After Arthur had left for the Marquis Lafaille's Territory, Stephen couldn't rest as well, as he had many prospects to deal with. That is, the funds were slowly starting to dwindle.
There were at least 20 million gold coins left in the chests, but as a result of spending large amounts. Now he was left with only 5 million gold coins.
He also couldn't wait for the deli café to start its business, as it was still being reconstructed by Arthur, using the blueprint he had given.
Stephen was busy buying numerous items; now he wanted to test the items he could make with simpler ingredients. Stephen had already conjured a plan, and for that, he needed everyone's cooperation.
---
"Oh, my back is killing me," Layla groaned, touching her back. She glanced at her toddler playing on the floor, opened the door, and started sweeping.
"Hear ye! Hear ye! The Count requests that anyone who knows how to create candles come to the estate!" the town crier shouted aloud.
Layla had been seeing the town crier often; every time he announced, it was due to a new innovation by the lord.
Layla swept the floor. She was also a skilled candle maker, so she asked her husband to care for their child as she, along with the others, went to the designated place.
Once everyone was inside, the young count stood on the makeshift stage, and he began to explain.
What Stephen planned to procure were scented candles. He had gathered various herbs, floral scents, and the necessary ingredients. He had also bought some circular molds from the system shop. Stephen quickly started to explain.
He had also demonstrated how to make the new candles. Instead of a long, thin shape, Stephen presumed a circular one would be more efficient.
After the demonstration, Stephen quickly set the people to work, with each person using the double-boiler.
Soon, everyone had begun to work, with Stephen keeping tabs on the process while working alongside them.
'I only have 1.5 million gold left,' Stephen thought, trying to muster a smile. He had to quickly sell these candles and start earning a profit for the people.
The costs of buying numerous small machines for the deli, had costed him a dire amount.
---
With the people rotating their workforce, it didn't take long to procure 500 batches in three days. Stephen loaded the carriage, set on traveling to the Marquis Lafaille's territory himself.
He couldn't simply give this task to a servant, considering he was asking for a trade agreement between the marquis's territory and his own.
Thus, Stephen set out on his journey. He also wanted to visit the deli café Arthur was currently setting up.
Stephen read inside the carriage, engrossed in a manga. 'I had to buy this for 200 gold coins,' he thought. As an avid manga fan, he couldn't resist the temptation of buying a manga.
He had missed reading manga, ever since he was born in this new world. There weren't any fun stories, and books were considered luxury for commoners. 'In the future, I'll introduce this!'
---
The ride took three and a half days, and by the time they arrived, it was already evening. Since it was late, Stephen took an inn room, knowing it would be impolite to knock on the marquis's estate at this hour.
Utilizing his disguise as a simple merchant, Stephen quickly buddied up with some of the inn's guests.
"Bah, the marquis's granddaughter is such a beauty!"
"Well, who cares about beauty if the child is cursed?"
Stephen was all ears, listening to rumors about the estate. For a long time, the marquis and the former count had maintained close ties.
Due to this, the marquis's granddaughter had been betrothed to the count's son. But after the tragedies, the engagement was annulled.
Although the count had died, the marquis still maintained the trade alliance—others would have annulled it by now, but the marquis remained open to it.
It was generally thought that the marquis could be regarded as an ally. Since the former count and the marquis were both close friends serving the imperial army. It could be considered that the marquis had a soft spot for the count and it's people.
However, for Stephen, it was the other way around; the marquis was simply putting a leash on his territory, as one noble could buy an estate if the emperor approved.
As night settled in, Stephen went to sleep. When morning came, he made sure to tidy himself up.
He couldn't afford to dress poorly, especially in front of the marquis. After preparing himself, Stephen rode in the carriage to the marquis's estate.
Since he had sent a letter ahead, all Stephen could do now was wait. The carriage stopped in front of the manor, and after showing the plaque, with a brief conversation between the coachman and the guard, they were allowed inside.
Stephen stepped out of the carriage, greeted by servants along the way. 'The hospitality isn't bad,' he noted. Stephen was guided by the chamberlain to the guest living room.
He sat inside, sipping tea quietly. One hour, then two passed. Stephen remained in the room, his frustration visible. Making a guest wait for three hours was already a significant insult.
Stephen sighed. 'Of course, I can't be treated as a noble—I am an illegitimate child.' But he refused to leave, choosing to wait instead.
After another hour, the door finally opened, revealing a man in his fifties. "I apologize for the wait; I had an urgent matter to attend to."
The Marquis, although he was already in his fifties, there wasn't any gray lines on his hair. Instead, his dark-blue hair, and the aura around him, exerted force.
Stephen stood with a smile. "It's fine, my lord; I understand that urgent matters require attention."
The marquis let out a chuckle, hearing this reply. "Please, sit," he said, gesturing. Once seated, he sipped his tea and asked, "So, what brings the new lord here personally?"
Stephen smiled and took out a contract. "I am currently starting a business venture, my lord. I hope to establish a trade between our local goods and yours."
The marquis glanced at the contract, setting down his tea. "Ah, and what item do you have to offer? But first, may I ask a question?"
"Of course, my lord," Stephen replied.
"I've recently heard that your territory suffered from drought last year, yet everything seems to be progressing smoothly now—a new water source, new crops, and you're reopening the shop on 5th Street," The marquis commented, chuckling as his expression soured.
"I must say, everything appears to be going well, but wouldn't it have been prudent for you to introduce yourself as the new lord? You even missed the winter ball; I sent you an invitation."
Stephen looked at the marquis, sighing inwardly, but outwardly he allowed his face to show regret. "I apologize, my lord. I was preoccupied with tending to the people, who were in a state of jeopardy. I humbly ask for your forgiveness."
The marquis softened, smiling. "Well, you had a good reason; I understand that you were busy caring for the people. I'm pleased to see you're stabilizing the land's issues."
Stephen chuckled. "Thank you, my lord." But inside, he was already on edge. He knew he couldn't disregard this tension. The marquis's extensive information network was remarkable, and though they weren't enemies, Stephen knew he had to tread carefully.
The marquis glanced the contents of the contract on the table after reading it for a few minutes. "Could I first see this new product of yours?" He asked.
Stephen nodded and took out the scented candle. "I present to you, Luxe Lumiere."
The marquis looked at the candle. "Hmm, it's rather unusual in shape."
"It was designed as such, my lord, but its beauty lies in its scent. This one is infused with fresh herbs." Stephen lit the candle, and the aroma filled the room.
"What a calming scent," the marquis remarked, savoring his tea while breathing in the fragrance.
"It provides a calm mind and relaxation to all who smell it, my lord," Stephen added.
The marquis nodded approvingly. "This is a fine candle." Then, looking at the contract, he added, "However, regarding the contract—don't you think I'm at a disadvantage?"
Stephen blinked. "Pardon, my lord?"
"The contract states that I would earn 3 coins per candle, while you retain 5. Isn't that quite low, considering I will be distributing these throughout my territory and promoting them to other nobles?"
Stephen clenched his fists. "Then, what price would you prefer, my lord? The costs of ingredients and labor account for 2 coins of the 10-coin profit, leaving 8 coins. Those 8 coins would be split between us. You cannot expect me to give you 5 coins when my people are doing the labor."
The marquis chuckled, noticing Stephen's clenched fists. 'He can't even mask his expressions yet,' he thought with amusement. "I'm not suggesting I should take 5 coins; how about 4?"