Chapter 254 - 252: Stewart’s Invitation

Chapter 254: Chapter 252: Stewart’s Invitation

Although the sensational fashion show was over, everyone knew its impact would be everlasting.

The following day, Derek found people from the Golden Crown Opera House to help dismantle the runway and other installations.

Sharp and Zelina were in the study, logging the clothing and quantity requests from various interested parties. At that moment, the line of people waiting stretched for several hundred meters.

Duane and Natalia, meanwhile, were discussing costs with Viscount Martin on Zelina’s behalf.

The total cost for hosting the fashion show at the Golden Crown Opera House, including the rental of rooms, the venue space, and the lighting, added up to over eight hundred Gold Coins.

However, considering the unprecedented nature of the fashion show and the considerable profit he had made from it, Viscount Martin cut the price in half and rounded it down, charging only four hundred Gold Coins.

His only hope was that if Time Closet were to hold another fashion show in the Royal Capital in the future, they would consider the Golden Crown Opera House first.

He also promised that they would split the revenue from ticket sales for that event.

Duane and Natalia naturally had no objections. It didn’t matter to them where the fashion show was held, and they were already familiar with the Golden Crown Opera House. Plus, its experienced staff would save them a lot of trouble.

After seeing Viscount Martin off, Natalia stretched languidly. Her long gown instantly pulled taut, revealing her perfect figure.

She sighed, "It’s finally over. Now we can relax and have some fun in the Royal Capital for a few days."

Duane smiled. "We might be able to relax, but I suspect Zelina and the other two will be busy for a long time."

Natalia noticed Duane’s gaze lingering on her body and quickly composed herself, her cheeks flushing slightly.

"Once this batch of orders for Time Closet is fulfilled, the reserve funds we’ll have earned should be enough for our next investment. I’m planning on giving a portion of my shares to the other three."

Natalia was responsible for the initial capital investment and, with the backing of the Kennedy Clan’s name, held a 35% stake.

Since her financial contributions might no longer be needed, she felt her role would diminish, which led her to this idea.

Duane said in surprise, "You shouldn’t think that way. Without your initial investment, there would be no Time Closet, now or in the future."

Natalia shook her head and explained, "To be honest, I’m not really that interested in this side of things."

"Absolutely not!"

Duane immediately shot down her idea. "When you become a noble’s wife in the future, you’ll need to help manage the family’s businesses. If you aren’t interested, the family fortune could be squandered before we even know what’s happening."

Natalia shot him a glare. "What do you mean, ’we’? You’re getting more and more audacious, Baron!"

Duane coughed lightly. "Sorry, that was a slip of the tongue..."

"Hmph. I’m going to help Zelina. You can entertain yourself!" With that, Natalia left.

Duane couldn’t help but chuckle. ’One moment she’s saying she’s not interested, and the next she’s off to help Zelina. What a quick turnaround.’

He felt that the only thing standing between him and Natalia was the approval of the Count and Lady Delilah.

"My lord."

A Male Servant walked over and respectfully handed him an invitation. "A Knight from the Stewart Clan delivered this."

"Oh?"

Duane was a little taken aback. In all the time he had been in the Royal Capital, this was the first formal invitation he had received.

’I remember the Stewart Clan produces Star Velvet Cloth, a very high-end fabric. Could they be looking to partner with me?’

’But Time Closet’s operations are public now. Any collaboration regarding fabrics should go through Zelina, not me.’

Duane opened the invitation and began to read.

It made no mention of a fabric collaboration; it was simply an invitation for Duane to be a guest at the Stewart Clan’s estate.

’It must be about his daughter Constance and Simone.’

Duane made his assessment.

’That’s the only connection I have with him, after all.’

"Go and tell the Knight who delivered this that I thank Viscount Raul for his invitation and will attend the banquet on time."

Duane informed Natalia and the others, then went back to prepare.

Since the Viscount had personally invited him, Duane wasn’t obligated to bring a gift to the banquet.

However, this was their first meeting, and Duane would be the one visiting his estate.

Following the principle that one can never be too courteous, he decided it would be best to prepare a modest gift.

’What should I give him?’

He pondered for a moment and decided to leverage his newfound reputation as a master painter and create a painting for the Viscount.

’As for the subject of the painting...’

He decided to paint a scene of children playing in Black Forest Port, with the little girl at the center of the piece modeled after the Viscount’s own granddaughter, Vera.

This type of artwork wasn’t complex, and Duane finished it in about twenty minutes.

But as he looked at the finished painting, he frowned slightly.

"Owington, do you think it’s a bit cheap to show up with only a painting?"

The Male Servant drew closer to the painting. The beautiful scene depicted on it was like something out of a fairytale.

"My lord, with your current reputation, this painting would have immense value to collectors. I think it’s a perfectly suitable gift!"

’That’s a nice sentiment, but it all depends on whether the Viscount has an appreciation for such things.’

’Besides, I still don’t know how Viscount Raul intends to handle the matter with Simone.’

As Simone and Vera’s Lord, it would be a small effort for him to help ease their relations with the Stewart Clan.

Furthermore, if he could eventually bring Constance, a talented Mage, over to Black Forest Island, it would be an indirect boost to his own strength.

’If he were just any other Viscount, a painting would suffice. But Viscount Raul is Simone’s father-in-law and Vera’s maternal grandfather, after all.’

