Episode 32. The Wind Blows
News of the hot spring spread rapidly throughout the entire Empire. As soon as it became known that hot spring water had gushed forth on the land purchased by the Duke of Valois, the entire noble district was talking about it in less than three days. It was a place rumored to be cursed land. It was land that no one had ever paid a second glance to. The fact that hot spring water was gushing out from that very land became the talk of the town.
And then, another rumor followed. It was said that the Valois family did not have enough funds to develop the hot spring. Martha knew where that rumor originated. Because it was true.
Properly developing the hot spring required funds. Buildings had to be erected. Waterways had to be dug. Changing rooms and bathing facilities had to be provided. Laborers had to be hired. Materials had to be purchased. Even if the Valois family was recovering its finances, it was still a tight budget to handle a development of that scale all at once.
As soon as the rumor spread, letters began pouring into the Duke's mansion. From trading companies, banks, development firms, and noble families seeking investment. Dozens poured in every day.
Every morning, Maxim came up to the study with his hands full of letters. Martha opened them one by one and sorted them. Unreasonable conditions. Reasonable conditions. Conditions to consider further. And then one morning. Among the letters, one envelope stood out. Martha picked it up. The name of a trading company was written on the outside: The Golden Lion Trading Company.
Martha stared at the envelope for a long time. She opened it. The contents were brief. It stated that the Golden Lion Trading Company was interested in investing in the Valois family's hot spring development. That the scale was negotiable. That they were requesting a meeting.
Martha read it, set it down, and thought deeply. The Golden Lion Trading Company. It was a trading company run by the Duke of Kreuz. It was the family of Empress Isadora. It was a trading company that controlled more than half of the supply of materials to the Imperial Palace. It was a trading company that had siphoned off income from the estates of various noble families. That very company had sent a letter saying they would invest in the Valois family's hot spring development.
Martha looked at the letter, then looked out the window, then looked at the letter again.
'Should I meet them and test the waters?'
That thought crossed her mind. It wouldn't be a bad idea to hear directly what the intention behind sending this letter was. Understanding the Golden Lion Merchant Guild's approach to the Valois family was information in itself.
However, this was not something one could do alone. Martha knew that.
How to proceed with the meeting, what information to leak and what to hide, and what to gather on the spot. It was too big a task to decide by herself.
Martha picked up the letter as she rose from her seat. She had to visit her father. And she also had to speak with the Duke of Ashford. Claude's expression hardened as he read the letter.
"The Golden Lion Merchant Guild."
"Yes."
"They said they would invest in the hot spring development."
"That is how they came."
Claude said as he put the letter down.
"You know this isn't just a simple investment proposal, right?"
"I know."
"They are trying to get a foothold in the Valois family."
Martha said.
"That is why I am showing it to you first. And I also want to discuss it with the Duke of Ashford. Because deciding how to respond is something I cannot decide alone."
Claude looked at Martha. Martha spoke.
"Can you arrange a meeting?"
Claude looked at Martha for a moment, then nodded.
"I will contact the Duke of Ashford."
"Thank you."
Martha said as she stood up.
"Father."
"Yes."
"I think it would be best not to tell anyone about the letter from the Golden Lion Merchant Guild yet."
Claude nodded.
"I know."
Martha left the study. She stopped briefly in the hallway to think about the letter. The Golden Lion Merchant Guild had started to take action themselves. It was just the beginning.
That same afternoon, Martha rode in a carriage toward the estate. It was the day she was scheduled to inspect the herb gardens with Viscount Muller. Although the morning had been chaotic with news of the hot springs and the letter from the Golden Lion Merchant Guild, this appointment could not be postponed. It was an important meeting for the distribution contract with the Muller family.
Martha arrived first and waited at the entrance of the estate. Lucy stood beside her. A short while later, a carriage bearing the coat of arms of the Muller family pulled in.
The carriage stopped, and the doors opened. Viscount Muller got out first. Lily got out after him. She looked unusually excited today. Perhaps thrilled by the news that they were coming to see the herb garden, she walked faster than usual.
