New World, New Life: I Became A Bigshot In The Ancient World
Chapter 46: WILL GROW UP TO BE FINE YOUNG LADIES

Chapter 46: WILL GROW UP TO BE FINE YOUNG LADIES

"Another proposal?" Wilson asked with his chin resting on his interlocked hands.

Catherine was also very curious.

"I need to borrow money from you. Consider it as lending money on interest. We can draft an agreement to make it official." Aristia offered him a business smile.

She really didn’t need to be so detailed about the materials, and one so expensive, but she was building the restaurant in the capital. That was like the main base, the headquarters. She had to make it unique.

"Hmm, a contract? Let me see..." Wilson was intrigued at the solution she had come up with. Even so, he still pretended to think seriously about her offer, even though he had already made a decision.

"Alright, I will do so." He was beginning to take this seriously. He glanced at Catherine, noticing that she was also thinking the same.

Even though he wasn’t very optimistic or supportive about the managing of a business by a child, the amount of work she put into her planning made him rethink.

Seeing how serious she was about this new business and the effort she was putting into making her ideas a reality, Wilson came to a decision. He would help her manage it if, like he was sure would happen, it proved to be too much work for her.

"So, it’s settled then. When can we draft the official agreement?" Aristia inquired, "I also would like to choose a land and location." She needed to see for herself the location of the land the restaurant would be built on.

"That is fine, you can come with me tomorrow to look at the available lands." Wilson nodded his head in agreement.

"Alright," she was about to get up when she remembered something. She turned to Wilson. "Papa, do you know of anyone with excellent carpentry skills?"

"I do know of someone. I can arrange for you to meet him." Wilson suggested.

"That would be very much appreciated,"

"Is that all?" Catherine asked.

"Yes, that would be all for now. Then, goodnight Mama, goodnight Papa." Aristia smiled at her mother who had not said a word ever since their discussion about the building materials. Probably because she really did not know what to input as aristocrat ladies did not usually talk about business and the likes.

Catherine smiled back, "Goodnight, dear."

"Goodnight, Tia." Wilson wished.

***

"There are three factions in nobility in Amberale. They are the faction supporting Duchess Anton, the faction supporting Duchess Winston and the Neutral faction."

Vasily was explaining about the factions in nobility. It was the day after Aristia visited her parents’ room.

"The families under Duchess Anton’s faction are the Eldridge, Kiran, Hemsworth, and Everett, along with some families belonging to minor nobility," Vasily paused, allowing her words to sink in.

She continued, "The families under Duchess Winston’s faction are the Essylt, Splane, Tindall, Easton and some minor nobles, and the families under the Neutral faction are the Oswalt, Prescott and some minor noble families."

Vasily paused for a moment, then explained further,

"Those supporting Duke Anton and Duke Winston are the husbands of the noblewomen supporting the two Duchesses."

Aristia nodded in understanding. The two Duchesses had factions and followers. That meant that a noblewoman supporting a particular faction, would automatically mean that her husband was supporting the respective husband of the faction leaders his wife was supporting.

The noblewomen would join the factions of the wives of the Lords their husbands were following.

Those in the neutral faction did not support or follow either faction. That was why they were neutral.

The two duchess’s factions held equal power and status as they held equal number of supporters from the pure nobles. However, Duchess Anton’s was slightly higher as a result of her relationship with the Grand Duchess and the Queen.

Vasily wrapped up the lesson. "We will see in our next class, Princess Aristia."

Aristia nodded and followed her out.

***

Later in the afternoon, when Aristia visited her father’s study, he had as promised, drafted the agreement.

Aristia sat on the comfortable sofa in the study and read the clauses mentioned in the contract. Then, she signed the agreement.

’Aristia’ didn’t have a signature yet, not many would at such a young age, so it wasn’t a problem for her to use her own signature.

"There, it is official," she said. "I’m looking forward to doing business with you." She brought forward her hand for a handshake.

Wilson guffawed in amusement before taking her small hands in his large one for a gentle handshake.

"So, when are you providing the money?" Aristia asked curiously.

Wilson patted her head before turning and calling, "Henry?"

Butler Henry, who stood against the wall walked up with a bow, handing a large pouch to Aristia. "Here is the money, princess."

"Thank you, Butler Henry." Aristia smiled at the man, hearing the coins jingling as they rubbed together inside the money pouch. It was a little heavy. She opened it, seeing the shining silver coins and nodding in satisfaction.

