When Astra finally returned to the room, I had already gone through and signed the contracts of our new workers, officially taking over their lives for the next few years and using these minutes to whip up a well thought out and flawless contract that we all signed together that promised they would work for the things I promised to provide.
They weren't just slaves to me but instead workers, actual people that I was going to be responsible for and hopefully the future backbone of one of my businesses; that was one of the hardest things about owning a business, and I hoped that I was striking gold here inside of the Auction House.
Finding people - good, hardworking people - who wanted to work and remain loyal to a specific store for as long as possible was really hard to do, and I was lucky enough to have found a formula that worked well enough that most of my stores saw little turnover in terms of required employees.
I had unskilled labor positions, of course - those positions that anyone could do for adequate but not great pay for however long they needed before they found something better - and I also had some employees get 'poached' by other Nobles for a skilled senior employee to eventually become a manager, and while I couldn't guarantee it off of the top of my head most of those that left because of that did succeed, so...
My track record was quite good, and I hoped that the rough gemstones sitting in front of me were willing to be brought out of their rough shells so that I could polish them into something incredible, and already I was seeing quite a lot of promise, at least in how they communicated with one another.
Brix was by far the most sociable of the bunch - for better or worse thanks to her disposition - with Jingzhi being right behind her, the Crowkin becoming quite excited when I accepted her unorthodox desire of wanting to be paid in trinkets instead of actual coin.
Then there was Biscuit, the Squirelkin Merchant who simply seemed more interested in being Arani's assistant manager instead of a typical worker, her tiredness dissipating when she asked me - almost begged me - if she could take over more responsibilities to light the Dawn Elf's burdens.
All of them were rather unique, and while some were quieter than normal - like Ceva, as well as Bas to a degree - they were all skilled and worth this extra personal effort to 'hire', so I was quite happy with myself when it was all finally said and done.
When Astra did return, it was clear to me that she had been having some fun recently by how happy she seemed, but to everyone else my Secretary was just excited about this being over as she took her spot beside me, giving me a nod when I said "Everything is completed. All of their contracts are inked and we just need to speak to Heather about the payment."
"Good~! It is a bit of shame that we need to leave you here for another few days, but I look forwards to meeting all of you soon~!"
I nodded again at that, looking at all of the slaves and taking in their reactions before I said "You'll be receiving better meals during those days that should be comparable to the meals you receive for the upcoming years. In the meantime I'll be working to furbish that apartment building for you all and acquiring your uniforms."
Getting confirmations from everyone yet again, I stood up and grabbed the papers before saying "This is the last opportunity to ask any questions; otherwise, I'll be finalizing the payment for your contracts and leaving the Auction House." my eyes gliding over each of them twice as I waited for a question to be raised.
When none came I nodded to myself and bid them goodbye, leaving the room behind with Astra and wondering how to break the news to her that I needed her to completely restructure an empty building into an apartment building complete with furniture...
We made our way back to the front in relative quiet, though I did ask "Did you get your own contracts secured, Astra?", to which the violet haired minx just giggled as she replied "For a nice discount too~! Maybe we should negotiate something with Heather for these contracts too~?"
I just rolled my eyes at that, my libido currently satiated enough as I shook my head and thought back to the deep, rhythmic thrusts of Arani as she worked on her stamina, the Dawn Elf's thin penis smacking against my womb multiple times before she erupted inside of me with an adorable groan.
My pussy was already stuffed with cum, and I felt no desire to jerk off, blow or fuck that Hawkkin at the counter just to save a few gold on something; it wasn't worth the effort for me, honestly, not when I would rather spend that time being outside of the Auction House and back to somewhere private with my wife.
The Hawkkin was back at the counter, and upon seeing me lay the stack of papers on the counter with my signature already on them she blinked, only to shrug and grin when a check was placed on top of those, the blank amount staring right at her as I waited for her to list the price; when she listed something just above the normal price I raised a brow before inking it onto the check, letting Heather have her little bonus simply because Astra seemed rather happy.
"Thank you for your patronage, Lady Duchess~! Will you be participating in the auctions today as well?"
"No, we have work we need to finish; not unless there is yet another rare item or slave on auction that I need to be aware of?"
Heather shook her head at that, so I beckoned for Astra to walk beside me as we exited the Auction House and made our way back to Domus Stella, though the moment we were outside I grabbed her hand and enjoyed the new sensation of walking with my lover as lovers instead of as a vassal, something made even better when she got even closer to me, filling me with even more warmth as we walked the streets of Birchan together.