Chapter 9: The Bernsteins’ Hidden Name

The day of the memorial service arrived. Light snow peppered us on and off, looking almost magical in the way it blanketed the lake. Beside the lake was the memorial monument, a place for people to pray to the souls of the departed. However, it also served as a grim reminder of past mistakes we must be careful never to repeat.

Once the official service finished, I spent my time meeting with local nobles and people in positions of power who had also attended. From their perspective, it was a rare visit from the crown prince’s betrothed and gave them an opportunity they wouldn’t have otherwise. There were those who approached to cultivate friendly relations, those who came to petition me over matters they were passionate about, and those who were merely curious to see what kind of person I was.

Lord Alexei’s shrewd judgment came in handy here as he screened the people who lined up to see me, ensuring the ones I engaged with would give me no trouble. It made the whole ordeal much briefer than it would have been otherwise, granting me some extra leisure time. While I was grateful for Lord Alexei’s help, seeing his skills for myself made me feel guilty for pulling him away from his duties back home. I could only imagine how much the prince must be missing his expertise.

As for the suspicions Earl Ralshen had levied against him... Well, after overhearing the conversation, Lilia had immediately clamped her mouth shut. When the matter was over and I sought an explanation from the countess, she’d been on the verge of tears.

I learned that Lady Lindsey Ralshen had been reluctant at the time of her engagement. It even seemed she might back out altogether. Then, tragically, she drowned in the lake after slipping and falling in. Some suspected she’d purposefully thrown herself in because she was so unhappy with her engagement.

I had no way of knowing the truth, and I had no idea how to interpret Lord Alexei’s response. For as much emotion as he showed on his face, he might as well have been a statue.

Even so, my thoughts naturally turned to the prince and his motivations. I was certain Lady Lindsey’s death had something to do with His Highness sending Lord Alexei to aid me. As for how Lord Alexei would face his past, well, that was a decision he would have to make. The prince probably wanted him to resolve those issues—at least, that was my humble supposition.

A sigh slipped out of my mouth.

The Malduran delegation must have already arrived at the palace by now, and talks had probably begun. I wondered how that was going. Concern over it lingered in my mind constantly, occupying at least half of my headspace. Not that there was anything I could do from this far away. Besides, I’d made a promise with the prince. I would fulfill my duties, and he would fulfill his.

I pressed a hand over my chest, feeling my heart throb with longing as I recalled the words we’d exchanged.

Since my official duties were finished, I’d wandered off and now found myself alone in a deserted corridor overlooking the lake. As I gazed out through the window in front of me, I sighed to myself. The snow had stopped, but a chill still snaked its way through the halls of the manor, wrapping itself around me.

I was trying to clear my head. This was no time to get preoccupied with personal feelings. Right now, I needed to focus on the grief I felt over Ralshen’s past.

And yet...

“Once this is over, all we have to do is wait for the day of our official ceremony, Eli...”

My heart sang and my cheeks heated as I remembered the prince’s words. I longed to see him again, more than words could ever express. As the Bibliophile Princess, it seemed ironic I would be so hung up over a real, live human being rather than a book, but my heart was surprisingly genuine about its feelings for him.

I want to hurry back to your side, Prince Christopher...

While I inwardly questioned whether I could fulfill the duties required of me, I found my mind wandering, counting the days until my time here in Ralshen would be over.

I let out another sigh and turned away from the window, intending to walk back the way I’d come when I ran into someone. My body jerked to a halt, and my heart jumped in my throat.

“Grandpa Teddy!”

The old, one-eyed general was standing in front of me. Like me, his breath came out in puffs of white.

“I have something to talk to you about,” he said. His expression revealed little about what he was thinking.

The air around him was too intimidating for me to refuse, so I gave a numb nod.

“Elianna Bernstein. If you truly care about this country and its people, please cancel your engagement to Prince Christopher.”

I froze. For a moment, I doubted my ears. It was like the words weren’t registering in my brain properly. When I finally digested them, my lips grew taut and I fidgeted awkwardly.

“I’m not sure what you’re...?”

He interrupted, “There’s only one time Sauslind’s Brain ever steps to the center stage, and that’s when the kingdom is at war. Haven’t you ever wondered why your house has that hidden name? It’s because the Bernsteins always worked in the shadows to guide us during times of war. It’s been that way for generations. You’re not meant to stand front and center. If you don’t want to be the cause of another war, Elianna... If you truly care about the people, then you should give up on your engagement to the prince.”

