NOVEL NEXT Chapter 63: Harvest!!—Oh no, it’s socialising time…
The wheat fields across the Rosewood fief turned fully golden. When the wind blew, the wheat would ripple, creating waves on a golden sea.
While wealthy individuals enjoyed the first week’s 30% off at the luxury hotels, harvesting began in earnest on the Rosewood estate. Energetic workers, both new and old, started to cut down the wheat in the fields.
It was odd to think that Earl Rosewood was out on the farms with them, albeit not in the wheat fields.
In fact, Ren Xiyang had wanted to help cut down the wheat too. But when he saw the crowd of faces looking attentively at him, he realised he had become a boss. And a boss hanging around their workers would make those workers stressed.
So he reluctantly let the farmers and hired hands harvest the staple crops while he meandered around the vegetable gardens and picked the ripe vegetables there instead.
Regretfully, Ren Xiyang was only able to squeeze in a few days of harvest before he had to leave.
Somehow, three weeks had passed since he left the Capital and the next aristocratic social event and Imperial Council gathering were fast approaching. Ren Xiyang had to head back to the Capital.
A relatively large group left the Rosewood summer manor: three carriages of people and multiple loaded carts. Accompanying Earl Rosewood were Kel, Maria, Master Otto Silvercharm, and all the new tax collectors. The carts carried five ploughs (with only one fully put together) and many vegetables and foods from the Rosewood fief.
The day the group left was relatively chilly, with a cold wind blowing across the Rosewood fief.
As the Rosewood staff saw the group off, as the people of the Rosewood fief looked for an extra layer to wear, they all realised that autumn had well and truly arrived.
Looking back, it had been a very eventful summer.
In the original novel, the people’s lives had been much the same after the murders. Earl Roland Rosewood/Duke Schauss/Baron Cordovan were interchangeable lords, indifferent to their residents beyond the taxes they could extract. Life didn’t change after Earl Roland Rosewood died and some other lord(s) took over management.
The young recovering Alyssa Rosewood had not in the state of mind to worry about other people.
But in this life, they had Earl Ayden Rosewood instead. Many residents had seen the earl in person, some saw him multiple times, and some even spoke to him personally. More and more people had been directly hired by the Rosewood estate and more and more people benefited from the generosity of the earl with real solid food in their stomachs, with healthy bodies healed by the earl himself.
No one could have predicted that Redmond town would smell better after Earl Ayden Rosewood took over.
And with how the earl had talked with the village chiefs and town mayors, the Rosewood residents also knew that many new (and possibly delicious) things were on the horizon. The Rosewood staff, in particular, eagerly waited for Earl Rosewood’s return from the Capital.
Since Ren Xiyang had delayed the trip as much as he could, the Rosewood contingent travelled all day and arrived at the Capital in the late evening on the day before the social event.
All the loaded carts were sent to the Imperial Palace by some of the Rosewood staff from the Capital house, while the travelling group had dinner and rested.
Ren Xiyang spent the majority of the next day in a long meeting with Solicitor Carmine and other Rosewood senior staff. Then, he put on the same outfit he wore to the late-summer ball and headed off to the Imperial Palace.
Unlike the late-summer ball, this event featured an outdoor sit-down dinner. Wooden flooring had been laid down in one of the large open grass areas to the side of the Imperial Palace, with numerous long tables arranged in rows. Soft balls of light, like stars descended, floated in the air above the tables. A clear shield covered the entire area, keeping it warm as the night air cooled. Each table also had a subtle shield to dampen external sound, so that those seated at the same table could speak without raising their voices.
After Ren Xiyang was announced as Earl Rosewood, a Palace staff member took him to his table and seat. Each seat had a nameplate. Prince Rian and Prince Alexius were seated on either sides of the table at the very front. Aside from Ren Xiyang, there were the children of the four dukes of Sedaveria—Blewitt, Mauveine, Storm and Schauss—and a selected friend or two.
On Prince Alexius’s side, there was Tierri Mauveine, Günter Blewitt, Elisabeth Cloud, Lucie Aegean, Cassiopeia Schauss, Alexandra Slate, and Ethel Silvercharm.
On Prince Rian’s side, there was Ren Xiyang/Ayden Rosewood, Adrienne Obsidian, Florence Sage, Nicola Storm, Sophia Cyan, Perseus Schauss, and Rafael Rosa.
Half of the table was already seated when Ren Xiyang arrived. Ren Xiyang politely greeted the others and then more willingly greeted Adrienne Obsidian and Florence Sage.
