In the middle of the town of Segres stood a boy and a beautiful woman on a cobblestone street admiring the only church in town. Marino smiled as he spoke to his mother proudly.
'This is the place. Right here on the other side of the street, we will build our first business. And it's only 600 meters from our house. How convenient.'
His mother nodded and agreed. This would definitely be the perfect spot for their first sandwich-selling shop. The church stood in the middle, with roads encircling it. Few Small late medieval-era two-story houses stood on the roads around it. Luckily for them, there was a free plot of land right in front of the church.
Apparently, nobody wanted to build their house right In front of the church. It also helped that Segres only had a population of about 800 people, giving them room to build.
Building a new building would be expensive so for now Marino decided to settle for something smaller. He decided to build a medieval food cart. Although it would be more like a horse-drawn wagon in the form of a small house. With tables and chairs set outside, where people could eat and sit enjoying the summer sun.
After inspecting the plot, the Mother and son duo decided to go towards the docks where the only workshop in town was located.
After walking for about five minutes they arrived at Fransiscos workshop. Where they could see Fransisco carving wood and his brother Frederico working on the anvil hammering a blade. Along with 3 assistants.
Fransisco is the best woodworker in town while Frederico is the best metalworker in town. However, since their family was the only one in their line of business in town it does not mean much. More commonly they are called the Free brothers after their family name Freeman. Mostly the Free brothers work on farmers' tools or the guard's weapons and armor.
As the duo approached the workshop the keen and sharp eyes of Fransisco already spotted them. As Fransisco put his tools down and prepared to receive his new customers with a smile. He saw that the boy had a paper In hand with some sort of drawing on it, but that's not what really caught his attention. No, it was the stunning petite woman next to him with a beautiful big bouncing rack.
'Well well if it isn't the most beautiful woman in town. What can I do for you today my lady?'
Fransisco said as he bowed with one leg in front and a hand on his chest, doing a poor imitation of a nobleman's greeting as he smiled lustfully at Mary.
Mary blushed a little and giggled a little. As she answered with a playful tone not taking the man seriously.
' Ohh you jest my lord.' Mary said jokingly.
As they both laughed Marino stood there in disgust. He could see straight throw this old bastard's act. Fransisco was an old big bearded muscular rough looking bear bellyd man. He was probably coming close to 50 years of age assuming with how much of his hair was grey. While Mary was just turning 26 this year and both parties were married with kids. No, this man was just an old perverted bastard, although you could not blame him too much Mary was a stunning woman after all.
Marino did a loud fake cough to get their attention. They both turned to look at him with a questioning gaze as he spoke.
'Mother I do believe we came here for business. I don't want to spend too much time here. So please focus.'
Fransisco smiled and patted Marino on the back as he spoke.
'Aa my boy don't be so serious and just relax. You have grown so big and strong since last we met. It has been way too long. You should sometimes go outside and enjoy yourself and not spend your entire youth studying ships.
Marino just pushed his design for the wagon to Fransisco's chest. He had drawn it at home before leaving for town to meet Fransisco. The drawing wasn't great but the design was simple enough to understand. Fransisco raised an eyebrow and asked.
'so you want a mobile kitchen?'
'Yes and here's the payment for it.'
Marino handed him the coin bag with one hundred silver coins.
In this world, one hundred copper coins is one silver and one hundred silver coins is one gold coin. If the value did not match, a coin could be cut into smaller pieces to match the asking price. Basically one copper coin is the same as one dollar in modern time and half a copper coin would be fifty cents.
With money in hand, Fransisco started counting it. While the money seemed to be the right amount he still could not determine if it would be enough. There would hardly be any profit for him in this deal. While he was frowning thinking about this and counting the money. Marino poked his mother and whispered something in her ear mother so that Fransisco couldn't hear.
After hearing her son's words Mary blushed and pondered for a few seconds before she nodded and agreed with her son's words. Even though she was a chaste and modest woman she still put all that aside in order to help her son.
And so Mary loosened her chest straps on her red and white medieval-style Laced Gown, basically, she looked like a mature busty Red Riding Hood. Mary pushed her breasts up and exposed them more as she approached Fransisco with sway in her hips.
Seeing this Fransisco's eyes widened and his body froze like a deer in headlights. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Was this his lucky day?
In the next moment before Fransisco could fully process what was going on. Mary grabbed his free hand and pushed her chest into it while she looked deep into his eyes with a worried expression on her face and teary eyes as she said.
'Is something wrong?' while she glanced at the coin bag and back at him.
Seeing this Fransiscos smiled awkwardly and said.
'Of course not. I was just admiring this generous sum of coins. There is no problem here.' He laughed awkwardly.
Hearing this Mary became overjoyed cheerfully as she said.
'You are the best Fransisco.' As she gave his bicep a kiss as she was not able to get higher on her tiptoes.
After that Marino and Fransisco went to make and sign the new contract, containing their deal. Fransisco promised to have it built in at least 6 weeks time. Thanking the love-stricken man the duo left the workshop.
Fransisco stood there with drool in his mouth watching Mary walk further and further away, when suddenly he got a hard slap on the head. Frederico stood there with resentful face looking at his stupid brother.
