Stephen didn't bother to reply.
Both turned silent once more as the marquess was called. Vanessa bid farewell as it was their turn to present their gifts to the emperor.
Stephen stood on the balcony, lost in thought. He shook his head and entered the hall.
He observed the other nobles in sight while waiting for his turn.
---
After waiting for over three hours, Stephen was finally called. He knelt down with the proper courtesy due to the emperor himself. "Your Majesty, I present to you what I humbly offer as your gift. While it may be modest, it has been crafted with utmost care and diligence to serve your esteemed purposes, my lord."
Hearing this, some nobles glanced at one another, visibly curious about what lay ahead.
The emperor gestured for the servant. The servant held the small box and opened it in front of the emperor.
The emperor held what seemed to be an elongated object with a tip. He gazed curiously at the craftsmanship—exquisite and meticulously created, with its tip somewhat covered in gold. It was neither heavy nor too light.
"What may it be?" the emperor inquired.
"Can't you see its fine craftsmanship?" a noble murmured, prompting more whispers among the attendees.
"I wonder what is is." another noble murmured.
The emperor raised an eyebrow. Curious, of the item, Stephen had gifted him.
"It is a pen, Your Majesty." Stephen replied.
"Pen?" The emperor raised an eyebrow. "What is this so-called pen? Can you explain it to me?"
"Of course, Your Majesty. May I ask for a sheet of paper?" Stephen requested. A servant quickly brought a sheet to the emperor. "Your Majesty, would you try to write?"
The emperor, using the pen, began scribbling. His eyes widened in shock. Even the nobles were stunned.
"It is named after your last name, Your Majesty. It is a pen that only you can use. I asked my finest crafters to create such a product for you and your duties. Thus, you wouldn't have any problems writing, Your Majesty," Stephen explained.
The emperor held the pen, a smile spreading across his face. He laughed aloud, attracting everyone's attention. "This is an amazing gift you have made! I am astounded by this!"
The emperor waved his hand. "Stand, stand!" he commanded.
Stephen rose. "I am glad that you love the gift, Your Majesty."
The emperor smiled widely, his fingers tapping on the table. "I say, Count Genest, although I am honored by this gift, I would also like for my people to have access to this pen. I presume you can supply them?"
'Jackpot!' Stephen cheered inwardly. He bowed his head. "If that is what you wish, Your Majesty, I, your humble servant, will accept."
The emperor smiled earnestly and instructed the servant to take the pen into his office.
After Stephen's turn, he stood by, feeling many gazes cast upon him. One, in particular, was Vanessa, who smiled in his direction. Stephen adjusted his suit, knowing he had accomplished an exceptional deed.
'The emperor has practically paved the way for me to start selling,' he chuckled to himself, grateful for the free promotion of his new line of pens.
---
After the gift exchange, the emperor hosted a party. Everyone drank and conversed with one another.
Yet, everyone's eyes were darting toward Stephen. It was clear as they looked like hungry hyenas wanting to devour him, especially after the gift he had bestowed upon the emperor.
As the gazes intensified, one man made his way through the crowd. He stood before Stephen with a wide smile spread across his face.
"You must be the new count!" he exclaimed, his short blonde hair and a noticeable scar on his lower lip giving him a mischievous appearance. It was the third prince, Clifford Penalver.
Stephen bowed his head. "Greetings to your royal highness."
"No, the pleasure is all mine! Say, we are of the same age, are we not? So please, speak freely!" Clifford insisted.
"That would be rude, Your Highness," Stephen replied, earning a laugh from Clifford.
"You amuse me. Anyway, I am simply baffled by the gift you have bestowed upon my father! Say, can I buy an available one? I badly need it," Clifford proposed.
"Although it would be an honor, I am saddened that I have nothing with me at this moment. However, I will be happy to provide you with one, Your Highness, if you give me some time," Stephen replied.
"Excellent then! I will be waiting!" Clifford said before bidding farewell.
As Stephen stood there, he noticed another figure approaching. It was none other than the marquess.
"Stephen!" the marquess greeted. "It seems like you've caused a buzz again."
"Thank you, my lord," Stephen replied, glancing at Vanessa.
