Chapter 12
"Is everything ready?"
"...yes, my lady"
Cecile replied, in a dejected and worried tone. Right now is the 2nd day of our stay in the mansion (note: 5 days came after they went off from their estate) and I'm preparing for our depature today
"Sigh. Just think of it as a future investment. Don't overthink too much, and just relax"
I spoke as I tried reassuring her
"....."
"....geez you are so worrywart. Just play it normal, okay?"
"....sigh, yes I will. Please be safe my lady"
"Fufufufu, who do you think I am?"
"A reckless, childish, immature, and stubborn Baron's daughter"
"....wow, I'm speechless. Thank you for the honest compliment"
I spoke in a sarcastic tone
"You are every much welcome, my lady"
Both of us then laughed it out. After I have dressed up in a mermaid long dress, that shows my front legs beauty while covering its back, painted in saturated, gray concord purple, with a plum undertone, and a dash of light shade of yellow - it had a clouds like cotton design at the upper top - I then entered the carriage that my servant prepared
"Be sure to take care all the necessary preparations"
"Yes, my lady"
As I spoke towards Cecile, right now, for this time only, she won't be coming with me like usual
"Clean any mess you found, we need to make sure they won't notice anything amiss"
"...yes, my lady"
As I saw her mother-like eye look, feeling anxious and uneasy, made me smile on how much she truly look after me
"Don't worry, what worst could happen?"
I spoke, as the carriage door closed
(Cecile's POV)
"...."
After the carriage my lady rode went, I griply hold my maid clothe I wore, as I watched it vanished. During the expedition of me and my lady in the east route, after we found something that totally amaze both of us, my lady then tackled her next move, before the upcoming conference and ball - that would be held in the [Town Hall] - which taken me aback, as it was a dangerous gamble. To which if my lady made a single mischap, it wouldn't only worsen the situation we are in, but also will trample her dignity as a noble, and as a woman. As a maid, I can't afford such thing happen to her
"Sigh"
After I took a big sigh, I then turn around, and went back to the mansion to prepare. Right now, the only thing I could do is to lessen the burden my lady carried, as much as I can. I then ordered all the maids and manservant to do their bedding. As I was the Head Maid, and the lady-in-waiting of my lady, my authority to them is second to her.
There are 2 Head Maids in the mansion, the Head Maid, and me. But as I was the lady-in-waiting of her lady also, so I had a much higher status than her.
As I was heading towards the [Grand Room], I then activated my skill
"[Air Current]"
If I remember, one of Sir Creeper's lover had a skill called [Gales Embrace], Natsumi, that busty archer. To which let you scan the surrounding area using the air flow, but couldn't identify the being it might detect, my [Air Current] is the same. But unlike other sensing skill, it doesn't have a limit of the range it will scan but rather, the user could only sense its surrounding, on how much mastery they have boosted their senses were.
If the area of this skill could go will be 20 meters, but my senses could only detect 9 meters, then I could only identify anyone in 9 meters radius only, and let the remaining 11 meters as a hypothecal analysis. My senses is quite inferior towards my lady's [Silver Wolf Sense], which had 16 meters, whereas I only have 13 meters radius
Snap
I then snap my fingers as I called my servants. The 3 then came out as they kneeled and bow down
"Check any suspicious route in all trade route. If you found any mice, capture them. But if you found rats, kill them. My lady isn't fond for dirty rats, but make sure to make them cough some information before you kill them"
I ordered, the 3 then bowed down before vanishing
"Now then.....let's start shall we"
I spoke, as I activated one by one all the secret surveillance I secretly hid in all the places, me and my lady went to
"Share vision, [Link]"
...…
While I was cleaning the table
"...how tragic"
I uttered, as I found something that truly made me laugh about. Remembering that word that every person mutter "blood is thicker than water" my ass, such nonsense truly is worth vomiting for
"Sigh...you could have just waited for the perfect timing, but I guess there's none"
I muttered, before continuing my work, with sadness clouding me
(???? POV)
"So she's coming towards the [Manior]?"