This was the first time I could remember him ever speaking so formally to me. He wasn’t censuring me or commanding me, he was merely quietly trying to persuade me.

“W-Wait. You’re saying that the Bernsteins...that my house is...?” My mind was spinning, unable to catch up with the meaning of his words.

“I figured Eduard hadn’t talked to you about this yet.” The general sighed quietly. “The only time Sauslind’s Brain has come out of the shadows, historically, was when the kingdom needed them as tacticians in battle. You’ve already heard that previous monarchs’ reigns flourished with the help of your family. That’s because they led the kingdom to victory. The kings who make history are the ones who lay waste to their enemies. It’s been that way since the time of the Hero King. Bernsteins aren’t meant to stand in the light, Elianna. Heed my words if you don’t want another war.”

He was repeating himself now, and I had no idea how to respond. My thoughts were a mess of confusion.

General Bakula continued trying to convince me, slowly backing me into a corner. He was every bit the merciless hero people revered him as.

“I’m sure this must seem like it’s coming out of the blue to you, but the Bernsteins have been known as Sauslind’s Brain since the time of the Hero King. Back then, three other countries invaded us and we were on the brink of disaster. The person who repelled their siege was one of your ancestors. They helped our countrymen reclaim the land, and their strategies gave birth to modern tactics. But they kept to the shadows as they aided the Hero King, and history has revealed that each time your ancestors came out of hiding there was a war.”

“That can’t be...”

“Do you remember a long time ago, you once spoke with me about the strategy I used during the Continental Highway War? The reason I became so renowned for that was thanks to the outlandish schemes your grandfather—Eduard—came up with.”

So that’s the reason my grandfather was so well acquainted with General Bakula?

The old man’s lips peeled back in a self-deprecating smile. “Well, I am proud to say it wasn’t just his tactics that claimed us victory. But without his help, who knows if we would have really won or not. That’s the truth. You Bernsteins don’t invest much pride in your abilities. Your grandfather’s distaste for attention is the reason why I’ve received all the credit for that success.”

His single, mahogany-colored eye narrowed on me, pain flickering across it. Searching his gaze, I found concern and the deep affection I was so used to receiving from him.

“I’ve got no idea what Eduard’s thinking,” he continued. “Maybe he never dreamed his granddaughter would fall for the kingdom’s prince. Or maybe he’s got something else in mind. I have no way of knowing. But Elianna, you’ve been pushing for peace these past four years, so you must understand what I’m saying. I’ve seen what war looks like, and I don’t want you to go through that. If I’ve got to be the villain in order to protect you, I’ll do it with honor.”

My vision swam as my head continued to spin. In contrast, Grandpa Teddy remained perfectly calm, his eye steadily trained on me.

“I’m going to make my opposition to your engagement public,” he said.

I sucked in a breath.

If he were to do such a thing, the country would be split in two. Earl Hayden had already expressed his support for our union, and we had come so far to get here. Now the Battle God of the East, General Bakula, was going to oppose us publicly? The military faction at the palace had gained momentum recently. If the nobles weren’t unified in support of us, it could be catastrophic.

My whole body jumped as it hit me.

I see what he’s feeling so apprehensive about...

“It’s the Malduran delegation,” I said, more to myself than Uncle Teddy. “With them visiting, the push for a stronger military is gaining momentum within the kingdom. You’re afraid this is going to transition into war, aren’t you?”

The Bernsteins’ past role in politics and the historical results were weighing on him. His anxieties were only heightened by our long-time enemy sending a delegation here. As a seasoned military general, he had cultivated a keen nose for sniffing out potential conflict. He must have sensed war on the horizon. His opposition here was his attempt to nip one of those seeds of discord in the bud. All of it was to protect Sauslind’s people.

Grandpa Teddy’s worries were the exact same as mine. The only difference was the course of action he’d decided to take to combat them.

His expression was both bitter and grim—a complex range of emotions I couldn’t entirely decipher. “Eli girl... If I had the choice, I’d never do this to you. I’m partly to blame for being quiet these four years. I didn’t want to damage your honor. I wanted to take care of this as neatly as possible. There’s still time to do that. All you have to do is give up on Prince Christopher.” He spoke softly, voice filled with compassion as he implored me.