"Ah, right." The marquess dismissed Vanessa, his eyes crescent-shaped with amusement. "I'm quite curious about the metal pen, and I'm keen on acquiring a trade."
Stephen nodded, aware of the other nobles eyeing them both. He smiled in response to the marquess. "That would be amazing, my lord; I will gladly do so."
The marquess erupted into a chuckle. "Great! I will wait for you in my estate!" he instructed.
After the marquess left, other nobles began greeting Stephen. It was obvious what they wanted: to procure a trade for the pens in their territories.
But Stephen bluntly refused, explaining that production would take over three months to create a batch. Of course, this was a lie, but Stephen had to impose limitations on the creation line.
He couldn't overwork everyone in his territories, as well as he had no plans of furthermore enticing the nobility.
What he wanted to procure, that the Metal Pens is an item that one could not easily get a hold of. It's like putting a limit to watching your favorite tv-show, the shorter it is, the more the viewers would anticipate what would be next.
He was exactly going for that kind of plan.
---
After the party, Stephen visited the deli.
Afterwards then rode in the carriage as they departed to the marquess's estate. The whole journey would take two days, thus Stephen inside the carriage read the new manga's he had purchased.
As the carriage stopped, they were greeted by the marquess's servants and Vanessa.
The marquess could travel between the territories at ease because he had numerous magicians under his rule. In contrast, Stephen did not even have one, but with a few enhancements on the carriage, a one-week journey would take at least three days.
The Imperial City with the Marquess's Territory would take at least four days, but with the enhancement in the carriage it only took two days to reach.
Vanessa began to tour Stephen around the estate. "May I ask, my lady, is the marquess currently busy?"
"Yes, he is. Grandfather told me to attend to your needs while he deals with some matters," Vanessa replied, sipping her tea.
The two were currently in the garden, drinking tea served by the servants. He had thought that he would converse with the marquess regarding the trade.
But it seemed the marquess had other plans concerning their trade. It was clear that the marquess had deliberately placed Vanessa to take care of him.
"My lord, I have heard that you are currently reconstructing one of your shops," Vanessa spoke, placing her cup on the table.
"Has the word already spread?" Stephen asked.
"Well, it has," Vanessa replied with a smile. "Do you need help?"
Stephen gazed at the woman's smile. It was clear as day. "What help would you provide, my lady?"
Vanessa placed her cup on the table. "From the exterior, it seems you are opening some sort of spot for nobles, correct? It doesn't look like a dress shop; perhaps a shop that sells baked goods?"
Stephen paused, considering the woman's insights. "Well, it's neither," he replied. "What kind of help are you offering my lady?"
"If it's a sweet shop, I'm sure my noble lady friends would love to visit. As you know, I have quite a reputation," Vanessa said.
Stephen chuckled in response. The more they conversed, the more she reminded him of her. "Then what would you want in return, my lady?"
Vanessa smiled. "I would want to visit your territory."
Stephen paused. "Well, I'm sure you won't find it in any way fun; there are hardly any stores open."
"I do not care; all I wish is to visit the territory, my lord. Although I've been there a few times, after the plagues and the drought, I haven't visited again," Vanessa said, filled with worry.
"Then I'm sure you'll be shocked by how it has fallen," Stephen added.
After a moment of silence, a servant came, calling upon Stephen as the marquess had finished his discussion.
Thus, Stephen returned to the guest living room, sitting in front of the marquess.
"Did you enjoy tea with Vanessa?" the marquess asked.
"Yes, indeed, my lord," Stephen replied, settling back into his seat. "I would like to discuss the metal nib pen."
"Straight to the point?" Marquess Lafaille smiled. "Alright, what ratio do you propose?"
"20:3, my lord," Stephen replied bluntly. He knew he had to persuade the marquess, especially since the metal nib pen cost more than other items.
"Sure," the marquess agreed, earning a surprised look from Stephen. "I understand that it would cost a lot, considering it is indeed a high-quality product."
He had thought that the marquess would once again try to change the ratio. He had already made some plans inside his head, yet the Marquess bluntly accepted the offer.
Stephen smiled as he placed the contract on the table. The marquess signed after reading it, thus finalizing the trade. Stephen bowed his head. "Thank you, my lord."
"Well, it's a pleasure to do business with you," the marquess said.