ETCHY 13

Chapter 13

Erich was currently pouring his efforts into the construction of an engine factory. Having successfully completed the lighting ceremony, he was now calculating how to accelerate the empire’s technological development.

However, Janings opposed the project, emphasizing that it was being led by a Grand Duke of ‘Ezatz’ origin—an illegitimate child.

Janings’ obstruction tactics were working damned well. Even the young nobles who had been relatively friendly at the beginning were now adding their names to protest letters.

*’Fools.’*

Erich pulled out his cigar case from his pocket with an irritated expression.

From the perspective of the nobility, factory construction could be a drawback due to the outflow of servants. After all, the workforce needed for townhouses and estates would be siphoned off to the factories.

But in the long run, this was also good for the nobles. Though it might be regrettable in the short term, if a noble owned a factory, wouldn’t they end up employing workers on an entirely different scale?

Why did everyone only see one side and not the other?

Erich lit his cigar and took a deep drag. As he exhaled the smoke and flipped through the protest letters, his gaze suddenly fell on Crescentia’s letter. He roughly stubbed out his cigar in the ashtray and fell into thought.

Come to think of it, the old men had been particularly fond of the princess. Even after she returned to her country, they seemed to have poured out praise for her at every opportunity.

Erich had listened with one ear and let it pass through the other.

They said she was like a pure angel. But they had no idea how easy the princess—that noble princess—was in front of Erich.

Erich chuckled.

The princess had been so easy that even the bet with David felt underwhelming.

*’It’s about time her affection has ripened.’*

Erich’s lips curved as he calculated the dates.

Nearly a month had passed since he parted ways with the princess. One month. By now, the princess’s longing should have ripened perfectly, just right for the picking.

Erich tore open the envelope with a paper knife and carelessly unfolded the letter. As he read the earnest words of a woman in love, a strange light gradually appeared in the man’s golden eyes.

*Crack!*

At the sharp sound, Crescentia’s footsteps, as she strolled through the garden, came to an abrupt halt. She had been taking a walk with Hilda, feeling stifled while waiting for Erich’s reply.

But an unexpected commotion seemed to be occurring in one corner of the rear garden. Crescentia’s gaze turned toward the source of the sound.

“…Albin?”

“How dare a mere woman!”

At the end of the path leading from the rear garden was the training ground.

There, Albin was fuming and yelling. Before him, a black-haired knight knelt.

“Where do you think you’re pointing your sword? You’re just a woman!”

Crescentia, who had come to the training ground with Hilda, quickly grasped the situation.

Seeing the knight covering her face, it appeared Albin had slapped her cheek. He seemed to have become displeased while sparring with the knight.

*’He’d been quiet for a while.’*

As Crown Prince and head of the knights, Albin frequently bullied the knights. Today too, it was clear the knight had done nothing wrong.

If one had to find fault, it would be that she hadn’t had the tact to lose to Albin.

Albin, who had been shouting at the knight about overstepping her bounds and asking who she thought she was, caught his breath at his sister’s appearance and spoke.

“The knight order’s discipline has become lax. As of today, I hereby expel Isolde Osvalda from the knight order.”

“Crown Prince!”

“What? Do you want to be exiled as well as fired?”

“Stop it, Albin.”

Crescentia hurriedly stepped in front of the knight as Albin’s eyes turned bloodshot. She looked at the female knight, who was seated on the dirt ground, with pitying eyes.

“Your name is Isolde, is it? Go on, leave now.”

“Your Highness, I—!”

“Enough.”

Crescentia raised her hand to cut off the knight who was about to protest her injustice.

There was nothing to gain by dragging this out here. It would only fan the flames of Albin’s anger.

“I said withdraw.”

“…Understood.”

Isolde bit her lip and lowered her head. Having received a unilateral notice of dismissal, she clenched her fists.

Crescentia also noticed her anguish, but there was nothing to be done.

For a subordinate to dare speak back to a superior. And to displease one’s master. In Regina, that was a grave sin worthy of death.

“Hey, where do you think you’re running off to?”

“Calm down.”

“Just wait. I’ll banish her to Corenia.”

“Do you really have to go that far?”