I wanted to protest, but I was in no state to make sound, logical arguments. Unrestrained emotions were welling up with me.

Give up on the prince? Now that our love is mutual? After everything we’ve gone through, all the promises we’ve made to each other, all of the things we’ve discussed? When a future with just the two of us is standing right before me?

For a moment, I held my breath, feeling overwhelmed.

A breathless voice interrupted. “Wait just a moment, General Bakula.” Lord Alexei was standing there, his hair slightly disheveled. Normally he was the picture of composure, but at present he was gasping for air. He must have been searching everywhere for us.

Soon enough, he managed to compose himself, resuming the usual tight-laced demeanor to which I was accustomed.

“His Highness is already aware of the things you mentioned.”

“What...?” The words practically fell out of my mouth.

Lord Alexei’s icy blue eyes glanced at me, and he sighed, as if he’d been listening to our conversation the entire time. “The prince would never go into anything unprepared, least of all when it involves Lady Elianna. He’s known about her family’s hidden name and its meaning for years.”

Grandpa Teddy’s eye narrowed.

Lord Alexei flashed him a cold smile. It reminded me of the same one the prince had worn on his face when he’d faced Grandpa Teddy before, looking confident and composed.

“I’ll convey what the prince said to me verbatim: ‘Old men tend to get carried away with their superstitions and believe in them blindly. If you’ve lost the backbone necessary to bet on a better future for the rest of us, then I would recommend you live out the remainder of your days in the tranquil countryside. It would be a better use of your time than spreading baseless anxiety to the people around you.’”

The general was silent.

Though I might have been ignorant when it came to diplomatic language among nobility, even I noticed the passive aggressive undertone there and had to suck in a breath. The prince was telling Grandpa Teddy, in no uncertain terms, to retire.

I was also struck by how confident the prince sounded, calling it “superstition” and “baseless anxiety.” This was a serious issue regarding my house and the history of our kingdom. Although he wasn’t here with me, his words filled me with strength. Determination boiled in my gut.

The prince is always protecting me.

“Hmph.” Grandpa Teddy snorted at him. “He might be wet behind the ears, but he can talk a good game, eh? No matter what move he makes, I don’t intend to change my mind. I will oppose his engagement to Eli girl.”

“That’s your choice to make, General. I do, however, question whether the fuss you will inevitably stir by doing so will have the desired effect or not. You’ll only be drawing even more attention to the Bernsteins through your actions.”

My eyes widened. Of course! If the Bernsteins’ role in the past were to be made public, that would only encourage the military faction to take our side. However, given that Grandpa Teddy wanted to avoid war and keep us from being the target of other nobles’ greed, that result ran contrary to what he hoped to accomplish.

The general’s expression remained grave. He opened his mouth to speak, but a sudden burst of noise in the background cut him off.

~.~.~.~

As we neared the room where the fuss had originated, we bumped into the earl just outside. Apparently he’d heard the commotion, too. He sneered the second he spotted Lord Alexei, and his face only grew more severe as he stepped through the door.

“What in the world was all that noise?”

Duchess Rosalia was already inside, seated gracefully in a chair. The earl had kept his voice down out of consideration for her, but by his tone, it was evident he wasn’t pleased with what he saw.

“My dear,” his wife remarked in surprise, her voice trembling. She had her hands pressed against Lady Isabelle’s shoulders, holding her back as she stood not far from where Duchess Rosalia was seated. A shattered teacup lay at their feat.

Lilia, who had been in the room from the beginning, slipped over to me and tried to explain the situation. Unfortunately, she didn’t get a chance—a voice filled with unrestrained resentment interrupted her.

“She said I have ‘lowborn blood’!” Isabelle shrieked. “I don’t care that she’s a duchess. That was absolutely unacceptable!”

“Oh goodness,” Duchess Rosalia remarked coldly, her voice as graceful as ever. “I merely said, ‘It makes me question one’s lineage when they’re incapable of conducting themselves in accordance with their noble status.’ I was enjoying some tea with the countess when you, for some reason, bullied your way in. I thought the countess was the lady of this house. Was I mistaken?”

“I’m a part of the earl’s house, too! And I’ve been here a lot longer than the countess has!”

