A letter arrived from Earl Simpson.
| Greetings, Cedie. How is life on the island? It seems that I will continue to live in the Capital for now. I’m going to miss Findas. I kept my promise to you and gathered my wine-loving friends for an auction of the Gandalcian wine. First of all, I asked them to drink a glass of your regular wine, and everyone in attendance was surprised. They said they couldn’t believe that it could only be bought for 5,000 crown coins. Orders are coming in right away. Can you wholesale two barrels of red wine and two barrels of white wine through the Polymer merchant? |
Earl Simpson’s letter began like that.
“Thanks to the Earl, we have sold more wine.”
“Yes, but the important things should be written in the later part. Hurry up and continue reading it!”
“O-okay, uhm……”
| Now, onto the main topic. At the auction that evening, Gandalcia’s vintage wine was also served. There were 12 participants, so each person only got one sip. But the results were fantastic. Everyone was so surprised and excited that they all came to me excitedly. Questions like, “Is there any more of this?” and “How can I buy it?” were bombarded to me. I wish I could have shown you their frenzy. I explained that it is a special wine and is limited to 100 bottles. As you’ve been honest with me, I’ve also told them that there might be another 100 more in the next month or the month after that. As a result of discussions based on such a premise, it was decided that your wine can be sold at 120,000 crown coins per bottle. I want to make it clear that we have no ulterior motives regarding this price. We believe we are offering an honest price that is appropriate for the quality of the wine. Of course, if you are dissatisfied, you can re-evaluate the price. |
I looked up from the letter.
“120,000 crowns per bottle…. At this price, I might be able to buy a small ship someday. Hmm, I need to hurry up and build a wharf.”
“That’s good to hear. But there’s more to the letter, right?”
“Yes, yes, I’m going to read it now.”
| Now, I wrote earlier that it’s “the main topic”, but the real main topic is from here. Viscount Terbert was also present at the auction. He is an old friend of mine, the head of the Imperial Household Office. The Imperial Household Office is the government office that coordinates the daily routines and ceremonies of the Imperial Court, and is also in charge of food. Viscount Terbert had approached me about serving your vintage wine to the guests at the upcoming wedding reception of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. What do you think? |
“T-this is huge! I didn’t expect Gandalcia’s wine will be served at a Royal reception.”
“That’s amazing, Cedie. As your best friend, I am very proud of you!”
I wrote a letter of approval on the spot.
I also need to prepare for the shipment right away.
“Don’t worry, I’ll ride Gian. Rest assured that I will deliver the letter directly to father.”
“I’m counting on you. We will also get ready for shipping.”
There are only about ten days left until the wedding reception. If we don’t deliver it as soon as the bottling is finished, we won’t be able to make it in time.
In order to share the joy and gain their cooperation, I reported this to everyone on the island. Everyone on the island was delighted to see the Gandalcian wine served at the royal wedding reception.
Medoc and Pino were so moved that they started crying.
“Now I might be able to buy the ship I’ve always wanted.”
If we have a ship, shipping will be that much easier.
“Leave the ship to me.”
Lulu puffed out her chest.
“Yes, I’ll be counting on Lulu as the captain.”
“Ah, but if the ship is too big, I can’t handle it.”
“I can’t buy a ship that big. What more, the pier is still small…”
With that in mind, I first upgraded the pier to a wharf. I spent a lot of money, but I have no regrets if I think of this as an upfront investment.
| Possible to Build: Wharf (small) Description: A wharf that can accommodate small ship. Required points: 10 Funds required: 400,000 crown coins |
The water isn’t very deep, but it’s an impressive wharf made of stone and concrete. The passage is very wide, and even Lucio with a wagon attached to him can easily enter and turn around. In the future, it would be convenient to build a warehouse near the wharf.
All that’s left to do is buy a ship with the money from selling the wine. I don’t have enough money to build a new ship at the moment, but I can buy a good second-hand one.
My goal only grew more and more.
✲✲✲
Three days later, Eugenie delivered a reply from Earl Simpson. According to the letter, they want the wine to be delivered by the day before the reception. Moreover, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, who tasted it, liked the wine so much that I was invited to the reception.
He asked me to go to the Royal Palace and participate in the reception.
“Rumors of Cedie’s wine are starting to circulate in the Capital.”
“Yeah. B-but this is very surprising! I never expected such thing to happen….”
“Oh my~, where is the normally calm Cedie?”
“That’s to be expected you know. Even though I’m from the Earl’s family, I, the third son, never thought of going to the royal palace.”
I thought that if I were to visit the Imperial Palace, I would only come there when I was a little older.…
I don’t think it’s a problem because I’ve learned all the etiquette, but I’m a little nervous.
“Father gave me this too.”
Eugenie handed me a wine label.
It was specially designed by court painter, Nanchara-san, for the wedding reception of the Crown Prince. It depicts the bride and groom embracing each other under a hazel tree. In the kingdom of Floodland, the hazel tree is considered a symbol of good fortune.
Moreover, although it is small, it even contains the words “Château Gandalcia Special”.
I need to have to hurry up and put up the label today.
Then I read the note that came with it.
“Uhm, it says…… 『This hazel crest is a gift from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to Cedie-kun. He has asked you to use it as your family crest.』”
“That’s incredible!”
It is a great honor to be a subject of the Kingdom of Floodland. From now on, two thrushes perched on a hazel tree is the emblem of Gandalcia.
“By the way, Eugenie, I have one request.”
“Oh, what is it?”
“Actually, my partner and I have been both invited to the wedding reception. So, if you don’t mind, would you like to join me as my partner?”
Eugenie covered her mouth with her small hand.
“Cedie……”
“Uh-, is it no good?”
“No. Eugenie Simpson graciously accepts your invitation to be your partner.”
I took Eugenie’s hand and bowed deeply.
✲✲✲
On the morning of his departure for the capital, Alexei was reading the newspaper while drinking his breakfast coffee.
After a quick look at the economic and political aspects, he moved to the horse racing article he is looking forward to.
“Look at it, Sebastian. Yoko Minato is in third place. As expected, my prediction was correct. I told you she would definitely win, didn’t I?”
“As expected from the Earl. You really have a keen eye.”
The horse he had his eye on won a prize on the big stage, and Alexei was in a good mood.
“By the way, the Findas news agency is full of advertisements these days. What is this soap for shaving? What’s so great about it smelling like lavender?”
Alexei’s hand, which was flipping through the newspaper while talking softly, stopped. Alexei’s gaze focused on the lower part of the cultural section. It is the section where articles that were generally not that important were printed.
“W-what the hell is this!?”
While appeasing the furious Alexei, Sebastian also read the content of the newspaper with his eyes.
It says,
『A special wine to be feasted on at the wedding reception of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince: Chateau Gandalcia Special』
Sebastian was surprised to find this headline as well.
“Is it Cedie-sama’s winery?”
“That’s right! It says it’s a personal recommendation from Viscount Terbert of the Imperial Household Office.”
“Speaking of Viscount Terbert, he is one of our country’s leading gourmet, isn’t he?”
Alexei went through the draft without saying anything, and then he left his seat abruptly.
“I’m going to Cedie’s place! Get the carriage ready.”
Sebastian sighed and bowed deeply.
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
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