"Yes, my lord"
The man replied as I asked. I then brush off my chin with my right hand. The golden rings in my finger dazzled as it touches the sun's ray
".....so be it. Observe her attendants, and retainers. Make sure to supervise them"
"Yes, my lord"
"And one more thing, make sure to dispose any bugs in the way. You shall then be rewarded with your hardwork"
"Yes, my lord"
The man then vanish without any sound
"Hmmm....what should I do with you then, Isabelle Fall"
(Isabelle's POV)
"Hooo~"
As I took a deep breathe to calm myself down
"Share Vision, [Link]"
I then spoke a skill to share my vision
"That would do it....let's just wait before using it"
I said as I looked out the carriage window
".....I hope this work"
After half an hour came, we then arrived to our destined place. I then went down from the carriage
".....quite bigger than I expected"
I spoke with awe and mesmirization. Right now, I'm in the [Manoir] (note: mansion), of one the owned estate of Lord Tibalt, located in the south of the town, which is much bigger than my mansion, [Manoir D'automne], coated in light, neutral, caramel white, with a bronze undetone wall, and a dark shade of green roof, window, and door. It's a 3-storey building.
Right now, I'm standing outside the gate, which is 3 meters high, coated in soft, cool, enchanting gray with a misty undertone pillars, and a darkest shade of black rails. After a couple of minutes came, a servant then came out, and went towards us, its a maid
"..."
I'm quite astonished to the outfit this maid wore, quite revealing and too...well, showy. It had a short shirt and much exposed upper clothe, revealing the woman's chest or cleavage, and her light skin with golden undertones. With such dress, its much proclaim the taste of the owner who made them wore that
"Your Honorable Isabelle Fall, my master is anticipating your arrival"
The maid spoke as she bowed. She then opened the gate, and guided me towards the mansion in front. As I went inside the [Manior], a saturated, gray clay interior greeted me, and a medium bright tone of red-violet carpet, with a warm color yellow design. With portraits after portraits hanged in the mansion's wall, mostly were expensive, and brought from different regions and places. There was also a displayed statue when you entered the mansion, each placed at each side of the staircase. Each has a wyvern or dragon design, curved in a yellowish-gray stone
"Please wait here, you honorable. I shall inform my lord for your arrival"
I then nodded, as the maid bow and went off.
I was now sitting in the [Grand Room]s sofa, painted in gold, with a pale yellow hue couch, as I paitently waiting. After our discussion last night, I made an arrangement with Lord Tibalt, to discuss further more plan that I wanted to set in motion, making the [Town of Fall] into a city, just like the [City of Fall] in the south, while using the [The Great Canyon of the South] as a stepping stone
(Lord Tibalt's POV)
"Ah! Ah! Ah! Mhhhmm yes! ❤"
Spank!
"Ahh! Harder! Ahh~!! ❤..... "
"Ugh!!"
Knock knock
"Ahh~.... ! Yes❤! Oh yes! Harder! Deeper~ ❤!... "
Spank! Spank!
"Shut up, you damn sow!"
"AHhh!! ❤"
Knock Knock
"Tch! What is it!?"
"Forgive my entrusion my lord, she's here"
"Oh~, come in"
"Yes"
Creak
"Just stand there and watch. Report everything after I spurted my lobe out from this bitch cunt"
"Yes, my lord"
"You are not allowed to touch youself"
"....yes"
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She meekingly replied, as she slowly took her hand off from her underwear. Right now, I'm in my chamber, in the [Master Suite], pounding one of my servants in the bed. She's one of the newest recruit, fresh and quite young, so having her for my morning routine was pleasing and delightful
"Ahh~!! ❤... Oh! Ahh!.... Yes! Pound me more! Pound me with that cock! ❤"
I then used my left hand to hold, and push her head below the pillow. I then stood up while making sure my crotch was still inserted, and used my right hand to lock her arms behind her back, and started pounding her even more
"Ughh!"
"Mhmm! ❤.... Nnnn~!..... Ughhhk❤"
"Haah haah...what? Can't talk now bitch? Take this!"
"Mhnnm~! ❤"
"And that!"
"Nhhh!! ❤..... "
"Ah shit!"
I groaned. I then stretch my hips as I smack her pussy for the finale
"Mhhh!! ❤"
Spurt Spurt
And then came inside her. I then took out my cock that was attached to her pussy, and let my lobe spill out from her cunt
"Hooo~"
I then let out a deep breathe, and looked towards the maid that was standing near the door
"Come here, clean this"
Like a dog, the maid then rushingly came, as I gave her her treat. As she arrived, she then spread her legs as she bend down, breathing like a whore from a club, as she look at my erected 8 and half inch cock
"Haah! ❤ Haaah! ❤Nmuu! ❤"
She then started sucking my dick. Slowly, she tried grasping it whole before fully sucking it
"Oh~ your good"
"Haa!..... Thank you my lord~❤"
She replied before going back
"Where is she?"
"...hah hah hah~... her Honorable Isabelle Fall is waiting in the [Grand Room], my lord, chu"
"Oh~ that's it, stroking my cock like that is good....call a maid to entertain her a bit, as its been a while since I did it with 2"
"Y-yes! Yes my lord!"
