A Proposal

After finishing our breakfast, the nuns begin teaching the children basic reading and writing in the main hall. Bidding the children a temporary farewell, I head up to Father Graham’s office on the second floor of the church building with Melissa.

The office is a small square room with a single window in the back, its walls lined with shelves packed with books. The three of us barely fit inside around the large table occupying the center of the room.

“Please, sit…” he says, walking toward the chair behind the desk near the window.

At his invitation, Melissa and I take our seats on the wooden chairs near the entrance.

“This is what I wish to discuss with you.” I pull out a wooden jar containing dried tea leaves. The moment I unseal the lid, the distinctive, earthy aroma of green tea fills the room. “These are leaves from a plant called green tea—a crop originating from the Far East. Its leaves can be brewed into a refined beverage, and its pressed seed oil can even be utilized for high-end cosmetics. It has become a favorite drink of mine, which is why I considered establishing a plantation right here, especially after seeing the church’s massive backyard.”

In truth, I’ve become quite a tea lover myself, and that is entirely Master Long Kai’s fault.

The cabin where I lived for two years was surrounded by tea plants that he had cultivated roughly ten years ago… Because we had an endless supply, we drank it every single day. Now, it feels rather strange whenever I go without it.

“So, you wish for us to cultivate these on our land?” Father Graham asks.

“Yes, exactly! However, I understand the financial risks of introducing a brand-new product to the market… Therefore, I propose testing it first at Melissa’s restaurant today. Could you assist us with this, Melissa?” I hand the jar of green tea leaves over to her.

“Yes, Pri—Lumi!”

With our tasks clearly defined, we come to an agreement. While I test the market at the Lucy inn and restaurant, Father Graham will begin clearing the wild growth and plowing the soil behind the church.

“Tony, we’re back!” Melissa calls out as we step into the restaurant, which is already bustling with patrons. She quickly dons her apron and dives straight into helping run the floor.

I walk toward the kitchen while putting on another apron prepared for me. It is far too big, but still manageable.

“I heard from Melissa that you’re going to try out a new product here?” Tony asks.

“Yes! Please take care of me today!”

I borrow a black iron kettle and place it over the small hearth. After hooking the handle onto a wooden arm suspended above the flame, I fill the kettle with water. Once the water reaches a rolling boil, I lift the kettle off the hearth and set it aside to cool for a minute before adding the green tea leaves with a strainer. After steeping for three minutes, I remove the strainer and pour the hot tea into the glasses Tony and Melissa prepared for me.

While Melissa distributes the tea to the curious patrons, I focus on brewing the next batch, reusing the tea leaves two more times to extract their full flavor.

It seems the customers are beginning to make quite a commotion over the tea. Naturally... if even a princess accustomed to daily palace delicacies couldn't resist its charm, I doubted commo—I mean, ordinary citizens could either.

“Please calm down, sir! The next batch is already on its way!”

Word of mouth spreads fast; before long, a rush of merchants and even curious nobles begins pouring through the doors as lunchtime arrives.

“What is this drink?”

“Where did you acquire such a product?”

From curious onlookers to ambitious traders desperate to uncover the secret behind the beverage, I can safely declare this initial market test an absolute success.

“We are terribly sorry… We were only provided this product because a high noble wished to test it at our humble establishment,” Melissa says, bowing respectfully in an attempt to pacify the eager crowd.

“Which noble? I am a marquis!” A fat nobleman with a twirling mustache slams his palm onto the wooden table.

“I am terribly sorry, Lord Belenova! We do not even possess the rights to sell this yet,” Tony attempts to soothe the angry aristocrat with a polite, calm smile.

That man is Marquis Belenova? Isn't he the one who slaughtered Tony’s men in the slums?

“I spared your pathetic life years ago, commoner! The very least you can do is tell me everything about this product!”

Suddenly, a calm yet commanding voice silences the entire room—a voice I know intimately, as it belongs to my grandfather. Grandfather is already residing at the Lenningham townhouse in the capital. Both my cousin, Nicolai, and I are set to enroll in the academy this year, so Grandfather will almost certainly be attending the upcoming orientation ceremony as well.

“Do you have a problem with my product, Marquis Belenova?”

“D-D-D-Duke Lenningham?!” The marquis leaps from his chair, his face instantly turning pale as he stares at the imposing figure standing behind him.

