ETCHY 01

Chapter 01

*BOOM!*

Fireworks shot up into the clear sky, and the cheers of the crowd noisily filled the open square.

Today was the day of the Artur Empire’s exposition.

A grand occasion to showcase the empire’s reforms and new technologies, hosting distinguished guests invited from across the continent.

“That carriage procession is quite long. I wonder where the carriage carrying the Princess of Regina is by now.”

A blond man seated at the head of the welcome booth at the exposition entrance spoke to the man on his left.

The Emperor, wearing a golden crown atop his blond hair, exchanged nods with the envoys and continued.

“I must make sure to greet the Princess of Regina personally.”

“Do you have some business with the Princess?”

The Grand Duke straightened his posture at the Emperor’s words and asked. Just the change in his position drew faint gasps from the women among the spectators.

Erich von Peter, Grand Duke—the Emperor’s right hand.

How many songs and poems of the empire praise him?

The trials he endured to claim his dukedom, the achievements he accomplished afterward, and above all, his striking appearance—

Everything about him became lyrics for songs and verses of poetry.

The Grand Duke’s intense golden eyes were set in slightly upturned corners, giving him a sharp image. The brow bones that cast shadows above them created an exotic, distinctive aura.

“Ahh, Your Excellency the Grand Duke!”

“Lord Erich!”

Young ladies of marriageable age called out desperately, vying for Erich’s attention.

His gaze, indifferent as it swept over those calling his name, paused at one spot. The young lady who received his attention sprang up from her seat and cried out.

“Lord Erich! It’s me, Philippina!”

“…Lady Sander.”

Erich nodded with a formal greeting.

At that, the envious gazes of the other young ladies converged on Philippina Sander. With a triumphant expression, Philippina waved her hand grandly and placed it over her heart.

But Erich did not wait for her to finish her salute.

As he casually turned his head away, Philippina’s face flushed with embarrassment. Seeing this, David spoke with amusement.

“For the stiff-necked Marquis Sander to send his granddaughter to such a crowded event—how unusual.”

“Yes, well.”

Erich answered indifferently. It was clear that Philippina was of no concern to him. Reading his mood, David steered the conversation back to its original course.

“I have no particular business with the Princess of Regina. I just want to confirm a rumor.”

“A rumor?”

Erich raised an eyebrow and asked back. Curiosity flickered across his usually impassive face, and David grinned.

“They say the Reginan royals all have silver hair and are breathtakingly beautiful. But the Reginans never cross the Carola Sea to come to the empire, so today is my chance.”

“Ah, that rumor.”

At David’s explanation, Erich’s face once again lost all expression. Having quickly lost interest, Erich spoke in a bored tone.

“I thought you were referring to Regina’s declaration that they would not adopt new technologies.”

“The Princess is just a goodwill envoy, isn’t she? What’s the point of discussing that?”

“Such a simple visit is disappointing. Exporting engines to Regina could be quite profitable.”

“More talk of investments?”

David clicked his tongue lightly at his friend’s dry response.

“Honestly, you have no interest in anything but investments and reforms, do you? What a dull way to live.”

“Those are what matter most to me.”

Erich replied calmly. As they conversed, the moment had come for the carriage of the Reginan royal family to open its doors.

“Presenting Her Highness Crescentia de Lodovini, Princess of the Kingdom of Regina!”

At the herald’s proclamation, the carriage door that had arrived at the entrance swung open. The Emperor’s unusual interest drew Erich’s focus to the princess’s appearance as well.

Amid the welcoming crowd, a silver-haired woman descended from the carriage, escorted by a knight. With an elegant posture, she offered her respects to the distant Emperor.

Her layered skirt fluttered slightly, and her beautiful silver hair glittered dazzlingly in the sunlight.

The crowd that had gathered to view the exposition murmured among themselves at the sight of the Reginan princess.

“Wow…”

“Is that silver hair real?”

“How can she look like that?”

The uniquely pure silver hair, said to belong only to the Reginan royals on the continent. And cherry-blossom-colored eyes.

Even that alone would have been a remarkable sight, but the princess’s striking beauty added an air of unreality. She possessed a peculiar beauty that seemed to hover on the border between girl and woman.

