ETCHY 10

Chapter 10

The Princess was, in herself, a resource with many uses. Not just many—she was overflowing with potential.

The cigar was especially pungent today.

Erich savored the deep oak aroma of the cigar and exhaled a plume of smoke. David, uncharacteristically, raised an objection.

“That’s impossible. How do you plan to marry the Princess of Regina when she’s there?”

As the Emperor said, marriage to the Princess of Regina was an impossible feat. It might have been a different story if she were in the Empire right now.

Although he was physically far from the Princess now, the distance would only make her heart grow fonder.

Wasn’t that a table set perfectly for him?

Erich was no fool to pass this up. He leisurely stubbed out his cigar and glanced at Florian.

“Florian, what about you?”

“I…”

“Do you also think I’ll fail?”

What kind of man was Erich von Peter?

He had casually accomplished things everyone said were impossible. Abolishing discrimination against the Ezats, placing David on the throne, and stirring the winds of reform across the Empire.

Hadn’t all of it been driven by Erich’s will?

Surely, that same Erich couldn’t fail to have a marriage go his way.

“I think… you’ll succeed.”

At Florian’s conclusion, Erich’s eyes gleamed with amusement. Yet deep beneath that surface, cold anger stirred.

His eyes, like molten gold, took on a deeper, more intense hue.

—

*’What’s your name?’*

A silver-haired girl came to Erich’s mind. A princess who had lived in a fairy-tale world, isolated from the harsh outside world. That naive innocence—more fascinated by a new toy than pitying a dirt-covered slave boy—had been utterly revolting.

—

*’Is it tasty? You look like a puppy, so cute.’*

The hothouse princess had treated the ravenous boy, stuffing cookies into his mouth in desperation, as a spectacle. Without a single thought for how profound an humiliation it would leave etched in the boy’s memory.

As Erich drew deeply on his cigar, the image of a mature woman overlapped the girl’s face. The same naive woman, as ignorant of the world as she had been in childhood, spoke in a rather stern tone.

—

*’If I go off on my own, my ladies-in-waiting and knight will worry.’*

Erich’s eyes narrowed as he exhaled a long stream of smoke.

Worry?

What reason did her attendants and knight have to worry about the Princess? If anything, they would be worried about being reprimanded for losing her.

*’Using that trivial excuse to play the benevolent master again, is she?’*

Even years later, her attitude remained the same—acting as if a few pieces of cookie were some great act of charity. Seeing her still so immature and naive, those around her must have pampered her endlessly.

The smoke Erich exhaled spread wide, drifting over the face of the imaginary woman. As her face was completely obscured, Erich reached a mischievous conclusion.

This time, it would be *he*, not she, who would play with the other.

“Your Imperial Majesty believes I cannot marry the Princess?”

“… ”

“Let’s make a bet. I’ll wager the ‘Angel’s Light’ on my victory.”

“What?”

Florian’s voice rose loud enough to escape the office. David also gaped, clearly not expecting this. The jewel that had been the highlight of the recent Exposition, the pink diamond ‘Angel’s Light’. He was betting that.

A moment of silence passed. David, his expression unreadable, then curled the corners of his mouth as if encountering a worthy gamble.

“Fine. If you succeed in marrying the Princess of Regina, I’ll provide you with the site for the steamship engine factory.”

“I hope you won’t regret it.”

Erich replied, matching David’s enthusiastic tone. His golden eyes, betraying no emotion, gleamed with resolve.

“After all, I will marry the Princess.”

*To Erich.*

*Erich, how are you? It’s Crescentia. I wonder if you’re tired of my daily letters. But writing to you has become my only solace these days, so please understand.*

*It’s already been a week since we parted. Perhaps because we didn’t have a proper farewell, it still doesn’t feel real that we’ve parted. It’s strange to think we’re no longer on the same ground.*

*Sometimes, my time in the Empire feels like a dream. Time in Regina flows as it always has, and everyone is just as they were before—yet I feel like I’m the only one who has changed so much.*

*What is this feeling, this hollowness in my heart? Just your absence makes Regina feel like a dull place.*

*What about you? Does the Empire feel empty without me? Do you think of me sometimes?*

*I took a walk in the garden today. Hilda insisted I get some fresh air. I went reluctantly, but I’m glad I did. Marigolds, the color of your eyes, were blooming in abundance on the hill behind the garden. The sight of golden flowers stretching endlessly was truly beautiful. I wish you could have seen it, Erich.*

*How wonderful it would have been to smell the flowers with you. I’m sending a flower along with this letter, though I regret I can’t share the scent with you. By the time it reaches the Empire, the golden hue of the petals will likely have faded, but please keep it as a token of my heart.*

*And though I know you are terribly busy, that you have many matters to attend to—if it’s not too much trouble, I would appreciate a reply, just so I know you are well.*

*I will be waiting for a reply from the Empire, whenever it may come.*

*Lodovini Year 183, June 13th.*

*Missing you, Tia.*

—

*To my beloved Erich,*

*I’m writing to you again, waiting for your reply. Please don’t fault me for being impatient. Waiting a full fifteen days was difficult enough.*

*It seems my patience only extends this far. I find it hard to control myself when it comes to anything related to you. I’m not usually like this, you know. Perhaps it’s because my memories with you are so vivid. You might laugh if you heard this, but I’ve never really had close conversations or been intimate with a man before.*

*Maybe that’s why. Sometimes I recall the day of the lighting ceremony. And the events at the Grand Ducal Residence.*

*…I’m sorry, that was a lie. Actually, I recall them often. They were such momentous events for me. Everything I did with you, every conversation we had, lingers in my mind. I wish it were the same for you.*

*Though I’m ignorant about matters between men and women, this isn’t an ordinary friendship, is it? You don’t share this kind of friendship with every woman, do you? I hope I am someone special to you. If not, I think I would be quite upset.*

*Did the marigold arrive safely? The petals are so delicate, I imagine they might have crumbled. I want to know if it reached you well.*

*There’s no way for me to hear news of the Empire here, so I also wonder if my letters are reaching you safely. If possible, even a short reply would be enough. Just so I know you’re alright.*

*If… if my letters bother you, give me a hint. If that’s the case, I won’t send any more. It wouldn’t be so bad to remain as occasional reminiscing acquaintances, far in the future. If that’s what you wish, it’s fine with me. I will simply wish for your happiness, from afar, as your friend.*

*Lodovini Year 183, June 28th.*

*Wishing to be your good friend, Tia.*

—

*To Her Royal Highness, Princess Crescentia,*

*Greetings. I am Sazar Axel, aide-de-camp to His Excellency, Grand Duke Erich von Peter. We had the pleasure of meeting at the Exposition previously.*

*Your Highness’s letters have been duly delivered to His Excellency the Grand Duke. As His Excellency has been recently occupied with the construction of the engine factory and affairs of the Senate, I am writing this reply on his behalf, though it is hardly sufficient.*

*His Excellency the Grand Duke expressed his wish that your friendship with Her Highness may endure forever. Furthermore, he stated that he always welcomes Her Highness’s letters and would be pleased to receive news of Regina’s current state.*

*I wish for the perpetual prosperity of Regina and the continued well-being of Her Royal Highness.*

*Imperial Year 252, July 13th.*

*Aide-de-camp of House Peter, Sazar Axel.*