But then... another person got off behind Lily. Martha blinked. It was Bianca. An unsuitable person was getting off at an unsuitable place today. Bianca looked at Martha and walked over with a nonchalant expression. Martha said.
"Why is Lady Bianca over there?"
Lucy said.
"I didn't know either."
Martha looked at Bianca. Bianca stood in front of Martha and said.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"It's the day for the herb garden inspection."
"I know."
"You're not from the Viscount Muller family, are you?"
Martha looked at Bianca. Bianca averted her gaze slightly and said.
"I had a date with Lily today. But Lily said she was going to the Princess's estate today. I didn't want my plans to be delayed."
"So?"
"I insisted on coming with her no matter what. With the Young Lady and the Princess with me, how could I not come?"
Viscount Muller said from beside them.
"She wouldn't get off even when I told her to in the middle "
Bianca looked at Viscount Muller. Viscount Muller looked straight ahead calmly.
Martha looked at Bianca, then at Lily. Lily shrugged her shoulders as she looked at Martha. It was a look that said, 'I couldn't help it.'
Martha spoke.
"First of all, welcome."
The herb garden was located at the eastern edge of the estate. It was a field that the villagers had consistently tended to since Martha had given the orders. Originally an empty plot of land neglected by Felix Holm, it was now covered in vast fields of lavender, rosemary, thyme, and sage.
Viscount Muller stood before the herb garden, surveying it, and remained silent. After looking at it for a while, he spoke.
"It is much larger than I expected."
Martha said.
"The empty land was actually quite large."
"With a scale like this."
Viscount Muller said, looking at the garden.
"Actually, it is too much. The amount available for distribution is limited. What do you plan to do with all of this?"
Martha asked.
"I have something in mind."
Viscount Muller looked at Martha. Martha said.
"For now, I will hand over the unprocessed raw materials to Falken Trading Company. We have already agreed to supply them to the Imperial Palace."
"How much?"
"About three-tenths of the total."
Viscount Muller nodded.
"Then what about the remaining seven-tenths?"
Martha said.
"Viscount, we process them at the merchant guild and supply them to noble families."
"How?"
"Sachets. Scented sachets that noble ladies put in their wardrobes. Herbal oils. Dried herbs used for cooking. Scented candles. You know, noble families use a lot of things made from herbs. We process those and supply them."
Viscount Muller listened with a thoughtful expression. He said.
"Even so, we can only take about a third of the quantity. Wouldn't a third remain? With this amount."
Martha looked at Viscount Muller. She looked thoughtful for a moment. Then, out of the blue, she said.
"Hot springs!"
Viscount Muller froze. Martha's eyes lit up as she spoke.
"Viscount, wouldn't it be nice to soak in warm water while the scent of herbs wafted through the air?"
Viscount Muller looked at Martha.
"A hot spring filled with fragrance. Lavender scent, rosemary scent. We infuse the high-quality fragrances used by noble families directly into the hot spring water."
Martha continued.
"It is a hot spring run by the Duke of Valois. A luxury hot spring operated by a prestigious family, the first retainer of the Imperial Household. And if I could take a bath there that smells of herbs..."
Viscount Muller looked at the herb garden, then at Martha. Martha made a money shape with her fingers and held it out to Viscount Muller.
"It's a gold mine, a gold mine!"
She burst into laughter. Then she continued.
"The wind is blowing. It is blowing. The wind of money is blowing! You can smell the scent of money wafting in, right? Right?! Hoho."
Watching this, Viscount Muller took a slight step back. One step. Two steps. Martha said with a smile.
"Viscount, why are you stepping back?"
Viscount Muller said.
"I've suddenly become scared of you, Princess."
Martha said, composing herself.
"We can discuss the detailed contract terms later at the Duke's mansion. For today, let's just look at the garden."
Viscount Muller nodded and said.
"Yes. I will do so."
And he muttered to himself.
"A gold mine."