“—Say, Earl Rosewood, Adrienne has been telling me about your flying lessons,” Florence said with a smile. “Why haven’t you taught me?”
Adrienne blushed faintly. She hadn’t expected Florence to say that! Adrienne had been really surprised when the Imperial servant took her to sit at this table. She had kept her head down, her black hair shadowing over her face. But Florence was very adept at talking, and they started with the common topic, Earl Rosewood…
“Adrienne is a fast learner, she could also teach you,” Ren Xiyang said. “Otherwise, let’s schedule a meeting. You too, Adrienne, let’s see what progress you’ve made. When are you free?”
As the three talked, the rest of the table filled up aside from the two princes.
The nobles present quietened as the Royal Guards announced the arrival of the Imperial family.
“All rise for His Highness, Prince Alexius!”
Alexius walked out first, smiling brightly. He took a seat at Ren Xiyang’s table.
“All rise for His Highness, Prince Rian!”
At Rian’s name, the nobles’ attention turned anticipatory.
Instead of ice roses, thousands of little lights descended from the sky like stars and formed into the shape of a person; then, Prince Rian walked through the light, as though materialising out of the darkness. Rian’s smile was measured yet warm, full of a youthful princely charm.
Rian took a seat next to Ren Xiyang, and that smile turned into a smirk.
Ren Xiyang merely blinked.
“All rise for Her Majesty, Queen Mira!”
“All rise for His Majesty, King Edric!”
The entrance effects on the King and Queen were much more subtle: a mild spotlight with a back glow, highlighting their refined positions.
After King Edric gave a short speech, he and Queen Mira sat down at the table with the Dukes. The Imperial staff walked out with the first light course: a light soup-broth with a few greens and seaweed.
“Earl Rosewood, hello,” Alexius greeted with an excited smile. “Thank you for the apple crisps!”
Rian sipped his drink and gave Ren Xiyang an accusatory look over the rim of his cup. While the majority of the items Ren Xiyang had sent to the Imperial Palace yesterday had been for Rian, there were some goods for Count Aegean and some goods for Alexius! However, Rian couldn’t annoy Alexius in public today, since it was Alexius who had convinced their Imperial Parents to let them sit at a separate table with Earl Rosewood.
“Please enjoy them responsibly,” Ren Xiyang said.
Rian smiled. “Yes, they’re quite tasty.”
Gunter Blewitt narrowed his eyes between Rian and Alexius. “What are these?”
“Earl Rosewood generously gave myself and Alexius some thinly sliced and baked apples,” Rian said. “But let me introduce you to tonight’s dinner menu. Last month, we incorporated dishes from Angio. Tonight, we have some new dishes from the Rosewood fief, courtesy of Earl Rosewood. This first dish is a light broth using carefully selected greens and seaweed off the coast of the Aegean fief.”
Günter Blewitt made a face. “Wait, there’s seaweed in this?”
“It’s good for you,” Ren Xiyang said drily.
Lucie Aegean’s eyebrows went up. “I heard that Earl Rosewood used seaweed in a dessert dish?”
“Yes. If the right seaweed is chosen with a light flavour, then it can make a good dessert soup…”
While the top half of the table talked about food, at the other end of the table, Cassiopeia Schauss, Alexandra Slate, Ethel Silvercharm, Perseus Schauss, and Rafael Rosa were discussing healing.
They momentarily paused as the second course came: a small salad with a vinegary dressing and baked, crunchy soybeans.
“By the way, Cassiopeia,” Alexandra then said, “I heard that you went with Duchess Schauss and helped heal some commoners.”
“Truly?” Ethel asked. She glanced down the long table to Earl Rosewood, the noble most infamous for helping commoners of late.
Cassiopeia raised her head proudly. “Yes. As healers, we must help the world and make it better.”
“Our mother, Duchess Schauss, occasionally helps the Church of the Saintess, and Cassiopeia volunteered to come along,” Perseus said with a grin. “Not sure why you wanted more work, Cassiopeia!”
“What’s wrong with helping?” Cassiopeia pouted.
“You can heal so well already,” Alexandra said with a note of envy.
“We can study together,” Cassiopeia said, looking at her two friends.
Ethel smiled. “And then you’ll make some desserts for us?”
Perseus’s eyes brightened. “Oh, you’ve heard? Cassiopeia’s desserts are amazing! They’re the most exquisite, delicious desserts you can ever eat.”
Perseus boasted about the delicious desserts he had eaten made by Cassiopeia, and Alexandra and Ethel praised Cassiopeia, teasing her about making something for them.
“I’ll think about it,” Cassiopeia mumbled, taking a drink, but her eyes were bright.