Fransisco rubbed the back of his head asking. 'What was that for?'
' That was for making unprofitable deals. Just because a beautiful woman shook her utters Infront of you. You should use your head and not your lower half.' With that Frederico walked away, returning back to his work. Leaving Fransisco alone with his thoughts.
After a moment of completion, he thought to himself. Was it worth it? Well, I would say absolutely. With this thought, he smiled and went back to work.
The sun was shining high above now meaning that it would be time for Lunch soon. But there was still one more thing to do, so the duo walked to their next destination. The Castle of the local lord.
The Castle was located on the southwestern side of the town on a small peninsula mostly surrounded by water. There was only about a 100m wide land bridge connecting the castle to the mainland. There was a 3-meter-tall wall running across the entire gap. Behind the wall was a simple small medieval castle. As they got closer they saw two guards in front of an open wooden gate. They greeted the two guards dressed in their Kingdom's regular guard armor, which was basically the same as the Spanish conquistadors wore in his past life. Except these men had blue and white clothes under the armor.
The duo told the guards of their business idea and intention of using the land. Asking if they could see the lord to get permission to the land.
'Just a moment.' Guard one said as he went to deliver the message to the lord.
Marino thought it strange that they would leave the gate open with just one guard guarding it as the other ran off. It seemed like a major security risk to him. As they waited for the guard to return Mary told Marino not to worry and boasted to him about the fact that she had met him before.
Apparently, this town was named after the lord family name. The lord was a 36-year-old man named Tonel Segres. He was said to be a patient, thrusting and an Just man. While Mary did not know the man personally, sometimes he would personally come to the dock to meet Jesus for some business adventures. That is where she had once seen him while talking to Jesus.
Looking through the open gates of the wall. Marino could see the guard returning with a quick jog. With some sweat on his face guard one said.
'The lord has heard your message and has given you permission to meet him in the throne room. Just walk forward to the castle entrance and guard three will lead you the rest of the way.'
As they approached the castle on their right they could see a small chapel and a priest's house and nothing else. The outer courtyard was completely barren except for a few bushes and olive trees. Most likely the lord cares more about defence than aesthetics. As having the outer courtyard barren would give archers a clear line of sight to shoot. The first gate of the castle was a hard iron gate followed by the second wooden inner gate. On top of the gate Marino could see the house sigil which was a simple blue shield with a white war galley with yellow sails.
As they walked past the gate they entered a beautiful inner courtyard with lots of greenery. After walking through the small but beautiful courtyard. Guard three led them to a small set of stairs guarded by two guards, when he halted and said.
'Just go up the stairs and through the doors and the lord will be waiting there for you. But before you enter. Remember to kneel and introduce yourselves properly when you are In front of the lord. Ok?'
Mary nodded and thanked the man for his advice. While Marino thought about his past life. Newer before has he had to kneel before somebody. While some might take offense to such a jester, he did not care. Because to him it was basically the same as saluting. And also Marino did not want to create conflict over something so petty as this.
This was no Chinese novel where the MC would start a war with the local lord and slaughter his entire bloodline, just because of his pride and massive need to slap all in the face. Plus Marino was no Chinese man.
As the guards pushed open the doors the duo entered the Lord's hall. It definitely was no great hall but a modest one. There were three beautiful stone pillars on both sides of the room with the lord's banners. In the middle, only 6 meters away from them was the throne. The throne was on an elevated level with two steps leading to it.
The lord was a man with somewhat of a muscular build with average height. His face was quite average but gentle looking with big blue eyes and blond hair. He sat there drinking a cup of wine from a shiny glass. There was also a scribe right next to him with a quill and ink and paper at the ready.
The lord sat there in his chair with a calm expression on his face as Mary followed by Marino approached the throne. Stopping at approximately 3 and a half meters away from the throne Mary kneeled as Marino did the same. After which the lord spoke and he said with a low tone. 'You may speak.'
Mary lifted her head and she said. 'My lord we wish to rent the land In front of the church. We wish to establish a fast food restaurant as my son calls it. This will be a place for those with not enough time and in need of fast fresh good foodstuffs. We believe this to be a worthy business adventure that will help our town prosper even more. My Lord.'
With that said Mary lowered her head again and waited.
Marino was quite impressed with his Mother. Though the speech was his idea his mother definitely delivered. Although it was a bit cringe and over the top.
The lord just laughed and clapped his hands a few times before speaking. 'Good good well said, you can count me amused. Though such speeches are unnecessary. As long as your business does not break the law and cause harm to my people I will allow it. As you know I am a Just man as such, I will treat you fairly just like I do to all. Regardless of your grandiose speech. As such I think my business here is done, you can go over the details with my scribe.'
With that, the Lord left his throne, glass in hand as he headed for one of the side rooms.
Once the lord was out of the throne room Marino and Mary got up and finalized their contract with the scribe. They just needed to give all their and their business information and accept the price of rent of the property and 15% tax on their earnings from the building.
With satisfied looks on their faces, the parent-child duo headed back home to feast and celebrate. All they needed to do was wait for their wagon house to be completed and they could start their business.