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Chapter 25
The original author of “Sword of the Crown Prince,” Writer H, loved spending several pages on explanations completely unrelated to the plot progression. For example, the description of crystal glass craftsmanship that appears in the latter half of “Sword of the Crown Prince.”
“I… Writer-nim. Readers don’t care at all about how crystal glass is made. What does this have to do with Calisto or Lawrence?”
When I sighed like that,
“But I’m writing Sword of the Crown Prince because I want to write this!”
they would slam their fist on the table.
Even though the original author insisted this much, I, as the editor, couldn’t completely stop them. So the novel ended up containing not only crystal glass, but also detailed explanations about which industries developed in which era and how trends evolved.
It was a good thing I hadn’t stopped Writer H back then. Smiling faintly, I walked toward Susan McAdam, who was left alone after the man had departed.
“Big brother, where are you going?”
Calisto quickly followed me, wrapping his arms around my waist. Lawrence, looking noticeably displeased, also trudged over beside me. Lately, the two children seemed to be sticking together more often. Even though things had drifted quite far from the original story, it felt like they were gradually returning to the main plotline, which was a relief.
“I’m going to ask that person something.”
I pointed toward Susan, who was fiddling with a wooden chandelier. Calisto’s expression changed instantly. His soft, pale cheeks puffed up in annoyance. I didn’t know what he disliked this time, but when I patted his chubby cheeks, his expression softened a little. He grabbed my hand and asked,
“Why? Who’s that lady again?”
“‘Again’?”
“There are just so many people Etienne is interested in…”
This time it was Lawrence who replied in a dry tone instead of Calisto. Calisto nodded and whispered to Lawrence,
“I really can’t take it anymore.”
“Exactly.”
“……”
I’m the one who feels like I can’t take it anymore because of these kids—what are they talking about?
Anyway, I gave both Calisto and Lawrence each of my hands and approached Susan while dragging the children along. Susan looked down at me with a puzzled expression.
I tried my best to look innocent and smiled brightly. She covered her mouth with her hand and widened her eyes.
“Oh my, how cute… Who is this young lord?”
“I’m Etienne Wynyates.”
“Oh my, Lord Wynyates?”
“Yes. And you are?”
“I’m Susan…”
“I’m Calisto!”
Before she could finish, Calisto interrupted.
Susan’s eyes widened further. It was only natural—this was her first time seeing Calisto. When he first came to the Wynyates estate, he was already adorable, but now that he had been well-fed and well-rested, he looked like an angelic child. I proudly introduced him.
“Calisto is my younger brother.”
“I’m not his real younger brother!”
Calisto shouted urgently.
It wasn’t new for him to insist he wasn’t my real brother. But even if it was only in front of me, if he kept emphasizing it in front of others, I worried it might reach the ears of the pro-Empress faction nobles. Fortunately, Susan didn’t seem to mind, likely dismissing it as childish talk. Still, I decided I should caution Calisto later.
Right now, the chandelier mattered more.
I pointed casually at the wooden chandelier in Susan’s hands and exclaimed,
“Wow, sister. What is that? It’s really pretty!”
“…Big brother? Why is your voice like that?”
“Etienne, are you sick?”
“……”
It seemed my acting was too obvious.
Fortunately, Susan didn’t seem to find my awkward behavior strange. She knelt slightly and placed the sculpture into my hands.
“Do you like this, young lord? Would you like to have it?”
“Really? Wow, I’m so happy!”
My stiff, overly acted tone made my ears burn, but Susan continued to look at us warmly without concern. It was fortunate I had Calisto’s face to charm her beforehand.
Ignoring the confused stares from Calisto and Lawrence on both sides, I cleared my throat and asked Susan,
“Can you make this much bigger?”
“How big are you thinking?”
“About… this biiig?”
I spread my arms wide.
In 15 years, Susan McAdam would indeed be able to create a chandelier that size. Not even wood, but reinforced glass. However, I didn’t know if she could do it now. Trying to hide my nervousness, I looked up at her.
Susan tilted her head and smiled lightly.