Conversation at the top half of the table lulled as the third course arrived: little bit-sized savoury tartlets.
Rian’s gaze turned down the table. “Lady Cassiopeia Schauss, I couldn’t help but overhear about your skills in cooking.”
Cassiopeia blushed as the entire table’s attention turned to her. “I like making desserts for my family.”
Rian smiled. “That sounds lovely. If one day you’re willing to make desserts for others, then I would like to consult you about creating desserts for future afternoon teas.”
“I…”
“It is merely a hope. I’ll ask you again at a later date,” Rian said.
After Cassiopeia gave a nod, Rian turned back to Alexius and continued their conversation from before. The table was too big to politely maintain a single conversation across both ends.
Alexandra and Ethel quietly teased Cassiopeia, much to Cassiopeia’s embarrassment. To think, she had caught Prince Rian’s attention!
The fourth course was small cubes of silken tofu with assorted toppings. The fifth course was roast chicken. The sixth course was soup dumplings. And the seventh course was a small cake with fresh fruit and cream.
Each course itself didn’t look large, but the sheer number meant that everyone would be full. Each course also took longer and longer to come out, giving time for the nobles to leisurely chat and digest the food before the next dish, and even move around to speak with others before returning for the next course.
Rian was one of those people who got up from his seat to walk around and talk.
There were thousands of nobles at tonight’s event, from hundreds of noble families. These families were split into a dozen different factions, and thus multiple different persons Rian wanted to speak to before the night was over, even if to just greet them. The dishes were well received, and Rian was able to use the dishes as a starting point to talk to numerous nobles.
While Rian walked around, Alexius took the chance to talk to Earl Rosewood about his magic progress so far. Namely, that his magical tutors wouldn’t let him start with nonverbal magic until he mastered verbal magic.
“—You’re amazing, Adrienne—can I call you Adrienne?—and so lucky to have Earl Rosewood teaching you already,” Alexius added with a pout.
Adrienne smiled weakly.
“Then maybe you need to work harder,” Günter Blewitt said snidely.
“You’re not getting taught by Earl Rosewood either,” Alexius said with an annoyed huff.
Tierri Mauveine, who was seated between Alexius and Günter, sighed as Alexius and Günter glared at each other. He glanced across the table, and for a moment, he and Earl Rosewood shared a knowing look.
“So, Earl Rosewood, do you have any new magical techniques?” Tierri asked, a little desperate.
Ren Xiyang thought about the magical probing he’d done on the vial of Rian’s blood. Hm, he rather not talk about that. He shook his head. “With the harvest, I’ve been too busy.”
Alexius was half deflated, but also half relieved that there wasn’t yet another thing he would want to learn but couldn’t yet.
“Each person has their own strengths,” Ren Xiyang said. “Don’t rush, build your foundation properly.”
“Yes, Earl Rosewood…” Alexius turned his big curious eyes to the person next to Earl Rosewood. “So, Adrienne, what kind of magic do you know?”
Alexius was still young and immature, but Ren Xiyang had to admit that he was good at making friends (aside from with Günter, his most hated cousin). With Florence and Alexius, Adrienne slowly relaxed and even laughed a few times.
As Rian told him later, the social event was a success and the food was well liked.
But Ren Xiyang felt that the day after was much more interesting, because in the morning, he met with Florence in private.
The two of them talked long about harvesting and new crops and the effect of magical spells on various plant qualities and soil properties; they talked about making new planting spells and the potential unexpected effects of direct magic manipulation; they talked about Ren Xiyang’s technical chemistry knowledge and how that interacted with magic.
Ren Xiyang had also afternoon tea with Rian and Alexius and personally gave them the recipe to make the baked apple crisps.
And then, on the day after that, was the month’s Imperial Council gathering.
Something shocking happened at the gathering.
Earl Rosewood stood up and handed the draft of a new act to Deputy Prime Minister Marchioness Cloud to present to the Council. Solicitor Carmine had worked hard to prepare the new draft legislation, and it was ready to be seen by others for feedback.
It was the Rosewood fief’s new Death Penalty Abolition Act.
Ren Xiyang: If I can’t farm, the second best thing is talking about farming. That’s why Florence is my new best friend.
Rian: YOU SAY THAT AGAIN, EARL ROSEWOOD!
Ren Xiyang: That’s why Florence is my new best friend—
Rian: ..….….…. (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻
A “problem” has occurred. I have an outline. But I keep adding more scenes…
And I thought the last chapter was hard to write, but this was even harder. Coral Island shines brightly…