The woman replied joyfully as she smiled, and started sucking my cock again as she played with her cunt
(Isabelle's POV)
"I apologize, your honorable. My lord is still resting due to his piled loads of work last night. Please wait a bit, he will soon come"
Another female maid came, and told me the reason behind Lord Tibalt's, not showing his presence for a quite some time now
"It's alright, I shall gladly wait. Please don't make him rush"
I humbly stated. The maid then bowed, and leave. Lord Tibalt might be 1 rank higher than me, but making a guest wait isn't an appropriate conduct for a noble, though being noble and such is truly hassle and pain in the ass, but still....
"And every servant I saw were all women...how peculiar"
I spoke. I then took one of the snacks that the maid prepared for me, a [Milk Berried Pudding], which is for some reason, my most favorite sweet dessert
"...fortify, [Immune]"
I then mutter and activated my skill, after I took a long look towards my craving, delightful, sweet, and yummy pudding.
[Immune] is a skill used against status effect skills: poison, drownsy, confusion, and paralysis are example of status effect – there are some more. [Immune] let's the user recieved a bare minimum damage from a status effect like poison. The damage it will cover up will change from how you mastered the said skill, for me, it had only 30%, to 40% damage reduction, so I'll be receiving 70% to 60% damage, than a full 100%, which is good, and overall quite powerful.
After I activated my skill, I then munched the pudding that I scooped using a spoon
"Mhhhh~... yummy"
I cried, as I squeeze myself for the joyful touch while holding the spoon at my left and placed my right hand at my cheek. I then took another bite
>--------<
Behind Isabelle's back, a woman appeared a distance away from her
"[Eagle Eye]"
As she activated her sight skill, and observe the woman before her, taking account every action she took. She then grinned and vanished
>--------<
"Nmmmm~.....delish❤"
"Was the sweet to your liking, your honorable?"
"Hmm?"
I then look behind me, as the voice of the man I was waiting for came
".....yes, it is. It such a wonderful trait"
"Hohoho, glad you do. My apologies for the delay, as I was quite buckled up after the last night heavy piled papers, being at such age truly kicks in your disadvantages ahahahh"
Lord Tibalt then went over and sat down in front, and leaned his back behind the sofa. He then let out a deep breath before looking at me
"....Is there something wrong, my lord?"
"Oh, apologies ahahaha. I was just mesmerizing the time when you were still small, so stubborn and quite a tomboy, but now.....now look at you. You became such a dazzling gem and quite a jewel. I'm sure your parents were proud and delighted"
He spoke, as both of his hands grasp the cane's top
"....indeed, they were truly quite shock to how I became. They first wonder about my sudden development, but were awed to what they heard next *giggle*. I could still remember how my mother bewilderment turned to a baffled look"
"Hmm, and what cause for such drastic change, if I may ask?"
Lord Tibalt asked, curiously as he look at me with a straight face
"... it's was my fiance"
"....hoh, a fiance? A fiance you say, Ahahaha what a great news! Truly such a blessing Ahahah"
"....."
I was taken aback to his sudden action, as I suddenly felt an omnious chill when he looked at me with surprise before laughing, after I told him about me having a fiance. A feeling that truly bring shivers
"Oh, my apologies"
He spoke, as he took the bell that was placed near him
Cling Cling Cling Cling
"We aren't here for just a leisure chat"
He then rang the bell
"Let's talk about the reason why you are here, your honorable"
"...yes"
I answered. A maid then came, bringing 3 long scrolled papers, and some piled documents. She then placed it in the table
"Structural development, investment liability, economic activities, steady objective, transportation integration, fixed investment, territorial growth, stable resources, taxes, and wide connection"
"...?"
I was baffled to the sudden comment of his, as he arranged those papers. He then looked at me
"Those are the things you needed to remember when developing a city from a town. Your Honorable Isabelle fall, city planning isn't just a simple leisure games of governing and ruling, but rather a strategic investment and tactical development. So if you want to make this town into a city, you must remember that"
He spoke
"There are 3 criterias to be followed when does a town become a city, I do hope you know"
"Population, economy, and city-like character"
I answered
"Yes. First the population, as of now, the [Town of Fall] has a 10,000 to 20,000 population, but for it to become a city, it needed to be at least at 40,000 to 50,000 people, who should be currently living inside it. The port is excluded as it was just a commercial district. Secondly, its economy, for a town to become a city, it needed to at least to produced or released a bare minimum income of 4, 200 gold coins a month, with 1, 050 gold coins per week, or 10 big gold coins, and 5 gold coins per week, and 150 gold coins per day, or 1 big gold coin, and 50 gold coins per day, or 50, 400 gold coins every year - 336 days - or 14 platinum coins, and 14 big gold coins per year"
"...."
