Chapter 67

"O, original... that is... what you mentioned before..."

"Yes. Making figurines with pottery. Actually, the stoneware figurines you made were wonderful."

"But, it was really just a hobby..."

"Even so, the dynamic horse and shepherd figurines were fun to look at. Just those alone are already quite lovely, but imagine how wonderful it would be if the figurines with white skin were beautifully colored. Just thinking about it makes me excited."

Lilith answered happily, but Edgar still seemed to disbelieve.

Initially, Lilith hadn't planned to make figurines.

She had only convinced the Emperor and Gesalde that keeping the manufacturing method secret was a foolish strategy, and that creating something unique that would put others years behind would be better.

When asked what that something was, she had answered that it would be making sculptures instead of tableware.

From the intense criticism that Frederick had once given to decorating tableware, Lilith had thought that making something truly decorative—sculptures—would be the way to go.

However, it was Edgar who helped Lilith, who was struggling to come up with a unique sculpture.

When Lilith, who had returned from the town of Bunmini, visited the factory, she saw dynamic horse and shepherd figurines made of stoneware in the office of the factory manager—Edgar's former room.

When she immediately asked the current manager who the creator was, she was told it was Edgar, and Lilith was secretly delighted.

There had never been figurines made of pottery before, and it was natural that Lilith had never thought of such an idea.

Until then, she had planned to decorate large vases and pots with small flowers and apply the kind of painting that Hans had done at the kiln.

But she changed her plan abruptly.

"Indeed, painting on just plates and cups seems less interesting than painting on figurines. Did you call me for that?"

In contrast to Edgar's confusion, Hans asked with interest.

Lilith smiled and nodded.

"Yes. Of course, I've heard that your painting skills are excellent. But if that were the only reason, there would be many other skilled painters, right? The reason the Prince chose you is because he had heard that you keep coming up with new colors and glazes."

"Wow. The Prince is really something. He even knew that. Then, he must have known that my master scolded me for not needing such things, right?"

"Apparently so. While it's important to maintain tradition, new things are also necessary, right? Hans, you came here not because you couldn't resist the Prince's summons, but because you were attracted by the invitation, right?"

"You got me there. I wasn't originally interested in shaping or bisque firing. I trained under my master as a craftsman, thinking I should know everything, but I wasn't really interested in bisque firing... That's why I was envious when I heard that this stoneware factory had a division system. Even though stoneware doesn't need painting or glazing, just being able to focus on painting is lucky enough. And being able to try new things continuously... there's no reason to refuse."

Lilith smiled as she watched Hans speak with childlike innocence.

She understood the excitement before starting something new.

Of course, there would be many setbacks afterward, but thinking about the completion would make it possible to overcome them.

Hans, who had continued to create new glazes despite being scolded by his master, would surely be fine.

The problem was Edgar, who still looked uncertain.

"Is there something else you're worried about, Edgar? If this firing goes well, you can spend time on shaping for now. We don't plan to release them to the market immediately. The factory workers can make tableware, right? Once the system is in place, we plan to allocate some personnel here. As for painting, the Prince will find suitable craftsmen, and you can focus on making figurines, Edgar, with Hans guiding them."

"Me? I have to guide them too?"

Hans grumbled, trying to reassure Edgar.

Lilith turned to Hans and gave a slightly intimidating smile.

"That's right. We plan to mass-produce tableware like stoneware. And we want unique painting styles for Toyzen, different from Siana. But don't worry. You won't be teaching complete beginners, so it shouldn't be too much of a burden. First, think of unique patterns."

"Wow. You make it sound so easy..."

"Can't you do it?"

"I can."

"Then, please do."

Lilith asked Hans in a tone that brooked no refusal, then turned back to Edgar.

She smiled warmly again.

"Edgar?"

"Y-Yes... Well, I can touch the clay and know. So, I can make figurines with this clay, at least up to the bisque firing stage. But, I can't make figurines that noble people will like. I don't even know what they prefer."

"Oh, that's fine."

Lilith sighed in relief after hearing what Edgar was worried about.

Then she deliberately raised her chin.

"Who do you think I am? I'm the Crown Princess of this country. If I say they're wonderful, everyone will think they're wonderful."

"H-H-Ha..."

Edgar nodded, confused by her haughty tone.

However, Hans burst out laughing beside him.

"That doesn't suit you at all. It's not like you, Princess."

"What!? Not like me at all!?"

"No, no! That's not it. You're you, but... What am I saying?"

"You can't even express what you want to say. You're so silly."

Lece muttered to himself, confused by Hans's incoherent words.

When he heard the sharp words, Lilith turned around in surprise, but Lece was smiling as usual.

"Lece, that's harsh. Anyway, what you're saying is that a haughty attitude doesn't suit the Princess, right? But, I understand what you mean. If it's known that the Princess, who is the highest-ranking woman in the country, likes the figurines, the nobles will try to get them. Trends are often created by women of high status."

"Yes. Half right."

"Half?"

"Yes. The other half is that I really think Edgar's figurines are wonderful. Not just animals like horses, but also figurines like shepherds. But it's not just because I'm a princess from a rural area. Most of the women in the palace have estates in the countryside. I've noticed that many of them miss the pastoral landscapes of their estates. So, I'm sure Edgar's figurines will be well-received."

"R-Really...?"

Hearing Lilith's detailed explanation, Edgar hesitated and blushed.

Lilith continued, watching his reaction.

"However, we need new things as well."

"New things...?"

"Yes. But don't worry. It's not that difficult. I think you can do it, Edgar. What I want you to make is a scene from a story."

"A story...?"

"Yes. A story like the ones we heard as children. Women love such fairy tales. I'll give you the picture books I read later. Look at the pictures and try to make a scene you think you can create. This doesn't need to be rushed. Start when you feel ready. We plan to release tableware first, then figurines and other sculptures. After that, we'll see the market trends and decide what to focus on. How about it? Can you do it?"

"Y-Yes... Picture stories... I used to read them to children. I can't guarantee the quality, but..."

"It's fine! I'm sure you can do it, Edgar! You make such wonderful figurines! But don't rush. The King doesn't expect this to be done in a few months."

Edgar, whose hand was held by the excited Lilith, was now as red as a boiled lobster.

Hans's voice interrupted.

"But, if we take it so easy and don't keep the method secret, won't other kilns catch up quickly?"

"Oh, I don't think so."

"Really?"

"Yes. How will other kilns get the raw materials?"

"Oh..."

"However, the King will trade at a fair price with other regions if they wish. But transporting rocks is quite difficult. The transportation costs will be significant, and it will take time. The town of Bunmini, the source of the raw materials, was originally a mine, so it's easy to prevent illegal mining. Of course, it's possible to find and create new rocks that could be raw materials, but even if found, they probably can't be used immediately. Even if used, they likely won't produce good results."

"Can you explain why you can say that so definitively?"

"I won't say that now. But I don't intend to hide it, so I'm sure you'll understand in time."

"It sounds mysterious."

"Isn't it fun?"

"Yes, it is."

Hans nodded and laughed, then opened his mouth but closed it again, hesitating.

Lilith tilted her head at his unusual behavior.

"Hans, is something wrong?"

"Well, isn't all this strategy your idea, Princess?"

"..."

Lilith's thoughts paused for a moment at Hans's straightforward words.

Then, various ideas flashed and disappeared in her mind.

How to respond—this was a rare difficult question. Lilith simply smiled and bought a little time.