While Viscount Muller went with the villagers to check on the condition of the herbs, Martha walked toward where Bianca and Lily were. The two were sitting at the edge of the herb garden.
Bianca picked up a sprig of rosemary and was sniffing it. Next to her, Lily was talking about something while looking at the color of lavender. Seeing Martha approaching, Lily said.
"Princess, are you all done?"
"For now."
Martha said as she sat down beside them.
"How is the herb garden?"
Lily asked.
"It's much bigger than I thought. And it smells so good."
Bianca said as she put the rosemary down.
"Are you going to sell all of this?"
"Yes."
"Where?"
Martha asked.
"In several places. I'll tell you later."
Bianca looked at Martha.
"Is it related to the hot springs?"
Martha looked at Bianca. Bianca said.
"I heard a rumor. That hot spring water has erupted on the Valois family's land."
"Already that far?"
"Everyone in society talks about it. That a hot spring erupted in a cursed land."
Martha said.
"A blessing was buried deep within a curse. You have good taste, Princess."
Bianca looked at Martha and let out a smirk. Lily said.
"You bought that land on purpose, didn't you?"
Martha looked at Lily. Lily said.
"I heard it from Father. That you bought land that no one else even looked at. He thought it was strange."
Martha said.
"You'll understand as you live."
Lily nodded as she listened. Bianca said.
"Every time I hear that, I strangely understand it. 'As you live' is usually just a phrase people gloss over, but when it comes out of the Princess's mouth, it sounds like she's saying it because she really has lived through it."
Martha looked at Bianca. Because she has lived through it. Martha thought to herself. You're right, Bianca. Martha continued.
"Because I have lived through it."
Bianca looked at Martha.
"Anyone would think you've lived for five hundred years."
Martha said, picking up a sprig of lavender.
"It smells nice, doesn't it?"
"Yeah."
"What do you think it would be like if this scent filled the hot water?"
Bianca looked at Martha.
"In a hot spring?"
"Yeah."
Bianca thought for a moment, then said.
"I want to go."
Martha grinned. Lily said.
"Me too."
Martha looked at Lily.
"I'll invite you first when it's finished."
Lily's face lit up. Bianca looked away and said.
"Me too."
"Bianca, too."
Martha held the lavender and inhaled its scent, thinking. If the Duke's hot springs were filled with this fragrance. Father would like it even more than the bathtub at the Duke's mansion.
The corners of her mouth curled up. From afar, she could hear Viscount Muller talking with the villagers.
The July sunlight settled upon the herb garden. The scent of lavender drifted on the breeze. Martha repeatedly muttered in a low voice.
"Ah, I love the smell of money."
[Lucy's Secret Shock Journal Episode 32]
Several things happened today.
Shock No. 1: A letter arrived from the Golden Lion Merchant Guild proposing an investment in the hot spring development. The Princess looked at the letter for a long time. She took it to the Duke. I do not know the contents of that letter. The Princess didn't even tell butler Maxim.
Shock No. 2: Miss Bianca got off Viscount Muller's carriage. She said she had insisted on coming because she didn't want her appointment with Miss Lily to be delayed. Viscount Muller remarked, "She wouldn't get off even when I told her to stop midway."
Shock No. 3: The Princess was discussing her herb distribution plan when she suddenly shouted, "Hot springs!" She made a money shape with her fingers and showed it to the Viscount, laughing heartily and exclaiming, "It's a gold mine, a gold mine!" Viscount Müller took a step back.
Shock No. 4: Miss Bianca said, "When the phrase 'as you live' comes out of the Princess's mouth, it feels like she is saying it because she has truly lived through it." The Princess replied, "Because I have lived through it." That remark strangely weighed on my mind.
Shock No. 5: The Princess said that once the hot springs are completed, she would invite Miss Bianca and Miss Lily first. Miss Bianca looked away, but she seemed to be expressing her gratitude.
Today, the Princess held the lavender, lost in thought, and laughed to herself. She also said that she kept smelling money.
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