Crescentia frowned at Albin’s remark, which showed his grudge against Isolde. Exile to Corenia, in the Eastern Continent. It was at the opposite end of the world from the Western Continent where Regina was located.

All she’d done was beat the Crown Prince in a sparring match. The punishment was far too harsh for the offense.

“I mean what I say.”

Albin raised his chin and said arrogantly. Crescentia looked at him with disapproving eyes but held her tongue. Adding any more words here wouldn’t end with just exile.

“You said you’d leave the knight order’s operations to Anton—what’s with the sudden sparring?”

“My body’s been feeling sluggish. And because of you, I’ve been grounded from going out too.”

Crescentia, who had been trying to change the subject, lowered her eyes at Albin’s response.

Sheila had closed off the palace some time ago. It was because Crescentia’s resistance had turned out to be stronger than expected.

As a result, Suzanne, who had left the palace before the closure order was issued, had been unable to re-enter. In other words, Crescentia had received no news from the Empire for nearly a week.

*’Erich’s reply might have come.’*

Crescentia nervously flicked her fingernails.

Still no reply had come from Erich. But Crescentia hadn’t given up hope.

She believed in the sweet touch and gaze of the man who had kissed her.

Her steadfast faith was like a religion.

It was an escapist faith to avoid an unwanted marriage.

But even so, it didn’t matter.

Erich von Peter loves Crescentia. And he will act for her. So Crescentia kept repeating to herself.

This anxiety was only temporary, she brainwashed herself. If she didn’t believe it somehow, it was too hard to get through each day.

“Your Highness!”

Crescentia, who had been thinking of Erich, looked up at Anton’s voice as he ran from a distance. In the breathless knight’s message, she heard the name of the one she had longed for so desperately.

And at last, Crescentia could confirm that her faith had not been wrong.

“Grand Duke Peter has arrived!”

The vain belief that Erich von Peter loves Crescentia.

Erich stood straight as an arrow, from neck to waist. The place where he stood was the audience chamber of the Regina royal palace.

*’Modest.’*

That was his entire impression of the Regina royal family. With their thorough security making entry such a hassle, he had expected something grand. But once inside, there was nothing much to see.

Then again, the Rodovini dynasty, which had ruled Regina for over a hundred years, was famous for frugality rather than splendor.

That was probably why the princess was so beloved by the people.

Luxurious royalty are bound to be treated as parasites sucking the people’s blood. In that regard, the Rodovini dynasty deserved to be a beloved royal family.

“An unexpected visit, Grand Duke.”

“I pay my respects to the Moon of Regina. I am Erich von Peter.”

As the King entered, Erich greeted her with proper formality.

Usually, kings are likened to the sun, but in Regina, they received greetings comparing them to the moon. This was because the sun in Regina was reserved as a title for the late king, the consort of the current monarch.

This also meant that King Sheila de Rodovini had not forgotten her former husband.

And also that she was not very good at making sound decisions on her own.

Which explained why she had a young man seated beside her.

“What urgent business brings you here in such a breach of etiquette?”

“Indeed, Your Majesty.”

Erich looked at the man who had firmly taken his place beside the King. He was looking at Erich with an air of self-importance, as if he were the King himself.

“I too am very curious about the Grand Duke’s business.”

“And who might you be?”

“A pleasure to meet you. I am Margrave Zig Brandtner. I hope my presence does not make you uncomfortable.”

“I requested a private audience with His Majesty the King.”

“Is that so?”

Zig did not budge at Erich’s demand. He didn’t even rise from his seat, calmly turning his head to stare fixedly at Sheila.

As if urging her to answer for herself.

“Grand Duke, the Margrave here is also a member of the royal family. He is both a member and family of the royal household.”

“…”

“But if you truly wish it, I shall have the area cleared.”

Even after Sheila’s excuse-like explanation, when Erich did not nod, she gave Zig a look as if she had no choice.

Zig raised an eyebrow and obediently stepped aside. He seemed to be a man with more tact than expected.

Or perhaps, one skilled at striking and retreating.

“Now then, please speak. What business brings you all the way to Regina?”

Sheila spoke again after Zig had withdrawn. Erich leisurely looked around the audience chamber. He gazed at the King seated before him with relaxed eyes, then slightly raised the corners of his mouth.