I was stunned to how costly it is than to what I expected. The town only produce 2,400 gold coins every month, with 600 gold coins every week, or 6 big gold coins per week, and 85 gold coins, and 20 big silver coins every day, with a yearly - 336 days - 28, 828 gold coins, and 20 big silver coins, or 8 platinum coins, 8 big gold coins, 28 gold coins, and 20 big silver coins - this includes the ports income, citizens taxes, and peddlers and merchants taxes - indicating that I need to double it. The population isn't a problem
"Thirdly, a city-like character includes: economic foundation, strong resources, substantial population, and secure growth. The town only has the port as its financial backer. There's no tourist spot, neither any infrastructure that would capture any passing adventurers, and people to sight see and behold. With that, there are no further development on your economic activity, that would invite more merchants and peddlers to come. And lastly, the town has a wide territory but limited growth, the population isn't a problem, but we need to establish more housing and building for them to accomodate. So in simplest term, you have an unstable advancement towards your plan. Not even a fourth to your initial plan"
"...."
I was silently listening as I sat down
"If I remember, you spoke about using the [The Great Canyon of the South] for the town's development, but that won't be enough. We are expanding a town into a city, not a village into a town"
He uttered. He then took a sip on his coffee that was brewed by his maid. He then looked at me, waiting for my answer. So I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and stared at him, telling him that I won't back down, neither run away from this. He just smiled as he saw me
"Hoh~"
He then handed me one of the 2 long scrolled papers
"....?"
"[Mitsuhi no Supuringukyarion], and [Mitsuba no Mizumi]. I asked some of my acquintance and business associates, to investigate any good tourist part here in the east. They gave me 7 recommendations, but I only choose those 2 amongst the 7"
Sip
"[Mitsushi no Supuringukyarion] (note: mitsuhi's spring canyon), located in the north-east of the [Land of the Fallen], discovered by a peak gold rank adventurer, who became a peddler. It's a good spot for sightseeing. [Mitsuba no Mizumi] (note: lake mitsuba), located in the deep forest of the [Land of the Fallen], east of the town, one of the few gifts that the late emperor gave to his beloved wife, Mitsuba Katsushi. Those are the 2 of the 7 that I personally choose"
"...."
".....hmm....? Wasn't in your taste, I presume?"
He asked, as he saw me giving a deep look towards the detailed information, of the 2 spot Lord Tibalt choose
"...may I ask about the other 5?"
"....very well"
Cling Cling
He then rang the bell and called out one of his maid. A maid then came and went straight over to him. He then ordered her as he whispered in her ear. I was quite, baffled on the maid's reaction when Lord Tibalt whispered on her ear, a reaction that only a woman who took a fond to a man would do. The maid then bowed and leave. Lord Tibalt then took a sip on his coffee while I was sitting, crossed legs and leisurely drinking my share.
A couple of minutes came, the maid then came back, bringing along with her a 2 long scrolled papers. The maid then hand over the papers directly at me, so I slowly opened them upon receiving
"...interesting"
I murmured
"Found something that piques, your honorable interest?"
He asked
"Might be, but I shall take account about my lord's suggestion. I shall ask one of my servants to check the other places, and note anything that might help the town's development. But for now, I shall just focus on the matter before me"
"....absolutely"
He uttered before taking another sip on his coffee. After he drank it, he then placed the mug atop of the plate, and opened one of the first placed paper in the table
"Let's set aside about the tourist spot, and talk about the territorial growth. As we need to expand the town, we need to know which side should we start first, and which side should be latter be expanded. We need to take account that the side we choose shall greatly benefit the town"
"....the north side"
"North...?"
He was quite puzzled when he asked, after I uttered my reply. Certainly, in the 3 main trade routes, the north side wasn't in used, or more like not that notable, so not many travelers and caravans crossed that route. So in choosing which side to be widened, its either north-east route, or east route
".....certainly, north route isn't that much used, but its still one of the 3 main trade route of the town. But....why?"