"We shall head out during in a few hours to look at the available lands." Wilson informed and she nodded before leaving the study.

"What a daring child, isn’t she?" Wilson muttered.

Butler Henry turned away after closing the door after her.

"Yes, she is indeed Master. The third princess is very brilliant," he voiced his confirmation, but the next second, his smile faded and a sad expression took place on his face, as if he remembered something.

"They should be little young ladies now, if they are still living." Butler Henry’s voice wavered a bit at the last sentence and he cleared his throat. Pain was deeply rooted in his eyes.

It was an unexpected sight to see the always composed butler this way.

Hearing his words, Wilson turned to him, staring at him with a bit of sympathy. Not wishing to dishearten his loyal friend even further, he added. "Yes, I am sure they will grow up to be fine young ladies."

"Thank you, master. I pray to Lord Nerin that they are living well." Butler Henry sighed, running his hands over his face in a weary manner.

Lord Nerin was the god of this world.

Wilson didn’t say anything to Henry. The man looked like he aged ten years whenever that very sensitive topic was brought up.

He couldn’t say anything in comfort since they couldn’t guarantee anything. He was also unsure. He could only pat his friend on his back to console him.

***

Afternoon arrived quickly and Wilson and Aristia headed out to scout for a suitable land to build the restaurant on.

Wilson had a file that showed which lands were available for sale and their location.

The father and daughter headed first to the Aristocrats’ Commercial District. The Aristocrats’ Commercial District was an area or region where the Aristocrats opened businesses and shopped expensive and high quality products.

Luxurious and elegant buildings and high-end boutiques lined the streets, and people dressed in extravagant clothing entered and exited stores. This area was prestigious indeed.

A few hours passed with Aristia rejecting most of the lands they found in the Aristocrats’ Commercial District.

This continued until they found a particular land that was not part of the Aristocrats’ Commercial District.

"I want this land, Papa," Aristia whispered, tugging at her father’s sleeve to get his attention, as she pointed toward the empty lot ahead.

Wilson leaned down, turning his ear toward her. His gaze followed the direction of her small finger, and he arched a brow. "This one?"

"Yes."

"Alright," he raised an eyebrow but nodded without hesitation. He had no objections to her choice or the land itself, but he still asked, "Are you sure you want this land?"

This land wasn’t in the Aristocrats’ Commercial District, where aristocrats preferred to establish their businesses. Most aristocrats avoided this area because of its proximity to commoners, instead purchasing land in the Aristocrats’ Commercial District, far from the commoners, and where businesses catered exclusively to high society.

This lot, however, was closer to the heart of the capital, making it easily accessible to both commoners and aristocrats.

Because of it, many aristocrats would turn their noses up at such a location, believing it to be too common, but Aristia saw an advantage in that accessibility.

In fact, this land being easily accessible to both commoners and nobles was exactly what made Aristia want it. It was near the heart of the capital, accessible to everyone, not just the elite.

Aristia met her father’s eyes and nodded without hesitation to his earlier question. "I’m sure."

Wilson observed her for a moment before accepting her decision when he saw that her decision was firm and unwavering.

"Then let’s proceed," he didn’t question her further, placing his large hand gently on her small back as they headed to the Economic and Business Affairs Bureau to complete the land transfer and hand over the ownership of land to Aristia.

***

The Economic and Business Affairs Bureau was a grand stone building with towering columns and intricate carvings that depicted the history of commerce in Amberale. Inside, it was lined with shelves filled with ledgers containing records of every transaction in the kingdom. Rows of wooden desks were occupied by scribes, their quills scratching against parchment as they recorded transactions.

Wilson handled the formalities, going through the tedious process of transferring the land ownership to Aristia. The bureaucratic process took time, requiring multiple signatures and seals from various officials.

Aristia sat quietly, swinging her legs under the chair, observing the meticulous way each scribe worked.

Probably due to his status as the Prince and the King’s beloved brother, Wilson was able to get the documents signed without the officials reading it and thus, seeing the name of the person the land was being transferred to. The officials didn’t even ask, neither did they ask about the particular land being transferred.

No one showed any curiosity or question about what Aristia was doing there. It wasn’t a secret that the Grand Duke doted madly on his daughter. They wouldn’t want to incur his wrath by offending her. She was even served tea.

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