295 Friendly Chat

Sinking into the cushions, Duchess Poinset smiled leisurely at me as she reached forwards and took the teacup that Kalia placed on the table, giving me a sense of deja vu as she sipped on the drink, nodding her head slightly in appreciation.

"Miss Astra, your daughter knows how to brew a good tea! I am curious, were the leaves purchased or grown by you and your family?"

"Grown by us, Duchess Poinset. Would you like a bundle?"

Her smile widened as she nodded, and I gestured at Kalia to bring me over a pouch of the leaves, which I had left out so that anyone could make tea whenever they wanted.

"Additionally, Miss Astra, there is no need to be so... wary around me today. I am here to conclude the business we have together, and perhaps strike some business with my new neighbors? But nothing serious, so there is no need to worry. I swear it. Relax, enjoy this beautiful day~!"

Waving her hand out towards the river, Duchess Poinset took in the gorgeous view that the property provided before taking another sip of the tea, the red haired woman nodding appreciatively again.

"Thank you dear~! So, let's cut to the chase; our Queen has agreed to sell off the land for the price you and Miss Trabyia agreed on, with all the tax exemptions and rebates that have been modified to fit the new price. Additionally, she is rather happy that you plan on adding even more nature near her forest, and specifically more trees. As for the cabin and market stall idea, she has no objections to it. Which means..."

Reaching between her bosom, the Duchess grinned at me as she retrieved a medallion from between her breasts, placing it on the table and sliding it over to me.

"Here. You now own two separate plots of land inside the Dryadi Queendom, a feat that many strive to accomplish yet fall short of! Congratulations would be in order, but no one truly knows who your family is, so I suppose that will be a private affair. Besides Miss Sari, of course; she is a well documented woman, after all. Many of the Princesses were saddened that the Captain had retired, with a few wanting to come and convince her to take them one last time~! You snagged a high value futanari, Miss Astra~!"

I nodded, staring at the medallion in front of me before lifting it up, its golden surface still warm.

My eyes flitted towards the Duchess, who was smiling as she stared at the medallion as well, before raising a brow as she noticed my gaze.

"As for the other reason I decided to personally come visit again, there are a few. The first was the tea; I was hoping to purchase some monthly, if at all possible? Depending on the labor required and amount, prices for good tea fluctuate far too much for my liking, so I would like to acquire a stable supply for a fixed rate, if at all possible? I only need enough for myself, so it shouldn't be too large of a bundle each month..."

She leaned forwards, staring intently at me as she traced a finger around the edge of her teacup, those sky blue eyes serious as she awaited an answer.

"I... I would need some time to see if the crops take to the land or not, and how viable it is to get the amount needed. Promising something now wouldn't be good for either of us..."

The Duchess nodded, sighing softly as she stared into the golden liquid in her cup, the slight hint of mint complimenting the lemongrass that we used for this pot seemingly entrancing the woman as she took another sip.

"Fine... next order of business then. You specifically stated that one of the things that you wanted to make was wine, and personally I have been wanting to get into the wine business as well; rather lucrative business, especially if catered to either the everyday citizen or to the rich. Everyone can appreciate a good wine, no matter their background. Which was why I was curious if you would be willing to take an investment? One that you would have to pay back even if you fail, of course, but one that should help get everything you need to make wine and bottle it.

I would... sponsor your efforts through money and advertisement depending on the audience, while you and your family would make the wine and sell it. If you succeed, we could make decisions to expand the orchards in a different plot and open storefronts within the city to sell off the wine, with my reputation cutting through some of the red threads that the Government has in place to make these kinds of things slower for non Nobles."

  Once more, the Duchess fixed me with an intense stare as she waited for my answer, her entire being seemingly focused on business as she once more gave me a business proposition.

"Again, I would need to see if we were even capable of producing wine to begin with, but I would certainly consider the offer if I find out that we can, and that it is worthy of being sold..."

She chuckled and nodded, before saying "Last proposition, and one that is different than the others. Miss Astra, I find myself in need of a secretary some days, and I personally would rather someone completely clean and free from outside influence to take the role... as well as someone nice to look at like yourself.

All I need in my secretary is to manage some of my workload that is rather mundane, to keep a schedule, and someone to help those meeting with me feel a tad more comfortable. You've seen what its like being interviewed with me; imagine doing it on your lonesome? I almost feel bad for them sometimes. Almost."

Her smile was soft as she searched my veil again, before adding "There would be a trial period and a few tests to ensure that I could rely on you for some of the more basic things, and the location for most of your duties would be located just over there, in my vacation home. Twice a week for a salary of... 30 Gold a day? Roughly four to six hours a day, depending on your efficiency, and bonuses for when you need to travel into the city with me for those meetings. What do you say?"

"I... would want a contract drawn up between the two of us in regards to many things before I even considered such a role. One that guaranteed my safety, my family's safety, and many other things. You understand that I am simply being wary, Duchess Poinset. I apologize, but I truly don't know nor trust you to that extent."

Chuckling, she nodded as she sipped her tea again, replying "I understand completely, Miss Astra, which is why I find you to be rather fit for the position. Money didn't dissuade you, knowledge of my strength didn't dissuade you... Admirable traits, and ones that speak to a potentially loyal woman who would do her best to keep her job confidential. In other words, a diamond in the rough. Very well, I can have a contract drawn up by a third party, one whom keeps everything to the normal language of people and not legal speak. If you want to add or retract something within it, we can certainly do so as well... That was my last business proposition to be made, Miss Astra. Should I return in a few days time, or perhaps a week for your answers?"

"A week from now sounds excellent, Duchess. It gives us both time to think it over. Was... that all?"

"Mhm~! It was, dear. Enjoy the new land, and let us hope that we come to an agreement with a few businesses~!"

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Like I said in Servant System, there will likely be late chapters on Sundays, or more likely than not, no chapter at all thanks to the start of the American Football season, so that's just a heads up~!

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