As if she were not an ordinary human—a beauty that evoked the illusion that some being from another world had drifted in.

Those who had eagerly awaited the Reginan princess’s appearance were captivated by a splendor that exceeded their expectations.

The Emperor, David, was no exception.

“…Indeed.”

David, upon seeing Crescentia, raised an eyebrow and gave a brief appraisal. He nudged his friend with his elbow and whispered.

“Well?”

“She certainly has silver hair.”

Erich said flatly as he gazed steadily at the princess. His face showed no sign of any emotion. At his friend’s tepid reaction, David made a baffled expression.

David had known Erich since their academy days. And throughout that time, Erich had never changed.

It was reassuring that his loyalty and friendship toward David remained constant. However, his stone-like indifference toward women was regrettable.

Many young ladies, including Philippina Sander, had all but thrown themselves at Erich over the years. Yet he remained unmoved.

What was wrong with a man not being dissolute?

But when the head of a great house shows no interest in women well past marriageable age, that was a different matter.

Erich was not only the Grand Duke of the empire but also the Emperor’s closest confidant. The successful introduction of new technologies and reforms that David had pushed forward was possible only because of Erich’s active support.

David, newly ascended to the throne, had many long-cherished projects he wished to accomplish.

The introduction of new technologies was merely the beginning.

The new Emperor David needed more support and power. To that end, Erich’s backing needed to be even more firmly established.

For a noble to expand their influence, nothing was better than marriage. What could strengthen the bonds between houses more effectively?

But how could one compel a man with no interest in women to marry?

Of course, if it were an imperial command, Erich would comply without complaint. But then it would clearly become a marriage no different from a mere contract—and its binding power would be just as weak.

So Erich had to be attached to some woman, by any means. Preferably to a woman from a powerful house, with great influence.

“Hmm…”

David watched the Reginan princess, who was entering the exposition hall amid cheers, his eyes gleaming with interest.

The beloved jewel of the Reginan king—a naive princess, so gently raised that she had only now set foot outside her kingdom for the first time at twenty-two.

“Erich, I have a favor to ask. Will you hear me?”

“Speak.”

“I’d like you to persuade the princess. To get the conservative Reginan royals interested in new technologies. Wouldn’t it be good to open the door for exports while we have this opportunity?”

At David’s proposal, Erich tilted his head slightly to the side. With an expression that suggested he didn’t quite understand the imperial command, he replied.

“You said the princess is merely a goodwill envoy.”

“And you said exporting engines to Regina would be profitable, didn’t you?”

At David’s retort, Erich gazed at the entrance of the exposition hall. David whispered, as Erich’s gaze seemed to trace the princess’s already-vanished path.

“Surely you’re not lacking in confidence?”

Erich did not answer hastily but fell into thought. Even so, David continued to test him.

“If you can’t do it, you may refuse. This isn’t an imperial command, but a request. Though I suppose it might be too much for you—you even have difficulty conversing with women. It’s probably beyond you.”

At David’s provocation, Erich, who had been sitting quietly, twisted the corner of his mouth.

What was the big deal about charming one woman?

He had no interest in women, but there had never been a woman who showed no interest in him.

He had simply hesitated for a moment, considering whether to play along, since David’s intention to pair him with the princess was all too obvious. Erich let out a short laugh and spoke.

“I’m not so socially inept that I can’t speak with women.”

“Aren’t you? I thought you were. You avoid all women.”

“I can’t afford to be misunderstood, then.”

Erich’s deliberation was brief.

After David ascended the throne, Erich’s daily life had become peaceful. Indulging David’s little games in this tediously peaceful time didn’t seem like a bad idea.

Especially if those games could benefit the Grand Ducal House’s business interests.

“Very well. You can see for yourself at the imperial ball whether I’m a social incompetent or not.”

“But the imperial ball is after the princess returns to Regina, isn’t it?”

“Yes. But the princess will postpone her departure.”

“Why?”

At the unexpected prediction, David’s eyes went wide. Erich spoke to him in a confident tone.

“Because she will need to attend the ball with me.”