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chapter 9
When Erdene pointed at the flowers, the Marchioness Wikis finally displayed a genuinely warm smile.
“Those are peonies, Your Highness.”
There was a hint of pride in her voice, but Erdene did not find it unpleasant.
Curiously, she touched one of the thin petals with her fingertip.
Soft… and fragrant.
The image of Arkan flashed through her mind, and she frowned, stepping back.
“P-Princess, what’s the matter? Was there an insect?”
The Marchioness hurried over to inspect the vase, but the flowers were perfectly fine.
Erdene bit her finger lightly, which had touched the petals, then turned sharply.
“No, it’s just that something unpleasant came to mind.”
Following the Marchioness, Erdene wandered through the numerous reception rooms, living rooms, private study, tea room, and toilet room, stifling her yawns.
I might need a map just to navigate this place.
The Golden Palace of the Hirschsten Empire was vast, unmatched in scale, but its layout was mostly linear and monotonous, so getting lost was rare. Of course, having grown up there helped.
Erdene had learned from her mentor that the inland architectural style differed significantly from the Empire’s, and she realized she might one day lose her way inside the queen’s palace.
While half-listening to the Marchioness, Erdene’s sharp eyes caught something glimmering.
A single transparent flower rested on a narrow, tall-legged decorative chest. Its layered petals resembled the peonies she had seen moments ago—but intriguingly, it was made of glass.
“What’s this? Did someone really make this out of glass?”
The Marchioness, sensing the question, nodded nervously.
“Yes, Your Highness. Indeed. It’s the masterpiece of the most famous glass artisan inland, created after hundreds—no, thousands—of attempts. The late queen treasured this peony decoration… It is—”
Then came a tiny sound.
Something thin and fragile shattered into pieces.
The Marchioness’s eyes widened in disbelief. She silently wished her ears had deceived her.
Erdene also blinked, slightly surprised. The Marchioness briefly thought, Oh, so she is startled too, but the thought vanished quickly.
Erdene had merely moved her hand slightly, yet the one-of-a-kind glass peony, made with the artisan’s soul poured into it, crumbled and fell.
“…What now?”
The Marchioness’s lips trembled.
“Uh, n-no… how… Princess, how firmly did you grasp it…?”
Erdene furrowed her brow.
“I didn’t even grasp it firmly. I only touched it lightly.”
If her attendant Telma, always talkative, had been present, she surely would have exclaimed:
Your Highness touches something lightly, and even a walnut shell would shatter!
Erdene imagined pounding a fist on Telma’s head in thought, then returned the broken glass flower onto the chest. The cracked part collapsed further under the impact.
“Princess, are your h-hands… unharmed?”
“They’re not delicate enough to be hurt by thin glass. But thanks for asking.”
The Marchioness silently thought it was fortunate that the princess had reassured her—but she could not relax completely.
Of all things, that glass peony shatters! If Lady Fiddler heard this… it would be a disaster.
Erdene, noticing the Marchioness fidgeting, remarked:
“It’s just glass. Have it remade if necessary. Nobody’s dead.”
Yet the Marchioness remained distraught. Erdene continued:
“Bring the artisan tomorrow. I’ll have the exact replica made within a week.”
“That would require exhuming the original, Princess…”
Erdene sighed, pressing a hand to her forehead. Damn, I didn’t think it might be dead…
The Marchioness whimpered.
“The late queen cherished it greatly, and His Majesty also treasures this glass peony.”
Erdene’s irritation resurfaced. Though she felt a faint twinge of guilt, she deliberately responded with a cheeky tone:
“Still clinging to your mother’s skirt at that age? Will that really uphold the king’s dignity? It’s time to let go.”
The Marchioness’s mouth fell open in astonishment.
At that moment, Platt, the head steward, arrived at the chamber.
Hearing low voices inside, he felt reassured, thinking the Marchioness was managing well. But as he stepped in, a small crunching sound came from underfoot… his gaze immediately fell on the chest where the glass peony had been.
“How did this get broken?!”
Platt’s shout made the Marchioness flinch and bow her head.
As the king’s steward and close aide, Platt held a status far above ordinary nobles or palace staff.
“Marchioness, what on earth happened here?”
Even as he questioned her, Platt glanced at Erdene.
The Marchioness shrugged pitifully, aware of Erdene’s silence.
Erdene said, “You must have poor eyesight.”
“Huh?”
“Can’t you tell? I broke it. Why ask her?”
Platt’s face flushed—not just with anger but embarrassment at being caught off guard.
“Then I shall ask you, Princess. Were you aware that this glass peony is one of the late queen’s most treasured relics?”
“I was.”
“Then why is it in this state?”
Erdene looked at her own hand.
“I just touched it lightly, and it broke.”
Now Platt, like the Marchioness, was dumbfounded.
Watching their stunned faces in turn, Erdene said:
“If it’s my mother’s relic, even a scrap of worn cloth would be precious. I will personally apologize; you two pretend you know nothing.”
Without waiting for objection, she strode from the chamber.
Soon, a loud thud and the crash of a vase smashing echoed. Platt and the Marchioness rushed to find a decorative vase shattered beneath a table.
Erdene, standing with her toes slightly raised and frowning—likely from misstepping on the furniture—glanced at their expressions.
“Surely you don’t intend to count this as a relic too?”
The Marchioness shook her head slightly.
“Good.”
Platt said, “It’s not a relic, but it is listed in the royal treasure inventory.”
“Damn it.”
Erdene muttered under her breath, and both Platt and the Marchioness nearly jumped at her tone.
“I suppose I’ll have to apologize twice.”
As she turned, Platt hurriedly blocked her path.
“Princess, His Majesty is currently occupied with official duties and cannot grant an audience.”
Platt secretly hoped to see her mildly inconvenienced expression.
Erdene’s audacity astounded him—breaking the late queen’s relic, a royal treasure, and yet calmly insisting on apologizing personally!
This is entirely different from smashing a window or two!
Erdene had destroyed three things that day: the glass peony treasured by the late queen, the crystal vase of Betor’s royal collection, and even Platt’s fragile expectations.
“Then I’ll handle it later.”
Platt felt as if the ground had vanished beneath him.
As Erdene walked off without looking back, he suddenly remembered his remaining duty.
“Princess.”
Erdene turned, her face tinged with mild annoyance.
“What now?”
“His Majesty asked that I inquire what you would like for dinner. Since you may be tired from travel, something easy on the stomach would be prepared…”
“Bring me liquor.”
“Y-Yes… liquor?”
“I said bring liquor. Preferably spirits.”
The chamber doors closed behind her.
Platt and the Marchioness exchanged dazed glances, then silently went their separate ways.