Duchess Rosalia exhaled quietly. The frigid expression on her face made it clear she was done with this conversation since the other side had no intention of listening.

The countess went pale as her husband sighed in exasperation and instructed servants to clean up the broken porcelain.

Incensed at being rebuked and ignored, Lady Isabelle blurted out, “I’m not lying, you know! I really am a member of this household. My father was the late earl!”

Silence fell across the room as everyone stared at her in disbelief, awestruck.

It was the earl who spoke up first, sounding tired of his cousin’s antics. “Isabelle, enough of this. You should know very well there are some things that shouldn’t be said.”

“And what if it’s the truth?!” she bellowed at him, sounding like an irate child as her voice echoed through the room. “My mother told me as much before she died! My father really was the late earl. But he passed before my mother, so he wasn’t able to officially recognize me as his own. I’m telling you, it’s true! I really am a member of this house!”

The air in the room went completely still this time. The earl wore a mix of surprise and skepticism on his face, clearly rattled by the accusation.

“And your proof is?” asked Duchess Rosalia, voice like winter frost. “Such a claim is easy to make. If you don’t possess convincing proof, however, then your words are nothing more than slander against nobility. That crime applies regardless of whether you’re an earl’s cousin or not.”

My heart ached hearing her say that. The matter of legitimacy struck a bit close to home for the duchess, given all the doubt surrounding Prince Theodore’s parentage. It was little wonder why she had no patience for it.

Lady Isabelle’s head snapped up. “Of course I have proof!” Her voice was strong with conviction as she spun around and started to stride out of the room.

Before she made it to the door, one of the house’s servants stopped her. “Here you are!” the man sang in a cheery voice as he held out a painting toward her.

“How did you know about this...?” Lady Isabelle’s eyes widened in shock.

“Don’t worry too much about that. I heard you were taking special care of it, so I merely guessed this was the proof you were referring to.” He shrugged, feigning innocence. “Was I wrong? Do you not need it?”

She swiped the portrait from his hands and proudly turned it toward Duchess Rosalia and Countess Ralshen. “This is it! Sean what’s-his-name, that author guy, drew this piece. My mother said she received it from the late earl. It portrays the water lilies on Layshen Lake, and water lilies are part of the earl’s family crest. I know it isn’t as if a famous artist painted this, but the fact remains he gave my mother something with his family’s crest painted on it. This is surely proof that I carry his blood in my veins.”

Even the earl couldn’t dismiss a claim this serious as a simple emotional outburst.

“Why didn’t you say anything sooner?” he demanded.

“Well...” Her voice trailed off as she lost all the bravado she’d had moments ago.

Realization dawned on the earl’s face. “Don’t tell me,” he gasped, eyes coloring with a very different kind of suspicion. “Back then, it seemed like something was weighing on Lindsey. I was sure it had to be her engagement to Alexei Strasser, but...could it be that you...?”

“No!” Lady Isabelle blurted, fumbling desperately to explain. “I didn’t do anything! Yes, okay, I did talk to Lindsey about this. I knew how bad she was with high society, so I told her I would be a much better pick for Lord Alexei’s fiancée. I said that I had the same qualifications she did. But that was it! I didn’t actually do anything to her!”

In other words, now the suspicion hung over us that Lady Lindsey’s death wasn’t simply because of a freak accident after all.

My eyes widened in surprise as I took in the events unfolding before me. The earl continued to drill his cousin for more answers, and in the meantime, my gaze wandered to the portrait she was holding. That’s when I noticed something. “Oh my...” I cleared my throat. “Excuse me?”

Their eyes were filled with emotion as they whipped their heads around to look at me. I almost flinched and backed away, but the truth needed to be said, so I forced myself to continue.

“The flowers on that portrait are not water lilies.”

“What?” The two of them regarded me with suspicion, and they weren’t alone; the whole room was peering over at me skeptically.

Lady Isabelle sneered. “What are you talking about? These are obviously water lilies. Are you blind? If you’re that ignorant, keep your mouth shut.”

“Um... They’re lotuses.”

“Excuse me?” Her voice hitched with anger.

Lord Alexei snapped his fingers, realizing where I was going. “The lotus, yes. I’ve heard it’s a symbol of a foreign religion. It’s from the same family as the water lily, isn’t it?”

