ETCHY 07

Chapter 07

As Crescentia completely removed the cloak she had been wearing, the Grand Duchess quickly scanned the dress she had on. Upon seeing the magnificent dress, lavishly adorned with lace made by Regina’s craftsmen, the Grand Duchess’s face was filled with astonishment.

“Wh-what… how…”

“Madam. You called for me?”

“Tea, bring tea. Evalt black tea. Hurry!”

The Grand Duchess, who had been staring blankly at Crescentia, frantically waved her hand as the butler arrived. After the butler left to prepare the tea, she completely changed her expression and put on a kind smile. The Grand Duchess elegantly bowed her head and greeted her demurely.

“It is an honor to welcome the Star of Regina. I am Helena von Peter, Grand Duchess of Peter.”

“Pleasure to meet you, Grand Duchess.”

“Please, call me Helena. If you would wait just a moment, I will have tea served. The tea made from leaves harvested in Evalt has the finest flavor. It is considered a top-grade product even within the Empire.”

“Ah… thank you.”

“Did you know that the Peter family’s territory, Evalt, is a black tea producing region? I heard you are departing today, shall I pack some tea for you? No, no, I will have it sent to you via a servant.”

Crescentia smiled awkwardly at the Grand Duchess’s non-stop chatter. She had only shown her face because she was being treated like a peddler, but the situation was taking an odd turn.

“I have no intention of taking away the precious treasure of the Ducal House. I just stopped by briefly because I have something to deliver to the Grand Duke.”

“You have come all this way, but you should at least have a cup of tea. Sending a guest away empty-handed is something that would never happen in the Peter household.”

“Then I will just have a taste.”

“You’ve made a wise choice!”

Just moments ago, she had been trying to drive Crescentia away, but now the noble lady was acting as if that had never happened, fluttering about.

Since it was Crescentia who had breached etiquette first, she had no excuse even if she was treated coldly. Still, the sudden change in attitude, as if flipping her hand over, was rather disconcerting.

“By the way, what is it that Her Highness the Princess wishes to deliver to the Grand Duke?”

“I would like to deliver it in person. Is the Grand Duke going to be away from the mansion all day today?”

“Today? Well…”

“No.”

The Grand Duchess, who had been visibly flustered when asked about her son’s schedule, suddenly turned her head. Following her gaze, Crescentia absentmindedly looked towards the door and saw the one who had interjected, her eyes widening.

“Have you come to see me?”

Erich said with a relaxed smile. Her heart pounded at his appearance.

“Yes…”

“Erich, you’re here?”

Erich gave a dry nod to the Grand Duchess’s warm welcome. Just then, maids filed in carrying a tea set. Crescentia stared at Erich as the teacups were being arranged. He stood there, receiving the sunlight streaming through the large window, looking magnificent. Today he was wearing a dark green uniform. Crescentia only then noticed the faint green light shimmering in his black hair.

There were probably countless other things she didn’t know about Erich. Crescentia’s heart ached at the thought that she would have to part ways without having a chance to learn more about him.

“When I heard a guest had arrived, I wondered who it could be. It was Her Highness the Princess.”

Erich strode over with his long legs and placed his hand on his mother’s shoulder. The sight of mother and son together looked like a family portrait. Seeing them look like a complete family, even with just the two of them, Crescentia felt a sense of incongruity.

‘Did the former Duke pass away early?’

As Crescentia was lost in thought, Erich spoke to the Grand Duchess in a languid tone.

“Would you excuse us, Mother?”

“Still, we should at least serve tea.”

“I’ll take care of it myself. She’s my guest.”

“…Very well.”

The Grand Duchess, who had been bickering with Erich, soon raised the white flag, perhaps mindful of Crescentia’s gaze. As she left the reception room, Erich signaled to the attendant. At the master’s instruction, the servants all left at once, leaving only Erich and Crescentia in the reception room.

Erich took a seat right next to her. As the large man sat down with his weight, the plush sofa cushion bounced. Crescentia, swayed by the movement, swallowed hard.

It was too close. Close enough to be against etiquette. Close enough to once again savor his scent.

“I thought you would have been on the ship by now.”

Erich spoke, fixing his gaze on Crescentia. Unlike her, he seemed to have no thoughts about this distance. Crescentia took a small breath and pulled out the handkerchief she had brought from her bosom.

“I came to return this.”

“……”

“Thank you. Take care.”

“……”

“Would it be alright if I wrote to you from time to time? I would love for the Grand Duke to visit Regina, but I suppose that’s too much to ask. Since there’s the distance.”

Erich silently listened to Crescentia’s words, spoken as she mustered her courage. He stared at her fixedly, then let out a soft chuckle.

“Is that all? The reason Her Highness came all the way here?”

“I wanted to say goodbye. Because we won’t see each other again.”

“I see. Understood. Please go safely.”

Erich answered Crescentia’s response expressionlessly and turned his head away. Feeling anxious at the cold farewell, she swallowed dryly. She had finally managed to meet him, and she didn’t want to part with such a hollow goodbye. She wanted to know at least one more thing about him. She wanted to have a few more memories to recall him by later.

And she wanted to make sure he wouldn’t forget her.

“Erich.”

Crescentia mustered her courage and called out the Grand Duke’s name. Startled by the sound of his name coming from her lips, he turned his gaze back. Crescentia extended her pale hand and grasped the man’s thick forearm.

As Erich looked down at his captured arm, she pressed her lips to his with a trembling heart. Their lips gently touched, then softly parted. Crescentia, her face flushed red, whispered.

“Let’s meet again later… mmph!”

She had been about to speak. Until Erich pulled her back.

Erich kissed Crescentia and laid her down long on the sofa. Even as she flailed in surprise, he persistently explored her mouth. Crescentia breathed heavily each time the angle of their locked lips changed. A firm body pushed through the hem of the thin summer dress, and a heavy weight settled over her.

Crescentia embraced him willingly.

This is the end. Thinking this would be the last time, everything felt good and bittersweet.

Crescentia spread her legs so that their bodies could be pressed tightly together. And the next moment, at the warmth of a large hand pushing into her skirt, her eyes flew wide open.

“Huh…!”

Crescentia’s flustered cry was swallowed in Erich’s mouth. He caressed her slender leg with a heated hand. At his touch, Crescentia fidgeted, not knowing what to do. Having never been touched by a man before, tears welled up in her eyes from the shock.

Erich, noticing the tears forming in her pinkish-crimson eyes, withdrew his hand and raised his upper body. As their pressed-together bodies separated, Crescentia felt a sense of emptiness as she looked up at him.

Erich looked down at the silver-haired princess gasping beneath him and frantically loosened his cravat. With an expression of discomfort, he took off his jacket, grabbed the top of his shirt, and ruthlessly pulled it apart. At the rough motion, buttons popped off with a *plink*, revealing his broad chest.

“You said you came to say goodbye.”

Erich said, chewing over the words, and gave a savage smile. In a voice that inexplicably seemed filled with anger, he continued.

“We won’t see each other again, so you’ll write letters…? Talk of friendship.”

One corner of Erich’s mouth curled up, and he gave a wolfish grin. He messily tousled the hair he had neatly swept back and flashed his eyes.

“Your Highness, you’re toying with me until the very end.”

“You misunderstand. I never intended to…”

“Be honest with yourself. You want me.”