"I... have. The wine business first... that is something that I still would like some time on, but I am willing to give it a try. Another few days before I have my first barrel of wine - sadly not aged, but it'll be a nice benchmark for what I can make - and we can discuss it more then. Again, I'd rather not promise something that I have no means to deliver, let alone something that could cost me quite a bit of money."
The Duchess nodded, looking back towards the land and locating the grape trees quickly, saying "Nature Magic is something else, isn't it? Usually a grapevine takes a year to reach maturity, though that can be expedited with mana infused soil... And yet, here you are, growing them in mere days! That's part of what makes Nature Magicians so valuable. You can grow food anywhere, anytime with them. I look forwards to having a taste of the wines you make as well. Hopefully the deliciousness of your teas is a testament to how well you handle your crops..."
She looked back at me with a smile, and I nodded in response, continuing on with the next matter of concern.
"As for the position of being your secretary, well... again, I would need quite a few guarantees that it would be something that I can not only do, but something that won't compromise my safety or my family's safety. On top of that, I hope you weren't going to ask me to provide 'comfort' to the people that you interview and talk with, Duchess..."
Smiling at me still, she leaned back into her chair again and took a sip of her tea, replying "The thought crossed my mind. The chat I had with Trabyia, the little I've seen of your family... Miss Astra, you are adept at sexual relations, and it would seem quite open to them. However, no, I am no barbarian. I wouldn't force you into sex with my clients and peers. That remains entirely up to you, and as long as it is done inside the confines of my own properties, I can promise your safety. Outside? Not so much. Besides..."
Her smile widened for a moment, and those sky blue eyes trailed over my body as she added "I wasn't lying when I said that I wanted something nice to look at... You're a ravishing woman, Miss Astra. Even someone like myself, who keeps business and pleasure separate, wouldn't mind having a 'secretary' like yourself~!"
I pursed my lips as I felt my lower half tingle, the thought of engaging in sex with the Duchess making me hornier than normal; she was one of the most beautiful women I had seen, and she was powerful and rich too... there wasn't much to dislike about her, and with a System like mine... well, obviously I'd be intrigued.
However, for the time being I needed to continue with a facade, saying "Being eye candy isn't something that I can avoid, but I do hope you weren't anticipating that I would be an easy woman when you hired me? I pick my partners carefully, Duchess, and I don't just sell myself to anyone."
That made her chuckle, muttering "Of course not dear~!" as she took another sip of tea, her eyes flashing with amusement before she moved onto the real portion of the job offer.
"I can promise you that unless you agree to it, no one will lay a finger on you - including myself. Now, the position of being my secretary is a menial one, and one that isn't as glorious or wonderful as most people would think. Paperwork would be the primary component of your job, sorting through various offers and categorizing them for me based on their priority, running some numbers for some of my businesses and clientele, building and maintaining a schedule for me... Again, it is menial, Miss Astra, but I am willing to pay rather generously at 30 Gold a day for two to three days a week of work.
You would be working out of my vacation home just over there, since most of my paperwork can be shipped wherever I want, and I would like five hours of your time minimum, though if you finish early you can return home. Personally I tire of the court this time of year, so I'll be taking a step back and enjoying some time to myself inside said vacation home, which is also why I wanted to hire someone to help me. Being alone isn't always the greatest... but, that's beside the point."
Duchess Poinset's expression was one of a neutral smile as she stared at me, her real feelings concealed perfectly behind a mask as she continued on, saying "30 Gold a day, two or three days a week, all for paperwork that I need done, but is menial enough that I can relegate it to someone else. What do you think, Miss Astra? Sound interested in it?"
I took a sip of my tea before leaning forwards, studying her gaze as I began to list the things I wanted inside the contract.
"No being forced into sex, no risk to my family, no risk to myself, guaranteed pay, set hours, and protection from you from the Nobility as long as it feels 'unwarranted'."
She raised a brow at that, the red haired woman amusedly saying "As long as you don't commit a crime or do something that could harm the Queendom, I think I can manage. Besides, I understand that a beauty like yourself would draw some... unwanted gazes, especially amongst the Nobility. Very well then, Miss Astra; we can draw up the contract now, or would you like to wait?"
"Now, if you please."
The Duchess retrieved another piece of paper from her stuff and placed it on the table, showing me the general outline before speaking me through what she was writing down, showing the changes and additions to me each time and getting my agreement to it before continuing on, eventually placing three separate papers in front of me and having me sign them.
Reading them over again - and with Sari coming by to read them as well - I eventually signed them, agreeing to an initial month of work beneath the Duchess and all the other details that needed to be agreed too.
With that, I had become an employed woman, to a Duchess no less~!