she did now.
'Who is Mrs. Grebe?'
Lisa asked in a hushed, anxious voice.
'She was the housekeeper at the Baden house.'
Erna, who had also lowered her voice, answered earnestly.
Thus began the secret tea time between the young lady and the maid, continuing peacefully for several days.
She was certainly a somewhat strange young lady. Lisa somewhat agreed with what the Hardy family's servants were whispering about.
The Hardy family's young lady who had appeared suddenly one day had nothing ladylike about her. From her attire to her demeanor, everything was that way. But the criticisms—that she was insufferably haughty or eccentric—were pure nonsense. She was shy around strangers and spoke little, giving an aloof impression, but when observed closely, she was quite a kind young lady.
"Wow. Did you make this, my lady?"
Lisa's eyes grew wide upon discovering the lovely artificial flowers placed on the desk where her gaze had fallen. Erna nodded, her cheeks slightly flushed. Each time she slowly blinked her eyes, the shadow of her long lashes swaying was exactly like a butterfly fluttering its wings.
"It's so beautiful! Your skill is truly remarkable. I'd believe it even if you told me they were real flowers."
Lisa exclaimed with genuine admiration. Facing Erna, who beamed with joy at the praise, she felt somehow dazed.
'They've sold everything else, and now they're selling off the daughter too.'
The servants would whisper such critical words about Viscount Hardy, who was suddenly bringing his daughter from his first marriage—whom he had left at his in-laws' house—into this household.
'She'll certainly fetch quite a high price, so it's understandable. Whatever they sell, the fact that this family remains intact is good for all of us, isn't it?'
Some would subtly defend the master. With the young lady before her eyes like this, Lisa felt she could almost understand the meaning of those harsh words.
Did this young lady know what her situation was?
The question that suddenly occurred to her unsettled Lisa. It was then that Erna, who had somehow drawn near, abruptly held out the artificial flower.
"Surely you're not giving that to me?"
When she asked in disbelief, Erna gave a small nod.
"No, my lady! That wasn't what I meant! I just thought it was beautiful..."
"I'll give it to you as a gift. It would look pretty on a hat. You could use it as a brooch too."
Erna personally placed the artificial flower into the embarrassed Lisa's hand.
Unable to refuse such sincerity, Lisa resigned herself to accepting the gift. Only then did Erna smile with relief. She was a young lady who smiled as prettily as the flower she had created.
"Shall we go for a walk? Schveerin must still be very unfamiliar and awkward for you, so as a return for the gift, I'll show you many nice places."
Lisa stood up abruptly, filled with newfound enthusiasm. Erna looked up at her with round, widened eyes.
"Am I perhaps being a burden?"
"Not at all! Taking good care of you is exactly my job."
Lisa laughed refreshingly and quickly fetched Erna's parasol and hat.
"Let's go out quickly, my lady!"
* * *
Schveerin was a major city second only to the capital.
The nobility generally kept their mansions in the southern part of the city, and Schveerin Palace, where the royal family's summer villa was located, also sat in that district. With densely packed luxury shopping streets, hotels, and splendid theaters, it was a bustling district boasting the glamour befitting a resort city where the kingdom's renowned nobles came to enjoy the summer season. A bit further north lay a massive harbor connected to the ocean, making Schveerin a city where commerce and finance had flourished since ancient times.
Erna walked at a leisurely pace, listening to Lisa's chattering, excited chatter. Though she knew these things from reading books, seeing the city with her own two eyes made everything feel new.
"There, that hotel is the finest hotel in Schveerin."
Lisa, who had paused her steps, pointed to a hotel situated where three main roads intersected.
"The restaurant and tea room there are very popular among the ladies here. Let's go there together sometime, my lady."
Before Erna could respond, Lisa quickly added. Her face, flushed with anticipation, was so pleasing that Erna nodded readily. It was then that a tall man caught her eye.
The man emerging from the hotel entrance walked with long strides. Even as the woman beside him said something to him, he paid her no heed and simply hurried on his way. Following behind the pair at a proper distance were several servants. From the way passersby's gazes focused all at once, he seemed to be quite a famous figure.
"Oh no, my lady!"
As Erna, seized by a strange sense of déjà vu, turned her body toward that man, Lisa grabbed her arm.
"Yes, my lady. He is indeed fine to look at. I understand that feeling, but still, no. You mustn't."
Frowning, Lisa now clicked her tongue as well.
Baffled by these incomprehensible words, Erna tilted her head and shifted her gaze back toward the blond man. The carriage carrying him and the woman soon disappeared to the other side of the main road.
"Absolutely not, I tell you."
Lisa, who had let out a deep sigh, stepped in front of Erna.
"Who is that man?"
"That's... you don't need to know that. Don't find out."
"Is his reputation very bad?"
"Goodness. What's the use of explaining?"
Lisa shook her head and then tugged at Erna's hand.
"Remember this, my lady. That is not a man."
"Then what is he?"
"Hmm... Right, a poisonous mushroom!"
Lisa cried out, her eyes sparkling. Even after making such an absurd statement, her expression was perfectly serious.
"Keep this in mind, my lady. If you eat it, you die."