Chapter 66

It is better to give than to receive.

Thus, Lillith sent illustrated postcards diligently every day, without expecting a reply from Gesualdo, chronicling her daily life.

Since she intended to show them to everyone, she could only write about trivial matters, but she endured this to maintain what she believed to be a good marital relationship.

Therefore, when a reply from Gesualdo finally arrived, she was surprised and overjoyed.

The content was formal, but at the end, it read, "Your postcards are all beautiful, but I laughed at the one with the goat," which made Lillith so happy that she almost shouted.

Indeed, Gesualdo had a sense of humor.

Buoyed by this, she wrote a long reply about her stay at the Count's manor.

However, after calming down, she realized that sending a sealed letter now might raise suspicions, so she ended up sending a simple postcard.

The dinner served at the Count's manor was very luxurious and delicious, but the fact that the tableware was all from Shiana was probably already known by the spies.

Not using the stoneware, a specialty of his own domain, to entertain guests and instead flaunting his current wealth was incredibly foolish.

(I wonder if they haven't noticed the contradiction with what the Countess lamented at the Duchess's tea party... And I don't think the Count is smart enough to divert the stoneware in conversation. Perhaps it was a suggestion from someone in charge of finances...?)

Lillith, carrying this nagging doubt, returned to her lodging and immediately consulted with Frederick.

Frederick then smiled slyly.

"Your Highness, if the Prince and others who hold important positions in the country haven't noticed what you have, then that's all there is to it. I'm just an old man with no connections, so I'll escape from this country right away."

"Oh, Mr. Fuh. Even if you say that, I won't let you go. But you're right; the Emperor and the Prince, who have built this great nation, would certainly notice. I was worrying unnecessarily."

Consulting with Frederick lightened Lillith's heart, and she spent the following days leisurely, even though she was not good at embroidery.

The only thing that disappointed Lillith was that her period had started again.

However, thinking about the work ahead, she focused even more on her embroidery.

Finally, the day came to put the thoroughly dried and shaped pieces into the kiln.

"The first flame should be red, right?"

"Hmm, that's not a big deal."

"But the flame turns white when the glaze is applied and it's fired, right?"

"Of course, the final firing is at a higher temperature than the bisque firing, but a white flame indicates a very high temperature..."

Seeing Edgar scratch his chin, Lillith's excitement turned to worry.

It might be easy to say, but difficult to do.

Noticing Lillith's concern, Edgar quickly added:

"Don't worry, it can be done. I didn't spend decades staring at kilns for nothing. Besides, as you may know, I worked at another kiln before settling in Tuisen. I handled pottery for years under the master there. Although I never put my own works out, I understand the entire process from bisque firing to final firing. We have plenty of firewood, so it will be fine."

Edgar's confident laugh was reassuring, and Lillith breathed a sigh of relief.

Even though it was a reckless attempt, she was incredibly grateful to Edgar and Hans for going along with it, despite the orders.

Then she suddenly realized:

"By the way, where is Hans?"

"Oh, he's..."

Hans had been nowhere to be seen, and Lillith looked around.

She found Hans talking to Rese, who was standing in a corner.

"---So, do you have a lover? How about we have tea in town sometime? I'd like a proper answer, you know."

Hans, completely ignored by Rese, was undeterred.

Lillith, recalling her initial interactions with Gesualdo, felt a bit of sympathy but decided to pretend she hadn't seen it. ---If Rese became too much to handle, she would intervene.

According to the background check given by Gesualdo, Hans was the third son of a local lord but had been disowned since childhood for being eccentric.

The task of lighting the kiln, where the shaped pieces were placed, was entrusted to Lillith.

It felt like a lighting ceremony, and she was excited.

After the bisque firing, which didn't require a very high temperature, the pieces were allowed to cool naturally, and it didn't take many days to remove them from the kiln.

"Your Highness, please cover your face. The ash will fly."

"Thank you, Edgar."

Receiving a clean towel from Edgar, Lillith covered her mouth and nose as instructed and watched the items being removed from the kiln with bated breath.

"Amazing. They're really white..."

"---Yes, that's right. The way they were arranged in the kiln and fired must have prevented soot and other dirt. This is really impressive."

"Okay, okay, enough admiration. Now it's my turn. The pieces are only complete after glazing and the final firing."

As Lillith and Edgar marveled at the bisque-fired items, Hans interjected confidently.

Edgar was a bit miffed but had to agree and stepped back.

"Hey, aren't you impressed, Hans? They're so white."

"Of course, I'm impressed. But the real celebration should be after the final firing. In the kilns of the town I used to be in, many potters tried to recreate Shiana. Even when they managed to make something white, it never matched the whiteness of Shiana. They even mixed in plaster, but it couldn't withstand the high temperature of the final firing. So, while this whiteness is impressive, the real test is the glazing and final firing."

"Right, right. Yes. So, Hans, can you do it?"

"Of course. That's why I'm here."

Hans's confident words were very reassuring, and Lillith felt relieved.

Gesualdo's choice of people was indeed correct.

Feeling happy, Lillith still had something important to say before the completion.

"Both of you, I think you understand, but what we're doing here must be kept absolutely secret. The miners from Bumini town don't know what the crushed rocks are used for. The knights don't know either. Everyone thinks it's just my hobby. The only ones who know the truth are my two maids, my tutor, you two, the Crown Prince, and the Emperor. Even if the firing goes well, don't tell anyone, not even your families. Otherwise, not only your lives but also the lives of your families will be at risk."

Lillith's serious words made Edgar nod solemnly.

He had been warned when they first met and had been firmly instructed by the Crown Prince just before departure.

However, Hans, scratching his head, looked unconvinced and asked:

"Then, what will happen after it's completed? We can't keep quiet about making Shiana-like pieces, right? After all, they will be sold in the market. To monopolize, the production method must be kept secret. Are you going to imprison us?"

"Well, that would be the easiest way, wouldn't it?"

"Huh!?"

To Hans's reasonable question, Lillith nodded and answered matter-of-factly.

Edgar looked shocked and fearful.

Lillith smiled reassuringly at Edgar and turned to Hans.

"But I have no intention of doing that. The Emperor doesn't want to keep the production method secret."

"Then, won't the rarity and profit be lost?"

"Well, yes. But while we don't intend to keep it secret, we also don't plan to advertise it widely. So, if someone wants to steal the method, they'll have to see the production site first. Do you think it will be easy to copy? I don't think your skills will be so easily stolen. That's why I asked the Prince to choose potters with such skills. And now, I believe his choice was correct."

"Of course."

"Such kind words..."

Hans nodded, hiding his joy, and Edgar was moved to speechlessness.

Lillith smiled even more and continued:

"Besides, we're making Shiana-like pieces now, but remember what I said at the beginning? What I want from you is your original work."

"You can't be serious about that?"

"That's exactly what I want!"

Edgar was surprised by Lillith's words, while Hans responded with joy.