He asked, but before I replied, I took another sip on my coffee and muttered
"If one can't see the ore behind a rock, then one doesn't deserve the jewel it had" my father often state such words on me, and I am quite superb to his advices, so I always take it to heart, and follow through"
I stated. He then brush his chin with his left hand, as he closed his eyes, and was in deep thought
"Quite profound I say. Your father totally deserves his seat as a guild master, and as a noble. Truly such an esteemed man he is"
"I do assuredly agree. His one of the few that I wanted to surpass, and to be recognize about"
"Hoh~, then this old man shall help you ahahaha"
He laughed as I smiled. Certainly, I'm still pursuing my father even till now
"But I'm still amused to your chose, bewildered to be exact. But as you are the owner and the land lord of this place, so I shall leave the decision into your hands, I'll just guide you. So let's move on. Continuing our discussion, if we do choose the north side to be expanded, we need to employ more knights or guards, to guard the perimeter during the expansion. As you are still a Baron, you can only own 40 Knights maxed, and 50 guards, and please do be reminded that during such development, their salary will increase. A town knight's payroll goes for 2 gold coins to 3 gold coins every day, as we are developing the town, it will be increased to 5 gold coins to 7 gold coins every day, while the guard shall be paid 2 gold coins, from a 20 big silver coins a day"
As Lord Tibalt spoke
"Adding guards would be easy, as I can easily recruit one or two wandering folks, who were passing by the town to serve us. The problem is the Knight, getting one will be hard"
"Truly, Knights are different from a guard, as they are well-trained and disciplined. Knights are taught from their respective school, and are properly supervise from the time they took oath. To invite one wouldn't be so hard, but as the situation we are in? Yes. Every kingdom should have deployed Knights after Knights, after some unknown monsters and the likes keeps popping out of nowhere, so obtaining even one would be hard, but not impossible"
He then took another document from his left
"....I can easily ask father for that, but as to not to trouble him, I shall ask some of my close aides to do me a favor. I might be able to gather at least 5 or 6 Knights. That should be enough for now"
"Then let's move. The taxes, we need to atleast increase them from 10% of the annual income, it should be 15% or 20%. So if a citizen have an annual income of 350 silver coins (note: 10 big silver), they have to pay 35 silver coins a day, or 1 big silver coin a day. If we increase it to 15%, they need to pay 40 silver coins, and 25 copper coins, or 1 big silver coin, and 5 silver coins, and 25 copper coins a day, and 42 silver coins if its 20%, or 1 big silver coin, and 7 silver coins. If we do raise the citizens taxes, we need to make sure we can provide them a much better job, to not tilt their wages and taxes. For the merchants and peddlers, we need it to also increase their taxes, but making sure that it won't soil their mood"
I was in deep thought after Lord Tibalt spoke his remark. Surely, when improving a town into a city, I needed to also increase the taxes they needed to pay. So in order to that, I need to escalate the services and production we serve, by adding new buildings for jobs offers and employment, and accountable business production, to at least aid them to increase their revenue, new entertainment, and fulfilling careers too. For the merchants and peddlers, I just need to add more people in the town. Even if we do increase their taxes even a little, as long as the people who accomodate and visit the town increases, they won't protest neither contradicts the additional rise of their taxes.
I could also decide not to raise it, but that won't last. As the town is developing, the supply and demand of the consumer and seller will hike, and if I let the taxes in stagnant, it will greatly affect the economic rise of the town. But I need to make sure it wouldn't cause any turmoil to the citizens
"For the supply and demand for..."
We then talk till noon, and discussed more afterwards. It was quite a hassle but indispensable for the town's growth, and a crucial endeavor that I must take, not just the daughter of a Baron, but also the land lord of the [Town of Fall]. It was already lunch when the maid came, and told us
"Hohoho, we totally talk a lot don't we? Let's take a short break for a bit. Take her honorable to the guest room, and prepare a hot bath"
"...my lord there's no n-"
"No"
As he halted my words
"My sister tends to say, "A woman's body is very crucial and sensitive", so I intended that all my guests to take a dip for an hour or two, if they needed to at least let their stress out, and relaxed their body. But if it's not to her honorable's taste, maybe resting in the guest room would do"
".....then I shall generously take the offer"
"There's truly no need for that, go on. I shall asked some of my servant to prepare our lunch, so take your time"
I then smile and bowed. One of the maids then guided me throughout the mansion
(Lord Tibalt's POV)
After Isabelle went off, I then ring the bell again
Cling Clang Cling
One of the female maid then came, and swiftly went over at my side
"Prepare some special meal that would suite our guest taste"
"Yes, my lord"
I ordered. The maid then bowed as she replied then leave
"Let's us then wait. Hunting requires patient and time"
I spoke as I grinned, as one of the female maid then massage my back
"Ooh~... that's better"
"Fufufu I'm grateful then"
She then gave me a deep kiss. As we exchange wild kisses, she then slowly massage not just my back, but also my chest, carefully caressing it