Chapter 38

"Well, is that all it is?"

"It's not just that, it's important."

"Hmm. Well, everyone is different, so I suppose that might be true."

The next afternoon, Lillith called for Frederick and bluntly asked about what was on her mind.

In response, she received a lackluster answer.

When Lillith responded with a slight irritation, Frederick's expression turned into a grin.

His face made her wonder if this person was really the "Wise Gregory."

"Don't worry, infants are surprisingly strong. They are well-protected in their mother's womb. Of course, they should be cautious until their belly starts to show, but there's no need to be bedridden. Well, you do tend to be bedridden, Lady Lillith."

"Stop teasing me. I know that even my mother lived a normal life. There were women working in the castle even when they were pregnant. So... what I want to ask is..."

"Hmm, I see. Well, if you do have a child, you should certainly consult a midwife. Every pregnant woman is different. But, if you stop your nighttime activities just because you're not sure, well, you won't have a child even after ten years."

"That's true... I guess..."

Seeing Lillith exhale in relief, Frederick grinned.

He then added,

"Well, if you're that worried, don't be too vigorous. Vigorous exercise is forbidden for pregnant women."

"Vigorous? Even I wouldn't do vigorous exercise in bed. Sure, I did dive into bed, but I've decided not to do that anymore."

Lillith frowned at Frederick's words.

Suddenly, Frederick started to laugh with his "fuh-fuh-fuh" laugh.

Lillith's frown deepened, and Frederick looked at her as if she were a great-grandchild.

"No, no, I forgot that you're still newly married. It seems the prince is quite gentle, or perhaps just indifferent... Haha! The Red Reaper being indifferent..."

Lillith looked at Frederick, who was muttering and laughing, with suspicion.

Sometimes Frederick would start muttering to himself, but this time it felt different.

"Mr. Hu, what's so funny? It's not fair to laugh by yourself. Men often gather and whisper and laugh, which is really creepy. Even when I ask my brother, he says it's a guy thing and won't tell me. You look just like those guys right now."

"I apologize. But women often gather and whisper and giggle too, don't they?"

"Oh... you're right..."

Lillith complained, but when Frederick countered, she agreed.

She remembered that women often whispered and giggled in other settings as well.

"In short, men and women are ultimately different creatures. But, that barrier can be crossed. That's what 'love' is! ...I just said something profound, didn't I?"

"Yes, yes. That's true. Love is important. But, our marriage is a political one. We might develop a familial love eventually, but that's all. Our current relationship is the result of compromise."

"Hmm, I see."

Lillith easily brushed off Frederick's self-praise.

When it came to love, she had already declared to Jezalde, and Lillith had also declared. There was no "love" between them.

Frederick looked at Lillith with a probing gaze, which made her uncomfortable, so she changed the subject.

"By the way, about the dream I had this morning—"

"Oh! What kind of dream? A story from a different world?"

Frederick's face lit up like a child's when Lillith mentioned her dream.

He seemed to have forgotten everything from before.

"No, it's not clear, but I think it was probably the country of Shana."

"Shana?"

"Yes. I saw a kiln with white cups like teacups lined up. The shapes were different, though."

"Hmm, that's very interesting. If you can reproduce it, you could make a fortune. Just sell it to those who are crazy about Shana."

Lillith laughed at Frederick's joking remark.

Of course, Frederick knew how unrealistic it was.

"Of course, it's not as simple as preserving food. You'd have to build a kiln from scratch, and there are many other difficulties. Imagine the Crown Princess of the Aelras Empire making pottery with a face blackened by soot in a corner of the palace?"

The image of Jezalde, the Emperor, and the nobles staring in shock at such a scene was too absurd.

The two of them laughed for a while, took a sip of tea, and then Frederick glanced at the plate of sweets.

"So, Tuisen?"

"That's right. If we can make pottery like Shana's in Tuisen, wouldn't that be wonderful?"

Lillith picked up the last sweet from the plate and put it in her mouth.

She had specifically asked for sweets from Tuisen to be prepared today.

"To be honest, I can't say anything until I see the kilns in Tuisen and talk to the people. I don't even know if the raw materials are suitable... In short, we need to try it out. But the problem is how to convince the prince. Freud would have everyone cooperate immediately..."

Lillith sighed, and Frederick picked up the plate and examined it carefully.

He then nodded and asked Lillith,

"To me, Tuisen stoneware and Shana are completely different. Do you really think you can make Shana in Tuisen?"

"To be honest, yes."

"Hmm?"

Frederick raised an eyebrow skeptically, and Lillith leaned in to whisper, even though they were alone.

"I'm telling you this because it's you, Mr. Hu. ...My dreams are usually random, but I've noticed something recently. When I have a problem, the dreams I have are usually related to that problem. Of course, I need to be selective, but lately, the dreams I have seem to help solve my problems. Well, sometimes I see things I don't want to see..."

"I see..."

Frederick held the teacup saucer and examined it carefully as Lillith finished her explanation, which had turned into a complaint.

Lillith knew he was listening carefully, so she said nothing.

She then picked up her cup and held it up to the light.

"...This translucent Shana teacup can cover a year's worth of subsidies for the town of Bummini. At the duchess's tea party I attended the day before yesterday, several of these Shana teacups and plates were used. But, it's because the duchess hosted it. Even in the same palace salon, the tea sets used can differ based on the host's status, like stoneware or other ceramic items."

"Hmm..."

"In Freud, there were differences in status, but in the Aelras Empire, it's much more noticeable."

"So, what do you want to do, Lady Lillith?"

"What do I want to do... I have many thoughts, but I'm in a very privileged position both in Freud and in this country. I don't know what I should say. I just want to do something that deserves using this cup. While I'm drinking tea elegantly with the duchesses using this teacup, I don't want the people of this country to suffer. At the very least, I don't want them to go hungry. That's my vision for building this country."

Lillith put down her cup and looked straight at Frederick, her expression serious.

Frederick's expression was unusually serious.

"Then, I look forward to participating in Princess Lillith's nation-building."

"Of course. I would ask you even if you didn't offer."

From then on, they discussed how to solve the mountain of problems.

They were so engrossed that they didn't notice until Tena called them for dinner.