Chapter 776

Chapter 776: The Rose Scepter

After a peaceful winter, the armies of the Crimson Empire swept through once more, and the atmosphere in Hope Lane grew increasingly tense.

Countless ships with white sails docked in the harbor, some bringing various war supplies and food, while others carried residents and valuable items to other places.

Seagulls circled and cried over the harbor, and the docks were crowded with people. Many carriages pulled wooden boxes just unloaded, transporting them to military camps in the city and to outlying garrisons. Everywhere was a scene of bustling activity and loud voices.

Not far from the docks, a small café seated two people who were about to part ways.

“Lettis, this is your payment for the past few months,” said a middle-aged woman as she placed a bag full of gold coins on the table.

“This seems like too much,” Lettis said, looking at the shop owner with surprise.

“No, it’s not too much, Lettis,” the woman replied, shaking her head slightly. “At the beginning of the year, you helped install a sewing machine in the store, which greatly increased the production speed of coats. Later, the store even hired ten more people to work together, quickly using up that batch of fur.”

“Thanks to the cold weather, we made quite a bit of money this time. It’s only right to give this to you.” With that, she pushed the bag towards Lettis again.

Lettis roughly estimated the amount of gold coins in the bag, which was around 70 to 80. To ordinary people, this was a substantial sum. She had worked in a spinning factory for ten years and couldn’t have earned this much.

“Alright, don’t refuse it anymore,” the middle-aged woman said, feeling a bit sorry for the girl who had endured much hardship despite her beautiful appearance. “These years must have been tough for you.”

They talked about the past few months. At the beginning of the year, Lettis helped improve the sewing machine, increasing efficiency and earning significant profits. Now, with the fur used up and the armies of the Crimson Empire returning, Hope Lane was facing danger. Many residents and refugees began another round of evacuation.

“Now Hope Lane is no longer safe. You can use this money to go to another city, to the Holy Land in the north, the southern islands, or perhaps Clancia’s capital Soland, where you can settle down and live well.”

“You could also open a clothing store to make a living. I’ve seen that your design style is very modern compared to my outdated self.”

“After settling down, you can find a suitable husband. Such a beautiful girl like you shouldn’t lack suitors, but you need to be careful not to be deceived by bad people.”

“Thank you, madam,” Lettis nodded, deeply grateful to the shop owner. Without her help, she might still be among the noisy and crowded refugee camps.

“Alright, I won’t nag anymore. My daughter complains about me talking too much, so she hasn’t come home much in the last two years.”

“Do you have a daughter?” Lettis asked curiously.

“Yes, she was very smart since childhood. She graduated from Emanas a few years ago, and she should be somewhere in Falcon Territory recently. She’s quite capable of making money and taking care of herself now.”

After exchanging a few more words, it was time for them to part.

“It’s time to board the ship. They’ve already started sounding the whistle,” they saw through the café window as the ironclad passenger ship in the harbor began emitting steam, preparing to depart.

Lettis picked up her new travel bag and waved goodbye to the shop owner before heading toward the bustling large passenger ship. The damp sea breeze fluttered her white dress, and her golden hair gleamed under the sun. She was starting a new journey to Soland, the capital of Clancia. Perhaps she should follow the shop owner’s advice and open a clothing store to make a living. Once she had enough money, she could consider alchemy-related matters.

The waves continuously hit the thick hull of the ship, breaking through the white waves as it sailed westward, heading north along the coastline to the western coast of Clancia.

—

In the eastern part of the Crimson Empire, in Long Harbor.

This was the most prosperous port in the eastern part of the empire. Ships bound for the East would often stop here, bringing in immense wealth. Easterners arriving in the West also came here to look back at their homeland, hence the name Long Harbor.

Although the empire was mobilizing troops everywhere, the city remained peaceful. The people here were accustomed to trading and making good profits, showing little interest in warfare. After all, why risk their lives in battle when they lived comfortably?

As a result, the Landsworth family, known for its pacifist stance, hoped for a stable and peaceful situation, rarely engaging in conflict.

Wealthy lifestyles allowed the nobles in the eastern part of the empire to indulge in art, opera, and painting. The jewelry and clothing produced by the Landsworth family were always trendsetters within the empire.

With titles like top aristocrat, artistic temperament, mixed elf blood, and wealth rivaling nations, it was no wonder the Landsworth family was popular within the empire.

‘Golden Flame Tulip’ was a famous bakery in Long Harbor.

In the clean and spacious kitchen, twenty cake makers in white headscarves were hard at work. They mixed flour, sugar, eggs, and other ingredients in precise proportions, adding various auxiliary materials to bake rough cake bases.

Then came the steps of frosting, shaping, carving, and arranging. A complete and excellent cake could easily earn several silver coins, dozens of gold coins a day, and nearly a thousand gold coins a month. This was the reputation and word-of-mouth of ‘Golden Flame Tulip.’

During its heyday, it was said that the pastries at the Red Phoenix Earl’s birthday banquet were provided by them.

“Is Bumansa here?”

A maid in black-and-white uniform entered the baking room, scanning the area. Unfortunately, everyone wore identical light green uniforms with white headscarves, making it hard to identify anyone. She pushed her glasses up her nose.

