Chapter 73

"Long time no see, Your Highness. Are you feeling better now?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you, Edgar."

"I was so lonely not being able to see Your Highness. Of course, I missed Rese too."

"...Hans still seems as energetic as ever. So, how did the firing go? Did it go well?"

Behind her, Rese sniffed quietly, but Lirith, acting as a lady, pretended not to hear and answered Hans, then continued to ask questions. Frederick was laughing out loud, and even Hans had a grin on his face.

"We haven't taken them out of the kiln yet, so we can't say for sure, but we think it went well. Right, Edgar?"

"Ah, yes. When we were firing the kiln, we couldn't take our eyes off it. So, Hans and I took turns adding wood and watching the kiln. Then, we could hear sounds. The sound of the wood cracking and the sound of the vessels resonating. The more years we do this, the more we can tell how the firing is going by the sound."

"Of course, we can hear sounds even when we're cooling the kiln. So, both Hans and I think this time it was a success. It's definitely a success."

Lirith was surprised by their conversation.

She didn't know that they couldn't take their eyes off the kiln during firing.

So, she thanked them with an apology, and Edgar was flustered, saying, "Not at all."

Hans accepted it gratefully, saying, "Thank you."

Then, the kiln opening work began.

Edgar and Hans entered the kiln and came out with the first items.

"Your Highness, it's a success! A great success!"

"Really, a great success! From what I can see, almost nothing is broken!"

The two came out with excited faces.

Lirith looked at what Edgar was holding and smiled with relief and joy, then looked at what Hans was holding and was amazed.

"Hans... that color is..."

"It's the glaze I developed. Isn't it amazing? I didn't expect it to come out so beautifully. It must have been a good match with the clay."

In Hans' hand was a large plate with a bluish-green color.

It shone beautifully like an emerald.

Of course, the white teacup in Edgar's hand was also very beautiful.

As they continued to take out the items, Lirith, Rese, and even Frederick were speechless.

"This is a rare pattern... Hans, you really have a talent for painting."

The blue pattern around the edge of the white plate depicted flowers and leaves, but they were a type Lirith had never seen before.

It seemed Frederick hadn't seen them either.

"No, not really. By the way, I call this 'sometsuke.' I still have a lot I want to try with painting."

Hans answered confidently and smiled at Lirith.

"So, this pattern came to me when I met Your Highness."

"Me?"

"Yes. From the amaryllis, which is also Your Highness's name—sorry. I imagined it from the flower."

Hans apologized for addressing Lirith without a title and explained.

Lirith should have reprimanded Rese for glaring at Hans for just saying the name of a flower, but she was too happy to do so.

Despite this, Hans continued, holding the green plate.

"This color is as beautiful as Your Highness's eyes. I know it sounds self-congratulatory, but I think this will become the representative piece of this pottery. Of course, Edgar's dolls too. Did the dried dolls have any problems during the firing?"

"Is that so?"

"Yes... The next step is bisque firing, but I wanted to show Your Highness first."

"Of course, I want to see!"

Excited by the new information, Lirith answered.

Watching such an excited Lirith, Hans hesitated and spoke.

"So... about this..."

"What's wrong?"

While wondering about Hans' attitude, Lirith looked at the back of the large plate Hans had flipped over.

In the center of the foot ring, there was a small pattern.

"This is..."

"It's the amaryllis, the same flower as Your Highness's name."

"Really? ...Ah, it is."

Looking closely, a simplified amaryllis was drawn.

It was still recognizable as an amaryllis, and it seemed difficult to imitate.

"Actually, I drew it on all of them. I'm sorry for doing it without permission. But since they are prototypes, I thought it would be okay..."

Due to nervousness, Hans' speech was more polite than usual.

Edgar, standing next to him, looked uncomfortable but seemed to have made up his mind and looked at Lirith directly.

"It's to prevent counterfeits. Counterfeits of famous kilns' products have often circulated. Recently, I've heard that even counterfeits of Shyana's products—though very poor quality—are circulating. So, I think counterfeits of these will definitely circulate someday. If the production method isn't kept secret, it will happen for sure. Of course, I don't think this mark alone will prevent counterfeits, but since the pigment is rare, I thought it might help a little..."

Edgar spoke passionately, but his voice gradually became quieter as he saw Lirith's serious expression.

He seemed intimidated by Lirith's usually cheerful but now stern face.

Then, Frederick's exaggerated cough was heard, and Lirith came to her senses.

"Amazing! To think so much, it's just incredible. What Edgar said makes sense. And to use the amaryllis from my name as a pattern, thank you, Edgar, Hans. I'm so happy."

"No, I..."

"Then, can I make one more bold request?"

"Yes, what is it?"

With a smile, Lirith's words made Edgar flustered again, but Hans seemed to have regained his composure.

When Lirith asked, Hans smiled but with a serious look.

"Do you know that most pottery is named after the place where the kiln is located?"

"Yes, I do."

"Here, stoneware is famous, and it's already called Toisen. For the new wonderful pottery to be produced and circulated in this land, a name is needed, don't you think, Edgar?"

"Ah, yes..."

"So, we thought about what would be a suitable name for this pottery. And we quickly agreed on one. It's... from Your Highness's name."

"My name?"

"Yes."

"Wait! If we do that, people will call Princess Lirith by her first name!"

Rese, who had been silent until then, objected to Hans' serious but usual explanation.

Hans turned to Rese with a broad smile.

Rese took a step back, and Frederick's suppressed laughter was heard.

"Of course, we thought about that too. Even though it's the name of a flower, it's too respectful to use the formal name. Even nicknames like 'Lirith' or 'Amari' would be disrespectful. But we couldn't think of a better name than Your Highness's name, and we got stuck. Then, Edgar came up with a good idea."

"No, I just..."

Unlike Hans, Edgar was fidgety and uneasy.

Lirith was very interested in what the name could be.

"So, what name is it?"

"Maris."

"...Maris?"

"Is it no good?"

"No, I think it's very beautiful. But 'Maris' is also the name of a god of agriculture, isn't it?"

"Ah, you knew?"

"Of course. Even though he's a god from the southern region, the god of agriculture is important to the Kingdom of Freud. Using my name feels too presumptuous..."

To Lirith, 'Maris' had been a favorite god since reading a book on southern mythology.

It was indeed derived from amaryllis, but it felt presumptuous.

"No, I think it's a good name. I'm in favor."

"Right? As expected, Mr. Frederick!"

Frederick, who had been listening silently, spoke as if trying to persuade Lirith.

Immediately, Hans happily patted Frederick's back.

"Hey! Don't treat your elders so rudely!"

Lirith laughed at the genuinely surprised Frederick.

Frederick was pretending to be angry, but it helped to lighten the mood.

"...Well, it does feel a bit presumptuous, but it's a very beautiful name. If you two are okay with it, let's go with 'Maris.' —Of course, after getting the king's permission."

"Yay!"

"Yes, sir!"

Although their reactions were different, both Hans and Edgar seemed relieved at Lirith's agreement.

After admiring the fired items, Lirith and the others moved to where the formed items were drying to see the dolls Edgar had made.