Ch#74
“I’ve just returned from training, so I might carry the scent of perspiration.”
“I detected no such odor. When I rested against you moments ago, all I caught was a pleasing fragrance.”
She spoke the truth.
As her cheek brushed that solid chest, a comforting heat enveloped her, mingled with a fresh, woody aroma that set her pulse racing.
Her remark brought a flush to the tips of the Grand Duke’s ears.
“Even so… the dust from practice must have left me grimy.”
He averted his gaze, brushing back his fringe in evident discomfort.
“My face is likely disheveled as well. It’s hardly proper.”
She let out a scoff and drew nearer.
“Grand Duke, aren’t you overdoing it? If your features are ‘disheveled,’ what hope is there for the rest of us?”
“Nevertheless…”
“Enough of that. Come, take a seat for a moment.”
She clasped his hand and guided him to the table in the receiving chamber. Though he paused uncertainly, he allowed her to lead him.
“I’ve had an idea… Instead of merely refurbishing Goldrain, why not establish a completely fresh shopping district?”
With the finesse of a merchant presenting wares, she laid her plan before him.
“I’ve sketched out some concepts. Care to review them?”
“You truly assembled all this in a single night, following yesterday’s conversation?”
Amazement crossed his face as he lifted the document marked Valpide Lake Commercial District Plan.
“So, you propose developing a commercial zone by Valpide Lake.”
As he perused the pages at a measured pace, she observed him anxiously, much like a pupil awaiting judgment on an examination.
His features remained impassive through each sheet, offering no clue to his thoughts.
Yet upon arriving at the final page, a faint furrow creased his brow.
The budget details are on the last page… Has he spotted a problem?
Only toward the document’s completion the previous day had she noticed its critical shortcoming: Valpide Lake constituted private holdings of the Blenheim lineage.
I’d pinned my hopes on the Grand Duke generously donating the land for progress… perhaps overly idealistic.
A rejection now would doom the scheme to oblivion.
At length, he placed the papers aside and regarded her with intrigued eyes.
“Duchess.”
“Yes?”
“Were you schooled in estate management at your marquisate household?”
Relief washed over her in a soft exhale. At minimum, he appeared favorably struck.
“Hardly.”
Surveying the documents once more, he blended astonishment with respect.
“You devised this entire scheme overnight?”
“Do you approve?”
He inclined his head, her eager stare mirrored in his gaze.
“Frankly, it’s beyond reproach. Impeccable.”
Precisely the endorsement she’d raced here at first light to secure.
Noting her gleeful grin, he chuckled quietly.
“Even a thousand bureaucrats couldn’t muster such ingenuity.”
So… does this signify approval of my proposal?
Her eyes sparkled—just before he appended,
“However…”
“Why opt for a new district over enhancing Goldrain?”
“Well…”
She couldn’t very well confess, Because I refuse to let the Merchant Guild head profit.
As she faltered, he pressed on with delicacy.
“Goldrain embodies Blenheim’s heritage.”
“Indeed…”
“With time so scarce, erecting a fresh venue may prove less practical than revitalizing Goldrain. The aides could challenge the choice.”
“But…!”
She hastened to counter.
“It overlooks the vital element.”
“Which is?”
“Rivalry.”
Her assessment rang true.
The North remained insular. Beyond Ronderis, with its harbor access, even renowned trading houses from the capital or the empire at large struggled to penetrate.
Wealth abounded in the duchy’s coffers, yet imports lagged, fostering complacency in the marketplace.
“Swapping a handful of outlets in Goldrain changes little. Traders must sense the threat of obsolescence to strive for betterment.”
She elaborated how a novel district could exert that spur, and understanding dawned on his countenance.
“You view this as a means to rescue Goldrain as well.”
“Precisely. In time, we might link the two areas, amplifying Blenheim’s prosperity further.”
She bobbed her head with zeal, a twinge of remorse nagging her.