“I’m here,” a girl with chestnut hair came forward. She had a fuller bust and slender waist, giving off a mature and alluring aura. Though unmarried, she was often mistaken for a virtuous wife.

Seeing the apron-clad girl, the head maid nodded approvingly. Although the employee had only been working at the bakery for a short time, she learned quickly and was now the best pastry chef in the store.

“Come with me. There’s an important task for you,” she placed her hand on her waist and led the girl out of the kitchen.

‘Golden Flame Tulip’ was owned by the Red Phoenix Earl. This noble of Long Harbor was rumored to have ancestors from the East, though he had mixed blood, he still retained black hair and eyes.

Following the maid, Bumansa arrived at the second floor of the bakery’s front hall, usually reserved for welcoming distinguished guests.

A handsome nobleman in his thirties sat waiting on the sofa, dressed in a black suit with a phoenix embroidered in gold and red thread on the side collar.

“This is the current Red Phoenix Earl, Mr. Li Lin,” the head maid introduced him to Bumansa.

“Mr. Li Lin, good day,” Bumansa bowed respectfully.

“Long time no see at the shop. I heard there’s a talented person here. I came to check it out.”

The man with long black hair tapped his leg as he sat on the sofa, examining the girl who seemed like a neighbor’s virtuous wife.

“Perhaps I haven’t trained my staff well. I almost mistook a true dragon for something else.”

“Buniya, you can leave now.”

“Yes, master.” The maid with glasses quietly left, closing the door behind her.

Seeing this, Bumansa remained calm, watching the Red Phoenix Earl.

“Miss Bumansa graduated from Emanas, didn’t you?” The young earl leaned forward, taking a cup of tea from the table and pouring hot water from a teapot.

“Yes, sir.”

“Don’t be so formal. Please sit down,” he poured two cups of tea, placing one in front of Bumansa.

“Your talent is wasted working in a bakery. I recently learned that you were a top student at Emanas and won three championships in school.”

“Not really, I actually enjoy making pastries.”

Bumansa sat down, responding naturally. Perhaps this was the confidence of a genius; even without any status, she wasn’t afraid of the earl.

“I see.” Li Lin tapped his fingers on the armrest of the sofa. Seeing no signs of deception, he sighed.

“Well, I’ll respect your wishes.”

“In fact, I initially wanted to find someone to complete a task. You know about the current emperor, right?”

“The current emperor is wise and mighty, but he has yet to marry. Recently, Titania sent news that he has a fiancée. To prepare for the grand wedding, everything needs to be perfect.”

“We were invited to provide pastries. Currently, it’s just an invitation, and we need to compete with over ten other renowned bakeries in the empire to secure the contract for the wedding pastries.”

“To supply pastries for the emperor’s wedding would be a great honor and reputation. You probably understand the importance.”

“That’s why I brought you here. We will take our five best pastry chefs to Titania to participate in the competition. Before then, I hope you can create a new category that will catch the judges’ attention and stand out.”

“I understand,” Bumansa nodded.

“In the next month, you can freely use the kitchen materials. I’ll also provide two assistants to help you experiment and create new pastries. If you need anything special, tell Buniya, and she will fulfill your requests.”

“Don’t be stingy with expensive materials. Sometimes, the more expensive they are, the better. As long as you help me secure the contract for the royal wedding pastries, I’ll pay you 3000 gold coins.”

“For someone like you, a graduate of Emanas, this is a considerable sum.”

“Thank you for your support,” Bumansa stood up to express gratitude.

“Very well, I entrust this task to you, Miss Bumansa,” the earl drank his tea and placed the cup back on the table.

Bumansa bade farewell and left the room.

“Oh, so soon?” The head maid, standing outside, looked surprised as Bumansa emerged. She peeked inside to ensure the earl was unharmed before exhaling a sigh of relief.

Once Bumansa left, the maid returned to the room, sniffing the air and then looking at her master with curious eyes.

“Don’t look at me like that, you impure maid,” Li Lin tugged at his tight collar.

“It’s not my fault. That Miss Bumansa is indeed quite charming,” the maid tidied up the table, noticing the two cups.

She hadn’t expected her master to pour her tea personally. From now on, she would treat Miss Bumansa with greater care. Perhaps she could become her mistress someday.

—

Third Era, June 1698.

The emperor of the Crimson Empire publicly announced his engagement to a girl from a minor noble family in the south.

The announcement sparked numerous debates. Some envied her, others jealously criticized her, saying it was improper for the emperor to marry someone of such low status. She should only be his mistress, never fit to ascend to the throne as empress.

In the midst of these controversies, the ordinary noble girl, Lily Aisote, quickly became the focus of everyone’s attention. Her family also attracted much scrutiny.

But the emperor, maintaining his usual authority and decisiveness, silenced all opposition. For this young emperor, pride and confidence were natural traits. He had ample time and energy to control the empire and shape it into his ideal form.

Such a powerful ruler would not let idle gossip weaken his resolve. If he desired something, he would surely obtain it.

From then on, the nobles gradually understood the emperor’s determination.

Could this seemingly ordinary girl, perhaps the lowest-born empress in history, grasp the crimson rose scepter?

(End of Chapter)