I shook my head. “No, it’s from a different family. They tend to be found in the great southern continent and the far east, but as you pointed out, they do look quite similar to water lilies. I found them both drawn side by side in a certain theologian’s writings.”

Suddenly, I recalled some other information and added, “The lotus has a wide variety of uses. The roots are edible and you can even make tea leaves from them. I read that they’re effective in easing mental strain for people who are pregnant or have anxious thoughts. Perhaps you should have some imported for Lady Therese?”

His lips thinned in a rare, strained smile. “She and her husband are the ones putting mental strain on everyone else around them. I see no reason to import tea leaves from a distant land when the matter would be solved by them learning some prudence.”

I shrank under the intensity of his cold gaze.

Oh dear, it seems I stuck my nose where it didn’t belong.

“Hold on a minute!” Lady Isabelle’s indignant voice boomed around us. “I don’t care how similar they look. You have no proof that this is a lotus and not a water lily. This is a portrait my mother received from the late earl, and she cared for it greatly. Don’t insult it!” She glowered at me, desperate to protect the sanctity of the art she’d relied upon for years as mental support.

I hesitated on whether to dispute the matter further, but since I’d already discredited her claim, it was my responsibility to see this through.

“There is a way to tell them apart. A water lily has sharp, pointed petals, while the lotus does not. Also, you can see there are water droplets on top of the leaf. Lotus leaves are water repellent. You can seek an expert’s opinion, if you like. They can tell you for certain.”

Lady Isabelle dropped her gaze to the picture, looking utterly crestfallen. All the confidence she’d had before was crumbling away. “Then...why...?” She sounded like a lost child, puzzled over the mystery before her. “Why would he give a picture like this to my mother? And then, why did she...”

My heart ached for her as I recalled the portraits I’d observed in the corridor earlier. The earl’s family had looked so close in each one. This was merely my opinion, but I suspected Lady Isabelle’s mother had been jealous of that. They had enjoyed a happiness that she hadn’t. She must have wanted the same for herself.

Lady Isabelle’s mother had also been very sickly, which might have been a factor. When people were weak of body or mind, they often looked for something to cling to. In the process, she must have convinced the young Lady Isabelle that her delusions were reality—“You are the earl’s daughter.”

Someone like the late earl, who was a patron for no-name artists and helped them climb their way up in the world, would not have hidden her parentage if she truly had been his daughter. At least, that was my personal opinion.

Although it meant revealing my embarrassing obsession with the author who’d created the portrait in question, this piece had value to it, and I felt it important Lady Isabelle knew that.

“There are many amongst the nobility who appreciate Sean Markeld’s work. A number of them collect the works of famous authors, composers, and artists. Personal items such as this would fetch a high price with those people. I suspect the late earl gave it to your mother in case either of you ever found yourselves in financial trouble.”

“I don’t believe it...” Lady Isabelle sank to the floor, her legs giving out from beneath her.

Next it was the earl’s chance to pose his questions. “So was Lindsey’s death really an accident? Or did she take her own life because Isabelle cornered her? Which is it?” He looked at me expectantly.

I drew my brows, at a loss for how to answer that. In regards to Lady Lindsey’s death, there was such a dearth of information that I couldn’t possibly draw any conclusion with confidence.

Another, hesitant voice expelled a sigh before saying, “I think I may be the one at fault for Lady Lindsey’s passing.”

Surprised, everyone turned to look at Lord Alexei.

He dropped his gaze to the floor, voice turning nostalgic as he recalled the past. “That day, I came here to retrieve her so we could ride to the capital together for the wedding. The two of us had barely spoken outside of our first meeting, but I thought we would have plenty of time after the ceremony. I only learned afterward that she’d been troubled over something. It’s my fault for not realizing that sooner and talking to her.”

As he sincerely accepted responsibility for his part in her death, Lord Alexei somehow seemed like a vulnerable little boy. There was no trace of the ice demon everyone whispered about in the palace.

Before the earl could butt in, I spoke up. “What were the last words the two of you shared?”

Lord Alexei gave me a suspicious look. “Lady Lindsey wasn’t the type to lead a conversation.” He paused, giving my question serious consideration as he tried to recall the answer. “She asked me if I would accept white water lilies from her. Said it was a present one gave to their betrothed.”

“And how did you answer?”

