After spending a lengthy afternoon in the winery, drinking with one of her wives, Sienna-Rose felt a persistent headache brewing. The wine she had come to love so dearly, the very drink that elevated her reputation as the sorcerer, now tasted utterly disgusting to her palate.
As she sipped the latest vintage, Sienna-Rose couldn't help but wince at the lackluster flavor. Even Olivia, the little sister of the marquis, a noblewoman, had casually remarked that it was merely an ordinary wine—a proof of the gulf between the divine nectars Sienna-Rose had enjoyed in her previous life and the underwhelming concoctions produced in this world.
"Right! Come again here tomorrow, wife," Sienna-Rose said after finishing the last dregs of the offending vintage. She was determined to set things right.
Olivia's eyes lit up with excitement. "You'll show us the new techniques?"
"Yes, and I'll have you taste what wine should truly be," Sienna-Rose replied, her voice brimming with pride. "Now, don't drink too much more. I'm going to head to the creamery, but I'll make sure someone escorts you back to the estate."
As Sienna-Rose gazed at Olivia's flushed face, a product of the wine they had shared, she took a deep breath and leaned in closer. A part of her worried that Olivia might push her away or reject her advances, but the rational part of her mind wondered, "Which lesbian in her right mind would refuse the affections of such a beautiful, vulnerable, mature woman?"
To Sienna Rose's pleasant surprise, Olivia did not push her away. Instead, she pulled Sienna-Rose closer and met her lips in a soft, lingering kiss. The taste of the wine they had consumed mingled on their tongues, heightening the intoxicating sensation and making Sienna-Rose feel delightfully lightheaded.
In that moment, Sienna-Rose knew that her determination to master the art of winemaking in this world was not merely about reclaiming her identity as a connoisseur.
It was also about creating a legacy she could share with the woman she loved—a legacy of exquisite flavors and profound connection that would transcend the boundaries of this new reality. With renewed purpose, she reluctantly broke the kiss, her eyes shining with a mix of desire and resolve.
"I'll see you tomorrow, dear," she murmured, her voice soft and low. "I have some work to attend to, but I'll make sure you arrive home safely." Sienna-Rose then turned and strode towards the creamery.
The creamery was situated a considerable distance from both the vineyard and the grand estate, a thoughtful decision aimed at minimizing the odorous byproducts of its operations. "It's due to the smell emanating from the barn and the cheese, my lord. Even with the enchanted spells you've cast to mitigate the scent, there's still a distinct aroma that might not be to your liking," the butler, Simmons, explained with a hint of concern in his voice.
Sienna-Rose nodded in agreement. "You're right," she replied, her gaze sweeping across the expansive building before her.
Inside this sizable structure, the rhythmic hum of dairy processing filled the air, where milk and cream were transformed into rich butter and exquisite cheeses.
Sienna-Rose's eyes sparkled with recognition as she spotted the names of familiar cheeses lining the shelves: cheddar, brie, feta, blue cheese, and gouda. The sight of two types of butter—one crafted from cow's milk and the other from the creamy richness of goat's milk—brought a sense of nostalgia.
"Oh, I can make this a smoked cheese," she exclaimed, her excitement bubbling forth as she admired the glistening wheels of cheddar.
"Smoke what, my lord?" Simmons asked, clearly perplexed. It was a rarity for the sorceress to involve herself in the day-to-day operations of her estate, and he struggled to keep pace with her sudden enthusiasm.
As one of the ten sorceresses in the kingdom, Sienna-Rose had amassed great wealth, not purely through her magical abilities but also through her astute business acumen.
People often regarded her as a genius in trading, despite her magical nature. She understood the way of the market and had managed it skillfully, though she was neither the strongest sorceress nor did she possess overtly visible powers.
"If I'm not powerful, then what the hell were those stats I saw?" She pondered quietly to herself, a mix of confusion and frustration swirling within her.
Her wealth had led to a lifestyle filled with adventure, rarely allowing her to stay home. Instead, she moved from city to city, leaving the management of her estate to Simmons, inadvertently granting him authority that he shouldn't have held.
"It's not that I don't want to be home, but the events have been overwhelming," Sienna-Rose muttered to herself, a weight of guilt settling upon her shoulders.
The realization struck her: what had once been mere gameplay had morphed into a reality where her four wives and all the inhabitants of her estate were not just characters but living, breathing beings deserving of her care and attention.
"I need to accept that this is real," she finally whispered, a clarity dawning upon her.
"Real what, my lord?" Simmons inquired, his brow furrowing in confusion.
"Nothing; let's move on to another place. I do have another property, right? A hot spring?" Sienna-Rose asked, recalling one of the game mods she had managed to implement, which added extra features to her vineyard and creamery.
"Oh yes, it's close to the inn. You own a small inn not far from the inn, although no one has been able to go to the hotspring, just you, my Lord," the butler confirmed.
"I did?" Sienna-Rose's expression shifted to one of surprise, her mind racing to process this new information.
"My Lord, are you alright? Do you need another doctor to check your head?" Simmons suggested, concern evident in his tone.
"No, I'm fine. Show me where the hot spring and the small inn are located," Sienna-Rose replied firmly, unwilling to delve into her sudden lapses in memory.
The inn that the butler had mentioned was situated just outside the main barriers of Sienna-Rose's broad estate, nestled near the eastern gate—the entrance closest to the lush vineyards. This strategic placement ensured that any guests staying at the inn would be graced with picturesque views of the grape orchards from their rooms.
While modest in size, the inn offered cozy, well-appointed relaxation for weary travelers. With only ten guest rooms on the second floor, the establishment maintained an intimate, charming atmosphere.