“And you aim to demonstrate that Blenheim’s trade can rival Ronderis in allure.”
Today, her arguments cascaded effortlessly, for reasons unknown.
“The envoys already know Goldrain intimately. Mere upgrades won’t captivate.”
“You make a compelling case,” he conceded with a nod.
“Your vision introduces genuine novelty. I’ll present it to the aides at this morning’s assembly. Though…”
A gentle sigh escaped him as he studied her.
“What troubles you?”
“Have you slept a wink?”
“A bit…”
In truth, scarcely at all. His query summoned exhaustion in a rush.
“At least recline until breakfast. Allow me to conduct you to your quarters.”
“I’d prefer your bed.”
“…Pardon?”
Panic flickered in his eyes.
“You must head to your study regardless. It’s inefficient to shuttle between rooms.”
“But…!”
“No issue, surely?”
Evasive of his reply, she darted by him and settled onto the expansive bed in his chamber.
“I’ll doze off. Bathe, then rouse me once you’re attired.”
“W-wait…!”
Ah, that comforting aroma.
Tuning out his stammered protest, she drew the covers close, inhaled his distinctive essence, and surrendered to slumber.
Meanwhile…
Trainee official Adem shuffled wearily along the second-floor corridor of the East Wing.
Beyond the arched ceiling loomed the grand council chamber—a venue that daunted every aide.
When that vast space convened outside routine sessions, it signaled grave matters afoot, confining all to the castle until resolution.
Will I see home today?
The agenda listed solely the Goldrain refurbishment.
Given the district’s myriad woes, no viable remedy could emerge in mere days.
Having toiled through the night scrutinizing the Merchant Guild head’s fiscal pleas, Adem sighed upon entering.
Locating his place, he encountered trainee official Oswick.
“You appear wrecked.”
“Likewise.”
Oswick, tasked with diplomacy, seemed marginally revived now that the delegation’s itinerary neared its close.
In hushed tones, Oswick remarked,
“Revamping Goldrain? Frankly, shouldn’t we oust the Guild leader first?”
“Mind your words,” Adem murmured, scanning the assembly.
“Count Avior’s allies infest the ranks.”
Dismissing the Guild head alone wouldn’t suffice regardless.
“Short of demolishing Goldrain outright, it’s irredeemable.”
Oswick griped that he’d already warned his spouse of his absence.
Then the Grand Duke strode in—
—yet, curiously, not solitary.
What?
Is that the Duchess?
He supported her solicitously by the arm. Spotting Adem, she beamed, prompting delighted looks among the trainees.
“Your Grace, Your Ladyship,” they chorused, standing in unison.
Why her presence? Mere morale boost?
Amid the muted speculation, the Grand Duke’s commanding timbre resounded.
“We convened today for Goldrain’s overhaul, yet the Duchess advances a bold alternative: a brand-new shopping district.”
Aides cocked their heads. Hadn’t the goal been showcasing Goldrain to the visitors? This pivot?
The notion held appeal, nonetheless.
“A new shopping district?” Adem whispered, noting Chief Aide Ferrel’s approving nod—he seemed privy and content.
“The Duchess brings her blueprint. Let us examine it.”
To general astonishment, she rose and expounded upon it personally.
Vitality animated her as she detailed the scheme, swiftly captivating the chamber.
“…And that concludes my overview.”
A faint blush colored her cheeks at the close.
Clap, clap, clap.
The Grand Duke initiated vigorous applause, swiftly echoed throughout.
A wave of agreeable astonishment swept the room.
Penned by a lady of the nobility? Not a seasoned bureaucrat?
Adem applauded, jaw slack. The plan shone with clarity, depth, and innovative strokes unseen before.
“I sensed her brilliance since ‘Today’s Menu,’” Oswick breathed, incredulous.
Glancing about, Adem beheld universal awe.
“What say you all?”
The Grand Duke inquired, a concealed smile playing upon his lips—like a patriarch beaming over his protégé’s triumph.