Not only the marquis, but the gathered merchants and nobles begin to lose their composure as the Duke strides past the tables and chairs toward the kitchen counter.

There is a reason why my grandfather is famous: not merely as a politician, but because he thinks far more like a merchant. Every agreement he signs is calculated to make his territory prosper even further—his catchphrase, “What is my gain if I sign this proposal of yours?”, being a dreaded death sentence for any foolish noble and merchant. Even if I am his doted granddaughter, had I proposed a foolish arrangement, he would have rejected it without a second glance. That is simply the kind of man he is…

“W-We have no problem at all!” The marquis stammers, attempting to regain his composure as he offers a hurried, sweeping bow to the Duke.

With that single display of authority, the crowd that had been clamoring for the tea swiftly disperses from the restaurant. Of course, with a noble of duke rank present on the scene, the only entity capable of contesting rights to such a product would be the Royal Family itself.

“You always manage to surprise me, my dear granddaughter…” Grandfather pulls out the letter I sent him earlier this morning, waving it gently in the air with a warm grin. In it, I had outlined my business plan for green tea, explicitly inviting Duke Lenningham to cultivate the exact same crop on a massive scale across his territory after we finish cultivating our first batch at the orphanage—in exchange for his official protection over the orphanage.

Tony freezes in utter shock, his eyes widening as he finally realizes my true status as a high-ranking noble. “L-Lady Luminera…”

“It’s alright, Mr. Tony. I am simply a commoner today. But please, do not speak of this to anyone.”

Tony quickly bows his head, relief washing over his features. “Yes... with absolute pleasure.”

“Grandfather, please try some…” I pour a fresh glass and present it to him.

Before drinking, he takes a moment to savor the delicate aroma rising from the glass. “I see… Even before tasting it, the fragrance alone is enough to captivate me.”

He takes a slow sip. His eyes widen in surprise for a fraction of a second before he smoothly regains his composed posture. “No wonder that crowd was so eager to claim this product for themselves. Very well, I agree to assist you in this endeavor.”

I jump with joy, throwing my arms around him. “I love you, Grandpa!”

Duke Lenningham pats my head. “I love you too, dear Lucia. It seems you’ve grown into a very fine princess over the past five years. You are now far better than most of the nobles under me. But are you sure about giving your tea plantation secret away to me?”

“As much as I want to have the plantation for myself, I just need you to protect and support the orphanage—and perhaps assist most of the slum residents as well. Though, if I may add one more request, granting me a lifetime supply of free tea would be quite wonderful too!”

“That’s easy. Providing the Royal Family with a generous supply of tea is a small price to pay. But you want me to take responsibility for the slums as well?”

“Yes, Grandfather… I saw the slums myself, and honestly, I want to help them. It seems Mr. Tony here was once a gang leader or something similar in the slums, so asking him for more details might be the best way forward. I am sure there is a lot of untapped potential you can uncover. What do you think, Mr. Tony? I think it is significantly better for the people than turning to thievery…”

“That is certainly true…” Tony murmurs, sinking into deep thought.

Duke Lenningham smiles before calling out, “Theo! Weiss!”

At his summons, two knights enter the restaurant from outside.

“Weiss, you will be tasked with guarding the orphanage with your team. Learn how to cultivate the plants from my granddaughter and make a clear report for me. Change into civilian clothes,” the Duke commands.

“Yes, sir!” With a swift bow, Mr. Weiss exits the building.

“Theo, you will be tasked with assisting my granddaughter before her orientation. You, too, change into civilian clothes.”

“Yes, sir!” Mr. Theo bows and follows Mr. Weiss outside.

Grandfather turns to look at me gently. “Weiss is the son of a marquis, so he is quite sharp. He will learn the process at the orphanage before I replicate the cultivation methods across our territory, so please teach him for me.”

“I will teach Mr. Weiss the cultivation method, Grandfather!”

“And perhaps I should start to figure out how to buy those seeds or plants directly from the Far East…” He rests a hand against his chin before looking back and forth between Tony and me. “I need to speak with Tony regarding your request. Lucia, you may go with them to the orphanage and oversee the first plantation; I have already arranged a carriage for your tea transportation this afternoon… So, you must hurry.”

“Thank you, Grandfather…” Remembering something important, I pull out a piece of paper and hand it to Duke Lenningham. “I have one more request. It is written inside this letter. It is regarding Principal Orphus.”