“That’s doable. Increasing the size isn’t difficult. Do you want it, young lord?”
Good!
Relieved, I continued,
“Yes, I really want it!”
“Big brother, I’ll make it for you!”
Calisto jumped in again, and I quickly pulled him into my arms to silence him. He struggled briefly against my chest, then settled down and wrapped his arms around my waist.
“But if it’s transparent and sparkly, it would be even prettier. I’ve never seen anything like that in the imperial palace!”
At my words, Susan’s eyes sparkled.
“Right? I’ve always wanted to make something transparent… like ice sculpture…”
“But ice melts, so that would be a waste. What about glass?”
“Glass?”
Her eyes widened. She looked between the wooden sculpture and me, then said disappointedly,
“But glass is too fragile. It breaks easily. It would be impossible to carve something this detailed. There’s no such technique in the Eastern Continent either.”
The Eastern Continent had long monopolized glass production techniques, making glassware one of the most important trade goods.
Until Susan McAdam, 15 years later, invented crystal glass that was strong and beautiful, becoming a renowned glass artisan.
According to the original story, by that time the Wynyates family had already fallen, and the region had come under the control of Camois. And Camois had imprisoned Susan in his estate workshop.
She would have been forced to produce crystal glassware endlessly without pay, becoming a source of profit for Camois, forbidden from ever leaving the territory. Every hall of the imperial palace and noble mansions would be decorated with her works, while she herself lived like a slave.
Seeing how all the characters ended up so miserably, “Sword of the Crown Prince” was definitely a tragic novel.
“I’ve got questionable taste, don’t I… I should only watch happy endings if I’m reborn…”
While I was quietly reflecting, Susan looked deep in thought. Even though she would eventually invent crystal glass 15 years later, she seemed to lack the key idea for now. But even a small hint would be enough—she had always been the type to figure things out herself.
I cautiously spoke,
“What if you mix something into the glass while producing it?”
“Mix something in?”
“Earlier I heard my father talking with technicians… something like lead? They said if you add it, glass becomes stronger and much clearer.”
My father had never spoken to any glass craftsmen. But Susan didn’t need to know that.
She murmured, almost entranced,
“Lead…?”
“Yes. Something like that… lead compound, I think.”
To be precise, it was lead oxide.
Glass containing lead oxide becomes strong and heavy, yet extremely clear and brilliant. Susan would later use that material, combined with her exceptional craftsmanship, to create massive crystal chandeliers.
As expected, her expression brightened immediately.
“Oh my… young lord, that’s an excellent idea. We’ll have to experiment with materials and ratios, but it might work!”
“Really? I can’t wait to see it! Can we decorate the ceiling of the mansion hall with it?”
“Pardon…? The Wynyates estate? Would the Count allow it?”
“Of course! If wood carvings already look this beautiful, how amazing would a huge sparkling transparent chandelier be? I’m so excited!”
I clapped enthusiastically, acting with all my soul. Susan grabbed my hands, moved with emotion.
“I will make it happen. When it’s complete, I’ll bring it to show you first.”
“You promise? Then please come to the estate and show it to the servants. They’ll guide you to me right away.”
I handed her a badge engraved with the Wynyates family crest. Susan looked at me in shock.
“This…?”
The badge signified that Susan could receive Wynyates protection anywhere. Showing it allowed her to request goods or assistance in the estate’s name anywhere in the territory, with costs later settled by the count’s house.
“You’ll need materials for experiments, right? Feel free to use whatever you need. Buy food too, spend freely.”
“This is too much, young lord.”
“I’m the one asking you. This is for you, Susan. You don’t need to return it.”
I smiled brightly at her. Susan looked dazed as she accepted the badge.
“Thank you, young lord. I’ll come to the estate as soon as possible.”
“I’m counting on you, Susan.”
This was just the beginning.
Once crystal glass began generating royalties, Susan would become wealthy enough to purchase a small estate in her own name.
Her crystal products would sweep across the empire as a massive trend. I intended to accelerate that trend by 15 years and develop it into the Wynyates estate’s core industry.