He said thoughtfully, "Alright, you and Jack go to the commercial district immediately. Buy two Black Iron Longswords. Also, pick up five or six Basic Lively Crystal Stones and Basic Magic Crystal Stones."

Owington understood, once again feeling the depth of his Lord’s benevolence.

"When Simone and Vera learn how much you’ve done for them, they will surely be even more grateful to you!"

"Go on."

Duane planned to gift two Longswords with the "Blazing Fire" Enchantment. That would be a more suitable gift.

Although the two swords cost less than thirty Gold Coins to make, the Blazing Fire Enchantment Duane applied could be used at least twelve times. A single Enchanted Weapon like that sold for about thirty Gold Coins on the open market.

That evening, Duane arrived outside the Stewart Clan’s estate in a rented luxury carriage.

Like the Kennedy Family, Viscount Raul had also acquired an estate in the Royal Capital to use as a point of contact.

However, compared to Count Kais’s estate, this one was far more modest in size.

Of course, the landscaping was still quite excellent.

"Haha, welcome, welcome!"

The pot-bellied Viscount Raul strode out from the manor, his face wreathed in a broad smile. He looked nothing at all like the man Simone had described—one who would denounce him before the King.

Seeing this, Duane felt a measure of relief. ’It seems he’s not here to demand I hand over Simone.’

"It is my honor to receive your invitation, Your Excellency," Duane said.

As he spoke, he gave a look to Owington and Jack, and the two men immediately stepped forward to present the gift boxes.

"These are two Longswords I personally enchanted, as well as a new painting of mine."

Viscount Raul was taken aback. This was completely unexpected. He asked in astonishment, "The Baron knows Enchantment as well?"

Duane replied humbly, "I’ve only recently learned. I hope you won’t find my work wanting, Your Excellency."

"Your knowledge and abilities never cease to amaze me, Baron!"

Raul said as he picked up the painting.

"To receive a work from a master painter of the Kingdom—the honor is all mine. Please forgive me, I am too eager to see what’s inside!"

He unrolled the scroll, and a scene of children playing seemed to leap off the paper.

Viscount Raul’s gaze immediately fell upon the little girl who bore a striking resemblance to his own daughter, and he was visibly shaken.

It was obvious that the little girl in the painting was the granddaughter he had never met.

Raul quickly rolled the painting back up, keeping his expression neutral.

"Worthy of a master. Your painting is both magnificent and lively. I can truly feel the little girl’s joyful spirit. I will take this home and treasure it!"

Perhaps because his mind was in turmoil, Raul didn’t spare a glance for the Enchanted Longswords, instead leading Duane into the drawing-room.

The two chatted for a while about the previous day’s fashion show before it was time for dinner.

It was a private banquet; besides Duane and Raul, there was no one else at the vast dining table.

Being a private dinner, there was less formality, so the two could eat and talk freely.

After a few glasses of fine wine, Duane couldn’t help but ask, "Viscount, I was wondering what matter you invited me here to discuss?"

"I won’t beat around the bush. I invited you here today for two primary reasons."

Raul raised his glass again and drained the wine in a single gulp. ’His large belly definitely comes from all the drinking,’ Duane thought.

"First, I’d like to discuss a partnership with you."

Duane knew that the first item on the agenda was rarely the most important one. But he wasn’t in a hurry; there was still plenty of time left in the evening.

"Please, go on."

Viscount Raul said, "As you know, the specialties of my Territory are the Star Velvet Mammoth and Star Velvet Cloth. The former can haul several thousand pounds of cargo for a full day and night without rest, while the latter is one of the highest-quality fabrics available."

"As one of the founders of Time Closet, you must be earning a significant amount of Gold Coins, and Black Forest Island is bound for great development. Therefore, you will have a need for both Mammoths and Star Velvet Cloth."

Duane returned the toast with a smile. "A Mammoth costs three thousand Gold Coins a head. I’m afraid this Little Baron can’t afford to raise them."

"You’re being too modest, Duane!"

Viscount Raul said, "With high-end fabrics, the clothes you design can be sold at exponentially higher prices. The profits would be immense!"

Duane had to agree. This was, in fact, one of the future directions for Time Closet.

After all, a princess and the daughter of an ordinary noble couldn’t possibly wear clothing from the same price range.

Even for a Lolita dress, the level of class conveyed by high-end fabrics, top-grade gems, and fine accessories was completely different.

A garment costing a few dozen Gold Coins to make could easily sell for several hundred, or even more.

"Time Closet would be more than happy to partner with you!"

Duane said with a smile, "I’ll have our dedicated manager visit your Territory!"

"Haha, to our initial partnership, cheers!"

Duane put down his wine glass, cut two pieces of venison, and put them in his mouth. They tasted good.

"Actually, I’m more curious about the second matter you wanted to discuss."

Viscount Raul gave him a mysterious smile. "Why don’t you take a guess?"

Duane put down his knife and fork, wiped his mouth, and said, half-joking and half-serious, "You’re not planning to use one dinner and one business deal to make me hand over Simone, are you?"

"Hahaha..."

Viscount Raul roared with laughter. As his laughter died down, the smile vanished from his face.

He downed another glass of wine and said in a heavy voice, "Come in!"