On the first floor, there was a small but well-known diner that served breakfast to the inn's guests in the morning and became a place where guests could enjoy the estate's famous wines and spirits in the late afternoon to midnight.
Despite its modest scale, the inn reflected the discerning tastes and high social standing of its owner, well-known sorceress Sienna-Rose. The guest rooms were beautifully furnished, featuring plush bedding, antique hearths, and décor that effortlessly combined rustic charm with elegant affluence. The atmosphere as a whole made people feel calm and at ease, so they could really relax in the beautiful natural settings.
As Sienna-Rose stepped through the inn's entrance, she was greeted by the sight of the restaurant busy with activity. People who had eaten late for lunch had gathered, and their chatter and laughter filled the room. In the corner, the sorceress caught sight of Claire, one of her wives, gracefully perched beside a pianist, her voice weaving a captivating melody that mesmerized the guests.
"Oh, nice," Sienna-Rose murmured, a warm smile spreading across her face as she took in the inviting scene before her.
"My sincerest apologies, my lord. I'm going to inform the lady not to sing again," the butler, Simmons, stammered, clearly taken aback by the scene in front of him.
"Why ever not?" Sienna-Rose replied, a flash of offense flickering across her features at the butler's unexpected suggestion.
"Oh, well, uh... you don't seem to like it when Lady Claire sings. You always—" Before Simmons could finish his sentence, Sienna-Rose interrupted him, her tone firm yet gentle.
"Let my wives do as they please. If Claire wishes to sing, then let her sing. Just look at how her smile brightens when she performs," Sienna-Rose insisted, her gaze fixed on Claire, who was pouring her heart into the melody, radiating pure joy.
As Claire concluded her song, the restaurant erupted in applause, the guests cheering for her with genuine admiration. It was then that Claire's eyes caught sight of Sienna-Rose, who stood in the shadows, watching her intently.
A wave of panic washed over Claire, causing her heart to race and her complexion to pale. She had always feared that Sienna-Rose would disapprove of her singing, believing it might tarnish the dignity associated with being the wife of a sorceress.
Three times a week, Claire would discreetly sneak away to the inn to perform, relishing the thrill of being on stage. Singing and acting had once been her life's passion, and when she decided to leave the stage behind, she found it impossible to silence her desire to sing. In the bustling restaurant, no one knew that she was the wife of the famed sorceress Sienna-Rose.
"Huh!" Claire exclaimed, suddenly standing upright and bolting towards Sienna-Rose, her heart racing with trepidation. She was truly afraid of incurring her wife's wrath.
"Where are you headed?" the handsome silver-haired pianist called out, reaching for her hand.
"My wife is here!" Claire yanked her hand away from him, urgency leaving towards Sienna-Rose.
"No, dear! I was just—please!" Claire said to Sinna-Rose, flustered and panicked. "I'm not going to sing again—"
Sienna-Rose gently hushed her, wrapping her arms around Claire to soothe her. "For someone who once wanted to divorce me, you seem quite terrified of me. Have I ever harmed you?"
"No, but you don't—" Claire stammered, struggling to find the right words.
"I love your voice, Claire. Why hide it? If you want to sing, do so. If you wish to return to the stage, there's an opportunity in the city. Just ask Simmons to arrange a carriage for you," Sienna-Rose encouraged, her voice imbued with warmth.
"Really? You're okay with that? With me singing? Or even returning to acting on stage?" Claire's disbelief was palpable, her heart fluttering at the unexpected support.
"Of course! This place is yours as much as it is mine. You are my wife, the lady of the house. Do you lack anything? Is Simmons not providing you with a budget?" Sienna-Rose spoke as if the matter were entirely natural, leaving Simmons bewildered, wondering how she could remember so much yet forget the layout of her own estate.
"And if any nobles dare to bother you again, don't hesitate to be rude. Who would have the audacity to disturb the wife of a sorceress?" Sienna-Rose smirked, her smile radiant. "Now, continue singing. I want to hear you, and afterward, we can return home together."
"Are you sure? I can sing? You're not going to divorce me, are you?" Claire asked, her voice trembling with uncertainty. Her act of asking for a divorce had merely been an act to garner Sienna-Rose's attention.
"Divorce you? Nonsense," Sienna-Rose replied, cupping Claire's face in her warm hands, her own smile genuine and reassuring.
"Really?" Claire's eyes shimmered with hope, feeling an overwhelming wave of emotion.
"Yes, really," Sienna-Rose affirmed, watching as Claire returned to the stage, her heart swelling with pride.
Taking a seat in the back corner, Sienna-Rose gestured to Simmons. "Bring me a drink. I'll remain here until she finishes singing, and then we'll head home. Also, let my other wives know that we'll be having dinner together. And, Simmons, do I have that red four-wheeler?" She asked the last question carefully because the red four-wheeler was one of the game mods she used in the game.
Simmons looked at her, puzzled by the question. "Yes, my Lord. You usually use it to move around the estate."
"Could you bring it here?" Sienna-Rose requested, her tone casual.
"I can bring it, but only if it still has magic left. You typically infused it with your mana to make it move," Simmons explained, still trying to keep up with the changes in Sienna-Rose's demeanor.
"If you can bring it, do so. If not, no worries. Just tell my wives at home that we'll be having dinner together," Sienna-Rose said, her mind already drifting back to Claire, who had begun to sing again, her voice filling the inn with warmth and beauty.
"Yes, my lord," Simmons replied, bowing slightly before bustling off to fulfill her request.