“Well...she was my fiancée. I told her I’d gladly accept them.” He furrowed his brows, worried he’d somehow screwed up back then by saying that.

I found their exchange endearing, but at the same time, there was something bittersweet and painful about realizing the feelings of the departed. My chest swelled with emotion.

“Most of the water lilies in Layshen Lake are either crimson or some similar hue,” I said. “Completely white ones are said to be exceptionally rare and precious. They represent a pure heart.”

Lady Lindsey had wanted to present Lord Alexei with said flower. She must have gone out to the lake to pick it herself, rather than leave the task to a servant or anyone else. After all, she was going to give it to her fiancé. It was a representation of her commitment to their future together.

And, most likely...

I didn’t continue that thought any further, but Lady Isabelle could imagine what I was thinking. Her tears fell one after the other. As she sobbed, the countess gently embraced her. The young earl, in the meanwhile, went completely silent.

Curious, Lilia asked me in a whisper, “About that author, Mister Sean...why did he draw lotuses instead of water lilies?”

“Well...” I paused, reflecting on his writings. “He did write a book on religion. Perhaps that’s why he thought to use the lotus instead.”

Even after that, I continued to mull the matter over in my head. There was something that had been weighing on me for a long time, and I felt like I was on the cusp of fitting all the pieces together.

Religion and a flower...

Beside me, Lilia mumbled, “He came all the way to a lake famous for its water lilies only to draw something else? Sounds like a crazy eccentric to me.”

A soft laugh filled the air, quiet enough not to disrupt the atmosphere in the room. When I looked up, Duchess Rosalia was smiling at me the way she only did with those to whom she was closest.

“With you in our midst, the royal family’s secrets may all be unraveled someday.” The way she spoke, it was as if she prayed that would be the case. However, in the next moment, her smile faded and she collapsed forward, tumbling out of her chair.

“Duchess Rosalia!”

“Mother!”

Lord Alexei and I both rushed toward her. The way she was struggling to breathe made it hard to believe she’d been sitting in her chair like a regal noblewoman this entire time. Now she looked as though she might faint entirely at any moment. I was impressed by the grit it must have required to endure this long, but I was also frustrated at myself for not realizing sooner.

Come to think of it, stirring up such a fuss wasn’t in Duchess Rosalia’s character to begin with. She wasn’t the type to clash with other people. She always conducted herself with grace befitting her social position. Perhaps she’d been ill this entire time.

“Call a doctor,” Lord Alexei instructed.

In my head, it felt like all the information I had collected was finally coming together.

It can’t be.

A chill ran through me, my hands trembling as I reached for Duchess Rosalia’s arm.

“Please pardon me for doing this,” I said as I rolled up her sleeve. Hidden under the fabric was a bright red rash. Seeing it felt like a sharp blow to the gut, and I swallowed hard.

“Lady Elianna?” Lord Alexei quirked a brow at me, but I couldn’t answer him.

A red rash wasn’t an uncommon cold symptom. But...there could be a chance...

“Earl Ralshen, I know your region has a large number of business dealings with the neighboring Azul Region. But do you also have transactions with the Diana company? Or any companies that are connected with them?”

“The Diana company?” He hesitated, wracking his brain. After a moment, he shrunk back and said, “No, I don’t think so. That company is...”

Lord Alexei’s stiff voice cut him off. “You can’t mean what I think you do.”

Said company was famous in the capital and in the west.

“I’m not certain yet,” I said, shaking my head. The two of us worked together to carry the duchess to a separate room.

But we have to do something to confirm whether my suspicions are true or not, I thought, my mind working at breakneck speed.

“Lord Alan,” I said, “tell the doctor to use pomelo fruit or some other highly acidic fruit juice and soak her hand in it so we can diagnose her. Do the same for everyone else in the earl’s house who has been complaining of cold symptoms.”

“Understood,” said the manservant who had carried in Lady Isabelle’s portrait before. His shoulders fell as he said, “You know, I’ve already given up hope. I knew you wouldn’t recognize me. That’s right, I’m actually Alan—wait, did you say my name?!”

The young man, with his honey-colored hair and sharp emerald green eyes, did his own bizarre comedy routine before scrambling to obey my instructions.

“Yes, right away!”

I watched as he darted out of the room, and then I clasped my hands together, praying that these fears were unfounded.